Ep 33: The Origins of Ashura

The Origins of Ashura
Season 2, Episode 33
Air Date	June 10, 2006
Location	Shara Country
Episode Guide
Previous Ep 32: A Date with a Magician	Next Ep 34: Endless War

The Origins of Ashura is the 33rd episode of Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE (Anime).

Recap

• The group enters a new world
• Sakura, Syaoran, and Mokona stay with the Suzuran Troupe
• Kurogane and Fai Stay at Souseki's shrine
• The statues of Yasha and Ashura slow and the sky tears open

Plot

Syaoran has a dream of himself with the right side of his face bandaged up. Looking into a mirror, he tries to figure out who he is. Syaoran wakes up and finds Sakura and Mokona watching over him. Though he smiles for Sakura, Syaoran knows that he doesn’t have any memories before that day, but he’s resolved to be “Syaoran.”

The two are in a new world, but Kurogane and Fai are not with them. Mokona says that they’re in this world somewhere. The door opens and tons of girls flock through and start fawning over them. The owner of the place, a girl named Suzuran, appears and wants the others to go back to work. She also says that even though Syaoran is a child, this is a place where men are banned. But then on the request of one of Lady Karen, Suzuran decides to let Syaoran and Sakura stay.

Kurogane and Fai, on the other hand, have arrived at a shrine. They get jumped by a group of men, but Kurogane is quick on the draw and knocks one of them out with the back of his sword. From nearby, they hear a man call for them to stop fighting. He is Souseki, the priest for this shrine. Since they are travellers, he invites them to stay at the shrine while they search for their friends.

Back in town, the women led by Suzuran actually make up a circus and are giving a performance. Sakura remembers that she once saw a circus in Clow Country. Syaoran remembers this as well and recalls Sakura had wanted to tightrope walk. Even though he had tried to tell her that it’s dangerous, she had wanted to practice so that she could show it to him. The current Sakura takes the opportunity to thank Syaoran for returning her feathers, allowing her to get her memory back. As for the feather in this world, Mokona can’t sense it, but also can’t say for sure that there isn't one.

Suzuran tells them that the troupe travels and performs around Shara. Once a year, they return home here when the moon is most beautiful. The beautiful flames from the performance drift over, and Suzuran explains that these flames are granted by their guardian deity and will not hurt them. At that same time, Fai and Kurogane are having dinner with Souseki when Fai feels a strong force in a building protecting something within. Souseki shows them what’s inside: a statue of their god Yasha. But the statue is crying blood – Souseki explains that this happens when the moon is beautiful during this season. It is connected to the other statue that is with the troupe of travelling performers. Meanwhile, Suzuran shows Syaoran and Sakura that very statue: The statue of the god Ashura. When Sakura comments on how beautiful it is, Suzuran says that Souseki’s followers don’t feel the same way. Souseki, explains to Kurogane and Fai that Ashura is seen as a god of war and disaster while Yasha is the god of night and the underworld. According to him, Yasha’s tears serve as warnings of Ashura’s wars and disasters. After Souseki leaves them, Fai wonders if there’s not another reason why the Yasha statue is crying.

the statue of Yasha crying blood.

Syaoran is later made to dress as a girl so that he is able to stay with the troupe.

the statue of God Yasha.

The next day, Souseki's followers start to harass the circus troupe because of tears, so Suzuran defends her fellow troupe members. At the mention of Souseki’s name, however, Suzuran freezes right as the followers are about to strike her. Fortunately, Syaoran uses some fancy footwork and scares them off. Seeing his skills, Suzuran invites him to perform in their troupe.

Back at the shrine, Kurogane is asking Fai about his reaction to Souseki saying “Ashura” the night before. Kurogane had noticed that the color in Fai’s face changed at the mention of the name. Fai doesn’t answer and the silence is broken by Souseki talking with his followers nearby. They tell him about what happened in town, and Souseki reminds them that they shouldn’t attack the troupe regardless of the reason. They also mention a child with an amazing kick, which perks Kurogane and Fai’s interest. But since it’s a girl, it couldn’t be Syaoran. Actually, Fai wonders if it was Syaoran dressed as a girl.

The statue of God Ashura

After practising their performance for the troupe, Syaoran and Sakura go out to look for Kurogane and Fai. They follow a dark figure to the woods, and there they see Souseki and Suzuran meeting in secret. The two share an embrace; it’s been a year since they’ve seen each other. Souseki apologizes for the earlier incident, but Suzuran says that she’s already used to it. Their two gods won’t get along, yet Suzuran still loves Souseki. And since their gods oppose each other, they can’t unify their people. For now, at least, Suzuran asks Souseki to keep her in his arms.

After witnessing that scene, Sakura wants to go to the Ashura statue because wants to see if there is anything Ashura can do to help them. Syaoran takes her there, but suddenly an earthquake starts up. The sleeping Mokona wakes up, eyes wide open. Sakura starts to glow outside of the Ashura statue’s chamber. She holds out her hand and opens the door. Inside, the Ashura statue has started to glow too. At the shrine, Kurogane and Fai see that the Yasha statue has also lit up. What’s more, Fai notices that the sky has split open. As the rumbling continues, Sakura stops glowing and collapses onto the ground.

Trivia

CLAMP Crossovers

• X/1999: Karen Kasumi