Ep 3. Love and Hate

Set in an alternate world where wizards and humans coexist, Wizard Barristers follows the adventures of a group of talented lawyers who specialize in defending wizard rights. In season 1 episode 3, titled "Love and Hate," the story continues to revolve around the protagonist, 16-year-old rookie barrister Cecile Sudo.

The episode opens with Cecile and her colleagues being assigned to defend a young wizard named Kurohime. She is accused of murdering her own brother and the crime was committed in a magical way. The prosecutor believes that Kurohime used the dark arts and that her intention was to inherit her brother's lucrative position as a head of the family. To make matters worse, Kurohime is uncooperative and doesn't want to disclose any information about the incident, leaving her barristers in a difficult position.

As they start looking further into the case, they discover that Kurohime was actually in love with her brother and that she had been hiding her feelings for a long time. They also find out that Kurohime's brother might not have been the good-natured person everyone believed him to be. There seems to be a lot of tension and deception within the family, and as Cecile and her colleagues dig deeper, they realize that the case is much more complicated than they initially thought.

Meanwhile, Cecile's estranged mother, who is the head of the bar association, has returned from her overseas trip and has demanded a meeting with her daughter. Cecile is reluctant to meet with her, having a strained relationship with her mother since her childhood. However, she eventually decides to confront her and ask about the reason behind her departure all those years ago.

Through her mother's explanation, Cecile learns that her father, who was also a wizard barrister, was killed by an arcane spell when Cecile was just six years old. Her mother was unable to deal with the loss and had to leave for a while. Cecile finally understands why her mother acts so distant and cold towards her and they start to mend their relationship.

Back in the court, Cecile and her team present their findings and suggest that Kurohime was not the only one who had motives for the murder. They accuse the victim's fiancé, who had a shady past, of being involved in the murder and the manipulation of the crime scene. The defense presents solid evidence linking him to the crime, and the prosecution's main witness eventually cracks under cross-examination, admitting that he was just following orders from the fiancé. As a result, Kurohime is found not guilty of the murder, and the fiancé is arrested.

In the end, Cecile reflects on the case and realizes that love and hate are two sides of the same coin. Kurohime, who loved her brother dearly, was capable of murder as a result of her strong emotions. The fiancé, on the other hand, hated Kurohime's brother and was willing to do whatever it takes to eliminate him. Love and hate are powerful emotions that can lead people to do both good and bad things, and it's important to understand the balance between the two.

Overall, Wizard Barristers season 1 episode 3, "Love and Hate," is a compelling episode that deepens character relationships and introduces complex themes. The case itself is intriguing, with twists and turns that keep the audience engaged until the end. It's a strong addition to the season, leaving audiences eager to see what happens next.