Kyoukai no Kanata – 03
In this episode, Sakura gives Jason a tough competition. Oh boy.
It’s funny how an anime series is a ripoff of my name. I’m not talking about the full title rather the twitter hashtag for it. Yep, it’s #kyo_kai and damn I want some royalty for it! Please explain this to me, KyoAni… Jokes aside, how could I pass up this opportunity to blog, when there’s possibility of blood, gore and murder, sandwich wrapped in high-quality moe and SoL? Nay sirs and madams. So, I’m joining the tag aniblogging for this series on Metanorn and continuing from where Miyu left off to delve into this wondrously supernatural series brimming with promise.
Oh hey there, neighbouring Totoro…
Mirai is so precious. It has been a while that a KyoAni female lead hasn’t pissed me off. Yet. I mean, just look at her. Everything she does is cute and even if she fights against most of the things that might be good for her life, she still has a personality and a presence. It’s not just her megane but damn, she is going to be the next sensation in all those cosplay competitions! Instead of all that cuteness, she has a dark past and no one can blame her for pushing Akihito away, repeatedly. Though, she’s not going to be successful as we already saw this episode. It has become a glaring fact that Mirai has been a mental shut-in for a while, not by choice rather due to her blood manipulation ability, coupled with the events that followed the previous Hollow Shadow appearance. Bonding is serious business and childhood friendship is something no one can top. The reason Yui left a giant scar in her life because even after helping her so much, Mirai was unable to repay the favour. Also, I can bet that Sakura is Yui’s sister and the three played together when they were little. If you watch the OP closely, you will find a lightbeam-kun over a photo that Mirai is holding and my bet about the third girl is all on Sakura. Yep, there is a lot of unfinished business in between these two.
(´ε｀ )♡
Still, whatever the situation and however much Mirai keeps on insisting that she is different from Akihito, it’s not going to help. Sure, Akihito is your kid on the block with a likable and quirky personality. But did you see his classmates bro-fisting him left, right and center? Nope. He sits in a remote club room, giving vibes of the Literature Club from Hyouka and do you think Houtarou was famous? Sure, he hit it off with the fangirls but in his world, he was treated like an average Joe or even simply weird, somewhat similar to Onoda from Yowamushi Pedal over his otakuism. He’s not the class president and only knows a limited number of people, who are ALL related to youmu. Not surprising because he’s half-youmu himself and seems to share a similar dark past similar to Mirai. My bets are on the fact that the Nase family are his guardians and he came in contact with Ai and Ayaka while dealing in the mystery business. We have found out about Mirai’s story this episode and I’m sure we will find his in the next.
Things don’t look so good with him being possessed by the Hollow Shadow though. As explained, youmu are born from human emotions, hatred, envy and everything that they run away from. It’s going to be one heck of a fight next episode seeing everyone pitching in with protective wards and joining hands in fighting all-sized youmu in heat along with the mysterious phenomenon of Hollow Shadow. This upcoming doom was a good setting for introducing the full cast this episode with all Nase siblings (from sisconny and slightly bi Hiro’omi, tsundere Mitsuki to the kuudere older sister Izumi), duo of cute as a button Ai and mature Ayaka, milfy Ninomiya-sensei, shifty Miroku (dude looks more like a spy than a harmless observer), and the murderous Sakura. It seems our main couple will be battling more than just a murderous youmu and an old friends next episode. Let’s hope for some awesome action and reveals yar!
Bonus MEGANE!
In a Ted voice, “Kids, money speaks louder than words.”
Service for the boys (¬‿¬)
The newest member of Meganebuuuuuuu~
If KyoAni keeps on diversifying as of recent times, I will definitely become their long-term fan. It’s not like I hate moe or anything but if a series is JUST about moe, I’ll not touch with a ten foot pole. There needs to be some plot and likable characters for me to stick around and Kyoukai no Kanata has all of them and more. From almost flawless animation to a great pacing makes this series highly entertaining. I also like them taking pains to show character development, plot progress and leave enough hints for the watchers to figure out some of the mysteries. Of course, this is not a thriller so I don’t expect Hannibal Lecter storming in our screens anytime soon yet, I hope we will be coming across many types of youmu rather than lizard-kun and streamer-chan. Hollow Shadow seems like a big boss but from the length of this series, I am sure there is more in store for us.
Aside from good progress, I love the characters. All of them! It’s a miracle how I don’t hate anyone yet. The main characters are not insufferable with mommy/daddy issues and actually likable. I might be biased due to the megane like Akihito over the adorable minx but still; not to mention, even after being blond I like Akihito, who I have to brofist due to that microwave unruliness, hasn’t it happened to the best of us? Also, damn boy, this Hiro’omi is one weird motherfoshing son of a gun. His armpit-warmth seeking fingers yuck are as twisted as his siscon tendencies but even after all that, I can’t dislike him. Oh yeah, I like the weird ones so this should not be a surprise. As well, I’m highly interested in Mitsuki dropping hints around Akihito for feelings towards him, which might actually be genuine or just her tough-sister act along with Sakura who should have a multi-layered personality than her deadpan expression hints. As per my above theory with her being Yui’s sister, making the trio a close-knit group while growing up, it would be a while Sakura could deal with Mirai’s betrayal in her point of view. Also, the Hollow Shadow might actually end up having lasting effects on Akihito and Mirai as they seem to be in the thick of things in the preview. In the end, I’m just glad to say that I’m really looking forward to the next one, which of course will be blogged by another mysterious Metanorie.
Preview:
This is not going to be the last time Mirai stabs Akihito. Don’t think so.
About Kyokai
The Boss lady of Metanorn, who makes it all happen. An animanga enthusiast, who watches/reads almost anything that strikes her fancy. Just beware of her Death Perception and always keep her happy. Regularly found at @KyokaiTM & #[email protected].
POWUH: Novice (36-50) with 39 comments
Oh gosh it’s you!!!!!!!
I love when you cover stuff because i fell like the president of some inportant company like apple comes to my house for a chit chat lol
I really like mitsuki and akkey too but for some reason mirai kind of make me angry for some reason, the fact that she was using akihito as a pratice dumy and now want’s him to be away fron here makes me go WTH!!!! Also i wonder if there is any way of making the holow shadow get out of somoene body or if killing is the only way to get free from it, im not really worried about akkey or mirai because they have plot armor but i wonder what kind of exorcism you should play on the person who have that thing inside.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Hahaaa, why thank you, celestine! Hopefully, you will be seeing me more this Fall than last season.
I can understand your misgivings around Mirai because she seems pretty selfish from the way she treated Akihito but I think the reason she did it after knowing he was not only an immortal but a good youmu, a concept that she was completely new to. With many episodes left, I’m sure we will be finding a lot more about her.
About the exorcism, not really sure what the youmu warriors come up with but it might be easier with Akihito compared to a normal human with him being half youmu. If that part of him fights the Hollow Shadow and he gets some support in the process, he might be able to thwart it, well hopefully.
POWUH: 800-899 and Flying Sage with 856 comments
You missed the good old days when Kyokai would post reviews 10 – 15 times per week: she’s a monster! Heh, a monster with a heart of gold.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Daaaawwww! >///<
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
This is not K-ON. That much is for sure. Mirai is an almost perfect ingénue, with those delicate more qualities that happen at just the right moment.
I did not expect Big Bad to come out so soon. But I feel it has more to do with character development than any plot. Mirai is facing it for the second time. As if the cursed blood wasn’t enough.
Good to see you Boss Lady. Hope you are hearty and hellfire chewing 🙂
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
This series is like the love child of BloodC and Chu2koi!
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I don’t think I’ve seen much BloodC, but Mirai’s blood control does remind me of some features in a few specialized classes of Dungeons and Dragons. With that sort of thing in mind, I would love to see Mirai develop a “tool box” of sorts; cause a sword has few uses. Given that she sees the power as a curse, I doubt she would be creative with it.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Oh btw, this could be Deadman Wonderland done right.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
A non whiny lead is already a step in the right direction.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Who actually has a sense of humour and has a strong fetish. Yep, good signs! 😉
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I half agree with that. It’s more the love child of Blood-C and Shinsekai Yori.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Guys… Blood-C, really? I like Nana Mizuki but I wanted to kill her by the time the series ended with her character singing that ANNOYING song and being stupidly blind.
I’d rather put my money on this being love child of Shiki and Shinsekai Yori.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I can definitely work with that combination.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Considering she is being fed drugged coffee on a everyday basis…..
So…. how do you feel abt the serious business Saya in B-C: TLD?
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Saya was a near useless moe blob in the series but became a drop dead sexy and fearsome predator in the movie. Blood-C: The Last Dark almost makes it as if the series never existed and that’s alright by me. Sexy always beats moe by a land slide.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Really?! Then might I actually watch it.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
No one is reminded of EP11 of PMMM?
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Not a big fan.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Not even the Hollow Shadow = Walpurgis Night similarities?
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Walpurgis has been used in many anime but I don’t remember this anime using that reference? :S
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Self edit: delicate moe qualities…
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I’m so glad it’s NOT K-On! >>;
And even if they are bursting all the damns with Hollow Shadow, I hope we will see more fiercer Big Bad later on.
And yes, doing pretty good with super zeal of a supernatural fanatic.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
You’ve been stuck by…
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
K-On! smooth criminal fanart? Not bad.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 95 comments
MEGANE MITSUKI!
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
is love. :3
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
We’re being invaded by megane among other things this season.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I know, I even had to buy new reading glasses yesterday.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Akihito should totally form his own Megane~bu. -o-o-*
that sick, perverted freak! He doesn’t even wear megane!!But seriously,I really like how each episode title alludes to a colour scheme used in certain scenes within an episode.I always enjoy picking out how that colour is used. Wonder how they’ll use ‘Orange’ for next episode.
Also,$5 the huge scar on Hiro’omi’s back relates back to that flashback scene with blood-soaked Akihito in ep 2.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Dunno. But if they team up with ‘Teal’ then they could play Portal. Dispensing Product.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
@zztop, Lol, even after being such a sick bastard, you can’t seem to hate the guy right? I like the colour referencing as well and wonder what combinations KyoAni would be using because there are ten more episodes to go.
Also, I take you up on that bet, which seems legit.
@skylion, I was thinking it might refer to Akihito’s hair colour after Hollow Shadow possesses him, which from the preview seems like half orange and half sooty colour. Also, “Hello friend.”
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Are you still there?
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Hey, nice potato.
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 318 comments
About Hiroomi’s scar. I don’t really know how things in the anime will go, but in the book Show ▼
So I doubt that it has to do anything with Akihito.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Not sure how much KyoAni has been following the original material but if that’s how it was in the novel, they should not change it.
Though, I always thought Hiro’omi has a longer association with Akihito.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Oh my god that fight with Mirai and Sakura!? I loved that cool chainsaw-gun-polearm weapon! Maybe KyoAni are bigtime Gears of war fans?
Finally we have the full story about Mirai’s past and WHY she is the way she is today! It was really sad to hear how the family treated her much like Ririchiyo Shirakiin of Inu x boku SS and to have your friend taken over by the shadow hollow? DAAAAMN such a terrible thing to happen.
I wonder if Akihito will become mortal once the demon takes him over next week? I mean that COULD work, but since hes a main character I assume he will be safe right?
Mitsuki ftw shes great xD
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I think we might have more hints than fullness, the story hasn’t all been told yet. But I see where you’re coming from. Those are some heavy hints.
Akihito strikes me as a type of character they built to suffer all the crap that comes with immortality. So, yeah, he could live thru anything, everyone else, maybe not. And that seems like it would be a heavy thing for him.
Everyone goes on about the Mitsuki Megane. But, damn, did you see that girl munch on snacks?
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
hahah ya that cookie was shaped like something…
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Yes, it was pretty nutsy… 😛
Though, I had a weird feeling that they were dog biscuits but let’s not go onto that train of thought…
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
…a giraffe…
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I’d agree with skylion on this that Akihito will remain immortal and we have not seen the complete story of Mirai. As per my theory, Sakura was part of her and Yui’s gang so there has to be more layers to this story and the effect it had on different people. In the end, I like this crisscross connection rather than events in isolation.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
……I only saw the connection until I read a scathing comment of KnK >_> Granted, I only read the a novel and seen part of the game but I know enough spoilers for the plot up to GOW3.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Oh really? So Sakura is Yui’s sister?
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
…….Did we just went off tangent? I was talking abt the similarity bet Sakura weapon with the iconic gun of GOW series.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Aah my bad. We definitely did. I missed the GOW reference as I’m not a big player. 😛
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I can understand a bit of that myself. Like BlazBlue for example. People are going to refer to it by its initials “BB” to save time and that’s what most people here on Metanorn call me by. So it’s going to be troublesome figuring out exactly what they’re talking about when they use those initials.
It just can’t be helped. Whenever I hear Mirai’s voice, I think of Strike the Blood’s Yukina Himeragi because they’re both played by Risa Taneda. Mirai’s had a rough past and no one can blame her but she should let someone in so she can have a person to talk to. Akihito’s persistence in trying to befriend her was practically telling her that she’s not the only person who’s killed someone. Also, he was trying to tell her what she did was in self defense and not to let it rule her life.
This is the first seeing KyoAni make a show that is basically battle based with blood, gore and murder and it pulls it off nicely. The fight between Mirai and Sakura was intense. The way Sakura was speaking in a condescending fashion to Mirai, she definitely holds a grudge.
Also, I’m curious as to what is the meaning behind the episode titles. The first was “Carmine”, the second was “Ultramarine”, this one is “Moonlight Purple” and the next one is titled “Bitter Orange”. It’s symbolic like the episode titles for Accel World always ending with “tion”.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I’m really digging her character. But Astarte is starting to look quite compelling as well.
So what does BB think of BB?
Really, the first one that deals in blood and gore? I think there were a couple of episodes of K-ON that had that theme?
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Blood and gore in K-On?! Who are you kidding, skylion. There must have been some school festival with girls preparing a haunted house? 😛
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I bwas wondering who would bite first….
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Your baiting’s not going to fool anyone. :3
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I never saw K-ON so I wouldn’t know about that.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
You should watch if moe girls having tea and muffins while singing songs is your thing.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Some of that doesn’t sound like my thing. I get the feeling it would be a musical throughout the whole show. But I’ll try it out if I get the chance.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
It’s not a musical. In fact, some of the character development is based on how much they don’t play or practice enough. If you enjoyed the basic theme of Love Live!, characters making friends, doing fun things, then K-ON might be a good fit. It’s a bit lower on the drama carbs than LL!, with much more comedy.
POWUH: 400-499 with 445 comments
the titles refer to the color tint used in the certain scenes of the ep…carmine (a reddish, purplish, sometimes pink-color, which was used in certain scenes in ep 1) ultramarine (a shadowy blue) moonlight purple (pretty self explanatory) and the nest one, bitter orange, which wil probably incorporate certain scenes with orange tinting. I love that little detail; not to mention colors are all distorted in the hollow shade.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
That’s right.
1)Carmine is a derivative of red. The evening scenes in ep 1 emphasised the red colours.
2)Some of the night scenes in ep 2 are coloured in a ultramarine tint.
3)The night skies are the colour of moonlight purple in ep 3.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I bet on Sakura holding a grudge because I’m sure Sakura is either Yui’s sister or cousin because from the way she said, “You are still alive?” makes it clear that she knows about her past and her killing Yui. Also, the type of bell Yui was wearing is around Sakura’s neck. :3
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
I’m liking this show more and more. I enjoy the characters a lot and their interactions. Mirai, is a cute protagonist and she while sometimes an airhead, she’s also quite the agile powerhouse. Akihito and the siblings are also interesting supporting characters with shadowy pasts.
I guess with this new ultra youma shadow thing, they’re bringing in a new plot element. I really don’t know how everything will play out in the end, but I’m enjoying the ride.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
An engaging cast is a must for an entertaining series and KyoAni has got this one down pat. Even after having many people introduced left, right and center, I could still identify the Nase family connection between Hiro’omi, Mitsuki and Izumi. Not to mention, the Youmu Warriors Clans do not seem to be on small scale and have at least some hierarchy. What this deems and how Mirai and Akihito’s involvement in the appearance of Hollow Shadow will result in is something we have to wait for but I’m definitely looking forward to more reveals.
POWUH: 400-499 with 445 comments
This ep was a good step in the right direction for this series as the potential promise this series has is finally starting to show itself bit by bit, particularly with the scene with Akihito persistently trying to get mirai not to go after the hollow shade. It was such a well handled scene which also reveals that mirai didnt kill yui out of mercy or because she asked her too, but because her self-preservation kicked in and she was thinking about living. This series took the other way out of the cliche scenario and turned it around into something that makes you look at mirai’s character differently.
This series is very solid so far, but if the dark plot continues to build up, the characters become more and more engaging within the next 9 eps, and the humor is kept to a minimum or taken out completely(its not bad but i would much rather have this series spend that time on much more important stuff) we are going to end up with a great series from kyo ani. I felt last episode that this ep would probably be the last of the comedy bits (which i felt was to ease us into the story) so here’s hoping that’s the case and the remaining eps are full of emotion, peril, and character building.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
This episode really did go in the right direction and I got another reason not to hate Mirai because sure, she’s stubborn and all but she has a solid story behind it.
Also, I’m not bothered by the comic moments as they do lighten the mood because if you are always serious, it takes a toll on you. Like, my all time favourite series is Kara no Kyoukai movies series and it’s one hell of a serious story with a dark supernatural plot, yet even being pretty heavy, it had small light moments that made me love the characters even more. I feel the same for this series as well, e.g., I’m not at all bothered by Hiro’omi’s shenanigans and Akihito’s megane-fixation.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
I fully approve of Aki’s fetish.
(Oh, and this is getting good. …Though despite the gorgeous animation, I get what some people are saying about the combat scenes looking a bit boring choreography-wise.)
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Oh I know you do and the reason I linked to your tag. 😉
This being the third episode and most of the action still pending, I’d wait for the sweet KyoAni animation budget to bloat. Give me some 360 degree shots with kicks, blood and gore soon pwease.
POWUH: 400-499 with 445 comments
I agree with Kyokai; I just think the series is hitting its stride; the cheoreography in the second ep wasnt amazing but it wasnt boring either; I do agree that this ep’s action scene wasnt all that titillating, but there was barely any of it to begin so im really going to judge the merit of this series action scenes on ep 4 as well as pretty much where this series is headed as a whole.
POWUH: 800-899 and Flying Sage with 856 comments
I like this show. so far KyoAni has done a very good job of avoiding the traps they usually fall into, and there really is some excellent animation to enjoy.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Oh definitely. I find this better than Chu2koi.