Red River Episode 5 Review: Melodrama Overshadows the Story
The review argues the anime is failing to capture the manga's strengths, and the reviewer recommends the manga over the anime.
Reporting from 1 source: Anime News Network.
Anime News Network's review of Red River episode 5 criticizes the adaptation for melodramatic excess, singling out Kail's offer to build Yuri a palace as a scene that undercuts a would-be touching moment. The reviewer credits Yuri for starting to come into her own, but says the last two episodes have looked bad and recommends dropping the anime and reading the manga instead.
The review credits the anime for starting to line the on-screen Yuri up with her manga counterpart, noting she begins training and fighting after feeling guilt over Tito's death. But the supporting cast stays flat: Hadi, Ryui, and Shala barely register, Kikkuri exists only to explain things, and Nakia is a mustache-twirling villain. Kail, third in line for the throne, is talked about more than he is shown.
The one place the review finds the adaptation consistent is the history. Zanannza is a real historic figure, and Chie Shinohara follows the history faithfully, including repeated clashes with the Mitanni and King Shattiwaza. The verdict is blunt: the last two episodes have looked bad, and readers would be better served by the manga.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- Anime News Network Red River Episode 5