Twelve Days of Fantasy and Ash (Christmas Special Part 2)
The start of episode two is much more relaxed than the fight scene from episode one. Haruhiro wakes up and notices that Manato is not in his bed. He goes outside where he meets Manato returning from the bar where he has been gathering intel. They have a nice and civil discussion, which highlights the character dynamics when more than those two are involved. There is tension in the conversations when the girls are around, and when Ranta is involved, the conversation devolves into an insult war. Haruhiro and Manato are likely the only two who can get along perfectly at this point.
Next up is the opening, which I will only look at once. The music sounds good and the tone fits with the show, but I really don't get the bouncing marble thing. While it is true that the characters metaphorically run into each other, changing both of their paths, the visuals seem to indicate more of a chain reaction of character moments. This does not happen; most of the character development is isolated to a few people at a time with not much continuity connecting them. It doesn't require connectivity, but putting the marble visuals in the opening certainly imply it. I also see no reason for the fanservice shots of each character.
Next up is a fight between the party that has had 2 weeks to hone their combat skills against a solitary goblin getting water. Ranta screamed for no reason, alerting the goblin, so Haruhiro decided to rush in. He barely holds the goblin off of him when Ranta joins the fight. He makes big swings and gets his sword stuck in the mud. Manato, the team's cleric has to join in the attack, just to keep Ranta safe. Shihoru fires a magic shot that completely misses and explodes in the river. It is clear these people still don't know how to handle themselves in a deadly fight, which is reinforced by the conversation they have while fighting. After a log of struggle and Haruhiro being stabbed and choked, they finally manage to bring down that single goblin. Or, at least it acts dead before making one last stand in which it is brutally slaughtered by Ranta.
It is clear that fighting is going to be tough on them until they finally get accustomed to battle. This is especially true when you consider that the spoils of the fight was worth only 100 copper pieces, not even enough to live off for two days. The teams splits to go shopping and enjoy their hard earned cash, but they know this life is unsustainable. There can be a case made that one of the themes of the show is growing up and turning a struggling life into a prosperous one. They are currently in the struggle phase. The music for this part is on point. The next few scenes they enjoy what they can in Grimgar. Their life is not a peaceful one, but it's not all doom and gloom. There are things one can enjoy, even in a dreary life.
I would rather not discuss the next scene. Let's just say that Ranta doesn't hide the fact he's a jerk.
