Ghost Hunt Final Ep – "Super Saiyan Naru-chan?"

Naru suddenly went into Super Saiyan’s mode and started to build his powers. He then summons the great ball of fire from within, getting the power of the people as they raised their hands to give him the essence of life. Does this ring a bell?

Don’t even talk about Dragonball when you are watching Ghost Hunt with your wifey.

Note: Due to tons of detail, this summary post can be pretty long.

Episode summary

The ghost hunters were having difficulties repelling the zombies until Bou-san used one of his religious daggers to build up a barrier. John was protecting the family and guiding them to a safe place. However, Tazuki’s voice screamed out in fear, as white lights surrounded John as he repelled them with some difficulty. Just when John warned Mai not to let the white lights touch her, one of them went right through her stomach and she started to bleed. However, after feeling the pain, there was no wound and it was similar with Bou-san as the spirit went through his ankle. Bou-san then tried to repel the spirits, but they emitted a dark red aura as they escaped to the base.

It was at least over for now as Masako asked Bou-san to take a rest. However, Bou-san said that the barrier might fall off if he slept and hence it was better to wait til the morning before they did anything. The tide would go down slightly. As Lin said that his shikis were back, Masako realized that all the spirits in the house were in fact used by the same way, in which all their anger and resentment were abused by some being to do the things that they are involuntarily forced to do. The next day, Bou-san explained how the culprits were the monks who manipulated the other spirits and brought John along to exorcise. However, Ayako stopped them but Bou-san refuted her, saying that she was incapable of it. Ayako simply smiled confidently and said that she had a trick up her sleeve.

As they reached the grave of the three monks, Ayako said how this place was great since there were benevolent spirits near the shrine. She talked about a huge tree when she was young. It often talked to her, even on news that patients would die. However, her parents would scold her when she said so. Still, she admitted that she might not have that much power but still a miko nevertheless, with Mai saying that she sounded quite cool. As Ayako started the ritual, there was a very different feel to it as the trees started to sway. Spirits started to appear from the trees, and then the zombie spirits, followed by the monks were repelled by the ring of the bell as the bell acted as an invitation to pass on.

Ayako explained afterwards that there were no trees since she was borrowing the tree spirits to help her, but without trees, the mere presence of the spirit in the shrine would be effective to cleanse the spirits. She further explained that she was unable to repel the spirit within a human body (Ejiro) but only on mere spirits. Mai continued to ask why Ayako did not bring Ejiro over but Ayako said that it was not good to do it to waste the power of the tree. The power of the tree is not infinite and one usage would mean six more months for the trees to regenerate the power. It was better to keep it for something important. However, when Bou-san assumed that all spirits were gone, Ayako said that there was a power beyond the spirits that was not called into her ritual and it was a very dangerous force. Mai remembered how the word “monster” was said and Bou-san said the only thing that had that power was Ebisu.

Returning back to base, Naru was awake and he did not thank Ayako for saving him, as well as calling them stupid for not knowing it was the Ebisu (Ayako got rid of all spirits and rid Naru of the possession). Naru explained that there was a small passage from the shrine to lead to a small cave worshiping the ebisu. If the ebisu resided a very weak god, it would not require that much construction but it was a very powerful god. As people worshiped the ebisu, it prevented floods and natural disasters but it changed to a malicious spirit when offerings were not given. The land that was used to worship the ebisu had disappeared due to selling of land as well as separation. However, the ebisu felt that the people staying there should have worshiped it and they did not, which was why it caused trouble.

Naru said that it was time to exorcise, even though Bou-san added that it was Naru himself then who said monsters cannot be repelled. Naru said he had a debt to pay to him for suffering so much that his pride was hurt. As Bou-san started the ritual while the others looked, Mai could sense that the cave had a heartbeat and then deep breathing as though the whole cave was alive. The entrance also closed as the spirits appeared, with everyone trying to repel it with their own abilities but the spirits continued to grow. It was a losing battle but Bou-san then charged forward with his religious dagger as he plunged the dagger on the ebisu only to be repelled by the sheer power of the god.

John and Yasuhara then tried to get close to cause yet another stab at the ebisu but it was repelled effectively. Naru said sarcastically that their powers were only so much, only to earn a rebuttal from Mai. Mai said that everyone was working so hard to protect him and he was simply trying to use other people to fulfill his own pride in things. Mai said he should just do it himself if he wanted to revive his pride. Mai dragged Bou-san and was about to leave, but Naru moved forward. As Mai wondered what he was doing, she tried to touch him, only to feel a very strong membrane barrier around him. The energy started to rise from him as he released a huge force of power at the ebisu, destroying it as he looked nonchalant and left. Everyone was left speechless at the power that they had seen and Masako said that the place had became normal, with no residue of spirits.

As they went out of the cave, Naru collapsed as Lin rushed forward. The next scene was Naru in the ICU, as Lin explained to Mai that Naru had a very strong power since young, even the abilities to control poltergeist-like powers. Hence, as his body was unable to handle the power, Lin taught some of his techniques but still the release would hurt him. Mai realized that her provocation was the cause of him releasing and endangering his own life but Lin said that if Naru had stayed calm as he usually did, he would not be provoked that easily. It was perhaps his great pride that caused it and he would not be feeling too good. A few days later, Naru recovered and continued his arrogant and narcissistic ways. He also asked Mai to get him tea, earning the wrath of Masako as she wanted to help Naru as well and be asked by him.

Thoughts

It’s over. Ghost hunt is over with this arc, and I have to say that the ending for this arc is pretty complex than what I expected. I mean, it’s a very good plot to twist it back to the ebisu because I have been thinking for a long time what the ebisu is about and in fact, I have also suspected that it’s perhaps the mastermind of all the trouble in the vicinity. However, what I did not expect is the well construction of the ending to fit everything in. I also apologize for my lack of comments recently as I am a bit too addicted to talking to my wifey, so do not flame me for these few days. I am enjoying her company too much.

I must say for a start that I am very fricking impressed by Ayako. Readers here know how much I despise Ayako for her inability to do anything about exorcising and repelling spirits on the whole. When Bou-san said that she was not powerful enough to do it, her strange confidence made my heart stutter for a moment. My head was thinking “God, she actually has something on her sleeve and her smile is very different”. When she eventually started it, I knew that there was something special. What I did not expect is how fricking cool she is.

Honestly, just take a look at the series even without the subs, it’s good enough to see that she is able to use the spirits of the tree as a source of channeling power to dispel all the spirits at one go. It is like those powers that require a certain pre-requisite but when it does fulfill the requirements, it will be a very powerful force. That is why I am amazed at Ayako’s maturity and respect for nature not to use her powers until necessary. So, even though it was just one instance, I do have to apologize on my imprudence at Ayako’s ability and admit that my disgust of her has all but dissipated.

As said by many of the Animesuki forumers, I do agree as well that this episode’s special person is Ayako, even though Naru did show some incredible strength. Let me explain a little. We have always expected Naru to be mysterious and we are waiting for him to release his power. Hence, when he did release that oh my god crazy power of his, it is perhaps not that surprising even though the sheer power of it is totally insane. Ayako, on the other hand, has been shown to be useless and hence the surprise and the crazy ultimate power she held makes it totally impressive. I am sure most will agree with me.

I am in fact right if you remember some of my speculations about the ebisu being the final control. It’s disturbing how spirits without offerings turned into vicious spirits and manipulated spirits with resentment such as those that were killed around as a form of shiki, unable to control themselves and become slaves of something they did not wish. I always hate such things, no matter whether they were alive. I will apologize ahead of time for Naru’s fans, but I felt that Naru was way too impulsive this time. Yes, we did see him solve the problem but it seemed more like a personal grudge for his pride to be hurt and it was wrong for him to abuse others for it. I did not agree with his actions and I feel that Mai scolded him correctly.

I also would not blame Mai for forcing Naru to do such a thing that would endanger him. The fact is that she does not know, and you can see how much she is repentant about causing danger. I swear Mai will never do it if she knew, but well, she’s just too kind a person. I do not like the ending scene by the way because Masako and Naru are meant to be together. That said, Masako in a normal dress is just so cute that it’s sinful. I think wifey nearly died from my swooning, and I nearly died hearing her swoon about Lin. In fact, I am forced by coercion to just put a screenshot of Lin in the third set of pictures, because if not, she will impose her ability as her wifey very strictly. Sigh.

On the side issues, I am enjoying the fact that John was fighting away the white spirits, which makes him look pretty cool. Bou-san, as usual, is the consistent guy that is fending off all the spirits. It’s amazing and I am glad for him. Yasuhara is pretty useless but still cute!

To end off, I must say that I am a bit disappointed that we still know nothing much about Naru, that reeks so much of a “I need a second season”. Honestly, if there is something I am concerned about, it’s the lack of novel material for this, and even if there is a second series, it will take a while before it arrives. So, we are probably stuck on both ends. Thanks everyone for visiting T.H.A.T Anime Blog for the 25 episodes of Ghost Hunt. I started off just writing for fun and I am glad that many of you have provided insightful comments and very interesting findings that have helped me along in this. Cheers and I hope that many will come back for my coverage of other series.

Cheers!