Moé Moé Rabu

After a brilliant last episode, we’re now back on track with the story, however this episode focuses once again more on the Chihiro x Renji side of things, but with good reason. In the past episodes, we could only understand the pain of Chihiro’s memory loss through her words and the abstract representations such as her chained inside the circle. But at the very end of this episode, we see the reality, and the truth of Chihiro’s pain. The way that she woke up and started to panic was pretty emotional and it’s not something we’ve been used to seeing. My perception of Chihiro has always been a sensible and mature girl, but that seems to all be a front to hide the truth.

Impressions

A definite shock for us and Renji. Renji himself didn’t understand her pain up until now and I do wonder how he will take this. Renji doesn’t appear to be a very reliable character as it seems he really hasn’t done anything throughout the series. Although he does stand by Chihiro and even pushed her into writing a novel, but with Chihiro’s memories having returned back to 4 years ago, I can see it harder for Renji to do anything for her. Himura has always mentioned of not getting close to Chihiro, and I wonder if this is the reason why he warned Renji. Himura is the one person who can understand Chihiro the most and knows her pain all too well, but the pain he suffers as well, and this is probably a reason to him warning Renji.

Moving along, there isn’t much on the Hirono x Miyako x Kei side of things this episode except some angst, but not enough to start anything.I would’ve thought that Miyako seeing Kei in a towel at Hirono’s apartment would have pushed her over the edge, but I don’t think Miyako is the type that would go the insanity route, but more of a breakdown. I find Miyako to be too confident and more outgoing so chances of her turning into something like Kotonoha is really slim. But it also proves it since Miyako only needed to hear Hirono’s voice, and get confirmation that she still exists in his heart, or more that he hasn’t forgotten her entire existence. But now that Miyako knows that, perhaps she’ll fight and try to take Hirono for herself.

Kei on the other hand seems to getting further and further away from Hirono. Just when I thought they go closer together, they’ve simply gone even further apart. She really hasn’t done anything to get closer to Hirono, but only push Miyako further away. In fact it seems that Kei may take an interest in Kyosuke, as they have gotten closer than two episodes ago. She even took the time to watch his movie and seems to have been impressed by it , but that’s no indication of any development between the two.

This time I would have to say that the Chihiro part won over in this episode, though that’s also because this episode is focused on Chihrio. Let’s hope next episode we see more on the Hirono x Miyako side of things.