Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon 35
半妖の夜叉姫 弐の章 11
Hanyou no Yashahime: Sengoku Otogizoushi episode 35

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Sesshoumaru visits Rin, who is now being covered with the silver scales. She requests her husband allow her to see her children one last time. As he departs, Rin tells Sesshoumaru that Towa is crying.

At Nanahoshi’s mansion, Zero and Nanahoshi attempt to bring out Towa’s sorry and rage for Nanahoshi to enjoy. As the night wears off, Towa’s youkai powers re-emerge and she vows not to forgive them.

In the snowy, northern village, Yukinyuudou discovers where Setsuna is lodging. However, Kohaku and Hisui are waiting for him, having defeating his little minions. Following Setsuna’s instructions, they continuously send Yukinyuudou flying out of the village until he’s defeated.

At Mamiana Island, Moroha enacts her plan, whereby Hachiemon causes confusion by making himself appear as the Shogen. Moroha meets Takechiyo’s little brother, Kikunosuke. The hawk, Takamaru, brings Moroha a long-winded letter from Miroku on how to deal with Shogen.

After retrieving her bow and arrows, Moroha descends to where Mangetsu-Danuki is technically still sealed. Rather than reseal the guardian youkai, Moroha purifies it, ending Shogen’s plans. Takechiyo makes Kikunosuke regent so that he can continue to work for Jyuubei. Moroha turns down her payment in order to continue to do the same. The money is given to Kikunosuke to distribute.

Thoughts/Review:

Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon 35 wraps up Moroha’s adventure (with a bit of humor), and seemingly wraps up Setsuna’s adventure. And it does so with some unexpected slapstick humor that kinda worked for me.

Sesshoumaru and Towa

Sesshoumaru likes keeping his cards close to his chest. Such was the case in Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon 35, where he didn’t say a word, yet had much weight on screen. I tend to suspect that when Rin asked Sesshoumaru to let her see Setsuna and Towa one final time, he was going to grant her request. I still think that is to be the case. However, Rin also knew Towa was in trouble and let Sesshoumaru know this too.

My fantasy is that Sesshoumaru loses his cool a bit after finding Towa, then goes full Inu and slaughters Nanahoshi and at a minimum, wounds Zero. I know that goes against Sesshoumaru’s normal gravitas and aloof mannerisms. But just once, I want to see him drop this in a fatherly rage out of love for his wife and daughter(s).

Sadly, I don’t think we’ll get that. I suspect that we’ll see Mary Sue emerge as Towa’s youkai abilities return and her rage will be one that Sesshoumaru will have to calm her down from. I don’t want that, but based on how the writers have been to date, I think this is the safe bet.

Setsuna’s Slapstick Comedy Night

I admit, with the serious nature of the adventures for Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha, I didn’t expect the writers of Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon 35 to throw a curve ball with some slapstick humor. As such, when the “abominable snowman youkai” Yukinyuudou arrives, I’m expecting Kohaku, Hisui, and the other youkai exterminators to have a massive fight on their hands to protect Setsuna.

Instead, Setsuna’s multiple scrolls on how to fight youkai turned out to be a slapstick festival. The youkai slayers follow Setsuna’s advice and use the traps she’s set up. As a result, Yukinyuudou literally gets repeatedly flung out of the village. Because this moment of slapstick was so unexpected, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. No, it wasn’t the funniest thing I’ve seen, but unexpected moments of comedy are the best as far as I’m concerned.

Moroha’s Decision

It felt kinda silly for Moroha to retain a tiny debt to Jyuubei, just so she could stay working for him as a bounty hunter. But, that’s what the writers of Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon 35 had her do. And not only her, but Takechiyo, which made less sense to me. I mean, why be a clan ruler when you can be a grunt? 😅

As for Moroha, even if she paid off her remaining debt to Jyuubei, why would that mean she could no longer work for him? I felt the anime writers were just a bit too keen to keep a certain status quo rather than think things through logically. It is unfortunate, but it is what it is.

That aside, Moroha improved her miko powers a bit. She did what her mom wouldn’t do and purified Mangetsu-Danuki. Maybe Kagome felt doing this would kill the guardian youkai. Moroha didn’t care about that. She’s not living in her mother’s shadow. I did like that moment. And her gambit paid off in the end.

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

In the end, Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon 35 was an enjoyable episode. Moroha’s miko powers grow and just maybe, she’s a bit more mature. Setsuna survived the night, thanks to some slapstick stuff. Towa is still trapped and Sesshoumaru is hopefully coming to help her.