As with most dramas, there comes an episode where all the main character does is sits around and beats him/herself up for being utterly useless. We apparently like to call these “emo” episodes and this episode certainly comes close to being one. Due to Shinkurou’s behavior of hiding his feelings towards everyone close to him and always putting up that fake smile, the episode didn’t really feel that depressing even though we really knew what he was thinking.
Summary
Murasaki is brought back to the Kuhouin mansion and is eventually placed back into the Inner Sanctuary. We are shown a vast contrast in lifestyle when she tries to clean up some tea that she has spilled and is scolded for trying to do it herself and not telling the servants to do it.
Meanwhile back at Samidare apartment, the gang attempt to move on from the incident that occurred. Tamaki seems to be as energetic as usual, but this of course might just be her usual facade. Yamie gives Shinkurou a bit of money to go out and by oysters for everyone to eat which somehow motivates him a little.
Shinkurou meets Yayoi at the supermarket who later asks him to have a little spar with her. After Shinkurou gets to show her some of his moves, Yayoi tells Shinkurou about one of her past failed missions in perhaps an attempt to console him. She also tells him that he should just forget all that’s happened and move on.
At this point, Shinkurou seems to have “accepted” what has happened and has moved on. He tells Ginko that his mission has failed and that he’s just going to move on to the next one. Ginko for some reason seems disappointed in him, but gives him the same sort of lecturing as always. Yuuno attempts to comfort Shinkurou, but her words don’t seem to get through to him effectively.
Benika comes to tell Shinkurou to prepare to move for his next job as it is too far away from the apartment. Shinkurou reluctantly agrees at first, but after getting yelled at by Tamaki, he may have had a change of heart. He later tells Benika that he doesn’t want to move and that he wants to go and save Murasaki from the Inner Sanctuary. Benika is highly opposed to the idea at first, but as always, she gives in to his stubbornness and even offers to help him. Tamaki and Yamie overhear the conversation and give Shinkurou a warm farewell as he leaves with Benika. (P.S. This has got to be the best screen capture in this entire episode, imho. Humorous parody quotes are accepted.)
Impressions
Not that bad of an episode. At certain parts I really wanted to strangle Shinkurou for being so lame at times, but he eventually turned around for the better. Of course he’s probably going to get his ass kicked a few times, but at least he’s finally determined about something again.
I like Ginko and all, but I really wish she’d drop the attitude sometimes. It has it’s moments sometimes, but I think she should have acted a bit more seriously with Shinkurou instead of giving him a bunch of sarcastic and vague comments.
After all this time, we still don’t know of any connections between Yuuno’s family and the Kuhouins. I remember she did mention it at one point where she first met Murasaki, but they seemed to have pushed that bit of plot to the side.
The animation quality has been in a decline and this episode really had some bad moments in terms of the artwork. While some of the characters were drawn okay and were pretty consistent in each episode, Renjou, for some reason, looks different to me in every episode he’s in. Yayoi and Yamie have lost a bit of detail in their faces as well.
With only two episodes left and the plot pretty much set for the remainder of the series I can say that it was enjoyable but there’s still a bit left to be desired. I understand that its tough to squeeze in stories for every character in a series with only 12 episodes, but I kind of wished for a bit more of background from some of the side characters. They gave us some insight on Tamaki’s personality and I would’ve liked to see more of Ginko or even Yamie. I think Kure-nai had a good opportunity for some good and interesting character backgrounds with their amazing cast of characters. But perhaps that’s left for the manga or even maybe another season or ova (pretty please?).
7 Comments
Shinkurou is such a pimp.
yup, pretty please, it’s so sad that such a good anime ends with only 12 episodes, we need another season of it or maybe just an OVA will do
@LDC: if Kurenai is a pimp then tell me what is Shinn Asuka?
Ryuuji, take yo hands off of Murasaki! I can’t wait to see Shinkurou kick that guy’s loli-siscon, pedophilic, perverted, son-of-a-bitch, rapist ass. Yes, I hate him that much.
“Help, they’re stealing my monies… and it feel’s so good!”
It’s looking to me like the climax is going to be some sort of character moment rather than an action scene. Also, Benika mentioned her promise to Murasaki’s mother and it sounds like she always expected Murasaki to be returned to the Kohouins eventually. That really makes me wonder if Murasaki was actually removed with Renjou’s consent. There were some other things that seem to hint at that as well. If I remember correctly, Yayoi says she never wants to deal with the Kohouins again and that she is amazed they managed to get Murasaki out in the first place. I doubt they’re going to make Shinkurou go super seiyan, so I don’t see things turning out well through violence.
@LDC: He sure is. Every aspect of his life involves women who can’t get enough of him.
@indr0008: Well I’m assuming it all has to do with the popularity of the series. If it does well then maybe it’ll get a second season or ova. If not, then well… it was fun while it lasted.
@Randor: Murasaki is so popular that even her own brother can’t keep his hands off her. @_@
@tzhuge: I also doubt Shinkurou will be able to accomplish anything through fighting either, but if this is going to end the way I think it’s going to end, then someone is going to have to either get beaten up or maybe even killed. There’s probably a very slim chance of them getting back Murasaki without certain people out of the way first.
I thought this was a rather superior moping episode, because Shinkurou wasn’t just beating himself up repeatedly, he was rationalising and basically coping with stuff. More Ginko over the whole series would have been nice, but the scene with Yayoi here was enough neat subcharacterey to keep me happy.
“I have spent your money. Witness my chocolate nipples! Bwahahahaha!”
[I thought this was a rather superior moping episode, because Shinkurou wasn’t just beating himself up repeatedly, he was rationalising and basically coping with stuff]
Exactly my thoughts, Shinkurou’s less-than-apathetic-yet-more-than-moping attitude felt surprisingly adult to me. Not that its a good thing. I’d say that the first part of the episode struck some eerily similar parallels the actions of some people in the working world. The whole ‘I made a mess but I have my job to care about so I’ll have to move on’ thought feels like a very blunt message towards all of us.