Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia Episode 4 Review - An Anger Never Forgotten
I think that one thing not a lot of manga storytelling does is to show off the passage of time. In Sitara’s case, she has lived in Mongolia for eight years now and the difference between her as a teenager and her as an adult is much more obvious with how she speaks. I’ve read somewhere that she’s currently 21, but other sources say she’s 24. If you know her age, please let me know!
I also like how adjusted she becomes to life in Mongolia, but she’s still not completely turned. She still wears her cultural garments, and even puts on an under cap as a way for to still have Fatima in her heart. She becomes a more capable woman as she does a lot of things like getting medicine for a sick woman during a sandstorm, collecting stuff while dealing with mean sheep, and even draining out blood from a dead goat despite her culture only consuming meat from animals that died from cutting through the throat, which is the most painless way for them. However, since her goal is to get the book back, it does feel like she’s trying to deny getting accustomed to the Mongolian life as her fellow Persians start to get used to their lives there.
Anyways, SItara is introduced to Tolui’s wife Sorghaghtani who wanted the Elements book. She’s not exactly a bad person, but I guess she can be described as self-centered in a way? She has no malice, but she cares little about Sitara’s people nor does she ask or care about where the book came from; all she cares is that she has it in her possessions and that she can use it to obtain knowledge to help Tolui and the empire. That’s all she cares about. I can see why Sitara got so infuriated with her. Sorghaghtani has little concern about the people of the world beyond the steppe she lives in yet, she wants to obtain their knowledge. It’s a very contradictory yet complicated mindset. Sorghaghtani has no idea that the book in her possession came at the cost of many lives, including those dear to Sitara, but I can tell she doesn’t care about that since she only cares about things that benefit her. On top of that, she and Tolui have children of their own—not sure how many they have, but two are shown, Kublai and Hulge. It’s a bit sad to see Sitara being so friendly to them while Tolui forgot who she was at the moment.
Speaking of Tolui, I bet there are many who was surprised the next emperor after Genghis Khan’s death was Ogedei and not Tolui. I was the same, but it does make sense why Tolui wouldn’t be the next Emperor as he’s kind of a simpleton. Yes, Sorghaghtani would’ve helped him with the ruling, but he probably does have other factors that didn’t fit to be a ruler. And it’s also obvious if you look up some of Mongolian history and see the series of events; however, it’s is still too complicated for me to grasp… I would like to learn more, though.
I do wonder what happened to Shira. Eight years passed and he hasn’t been seen present-day once. I don’t think he’s dead? If he was, Sitara would’ve mentioned it? Maybe he’ll be mentioned later on? I think the eldest son Jochi went off to make his own pasture, hence why he’s not present, but it’s a little weird that he didn’t show up for his brother’s crowning ceremony, or did he? I don’t remember clearly.
Anyways, the most surprising thing about Sorghaghtani is that she’s voiced by Misaki Kuno. Yes, that Misaki Kuno; the voice actress of lolis like Klee in Genshin Impact, cute girls like Xiaolan in Apothecary Diaries and adorable mascot characters like Brushbuddy and Chiropmon. This is not the first time she’s playing against type but this is her first ever married/mature woman role. She sounds very different and it honestly surprised me with how well she did; I wouldn’t be surprised if she books more of these types of roles later on. Kublai is voiced by Hiiro Ishibashi who voiced Euini in Witch Hat Atelier and Yorita in The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity. Hulge is voiced by Ayumu Murase who voiced Cure Wing in Hirogaru Sky Precure and Hinata in Haikyuu. There’s also Genghis Khan’s brother Temge who is voiced by Shinji Kawada who voiced Ibe in Banana Fish; too bad there’s not a lot known about him right now…
Ogedei as Emperor means that Torgene will probably become important; I wonder if becoming Sorghaghtani’s spy will cause Sitara to switch her loyalty or something… It’s crazy how she’s being sucked into the political drama when all she wants is to get the book back… Also, Jaadugar got a dub starring Cristina Vee as Sitara! Let me know your thoughts on this episode!