Rangestu is pretty conflicted. In general, I mean, but especially when it comes to issues of trust. An unexpected visit to a brothel throws some more fat on the fire, but a simple tea ceremony might be what really causes the dam to break.
I’m so very torn on the softening of Rangetsu as a character, I really am. I thought her singlemindedness as a cold-blooded murder machine was such an interesting take for her and the slow, insidious spread of hope through her was just enough to soften the edge a touch.
But perhaps this volume goes a wee bit too far. It starts off with one of the story turns that I really hate the most, where some vulnerable character has a conniption because they believe somebody they’re sweet on has gone and done the deed and then is relieved when it didn’t actually happen. It’s so… trite. And this series has not been particularly trite so far.
So Rangetsu gets to be triggered by memories of her unfortunate past again (content warning for a brief re-used snippet of sexual assault) and thinks the prince is stepping out with brothel ladies, which explains why she gets rip-roaring drunk and picks a fight that just shows how unprepared she is.
I get that for all her posturing, a lot of Rangetsu is pain and suffering that she keeps at arm’s length, buried deep, and Tenyou’s kindness is slowly drawing that out of her. I mean, I even think they’re a good match (the ending of the book is pretty adorable, regardless of any misgivings on my part).
Then it turns out that apparently the beastkin Olympics are part of the ascent to the throne, as Rangetsu has to serve tea to all the aspirants in a formal venue. This turns out to be a lot more fun than you’d have thought.
For one, Rangetsu is all martial prowess and doesn’t have a delicate bone left in her body. Watching Taiga pour circles around her during practice is very funny, plus the ongoing exasperation of Tenyou’s servant.
When the ceremony takes a detour to the more serious and disturbing, Rangetsu’s solution is very clever (if nasty) and while I was a little shocked that they (pardon the expression) de-fanged the actual danger later on, it does lend itself to a surprisingly perfect joke shortly thereafter.
In the aftermath of this mess is really where Rangetsu’s mask starts to slip and I do realize that part of the point is that she’s never been as strong as she thought and is pushing through on sheer nerve and desire for vengeance, but again, hmph. If that hadn’t been the case I would have been just fine.
For all that I might not be the biggest fan, the way this is presented is pretty perfect. Rangetsu begins to completely forget her sense of decorum, which leads to her being put in her place, and her anxieties manifest in some very miserable dreams from a particularly vindictive subconscious. It’s a great way to show just what the problem is and what she’s dealing with.
Oh, but don’t worry, it looks like we’ll be playing polo without the ponies next volume and I’m so okay with a sporting storyline showing up here because why the heck not. This title’s earned my interest.
4 stars - I really love this series and I think this is a strong volume, but there’s just something not quite sitting right with me. I do think it’s because I want Rangetsu to stay a total badass and might not get my wish, but if you are less focused on that part you won’t have any complaints here.