I think Seikyou's rebellion is good, it's just not what I expected personally lol. I thought the first arc was going to take place on a battlefield or something.
I like the Gokei vs Duke Hyou alot personally.
The art style took some getting used to in the beginning, but by chapter 100 the art is much, much better. From Sanyou-Present it's consistently top tier.
Honestly, I kind of prefer characters like the Duke in Hara's earlier artwork.
Most memorable moments in act 1 imo is not the climax / the battle, but:
1. When Shin and Ei Sei go to the mountain to look for help. They expected the mountain tribe to be underdeveloped small village, but surprised after seeing how big the mountain civillization actually is.
The whole Shin, Ten, Heki got captured and locked in cage. While their King is being brought to meet the Leader of Mountain Tribe.
Damn, the atmosphere is intense. Imagine yourself being locked in cage by some savage tribe while your King is brought to meet the leader of the savages.
Then when all seeking help business is done, and they go down to the shrine. Shobunkun watching guard by himself in the hill, being restless and waiting for his King, then he is the first person who sensed it, when finally the King came back, not alone, not with his small unit, but by bringing back massive army that makes the mountain shaking!!!
That's hype and Shobunkun is really a likeable and underrated character.
2. When Shin, Ei Sei and Ten all hiding underground, while the village above them are being massacred. Then they notice some liquid falling from ground above, and notice it's actually blood from the villagers killed.
Damn, that really sets the atmosphere...
While the climax itself, when I reread it, I don't really like it.. The author limitted both Yotanwa and Bajio so much. It is intense battle, not just some easy battle, yet author makes Yotanwa taking the back seat and only acts as spectator. She only about to acted when Ouki himself appeared and made a move toward the King.
Bajio, at least he didn't sit in the back seat as much as Yotanwa. He is included in palace raid. Yet he is really "nerfed" just to make beginning of story Shin (which is 100% not on Bajio's level) gets the most spotlight.
About the second arc, most memorable part is when Kyokai made that strategy to counter the cavalry army.
Gokei himself, I never really care much with the character so when he clashed against the Duke, I didn't really get the hype...