One of the common things in many new series is figuring out how to introduce the setting to your audience. We see how, through Sugimoto we are learning more about Ainu culture and the wilderness that Asirpa is accustomed to. We even get some fun cultural barrier jokes where Sugimoto shows Asirpa miso, and she understands it as “Osama,” which means poop. Though it is through Asirpa’s advice that Sugimoto can survive an encounter with the 7th division. Though her grandmother’s concerns for Asirpa seem valid.
The biggest takeaway in the Ainu culture is how they look at gods, or Kamuy. As the Ainu hunt, the animal kamuy are important. It makes sense that the Kamuy in the land of gods would have human forms to the Ainu. A big thing is a balance, as it is thought that the Kamuy help the Ainu provide the things that are important to them. At the same time, the Ainu pleased the Kamuy to stay on their good side.
This episode adapted chapters 8-13 as well as the latter half of chapter 14. A lot of the action was cut in this chapter, which is disappointing considering how well done the paneling in the manga is.