Ep 10. On the Night of the New Moon

On the Night of the New Moon, the tenth episode of season 2 of the Japanese anime Golden Kamuy, follows the continuing journey of the protagonist Saichi Sugimoto and his allies as they search for the remaining parts of the Ainu treasure map, which is said to lead to a vast fortune of gold.

This episode starts with Sugimoto and his comrades Ushiyama and Ogata arriving at a village on the outskirts of Otaru. Here they meet with Lt. Tsurumi who explains the next part of their mission - to find a woman called Inkarmat who is believed to have information about the treasure map.

To find her, Sugimoto and his group decide to participate in a traditional Ainu ceremony that takes place on the night of the new moon. The ceremony involves singing and dancing around a large bonfire while wearing Ainu garb. However, they soon realize that someone is watching them, and they are being followed.

Amidst their efforts to evade the mysterious pursuer, Inkarmat appears. She is a tough, independent young woman who has been living with the Ainu for some time and has learned their ways. Initially, Inkarmat tries to leave the group, but Sugimoto convinces her to help them find the treasure map.

As they continue on their journey, they stumble across new revelations about the other groups searching for the treasure. These include the powerful 7th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army, who are willing to use any means necessary to obtain the map. They also learn about the Nivkh, Indigenous Koreans who have their interests in the treasure and believe that it belongs to them.

Meanwhile, tensions continue to rise between some of the members in Sugimoto's group, as the treasure's value becomes more apparent. Ogata, in particular, is revealed to have murky motives and a potential betrayal in store. In the end, this group of treasure hunters will have to navigate not only the wilderness and each other, but also the competing interests of various factions, as they aim to be the first to uncover the golden treasure of the Ainu.

On the Night of the New Moon is an action-packed episode that advances the plot while providing insight into Ainu culture and traditions. It is marked by some tense moments as the group is pursued, as well as some moments of levity, such as a scene where the burly Ushiyama tries his hand at Ainu dancing.

The episode is enhanced by the beautiful animation and detailed character design that Golden Kamuy is known for. The landscapes and costume design are particularly noteworthy, as they provide a window into a little-known culture and geography.

Overall, this episode exemplifies why Golden Kamuy is such an engrossing anime. It offers adventure, humor, and drama while exploring the history, culture, and geography of Japan's less-trodden regions. Fans of this series and newcomers alike are sure to enjoy On the Night of the New Moon.