Subculture Anime Blog

Kouichi, the old fart.

Summary:

When Juji reports that the Kairoshu have obtained Daya, Kotarou is seemingly outraged. Recalling that the group have received several of the hidden scrolls already, however, he decides to let them obtain all of the scrolls before taking action. Raimei meanwhile finds that Miharu has lied to her grandmother in order to be the Kairoshu. With this, Kouichi suggests that Miharu may not plan on returning. Seeing that Raimei and Kumohira have already witnessed his secret previously, Kouichi finally reveals the reason he cannot die. Dating back to the Edo period, this was the work of a previous holder of the Shiranbanshou. As the holder was a doctor at that point, Kouichi was one of the results of his experiments. There was one more individual who lived on from these experiments, and she traveled with Kouichi only with their wish to die. Kouichi also mentions the event that occurred 10 years ago, though his memories were erased along with everyone else’s. Mentioning his hope for Miharu to succeed in using the Shinrabanshou, Kouichi reveals that he actually knows where Kumohira is hiding the banten scroll. He then states how much he likes his current friends, not wanting to live on after seeing them all die. When Kouichi attempts to fall off the high platform the group is on, Kumohira and Raimei quickly stop him. Even after knowing that he is immortal, they do not wish to see him do such things.

Miharu meanwhile presents the Kouga’s book to Hattori. When Miharu mentions his wish to use the Shinrabanshou to improve Yoite’s condition, Hattori reminds him of his hope that the Shinrabanshou would be used for the good of humanity. Leaving the room afterwards, Miharu realizes that Hattori does not care if Yoite were to live or die. Miharu then visits Yoite, who is currently in the care of Amatatsu. He wonders if it is okay for him to not be in a hospital, but Amatatsu quickly makes him realize that doctors would not know how to cure a kira user anyways. Recalling that Yoite’s fatal wounds had been healed, Amatatsu wonders if the Shinrabanshou also has the power to save people. Miharu remembers that when he had used his abilities, however, it was only coincidence that he was able to help Yoite. It is not as if he can freely use the hijitsu at the moment. Seeing that he does not die even when it seems like he will, Amatatsu wonders what it is that Yoite truly desires. When Yoite wakes to hear Miharu’s thoughts, he suggests that the Shinrabanshou may not be able to be used on him if Hattori were to use it first. In the previous room, Hattori believes the same thing.

Raimei leaves Kouichi and Kumohira while they are traveling, so that she can speak on the phone with someone. While they are alone, Kouichi reveals that he suspects Kumohira of hiding something from everyone. Recalling that he was the first to realize Miharu’s abilities, and that it was as if he had been waiting to take action, he believes that Kumohira seems to know something from the event that occurred 10 years ago. Of course, Kumohira refuses to admit to any of this. Miharu and Yoite travel by train in the meantime, as Miharu expresses his thought that Kumohira may not give up the Banten scroll so easily. With this, Miharu suggests that they may ask Hanabusa for help. Hanabusa greets the boys warmly when they reach her house, treating them to dinner among other things while Kumohira is absent. Miharu eventually gets to the point by asking if Hanabusa knows anything of the Banten’s “Engetsurin”, but she denies. Yoite wonders if Hanabusa really does not know about any of this, even if she lives with Kumohira, but she of course reveals that Kumohira tells her nothing about this type of thing. When Hanabusa begins to cut food for the boys, Yoite suddenly has frightening memories of his past. Miharu on the other hand, is reminded of his warm mother when she was still living. Hearing the doorbell ring, Hanabusa answers expecting Kumohira to have returned. However, she is surprised to see Yukimi instead.

ED: The new song isn’t bad at all, though I probably prefer ELISA’s singing. I was more distracted by Miharu and Yoite’s emo antics and holding hands to pay attention to it though.

Preview: Battles…and Yoite going emo as usual.

Impression:

Man, what a shocking turn of events. Okay, not really….but it was still interesting. Kouichi’s revealing that the experiments preformed on him dated back to the Edo would mean that he has been living for over a thousand years. Not that I have a problem with the way his character is presented, and I do acknowledge that he does seem to show is true side at times, but would he really be able to act so innocently if this was the case? Like Kouichi seemed to imply, it would be a living hell to be alive for so long. It’s also interesting that the second immortal being has been revealed to be Shiratama, Miharu’s cat. I suppose it doesn’t help that I’ve already been spoiled about this though, and looking at cast lists doesn’t help.

Although not presented as well as it possibly could have, Kouichi’s thoughts about living and dying were very interesting to watch. I share a bit of the same curiosity with such things, which may have been why I liked shows like Zombie Loan and Shigofumi so much. In Nabari no Ou’s case, there seem to be two sides presented now. There is Kouichi who wishes to die after seeing so many things in his life, then there is Yoite who actually has a desperate desire to live. I hope this theme gets a bit more fleshed out than it has so far, but this being one of the main undertones of the series, I think I will be able to keep some of my hopes up.

Serious business aside, I thought it was hilarious when Kotarou was playing with a PSP. I also like how the preview has Yoite falling into an emo hole. The next episode does look pretty interesting though. I’m also glad that they didn’t change the OP along with the ED, because VELTPUNCH still makes me do this.