hohohohohohohoh~ Masako being possessed is so fricking cool. I love this episode because I laughed my head off. This episode is absolutely hilarious, though there is sure some background story that is intrigue.
Time to see more hohohoh~ action!
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Episode summary
Mai’s friend was asking her whether Naru could help in the investigation where her boyfriend and her got splashed by water, with no one in sight at all. It was a special place for her as it was the place they met for the first time. Mai told her friend that she would ask but not to expect so much as Naru would not help. Naru said that it was the case of the police and refused to help Mai when she was in, proving Mai right.
Mai then thought about Naru not going to school and that he did not engage in activities such as watching TV, going to movies, or listening to music. As she continued to stone, Naru asked whether there was anything else, with her annoyed at the attitude Naru had, without even thanks for the tea. Mai then mentioned that it had been a while since she worked there, with Naru and Lin both being rather mysterious in approach. Masako then arrived, only to earn Mai’s wrath when she said she was looking for Naru.
Masako had the same request as the girl with the producer of her company having some problems with his actors getting splashed with water, but Naru refused it still, saying that it’s the job of the police. Masako then said she was helped before by the producer, and said Naru should understand about repaying people when they received help before. Mai then said Naru would never agree, only for Naru to ask for the location, leaving Mai in shock.
They then arrived at the scene, with the others there except the witch. The monk then imitated the witch, saying that she would definitely say it was the act of a spirit, as she did exactly so, eliciting laughter. They were in fact asked to be lures, as couples seemed to be the ones getting splashed. Even though the witch tried to pair herself up with Naru, the pairings did not go as plan, with Masako going with Naru, Mai with monk and John with the witch after deciding using the “guessing game”. They also discussed within themselves, saying that Masako had something advantageous over Naru. Masako also felt a mild spiritual presence but it was harmless.
As Mai and the monk were feeding birds, they were suddenly splashed by water, with everyone rushing over. However, Masako sensed the spirit and the spirit was young as she blanked out. As she awoke, she was possessed by the spirit, with her mentioning how cute Naru was. Mai then asked why she was splashing water at all couples. We then realized that the spirit was in fact a girl whose boyfriend two-timed her. As she discovered it, she approached him, only to be splashed water on the face. Saddened greatly, she eventually tried to suicide by all means like hanging and poisoning herself. She eventually failed and was about to return home. However, a cat appeared and she lost her balance as she knocked her head onto the pavement, dying in a freak way.
Mai was extremely angry and felt that there must be a way to punish the man because the ghost would not feel satisfied if she was to move on ahead in the afterlife. The ghost actually tried to scare him when she died 6 months ago, but the man was too insensitive to realize and the monk added that such people will have karma hitting back on them. That continued hate was no good, as Mai remembered the scene in the doll arc and there must be a release. Hence, Mai decided to help the ghost. With the help of the “psychic otakus”, the man suddenly appeared, with them scaring him that there was a spirit haunting him. Eventually, the spirit appeared, splashed water on the man and scared the living lights out of him. With that, she was finally able to rise up to the heavens.
Back at the office, they were wondering why Naru accepted it, with John saying that Masako might be a patron. They then laughed, since a patron there meant being kept for money, while John meant someone who was financially backing SPR. That said, Naru came out, asking when his office became an office shop. Masako then offered to treat him lunch for the help, with Mai expecting that Naru would reject it. However, he accepted it, with Masako saying that she had been with Naru for previous dates as they left off. With Mai sad and jealous, the monk invited her for a date as well, with John sadly tagged with the witch. With that, the arc ended, with Lin taking care of the office.
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Thoughts
Hideously funny episode. Seeing Masako possessed by the spirit just makes my day since I am such a Masako fanboy. I wonder what will happen if Masako is to act this way normally. I think Mai will literally have her blood vessels splitting up in despair, insanity and total rampage. Mai’s expressions when Naru agreed to Masako’s plans were classic and I really enjoyed all the strange faces that Mai has whenever things happened.
That is perhaps one of the draws for Masako appearing. So, if you are a Mai fanboy or fangirl, you should really hope that Masako appears more. In this episode, we see that Masako’s ability to sense spirits also makes her an easy vessel to be possessed by the spirit as she is perhaps the most receptive medium among all the people here. In a way, it makes sense that she would get possessed.
However, there is yet another thing that concerns. The part that she said about Naru understanding that he had to repay people who had helped him meant that Masako had helped him dearly last time in a backstory. I have no clue what she had helped him in but by the change of conversation and their rather “close” relationship, i will think that it is something substantial, enough for Naru to change his mind. Considering how hard it is to change his mind, I really wonder what she has in store.
Lastly, this is perhaps a good side story after the rather heavy arc previously. It is a good switch to humor and I found myself laughing at all the strange faces that are created by the ghost. Cheers on this funny episode and let’s wait for the next one!
19 Comments
I loved this episode too ^.^ It’s such a nice break from all the creepy stuff. The pairing’s all mismatched. I personally love Mai than Masako, but I love seeing her get all worked up when Masako gets all over Naru. Naru seems to favor her the same way she does Masako anyway, like trusting her when she tried to defend that student from being a culprit in the last arc and so forth. But I rather want to see Naru piss her off cuz that’s more interesting haha I like Mai with Bou-san too, but he looks better with the witchXD What I want to see is more screentime for Lin. He’s so mysterious. I never know what’s going on inside his head.
I totally agree: we need more Masako if only to make Mai a paranoid nervous wreck.
It was a cute episode
poor Mai, heheh
I personally prefer Mai over Masako as well, although both names start w/ m…that’s beside the point. Mai is so cute! heheheh
I actually looked at the scans of the book today, the character design’s totally different. and I’m glad. I started watching the show because of how it looked, now it’s become my fav. show of the season. If the characters looked like how they did in the book, I would’ve never touched it.
back to the episode. That girl sure was a cute ghost, heheh. Did anyone else notice how Naru kept his eyes on Mai when Masago was taking him away? maybe it’s just me…but it very sweet of the monk to take Mai out, hehe.
I wonder if this episode is actually in the book, cuz I don’t think I saw it between the end of the last case and the new one.
eh, I tend to talk a lot…maybe should get my own blog…
“Masako then said she was helped before by the producer, and said Naru should understand about repaying people when they received help before.”
That was quite different from the manga version. Since the anime has access to the manga beyond what’s been published in English, maybe they are setting up something that will make sense later on. Or they may just be inserting a red herring. Either way, it was interesting to read that detail of the conversations.
This episode’s tone was such a change from the previous ones. I liked the change of pace but I hope it doesn’t single a permanent change in tone.
I’m sure I’ll have more to say after I think a while about what you wrote. Thank you for blogging this. It tides me over until the sub comes out. (Whenever that may be.)
@ OhphIve “I wonder if this episode is actually in the book, cuz I don’t think I saw it between the end of the last case and the new one.”
Episode 11 is based on the short side-story at the end of volume 2 of the manga. In the manga, this story came between the doll house and the curse at school arcs.
@ Ric: For some reason, I like Mai with bou-san too because they seem somewhat compatible. In a way, I feel that bou-san has this maturity and calmness in him that is quite cool, making him quite a nice guy. However, i am sure most people would not agree. Still, Mai’s funny faces are for the win!
@ Ohpive: Doubt you talk more than me, wahahaha >_<. In a way, i feel that Naru does want Mai to do something since i do not think that he’s an insensitive person. In fact, I think he probably knows everything but ignores it as he is more of a work-based person. Usually, people like Naru are EXTREMELY perceptive in my humble opinion. Yes, Bou-san is extremely sweet. The witch though is simply a “witch” (pun intended)
@ LKK: “Masako then said she was helped before by the producer, and said Naru should understand about repaying people when they received help before.
I could definitely see a case for a Monk-san x Mai relationship. The two have a comfortable relationship together. However, in the manga during the scene of them together in the park, they both feel that they look like a brother and sister pair rather than a romantic couple. I think that’s the way the twosome will continue. I’m a Naru x Mai supporter but Monk-san x Mai comes a close second in my preferences.
As for Masako implying Naru owes her a favor … Naru said in episode 1 that they hadn’t met even though Masako thought she recognized him. My guess is that she’s remembered where she recognized him from and told him. He’s asked her to keep it a secret from the others. (Like how he asked Mai not to tell anyone about the spoon bending.) And now she’s taking advantage of Naru’s “weakness” as Monk-san calls it.
wahaha, now that u say it, it does sound logical ^+^. I wonder why naru is so secretive over all his abilities. Is he a fugitive or …something?
ok, way too far fetched ^+^
After seeing the possessed Masako, somehow I couldn’t help but be reminded of Yuko from xxxHOLiC for some reason.
I think Masako has something on Naru, dont know what though but Im a ful supporter of Naru x Mai but I certainly dont mind Masako there to make Mai freak out XD
I’m not trying to be annoying or anything (I just got confused when I was reading)… but the red-haired woman isn’t a witch – she’s a miko (a Shinto shrine maiden or priestess). The girl in the kimono is a spirit medium, which isn’t the same as a shrine maiden.
hahaha, all right, thanks for the clarification! I kinda know she’s a miko, but the witch fitted her more >________>;;;
<— is evil.
I love this episode!!!
Mai is so cute. Maybe Naru came to Masako in a dream too? (Like Mai?) Perhaps Naru likes Mai? He did ask her to come and work for him and he smiled at her in her dreams!
This episode was awesome. Although I’m more a fan of Masako x John (So shoot me). Masako doesn’t complete Naru quite as much as Mai does. I love John’s -.- splashed on face. Indeed the other expressions in this episode made it a joy to watch. As funny as it was, I do hope there are more spooky episodes.
Totally Agree one of the most funniest ghost hunt episode to date
it was comical to see Masako being taken over by the spirit and acting all funny and cute in a way
definitely one of my favs for ghost hunt
@Animaticallyinsane: Considering that my favorite character is Masako, this is also one of my favorite episodes as we see her in all her glory. Hohohoh, i love Masako x Naru.
Go go go~
Love this anime
I love Naru and Mai. I Think they are meant for each other because opposite attracts one another. And both of them has a connect and that is Eugene Naru’s dead brother whom Mai always sees in her dream
maldita hara como se atreve cha!