The following contains spoilers for Episode 15 of Orient, “Equals”, now streaming on Crunchyroll.
In Episode 15 of Orient, “Equals”, Musashi becomes even more isolated from his Bushi troop after they realize how little he knows about Kitetsu and Blade Energy circuits. Humiliated because of his lack of knowledge, Musashi retreats inward and questions whether he should even take part in the fight on Awaji Island against the Green Kishin.
However, he begins to build his confidence back up after having a heart-to-heart with Katsumi, the leader of the Amako band. The Awaji Island native eventually takes Musashi under his wing and teaches him how he can harness the power of his Kitetsu blade. While Michiru also appears to be cheering Musashi on, it appears that not everything is as it seems.
Katsumi Amako’s Dark Past
While Katsumi Amako initially came across as being cold and calculated, it appears that he is in fact incredibly kind natured. Although many of the other Bushi within Musashi’s troop have dissociated with him due to his lack of knowledge, Katsumi manages to look past this and recognize his potential. Katsumi compliments Musashi’s ability to speak up for others, even when it’s hard to do so, and encourages him to continue along his journey despite the difficulties that lie ahead.
When Musashi asks why he was so determined to become the unit commander, Katsumi reveals that the mission to defeat the Green Kishin is a very personal matter. Awaji Island is the homeland of the Amako band and was completely overrun when the Oni appeared. This left the Amako people without a home and condemned to wander the lands of Hinomoto until the Green Kishin could be defeated. Katsumi hoped that he might lead on of the units to defeat the Oni and reclaim his homeland.
Michiru’s Secret
In a shocking scene, it’s revealed that Michiru is not the innocent princess that many believed her to be, but instead a spy for the Obsidian Eight. After crystals protrude from her face she begins to connect with Yataro Inuda, who has been tasked with protecting Awaji Island and the Green Kishin. Michiru’s mission is to not only provide information about the Uesugi Alliance but to find the Obsidian Goddess, kill the host, and capture her on behalf of the Obsidian Eight. However, despite locating the Obsidian Goddess, Michiru denies knowing the whereabouts of her host.
Michiru has developed feelings for Musashi, since he is the only person that has shown her kindness without wanting something in return. The ‘princess’ appears to have had a tormented past, in which she was given “no name”, had “no worth”, and was considered completely unremarkable by her father, Yataro Inuda, for most of her life. Michiru was simply an experiment (Yataro Inuda’s 3000th daughter) to create a warrior that would do the bidding of the Obsidian Eight. It was only when she proved her worth to her father that she was given a name and told that she was worthy of their consideration.
Michiru has been placed in an incredibly difficult situation. She can either save Musashi and face the wrath of her father or complete her mission and lose the only person that hasn’t considered her valuable simply because of her skills. However, before Michiru is able to make this decision a rather strange phenomenon occurs.
When Musashi and Michiru begin to practice connecting their Blade Energy circuits, black crystals rapidly protrude from their skin and the pair eventually meld into a flying crystalized creature. However, it’s quickly taken down by Usami Kuroko’s powerful Impregnable Prison Crest attack, leaving Musashi and Michiru to be captured and interrogated.
With Musashi now strapped on a cross, it appears that he’s completely vulnerable to an attack after Michiru manages to escape her cell and take down the soldier guarding the area. The episode ends on a cliffhanger where Michiru looks directly at Musashi, foreshadowing the difficult decision that she will have to make. Whether Michiru is capable of going against the Obsidian Eight’s orders, after years of abuse from her father, is unknown. While Musashi has certainly been kind to her, his influence might not outweigh the overwhelming force hangning over her.
Musashi has certainly had a hard time over these last few episodes. From being humiliated and left as an outcast, to being placed in a fatal situation by his romantic interest, it seems that Orient‘s protagonist could use a break. Hopefully, Musashi has managed to learn a few lessons along the way and will enable him to get stronger for his upcoming battle on Awaji Island.