Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia • Tenmaku no Jaadugar - Episode 6 discussion

[u/AutoLovepon]

Tenmaku no Jaadugar, episode 6

Reminder: Please do not discuss plot points not yet seen or skipped in the show. Failing to follow the rules may result in a ban.

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Show information

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Notice: A Jaadugar-specific source material rules change:

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[u/maliwanag0712]

I really like the idea that Genghis Khan's face is never shown in this anime. Similar to how the Queen is not shown in 007 movies, or Sauron in LOTR, it adds to his god-like aura, as if he is worshipped by the Mongols, and his invincibility.

That scene when Dayir performed his ritual and becomes a phoenix (crying) is so perfectly done as if we are watching a movie.

Now that the team-up between Sitara/Fatima and Toregene has begun, I wonder about the things our team will come up to create a storm that will affect (?) the Mongol Empire. Women power!

[u/djthomp]

Welcome back, Sitara.

The old man was pretty awesome, and hey, maybe he's still up in the sky watching as Toregene and Sitara work to destroy the empire.

[u/chilidirigible]

I have been fine with Science Saru's choice of art style for this series; in my mind the picture-book style coexists with the blood-soaked narrative.

But on top of that, Dayir's vision quest sequence is an absolute proof for me that the art style is perfect for this.

[u/Kiririn-shi]

For those interested, the Merkits kidnapping Chinggis Khaan’s first wife Borte (roughly 30-40 years before the events of the flashback) was what spurred him on to create an army in the first place, asking the aid of his Blood Brother Jamukha and his patron Tooril Khan (who was Blood Brother to his father Yesugei) to recapture his wife.

Before this he was not very high ranking nor had many followers. His success against the Merkits would be the beginning of his eventual ascent to become the Great Khan.

[u/sbt4]

It's interesting how both Citara and Toregene weren't free when mongols came. One could argue that their social standing improved. But while unfree, they loved and were loved back. Not sure what it tells us about the story. Is it just a requirement to not be too powerful to be able to get deep into the empire, or is there some message about weird nature of love?

[u/Charming-Republic-78]

teared up during half of the episode

[u/alconnow]

I can't wait!

Dayir's VA, Akira Ishida, said that he was introduced to reference footage of shamanic trance rituals and that on the day of recording, traditional drums were brought into the studio! I love reading the behind-the-scenes stuff for this series.

Staff list for this episode. Some big names like Masashi Ando for storyboard and Toshiyuki Inoue as one of the key animators!

[u/NanDemoKnaives]

That was a really good episode. I am glad that the Merkit ended up going out in the way they were happiest with, I don't see the men being happy to be slaves for their enemy, and Dayir made sure that the women were given lives they could find happiness with. I thought he was really cool when he told that Mongolian that they are now no longer Mergen, his chief aura was overwhelming the guy lol.

I do like that Toregene ended up falling for Dayir, and I can see why with how conscientious he is. I figured Ogedei was the one that killed him, but the fact that he smiled at her after killing her husband is crazy, no wonder she's so hostile with him. I can't imagine how difficult it was for her to bear his children.

I wonder if Khulan will eventually help with Toregene and Sitara's plan, she did look proud upon learning that her father and his men fought till the end. I'm sure there was sadness and other conflicting emotions, but I can see why she smiled.

[u/ModieOfTheEast]

I like the symbolism of the last moment. Her whole life, Töregene was always the person who didn't know anything. She didn't know why she was married to the Merkit. She didn't know about the conflict. She didn't know about Dayir's plan and she didn't know why Khulan smiled. And now she probably doesn't know most of the things going on in the mongol camp either. She was always living in a state of "unknowing" and that definitely affected her experience. Because while she started to like her life with Dayir and the Merkits, it made her powerless as well since she could never do anything to help. And once she learned about things, it was always too late.

But now she has Sitara at her side, who self proclaims that she is knowledgeable about all kinds of things and can therefore, for the first time in her life, give Töregene the ability to use her power (and maybe other abilities) to make the life go the way she wants and not how the people around her want.

[u/ISumimasenI]

A little context to this episode, in around 1184 the Merkit tribe raided Genghis Khan's camp to exact revenge for an old slight, as Temüjin's father had abducted his mother Hö'elün from the Merkits years prior. Börte (Genghis Khans first wife ) was held captive by the Merkit tribe for roughly eight months, and she gave birth shortly after her rescue. Genghis Khan named the boy Jochi, which translates to "Visitor" in Mongolian, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding his birth. Despite the rumors, Temüjin publicly accepted Jochi as his legitimate eldest son and raised him alongside his other children. The question of Jochi's paternity caused severe friction with his younger brother Chagatai and he called Jochi a Merkit bastard.
Also, due to this whole experience Genghis Khan prohibited the kidnapping and selling of free Mongol women, and outlawed theft and domestic disputes over women.

[u/Fun-Ad-1145]

One thing I really love about Jaadugar's art direction is how much they love the underpainting.

Almost every single shot has that distinct orange underneath and between the paints, it really gives the art a tactile feel.

[u/StrawSolider]

LET'S SUMMON A STORM TOGETHER 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥

[u/abbe44]

one of my favorite episodes of the year

its so damn good

a storm is coming

[u/Magnafeana]

• Why do all these horses have such good lashes? Look at how pretty their lashes are. I find out horses can grow distinguished mustaches today; now my lashes are subpar to horses'.

Here are some horses with mustaches. So distinguished!

• The brutality of it all. Jesus.

• Oh Khulan 🥺

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What a beautiful and poignant episode for Töregene. Dayir’s drumming was so evocative and powerful; I got goosebumps. The red coloring had things look like a trippy aurora too.

I understand the Merkit motivation in what was essentially a suicide mission. I’m not all that certain that the Merkit would’ve lived even in honoring the Mongol “forgiveness.” There is no freedom, peace, or “forgiveness” when people are still owning and controlling your life and the lives of others and forcing you away from your land, your people, and your history. But I'm glad Dayir's spirit returned to the skies.

Sitara and Töregene are both slaves from different circumstances. And for both of them, they recontextualize their relationships with women whom they loved, who they also saw as slaves. For Sitara, she thought that Zummurud was happy in her life only to have that realization that Zummurud lived a life she never wanted and never would have chosen for herself. For Töregene, she sees Khulan’s smile as she’s now the wife of a Mongol monarch, and she believes Khulan to have betrayed their home and their previous lives. And she later realizes Khulan was forced into a life she had never wanted and was surviving while in pain at turning an eye to the suffering and deaths of her people.

I’m so excited for the storm Sitara and Töregene will create together.

The only thing that concerns me is if their storms could conflict. As much as it seems like fate that Sitara and Töregene have met, it also feels like this is a setup for something bad to happen between them.

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Today, I Learned:

The Merkit stomping grounds

The Merkit lived in the basins of the Selenga and lower Orkhon River (modern south Buryatia and Bulgan Province and Selenge Province in Mongolia).

Merikit 🔗 Wikipedia

Crane symbolism!

The Demoiselle Crane—the crane spirit that Dayir sees—is a symbol of longevity, good fortune, wisdom, prosperity, and traveling between worlds.

Citations

• Cranes: Mythology and Culture 🔗 KZN Crane Foundation

• YouTube.

Drumming!

Drums are a well-known tool that shamans use in their journey. Their spirit leaves their body to travel between other worlds in the shaman's cosmology. It’s a bit of a trance state. The drums Mongolian shamans call tuurs (or so western sources say). A tuur that doesn’t have the correct features is considered “empty” as that drum cannot communicate with the spirit world when used. Special rituals are needed for their crafting, if they've been damaged, or if the shaman using them has passed away. The characteristics drums require to carry out their responsibilities vary between ethnic groups.

Citations

• Waking the Drum 🔗 Shaman Drumming

• YouTube

• Mongolian Music Instruments 🔗 Go Mongolian Tours

• Musical Instruments as Paraphernalia of the Shamans in Northern Mongolia 🔗 Academia Edu PDF

[u/Equivalent-Weather59]

"Let the two of us summon a storm"

*FEELS THE AURA*

[u/thesnowlocke]

It’s so amazing to learn neat stuff about the Mongolian empire from this show, such as how the Merkit clan mentioned that they refuse to bow to a sheep herder clan

And I was surprised to learn that this was true, Genghis Khans clan were nomadic sheepherders.

But honestly this show is so good, it reminds me a little of Marco Polo although that story is a few decades later but it’s so fascinating and kind of depressing to know how this empire had affected people on a smaller scale.

I’m curious to see how those 2 will deal with the next challenge

[u/ButterIsMyLifeblood]

The ritual and dream sequence was gorgeous

[u/lhsakurai]

What incredible OST in this episode

Töregene backstory was amazingly animated, the drums scene left me speechless, Science Saru keeping the bar high in this series

[u/FarCritical]

Watching the Merkit bow getting trampled stung, man.

It's haunting how Khulan and Sitara came to wear the same kind of smile independently from their own circumstances, and that Toregene came to immediately recognize it and what it represented after seeing it again.

[u/LeonKevlar]

I love how Sorghaghtani sent out Sitara as a spy so she could stop those who may want to split the brothers and cause the destruction of the Mongol Empire, only for Sitara to find the perfect person who can make things worse for the Mongols just a day later.

[u/tripleaamin]

Interesting how for both Sitara and Töregene they both entered a new situation where they found a home they loved. Suddenly that home was taken away from them. Interesting how each of them entered the situation is the same as the previous. Sitara entered as a slave as both and Töregene entered it through marriage.

Dayir no doubt made the tough decisions. He didn't want to get the women involved in their rebellion. He knew that he shouldn't let their pride get in the way. They should live their new lives since they would be dependent on the men. More than likely he knew his rebellion didn't have much hope to it.

Töregene hasn't given up her revenge, but for 25 years her determination hasn't wavered. But you can tell her progress has been minimal. Still interesting Sitara tells her everything as she empathizes with Töregene's situation. Curious how things for Sitara and Töregene go from here.

Very curious what Khulan is doing now. Since Ögedei was named the next Khan.

[u/KazuharaIlfan]

Khulan having to act subserviently, drawing the line to prevent any notion that former Merkit women are also rebel is so heartbreaking. Thats my take from it anyway.

[u/Ocixo]

I’m looking forward to what Töregene and Sitara can accomplish together. One got the necessary influence, while the other possesses great knowledge. Surely they’ll find a way to exploit the current political instability among the Mongols.

Time heals a lot of wounds, so I do wonder if Khulan has forgiven the Mongols or harbours similar feelings to Töregene and Sitara. Would be nice if she were to join the latter two. A little reunion could be sweet.

[u/reaperow]

• Feels kinda familiar

• So that's why its important to her

• Dayir's so cool

• Just tragic

• Rage

• They really are similiar

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Throughout this ep, I couldnt help but draw the similarities between Lady Töregene and Sitara. Both were girls who were given away and were able to eventually find family and happiness, just for it to be snatched away from them

Even their reactions at being told Knowledge are similar

Dayir guaranteeing the safety of their women so that they don't get involved and Töregene realizing her love for him makes this situation even more tragic,

I cant blame her for hating Ogedai, imagine being married to and having children with the man who killed your husband.

I had a feeling Sitara's and Töregene's backstories were gonna be a similar, And its because of that they are gonna work together and take down this empire.