by The TV anime Tenmaku no Jadougal continued its gripping historical drama with Episode 5, titled “The Snake’s Spots Are on the Outside, the Human’s Spots Are on the Inside,” which aired on July 25, 2026. The episode marked the long-awaited debut of Dregene, one of the story’s most important characters, and featured her explosive first encounter with Sitara (Fatima).
While the episode delivered tense political intrigue and high-stakes espionage, it also surprised viewers with several rare comedic moments that briefly lightened the atmosphere. The combination of humor, suspense, and emotional storytelling quickly made Episode 5 one of the season’s most talked-about installments, with fans flooding social media to discuss its shocking twists and memorable character interactions.
About Tenmaku no Jadougal
Based on the acclaimed historical manga by Tomato Soup, Tenmaku no Jadougal is serialized in Akita Shoten’s Souffle magazine.
Set during the 13th-century Mongol Empire, the series follows Sitara, also known as Fatima, a former slave whose life changes after becoming involved in the political struggles of the expanding Mongol Empire.
Rather than focusing solely on military conquest, the story explores court politics, cultural conflicts, survival, and the influence of intelligent women navigating one of history’s most powerful empires.
The anime adaptation is produced by Science SARU, the studio behind acclaimed works such as Dandadan, The Heike Story, and Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!.
The project is directed by Abel Gongora, with Naoko Yamada serving as Chief Director.
Solkokhtani’s Dangerous Mission
Episode 5 begins by highlighting growing political tension within the Mongol royal family.
Although Tolui inherited much of the previous emperor’s military strength, it is the third prince, Ögedei, who ultimately ascends to the throne.
Concerned that this imbalance could eventually spark conflict, the wise and politically astute Solkokhtani secretly sends Sitara on an undercover mission to observe Chagatai.
The assignment immediately sparked discussion among viewers.
Many praised Solkokhtani’s intelligence and strategic thinking, while others questioned her decision to entrust such a dangerous mission to Sitara—a woman who still carries deep resentment toward the Mongol Empire.
The debate highlighted one of the anime’s strengths: every political decision comes with significant risks and moral consequences.
A Surprisingly Funny Undercover Operation
The following morning, Sitara arrives at the designated meeting place to begin her covert mission.
She learns that she will participate in a body-double operation, swapping identities with another slave who has been staying in the lost-and-found officers’ tent.
The disguise itself is surprisingly clumsy, with characters insisting the two slaves resemble each other despite the obvious differences.
This sequence introduces a rare burst of comedy into an otherwise serious political drama.
Fans enjoyed the lighter tone, comparing the chaotic situation to a shopping mall’s lost-and-found counter.
The humorous interactions served as a welcome break before the episode returned to its tense political storyline.
The Mystery of the Jada Stone
The mission takes an unexpected turn when a strange stone falls from the body of a sheep.
Sitara initially mistakes it for a bezoar stone, traditionally believed to possess antidote properties.
Instead, she is informed that it is actually a Jada Stone, a mysterious object associated with shamans and said to possess the power to summon storms when used in rituals.
Because such a valuable artifact would never normally belong to a slave, suspicion immediately falls on Sitara.
Thinking quickly, she claims she was simply holding it for her master, narrowly avoiding punishment.
The scene demonstrates Sitara’s intelligence and ability to survive dangerous situations through quick thinking rather than physical strength.
Dregene Finally Makes Her Long-Awaited Debut
After completing part of her assignment, Sitara is unexpectedly taken away by a man named Kadak.
Upon arriving at a luxurious tent, she finally comes face-to-face with Dregene, the sixth consort of Emperor Ögedei.
Fans had eagerly anticipated this moment ever since the anime was announced, making Dregene’s full introduction one of the episode’s biggest highlights.
However, their first meeting quickly descends into chaos.
Dregene mistakenly believes Sitara has stolen her precious Jada Stone and immediately accuses her of theft.
The confrontation creates an atmosphere of intense suspense, leaving viewers shocked by Dregene’s fierce personality.
Social media quickly filled with reactions describing the encounter as one of the worst possible first meetings between two future allies.
A Misunderstanding Is Cleared
Sitara struggles with whether she should reveal the stone in her possession.
If Dregene cannot recognize the difference between the stones, Sitara fears the accusation could easily lead to her execution.
Fortunately, once the stones are compared, Dregene realizes they are different, proving Sitara’s innocence.
The misunderstanding is resolved, but the tense encounter leaves a lasting impression on both women.
Although their relationship begins with suspicion and hostility, the meeting lays the foundation for one of the series’ most significant partnerships.
Sitara’s Clever Survival Instincts
Left stranded after the incident, Sitara once again relies on her quick thinking.
Rather than sleeping outdoors, she loudly claims that Kadak, one of Dregene’s servants, has kidnapped her.
The accusation forces others to provide her with shelter for the night.
Viewers praised Sitara’s resourcefulness, describing her as both an excellent actress and an incredibly clever survivor.
Her ability to manipulate difficult situations without violence continues to distinguish her from many traditional historical anime protagonists.
Another Mission Goes Wrong
Later that evening, Sitara accidentally overhears a conversation between Ögedei and Chagatai while they are spending time together.
Attempting to gather valuable information, she secretly listens from nearby.
Unfortunately, she accidentally knocks over a bucket, immediately exposing herself.
Once again, her espionage mission falls apart, prompting humorous reactions from viewers who joked that nothing seemed to be going according to plan.
Despite her intelligence, Sitara repeatedly finds herself caught in increasingly dangerous situations.
A Bold Lie Saves Sitara
After being captured, Sitara is questioned by Kyrgystani, Ögedei’s third wife, and Möge, his fourth wife.
Both women suspect she may be a spy.
Just as the situation becomes critical, Ögedei himself arrives and calmly asks Sitara two simple questions:
“Who are you?”
“And who is your master?”
Knowing that revealing her true identity would only create further complications, Sitara makes an astonishing decision.
She boldly claims:
“I am Lady Dregene’s servant.”
Her quick lie prevents immediate disaster while further entangling her in the palace’s complex political relationships.
Chagatai’s Harsh Words Reveal His True Beliefs
One of Episode 5’s most fascinating moments comes through Chagatai.
Initially, his harsh criticism of Sitara causes viewers to question his motives.
He insists that everyone—including women, children, and slaves—must obey the law.
At first, his strict attitude appears cruel.
However, the episode gradually reveals that Chagatai believes strong laws are essential because they protect society’s most vulnerable people.
This revelation dramatically changed fan opinions.
Many viewers praised the complexity of his character, describing him as a stern but principled leader rather than a simple antagonist.
Dregene Sees Through Sitara
Toward the end of the episode, Dregene quietly asks Sitara a deeply personal question:
“Do you hate Mongolia?”
The question catches Sitara completely off guard.
Dregene not only recognizes Sitara’s lingering hatred but also senses that those feelings may eventually change over time.
The conversation hints that Dregene herself carries emotional scars connected to the empire.
Instead of treating Sitara as an enemy, she chooses to begin sharing her own story.
This quiet conversation closes the episode on an emotionally powerful note.
Questions Left for Episode 6
Episode 5 concludes by leaving viewers with several intriguing mysteries:
- What is Dregene’s tragic past?
- Why does Ögedei continue protecting her?
- Does Solkokhtani already know how these events will unfold?
- Can Sitara truly trust Dregene?
- How will their relationship influence the future of the Mongol Empire?
These unanswered questions have heightened anticipation for the next chapter.
Episode 6, titled “The People of Mergen,” is scheduled to air on August 1, 2026.
Broadcast Information
Television Broadcast
- Premiered: July 4, 2026
- New episodes air every Saturday at 11:30 p.m. (JST)
- Broadcast on the TV Asahi “IMAnimation” block, BS Asahi, and other networks.
Main Staff
- Original Work: Tomato Soup
- Chief Director: Naoko Yamada
- Director: Abel Gongora
- Series Composition: Kanichi Kato
- Character Design: Kenichi Yoshida
- Animation Production: Science SARU
- Music: Koshiro Hino
- Opening Theme: “Stella” by SEKAI NO OWARI
- Ending Theme: “Hoshi” by Queen Bee
Main Voice Cast
- Sitara — Akira Sekine
- Dregene — Ami Koshimizu
- Fatima — Noriko Kuwashima
- Muhammad — Jun Saito
- Ögedei — Hiro Shimono
- Tolui — Ryota Suzuki
- Shira — Miyu Irino
- Chagatai — Daisuke Namikawa
- Jochi — Kenji Nojima
Final Thoughts
Episode 5 of Tenmaku no Jadougal successfully balances political intrigue, historical drama, humor, and emotional storytelling, making it one of the anime’s strongest episodes to date. The long-awaited introduction of Dregene delivers exactly the kind of dramatic impact fans had anticipated, while Sitara’s increasingly dangerous spy mission keeps viewers invested in every twist and turn.
From the surprisingly funny body-double operation to the tense misunderstanding over the Jada Stone, and from Chagatai’s nuanced philosophy to Dregene’s emotionally charged final conversation with Sitara, the episode adds significant depth to the series’ characters and world. With several major mysteries still unresolved and Episode 6 on the horizon, Tenmaku no Jadougal continues to establish itself as one of the standout historical anime of the Summer 2026 season.
