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Episode 7: They Were called Goblin Slayers

Overview

In episode 7, “They Were called Goblin Slayers” we watch as the group slowly becomes closer to Mary, and seemingly begin to outgrow slaying Goblins. For between their armor, weapons, and new skills, it seems they maybe ready for bigger, badder, and more challenging enemies.

Trigger Warning(s):

Characters & Story (with Commentary)

Topic 1: Empathy, Sympathy, and Compassion (Mary and Haruhiro)

With Haruhiro now knowing Mary’s full story, so comes the question of how to address it when it comes to her, and how his friends, as a whole, can come to deal with her. Which leads to Ranta noting that there is so much bending over backwards for one girl, who is new to their party, and yet his thoughts, opinions, and how he feels is ignored. Pushing Haruhiro to apologize for that, and Yume noting that it is often because what he says, like calling her flat chested, doesn’t really inspire people to listen to him. Much less take anything he says seriously.

But, back to Mary, with Hayashi noting how Mary essentially left him behind, in terms of her being unable to be in the same party with him due to memories, you have to wonder if Haruhiro and crew are the first to really question why Mary acts like the way she does? Also, what were the reasons she left other groups, or they asked her to stop being a part of theirs. For while, granted, she is hard to work with to a point, she seems talented and at a high level. Though, I guess, even with her skill benefits, perhaps no one in Grendel really has time to worry about someone else’s issues when they have more than enough of their own.

Allow me to digress, for the point is, Haruhiro decides to try to level with Mary without being condescending. He presents that his party has suffered too, and they are in need of a priest. However, as much as they need her in terms of survival, they all also want to befriend her. A comment which seems to have presented the first crack in Mary’s armor, but doesn’t lead to it utterly shattering.

Topic 2: Progress (Haruhiro, Shihoru, Yume, Moguzo and Ranta)

Either way you slice it, still there is progress there. I should note though, in general everyone is progressing. For whether it is new skills, Moguzo and Ranta now wearing protective armor, and now goblins seeming like nothing to mow down, Haruhiro’s team is doing quite well. So well in fact that they are sort of mocked for sticking to goblins and not moving on to more dangerous entities. Something which bothers Ranta, more so the taunting than hunting goblins, but it seems Haruhiro isn’t ready to push his team out of their comfort zone just yet.

Topic 3: Where To From Here? (Haruhiro)

We have come a long way since Haruhiro and everyone were just rejects who seemingly were always a day away from starvation or being killed, but now comes the question of what is their future? Haurhiro addresses that he knows he isn’t from Grendel, but there hasn’t been much conversation on where they may have come from or why they are within Grendel. Granted, it was likely due because they were to hungry or time pressed, but with things becoming comfortable you have to ponder if this maybe brought up. For, as of now, there isn’t any real indication of where this series may go. Well, besides showing everyone’s bonds getting stronger, maybe some romance, and eventually more formidable enemies.

Highlights

A Continuous Mix of Character Development, Relationship Building, and Action: Unquestionably, this series is rather consistent. Every episode there is some form of character development, both in terms of emotional and in terms of each one as a soldier. Which, granted, does sometimes feel, as a whole, like it is going at a snail’s pace, even with the montages, but it makes things more authentic that way.

On The Fence

We Have Almost Reached The Peak: We have come to a point where you have to question where this series is going? What is the ultimate goal, besides surviving and even, what is out there besides the three areas we have been introduced to? For I won’t say I’m bored with the show, but I do find myself wondering what is next? Yes, there is still more ahead like seeing if Yume and Haruhiro maybe become something, and what was mentioned in topic 3 but there seemingly isn’t any sort of end game. Which I find weird since we are in episode 7 going to episode 8.

Question(s) Left Unanswered

What is up with that red moon?

Collected Quote(s)

It doesn’t matter why you became friends, but that you are friends at this moment.
—          “They Were called Goblin Slayers.” Hai to Gensou no Grimgar (Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash)