Radiant Episode 13 Review: Overture of Turbulence – Storm –

Happy anime new year, everyone! Can you believe another season is starting? That’s why I’m sure all of you are eager for the new series you’ve been waiting for! As for Radiant, it just headed towards the climax of its current arc, and everything’s messed up! It’s a riot, quite literally actually.

Japanese Original Episode Title: 動乱序曲 -Storm-

Plot

When Seth and the others unintentionally destroyed one of the properties in Rumble Town in the midst of trying to capture some of the Echo Nemesis, the citizens used this as a pretense to rise up against sorcerers, as well as immigrants! But Seth and Dragunov knew differently. Seth thought that there might be someone controlling the Nemesis, while Dragunov witnessed Konrad stirring the people up to riot! Doc also discovered a Nemesis nest hiding in plain sight, wondering why the local Inquisitors weren’t doing anything about it. Then they found him out and took him away!

Episode Highlights

The Domitor: So there are actually sorcerers who can control the Nemesis, and they’re considered enemies of humanity! I wonder if there are some who use them for good purposes, though. The lady who controls the rat Nemesis seemed pretty close to them, which sort of gave me the feeling that she may actually be kind. Then again, the Source Nemesis also infected Taj, so she’s not totally innocent either. Just what is her goal even? Is she in cahoots with Konrad, since the Inquisition was trying to hide their presence? And how is she involved in the incident 15 years ago, since she said they’ve finally come this far after 15 years?

Conspired witch hunt: I would very much like to know if the hatred the people of Rumble Town have for sorcerers and immigrants alike started in themselves, or did Konrad plant a seed of discrimination in them? Because that witch hunt was so scary! It’s like they were all brainwashed or something! But the fact was that Konrad had just been spreading false propaganda to them, and even inciting them to violence, all while covering up the real threat to themselves, which are the Nemesis. Konrad was a bigger threat too, because he didn’t care if citizens would get hurt! What ‘protective wall’ in their right mind does that?

Doc’s discovery: Normally one would be annoyed with how Doc acted towards the whole situation in Rumble Town, especially when he found the hideout of the Nemesis. But we must remember, he’s a normal human! He doesn’t have any way to defend himself, and I’m guessing all this time of being surrounded by sorcerers has put him into loads of dangerous situations. That’s why it’s already admirable to me that he was struggling whether to escape or tell Seth about the hideout. Too bad it was already too late when he decided. Please stay safe, Doc!

Seth saves Taj: My cries! This scene totally resembled the one where Alma saved little Seth from getting burned at the stake years ago! He even fooled the normal folk into thinking they got infected with his touch, just like she did! Alma might have been a little rough in raising him, but with how he’s turned out, you know she did a great job!

Tragedy 15 years ago: Just what in the world exactly happened in the 13th district of Rumble Town? Most people thought that it’s the infected’s fault why it got destroyed since they’re ‘connected’ to the Nemesis that attacked it. But since they were also living in that district, why would it be their doing? Konrad also mentioned something about using a bit of force as he did 15 years ago. Something smells incredibly fishy.

Themes & Trivia

Overture: The title is very apt for what happened in this episode. That’s because when something is called an overture, it usually signals the beginning of something, like in an orchestral composition, or a poem. True enough, this was the beginning of a messed up town.

Domitor: In Latin, a domitor is a tamer or a breaker, usually of animals. A very appropriate term for sorcerers who can control the Nemesis.

Comments

The staff did a good job making the whole episode feel like it’s going to go up in flames. It didn’t immediately blow up in our faces, but slowly built up on it since the beginning, starting with the discrimination. I also commend the author for writing a deep, dark theme as this while making sure it’s still the same show that started on a lighthearted note! Everything that’s been happening is truly intriguing now, and I feel like it’s gonna get even more serious thanks to the scale of what’s happening now.

Say no to discrimination!

Konrad and Seth finally meet face to face! Will Seth be able to stop the captain from wreaking more havoc on the town and its minority? There’s also the fact that Dragunov mentioned the Thaumaturges coming there, and that General Torque wants Seth to be captured!

As always, we’re eager to hear about your comments on this episode! Maybe you also haven’t caught up on the anime reviews last Fall 2018? Now would be a great time to do so! Plus, check out the list of anime we’ll be reviewing in Winter 2019!

NEXT TIME: The Bell Tolls the Sound of Destruction – Catastrophe –