[Spoiler Review] Anime 'Golden Kamuy' Episode 53 (Season 5 Episode 4) "Creating a Homeland"

This week's Golden Kamuy was an episode marking a major turning point in the story. From the chaos of the beer factory fire, the stage shifts rapidly to a chase through the streets of Sapporo.

Overall Impression: What Pirate Boutarou Left Behind and Sugimoto's Exposed Identity

Episode 53 depicted the final moments of Pirate Boutarou, who had been stirring up the story from an ambiguous position — neither fully friend nor foe.

His goal was consistently "to create his own nation (family)," and many viewers likely felt a tinge of sadness at the humanity he showed in his final moments. In the latter half, it was revealed that Sergeant Kikuta is someone who knows Sugimoto's past, and we could feel the puzzle pieces of the story finally falling into place. It was an episode that balanced flashy action sequences with the quiet settling of long-standing connections.

Episode 53

The beer factory has become a sea of flames. Boutarou takes advantage of the chaos to steal tattooed human skins from Asirpa and Kadokura, and abducts Asirpa. The words he said to her at that moment — "Become family with Sugimoto" — were they his own form of kindness, or a reflection of his own loneliness? There's no definitive answer, but it was an iconic scene that encapsulates his character.

The subsequent chase scene, with Sugimoto and Shiraishi pursuing Boutarou by car, had a different kind of speed and energy compared to the series' usual gritty battles. However, after the intense pursuit, Boutarou sustains fatal injuries. In his final moments, he reveals his real name, entrusts certain information to Sugimoto, and breathes his last. Including his peculiar friendship with Shiraishi, the mark he left on this journey was surprisingly significant.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Kikuta of the 7th Division, who had arrived at the scene, experiences a sense of déjà vu watching Sugimoto's fighting style and demeanor during the battle. And finally, he realizes that the man before him is Sugimoto Saichi — the "Nora-bo" he once met in Tokyo.

"You... are you that Nora-bo from back then?"

With this line, it becomes clear that Kikuta was connected to the origins of Sugimoto's reputation as "Immortal." The dynamic of a former acquaintance now belonging to an opposing faction promises to make the coming decisive battles even more complex and weighty. The direction that let fragments of the past bleed through Sugimoto's expression was very natural and compelling.

Next Episode Preview

Next time, Episode 54: "The Little Finger Bone."

It appears we'll finally get an episode touching on Lieutenant Tsurumi's past and the root of his obsession. With the departure of Boutarou's powerful personality from the stage, the story now charges straight toward its core. How will the schemes of Sugimoto, Kikuta, and the central government intertwine? Next week is not to be missed.