Musaigen no Phantom World – 12
Ruru and Haru
 |
I don’t think it takes any careful or special attention to the show to see that it’s always told things in a continuity, while also taking advantage of the episodic nature of television. So what do the masters of the 22 minute movie do with the first part a two-part finale? |
Necessity and Invention
Everything can be a story…
With KyoAni we’re used to that human touch. No matter what sort of craziness goes on onscreen, it can be grounded with regular people that are doing – more or less- regular things. Going to school, shopping, hanging out with friends. Now while the show does open with exactly these sorts of things, for the given value of regular, in the context of Phantom World, it soon launches into the plot. We got back to the exposition in the cold open, and this time it lays it all out. People – more or less – create phantoms. But what that really says is that, people – really- create their own problems and solutions.
Well, I guess we can call it “an interface”, Damned Plot Device…
There is a great deal that is evocative about that computer interface part; that silly, stupid, obvious plot device they’ve been waving in our faces for the past two and a half months (by the way, if anyone knows the technical term for that sort of security device, I’m all ears, it seems like there should be a proper name for it, but I can’t quite suss it out). Both Koito and Haru wonder why such a valuable thing get’s left behind. Seeing that it is the device needed to access the Alayashiki mainframes (who’s logo is a key to a heart?), and thus some higher up secrets about why this world has phantoms in the first place, they’re right to wonder why it just get’s lost or left around.
Still rockin’ that huddle, even without Haru…
But, what if someone “lost” it on purpose? What if it was found by Haru by someone’s plan or design? Well, that would mean a designer of a plan? For that, I have no immediate answer, but it’s a good trail to follow. Someone was not only knowledgeable about Haru’s phantom skills, but about his total knowledge base and his tenacity. If this person or person’s are beneficial to the whole or to the kids of this world, then that’s a nice contrast to Enigma, who clearly states that she wants to put to better use something she things the kids aren’t. But under this theory someone or a faction in Alayashiki wants to move forward on something.
I guess she deserves this breakdown…
This can even line up with Haru’s mother possibly coming back into his life, and Ruru possibly leaving it. George RR Martin has said the best stories come from the “human heart in conflict with itself”. I think we can extend that to Phantom World easily. Haru’s mother and father left for the same reason many parents leave behind or put these kids to distance, the perceived stigma. But Ruru entered his life, and she has shown nothing but care and interest and a strong desire to be with him, despite all of her derp. Something like a parent that strives to understand this new person that is in their life. That’s pretty endearing, and it makes her diminishing at the end of the episode not just cream on that actiony cliffhanger, but emotionally significant as well.
Momma don’t play fair…(see more about this face and an edit after the spoiler tag)
So let’s look at mommy. Is she a victim of Engima? I really don’t think so. If Enigma exists to steal these special powers away from the kids (and let’s take time to salute the valiant efforts of the Beach Angels) that sounds like something his mother would love to see happen. If she could speed it up and take advantage of it, then why wouldn’t she? She get’s her son back, and helps rid the world of this phantom “scourge”. When that sort of possibility became real, she put everything else on the shelf and went straight to her son. But then she played every game she could could get her hands on; Mom’s in the House, including Harem Swap. But then finally, there is one thing; while it was great she got to interact with Haru, that does make me wonder why she was allowed to delay sealing his powers. Unless that’s part of a deal? That is if my theory is correct.
More Visual Clues?
I’m really looking forward to seeing if my theory is true next time. They built up quite a bit here, and a nice head of steam after a steady progression of episodes is a great way to reach the finale. It should be quite terrific, as the writing for this episode was rock solid and fun. The animation left a bit to be desired, with a lot of fuzzy character models here and there, but that didn’t detract from the overall story in the slightest. I’ll take KyoAni’s fuzzy over many other’s base hits any day of the week. So, let’s open the comments to other theories, okay….
About skylion
All around nerd that enjoys just about any anime genre. I love history, politics, public policy, the sciences, literature, arts...pretty much anything can make me geeky...except sports. Follow me @theskylion
POWUH: 400-499 with 445 comments
fuzzy?…for tme most part scenes still looked crisp with the minor short cut here and there (but barely)
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I felt that there were a few scenes that lacked KyoAni’s obsession with clarity. As you say there were some short cuts, and I guess they stood out to me more than others?
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
A real nice one, this week was and it’s possible the show wants to be as flashy as possible with an adversary like Enigma. I think this is the first time a Phantom was introduced that can actually possess people.
Having Enigma take over Haruhiko’s mother should be a low blow when he realizes the situation. It means that if not for Enigma’s manipulating intervention, his mother wouldn’t have bothered going to see him.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
…his mother never wanting to see him is the low blow; the gut punch is her using Enigma to remove his powers, which is just a dick move all things considered.
And yeah, I did rather like how they presented her power; flash, but with short, sharp, shock..