Episode 9

The ninth anime episode of Claymore, adapted from the manga by Norihiro Yagi. The episode was first broadcast on May 29, 2007 and was directed by Hiroyuki Tanaka and produced by Madhouse Studios. It was dubbed by Funimation and released on DVD Volume 2 in December 2008.

The episode is entitled: Those Who Rend Asunder (Part 1) (Kiri saku mono tachi (I); 斬り裂く者たち(I))

Short Synopsis
The episode starts with the introduction of three new Claymores (Miria, Queenie and an unnamed Claymore) who dispatch of a runaway yoma on the outskirts of a town. When they arrive at the actual town they find that Clare has already taken care of the other four that they were sent to kill. Although she was successful, Clare's orders were to await backup because of the possibility of a Voracious Eater among the yoma, so she ends up being scolded and reported to the organization for her independent action. Clare's handler reveals the true nature of the voracious eaters to Clare, what she fought in the cathedral earlier in the series was a normal yoma, albeit slightly stronger. Voracious Eaters is the term that the organization uses to refer to Awakened Beings, beings like Priscilla. He tells Clare to give up chasing Priscilla, as she is among the strongest of the Awakened Beings. But since Clare is so eager to test her limits, he puts her on a team assigned to hunt down an Awakened Being.

Clare is the last member of the team to arrive, to judge their strength, they all reveal their rank and experience.
 * Rank #06. Miria: 6 previous encounters with awakened beings
 * Rank #15. Deneve: 2 Previous encounters with awakened beings
 * Rank #22. Helen: No previous encounters
 * Rank #47. Clare: No previous encounters

Hearing Clare's rank, the others are shocked, and Helen even starts to make fun of her. When Raki stands up for Clare, Helen explains, Claymore are scattered around the continent divided one per region and distinguished by rank. There are 47 regions on their continent, in other words, Clare is the weakest Claymore. The cutoff rank for hunting awakened beings is usually in the thirties, so the rest of the team is quite surprised when they hear Clare's rank. Despite Helen's objections, Miria accepts it, as it is a decision made by the organization.

After walking for a day, the team sets up camp. Miria throws Clare her sword and asks her to spar so she can judge her strength. Miria explains that when she saw Clare, she felt as if she was standing in the presence of an immense power. The match suggests otherwise though, as Clare is completely overpowered and ends up passing out from fatigue afterwards.

The next evening, the team draws close to the town as they are approached by a man claiming to be sent to take them to the site. However, Miria senses his yoki and attacks, the man in front of them is the awakened being that they have been sent to take care of. But their information was way off, before them stands a male Awakened Being, one which they have little chance of defeating given the strength of their current team.

Characters Introduced

 * Miria
 * Queenie
 * Ermita
 * Helen
 * Deneve