Tomb Raider King ‒ Episode 12
Episode 12 of Tomb Raider King manages to do the impossible: make me curious about what happens in the next season.
I never thought this day would come, yet here we are dear readers. Tomb Raider King has faffed about all season ticking off a veritable checklist of writing no-nos, doing everything in its power to leave me with a bad taste in my mouth. Jooheon has spent seventy-five percent of the season as a protagonist who was unlikeable, unstoppable, and unfettered. He knew everything, always took center stage, and hardly broke a sweat as he ran roughshod over the world and everyone in it.
But now by this finale he has turned a corner. Well, every corner to be frank. Jooheon is still quite cunning in this episode but he doesn't know everything that will happen, and isn't completely sure he has a good gauge on the relic of war's power level in this timeline. Jooheon is actually sympathetic because he is relying on others and working to help innocent people (Irene's parents, the children being forced into labor by General Clark, etc.) instead of using others solely for his own benefit. Heck, Jooheon hardly plays any role at all in the final combat of the season as Irene takes center stage to battle General Clark and he makes it abundantly clear that Irene is the most dangerous human being in the world right now.
Better late than never, but geez it would have been nice to see some of this earlier on.
The visual quality is much higher as well. A lot of this show is people talking with few opportunities for the animation team to flex their muscles outside of relic depictions. This is not the case in episode 12, as Irene and General Clark go into a full high-powered battle. There's a nice flow to the action despite its high intensity, and the bright reds of Clark's mystic arrows clash nicely with Irene's golden energy blades while also making the action clear and readable. There are even a few genuinely incredible shots, like Clark watching her Itano circus of blood red magic bolts chase Irene through an airborne battlefield full of debris. Toss in a few solid comedy beats such as Jooheon mocking General Clark in her “would you love me if I was a worm?” era and Jaeha screaming in shock when the painting gets ripped up and it all adds up to a splendid episode of television.
I have struggled with this show for most of the season, but it has finally found its footing in these last few episodes. If and when a second season arrives I hope it retains this energy and character balance - if it does then I'd actually like to see more.
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Tomb Raider King is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
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