This review on Golden Kamuy 3 contains spoilers. If you haven't seen the chapter we recommend that you do it and then go back to read the review.
Chapter 9: Revolutionary
When Sugimoto and his company find clues about Asirpa, they hear a plan and story from Kiroranke that take us back to his revolutionary past and his escape to Japan. Kiroranke, Wilk and SofĆa visited a Japanese named Kouichi Hasegawa in Vladivostok, who agreed to teach them Japanese. The relationship between the revolutionary trio and the family trio becomes close, but each part hid its private life. One day the police arrive at Kouichi's house, but Sofia and her comrades attack the police group that came not for them but for Hasegawa, who turned out to be a Japanese spy. In the fire, Sofia accidentally kills Fina and her son, but Tsurumi gives them their dignified funeral.
Chapter Opinion
Last week the chapter started with Tsurumi and this week it ends with Tsurumi. If this was planned, done very well; if not, done just as well. Personally, I can say that this has been the best chapter so far this season because it has this essence of Golden KamuyWell, there was no lack of humor either, the drama was well received and the plot shone with its presence, in addition to the interweaving that is created between the characters. The only thing to worry is that Tsurumi is apparently behind every past event, but he's not the overall planner, he was a subordinate. If you are the one behind this, all of this will be difficult to justify. Still an excellent chapter end.
First minutes
First we see Tsukishima talk about Asirpa and find clues as to what he is accomplishing, and there is the fun moment of the chapter where Sugimoto suggests putting a reindeer collar on Koito.
Then we continue with Kiroranke, who explains a little about the Nivjis, explains his plan again and, through Shiraishi, manages to convey Sofia a message and clothing for the jailbreak. Then we move into the past and they already know that.
Generally they do this kind of treatment for this anime, the central theme takes a long time to arrive. Sometimes these problems are related to what is happening, others less (like the last chapter or the one about the circus). This can be a little counterproductive as you lose your rhythm a little. It takes the manga, yes, but the manga has a more constant rhythm that doesn't make the chapters seem like fillers.
Tour of the past
There is no need to summarize what has been seen because the picture is sure to be fresh in their minds. We see SofĆa, Kiroranke and Wilk interact for the first time and they get along very well, suggesting that their desire to learn Japanese responds to their need to flee Russia. That's what Kouichi is for, who has a nice family and lives peacefully. It is curious to see how future fates mix in the past without knowing it or intending it. Such simple facts can unite people with such different ideals.
The mention of the 3 great nobles of the restorationand stranger that after the image fades, each of the 3 revolutionaries is shown. Tokimichi Ohkubu, who was killed; Takayoshi Kido, who dies naturally at the age of 43; and Takamori Saigo, who dies as a result of his Satsuma rebellion. Something tells me that if we know his story, we will know the outcome of every revolutionary, even though we already know Wilk's.
Deadly result
If we think they're looking for us but are looking for someone else, that's what happened to the three comrades. In the end, they kidnap the officer Wilk later kills and murder the rest of the police or military. Kouichi previously told his wife to leave, this will have an important meaning because the same thing that will happen to Lot's wife, death. But not death by any hand, but by a friendly hand, that of Sofia. These types of things can cause total repentance in the person, triggering the decision not to go to Japan, as the penalty of not being loved or being happy is imposed for denying happiness to two beings. From what is known about Sofia, it shouldn't be an excuse for not going to Japan, but a genuine feeling of regret and punishment.
Unreal result
What happens in the end is the unbelievable that becomes believable. Kouichi Hazegawa was really Tsurumi Tokushirou. Perhaps he confessed his identity as an apology and gratitude to a woman who loved him and gave him a son, and with this result one sees for the first time (temporarily) Tsurumi's gloomy look of revenge, hatred and manipulation. Did Tsurumi really love her or did he love her? It seems so because of the treatment and the consideration of telling him to go since he knew they would go after him. Was a new man born after Fina's death and funeral?
A nice and interesting chapter for the plot and historical content. This content serves as the basis for the entire story. If you know the history of Japan, I think you can enjoy more than it happens to me, and even spoil. Wait for the next chapter.
