The story goes on....
Great episode imo!
My theory about Xiuying arriving on the rooftop didn't pan out and I thought Zhu just negotiating with Lan Di to stop was weak - surely Lan Di already knows of Bailu Village so required more info than that to be convinced to leave?!
In the games Lan Di knows to go to Bailu already as Zhu tells Ryo Lan Di is heading there but there's no interaction between Zhu and Lan Di in the game. I guess because he knows his and Ryo's father were there together so really doesn't make much sense as a tool for Lan Di just leaving when you think into it... He went to all that trouble and personally arrived to retrieve Zhu Yuanda, who's been in hiding for ages by all accounts, and then just leaves when he's told about a place he should already know of and doesn't still take Zhu for the Chiyoumen?! Yea ok.... Lol
The fight scenes were well done, liked the counter elbow assault inclusion (although was hoping for the kanji popping up).
However... Them completely removing Ryo and Shenhua's journey back to Bailu was very disappointing, I know that section is very indulgent, which the Anime didn't have the luxury of being, but it does epitomise what sets Shenmue apart from other revenge based story's, and how Yu let's the story breathe and be about the people that come into Ryo's life and the impact they have... Obviously Ryo and Shenhua will have time to build that relationship if the anime continues, but still, even just a shorten montage of their hike back to Bailu would've worked better imo.
It did still work for for me that he passed out and wakes up at the house somewhat though, giving the benefit of doubt I'm guessing Shenhua found a villager at the port to get help and hitched a ride back to the village.
I thought the Joy scene where she realises her dad has been to her mum's grave was super interesting, did we know her dad was alive?? I assumed both Joy's parents were killed in the car bomb assassination when the Yellowheads seized power...
Anyway, overall I think the season has been very good and I'm hoping it continues into season 2, although that is going to mean it going beyond the end of Shenmue 3 surely so that'll be interesting!