Yozakura Quartet: Hana no Uta – 05-06
Because it’s not epic enough a battle until you destroy the Tokyo Tower
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Hello guys! I’ve had a really exciting week at AFA and I can’t wait to share the news with all of you, but for now it’s time for all quartets will lead to the lalalalalalalala~ |
Now, first things first – Hime’s a youkai?! DUN DUN DUN. I would say that I didn’t see it coming (if not for the previous episode’s preview, I mean), but strangely it doesn’t surprise me that much either. She already had crazy superhuman strength before we knew any of this, so I’m sure pretty no one has had the impression of her being weak at all. She’s a lovely main character, shouldering the heavy position of “mayor” and yet still being silly in many ways (she can eat more than an oni and I think that says something), all the while still being able stand her own ground to defend herself and the people she loves. I think the best part of this revelation is that in the end, nothing much changes. Sure, she’s gotten a new bunch of powers and she’s officially loved by the dragon now, and that’s pretty cool, but whether she be human or youkai, the townspeople love her, her friends love her, and ultimately, that’s all that matters, isn’t it?
I also loved that little peek into Hime’s past, especially the bit about her scarf. I originally thought it was just a random part of her character design to make her look more outstanding, but it turns out that it was a precious gift from Akira! From this I think we’ve gotten a deeper perspective into their friendship – before this it just seemed like they were nothing but normal childhood friends, and they had minimal meaningful interaction too, but I think now we can see that their relationship goes way before. It was really sweet of Akira to give Hime such a lovely handmade scarf after he had quietly seen the event of her powers being sealed, and even sweeter that Hime treasures it so much that it’s become a part of her everyday life. I don’t know if it was just me and my romanticist goggles, but I really felt something more than friendship between them in a few moments over there in episode 6. Is this canon? I don’t know but that episode did it for me – I SHIP THEM ٩꒰ ˘ ³˘꒱۶~♡
And now we move on to our new antagonists! The weird old dude seems to be able to do the same thing that cat guy used to do – “strike” things so that they become half-youkai. I do think that they are somehow affiliated with cat guy and witch girl, but how, we don’t yet know. What’s alarming at this point in time is how these people can freely turn things into half-youkai at the snap of their fingers – in this case it’s only been fish and lizards, but who knows what they’re going to do next? Kotoha seems to look back on her experience of being struck with fear, so I don’t suppose it feels very nice for humans to get struck and turned in this way either. If they somehow have a plan that includes striking innocent people, things are going to get really messy.Sakura Shinmachi is an important place for both humans and youkai and letting it fall into the wrong hands (i.e. those of the weird old dude) will really ruin the one and only place that humans and youkai can interact in peace. This, combined with the blooming of the seven pillars might be what will cause the downfall of the entire town – and Hime and the people from the office are going to have to stop it.
These two episodes were really fun to watch! We’re finally getting some real drama and action happening, and it’s really nice to see everybody coming together and using their different abilities to help out. Kotoha kicked ass in episode six with her train cannon thing, Kyosuke was a massive ogre (…as usual) and Ao-chan’s whole satellite thing was really cool too. One thing we also learned is that Akira’s probably not really good in these kinds of situations because he doesn’t have many fighting capabilities other than his ability to tune – which is essential, but ultimately requires his friends to give him the opportunity to even get close to the target. Also, what even happens to the things that get tuned? Imagine the youkai in the other dimension, having their routinely morning tea and suddenly HUGE LIZARD ENTERS DIMENSION AND COMES FALLING FROM THE SKY. I mean, it’s convenient for them but also it’s kind of horrible because that’s just transferring the problem to someone else, isn’t it x_x Anyway, that aside it’ll be interesting to see how the two sides settle this whole issue next episode – Hime’s not the kind to beat someone else into submission, but there’s no way she’s going to let someone incompetent run her town either.
P/S. I love Hime’s tsun tsun dere song it’s such a work of art wwwww
New OTP ♥(ˆ⌣ˆԅ)
About Miyu
A stressed-out jyoushi kousei doubling as Metanorn's loli with a soft spot for sappy romance animanga. She will watch anything with bishies in it. :3
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Yeah, this is my early week “look forward to show”. They still manage to maintain the action and SoL balance quite well. This is a great batch of characters.
As far as the plot is considered. I see it as shifting the status quo from our dimension to the other. How and why? Dunno yet, but they loaded that plot point earlier, they have to fire it at some point…
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1692 comments
I, too, wasn’t surprised that Hime turned out to be a youkai. Now that her powers are unsealed and she has the real dragon spear I expect she’s going to be a real badass. Since they have raised the question concerning if youkai that have been turned are really in another dimension or are they destroyed?, I agree that’s going to have to be answered. And how else to do it other than going to see if there really is another dimension the youkai are sent to.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Hello miyu!
To go off topic, did you go to watch the Valvrave Night concert at AFA? I heard nearly all the singers came for that one.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I knew Hime would be a demon especially what happened in the first episode. Humans don’t have the strength to hurl giant goldfishes into the air. So I’m guessing she’s from a clan of humanoid dragons based on her lineage and how her newly obtained spear was named. Even as a mayor, she’s pretty upbeat and I like that about her. Others in her position would usually be uptight.
The scarf around Hime is nice and has more meaning than being a simple accessory since it’s to hide the scar that’s extended across her throat made by Yae Shinatsuhiko to seal most of Hime’s youkai power. She and Akina make a nice pair so it’s easy to ship them. I wonder what will happen if Hime ever finds out Akina’s grandfather “tuned” her grandmother.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
But we do have leverage…