Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia has Sitara and Töregene start to open up a formerly tight seam of brotherhood in Ep. 7 “Brothers”. All to begin the storm that will shatter the Mongol Empire into warring clans. Forces within the Mongol Empire work to keep that seam closed, but they’re fighting against some very real hate here. It results in a very interesting political thriller story that will keep you all on the edges of your seats.
Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia Ep. 7 “Brothers”: Details in Brief
Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia Ep. 7 “Brothers” is the seventh episode (you can read my reviews of Ep. 1-2, Ep. 3, Ep. 4, Ep. 5, and Ep. 6 here) of this historical drama anime series. Said anime series is the anime adaptation of the manga A Witch’s Life in Mongol by Tomato Soup.
Science SARU (Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, Star Wars: Visions “Akakiri” and “T0-B1“, Dandadan) is the animation studio behind this anime. Naoko Yamada is the chief director for this anime, with Abel Góngora as the co-director, Kanichi Katou as the writer, and Kōshirō Hino as the composer for the music we hear in this anime.
Speaking of the music: the opening theme song of Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia is “Stella” by Sekai no Owari. Meanwhile, “Hoshi” by QUEEN BEE is the ending theme song.
Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia Ep. 7 “Brothers”: The Good
As you might’ve noticed: the highlight of Ep. 7 “Brothers” is the political thriller aspects of the story. With Sitara / Fatima (voiced by Akira Sekine (JP) and Cristina Vee (EN)) working together with Töregene (voiced by Ami Koshimizu (JP) and Michelle Rojas (EN)) working together for that political thriller plot. The beauty of that political thriller story is in its simplicity. They both apply the KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) Principle to their plan: identify the weakest link in the bonds between the brothers currently ruling the Mongol Empire, and then break it apart at the seams in order to tear apart the Mongol Empire itself. It’s a demonstration of how the simplest plans with the fewest steps are the best.
However, their plan isn’t going unopposed. Ögedei’s (voiced by Hiro Shimono (JP) and Ethan Marshall (EN)) young fourth wife Möge (voiced by Ayaka Asai (JP)) is basically operating as a counter-intelligence agent against this plot under the tutelage of first wife Boraqchin (voiced by Kujira (JP)). This clash resembles an espionage thriller in many ways, with the key thing that makes this distinct is that both parties are entirely made up of women and are all using soft power to fight their battles. Not the hard power of epic battles and violent clashes, but the soft power of gathering intel and manipulating people to do certain actions. It’s a refreshing take on anime after all the high intensity shonen action series that pervade the anime world.
And the best part? Neither one of the parties know that they’re fighting each other. Their respective actions rely on maintaining secrecy and anonymity, which means that it makes sense that they wouldn’t know about each other. In fact, this makes the story resemble an espionage thriller even more.
Oh, and Science SARU’s animation team continues to put their all into the animation. Again, the entire episode feels like a medieval painting in motion, complete with some appropriately colored lighting coloring each scene according to its mood. Dark and dim lighting for the scheming, while bold and bright sunlight is for the actions carried out in the open during the kurultai. It makes for a nice juxtaposition here.
Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia Ep. 7 “Brothers”: The Bad
Alas, if you only like shonen-style bloody action, then Ep. 7 “Brothers” will likely bore you. Yes, Tolui (voiced by Ryōta Suzuki (JP) and Alex Mai (EN)) does discuss action in a war meeting. Heck, he even goes into depth about some horrific violence and suffering he intends to inflict upon a neighboring kingdom he plans to invade. However, nothing actually happens yet because it’s all still in the planning stages and the very earliest execution of the war. If you want actual action, then you will need to look elsewhere.
Anime Recommendations
Fortunately, you do have other options if you do want bloody action. You can check out Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Kaiju No. 8, DDDD, DAN DA DAN, Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online II, Zenshu, Blue Box, Solo Leveling, Black Butler, Nyaight of the Living Cat, May I Ask for One Final Thing?, TRIGUN STARGAZE, Daemons of the Shadow Realm, and / or Kagurabachi for that. However, if you want more story-based anime like this one, then you might also like watching Spy x Family, Senpai is an Otokonoko, Apocalypse Hotel, Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf, The Ancient Magus’ Bride, My Dress-Up Darling, This Monster Wants to Eat Me, Hana-Kimi, Journal with Witch, and/or Witch Hat Atelier.
What do you all think of this week’s episode of Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia? Tell us your scheming thoughts in the comments section below.
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