Zenshu Episode 3: Surprising Twists and Genre-Bending Fun Await!

Summary

Amid a festival in the Last Town, danger looms as Natsuko confronts a surprise Void attack.
A romance subplot involving Luke and Destiny unfolds, influenced by Natsuko.
A mysterious secret involving Memerun hints at potential betrayal within the group.

Title	Zenshu
Director	Mitsue Yamazaki
Studio	MAPPA
Episode Air Date	1/19/2025

HEED THIS: The ensuing critique unveils key plot points from Zenshu’s season 1, episode 3 titled “Destiny,” which is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll. Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers!

In the initial two episodes of Zenshu, there was a significant focus on setting up the story. The first episode established the unique blend of reality and fantasy that characterizes this anime. In the second episode, it became clear that Natsuko’s (Anna Nagase/Madeleine Morris) powers were not a mere fluke, earning her fellow characters’ trust. Now that Zenshu’s protagonist has found a home in the Last Town, the plot is starting to pick up speed, giving viewers a glimpse of Natsuko’s true abilities.

In episode 3 of Season 1, titled “Destiny,” we meet Destiny Heartwarming, a classic damsel-in-distress character from the story “A Tale of Perishing.” However, Natsuko’s progressive mindset and knack for anachronism inspire Destiny to seek more than just being rescued. The blend of genre-bending humor and the hint of a treacherous ally will leave audiences eagerly anticipating episode 4.

A Harvest Festival Reeks of False Security

Following my successful thwarting of an airborne attack designed to spread disease through the Last Town, I find myself instead immersed in a vibrant harvest festival – a brief respite from the grim narrative I’ve come to know through “A Tale of Perishing”. However, my new ally among the Nine Warriors, Luke Braveheart (Kazuki Ura/Ryan Negron), seems uneasy.

In light of another potential surprise attack by the Void, Braveheart urges his companions to cut short their celebrations and take up watch instead. As Natsuko suggests, however, the following Void assault typically happens during rainy conditions. But QJ, our floating AI, indicates that it won’t rain for another month. So, everything should be safe, correct? Not quite so.

In Natsuko’s transformed world, a funeral for fallen Unio has turned into a town-wide celebration instead. Each risk she manages to avoid amplifies the Butterfly Effect. At what point will the number of altered outcomes render Natsuko’s prophecies inaccurate? A fortuitous encounter between Natsuko and Elder Baobab (Hisako Kyoda, Linda Young) underscores the importance of humility for an animator to avoid overconfidence.

True Love (and Luchadors) Enter The Ring

Natsuko and Baobab swiftly transition to the next part of their conversation as a woman with barely any clothes, sporting pink hair reminiscent of cotton candy, enters the scene. She gracefully bounds over a castle bridge, bumping into Braveheart in the process. This unexpected encounter between them feels like a romantic moment, but Natsuko is far from pleased about what’s to unfold next.

Destiny Heartwarming (JP: Manaka Iwami, EN: Dani Chambers) is the soft-spoken, pink-haired character who plays Luke’s romantic interest in “A Tale of Perishing.” She often finds herself in dangerous predicaments that Luke has to rescue her from. Several movie visions suggest that her demise severely affects Luke’s spirit, leading to devastating outcomes.

Natsuko Influences Destiny (No Pegbar Required)

In the upcoming scene, Destiny discloses to her father, who is the mayor of the Last Town, that she intends to wed a polygamist, metrosexual character resembling Lord Farquaad. This role is split between Japanese and English actors, Junichi Suwabe and Reagan Murdock respectively. In return for this marriage, he promises to construct an orphanage. However, it’s worth noting that the strong pull towards Luke, which brightens up the entire dining hall, remains unchanged.

As a keen observer, I can see and acknowledge the bond between Luke and Destiny. Despite the playful teasing from Unio (or Rie Kugimiya in Japanese, Luci Christian in English), I view Destiny as a fascinating mystery that intrigues me. Fortunately for both of them, they quickly form a strong friendship, with some of Natsuko’s qualities rubbing off on Destiny over time.

Upon the Chairman’s arrival to meet his fiance, Natsuko questions one aspect of the storyline in “A Tale of Perishing”. She wonders why Destiny requires the Chairman to construct her orphanage when she has the capability to do it herself. In response, the Chairman reprimands Natsuko, which leads the animator to exclaim a statement that greatly motivates Destiny.

When the Chairman comes back to meet his bride-to-be, Natsuko points out an issue with the story of “A Tale of Perishing”. She’s confused as to why Destiny needs the Chairman to build her orphanage when she can manage it herself. The Chairman scolds Natsuko, causing the animator to make a statement that boosts Destiny’s spirit.

I’ll dress as I want and live how I want. That’s my definition of beautiful.

Serval Cat Mask Saves the Day

In the midst of Destiny’s sudden realization of feminist consciousness, QJ issues a warning about a looming void close by. To Natsuko’s surprise, she encounters this void disguised as a priest, an occurrence that was expected to happen much later in “A Tale of Perishing.” With Braveheart being too intoxicated to fight (thanks to Destiny!), the fate of the Last Town now rests on Natsuko’s shoulders.

However, how can Natsuko muster enough strength to battle the colossal crab-like Void? By donning the Serval Cat Mask, naturally! This anime enthusiast designs a wrestler adorned with a cat-shaped mask and offers live commentary as the wrestler performs a powerful suplex, sending the Void hurtling into nothingness.

Among all the works Natsuko has produced thus far, the Serval Cat Mask seems to be the most unexpected or unconventional. This character appears more fitting in a shonen anime like “Dragon Ball” rather than the fantasy setting of “A Tale of Perishing.” As the fight ensues, Braveheart, clearly intoxicated, cannot help but laugh. It’s clear that even he recognizes Natsuko’s creation as an audacious, genre-defying, and seemingly unrelated piece of work.

Fate acknowledges the skill of the Serval Cat Mask, gazing at him in admiration. Following Natsuko’s emergence from her animation-induced coma, she encounters Destiny, who wears a cat mask, during breakfast. The luchadora reveals that she has ended her engagement with the Chairman and intends to construct the orphanage on her own. It seems the young woman is learning how to take charge of her conflicts.

A Cliffhanger Hides One Character’s Secret

Minori Suzuki, EN: Alexis Tipton) hints at future events.

As the elven woman with green hair walks into the kitchen, Natsuko queries where she spent her time during the festival. It was unusual that she wasn’t there when the Void assault occurred, given her role as one of the Nine Warriors. Unio brings up that Memerun was busy singing in a choir to soothe the spirits of the departed. Yet, Natsuko seems doubtful by her expression.

Could Natsuko and their group place confidence in their teammate’s alibi? Although this subplot occupies only a small portion of episode 3, its influence seems substantial. Intriguingly, in a scene shrouded in mystery, three individuals with ear tips resembling Memerun’s were spotted meeting with the Void in an alleyway outside the festival. This encounter suggests that these mysterious figures might have given the Void a disguise that proved effective.

As the heart of Zenshu’s story unfolds, the Voids’ antagonistic stance becomes less prominent. Is it possible that Natsuko knows something unique about Memerun that others don’t? Or could Memerun’s understanding transcend the conventional boundaries of knowledge? In narratives where multiple futures collide, a steadfast character typically strives to preserve the initial course of events, no matter the consequences. It appears that Memerun may be poised to embody this archetype.

2025-01-25 20:07