Shion No Ou Season 1 Episode 7 Playing Pieces

Shion No Ou season 1 episode 7 is titled "Playing Pieces" and it is a pivotal episode for the show's plot. The episode begins with Shion and Ayumi practicing their game of shogi, a Japanese board game similar to chess. During their match, Ayumi notices that her opponent is becoming increasingly distracted and unresponsive. Shion is lost in her thoughts as she recalls her traumatic experience from several years ago when her parents were murdered.

The episode then cuts to the present day, where Shion is preparing to interview with the examiner for her professional shogi license. She is nervous but determined, and she is accompanied by her mentor, Saori. However, the examiner turns out to be an unexpected figure – the man who had convicted Shion's father for the murder of her parents.

Even though Saori warns Shion that it may be difficult to stay calm during the interview, Shion remains stoic and professional throughout. The examiner seems to be impressed with her skills and offers her a position on the professional shogi circuit. Shion is overjoyed and feels as though she has finally made a breakthrough in her pursuit of justice for her parents.

However, the happiness is short-lived when Shion receives news that Ayumi has been arrested for a fraudulent shogi match. Shion is shocked and horrified, and she immediately rushes to Ayumi's aid. She discovers that Ayumi had been forced to play against a seasoned professional, and she was set up to lose from the beginning. When Ayumi refused to comply with their demands, she was branded as a cheater and arrested.

Shion is determined to clear Ayumi's name and seeks out the assistance of the veteran shogi player, Koushou. Koushou is hesitant at first, but he is impressed by Shion's resolve and offers to help her search for evidence to clear Ayumi's name. Together, they investigate the case and realize that the fraudulent match is part of a larger conspiracy – several other players were also set up to lose in their matches, and the perpetrators had been bribing officials to cover up their tracks.

Shion and Koushou track down the culprits and bring the evidence to the authorities, leading to the arrest of several high-ranking officials in the shogi world. With Ayumi's name cleared, Shion can finally breathe a sigh of relief. However, she is left wondering who was behind the conspiracy and whether there are more secrets lurking in the world of professional shogi.

Overall, "Playing Pieces" is a thrilling episode that showcases Shion's intelligence and determination. The storyline of the fraudulent shogi match and the larger conspiracy is gripping and suspenseful, keeping the viewer on the edge of their seat throughout the episode. The themes of justice and perseverance are strong throughout the episode, making it a standout in the first season of the series.