Undefined

First off, Reo coming back with this masterminif chess player vibe. If you know the trope, you know.

Second, I like how Kokage uses her invisibility to escpae practically, but feeds into her inferiority complex because she's so unnoticeable.

Also this is literally the first lgbt villainess liking heroine love triangle where she makes an enemy of the hero that I've ever seen and didn't know I needed.

I mean I literally have a post about how much I hate poorly made love triangles, especially with women being pit against other women. Or when there's no real meaning to it.

But in THIS ONE, Amu and Ikuto both represent something to Kokage.

Ikuto is a threat to her having Yoru. Amu is someone she admires and feels an inferiority complex towards.

As a couple, she feels threatened by both of them. Kokage REALLY hates Ikuto because Yoru and Amu are his.

We also really see how Kokage is using social manipulation and putting Ikuto in a place where unfortunately grew up with: being the unlucky black cat that can't be trusted.

As usual, Ikuto doesn't defend himself, rather quickly saying you won't believe me anyway.

BUT this time, we do see a good level of critique and growth for Ikuto. Instead of being in a place, where he needs to play the bad guy/scapegoat for the sake of others, we see how this has become a behavior due to the frequency of his experience with accusations and assumptions growing up.

But this time Al is the Ran to Ikuto, pushing Ikuto to grow and be open-minded:

I love how Al is stating that Ikuto is someone who wants to be understood and then lo and behold, Amu shows up.

THEN THEIR ULTRA CUTE COUPLE MOMENTS IN BETWEEN!!!

Amu always paying attention to him and Ikuto finally confessing about his injury! (Also Ikuto is sort of a genius playing violin on the other side)

I love how the cover is Amu holding the key for Ikuto cage, and we think it's gentle, but here she is calling him an idiot.

And then how she's tells him to communicate his pain, she'll listen.

And she straight up communicates I want to know you more, understand you more...

She has unlocked his heart once more:

That he can finally Character Transform with Al!

I love the literal symbol of elevating into another level of maturation. The OG Shugo Chara was about figuring out who you are.

This time, we see what it means to connect with others as an independent, developed individual.

Literally Amu's newest Shugo Chara was born from Amu's desire to connect with others. Which I love!

Because figuring out who you are is hard. Figuring out who you are and how to coexist with others is harder, especially people who are extremely different from you.

I also how this chapter shows how much Tadase is a Grandma's boy by how assured he felt seeing an old shugo chara.

Also, this chapter revealed a lot about Niya-kun. Especially with his love of photography.

Art forms and hobbies often reflect something about the creator. Not only is he a fashionista that loves transforming whoever he can become, he's also someone trying to document the existence of his life and the presence of others in it.

I've noticed this with TWST Cater as well (who loves social media), that this hobby is often related to someone who feels like they are disconnected, constantly saying hello and goodbye. That disconnection is why some people love photography, to document proof that they existed and to hold onto memories after they say goodbye.

I also love how immediately this correlated to the birth of Amu's 5th Shugo Chara, yet she clearly doesn't need to character change with them because she's already applying how to reach out your hand to connect with another person, yet they need to meet her halfway.

Which is incredibly healthy BTW.

One thing that I have always loved is the symbolic meaning of Amu being able to transform with other people's shugo chara.

Because:

It shows that Amu is so empathetic that she understands that part of the original bearer's heart to the point she can transform with their shugo chara. Yes in the series, she only transforms with Utau's, however Peach Pit included these possibilities so I can't help but wonder if it could've been part of the series. I love it because it also reflects so much of Amu's character and her own struggle of being understood beyond her appearance. For example, Yoru is not just a cat, Yoru is Ikuto's dream of freedom. Kiseki is Tadase's dream of being able to protect other's like a good king. El is Utau's dream of moving others' hearts with her song. This shows how Amu is capable of digging deeper from others' impression and wishes someone is willing to do the same for her back (I will get back to this point).

Every time she transforms with someone else's Shugo Chara, it is a tamer version of the original bearer's. She looks so much more like the shugo chara rather than an impressive version of her + the shugo chara. Why? Because Black Lynx, Lunatic Charm, and Yamato Maihime feel like an amplified version of the original bearer. AND I LOVE THAT! It emphasizes that these shugo chara are truly who the characters want to be, thus is a amplified version of the bearers. From S to SSS, Gold to platinum, etc. Hence the idea that you are great, and have the potential to be excellent. AND that it is your own individual dream that will make you great because it's yours.

It's why Dark Jewel looks cool, but IS NOT Utau's best form. Yes, she looks amazing, but certain elements of her transformation feel corporate.

This goes back to Amu's own transformations. Because she has so many Shugo chara, yet they are not her SSS forms. I know a lot of people associate Amu with Amulet Heart for so many reasons. Some because it was her first Shugo Chara, some because she was commercialized more with the normal "pink" main magical girl. Or they may argue that Dia is her SSS form, which is understandable given the entire arc of her believing in herself. BUT when I look at Amu's form of cheerleader and idol, I don't see it as Amu following down those paths as an adult. Same with Su being a pastry chef or homemaker. Individually, I think Amulet Spade has always most aligned with Amu, hence why she transforms with Miki the least.

I think there is a bit of consensus that we all thought about how COOL Amu looked as Amulet Spade. Emphasizing a very unique style that we can see Amu wearing outside of her transformations. This also aligns really well with Amu and fashion as an expression of herself.

Even the original voice actress of Miki (Nanae Kato) believed that Miki was the most like Amu.

The reason why I say individually, is because we know that Amu's true SSS form is Amulet Fortune. With all parts of herself being loved and accepted by someone who looks past impressions as well.

Which is also her best form that brings out Amu's best features as well.