Ousama Ranking Episode 21: Bojji defeats Bosse, Miranjo is caught by the devil

Highlights from Ousama Ranking Episode 21 (Image via Wit Studio)
Highlights from Ousama Ranking Episode 21 (Image via Wit Studio)

Ousama Ranking Episode 21 is the most visually impressive episode in the series so far.

While the plot has developed rapidly and the characters have evolved significantly in the span of 23 minutes, the spectacular cinematography has left the viewers in awe. For a plot-driven series like Ousama Ranking, this was a very welcome surprise for fans.


Bosse and Bojji’s duel makes Ousama Ranking Episode 21 the best in the series so far

In the previous episode, Miranjo started to reflect on her deeds and the deal she made with a demon. Bosse, still in Daida’s body, entered the battlefield and healed everyone using the magic that Daida inherited from Hiling. He fought and defeated Ouken by trapping him inside a boulder. The episode ended with Bojji challenging his father to a duel.

Ousama Ranking Episode 21 is titled "The Swordsmanship of a King (Ō no Ken).” The Japanese title can be translated to “The King’s Sword.


Bosse’s conversation with Miranjo

Ousama Ranking Episode 21 begins with Bosse ignoring Bojji’s challenge and going to Miranjo’s mirror to speak to her.

Miranjo tells him about what she has done to ensure the death of the First queen Shiina so that Bosse can remarry and have a child. She regrets her choices, especially after realizing that Bosse never wanted to be reincarnated.

However, Bosse accepts Miranjo’s deeds and assures her that after Bojji defeats him, they can leave for the afterlife together. Miranjo remarks sadly to herself that she cannot follow him after death.


Bosse vs Bojji

Bosse bellows to the assembled challengers that they could either obey him or die trying to save Daida. Bojji’s fond memories of his father stay his hand at first. However, upon remembering how his younger brother used to protect him when they were children, he takes up arms again.

The big four resolutely stand by the prince, with Apeas reminding everyone that with Bosse relinquishing the throne to Bojji, he is now their rightful king. However, Despa warns everyone that the only one who can fight Bosse is Bojji, even as he laments that he only taught the boy to find a way to save Ouken.

Bojji protects Domas by knocking him out, and Despa explains that his sword cannot kill anyone since this is the swordsmanship of a King.

Bojji then advances towards Bosse and uses his speed and Despa’s technique to break the King’s signature club. The entire duel was filmed in a long continuous sequence which is undoubtedly the highlight of Ousama Ranking Episode 21 and the entire season so far.


Bosse and Miranjo depart

Bosse reflects on his feelings of guilt regarding his actions and his happiness at witnessing Bojji’s growth. He tries to break the mirror so that he and Miranjo can depart for the afterlife while Daida gets his body back. However, Bojji stops him. Miranjo herself requests the prince to break the mirror, to which he replies that he is going to save her from the demon.

Despite Apeas’ protests, Bojji breaks the mirror as Miranjo thanks him. Bosse’s soul leaves Daida’s body along with Miranjo’s, and they float towards the sky. However, the demon recaptures her as per their contract, and Bosse is forced to leave her behind. As he leaves, Bosse pleads with Daida, not Bojji, to save Miranjo as the demon swallows her soul.

In a flashback, it is revealed that Miranjo met a child-demon in a forest when she was young and made a promise to him. At present, her soul is trapped in another realm as she apologizes to the demon but sees him nearby.

The demon is seen eating lost souls as they scream, regurgitating them, and tearing them up before consuming them again. The child-demon from her flashback appears again, welcoming her to an endless cycle of pain and suffering as Ousama Ranking Episode 21 ends.


Final thoughts

While the color palette and cinematography of Ousama Ranking Episode 21 was universally praised, the plot development also got its share of the limelight. Additionally, the character exposition in the episode was extensive.

Bosse’s inner thoughts portray him as a gray, layered character with both good and bad on his ledger. Daida used to be fond of Bojji before he was corrupted by Miranjo and a hunger for power. Bojji has evolved and learned how to make hard decisions. And lastly, Miranjo becomes more and more complex as viewers learn more about her past.

Ousama Ranking only has two more episodes to go for its first season. These episodes are likely to revolve around Miranjo’s deal with the devil and her fate as a consequence.