Somali and the Forest Spirit (Episode 10) - The Infant Child and the Green Fortress

The Golem explains to Shizuno about how he found Somali and how they came to be together. Shizuno agrees to watch over Somali once the Golem has gone, but asks him if that’s what he really wants?

What happened?

With their first day as bodyguards for the Inn Keeper, the Golem and Yabashira head off to work, leaving Shizuno to watch Somali. They decide to spend their time trying to make something nice for the Golem, but Somali can’t quite get it right. On the second day, the Inn Keeper sends his wife to the house with supplies for them. Once there, she realises they are trying to knit and offers a suggestion. She shows them how to make bracelets and it’s so easy that even Somali is having no problems. Then, when they hug to celebrate something changes in the Inn Keeper’s wife’s expression. I’ve got a bad feeling about this!

Somali and the Forest Spirit Episode 10 Somali smiling

What was your favourite element?

The back story of how the Golem met Somali was tragic and beautiful all at the same time. Seeing her wandering through the forest with chains on her wrists and ankles and a massive clasp around her neck was so sad. When Golem found the wagon she was being transported in and saw that there were no survivors, it just added to the mire. I think that Somali calling the Golem her father was a defence mechanism and I’d argue that it was a post-traumatic stress reaction to what had happened to her to that point. Still, they managed to work things out, partially through Somali’s persistence and also because of the unusual feeling Golem got when Somali smiled. It was such a brilliantly done segment, that I wanted to go back to the beginning and continue to watch their early adventures.

Somali and the Forest Spirit Episode 10 Somali and Golem Waterfalls

What have you learnt?

There’s always been a dark undercurrent waiting for something to fall into its reach. We’ve known about how the inhabitants of this world eat humans since episode one. There have been several reminders throughout yet Somali continues to be Somali, carefree and full of exuberance. On some level, I’m certain that I knew something dark was coming, but it’s almost hard to acknowledge it because of the warm feelings this series gives off. As soon as the Inn Keeper’s wife’s hug lingered, I saw it all come crashing down. We’re in for a dark and tragic final couple of episodes I think. Normally, I’d be all for that, but with this series, I kind of wish it wasn’t so.