Subculture Anime Blog

Emo no Ou.

Summary:

When Kouichi and Raimei finally regain consciousness, they report to Kumohira who has finally returned to the town. Kumohira is only able to blame himself in panic for Miharu’s capture, but Kouichi is finally able to calm him down with rationalization. Although Yoite could have easily killed Raimei and Kouichi, he simply knocked them unconscious before taking Miharu away. Yukimi watches the group from afar in the meantime, speaking to Toujuurou about Yoite. Although Yukimi does not believe he has taken action on his own, Toujuurou is quick to remind him that Yoite’s time is almost up. While Miharu is walking with Yoite, he mentions his ability to use kira. Realizing that this is taking Yoite’s life force, Miharu wonders if he would die for the Kairoshu. In reply, Yoite simply states that he is not afraid of dying because he isn’t even alive.

When Miharu reaches an abandoned train car, he wonders where the other Kairoshu members are. Yoite states that they have nothing to do with what he wants to talk with Miharu about - a wish. Yoite wishes that Miharu would make it so that he never existed. When Miharu expresses again that he is unable to use his hijitsu, Yoite simply tells him to make it so that he can. Yoite is surprised when Miharu expresses that he does not wish to use his own hijitsu, wondering if he would not even use it to protect people that are important to him. Miharu remembers that he once made a promise to someone, but he realizes that he is unable to remember who this person was. Yamase eventually appears at the train car, but he is easily taken out by Yoite’s kira. When Miharu attempts to run away from this, Yoite forces him to witness what it is for someone to experience despair.

When Miharu attempts to run away again, Yoite easily catches up to him. However, he soon coughs up blood from using his power. Yoite gives Miharu three choices: he can use his hijitsu for those who wish to, use it for himself, or use it for Yoite. However, if he were to choose the first two, Yoite would kill his friends. While giving Miharu time to think about the little choice he has, Yoite uses his ability to restore Miharu’s eyesight. As Miharu thinks about his companions’ wishes, he decides to choose Yoite’s third option. With this, Yoite expresses that this will be a secret between the two of them. Until then, he would cooperate with Miharu in any way. He would even go as far as to making him the Nabari no Ou.

While walking Miharu back to his home, Yoite expresses that there is probably a hint towards finding out how to use his hijitsu. Yoite explains that kinjitsu are forbidden because of the harm they do to their user’s bodies, and he assumes that Miharu’s ability is probably the same. Having read kinjitsu books to learn his own ability, Yoite suspects that there must be some information on the Shinrabanshou. Yoite shows signs of exhaustion upon reaching Miharu’s house, stating that it is because it has been awhile since he has spoken so much. Yoite assures Miharu that they will meet again, and the two give goodbyes to each other before parting.

When Kumohira finds that Miharu has returned home, he is overjoyed to see him. Yoite, on the other hand, is greeted by a rather indifferent Yukimi. Yoite takes the chance to ask if he is alive, so Yukimi assures him that he is. Yoite does not believe anyone has realized that he is alive, but Yukimi reminds him that he has. However, Yoite still wonders how people are able to live on while being involved with each other. Suspecting that he only exists to hurt people, Yoite does not believe he is alive. Simply handing Yoite some lemonade, Yukimi gets back to work while implying that he can live however he sees fit.

Preview: Who are these guys?

Impression:

Yukimi obviously doesn’t like emo kids either. As suspected, this episode focused a lot on revealing Yoite’s character. Despite how easy it is to make fun of it, I thought the way his character was represented was done quite well. Like other anime, Nabari no Ou represents very real personalities and themes even while being focused on a fictional plot. Yoite struggles with the same problem many other people do in the world - wondering what they are living for. Watching Yoite do things like run out of breath and struggle in this episode reminded me of drug users that I used to spend time with, who often had the same beliefs. Of course, this connection might have made me appreciate this episode a lot more.

I did have some problems with the overdramatic Kumohira in the beginning though, and for once, I thought JCStaff’s watercolor backgrounds didn’t help to represent the atmosphere that was suppose to be given off at the broken train cars. Besides that, I’m glad that Yamase is finally out of he picture. Also, who else thought that Kouichi and Raimei looked like they woke up from having too many drinks the previous night? The episode preview looks like it will introduce even more new characters. I guess I can only sit back and wait to see what they bring to the table.