Subculture Anime Blog

Sensei, I can’t concentrate because Hell Girl is sending me visions at night!

Summary:

Akie notices that Yuzuki is seemingly worried about something, but she puts it off as nothing as they go on with their typical conversation. Of course, Yuzuki can only wish that she could tell Akie what has been happening to her. In other places, Wanyudo tells Hone about the “Rocomon Doro” event that would be happening soon, in which something from hell would be exchanged with Ai. Ren, Kikuri, and Yamawaro meanwhile check on their current client in the city. This is a woman named Azusa, who seems to have a grudge on an older man named Norisha. Azusa claims that Norisha plans on forgetting something during the Rocomon Doro, but he ignores her while riding home. Norisha turns out to be Akie’s father, as he visits his daughter for dinner that night. Yuzuki later learns that Azusa is actually Akie’s tutor for her entrance exams, and sees her with Ai in a vision that night.

Akie visits Azusa’s house on a latter day, then surprised to see that her sick father is inside. Azusa explains that her father was injured in an automotive accident, which was caused by an argument by other people. This detail was going to be left out by the police though, leaving people to believe that her father was the only one involved in the accident. Azusa claims that a certain head is preventing the truth from being told, and Akie is shocked to hear that this person is none other than her father Norisha. Azusa has known of Akie’s relationship to the person she hates the entire time, but she promises that she will not put a grudge on Akie because of how much she likes her. Because of what she has learned, Akie claims to her father that night that she will not take her entrance exams and instead start living in the other living quarters that he owns. This is all a part of Azusa’s plan, however, as she hopes that Norisha will continue to suffer before she puts an end to him.

Yuzuki helps Akie unpack in her new apartment later, then meeting Azusa who shows up to tell Akie that she will not be attending the Rocomon Doro that night. Yuzuki and Akie attend the festival, but Akie blows out her message as she decides not to send it. Left alone afterwards, Yuzuki sees a light in the distance. Upon reaching the source, she strangely sees what appears to be a statue of herself in the water. Before she can approach it, however, she is warned that she may not be able to return if she crosses the gate. Yuzuki then realizes that Akie is probably in trouble, rushing to take action.

Akie meets Azusa in her apartment, but soon takes a shower due to her recommendation. But with this, Azusa sends a man in to rape her. Norisha luckily appears fast enough to stop this, all thanks to Yuzuki’s contacting him earlier. Yuzuki goes on to prevent Azusa from pulling the string off of her doll, but the girls allow her to escape soon after. Yuzuki runs out in tears with the straw doll in her hands, then finally separating from Ai. Ai simply tells Yuzuki that it is up to her to decide from now on, and with this, she finally returns to the Jigoku Tsushin. Yuzuki believes that she is finally relieved of her torment after this, but when she meets Akie later, she becomes shocked to have her disappear right from her eyes. Unknown to her, Azusa had already gained a new doll to use on her. Passing a certain girl on a latter day, Yuzuki realizes that this was the start of a new torment.

Preview: Looks like it’s not over just yet.

Impression:

Wow, talk about freaking amazing. I didn’t know if I wanted to get my hopes up after seeing the preview from last week, but this episode had me at the edge of my seat. The separation scene was nothing short of beautiful, and Yuzuki’s despair was presented so well after she lost her close friend. Even the revenge story in itself ended up being spectacular this week, as I felt genuinely angry at Azusa by the end of the episode. There are so many questions that can be brought up about how Ai was separate from Yuzuki, and even more about what role Yuzuki will be playing now. And if that wasn’t enough, who is this new girl who seems to have some major role coming in the future? Man, it took over 10 episodes in the third season, but things are finally starting to look really quality. I can’t wait to learn more during the winter season.

Imagery hinting towards more development with Yuzuki:

• Obviously, the statue.
• A cherry that was shown while the ferry passed one of the messages at the gate.
• TSUGUMI.
• A cherry(?) that Akie gave Yuzuki as a child?
• Azusa is a raging lesbian.

Okay, so the last one wasn’t a hint at all. I just had to throw it out there. The statues that were constantly shown in the beginning of the season and in the OP seem to hint at something as well. I’m also wondering if we will see more of Azusa, since her ending was kind of cut short. I’m sure we’ll learn more eventually, and some of you guys will probably catch a lot more than me. Geez, what an episode…