Shiki Episode 3: So dude, there’s yaoi here too?

Here comes Sadako Sawako Sunako Kirishiki, the resident creepy girl in Sotoba.

I apologize that I took longer than expected writing this review in a haste. (Only got the subs a few minutes ago). So many changes to adapt in my new school and I have to heed my principal studies lecturer’s instructions on relaxing my usually-tense arms. The bad news is, there’s so much work to do; handing up reports and coming in for lessons/lectures on time does count my total score in the final paper. Unfamiliar with the system in a tertiary institution, I guess the only way to get along with my lecturers well is to actually heed their words in order to graduate without hiccups on the way, or fail any of my modules.

Fortunately, the good news is that the first year studying in this arts academy I’m currently enrolled at doesn’t affect too much on writing my thoughts and opinions on Shiki. Things will go into full swing when 2011 arrives. Without further ado, I present you the review of Shiki, Episode 3. Click the ‘Read More’ button, if you dare…

Remind you of something VERY similar? Hint: The Bible. You have three chances. No excuses if you managed to used up all three chances wrong.

First off, Natsuno reminisced the days where he first entered the village and became friends with Toru Mutou (that blond-haired guy, with a smile on his face at all times) within the aged community. This episode, we are introduced with more characters, most of the members in the Murasako family (Masao, Hiromi, Chizuko) and some of the members of the Kirishiki family are also officially introduced here (Despite the wife in the couple was introduced briefly by someone to Kaori in episode 1).

Toru Mutou, Natsuno’s (currently) only friend in Sotoba.

Because he only wants Toru, and no one else (Yes, even you Megumi).

Hooray for a little fanservice for this week’s episode (Talking about Ritsuko’s closeup on her b00bs as she dresses up for her job.) so guys, don’t get distracted by the sexy nurse on the block. Once again, confusing medical terms were being thrown as us by Toshio (What colorful words…) as he tried finding a pattern in Nao’s illness, which has got something to do with Megumi’s anemia. As he starts figuring out what Nao’s condition is, nothing seemed to match up.

Man, she looked so young as Masao’s sister in law. I was thinking if she was still in high school on her first appearance.

Back at the Murasako family, Masao’s got all pissed when his grandfather paid much more attention to Hiroki (The younger child) than him. Having the sort of mentality of a selfish kid like what Masao’s grandfather had spoken out loud to him, he acts all bratty and starts whacking his Lego toys in his room as he whines about Chizuko entering the family. (Like, he’s already in high school. Oh wait, it’s the ’90s. Computers aren’t readily available to kids back in those days. Brilliant.)

When Nao’s husband Mikiyasu Yasumori (Not so sure if the arrangement of his name is right) brought Nao to the clinic again later in the afternoon, Toshio starts checking on her condition after interrogating him about not bringing her back to the clinic when she’s not feeling well. (By looking at the tone of her skin and her sunken eyes her condition’s has become bad to worse.) Spotting some ‘insect bites’ on her arm, there’s a possibility that Nao’s illness is the same as Megumi’s and started conducting a blood test on her to see if the deaths are connected to those bites.

Is that Spike? So, he chose to switch careers now?

He interrogates Mikiyasu again on how Nao’s illness began just like a policeman, from there he starts asking if his clients or customers are acting strange of normal behavior within the given period. Mentioning about the couple living in the Kanemasa mansion, his family met them at night during O-bon while the two were strolling out in the village. Inviting the couple to join in the festive occasion, the wife actually rejected their offer, who somehow responded that it’s not good being rude to her new friends and promised that they will visit them another day. Now, feeling something odd in this case?

Just by looking at their eyes, you know that something’s not right with those two. Too bad most of the villagers aren’t genre-savvy to think that they are the oddities within Sotoba.

Certainly, moving out of topic isn’t being helpful to Toshio and his job as a doctor. Requesting Mikiyasu to transfer Nao to the city hospital if her condition worsens or let Toshio write a referral for a university research hospital, this makes Mikiyasu feel a little better. Unfortunately for him, Toshio thinks that Nao will die sooner or later; apologizing him in his thoughts.

At night, Seishin had a visit from one of his fans, Sunako Kirishiki as she told him that she reads his books in her father’s room despite being a little too young reading books that are too advanced (as in the vocabulary) for a child like her. Being a true fan of Seishin, she did read his essays published in magazines. And this is the reason why her family moved to Sotoba in the first place, all for the sake of one author. Saying lots of creepy stuff to Seishin, it’s as if she can read his mind about his past and everything else about him. To end this conversation with a fine note: Sunako told Seishin that slitting wrists is not enough to kill someone. It’s common sense, despite putting this in a creepy way. She guessed it right; Seishin had a scar on his wrist.

Is that a N64? Oh yeah, the original novels was published in 1998. (Useless trivial: N64 entered the market in Japan in June 23rd, 1996.)

Nao died a few days later, with Masao gleefully announcing her death to Natsuno and Toru. Talking about Nao being buried dead or alive, his guess about an epidemic circulating in the village was more or less right with Toshio’s claims. Teasing and mocking Natsuno for being such an asshole for not returning Megumi’s feelings and calling him a complete apathetic jerk, Natsuno rebuked that anyone, Masao and he, could die the next day too if they aren’t careful. That alone made Masao panicked and starts whining that he’s too young to die. Natsuno’s slack attitude got into Masao’s nerves as he told him that Megumi will come out alive at night from her grave and kill him. Oh, and Natsuno’s response?

Screaming and anger issues ensues. With Masao losing the cold battle, Natsuno decides to have a sleepover with Toru. So, sensing any yaoi vibes, you yaoi fangirls? Especially when Toru pulled a blanket and covers a sleeping Natsuno? And really, Natsuno do look adorable sleeping like a baby. (Aww!) After that, Toru went outside to buy some juice, until he met that strange man (Guy with cat ears, or whatever) Tatsumi again…Until he brought his back-scratcher with him to reach out for Toru’s 100-yen.

Thoughts:

He is indeed a strange person. Once again, someone’s contributing to the increasing death toll soon~

Masao looked creepy; creepier than the mysterious inhabitants in the Kanemasa mansion (Or Sunako, with those black eyes I think she’s pretty cute. Don’t get this wrong though, I’m straight) and vastly different in looks with his other family members (I mean, look at all the others, from average to beautiful.) and the part where he talks to Chizuko (Hiromi’s mother, Masao’s sister-in-law) sounds as if he’s interested in her. (*shudders*)

A young creepy Masao, who is ten times creepier than Sunako. I mean, just look at his eyes and his fingers!

Currently I’m used to the character designs (Since I’ve already read the manga and all, but that’s not the point). For the sake of one author, Sunako’s family decided to move house. So, anyone who loves an author so much that you decide that living next to him/her is a good idea to show that you are a true fan?

The only dick around here is you, Masao. Okay, I do agree to a lesser extent that Natsuno occasionally acts like a jerk, but you are way worse than him in every way.

The last few minutes got me ROFL with Tatsumi…bringing his back-scratcher wherever he goes. A strange man indeed…and good news for Gackt fans, his first appearance as the man in the Kirishiki couple. (I can feel the vibes of fangirls screaming the hell of their diaphragms.)

Just something to take note: Never call Sunako ‘little’. So it’s good to hear that calling her ‘loli’ is fine with her. Loli Sunako, loli Sunako, lol- Maybe I should stop before she comes raging with anger, screaming and crying like a little girl.

What shiny red shoes you have, Sunako. Like, the Shoes of Death.