Yuuki teams up with Himari in a brutal elimination contest to decide the Azuma family’s next leader.
Episode 5 — “The Azuma Banquet”
Hmm.
The Japan that anime has portrayed for decades says it has a bullying problem. Is it still true? Judging by the flood of self-published stories on Shousetsuka ni Narou (syosetu.com), starring overpowered isekai protagonists and supporter class adventurers kicked out of the hero’s party, the creative types clearly think so. The aspiring novelists excel at turning synopses into overly long titles rather than writing. Still, manga publishers and anime production committees mine the site for easy-to-consume media despite its shortcomings. Somebody buys the stuff. Many bodies. Chained Soldier capitalizes on this demographic through a satisfying side story.
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Chained Soldier Bullies the Bullies
Himari and Yachiho portrayed an abusive relationship between sisters in Chained Soldier S1, which later revelations described as a twisted sort of protective love for her younger sister on Yachiho’s part. This episode added more reasons for why Himari refused to live at the Azuma estate after she moved into the Demon Defense Force dormitory. Her cousin, Homare, also bullied her.
One of my favorite scenes in anime, across all genres, is when bullies receive the beatdown they deserve from a hardworking character. Chained Soldier scratched my itch! Watching Himari pound Homare into the ground, after she warned her about the 7th Squadron’s reputation for martial arts, made me punch the air in celebration! Kyouka, the 7th Squadron’s leader, has no wizard skills from her Peach Power. Her combat prowess is pure physical grit, and that fierce attitude flows into Shushu, Himari, and Yuuki. Don’t mess with the 7th if you want to trade fists and kicks!
Instant Ramen Context. Add Flavor Packet.
The kanji for East, 東 (tou, higashi), also has the pronunciation “azuma” when referring to Eastern Japan or Edo, the ancient feudal capital. Tokyo (東京) means “eastern capital” in a literal translation (Kyoto’s other name, 西京, “Saikyou,” means western capital). Native viewers of Chained Soldier would instantly grasp the historical context of a clan with branch families and all their inevitable infighting. That’s why we expect Grandma Tobera to speak with an Edo accent.
Isn’t it wild how one Japanese character with a different pronunciation packs all the backstory an audience expects for palace intrigue, internecine rivalry, and petty grudges among cousins and stepsisters growing up inside the same family compound?
Do You Like Thighs? Chained Soldier Has Your Thighs.
Every episode of Chained Soldier features a fetish. What was it this week? Upper thighs. Thigh fans, rejoice! Homare drummed out her Python coding on a decidedly unergonomic split keyboard. Then, Himari recalled one grueling training session with Yuuki that required him to kiss and lick her inner thighs. That girl clearly loves kissing. I wonder if her mother will offer her pointers! She must know a thing or two about romantic maneuvers because Fubuki bore two daughters at such a young age. Does Fubuki inherit her youthful glow from her mother’s Peach Power? We need details.
Chained Soldier Makes Me Say Heh.
Yuuki and Himari train together in hand-to-hand combat. Tobera Azuma, the elder head of the Azuma family, looks younger than her daughter and granddaughters. I see a busty girl with red-rimmed glasses radiating a class rep’s attitude. Danger hair and danger eyes! Maia and Homare claim that Himari only beat Yachiho in their inter-squad match because Yachiho has a soft spot for her little sister (see Chained Soldier S1, Episode 5). Isn’t it strange how the other family members knew about Yachiho’s twisted favoritism for Himari, but Himari didn’t?
Tobera used her ability to make a rose bloom, which hints at how she keeps her youthful appearance. How does Homare’s ability work? She dressed Maia in a frilly pink dress! And how does Maia get back at her? We’ll find out soon, I’m sure.
It’s an Azuma family reunion. We’ll also have branch family drama during this contest. Two ladies serve in the Special Police Force, but what does the third white-shirted person do? Homare thinks she can bully Himari like she did when they were kids. I sense that a role reversal is coming. And Himari takes Yuuki with her.
“Learn to Code Thighs,” Proclaims Chained Soldier
How many different dimensions are there? The Azumas possess a portal to a desert island. Fubuki will take on the branch family members outside the Demon Defense Forces. She can take all three at once! Himari thanks Yuuki for coming with her, but she recalls with embarrassment how she repaid him during training.
Homare charged straight at Himari. Let’s see how these two fight. Homare has keypads on her thighs. Can I push her buttons? Har. Yuuki asked if shedding clothes was part of Homare’s powers. Always a relevant question in Chained Soldier. Nope. She’s crazy. That’s it. Homare’s ability title is “Python,” like the programming language. She codes her actions on her thigh keyboards, and her body obeys.
Chains conceal Himari’s nipples in the intermission card.
POW! THWAPP! ZLOPP!
Homare claims she can checkmate Himari and Yuuki in three moves. Press (X) to doubt! She underestimates Yuuki’s skills and talents.
Meanwhile, Fubuki and Maia eliminated the non-Demon Defense Force branch family members. We’ll see their powers in action next Chained Soldier episode as they team up against Himari and Yachiho.
How is this not cheating on Yakumo? The whirlwind queen won’t like this new Slave form. Yuuki and Himari’s new Slave is “Whirlwind.” Such a manwhore. Uh oh. Homare believes she can beat Himari in hand-to-hand combat. Think again! Satisfying revenge against a bully!
Yes, Chained Soldier, Please Continue the Tongue Wrestling and Belly Rubbing
We have a break in the action, so Chained Soldier provides a different “action” scene. What reward will Yuuki subconsciously seek on a desert island? Tongue action! Hohoho! Mama Fubuki would like them to continue!
Oh, thank goodness. Ren saves the day for nudity in the Chained Soldier epilogue. She’s still furious about her domination loss against Yuuki. Oh! There was more to the scene! The reward ritual wasn’t over yet after the nip-slip. Puppy play demands belly rubs! Oh no. Ren did not have a smart idea. She bought a dog collar from “Amazun” that will assuredly end up around her neck instead of Yuuki’s.
Next time, the Azuma Banquet continues. Who will be feasting? I predict Fubuki. The omake shows Maia humiliating Homare in a frilly goth maid uniform as payback.
Chained Soldier (魔都精兵のスレイブ, Mato Seihei no Slave) streams on Hidive in Japanese audio and English subtitles.
Which did you enjoy most? Himari bringing Homare to Pound-and-Ground Town? Or would it be Ren revealing belly rubs added to her humiliating reward ritual? It’s okay to like exposed nipples reluctantly hardening from heterosexual touching. How about repaying bullies with belly rubs they can’t refuse? Which Chained Soldier needs belly rubbing payback the most? Tell us in the comments!
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