Episode 9 of “From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman,” titled “The Old Country Bumpkin Goes on His First Hunt in Ages,” delivers a blend of action, heartwarming moments, and political intrigue. The episode focuses on Beryl’s financial struggles and his deepening bond with Mewi, while also setting the stage for future conflicts with the Holy Order. Here’s a detailed recap and analysis.
A Royal Hunt and Financial Strain
The episode opens with Beryl facing financial difficulties as he supports Mewi’s education. To ease the strain, Surena offers Beryl a job: capturing a rare silver-maned white horse for the Sphenedyardvania delegation at the royal family’s request. This mission is presented as a high-stakes challenge, previously failed by even platinum-rank adventurers, highlighting its difficulty and the prestige associated with success.
Beryl and Surena’s Partnership
Beryl’s encounter with Surena leads to a strategic partnership. This collaboration showcases the series’ strength in using established relationships to drive the plot forward. Their mission is complicated by the condition that they cannot harm the horse, turning it into a non-violent adventure that requires creative problem-solving. Surena’s idea of using a towel-wrapped arrowhead demonstrates their ingenuity and introduces new skills and tools, adding variety to the narrative.
Heartwarming Bonds: Beryl and Mewi
While Beryl is on his hunt, a subplot focuses on Mewi, who needs a new school bag. Beryl’s attempts to buy her a suitable bag are both humorous and touching, showing his growing comfort in his parental role. The episode’s emotional core lies in the mutual sacrifices made by Beryl and Mewi. Beryl undertakes the dangerous hunt to afford Mewi’s school bag, while Mewi takes on dishwashing duties to replace Beryl’s broken mug. This reciprocal care highlights the deep bond between them.
A Sweet Exchange
The most heartfelt moment of the episode is the gift exchange between Beryl and Mewi. Their parallel efforts to support each other underscore the maturity and love in their relationship. Mewi’s initiative to help Beryl demonstrates her growing sense of responsibility and affection, creating a touching dynamic that resonates with viewers.
Political Intrigue and Reunions
Episode 9 introduces political depth through Surena’s guild assignment. The urgency and prestige of capturing the rare horse for the Sphenedyardvania delegation adds a layer of complexity to the storyline. The episode concludes with a significant twist: Beryl’s reunion with Rose Marblehart, his former student who is now a Holy Order commander. This encounter opens up several narrative possibilities, including exploring Beryl’s past as an instructor and delving into the political tensions surrounding the Sphenedyardvania delegation.
Foreshadowing Conflict
Rose’s appearance, combined with Beryl’s increasing mistrust of the holy knights following the Bishop Reveos incident, sets the stage for future conflict. This development suggests that Beryl’s past and his evolving views on the Holy Order will play a crucial role in the upcoming episodes.
Themes and Character Development
Episode 9 masterfully blends action and emotion, exploring themes of sacrifice, responsibility, and the deepening bond between Beryl and Mewi. The episode allows Beryl to demonstrate his compassion and resourcefulness, further developing his character. The non-violent nature of the horse capture mission challenges Beryl to rely on skills beyond swordsmanship, adding depth to his character.
Creative Problem-Solving
The episode highlights the importance of creative problem-solving. Beryl and Surena must think outside the box to capture the horse without harming it, showcasing their adaptability and intelligence. This approach not only adds variety to the episode but also emphasizes the value of non-violent solutions.
A Critical Perspective
While the episode is praised for its character development and emotional moments, some critics note that the animation quality and fight choreography in the series are mediocre. Some argue that the series could benefit from either fully embracing realistic sword fighting or going all-in on stylized, over-the-top action. Despite these criticisms, the episode is generally well-received for its engaging plot and heartfelt interactions.
Final Thoughts
“From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman” Episode 9 is a solid entry that balances action, emotion, and political intrigue. The episode deepens the relationship between Beryl and Mewi, introduces new challenges, and sets the stage for future conflicts. With its blend of heartwarming moments and strategic plot developments, Episode 9 continues to build on the series’ strengths. The episode successfully explores themes of sacrifice and responsibility while delivering heartfelt interactions between guardian and ward. The introduction of Rose Marblehart and the political implications of the Sphenedyardvania delegation add layers of complexity to the narrative, promising more exciting developments in future episodes.
Highlights of Episode 9
- Royal Hunt Challenge: Surena’s assignment to capture a rare silver-maned white horse for the Sphenedyardvania delegation.
- Strategic Partnership: Beryl and Surena team up, showcasing their established relationship and collaborative skills.
- Non-Violent Adventure: The condition that they cannot harm the horse leads to creative problem-solving.
- Financial Strain: Beryl faces financial difficulties as he supports Mewi’s education.
- Gift Exchange: Beryl and Mewi’s mutual sacrifices and heartfelt exchange of gifts.
- Rose Marblehart’s Return: Beryl reunites with his former student, now a Holy Order commander, foreshadowing future conflict.
- Deepening Mistrust: Beryl’s increasing mistrust of the holy knights after the Bishop Reveos incident.
Episode Rating
- Community Score: 4.0
- Overall: A well-balanced episode with engaging plot developments and heartwarming character interactions.
Where to Watch
“From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman” is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Videos on Saturdays.
Cast and Crew
- Director: Akio Kazumi
- Series Composition: Kunihiko Okada
- Character Designs and Chief Animation Direction: Satsuki Hayasaki
- Music: Yasuharu Takanashi
- Studios: Passione and Hayabusa Film
- Light Novel Author: Shigeru Sagazaki
- Light Novel Illustrator: Tetsuhiro Nabeshima
- Manga Adaptation Artist: Kazuki Satō
Characters Introduced in Episode 9
- Rose Marblehart: Beryl’s former student, now a Holy Order commander.
- Gatoga Lazorne: Knight Commander of the Holy Order of the Church of Sphene.
From Light Novel to Anime
“From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman” began as a light novel series written by Shigeru Sagazaki and illustrated by Tetsuhiro Nabeshima. It was initially serialized on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō in November 2020. Square Enix later acquired the series, publishing it under their SQEX Novel imprint in April 2021.
Manga Adaptation
A manga adaptation illustrated by Kazuki Satō began serialization in Akita Shoten’s seinen manga web magazine Dokodemo Young Champion in August 2021. Yen Press has licensed the manga adaptation.
Anime Adaptation
An anime television series adaptation produced by Passione and Hayabusa Film premiered in April 2025. The anime series continues to gain popularity, with each episode adding new layers to the story and developing the characters further.
Looking Ahead
As “From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman” progresses, viewers can expect to see more of Beryl’s past, the political tensions surrounding the Holy Order, and the evolving relationships between the main characters. With its blend of action, emotion, and intrigue, the series promises to deliver more exciting and engaging episodes in the future.
