Less fun than it sounds.

I have to say I’m kind of disappointed with this episode, or at the very least the first half or so. The harem aspects of the show aren’t what keep me watching; rather (as with School Days) the potential for gore, psychological horror and MINDF*CKING. Though that potential is still present, I’m skeptical of the writer’s choice on what was made a more prevalent aspect of this episode. Takumi is a hopeless individual, that we already know, but to try and get the viewers to sympathise with him by introducing themes of trust and fulfillment on his part won’t work if at the same time they’re still portaying him as a delusional asshole. I have little to no pity for the guy already, and if their task was to make me dislike the main character even more, then mission accomplished.

I doubt we need more evidence than the random hypnotizing mind-control to assume that Rimi isn’t an old childhood friend of Taku’s (yay for another typical harem scenario). The similarities in both her appearance and personality to Seira-tan don’t seem to serve a purpose beyond making her look cute (at least for now… ) but in contrast to Seira-tan, I feel a hidden evil intent coming from half of what she says. Not that that’s to do with the fact she’s been shown as a vicious murderer already. Speaking of Seira-tan, there was another reference to her “Awakened” form in this episode, and if this form doesn’t end up being her with some sort of weapon similar to those shown in the OP, I’ll be surprised to say the least.

Because if you did, I’ll have to kill you ^_^

The police force behind the New Gen investigations comes off as completely inept. Who needs an entire forensics team to determine from camera footage that Taku’s a man (I use this term loosely)? But what was laughable was that outside of the three or four people that had speaking parts (including two characters who are obviously going to become integral to the main storyline later) the only reason for the other investogators’ presence was to “Oooh”, “Ahhh” and “GASP!” whenever anything pertaining to the case was said. The aforementioned two characters, an old, wily detective named Ban and his young upstart assistant Suwa, seem uninteresting and stereotypical, though as a side note, Suwa looks a bit more evil in the OP than he does at the moment (there’s aeven a spotlight on him combined with a smug smile of malevolence), so that’s probably a foreshadowing of things to come.

As I said before, the whole issue of Taku trusting Yua, her accepting the way he is and him starting to feel less like a disgusting, worthless loser was overshadowed by him being a complete douchebag at the same time. Which made it all the more hilarious when it turned out that she was just investigating him. That entire confrontation, though accompanied by great music and full of tension, was both confusing and irritating. Confusing in that there was ample talk about times, locations, precognitive powers and irritating in that Yua kept reapeating herself in different ways over and over again. I understand that it’s a good way to aggravate Taku and get him talking, but to me I just wanted her to shut the hell up after repeating what was essentially the same line five times in a row and the addition of a large amount of flashbackswasn’t useful either. At least the statement “You are Shogun” makes it clear what Yua was implying, though I don’t get how he could of IM’d himself from the future or whatever PIME TARADOX was going on there. You could just chalk it up to delusions but that doesn’t seem to justify the situation enough for me. Yua’s sudden detective hax was a surprise as well, though it’ll be nice to see the reason that she randomnly suspected Taku in the first place and what exactly her stake is in all this.

Takumi Delusions Awards: Part 2

#3 The Love Glomp

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.

#2 Jealous/Worried Seira-tan

Yet another MOEEEE! Moment from the spunky heroine.

#1 Crazy Rimi

Higurashi ga naku akazu no mori he…

Next Time:

Token Loli appears.