Episode 81: The Maou’s Decision
Episode 81: The Maou’s Decision
If you need to watch the episode, check out this post (community locked) for information!
Screencaps came from here! Because I’m horribly lazy… D:
The episode opens with a recitation of Wolfram’s letter from the end of the last episode.
“Dear Yuuri, I’m breaking up with you. Peace out!”
Yuuri is confuzzled and Gwendal is… Gwendal.
Elsewhere, Wolfram is taking a break from his travels. Some of the men in his Pretty Boy Brigade question him, and Wolfram says this is the best for Yuuri as the Demon King. They head off.
The title screen appears.
Back at the castle, Yuuri doesn’t like that Wolfram’s gone away, even if he doesn’t care all that much about the engagement. Greta is sad and Yuuri reassures her.
They continue their discussion about Wolfram. Yozak says he and his Pretty Boy Brigade left the previous night.
It’s good to know Yozak always has the answers for everything. At least someone knows what’s going on around the castle.
Wolfram is going home to his Uncle Waltorana. Waltorana had wanted to make Wolfram king, and Wolfram took responsibility for convincing his uncle otherwise (see previous episodes).
Apparently he failed.
Some people in the country are still against allying with humans and Waltorana has been opposed to Yuuri from the beginning because he’s racist.
Yuuri decides he’s going to talk with Waltorana and bring Wolfram back.
Which is his answer to ever problem he’s ever faced, so it shouldn’t be surprising that this is what he’s decided. Talk first; fight if need be.
At Bielefeld Castle, Wolfram is hugged by his uncle.
How sweet.
Wolfram doesn’t want to be king. Waltorana isn’t happy about this, then goes on a spiel about how great the von Bielefeld family is and how they’ve had countless Bielefeld kings and yada yada. He says Wolfram had agreed to it before. Cue flashback of Wolfram promising to protect what Yuuri left behind.
On the road, the others are going after Wolfram.
Yuuri asks Conrad if they miss Wolfram, too. Instead of giving a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, Conrad has to go into things like time and precious memories and such, but is reassures Yuuri.
They arrive at Bielefeld Castle. Waltorana greets Yuuri. Yuuri immediately starts asking about Wolfram and says he wants to see him, but it is impossible. Since they’re contesting a matter of succession, it would be bad to have them face one another.
Waltorana goes on to say that the decision of the ten Aristocrats to name Wolfram king was the will of the people of the country (was it really?), and that he can’t allow that decision to be ignored. Waltorana questions Yuuri’s fitness for the throne.
Gunter defends Yuuri, but it doesn‘t do much good. Regardless, Waltorana wants Yuuri to prove himself, at which point Wolfram comes into the room.
Yuuri and Wolfram face one another…
… and Wolfram knocks some silverware off the table and tells Yuuri to pick up the knife. Yuuri asks if he’s serious, and it seems as if he is. Wolfram challenges him to a duel. Yuuri picks up the knife and accepts it.
The duel takes place the next day. Yozak says they should interfere if things get bad, but Murata tells him not to.
Waltorana doesn’t look all that excited about the duel anymore, or maybe he’s just anxious about what’s going to happen.
Or he might have loose bowels. You never know.
Yuuri still wonders if Wolfram is serious and Wolfram tells him not to make a mockery of the duel this time and not to hold back.
Wolfram attacks.
Yuuri ducks then scrambles away.
Wolframs says he’ll prove that he’s the one who’s more fit to be the Demon King. He calls up his fire and attacks Yuuri again.
Yuuri doesn’t move out of the way. WTF, Yuuri, are you stupid or what?
Seeing as Yuuri is still standing, Wolfram throws some more fire lions at him. Cue the appearance of the Maou, who deflects Wolfram’s fire right back at him.
Conrad and the others try to rush in and help him, but the Maou growls sexily and forces them away.
The Maou approaches…
Grr!
… and Wolfram looks like he’s about to wet himself.
Eventually he becomes resigned to the fact that he’s probably going to get the crap beat out of him now or die, because no one comes between the Maou and his kingdom…
… and says something that we in the audience can’t hear.
The Maou seems to decide to blow him up.
Kaboom!
After the explosion, Murata asks Waltorana if he’s satisfied that he’d been able to test Yuuri now.
It seems so. Judging by his response, Waltorana’s at least somewhat impressed by Yuuri’s power.
The smoke clears and Yuuri tells him to STFU.
Yuuri doesn’t look too hot, and when Yozak asks him what happened to him, the dust settles some more and Wolfram appears. There’s a short flashback of what occurred during the explosion. We see Wolfram and the Maou looking deeply into one another eyes and Wolfram says, “Yuuri, be a good king.”
It seems to have the Maou rethinking his decision to blow him to bits, so he absorbs his powers back into himself and Wolfram is allowed to live.
Yuuri isn’t very happy with Waltorana at the moment, but he collapses before he can say much. Wolfram and the others go to him to see if he’s alright, and Wolfram tells Waltorana he had no intention of “spurring you to something this outrageous.”
Hey, you’re the one who wanted to duel, Wolf.
He wanted Waltorana to accept and support Yuuri.
Gwendal appears with the rest of the ten Aristocrats (or nine, since Adalbert's daddy never shows up to anything anymore).
They decide, unanimously, to revoke their prior decision to name Wolfram the Demon King, leaving Yuuri as the rightful King. When given the opportunity to either agree or disagree, Waltorana does the smart thing and agrees.
Yuuri wakes up. The others tell him not to move but he says they shouldn’t be worrying about him, probably thinking he’d failed and was no longer eligible for the throne.
You’d think he’d have more confidence by this point, but apparently not.
Conrad, however, says, “No. You’re the Demon King.”
And so all’s well that ends well.
Everyone returns back to the capital and Murata has a little chat with Shinou. He’s surprised he didn’t influence things, and Shinou replies that he’s not involved anymore.
Uh huh… well…
Murata tells him it’s creepy to see him so patient.
The scene changes to show Waltorana sleeping rather fitfully, at which point a shade of Shinou appears and gives him a warning. “My chosen Yuuri will become a good Demon King. Don’t bully him.”
Murata supposes it’s okay, and Shinou says he wants to see the course Yuuri will set for the country. That’s apparently why he’s there.
We’ll see about that…
In the castle, Gisela is checking on Yuuri.
Wolfram arrives and Yuuri tells him to come in once Gisela is gone. He gives Wolfram the present Miko had bought for him, which turns out to be a frilly pink shirt. Because everyone knows Wolfram looks pretty in pink. :P
Yuuri talks about how his mom took such a liking to him, and how it’s like she has another son. Wolfram is pleased and flattered by the gift.
Yuuri helps him see if the shirt fits, and babbles in his usual awkward way. “That is, I mean, we’re family. And Greta calls you her father, too. And my godfather Conrad is your big brother. We’re sort of, like, indirectly related.”
Or something like that…
Wolfram says that he understands how much Yuuri has been thinking of him. He seems very happy. “If you feel that strongly, there’s no other way! Let’s immediately reinstate the engagement!”
Change to a scene where Wolfram is shouting for Yuuri to wait. Yuuri grabs Murata by the hand and drags him to the bath, where they jump in and go back to Earth.
And everything has returned to normal.
My Thoughts
First and most importantly: Waltorana.
I like Waltorana. I think he’s a good character. He adds something to the show that we haven’t seen since the very beginning of the series, that being conflict with Yuuri’s humanity in his position as king, plus his concerns about Yuuri continuously coming and going to and from Earth and the other world (which, honestly, can’t be good for the kingdom). He has a great amount of pride, but his concern is similar to what Gwendal used to show. He wants a strong king, which I like to think Yuuri is slowly but surely developing into.
We also see more of the power of the Aristocrats, how they seem to rule the country in the king’s absence, and how they’re supposed to represent the people in their territories (I’m sure that’s not always the case, however).
But was their appointment of Wolfram really the right choice? What do you guys think? I mean, I can see the appeal since he’s matured so much since the beginning of the series, and considering he’s still pretty young, he’d provide the same sort of energy Yuuri brought to the country (theoretically), and his dedication would be unquestioned, but still…
If I were them, I would have chosen someone with more experience. Like Gwendal. But I am, sadly, not from another world, nor do I hold a position of power in a grand monarchy (and if I did, I’d probably party it up like Lady Celi, because I happen to like shiny things and pretty dresses).
Also, say Yuuri had never come back and Wolfram lived out the rest of his life as Demon King. How would the succession be decided after him? Would they establish a bloodline to follow? Would the Aristocrats make the decision again? Could they remove Wolfram from power during his reign if they grew displeased with him for some reason?
Vive la revolution!
It seems really dangerous to me. Like, it would give some overly ambitious lord the opportunity to force his way into power like Stoffel did before. And then there’d be violence and bloodshed and war and all those other bad, icky things.
Or maybe that’s just me thinking about things too much. I tend to do that an awful lot.
It’s not like it matters to the series anyway.
As for the engagement: I don’t know where Wolfram gets off thinking he can just break up with the king so easily. I mean, he’s the freakin’ king! You don’t just say “tootles!” to him!! It seems to be in limbo more than anything else, which isn’t any different than how it was in the first two seasons. Yuuri obviously wants to be friends and Wolfram still seems rather serious about it, but things have gone back to the way they were with no sign of further resolution.
But this is KKM we’re talking about, so we can expect it to stay that way, which is far more fun for the fans anyway, since it gives us free reign to do whatever the heck we want.
Then we have Shinou, who very much wants to see Yuuri succeed, and came back for that very purpose (or so he says; this is Shinou, so how much are we really supposed to believe?). He spoke to Waltorana very threateningly, and seems as if he’ll do anything to keep others from getting in Yuuri’s way.
Grrr! BEWARE OF MINI SHINOU!
Next Episode: Episode 82 hosted by seamusog!
If you need to watch the episode, check out this post (community locked) for information!
Screencaps came from here! Because I’m horribly lazy… D:
The episode opens with a recitation of Wolfram’s letter from the end of the last episode.
“Dear Yuuri, I’m breaking up with you. Peace out!”
Yuuri is confuzzled and Gwendal is… Gwendal.
Elsewhere, Wolfram is taking a break from his travels. Some of the men in his Pretty Boy Brigade question him, and Wolfram says this is the best for Yuuri as the Demon King. They head off.
The title screen appears.
Back at the castle, Yuuri doesn’t like that Wolfram’s gone away, even if he doesn’t care all that much about the engagement. Greta is sad and Yuuri reassures her.
They continue their discussion about Wolfram. Yozak says he and his Pretty Boy Brigade left the previous night.
It’s good to know Yozak always has the answers for everything. At least someone knows what’s going on around the castle.
Wolfram is going home to his Uncle Waltorana. Waltorana had wanted to make Wolfram king, and Wolfram took responsibility for convincing his uncle otherwise (see previous episodes).
Apparently he failed.
Some people in the country are still against allying with humans and Waltorana has been opposed to Yuuri from the beginning because he’s racist.
Yuuri decides he’s going to talk with Waltorana and bring Wolfram back.
Which is his answer to ever problem he’s ever faced, so it shouldn’t be surprising that this is what he’s decided. Talk first; fight if need be.
At Bielefeld Castle, Wolfram is hugged by his uncle.
How sweet.
Wolfram doesn’t want to be king. Waltorana isn’t happy about this, then goes on a spiel about how great the von Bielefeld family is and how they’ve had countless Bielefeld kings and yada yada. He says Wolfram had agreed to it before. Cue flashback of Wolfram promising to protect what Yuuri left behind.
On the road, the others are going after Wolfram.
Yuuri asks Conrad if they miss Wolfram, too. Instead of giving a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, Conrad has to go into things like time and precious memories and such, but is reassures Yuuri.
They arrive at Bielefeld Castle. Waltorana greets Yuuri. Yuuri immediately starts asking about Wolfram and says he wants to see him, but it is impossible. Since they’re contesting a matter of succession, it would be bad to have them face one another.
Waltorana goes on to say that the decision of the ten Aristocrats to name Wolfram king was the will of the people of the country (was it really?), and that he can’t allow that decision to be ignored. Waltorana questions Yuuri’s fitness for the throne.
Gunter defends Yuuri, but it doesn‘t do much good. Regardless, Waltorana wants Yuuri to prove himself, at which point Wolfram comes into the room.
Yuuri and Wolfram face one another…
… and Wolfram knocks some silverware off the table and tells Yuuri to pick up the knife. Yuuri asks if he’s serious, and it seems as if he is. Wolfram challenges him to a duel. Yuuri picks up the knife and accepts it.
The duel takes place the next day. Yozak says they should interfere if things get bad, but Murata tells him not to.
Waltorana doesn’t look all that excited about the duel anymore, or maybe he’s just anxious about what’s going to happen.
Or he might have loose bowels. You never know.
Yuuri still wonders if Wolfram is serious and Wolfram tells him not to make a mockery of the duel this time and not to hold back.
Wolfram attacks.
Yuuri ducks then scrambles away.
Wolframs says he’ll prove that he’s the one who’s more fit to be the Demon King. He calls up his fire and attacks Yuuri again.
Yuuri doesn’t move out of the way. WTF, Yuuri, are you stupid or what?
Seeing as Yuuri is still standing, Wolfram throws some more fire lions at him. Cue the appearance of the Maou, who deflects Wolfram’s fire right back at him.
Conrad and the others try to rush in and help him, but the Maou growls sexily and forces them away.
The Maou approaches…
Grr!
… and Wolfram looks like he’s about to wet himself.
Eventually he becomes resigned to the fact that he’s probably going to get the crap beat out of him now or die, because no one comes between the Maou and his kingdom…
… and says something that we in the audience can’t hear.
The Maou seems to decide to blow him up.
Kaboom!
After the explosion, Murata asks Waltorana if he’s satisfied that he’d been able to test Yuuri now.
It seems so. Judging by his response, Waltorana’s at least somewhat impressed by Yuuri’s power.
The smoke clears and Yuuri tells him to STFU.
Yuuri doesn’t look too hot, and when Yozak asks him what happened to him, the dust settles some more and Wolfram appears. There’s a short flashback of what occurred during the explosion. We see Wolfram and the Maou looking deeply into one another eyes and Wolfram says, “Yuuri, be a good king.”
It seems to have the Maou rethinking his decision to blow him to bits, so he absorbs his powers back into himself and Wolfram is allowed to live.
Yuuri isn’t very happy with Waltorana at the moment, but he collapses before he can say much. Wolfram and the others go to him to see if he’s alright, and Wolfram tells Waltorana he had no intention of “spurring you to something this outrageous.”
Hey, you’re the one who wanted to duel, Wolf.
He wanted Waltorana to accept and support Yuuri.
Gwendal appears with the rest of the ten Aristocrats (or nine, since Adalbert's daddy never shows up to anything anymore).
They decide, unanimously, to revoke their prior decision to name Wolfram the Demon King, leaving Yuuri as the rightful King. When given the opportunity to either agree or disagree, Waltorana does the smart thing and agrees.
Yuuri wakes up. The others tell him not to move but he says they shouldn’t be worrying about him, probably thinking he’d failed and was no longer eligible for the throne.
You’d think he’d have more confidence by this point, but apparently not.
Conrad, however, says, “No. You’re the Demon King.”
And so all’s well that ends well.
Everyone returns back to the capital and Murata has a little chat with Shinou. He’s surprised he didn’t influence things, and Shinou replies that he’s not involved anymore.
Uh huh… well…
Murata tells him it’s creepy to see him so patient.
The scene changes to show Waltorana sleeping rather fitfully, at which point a shade of Shinou appears and gives him a warning. “My chosen Yuuri will become a good Demon King. Don’t bully him.”
Murata supposes it’s okay, and Shinou says he wants to see the course Yuuri will set for the country. That’s apparently why he’s there.
We’ll see about that…
In the castle, Gisela is checking on Yuuri.
Wolfram arrives and Yuuri tells him to come in once Gisela is gone. He gives Wolfram the present Miko had bought for him, which turns out to be a frilly pink shirt. Because everyone knows Wolfram looks pretty in pink. :P
Yuuri talks about how his mom took such a liking to him, and how it’s like she has another son. Wolfram is pleased and flattered by the gift.
Yuuri helps him see if the shirt fits, and babbles in his usual awkward way. “That is, I mean, we’re family. And Greta calls you her father, too. And my godfather Conrad is your big brother. We’re sort of, like, indirectly related.”
Or something like that…
Wolfram says that he understands how much Yuuri has been thinking of him. He seems very happy. “If you feel that strongly, there’s no other way! Let’s immediately reinstate the engagement!”
Change to a scene where Wolfram is shouting for Yuuri to wait. Yuuri grabs Murata by the hand and drags him to the bath, where they jump in and go back to Earth.
And everything has returned to normal.
My Thoughts
First and most importantly: Waltorana.
I like Waltorana. I think he’s a good character. He adds something to the show that we haven’t seen since the very beginning of the series, that being conflict with Yuuri’s humanity in his position as king, plus his concerns about Yuuri continuously coming and going to and from Earth and the other world (which, honestly, can’t be good for the kingdom). He has a great amount of pride, but his concern is similar to what Gwendal used to show. He wants a strong king, which I like to think Yuuri is slowly but surely developing into.
We also see more of the power of the Aristocrats, how they seem to rule the country in the king’s absence, and how they’re supposed to represent the people in their territories (I’m sure that’s not always the case, however).
But was their appointment of Wolfram really the right choice? What do you guys think? I mean, I can see the appeal since he’s matured so much since the beginning of the series, and considering he’s still pretty young, he’d provide the same sort of energy Yuuri brought to the country (theoretically), and his dedication would be unquestioned, but still…
If I were them, I would have chosen someone with more experience. Like Gwendal. But I am, sadly, not from another world, nor do I hold a position of power in a grand monarchy (and if I did, I’d probably party it up like Lady Celi, because I happen to like shiny things and pretty dresses).
Also, say Yuuri had never come back and Wolfram lived out the rest of his life as Demon King. How would the succession be decided after him? Would they establish a bloodline to follow? Would the Aristocrats make the decision again? Could they remove Wolfram from power during his reign if they grew displeased with him for some reason?
Vive la revolution!
It seems really dangerous to me. Like, it would give some overly ambitious lord the opportunity to force his way into power like Stoffel did before. And then there’d be violence and bloodshed and war and all those other bad, icky things.
Or maybe that’s just me thinking about things too much. I tend to do that an awful lot.
It’s not like it matters to the series anyway.
As for the engagement: I don’t know where Wolfram gets off thinking he can just break up with the king so easily. I mean, he’s the freakin’ king! You don’t just say “tootles!” to him!! It seems to be in limbo more than anything else, which isn’t any different than how it was in the first two seasons. Yuuri obviously wants to be friends and Wolfram still seems rather serious about it, but things have gone back to the way they were with no sign of further resolution.
But this is KKM we’re talking about, so we can expect it to stay that way, which is far more fun for the fans anyway, since it gives us free reign to do whatever the heck we want.
Then we have Shinou, who very much wants to see Yuuri succeed, and came back for that very purpose (or so he says; this is Shinou, so how much are we really supposed to believe?). He spoke to Waltorana very threateningly, and seems as if he’ll do anything to keep others from getting in Yuuri’s way.
Grrr! BEWARE OF MINI SHINOU!
Next Episode: Episode 82 hosted by seamusog!