Somali and the Forest Spirit (Episode 2) – Edible Herbs and the Oni’s Dwelling
Golem and Somali continue their adventure, but their supplies are running low. Luckily, they happen upon a Dwarf-Oni who is an expert at making medicinal supplies and agrees to teach Golem.
What happened?
Somali continues to play and frolic as only a child can, while the Golem watches on. It cannot understand emotion and has no need for food. It’s an existence that puzzles Somali, but she doesn’t seem to mind too much. Then, when Somali falls over and grazes her knee, their need to replenish supplies becomes instantly apparent. Luckily, a Dwarf-Oni is nearby and offers to help. Shizuno is also an expert at making medical supplies from herbs and natural elements. He takes them back to his house and offers to look at the wound. There Golem asks if Shizuno can teach him how to make medicines. He is, but there is a price.
What was your favourite element?
I was worried that Golem being away from his forest was causing it to slowly die, but in this episode, we finally learnt the truth. Golems live for one thousand years and not a moment more. Somali’s Golem has lived for nine-hundred and ninety-eight years plus about a third of a year. Its goal is to find Somali’s parents before that happens, although I feel like any human will do. It’s quite clear, however, that Somali is happy with the current situation, which will no doubt cause more issues further down the story. This series is a fairly relaxed experience, but now, we have a time pressure.
What have you learnt?
This episode contained much more of the slice of life side of things with Somali, cleaning and cooking. Not a great deal happened, although the interactions between Golem and the Oni was interesting. The dialogue wasn’t necessarily groundbreaking, but they covered a lot of ground and revealed more about the world in a fairly relaxed and easy manner. Conversations are a great way to handle exposition, but only as long as it is a conversation and not just a one-sided affair. No one wants to sit there are be told everything in one go, plus it’s not natural for someone to talk continuously. Having other characters involved will keep the exposition from feeling like exposition.
Other reviews in the series
- Season One
- Episode 1 – Journeying Parent and Child
- Episode 2 – Edible Herbs and the Oni’s Dwelling
- Episode 3 – The Sea at the Bottom of the Cave
- Episode 4 – The Wishing Flower and the Promise Request
- Episode 5 – The Wandering Birds
- Episode 6 – Dying Flowers Look Up at the Birds
- Episode 7 – The Footsteps That Stalk the Witches
- Episode 8 – Meetings and Bonds Prayed For
- Episode 9 – Memories of Minor Days
- Episode 10 – The Infant Child and the Green Fortress
- Episode 11 – Those Who Protect and Those Who Threaten
- Episode 12 – Bonded Father and Child
- Bonus Posts
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Ah, good to know that I wasn’t the only one thinking that he was dying due to being separated from his forest. . .
Yeah, that would have been a bit of a kicker had he sacrificed himself to save her. I wonder if he’ll live beyond it now that he’s developing emotions and may find a reason to keep going. We can only hope, I guess…
I’m wondering if the medically talented oni might use that piece of Golem to develop something to slow his aging. . .
That would be a nice touch. I got the feeling that the oni could tell that Somali was a human.
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