This was a fairly entertaining episode focusing on Maomao’s friendship with Xiaolan and Shisui. We also got some hints about a new eunuch in the palace and a surprise appearance from Lady Lishu.
Since it’s the start of a new cour, the opening and ending songs have been replaced. I have nothing against the new opening, “Shiawase no Recipe” by Dai Hirai, but it wasn’t as good as the previous one, in my opinion. The new ending song, on the other hand, is an improvement over the previous one in terms of personal taste. It’s called “Hitorigoto” and is by Omoinotake. I’m already a fan of this band, so naturally I enjoy the new ending.
That’s enough rambling about the songs for now. Let’s review episode 37 (AKA Season 2 episode 13).
Episode 37: The Baths
Episode Rating: 8/10
Xiaolan’s work contract would expire in only 6 months, and she wasn’t expecting any marriage offers, so she needed to find work again fast. She asked if Maomao had any connections, but Maomao was reluctant to suggest the life of a courtesan. Just then, Shisui arrived and suggested they all visit the baths. The girls changed into thin white garments and bathed together. There was the obligatory attention drawn to Shisui and Seki-u for their breasts, but in terms of fan-service, it could have been much worse.
The bath Maomao and her friends went to was a huge, public place for all the servant girls. Concubines had their own large room-sized baths, and the four highest-ranking concubines each had fancy baths in their own pavilions. After bathing together, Shishui brought the others to the lower-ranking concubine’s baths. They served the concubines by massaging their bodies, removing hairs, and applying scented oils to their skin. Serving in this was was a good way to make connections, hear palace rumors, and even get gifts on occasion.
During her time helping the concubines, Maomao heard that thirty new eunuchs were hired recently. They were former slaves who were recaptured from foreign lands. There was one particularly good-looking eunuch that Xiaolan wanted to meet. We saw a brief scene of a long-haired eunuch with a limp signing up for the palace. My first thought was that it’s possible that it’s Suirei in disguise, but I could be way off and it’s a whole new character.
The three newest ladies-in-waiting at the Jade Pavilion asked to meet with Maomao. They told her it was bothering them that she wandered off so much and didn’t seem like the most trustworthy person. The two elder sisters also wanted the youngest to spend more time with people her age. Maomao then invited the youngest, Seki-u, to join her at the baths with the other girls. Seki-u became their newest companion.
Maomao encountered Lady Lishu and wondered what she was doing in the public bath area. It probably would have been rude to jump straight to questions, so Maomao first offered to give Lishu a massage and gentle hair removal. Lishu reluctantly agreed. After the refreshing and relaxing experience, Lishu offered cold juice for Maomao and her friends. As they sat around sipping the beverages, Maomao asked why Lishu was here.
Lishu told them there was a ghost that visited the bath at the Diamond Pavilion. She was too afraid to bathe there. It’s time for another mystery! The episode ends on that note. It was an enjoyable installment with beautiful visuals.
~Thanks for reading~
Written by 7Mononoke at Anime Rants
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