This screenshot cements the fact that this arc is perhaps the most scary arc for ghost hunt because it kept me once again on the edge of my seat. Smartly, I have learned my lesson and watched this episode in the early evening, hence not scaring the wits out of myself.
The truth will lie from within. Mai is dead.
Or is she?
Episode summary
The assistant had reported that her hands were moving by her own and she would run away if she let go of the pen. With that, Naru reviewed the tape and found that the red words “I don’t want to die” was suddenly on the piece of the paper as it fell. Masako felt bad as she returned to the room. Naru instructed Ayako to join them as it was clear that Naru was being overly cautious. Back in the room, Masako asked Mai whether she felt anything but Mai said she did not. When Ayako came out of the bathroom and found them talking, Masako denied that they were on good terms and said that she could not have SUCH a person to be her friend. After that, Masako started to diss Mai, saying that she disliked her and told her she should know why.
The next day, it seemed that Lin was quite cold and Suzuki disappeared when Igarashi found her missing when she woke up at 7 am. It was already 10 am, but a check found that she had not left the mansion. Igarashi said Suzuki would not leave anywhere without her contacts since she was badly near-sighted. As Minami and Dr Davis came in, Igarashi asked him to help as Davis was known to be able to find people but Minami said that he was unable to do it as Davis could only detect things that was on the victim during the disappearance. It made no sense but Minami added that Suzuki might be scared and left for home after yesterday’s incident. However, she did not return.
While resting, Ayako said both Mai and Masako were important since they were the mediums. Ayako added that she was busy with finding and exorcising the spirits, while Masako replied that she was tired of listening to her grumbling anyway. Later at night, they searched for clues and Bou-san said he had never seen a spirit that asked for help. The room they were checking was slanted and they found a trapdoor. Inside the trapdoor, they found an old note with strange writing that seemed incomprehensible, as well as a towel from the old hospital.
Naru ordered everyone to remember not going around alone as Mai was grouped with Lin. It was then realized that Lin reminded Mai about the atrocities caused by the Japanese and he hated them a lot. Mai said that it was all right if she was hated but it was unfair to hate her simply because she was Japanese. Lin started to laugh and simply said that someone said the same thing. Mai asked if it was not Naru but Lin said Naru would simply say something like “so idiotic”. He then apologized for his actions and said that it was in him to do that due to the history even though he never disliked Mai.
The others returned, only for an apparition to appear in the window, only that it was Madoka. Naru lectured her that it was dangerous but she simply said that Naru would save her. Mai noted that Naru accepted defeat. She then repeated some information about the two missing people, one being a drunkard who disappeared after a party and one of the rescuers who came to find them. The previous owner had a cleaning fetish and many people rumored that there was once that he fired someone embezzled funds from the hospital while firing every other family member of the accused who worked under him in other roles.
More history came when Madoka reported that the son of this owner said that the reason for him to change the house was to prevent the spirits to come out in the house. Naru then asked her to check out about the hospital as she went out through the window again. As they went back to their room, the other assistant told the gals to be careful as Mai wondered why such a good assistant was working under Minami. A dream came as Mai dreamed of the other assistant walking toward the darkness. Minami then woke her up, only to find out that the assistant also disappeared like Mai’s dream. Even as Igarashi pressed Dr Davis and doubted him, Minami simply made up a total fuss and left, saying that they would not help them since they were doubted.
The next day, they were exploring the house when they found another hidden door in the staircase as they found a portrait. The name of the portrait triggered Naru’s memory as he deciphered the note. The note stated “the people who are here are mostly dead, with the second line being a remainder of note for someone. John proposed that there was someone who was cursing the owner, yet he was way too cowardly to ask for help and hence chased everyone away.
Masako said the answer was already revealed by the spirit who died here. Late at night, two men dragged Mai as she could not shrug them off or shout. As they moved her around to the surgery room, she was suddenly in a kimono as she was tied on the table. The knife called as she looked for help and hoped that it was a dream. The knife was a short distance away from her neck…
Thoughts
Ok, just when I thought that the first episode of this arc was fabulous, I forget about one thing. THE SECOND EPISODE OF ANY ARC IS ALWAYS BETTER. Hell, it is better and the ending of this episode is so much on a cliffhanger that I am begging JC Staff to release episode 19 as soon as possible because the wait will kill me wondering if Mai will actually suffer any mental damage. I know it’s practically impossible for Ghost Hunt to kill the main character but I do want to know how they are going to get Mai out of this trouble.
I do hope that Mai escapes with a good logical explaination in hand which will not be too surprising for the likes of Ghost Hunt since it has always used a logical and sensible plot on it. Let’s hope that it will be as good as it has held up. Yes, you can tell that I am starting to ramble a little because I was shocked at the way they realistically portrayed how Mai has dragged and eventually placed on the surgery table.
Creepy stuff there.
On a totally different topic, I wonder if Davis is really the real Davis now, considering that he hardly speaks (did he even speak) and his exit reeks of someone who is trying to escape after something out of his scope appeared. I think this episode nailed it to say that this Davis that has appeared is highly likely to be fake. I do not know but I think that there is some background conspiracy about getting the organs of the victims in the hospital, what if the two people who dragged Mai, as well as the other two assistants into the table.
On a lighter note, Masako rocks in this episode, with her countless disses at Mai for almost everything. I thought the first salvo was great because she said how beautiful and popular she is compared to Mai (of course you are). Masako also went on to say how such a person like Mai could be her friend, which is true since Masako is just about the greatest. Jokes and fanboying aside, the little spats of Masako does show that Mai is becoming a threat not only in the pursuit of Naru’s heart but also her growing ability as a medium.
To be acknowledged by Masako, it means that someone who is an accomplished medium had believed that Mai does have special power. We might see more fledgling abilities by Mai soon. For now, I am wondering about how they are going to play this since this arc should be 4 episodes if I am not mistaken. I do think that Naru will somehow find a way to save Mai, but I am clueless on this since I am pretty drained out.
I am also a bit surprised that Igarashi is practically useless compared to most of the other ghost Hunters. Why in the world did they hire such lousy experts if what they can do is panic and do absolutely nothing. Even Ayako is cooler than that old woman. Also, Madoka is definitely an instant win because she can control Naru by the back of her fingers. Her wonderful line of “Naru, you will come and save me” is a phrase that causes Naru to admit defeat. Just excellent work by the rather interesting Madoka. I do wonder if Naru has a strong moral ground to “respect his elders”.
Strange how Madoka had so much power over him, right?
79 Comments
I bet the reason Madoka has such a hold over him, is that she’s his first lover, nothing like tasting the experience of an older women. :p
I spose that’s a dream sequence, albeit a very realistic one for Mai
perhaps Madoka is his mother or 1/2 sister… but i think his 1/2 sister should be masako.. juz a thought
“Inside the trapdoor, they found an old note with strange writing that seemed incomprehensible, as well as a towel from the old hospital.”
I think it was a dollar note, not a note per se. *thinks for a while* Although you probably meant the same thing.
I think it’s a dream. She was wearing a cute pink pajamas before, then suddenly she’s in a kimono. It’s fairly obvious that it’s a dream, IMO. On the other hand, I wouldn’t want to suffer through a dream like that. I’m just wondering why the spirit/dream Naru doesn’t appear in this dream at all. Usually dream-Naru will pop out and give some cryptic advice. Apparently not for *this* dream.
I’m also wondering who is the person who said the same thing as Mai to Lin. I’m thinking, Madoka, just because.
Though I don’t think Madoka and Naru has anything sexual between them (moh! Seriously!), I do think that Madoka is almost a maternal figure to Naru. You wouldn’t diss your (surrogate) mom, right? At least not in Japanese culture. 
*fangirl-ing warning*
Naru looks sooooooooooooooo good looking when he’s staring at Davis, with that inscrutable look on his face. I can’t help it; he’s soooooooooooooooooo handsome!
*end fangirl-ing*
OK. I’m so looking forward to next week’s episode too. This is probably the best story arc so far.
Woa! This was the first time for me that I had had tried to watch anime without any sub. And I have to admit, if there wasn’t somebody who already blogged this episode, I would have not been able to understand so much about this episode. Thank you for that, really.
I really think that Mai is dreaming. You know when she was still in the room with Masako and Ayako, she screamed, really hard. I doubt that anyone could sleep right through that. And she was wearing a pajama, and not in a kimono. But damn it, even if it is a dream, it is a damned scary one! I would be scared to death if that would happen to me, even if it was a dream.
Masako is a real bitch, she is cocky and arrogant and all she does in this episode is feeling unwell and dissing Mai. I think she is doing that because she feels insecure with Mai, because Mai also has the ability to ‘see’ things. Whether through dreams and really vague visions, but she does see them and Masako isn’t the only one anymore. And that’s why she is dissing her.
I really thank you for the review, thanks to that I have been able to understand it.^^
Good summary!
Btw, that was so not a laugh… it sounded like half stopped sneeze… im disapointed in Lin…. tisk tisk.
“Strange how Madoka had so much power over him, right?”
Four words: right, cause Madoka pwns.
p.s. NaruxMai=love.
I really think this is one of the best episodes yet, for the scare factor.
I have to agree about the part where they are dragging Mai off. It is very dramatic and very well done.
It will probably turn out to be a dream sequence. I too remember her screaming and it would be unusual for Masako and Ayako not to hear her, given how vocal it appeared she was being. Although maybe the spirits were subduing them somehow. But I think its more likely she’s dreaming, maybe even sleepwalking. (I used to do that, it sucks)
I don’t know as to whether or not Davis’s group were sharing rooms, but Suzuki managed to disappear without them knowing til they woke up. (This part seriously reminds me of Stephen King’s Rose Red. The spirits in the house keep separating the group and picking them off one by one…)
And yes the lack of dream Naru is very interesting. Hopefully he’ll appear to snap her out of it.
Oooh this is the creepiest yet and I love it. I’m going to die waiting for 19 to come out. Guess I’ll have to make do with episode 1 of Naruto Shippuden til then! ^-^
Honestly, I find the gaunt-looking ghost in this episode not scary at all. Ever since I watched The Grudge, I think I’ve been immune to all the scary stuffs out there. -_- However, the thing that I applaud this episode for was the way they showed how bloody and dirty the surgery room was, the surroundings, the stairs leading to it and whatnot. The environment is like out of a Silent Hill game which is creepily awesome! *__* It’s much scarier if they don’t show you the whole picture and just drop off disturbing bits that would stir your imagination. I really think this is the scariest arc yet and hope it gets even scarier. ^.^
As for Mai’s dying, I bet dream Naru would thrash through the door and save her. LOL (Is that cliche or what?) I wonder what would happen if Mai were to disappear this time. Or maybe Masako would disappear when she wakes up. Too much speculations. I want episode 20 already. -_-
There has never been an anime that ever made me want to immediately press a multimedia player’s exit button until now. I swear to my mocha frap, I cringed and stifled a scream when I saw that zombie-looking thing walk in darkness with its/his foul colored breath coming out of its/his mouth. After that scene, I had to pause it, turn another light and the TV(just so there’d be another noise to break the deafening silence combined with the scary sound effects of GH) on, and lock the window and the door. Then I grabbed some stuff and watched this episode with two pillows beside me, a blanket wrapped around me, and my cellphone on my hand in case I suddenly feel the need to call for someone. ^^
And by the end of this episode, I almost made a vow to forsake watching GH and all other animes under the horror/suspense genre. The only thing that kept me from committing such unforgivable madness was Lin-san’s heavenly smile (the odd sound of it made it so much more attractive). Oh Lin-san! You’re my savior and the divine intervention I was hoping whilst watching the current GH episode. When I saw that smile…(sighs) Be still my beating heart for I can hardly breathe! ^^ I actually almost forgot how to. (lol) The Lin-fangirl in me squealed like crazy. And yes, I too think it was Madoka who told him the same thing Mai said. (Madoka x Lin love-love pairing!)
I noticed a few things in this episode and things before that I didn’t mention. John’s eyes are sharp. Bou-san’s haircut makes him look hotter than before which evens him out on how cool Lin-san is. I realized as well that the GH gang is now made up of one single and four pairs of characters that counter one another’s personalities.
Naru & Yasuhara (even in their clothes they’re opposite)
Masako & Mai
Lin & Bou-san
Ayako & Madoka
John
Hmmm, I didn’t know that Impz’s type is the cute-smart-successful-spiteful sort of girls. ^^ But I do have to admit that Masako dissing Mai is a fanservice what with all the chibi/funny faces they made. I’m very interested on how will Mai escape the horrible nightmare she’s in as well. As for Igarashi, I’d say her reactions and actions are not surprising since she’s really not an expert ghost hunter. More like an expert spirit communicator of sorts (I forgot the term for those sorts of people).
I don’t really have any speculation about the case per se but yours is actually a good one. I do have to say that the speculations about the GH characters are getting wilder and wilder, and yes, I’m still stickin’ to my own wild speculation that Naru is Dr. Davis.
Am I the only one here who is contemplating on how to watch the next episode? I can’t think of a way to watch it in an early evening and not by myself only. I mean I want to know what’ll happen too but dagnabbit! I’m scared! >_
Aww crap I meant I’ll die having to wait for 20!
ricaryx – I agree totally with you on this point. After all the horror movies I’ve seen I’m pretty immune to the actual monster/ghost when you get to see it. The first Alien movie was scary mainly due to atmosphere, after all I don’t think you see the actual Alien until an hour into the movie.
The original version of The Haunting (The remake sucks) was great. You don’t ever see a ghost, but the atmosphere and the camerawork make everything so eerie and creepy. Even Rose Red, its at its creepiest when you don’t see the actual ghosts. Like the corpse like looking thing in the wardrobe, I saw it and was like, ahh, rubber corpse, what a pile of crap. But when they turn around and the rope they were using to guide them now goes right through a wall instead of an empty hallway, that is disconserting and weird.
Its what you don’t see, or what they hint at that can be really scary.
The surgery room and the blood, and her being strapped down was the scary part. Because all the while we’re looking at the blood and poor Mai strapped to that table and in imagining in our heads what horrible thing might happen to her. I think horror works best when it makes you do the imagining, after all something that is scary to one person may very well not be scary to another. So horror works best when its getting the individual to conjour up scenarios on their own. Who knows best what scares you, than yourself. ^-^
ThirteenSugars – Yes now I’ve seen more of it, I like Bou-san and his yummy haircut. I’ll watch it at night same as I did last time. I like a good scare! Besides if I do feel frightened I’ll just grab hubby-sama or one of the dogs! ^-^
~DJ~See, I do not have a hubby-sama or even a dog to grab and hold (That did not sound right lol). If only one can buy hubby-samas in stores with a buy-one-get-one for free special offers, it’d be pretty easy. (sighs) I usually watch GH episodes twice of three times after reading Impz’s summaries of them but now I can’t even do it with this episode. (sighs)
Aww ((HUG)) ThirteenSugars, maybe a buddy would watch it with you?
I really feel that this arc is going to have some of the best eps yet, 19 was great!
I know they don’t make any like my Hubby-sama in the stores, he’s a one of a kind, but in a really good way! Like him going all the way to the anime store on his lunch break to buy me a new Pakkun charm because my old one went missing. (Maybe Kakashi-sensei stole him…) He’s great like that ^-^
Plus he shares my love of anime, although not my love of horror movies LOL! ^-^
Now if only I could get him to share my love of Nabeyaki…
I don’t understand why so many people believe that that was a dream, but I don’t think so. It may be possible, of course. And to people saying Mai was screaming so someone would here her, I am quite positive she was screaming in her mind… about how her voice wouldn’t come out. “Koe ga dasenai!!” And also about how she couldn’t move her body.
It was pretty terrifying and realistic… which is why it didn’t feel like a dream. Here dreams usually felt like actual dreams. That scene… really did well in making the viewer feel like they were in Mai’s dilemma. God… I’d never want to feel that helpless and threatened. Anime NEVER CREEPS ME OUT. Except for this one, occaisonaly. I love Ghost Hunt.
WOW…Lin is really hateful on the Japs, makes me wonder why he’s in Japan in the first place…don’t die Mai!
also:Madoko OWNED Naru in this show!!
~Tess~The thing about it was that it really is a dream (more like a nightmare really) because when Mai was dragged by the two unknown men from the bedroom to the surgery room (more like a slaughter room really), she was wearing her cute pink pajamas which suddenly turned into a white kimono as Timelessdreams have already pointed out as well. You and I are in the same boat when it comes to our perspectives of GH. This is the only anime that really scared the living daylight out of me.
~DJ~Oh, I know about the one-of-a-kind hubbies. That’s how they usually are. None of them are the same. You’re very lucky to have one that’s not defected or something because I heard there’s a lot of those out there(lol j/k). Anyway, my female buddies are busy with their own hubbies and my male buddies will probably just insist I watch something more mature and interesting, which in their vocabulary is hentai -_-. I don’t watch that sort of anime…well, there’s one but that was an accident! And that scared me too.-_-
I definitely agree with almost everyone here that this arc is going to be the scariest so far which is why I’m contemplating how I’ll keep up with everyone else in watching this series as the latest really scared the living daylight out of me.
I too agree that Mai was screaming in her mind, not out loud, so logically that does not make it a reason for it being a dream. Like ThirteenSugars says, it’s the whole costume change that makes me certain that it’s a dream… and the fact that no one’s going to kill Mai at the 19th episode. Especially since this arc has 2 more episodes to go, so it’s virtually impossible for it to be real, has someone burst in and save Mai, apprehend the culprit, and spend the very last episode of this arc sitting around drinking tea.
For some reason I wasn’t scared when I watched this episode (at night, lights off for better view). Must be that the sight of Naru-hubby looking so amazing that burnt all my fear away!
In my opinion, I didn’t notice that the thing could be a dream. The thing that strikes me is not only the realism but the very fact that Mai is no longer being the third person in the dream. If you notice, whenever Mai is in a dream sequence, she is not exactly looking through the situation from her own perspective.
It is usually reaccounting the situation from a far distance (like Sakuachi) or the man in the tub (last episode). That is why this whole thing became very realistic to me, especially when I am at the edge of my seat while watching it.
However, I do have some arguments with various commentors.
@Briar: The dream Naru not appearing at any stage is one thing. However, the dream is also less dreamy without the light effects and the likes. If you realize, most of the Mai dreams are lighted up in a rather lively fashion, rather than this gothic darkness. Hence, it does make me skeptical whether it is a dream even though your choice of clothe changing might be the defining reason for a realism check.
@Timeless: No! Masako is really beautiful, hot and sweet and she’s the best with Naru!!!!! Hah, I do have to agree with you that she is looking at Mai as a threat especially since the last arc. On the part of the scream, I have to say that it’s possible in situations where the spirit effectively seals off the voice, so that her voice cannot be heard even though she screamed. I am not too sure about this next fact (I am actually in school doing an experiment and waiting for participants) but I think Mai said that her voice somehow cannot be heard even by herself.
@DJ: Well, I do wonder about the dragging incident since it’s probably one of the most creepy situations that appear. I do see the repeat with the pyjamas though.
@ric: Don’t you remind me of Silent Hill. Due to my silliness and stupidity, I first played Silent Hill late in the night. Guess what happened to the next week of sleepless nights. Sigh. however, I do agree that it has that form of vibes which I thought is used in good moderation because it did not rely on the gore and the likes, but more on fear appeal which works well. Not the cheap thrill kind.
Sigh, my participant group is growing so I will read the other comments later
I think that Mai is dreaming as she always does,and what she see and experienced now are the same thing happen before to the other spirit girl who’s asking help!so this might be a big clue for them!but Geez i do skip some scene though! the last episodes 18!I kept on dreaming on it at night!I never thought cartoons can be this scary too!but I like to know the whole arc so I keep on looking your blog thanks!
to 13sugars: you remind me of a friend who called me while watching The Grudge. i had to hear her scream and squeal and talk about her boyfriend between the screaming and squealing.
i agree with everybody that this is the best arc so far. the kimono thing was done rather differently in the manga though. i’m not going to say any more because it’ll be spoilery, but impz, you’re going to get your heartstrings pulled before the end of this arc! really pulled!
Thirteensugars: LOL definetely not defective, lol.
Briar: Rewatching it I agree she was screaming in her mind and I agree at ep 19 of a 26 episode show it is unlikely they will kill off the heroine. (Curse our logical brains, but then again they are good because I don’t want Mai to die.)
So dream or no dream someone will rescue her, if not Naru then Bou-san, since he always seems to show up when she’s in danger.
noblsheep: Does this mean something cute is going to happen between Naru and Masako? Say it isn’t true! (Sorry Impzy but I’m in the Mai – Naru camp, although I do like Masako as an antagonist)
na2niet: I think your idea is interesting. Maybe Mai isn’t dreaming per se, but sort of possessed. Like you said, reliving what happened to the other girl in a kind of dreamlike state and maybe that’s why she’s more of a participant in this dream. But if that really is the case, shouldn’t the animators have animated us seeing the girl, but hearing Mai’s voice? I dunno but it is a neat idea.
Well, I think it is likely that Bou-san will save her since it is usually him or Naru. In a way, I have a feeling that Mai might be hypnotized in a way, so that she cannot react to what is happening.
@nobisheep: you teaser
darn you manga readers, hahaha!
I am actually wondering about where the other two assistants really went. If they are facing the same situation, it is likely that Mai will discover them around (considering that it’s highly possible that she will survive this ordeal).
I do pray for whatever will happen to Mai, if she sees the dismembered bodies. Or perhaps, they never died at all, though it’s highly unlikely.
~wanders in~ ~reads~
You guys are so fun to read since I cant really comment anymore
And yes I was fangirling too when Naru was eyeing Davis. Also anyone notice that Naru kinda yelled at Mai after she says that Ayako doesnt need to go with her and Masako…I liked that, I dont think he does that in the manga, he says “no way” in the manga but not as forcefully….I liked how it came off better in the anime. Also I feel for all of you how cant wait to find out what happens in 20, try reading the manga back in Dec and not knowing at all!!! XD But us manga-fantics have our ways, heheheheeeee
2 DJ: something is going to happen to Masako. that’s all i’m going to say for now…
2 Impz: you’ll get to see one of them again at least, probably in the next ep (i’m not telling dead or alive).
by the way, the anime is so much more fun than the manga. and by another way, i’m a big Masako fan too!
MASAKO FANS! Go go go go! Very importantly, I do hope that nothing serious will happen to her since i do not want her absolutely cute and sweet face to happen to her.
I think I now remember the thing that na2viet mentioned. If you remember, there is in fact the voice of a girl asking for help. For the whole period of time, we have not seen the spirit of the woman appearing at all…
Any speculation who that woman might be?
My guess is that we will never find out since the woman is probably some spirit that is sacrificed in the surgery table without a name but it is just curiosity in me. I do wonder also about whether Minami or Dr Davis will re-appear since the abrupt disappearance is quite strange. I feel that one of them might return to answer some of the missing points.
“Even Ayako is cooler than that old woman.”
That may be the first positive thing I’ve heard you say about Ayako. If it’s not the first, it’s definitely one of the few. You see? Even Ayako has her abilities.
For all that I like Masako (and I *do* like her even if I support Naru x Mai), I don’t think she comes across as a nice person in this episode. She sounds stuck up and arrogant in her dealings with Mai. I understand that she’s lashing out because she feels threatened by Mai’s growing abilities and relationship with Naru. However, Masako loses some of my respect for how she handled herself in that early scene. Vindictive catfights do not become her.
There’s little else that I can think to say on this episode, believe it or not. Maybe I’m too overwhelmed by it all.
* D.J thanks for appreciating my ideas!I’m sure Mai will be rescued!beat me!hehehehe
* Impz yes there is a woman that is trying to ask some help! and that is the girl that Mai saw behind the shower curtain!but i saw also a glimpse of man seems laughing whats with that anyway any ideas I’m curios!he’ has seems like fangs!so there might be a devil in that house!and seriously that Dr.Davis is very annoying!I think he’s better wrapped his things up and go!he’s very useless!
and hey! I go for Mai!
@noblsheep: let’s hope Impz doesnt loose it when what you referred to in your last post actually happens in the anime XD
Also Masako hasnt made any advancements on Naru lately….she admits defeat!!!
~runs out of blog~
-YamiKakyuu that’s right MaiXNaru FOREVER! *Sorry couldn’t help it!*
-noblsheep, now I’m very intrigued! ^-^ I so cannot wait for this episode.
I really want to read the manga, but that probably happen for a while, not til we finish one of the other ones we are collecting right now and then I can pick another on up.
-na2niet I’m sure she will too, Mai is just too awesome to die.
-LKK I agree it does seem beneath Masako to act the way she did. But then I guess that truly shows just how much of a threat she perceives Mai to be.
As usual I am just so happy to see the scary stuff! I hope that Mai continues to develop and I just adore the interaction between Mai and Lin and also the Masako and Mai dynamic. I mean any girl who has lived through her teens knows exactly how each of them feels and the thoughts running through their heads. I was intrigued by the dream sequences, if indeed and I am sure that they must be dreams. Is it a sign that Naru is consciously entering her dreams and therefore can’t get there every time (as that wouldn’t be humanly possible), or is she just evolving past the need for a familiar friendly guide? Everyone has such great thoughts and theories about everything and I can’t wait to see what sticks. To thirteensugars, Impz, LKK, and the other regular posters I find myself coming to this blog even if I have seen the eps. already just to see what your thoughts are on it, I seem to have stumbled on an actual group of intelligent beings (and series) that make me laugh and think when there are just to many other reviewers and fans of other viewers of series out there on other sites that seem like they only write posts after they get high and watch subs without the subs and swear they speak English! *giggles* Okay I swear last gushy post! So will we see the softer side of Lin from now on? I sure hope not.
At the rate this is going, we’ll be through this arc before I get my hands on the English version of vol.7 of the manga, which is the manga conclusion to this particular arc.
(Hands virtual vanilla custard pie to all the Mai x Naru love-love pairing supporters for simply being brilliant!!!.)
~Noblsheep~ (lol) oh, I would never, nor have I ever done, something like that to a friend. I’m the one to whom they’re doing that sort of thing. And besides, I never had a b/f that I can talk about (it’s my way of staying away from matters of the heart although someone is currently making it difficult to do:sighs:) while simultaneously scream over horror movies. But anyway, because of the tasty hints you’ve been dropping here and there, especially about that Masako-part, which was reinforced by YamiKakyuu’s comment, I was forced to get myself a GH session hubby. ^^ Watching SaiMono on TV when watching GH on my lp makes it easy. When I get scared, all I have to do is look to my right and there he is. Seiran-sama! (kyaaaaa!!!)
My own speculation about what’s happening to Mai is that it’s an advancement of her psychic abilities. Before in her dreams, she’s just a spectator on whatever is happening or what happened or what will happen to the spirits and the victims, but now, she’s the one experiencing what exactly happens. It’s like the advancement of her ability when she and Masako saw what happened to Sakauchi’s spirit in the Forbidden Game arc whilst awake. And now that ability of hers has made a new advancement to the point that she’s feeling the whole thing first-hand in her dreams. As for how she’ll escape such a nightmare, I couldn’t come up with a speculation because that cliffhanger was really well done. I hope they wouldn’t disappoint us with episode 20 when the anime finally shows how Mai escapes the nightmare.
By the way, Minami leading Dr. Davis like his pet, and the fact that he knocked on Ayako, Masako and Mai’s bedroom hysterically searching for the other assistant makes me absolutely certain that they are frauds. I mean, come on, if you have the legendary Dr. Davis at your side, why panic so much?
~LKK & DJ~ I absolutely agree with you two about your opinion of Masako’s stuck-up behavior. But then again, this only shows just how much a better person Mai is. (Objections shall be shot down by some baking pans. ^^)
Also, if something sweet or even romantic happens between Masako and Naru in this episode, I will cut my hair!….Or maybe just layer it.
~Manda~(is flattered to be included with the people who were called intelligent and hands the biggest vanilla custard pie slice. ^^) I myself wonder how I can make a comment of 1-2 pages long when I can’t even finish a paragraph in Speech class. By the way, I wanted to share my thoughts about your question on one of the posts before. As much as a Mai x Naru love-love pairing supporter I am, I think Naru will not be hooked up by any of the two girls simply because it’ll ruin the allure of the sort-of-love-triangle (more like just a right-angle instead of a whole right triangle) the three presents. And I definitely agree about your comment of the cool Lin-san. It’s nice to see his soft side once-in-a-blue moon, but if they continue to show his warm side, he won’t be any different to how warm Bou-san is. Plus, Lin-san’s coolness is what makes him so VERY VERY attractive; him giving off that unobtainable-bishie aura. ^^
~Impz~ I would have to disagree with your comment about the Trap-Impz comics I made. I’m actually making you more eligible and available by making you come out more wholesome. There are lots of people out there, girls and guys alike, who will fall for the loli-trap you. And to prove it, I included the link in my username so people can visit it and comment. ^^
So people go and check it out. (lol)
And yup, people here are really fun and great! The very best reason why I check this place out “xy” times a day. ^^
@Manda: I am a regular poster because I am the main writer of this blog if you didn’t notice. I mean, I do check the blog much more often than any people to explore different things that I did not notice in the episode. Trust me, I generally miss out so much and make mistakes on details that require others to correct me. Just wondering and I often say proudly to my other bloggers that we do not have idiotic people in the threads that I made, and Alkanphel even said once that I am lucky to have commentors who are actually intelligent and know how to type English.
@13sugars: An extension in the manifestation of Mai’s powers? That is an interesting concept that I have not thought of. Perhaps, it is possibly her ability to empathize through her ESP about the experiences of the people who have been dragged to the same place. In that case, I can possibly accept the situation if it does turn out to be the truth.
It’s likely I will be single all my life after all the impz trappie comics. Woe to me and singlehood T_T Actually, being single is good, ahaha~
wow, are the ghost hunt posts the most popular ones here? i know i come to read those mostly
Am I the only one surprised by the comment made my Lin? I was not expecting that subject to show up in a Japanese anime series. I thought their government was trying to erase that part of history…
@ohphive: “Am I the only one surprised by the comment made my Lin? I was not expecting that subject to show up in a Japanese anime series. I thought their government was trying to erase that part of history… ”
No, you aren’t the only one. Although Ghost Hunt draws most of its references from the real world (nearly all of the psychics and institutions mentioned are real, for example), I wasn’t expecting such a politically charged issue, seemingly unrelated to the paranormal, to be brought up. I guess the novelist has a strong opinion on the issue. I’m glad the anime kept the reference in because it’s very effective in its unexpectedness. It made me want to learn more about the issue.
Impz, when i finally got around to checking on this blog again, there are a LOT of comments! i don’t really know which i should comment on anymore:p but i suppose i will start with sticking to my theory about vampires/fetish for blood. i mean i seriously think that the blood in the bathtub and the blood in the wineglass are clues to this case. it really makes me think that the culprit has this craving for blood. also about mai’s psychic abilities, she and masako are both mediums but slightly different in abilities. masako can speak and see spirits, but mai’s is like clairvoyance which allows her to look into the past and the present and allow her to understand what the spirits are saying. so in a way, mai can become a more powerful medium than masako if she really takes time to develop her ability. i think that davis guy is probably fake but still need more evidence on this. but he seems suspicious… i really can’t wait for episode 20! i don’t think mai will die but i don’t know how she’s gonna get out of it either… is it possible that if she dies in a dream, she dies in real life too?
-beingmeyuki, I wonder that myself, if she dies in a dream does that mean she dies in the real world. It reminds me of the urban myth that if you wake somebody up who is sleep walking they will die Which I can say from real life experience is totally false. My parents would actually hold conversations with me while I was sleep walking. I would never remember them upon waking. And they had to wake me up the one time I was about to walk down the stairs.
I’m also starting to believe everybody is right about Davis being a fake. His group does seem to be rather too incompetent. For such a world renowned man to be surrounded by complete idiots seems too far fetched.
-ohphive One of the things I like about Ghost Hunt is that it has its comedy but it doesn’t go over the top. For the most part it has a good sense of realism (which is funny considering the subject matter) So to have that as Lin’s reason, I thought was a good thing. I like that this show has a certain amount of intelligence to it and bringing up such a politically charged topic helps to maintain the realism of the characters. It certainly makes Lin seem more 3-dimensional to give him such a good reason for his cold nature.
-Manda, yes there are lots of intelligent posters here. I wish more of them would post in the Naruto threads *shudder, its full of Narutards in there*
~Beingmeyuki~I believe that it can happen; someone can die in reality if he/she dies in his/her dream, but I doubt that that sort of thing happens all the time. After all, no one can really say/prove that they’re dead now because they died in their dreams. ^^ I just happen to have the opinion that something like it can happen because of how powerful the mind is.
~DJ~I agree with you about Ghost Hunt’s main subject and its combination of realism and subtle humor. I guess these are the things that make this anime a low-profile one yet a cut above the others. As for people who sleepwalk, I was told that one should wake them up very gently because if you wake them like one would a regular sleeping person, there’d be a different reaction. I’ve never met someone like that before. The experience must be pretty interesting. I, however, sleep like the dead. (lol) And believe it or not, sleeping is one of my talents. I can sleep anytime, anywhere and anyway. I have yet to master the art of sleeping with your eyes open though. (lol)
Unfortunately, I don’t really watch Naruto anymore. I lost my interest because of how long it’s dragging on. (Narutards, eh? Lol that’s funny) If Bleach hadn’t switched back to its main plot, I would’ve dropped it too. Thank goodness it did though. ^^
@D.J OMG!!!! That is exactly the anime I was thinking when I wrote that!!!!
@Impz I know you are the operator but you would not believe the amount of sites out there where a person just blogs and never replies. That is why I actually starting using this site exculsivly. I cherish the hours I get to watch anime as a busy twenty-something (a lady never tells!) and when I do get the chance to sit in front of my comp. and let off a load of steam from my day this is a great place to talk to like-minded individuals and I am sure everyone here appreciates your efforts.
@Thirteen I eat my slice with a huge grin! Mai’s advancement has hopefully kicked off with a bang! I agree with you on the cliffhanger and I cannot possibly begin to speculate.
Oh, and even more off the subject at hand to all that read Japanese, I am currently looking for a more advanced primer for myself and have been currently using Japanese:A Step by Step Innovative Approach to Speaking and Reading Japanese by NISHI. Can anyone give me a slightly more advanced reccomendation?
<--- can't read Japanese and refuse to learn due to the fact that he knows he's a little too dumb to even understand such a complex language.
Also, about dying in dreams, I feel that it's a bit impossible to speculate that a death in the dream world means a death in real life. If so, I should be dead for so many times since I died in my dreams very often.
That said, I do believe in dreams being a prophesy of things to come, since I have this problem about dreaming of death and the likes very often. I am not exactly a morbid person but I always dreamed of death/murder when I am young (Glad that I don't have it that much these days)
The most chilling one was the day before my uncle died. I dreamed of him dying 2 days ago and it spooked me big time since he has been suffering from cancer...
@Manda: Ya, I generally use this blog to talk a little about anime and my frustrations/excitement in general about series and the likes.
For all who are chinese, HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! I will be on-off for the next few days as it's a good celebration period for me ^+^
@D.J, whoa! you sleepwalked? i sleep like the dead like Thirteensugars, LOL!
i actually like naruto. i have followed the manga faithfully but skipped the whole lot of the fillers:p i do hope that i fall under the intelligent posters category and not the ‘narutards’ since i do post under naruto threads from time to time:p btw the new season of naruto is now out and it’s back to the manga storyline. the first eps were really good!
okay i’m starting to drift from the topic at hand… yes i agree with you guys on ghost hunt being realistic and it’s humor is not over the top. another thing i like about it is that we never know what’s gonna happen next. well we can always speculate as the episodes often leaves us hanging. but i think it’s really good suspense! well okay maybe a little frustrating but it’s what keeps us watching it right?:D
i actually tried to find out what happened next after episode 19 but unfortunately i found very little details and i didn’t find anything about how this case really ends. but i will confirm that something does happen to masako. naru has an ability and davis is most probably fake. i mean just look at how suspicious naru is of him.
This episode put me on the edge of my seat! Just when that knife was hovering above Mai’s neck, I couldn’t watch it and yet I didn’t turn away XD It’s like a bad accident.
As for Masako, that scene between her and Mai was just hilarious. Hooray for Mai’s faces!
RIZ, it should be.
Hooray for Masako in order to have Mai’s faces.
Hence, Masako = win.
Also, due to that, Masako x Naru >>> any other pairing in ghost hunt!
*waves flag of Masako x Naru happily*
*Faints at the sight of such an offensive flag* j/k
thirteensugars/beingmeyuki – I actually do sleep like the dead. But when we first moved into the house I didn’t like for the first year I started to sleepwalk. Its definetely a weird experience.
I would walk down the stairs, get myself a glass of water.
I would wander aimlessly in and out of rooms. I even walked into my parents room one night and switched off their t.v. They asked me why and I replied because I felt like it. I remembered nothing of the incident the next morning.
-beingmeyuki, Ilove Naruto too ^-^ But really stopped bothering with the majority of the fillers, so I’m really glad shippuden started finally! And judging by your posts here, I’m pretty sure you fall into the intelligent Naruto fan category.
Manda, its because I’ve read some of the posts in the Naruto thread and there are some real bad ones.
Impz – I believe in prophetic dreams too. Mom hasn’t had one in a while thank god.
Ahh, the wait is killing me, I want to see episode 20 already.
WAH, minerva. Now, that is perhaps a possible speculation. It will actually fit into the obsession with eternal life. However, the probability that it might happen is low due to some of the facts in the previous two episodes.
1. The fact that many people have died and I presume that it’s done through experimentation. Unless, they are saying that the consumption of virgin hearts can create xanadu, or a word for eternal life (I can’t remember where the word “xanadu” came from. Latin, greek?)
2. I feel that the tub of blood is more like his attempt to suicide from the fear of this whole paranoia of dying. Just curious, what is that wine glass thingy?
3. I do not think that it’s anything to do with vampires though. That might be stretching it a little since we have a stereotype of vampires and bites.
Yes, i am typical but oh well
~MinervaArnauld~ Oh thank goodness! I thought I was alone in being too scared about this arc. ^^
~Manda~ “That is why I actually starting using this site exculsivly. I cherish the hours I get to watch anime as a busy twenty-something (a lady never tells!) and when I do get the chance to sit in front of my comp. and let off a load of steam from my day this is a great place to talk to like-minded individuals and I am sure everyone here appreciates your efforts. “
I absolutely feel the same, Manda. As a girl whose age is somewhere between 20-22, though Impz might already have an idea what exactly it is (sighs), the moments one spend to watch anime are almost priceless, and THAT is really a tremendous place to load off stress. As hectic as my schedule can be, I always find a way to visit this place at least “xy
Eh, virgin hearts? Xanadu? (faints and drops near the fainted DJ)
*dies of blushing*
Well, for that, you should know that you are a very welcome blogger if ever THAT anime blog requires new writers and it’s with such commentors like 13sugars, DJ and the likes that make bloggers so happy. They will love to have one or two of you for sure.
I hardly have much of a temper in the first place, and honestly, it is against my morals to be angry at gals, even if I am not sure if they are or not. It’s just wrong. Lol, don’t worry, I will soon become an old lonely man that everyone will forsake as I am fat, ugly and annoying ;_;. No worries unless you really insulted me badly, where I will probably delete the comment.
Back to the topic itself, I made a mistake on Xanadu. I realize that it is in fact a book that i have read in the past named “The quest for Xanadu”, a book about gaining eternal life. Hah, my memory is getting a little confused….
I do have to go back to Minerva and wonder about the eternal life thing. If the people are in fact captured for their organs in order to concoct a solution for eternal life (which will fit the setting of the hospital), it will probably be too gruesome and realistic.
Nice idea, Minerva, as I add this thought in my head when the next episode comes
“Well, for that, you should know that you are a very welcome blogger if ever THAT anime blog requires new writers and it’s with such commentors like 13sugars, DJ and the likes that make bloggers so happy. They will love to have one or two of you for sure.”
Aww thank you (((HUG))) and its your appreciation of our comments and ideas, no matter how small they may be, that makes us all appreciate you so much. I’ve always been a lurker in blogs and this really is the first one in which I’ve actively participated.
Mainly because not only are the other posters both intelligent and frightfully nice, but so are the bloggers themselves. I also have to admit its the great sense of humour you guys all have that keeps me coming back too.
(Thirteen sugars, here’s a cookie, we need it after all that fainting. Maybe the horrible flag is gone now.)
Oh and to prove I am a girl, here’s my deviantart i.d that hubby drew of me. Ha! No you don’t get an actual picture, but it should give you an idea as to what I look like. http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/12260867/
Back to the topic at hand. I like Minerva’s idea. But the more plausible considering it was a hospital does sound like people being sliced and diced for spare parts. Or, maybe they were being used as sacrifices for some kind of ceremony, for which blood needed to be drank (hence the glass).
Or perhaps as Minerva said, the culprit was obsessed by eternal life and thought he could gain it through the drinking of blood much like the hungarian countess EizabethBathory who legend has it drank the blood of young virgins to keep her youth. (Although I’m with Wiki on this one, it was more likely she was mentally instable)