The Mafia Game: Thoughts on Rokka no Yuusha

Rokka no Yuusha (六花の勇者, Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers)

(Anime 2015)

Light Novel Written By: Ishio Yamagata

Light Novel Illustrations Created By: Miyagi

Anime Directed By: Takeo Takahashi

I finally started watching 2015 anime, which I have been avoiding this whole entire year. I have a list that dates back to like 2010. It doesn’t hurt to start watching 2015 anime now, though. I started off with Rokka: Brave of the Six Flowers or Rokka no Yuusha.

One word: Awesome.

If you haven’t seen it yet, you should. Don’t be like me that waited forever to watch it.  But I finally did it, and that’s all that matters.

Rokka no Yuusha is about the legend of six braves protecting the country against the Demon King that wakes up every three hundred years. This time, there is not six, but seven warriors. One of them is an imposter. The seven warriors must figure out who the imposter is before he or she spoils their plans in defeating the Demon King.

I enjoyed the mystery within the storyline. It is like playing the game, Clue, but instead, you are watching an anime and guessing who the imposter is. So I admit beforehand, someone told me who the seventh brave is, but that didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the show. In fact, it made me look for all the clues that pinpoint to the culprit. The storyline was well executed and intricately thought out. Also, the “surprise” at the end makes me yearn for a second season. I know I should read the light novels to know what happens next, but I don’t want to deal with the import fees.

Since the first episode, Adlet Mayer proclaims himself as “the strongest man on earth.” Yet he isn’t the type of person you would associate “strong” with. In a literal sense, you may use Goldof Auora as a prime example of strength. However, Adlet’s strength comes from his quick-witted and strategic moves in battle. Furthermore, his diplomatic ways put him at the forefront of a loyal leader. That in it of itself makes him “the strongest man on earth.”

One of the things I didn’t like was the forced love relationship between Adlet Mayer and Fremy Speeddraw. It made sense to me why they would use a sudden love plot. Love is the easiest way to prove one’s loyalty and trust to someone, but I feel this relationship was a bit rushed. I mean, you can’t really fall in love with someone within a day can you? I’m just thinking logically. So when Adlet confessed his feelings for Fremy, I didn’t believe him, and like Fremy, I was ready to shoot Adlet for his lies. However, I was able to accept their relationship when he admits his craziness of being able to fall in love with someone within a day. This further adds reliability to Adlet’s character and makes viewers accept this proposal as fact. There were moments within the episodes that suggests that Adlet and Fremy have feelings for each other. Yet I still think these feelings were a bit forced and could have come out in a more natural way granted if there were more episodes.

Okay, I am going to spoil the anime’s ending now. So if you don’t want to know what happens and want to see Rokka no Yuusha for yourself, ignore the rest of the stuff I’m about to say and watch the anime right now.

The imposter is Nashetania Loei Piena Augustra. She seemed to be brainwashed into joining the Demon King’s side. She believes that peace can be achieved between humans and demons. However in order to achieve this goal, thousands of people’s lives must be sacrificed. Nashetania is thinking about the future, and she is willing to do anything to obtain peace. Yet one would question whether or not human sacrifice is needed to obtain peace, and if so, would it all be worth it in the end. In her vision though humans are not given a choice towards whether or not they will die for a cause. Instead, she is going to sacrifice lives out of selfishness. The other braves consider this dream, immoral. One shouldn’t sacrifice lives for the greater good—it isn’t humane. Human sacrifice in order to obtain peace isn’t a righteous act. If one could save all lives, he or she will do it regardless of peace. Hence, you could say human life is more valuable than peace. At the same time, though, you could consider the demons as a race that is trying to survive by killing humans and gaining territory as if they are colonizing the land. Of course, I have to side with humanity, being human and all. Anyways, this is just the thoughts I have about the ending once the imposter was revealed to everyone.

Rokka no Yuusha dives into the human condition through its dynamic characters. As humans, we are distrustful of each other and blame one another for mistakes. Yet it is through logic and reasoning does one prove his or her loyalty and trust to people. Rokka no Yuusha is a definite must-watch, and I really hope they make a second season.

5/5