Ringing Fate Ep 4 Review: A Will To Live

If you think last episode of Ringing Fate is emotional and sad, wait until you check out episode 4 – with a mix of emotions that will get you running high and feeling low at the same time. It is incredible how a series with no existing IP managed to establish so much in so little time, with a very strong cast to boot. And in this episode we even got to know two more new characters – who are also quite interesting.

Starting the episode, we’re gonna go even lower than the last one with the emotional trauma. We’ve got a brief recall on Okuma’s death. And this time, he’s gone for good since a death in Quon is an eternal rest. We once again experience the intense love a father has for his daughter. And in his last moments, his daughter Qing Sun/Sei finally realised his true identity. the late realization sent her into a panic, running towards her fleeting father. Her father has given all for her to have a chance to live again, bestowing upon her everything that he had. With the Quon she won from the match, Qing Sun was able to remember, the unique skill that only her father and her would know. In the end the two was able to share a glimpse of happiness together before they are separated by fate forever. The scene where Ookuma embrace Qing Sun for the last time was a masterpiece of a scene with amazing OST in the background.

Then we see a brief look at Qing Sun’s life in Quon. Even though she died young, she was raised by a strong father, therefore she is quite independent and is strong-willed. She wanted to live again no matter the cost. But it is sad that her subconscious removed her memory of her father, even so; she retained his teachings – his boxing skills that has been passed down to her. And it has become her greatest weapons in her journey to live again, and finally with a little bit of life that Ookuma had left, she will finally be able to take the next step in her journey. We say goodbye to her temporarily but I’m sure she will be able to succeed in the tournament.

Now with Oakuma gone, Kaname have to find another teacher. I feel kinda bad for her since they were only able to spend a few days together and he only taught her the basics. To become stronger she needs to study under another master, and that is what she set out to do. In the previous episode, she encountered a very strong looking fighter whose mech literally looks like a Gundam. Later we found out that he’s basically a Wuxia character, if you don’t tell me, I’d say he’s from Genshin Impact or even Honkai. His personality is also quite interesting as he doesn’t care if others view him as a villain or hero. He just goes about doing his own things, which really surprised Kaname. I find it funny that Saburo has basically accepted that Kaname will be his partner and is willing to go along with her antics. Although as a literal helmet, his attempt to be intimidating and cool usually backfires.

Another new character is this episode is a young girl with a purpose. Eden met her while he was running away from some thugs, and he ended up saving her after she saved him. And what do you know, the easy-going, flirtatious shopkeeper has been struck with the Cupid’s arrow. He was instantly smitten with the girl thanks to her beauty and strong demeanor. I didn’t really expect Eden to have this kind of characterization, because he was shown to be a veteran in Quon and has a devil-may-care attitude. He seems to be the type of person that just wants to pass his life without putting effort into anything. It will be interesting to see how this relationship pan out.

This episode doesn’t have much mecha action, instead it spends time to build up new characters as well as giving a beautiful farewell to Ookuma as well as Qing Sun. Killing off a character this early in the series is not actually uncommon in a mega anime, However making the character have that much emotional impact is a very hard thing to do, and Ringing Fate accomplished it beautifully. The screenplay and the script was really well done to show all the emotions using its unique flashback style. If the series continues this trend of strong writing, it will be one of the best hidden gem of the year.

=Aaron=
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