Spoilers: Everyone is dead again in this episode. EVERYONE. EVERYONE!!!!
Not.
Quick Summary
Continuing from the last episode, Kagura is about to be slashed by Yomi before a flashback brought us back to a scene three years ago. Kagura’s parents were killed by a spirit in an exorcism, and she was sent to Yomi’s family. Kagura’s family is the head family, and Yomi is bestowed as her caretaker. At Yomi’s house, Kagura seemed to be particularly quiet. Yomi asked if Kagura has anything to bring from her own house, and Kagura said her only possession was her mother’s photograph.
Yomi tried to make Kagura comfortable and asked if there was anything she wanted to do. Kagura requested to go to the dojo. She started on practicing alone, and Yomi asked if Kagura wants to spar. Yomi was able to dispatch her easily. Kagura unexpectedly blamed herself very badly, stating that she would be dead if this was a real life situation. It was clear that Kagura’s parents gave her a lot of pressure during her training.
Yomi decided to make Kagura relax by playing a game. The bet was to eat century egg, something Kagura hated. This bonded the two girls closer. Just when the sisters are communicating well, Yomi was suddenly called up for a mission. On another day, Yomi asked what Kagura wanted to eat. Kagura wanted to eat cream croquette. Despite the difficulty of preparing the food, Yomi agreed. However, they were interrupted by yet another phone call and Yomi told Kagura to wait.
This reminded Kagura of how her mother told her to be a good girl and wait whenever they went out for missions. Overwhelmed by emotions, Kagura started to cry from the rememberance of her mother’s deathly fate. Sympathizing with Kagura, Yomi decided to bring Kagura to her job. Yomi introduced Kagura to everyone, and Kouji Iwahata taught Kagura how to use a spirit sword. At the site, Yomi demonstrated her job to eliminate a sealed spirit. Iwahata explained Nue, the lion spirit that was summoned from Yomi’s sword. On the aftermath, Yomi’s father screamed at Yomi for her negligence and exposing Kagura to unnecessary danger. Kagura apologized after that, but Yomi simply smiled stating that she was used to it.
Yomi said that from now then, she will be Kagura’s elder sister. She also explained that she was not the real daughter of her current father. Her father died after being slain by a spirit. Nonetheless, her foster father gave her the hereditary sword which represented his love for Yomi. We also see a quick snapshot of a wolf summoning. In school, Kagura received a phone call from Yomi, but had to lie to the teacher that she was visiting her sick mother. Kagura is officially in the information squad.
Thoughts
I was really wondering how they are going to move forward with a plot where all the main characters are likely to be dead. Rather unexpectedly, they decide to use In medias res to approach the show. This can work really terribly, but the classic movie case of Memento should give you some indication of the film style. This is a creative style that has been popular throughout the ages, and I enjoy the sudden confusion it brings to the viewer.
It’s a good change to the pace of the story, which is generally neck breaking and crazy with the number of fallen bodies for the first two episodes. It is aimed to sensationalize, and it did its job as the third episode lays out the fundamental history between the two main female protagonists. I was expecting them to use the second episode to slow down the pace, but the shock is pleasant so that this change of pace feels more tolerable for the viewer. I think I will go insane if they went on a third round of killing everyone.
Yomi has been absolutely stunning in this episode, and I am growing to be captivated by this lady. Of course, the main question that is going through my head is her evil being in the future. What caused such a fine and dainty lady to change so drastically. I am going to put my neck out to say that it has something to do with that wolf spirit that is summoned. Since spirits often invoke a lot of power and requires tons of powerful restraint to keep it docile, I think that Yomi might have suffered a defeat by such a spirit and was possessed by them to become like this.
Kagura still was not able to impress me whatsoever. Her character is really bland by any standard, and she is the type of character I dislike the most because it epitomizes the type of girl in a shounen show: mentally weak, dependent on others and yielding. Can we stop having such lame stereotypes for a girl? Please tell me I am wrong and that this perception is way off the mark. I do not want such a girl to be spoiled by shounen stereotypes.
Some might notice that the animation gets a bit lazy at times. This is expected since the first episode has been absolutely stunning. Most of the character designs and animation continue to be top notch during close ups, but it is the distant shots that show you the fuzzy character features. Try to look at the characters when they are faraway. Their features become somewhat unbalanced. Maybe it is just my eyes.
As a parting question: What do you think caused Yomi to change to that evil spirit in the future? If you have manga spoilers, please do not spoil the non-manga readers (that includes me!)
15 Comments
I have no idea what changed Yomi but it’s obviously more than jealousy. She could be possessed or something, but this series is kind of hard to predict since the first episode killed all the characters. I can’t believe you don’t like Kagura! But I understand where you’re coming from. It’s the same with me though – usually characters like Kagura piss me off, but there’s just something about Kagura that I like. Maybe it’s the fact that she’s better at sword-fighting than Yomi? But Yomi is awesome too …
I have the manga, but I still haven’t read it. Kagura is a stereotypical dependent, but I think its necessary to give more weight to Yomi’s ultimate betrayal. The scene we’re left with at the end of 2 and beginning of 3. Imagine if their relationship was different. “Cut me bitch I dare you.” – Kagura. Actually if Kagura wasn’t stereotypical we probably wouldn’t have had that setup in the first place. Kagura had the upper hand initially in their dual, but her reluctance to hurt Yomi was her undoing. Kagura has to be weak willed, because she is physically capable. We’re seeing what turned Yomi into what she is now and then we’ll catch back up and see how Kagura grows (I hope). I can forgive the stereotype when I consider all of the other shock factors of the show. I also feel very sympathetic to Kagura in the light of episode 3. This episode captured me.
I dunno. Her swordfighting is impressive though, something that doesn’t normally go hand in hand with weak-personality girls.
I’m still not convinced this is related to the manga other than the worldbuilding and the characters, but we’ll see.
Ga-rei Zero: Much ado about a midboss.
I did read the manga, but yeah. Won’t spoil it.
And impz, you read the previous comment that I had regarding the abbreviations? Let me know.
I also listened to the Ga-rei -Zero- radio show. I’m not sure if it’s worth risking to spoil the truth behind episode 1 and the stuff the seiyus talked about.
PS – Wakamoto rocked this episode again with the Nabuus introducing themselves and Kagura being stunned at their names. Why can’t the twins be the main co-star with Kagura as her bodyguard?
Memento is one of the best films I’ve ever seen. BUt I doubt the flashbacks of Ga-Rei will be as confusing and, in the end, as ingenious as that.
I have no idea what cause Yomi to be evil. But the question thats been bugging my mind is by the time that both Yomi & Kagura have their Final fight, how will it end?
I never read the manga so what i’m posting next is just pure speculation.
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I hope it ends with Yomi in her last moments with Kagura where she tells her that shes glad Kagura was the one to end her life and tells her that she always loved her and Kagura will sadly start crying, finally losing her ’sister’ she loved.
A Bittersweet and beautiful end but remember this is just my speculation. A SPECULATION!
uhh i am a little stunned, but impz i can assure you that manga kagura is much more different than this one, let see how the anime is able to portrait the changes from the 11 year old kagura to the 14 year old kagura to the 17 year old young woman that she is in the future, given the huge burden that was given upon her, and adding that she is the only one of her clan left. ohhhhhh by the way for manga reader awesom granny made a small cameo in this ep lol. and yeep the kagura yomi arc is very bittersweet, but it all depends in how the anime will handle it.
I have read the manga and I enjoyed reading it.
I agree that I don’t really like this generic portrayal of Kagura ( because she is my favorite character ^^). However, bare in mind that this episode is a flashback and Kagura is still relatively young. There is room for character development, I hope. I’m looking forward to seeing what path the anime will take, whether it will follow the manga or not.
I love Yomi in this episode! She seems like a fun-loving character so it pains me to see her do a 180 turn :[
Anyways, looking forward to the next episode.
@Blissmo: Yep, I have to agree that jealousy will have absolutely nothing to do with what changed Yomi. Yomi is a very kind hearted soul as seen in this episode, and Kagura is generally harmless enough not to tread on someone’s toes.
Put it this way: Kagura is generally the type of character that turns me off completely in shounen series. I am tired of the constant weak and generic shounen female stereotype that requires someone to protect them. Why must we have such a chauvinistic and overplayed stereotype that is thiner than tissue?
@Dra: Hmm, a stereotypical dependent huh? I am very sure I will be getting more annoyed at her then. Your speculation does make sense because it is clear that the transformation came by a forced decision, and it feels like Kagura is the one who caused Yomi to become like this. That is clearly not a simple case of jealousy. What it is, I have no clue. No, don’t spoil me!
Well, I can generally overlook an annoying stereotype if everything else is good. It is. for now.
@LimQ: I actually don’t care too much about the action part of a shounen show (which is strange. I mean why watch something which you are not interested in the core of action). I guess it’s more like watching out of the box. Enjoying this.
@Dorian: Wrong, 2nd last boss, i bet. Play more rpgs
@Ominae: Yes, I did. ^^ Thank you so much for it, but I didn’t know how to reply other than saying thank you. No, DON’T SPOIL ME YET BECAUSE I WILL BE VERY DEPRESSED IF YOU SPOIL ME.
I think that Nori should be the main character who goes around molesting every single girl he sees. Now, that’s the way to entice the fanservice viewers to this series, and turn me off completely.
@Omi: Me neither. I don’t think it is intended to confuse, but I wanted to bring the point about what is “in media res” since most people do not know this term. This style of filming aims to shock and disorientate the viewer before settling him/her down. I was trying to use it to explain why Ga Rei did it.
@Soso: SISTER LOVE FTW. Honestly.
@Lucky: Arr, she better be. She’s annoying me with her submissive side, and all that crap.
@Endless: I am quite sure that if she develops more, I will definitely turn into her fan just like you as well. It’s only the third episode though, so as you said, tons of character development. However, one key fatality of shounen is how they often focus on glitzy fighting and forget about developing the character.
I hope they do not make the same mistake. Actually, I like both Yomis: The yandere Yomi and the onee-chan Yomi. Both are so moe in their own right.
Why is it, when I see the screencaps I automatically think that girl looks like a rip off of Hell girls Ai Enma. Except with out the eyes, and lighter Hair color. Lol.
14:23 was the CHEESIEST music EVAR.
I must be weird, because I thought episode two set up a decent layout for the future betrayal.
Now, Yomi is all the sweet and nice and great person in the flashback. But on the other hand, I get a very clear sense of differentiation between Yomi and Kagura. In the past, Kagura is clearly dependent on Yomi, and Yomi is superior to Kagura in every way.
Compare it to episode 1, where Kagura is in dependent, and beats Yomi in swordfighting fairly easily. Remember what Yomi said so angrily, about how Kagura has always been superior to her. When I compare it to episode 2, the first thing that came to my mind is that the roles have switched, and Kagura has become superior to Yomi. I personally think that for an innately strong (rigid?) character such as Yomi, someone who is complex and probably harbour some sense of identity inferiority because of her non-blood relation to the family, will not be able to take the fact that Kagura is better than her all that well.
That little jealousy, when combined with other stuff (Identity/family stuff? Hints of a relationship between her boyfriend and Kagura?), and perhaps a little evil influence will explain the eventual turn to the Dark Side very well. At least for me.
It all boils down to the fact that I think there is more to Yomi than that big sister side of her. And it is never easy for the big sister to realize that the little sister may be better than her.
I don’t know Impz, I have the same feeling as you regarding weak females as portrayed in anime. When I want to pick up a new series one of the first things I look for is a strong female lead or counterpart. But I don’t really think Kagura is all that weak, even as a child in the flashback. She doesn’t ask to be protected in the beginning of the episode – as a reticent lonely girl who’s just recently lost her mother she manages her emotions just fine by herself. She doesn’t impose on her hosts. In fact she’s been indoctrined with alot of harsh tenets from her father that she tries to fulfill, though they’re just ideas in her head right now that haven’t yet been earned through experience. The only thing that I would have changed in this episode is that scene when Kagura starts crying. I wonder what it is about crying? Is it really such a sure sign of weakness? But if I had my way, Kagura wouldn’t have cried or said anything. She would have let Yomi go, and then Yomi would have looked at Kagura’s disappointed or lonely face and done something about it.
Ultimately Kagura’s just a child. She’s just hit the first few hurdles and they happened to be pretty daunting ones. She tried to overcome them by herself, but someone happened to be by her side and helped her out. Perhaps she learns the wrong lesson from the experience and comes to depend too heavily on that person, their relationship gets to be a little suffocating, and something happens that makes Yomi hate her and leave. So Kagura has to start over again without her crutch. She grows up a little. Becomes a bit more dependent. It’s tempting to lean on memories of the old camaraderie, it’s like the rush of a drug. Then all of a sudden Yomi shows up again…
That’s what I think of Kagura anyways. Of course she’s not precocious like Chiko in The Daughter of Twenty-Face. But Kagura’s not too bad. Hopefully.
@Maura: Amusingly, I have never watched a single episode of the show. That said, I do see the resemblance of the two characters, but it’s really just the generic art style of anime. It’s usually more obvious when the art style goes very different, like Kaiba or something.
@Lelangir: *Goes back to listen to it*
@Briar: Auntie, where did you go? Honestly, it’s meant to be a decent layout for the third episode. The In Media res style of story telling works because it delivers a seemingly end conclusion for the story by inserting it right at the front. That’s why viewers can appreciate the cognitive dissonance between the kind Yomi and the evil Yomi that cannot wait to slaughter the shit out of Kagura.
I really wonder if Yomi really had an inferior complex behind that bigger sister thing. I don’t know why but Yomi does not seem to have that sinister type of character in her, and it feels to me that there is something more sinister that has possessed her. That said, it is a possibility and a common plot style for character development.
@Orpheus: Ya, I tend to be overly critical whenever I see that teary “onee-chan” type of girl. Man, this Yomi is clearly evil and wants to slash your guts out. Stop trying to be a whiny “i don’t want to hurt you blah blah blah”. If she’s dead and has turned into a Level A monster, it means she is dead.
Your story is nonetheless compelling but it is more like a worry rather than a definite hate. It is way too early to affirm that Kagura is a weak type of character. I do hope that she shows some strength. Obviously, people have times of weakness but I hope that those times are far between, because it grates on me. I mean, the most popular example is Sakura. She just emos, emos and emos so much that I want to emo stab her heart to death.
That’s how much emo weak characters turn me off. No more paperthin characters please. I am quite sure Kagura will turn out the way you argue her to be. Let’s hope it’s the case here.