Ep 5. Daughter of the forest

In Utawarerumono season 1 episode 5 titled "Daughter of the forest," the story takes a slight detour from the main plotline, focusing more on a single character Hakuoro. Hakuoro had left his village in search of answers about his past. On his journey, he stumbled upon a forest where he met a young girl named Eruruu.

Eruruu belongs to the only tribe that has been able to live in harmony with the forest. However, their peaceful life is threatened by the emperor's army who are cutting down the trees to make room for their expanding kingdom. Eruruu takes Hakuoro to her village, where he meets the rest of her tribe.

As Hakuoro gets to know Eruruu's people better, he learns that the tribe was in possession of a powerful crystal, which they kept hidden in their village. The crystal had the power to control the forest and all the life in it. The emperor's army knew about the crystal's existence and was planning to take it by force, which would mean an end to the tribe's peaceful life.

Hakuoro, being the protagonist, decides to help the tribe. He devises a plan to lure the emperor's army away from the village, giving the tribe a chance to escape with the crystal. Hakuoro's plan works, and the tribe is able to keep the crystal, allowing them to maintain their harmony with the forest.

In the end, Hakuoro leaves the tribe, continuing his journey in search of answers. However, before he does, he promises Eruruu that he will return one day to help them if they ever need it.

"Daughter of the forest" gives viewers a break from the main plotline to focus on a more character-driven storyline. It allows them to learn more about Hakuoro's character, his motivations, and his ability to help people in need. It also sheds light on the theme of the series, which is the struggle of finding balance between progress and tradition.

The episode features some beautiful animation, especially the scenes featuring the forest. The writer has also done an excellent job of creating a narrative that is compelling and engaging. The episode feels like a self-contained story, yet it ties in with the overarching plot of the season.

Overall, "Daughter of the forest" is a well-paced and well-written episode. It adds depth to Hakuoro's character while providing viewers with an interesting storyline and some beautiful animation. It is a must-watch for fans of the series and anyone who enjoys character-driven narratives.