Golden Kamuy Episode 21 Review: The Sound of an Ambush

I am so thankful I am getting to review Golden Kamuy; this show just keeps getting better and better. I always have very low expectations of everything but I have to say that I cannot help but feel excited every time a new episode comes out.

Japanese Original Episode Title: 奇襲の音[ね]

Plot

Sugimoto and his gang are going to some hot springs – because seriously what sort of anime does not have a hot springs episode so it can shove in some unnecessary nudity, amirite? Anywho, The MEN are having a nice hot bath when they are suddenly ambushed by a group of blind bandits.

During the chase and fight, Inkaramat is being driven into the river with Tanigaki Nispa and Kiroranke, thinking that her premonition will come true and this will be her last day on earth, never having seen Wilk’s face again. Her premonition in partially true – their boat gets discovered by the bandits and all three of them fall in the water where Inkaramat gets a new vision – one where her death and destiny are averted by Tanigaki Nispa, who drives them away and saves her life.

Apart from that, the rest of the episode is basically one long BUT exciting battle (and god knows I hate long battles, but it is good), with Hijikata making a comeback at the very last scene, and offering everyone a free picture day (lol).

Episode Highlights

Blind bandits: Le wow. Those guys really creeped me out. I suppose it is quite the viable strategy for blind outlaws to hide during the day and attack during the night when they have a huge privilege. Also, the fact that they move around using the sound of their clicking tongues was just the cherry to the cake, very nicely done.

Top funny moments: Tanigaki Nispa’s penis being substituted by an enormous mushroom. The bullet passing through his butt (wtf seriously). Shiraishi’s head hiding Sugimoto’s butthole. I had a pretty good laugh today.

Ogata wins again: No.1 badassery awards for being the one who thought of keeping a weapon nearby and for taking out the majority of the bandits. Of course, it had to be Sugimoto who takes the kudos, being the noble protagonist and not a bloodthirsty psychopath, but OH WELL.

Themes & Trivia

Onsen: I dare you. Name one anime where the characters don’t visit the hot springs. Hell, there was even a hot springs episode on Girls’ Last Tour, a dystopian traveling adventure where two kids were traveling in a destroyed industrial wasteland.

Fanservice: I dare you. Name on anime without fan-service. Not that I can really complain watching all these naked guys walking around but I mean… REALLY? I suppose they’re a bit too muscular for my aesthetic but okkkk.

Hijikata’s photo: This is a real Hijikata Toshizo photo! No, really. Check out his wiki page. I was too excited to see this.

More butts than necessary, butt OKKKK

Still a pretty damn good episode. I am pleased.

What did you think of this Golden Kamuy episode? Let us know in the comment section! And don’t forget to check the rest of the Fall 2018 anime reviews on MANGA.TOKYO!