title of your choosing goes here

*ahem*

Well, now that that's out of my system (it's not), time to discuss some things about this episode. Because, oh my goodness.

The directions during the flashback was perfect -- Asuka being the one to bring colour to Kyo's world

I love, loved, how the flashback started out dull, cold, with very little colour or hues, and white blurred edges.

Then gradually, colour, warmth and light came to Kyo's world thanks to Asuka coming into his world.

One thing that's noticeable is that until his world becomes completely full of colour, the surrounding scenery and changing seasons change and brighten with him. (We start around the late-fall or mid-winter and end in the spring)

By the end, the missed meeting, Asuka being held, the struggle? (I wasn't the only one who noticed that Asuka was, with all his might, trying so hard to get to Kyo's side that he pulled those kids with him before freeing himself) All that turns a dark red and features orange hues; the music darkens in tone and increases even when Cougarmon appears. When Kyo escapes from the fight with Cougarmon to learn how they came to be, everything is more sombre with dark purples, and mauves and dark blues. The warmer pinks of the sakura blossoms' petals are darker and lavender and the light is coming (likely) from the moonlight.

His first meeting with Cougarmon even parallels Tomoro's with Gekkomon so much. Even down to Kyo's encounter with the MCP agents explaining that his Digimon (without naming it) is a glitch and they'll replace his Sapotama paralleling how the Mushroom Gang give a quick overview with a short sketch of what the MCP agents do in this situation.

Alternate reading of the colours: Kyo's world during his childhood is presented dull, monochrome, emotionless and lacking any colour....except for his favourite places, which gradually expand to include the whole world he lives in after he meets Asuka.

As a notable example: Our first glimpse at the lighthouse Kyo goes to and watches the sunset. The subsequent scenes after this are back to being dull and almost monotone and cold.

DID YOU HEAR HIM SQUEE? DID YOU HEAR HOW HE SQUEED AFTER HE WAS THANKED?

Final point on this--I just loved how bright and energetic 7-year old Asuka was. And honestly such a child. The little lie to save Kyo from the bullies, the pouting when Kyo ignored him and didn't thank him at first for what he did, the glee and energy he had introducing himself, then the squee when he got an answer and learned Kyo's name.

The fact that this friendship ended like this so dramatically and abruptly...was sad. I can't wait to find out how they reconnected.

A "final" goodbye...

This hurt. I loved the flashback but this part was painful.

His first real friendship and it lasted a while. At least a few months? From fall or late winter until spring? That's practically a decade for a young child. Even more incredible is how Kyo's desire to protect, not just people, but someone whom he considers a friend being harmed in front of him (and also fights to protect him) was strong enough to trigger Cougarmon's birth.

We know they eventually reunite, but I think before the day Asuka has Kyo promise to take care of Tomoro should anything happen to him, there were other reunions, like while Kyo was a Five Star. One involves a wild theory which could actually work given Asuka's Digimon.

....Which speaking of--

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH WHAT

HE HAD A DANGER-CLASS DIGIMON. I KNEW IT. AAAAAAAAAAH

There's a lot happening here that I don't know where to start. The sun imagery for Asuka to Tomoro's moon imagery with Gekkomon's line and designs being clear as day (ha). The fact that Asuka's partner hid itself within or in the form of the White Core. The fact that this Digimon, four years ago, exhibited signs that it had the potential to be as powerful as the amalgam/null Digimon that destroyed Kano Island and violently altered the world and changed society forever? The fact Genjo knew of this Digimon's existence and disappearance 4 years ago? Is this how he maybe joined the Five Stars--by offering information to Wong? (Much like we see Kishiwada do) How did Heliosboamon get sealed with Asuka's original Sapotama? How did he even get by without it?

I find it very interesting that even with the dark e-Pulses of three sources (Miharu, Mephismon, and Souji), it still isn't enough to evolve Heliosboamon to Mega. I find it extra interesting and even more exciting how Tomoro's abnormal e-Pulse is key here. I think this indirectly serves to highlight just how strong Kyo's e-Pulse is. (I do wonder if Kishiwada relayed what he witnessed. Because I think that would put him as a "backup" option, though his e-Pulse is mostly of light granted we witnessed him wield dark e-Pulse easily?)

I'm very curious what role Genjo's mission of ensuring Heliosboamon evolves to Mega will be. I do think this will finally bring him into more direct confrontation with Glowing Dawn (or I hope so), soon.

I've bounced theories back and forth a while back with a mutual that the fact Asuka had an a coloured e-Pulse meant he birthed a Digimon (or the potential to? IIRC, Tomoro's e-Pulse was purple from the start?), where we concluded that it had to have been caused by an emotionally significant moment in his life. The only one we know of from the story so far is the arrest of his and Tomoro's parents 5 years ago and the fallout that ensued as their life was upended.

The weight, the indescribable pressure and stress, the early years...this was a recipe for disaster. The mask would've cracked at some point when this happened and something made him snap. I'm worried it was because of comments from Tomoro that were the final straw curious.

I do hope we get to see that moment as I feel it's connected to one of the final moments that lead to Kyo's possibly tumultuous depature from the Five Stars, the severe burns he suffers, and the beginning of his life as a Cleaner.

I like how with his plans marching forwarded almost perfectly, Wong's "old" mask is showing cracks and he's starting to act just a little bit excited and potentially unhinged. Much like he did 21 years ago during the Kano Island disaster.

Professor Tasuku Tenma

Ok, I so I see some reasonable complaints and people clowning on Tomoro again for not asking Kyo nor Yoshimura about if they knew his grandfather sooner but:

1- He had no reason to (genuinely. 😭). I know it feels out of nowhere, but he genuinely had no reason to and we may find out why very soon.

2- Like with him not asking about Asuka, suspicions of Kyo early on would've never led him to ask. Asking him, especially someone who's a highly-skilled conversationalist like Kyo, would've led to him skillfully guiding the conversation away and Tomoro would've gotten half-answers or a change of topic.

3- Yoshimura chiming in happens in real life too. (As does Tomoro's "Wait, you know my grandpa too?" reaction. No one knows all the people who know our parents and extended family) We've learned from this exchange that he knows about the Sakura Park (さくら園) orphanage work, and I guess figures having watched Tomoro these few months, jumping in to explain this made sense. This also allows his character to take some early steps in the story's expansion of its remaining lore and hopefully tie him to the past.

4- We may learn something about Dr Tenma's absence from the present day of the story to explain why Tomoro doesn't ask (whether death, they lost touch, or he cut ties with the family for their safety (which failed), or he's in touch with someone "in secret" but otherwise "out of the picture")

5- Unrelated - but I genuinely hope we learn how he got involved in Sapotama development. From the graph in the OP, it's a development that spans 20+ years minimum (assuming the lower y-axis values are not zero, and the units are millions for example). It'll be a sad story, and I'm sure one where he only realizes when it's too late that things are not going to end well.

You know what I find insane? This cycle that's going on in this series

Asuka brought light and colour to Kyo's world when he was an outcast.

After Tomoro is born, Asuka becomes a reassuring presence in the face of all the problems Tomoro faces non-stop because of him e-Pulse. After their lives are upended, Asuka tirelessly continues to be Tomoro's light and like anchor despite it all. (a heavy burden for a teenager)

Kyo in turn, years later, fulfills a promise and takes in Tomoro after arriving too late to save him--becoming his light and source of stability after traumatic loss.

Later, after having to adjust this new life and new form of family, Tomoro (and Reina (who leaves her orphanage) and Makoto (who leaves his family to save their reputation)) in turn become Kyo's light when his past returns and endangers them all, leading to him to not place his faith his in them.

((((SCREAMS INTO A CUSHION))))

I hope Tomoro, with Kyo, Reina and Makoto's help, work together to get Asuka back. You bet Kyo will be fighting tooth and nail not to go overboard and delete Asuka's Digimon (I have a theory that the first or second time Kyo and Asuka reunite is when he's a young Five Star but is told to stop a very strong Digimon birthed from a child's Sapotama. He deletes it. (or so he thinks))

I also think Reina and Makoto will equally have stakes in this that could test them emotionally: Reina is an orphan who left because she spawned a Digimon (like Kyo), while Makoto has a younger brother whom he "lost" after leaving and emphasizes profoundly with Tomoro's situation. They will have roles in this, trust.

The new Star of Earth: Kishiwada Kanchi - KAWARAZAKI I'M GOING TO NEED YOU TO MAKE SURE NONE OF YOUR STAFF HAVE ACCESS TO PANOPTICON JAIL ROOM OK?

Nah nah nah n ah nahhhh.

Yes he did human and Digimon trafficking. Yes he ran an illegal ring. Yes, I know. (And was running a decades-long revenge plan to get back at the humiliation he and his people went through as test subjects)

But I'm worried that whatever this new group is --whether GIFT extremists who were found by Kishiwada, or a new group --they will find a way to get to the "weakest" links of the Five Stars. In fact, I wouldn't b e surprised if their plan is to usurp control or quietly replace most o fthe members of the Five Stars through whatever means they can via currying favour with Chairman Wong.

This may also mean that Souji is also in danger? Oh and Miharu being in MCP's direct custody feels like a stroke of genius (While Kawarazaki did initiate the process to get MCP the custody of Miharu, Kyo was genuinely concerned about her ending up in Wong's custody. I wonder if we'll catch glimpses of his reasons for that, especially as he was the "lapdog" for Wong)

I do get the feeling the remaining active Five Stars may need to be careful going forward as Wong completely gives in to his greed and then some?

Briefly also want to mention how Rose, who's been revived, firmly has Glowing Dawn's back. I sincerely hope she can get back on her feet soon and help them (I need her to get on Kyo's nerves just for fun when she shows up. "Oh, don't mind us Kyo" *puts hand on his opposite shoulder* "We're only here to return a favour. You have no say in the matter *smiles serenely*" "....😐".

I had made a whole post of random dialogue ideas after ep 29 lol

Episode 43 - Preview. I need Kyo going all out like yesterday

Now it will be extremely telling if Kyo knows Heliosboamon. While Tomoro will definitely be unable to fight, I need Kyo and the others to go all out (they probably won't. Or Kyo will try and have the worst trouble since this is right out side their doorsteep AAAAAAAAGH)

I do wonder if Kyo was the one Five Star sent to deal with Heliosboamon when it emerged. I think he dealt with it and deleted it to save Asuka, but the act was enough to break him further and led to his departure from the Five Stars. Much like how Glowing Dawn defeated Mephismon, maybe he didn't realize the White Core was there and thought from what they could see that all was said and done. (Or maybe, as Wong's "lapdog", he was already aware of the search for the White Core and the only one in charge of that at the time? Maybe upon discovering that Asuka's Digimon, when it evolved a certain way or gave off some kind of energy he could perceive, that set off a chain of events. But also maybe guaranteed his safety after his departure?)

Don't even know where to start.

Realizing that he didn't need to focus on protecting his allies, seeing them as capable equals who could be trusted enough to support him and protect him in return....? Amazing.

"I'll never forgive you, but I won't let you die" is a fitting ending for Souji.

It wasn't said, but that's the message I felt when Kyo went to save him and prevent him from having the satisfaction of fulfilling his wish to die (and get the last laugh).

I also loved the way we got a brief flashback to Souji's past. It explains a lot and contextualizes how he turned out to be the way he is, sad as it may be. It shouldn't excuse what he did.

Probably one of the best villains in a long time, with a profound lack of morals and depravity as Kurata. (Different motives, of course -- a warped desire to feel through any means, the other using his fear to order the wanton murder of defenseless Digimon) I wouldn't be surprised if Yamaguchi Ryota drew from that and others.

For some reason, I do think he'll be back. Because unlike Kyo, he didn't lose his eye rings....speaking of which--

Kyo's eye rings disappear (again)...but I noticed an effect

It may have happened too quickly, but as Kyo got himself together again, there was a "blast" shockwave that emanated from him....and the eye rings were gone. And he got stronger.

WIth how strong he is, how intensely bright his e-pulse is, his own ability to also control black e-Pulse (<- new!) demonstrated this episode, and how once again another opponent commented "What is with this your e-Pulse?!"...I wonder if Kyo is strong enough, or too strong, for whatever these eye rings do or symbolize. Perhaps the reason he lost them when he first stumbled into Nirinsou was because he was at peace, mentally? So much that he "disconnected" from work?

Genuinely curious how these eye rings will play a role later if they do. (I honestly think they will and I think it links back to Wong and the Shangri-La Project)

*ahem* let's enjoy this sequence because this is the first and last time we see this version

(there's definitely going to be a Version 2, minimum 😌)

Credit for Kyo's e-Pulse activation animation bank sequences go to Shida for the animation with Niiyama (I'll add a link soon!) who I believe has been in charge of all of Kyo's e-Pulse activation sequences. Fukuda, as well as Asanuma and Kojima (as Animation Supervisors) helped out

I really love each one we've gotten for him. The thematic consistency is nice too (I think Tomoro's and Reina's are by the same animator, while Makoto's is by another ?).

Also: Kyo's always the most powerful in action of the ones we've seen so far!

Habakirimon and another method to Mega Evolution in Beatbreak (brief (??) thoughts) - hint: It's not reduced to "augh the power of friendship no jutsu"

(I'm going to blab a bit here, sorry)

I had seen some complaints (very few) about how this evolution came to be, in spite of the rules set up (or demonstrated by Klay).

I think we need to remember that: Kyo is strong, his e-Pulse is very (abnormally?) bright, which reflects how strong he is despite his thoughts to the contrary. Strong characters have commented in bewilderment asking what"s going on with his e-Pulse (similar to Tomoro). He can wield powerful e-Pulse in short bursts without exhausting himself too easily, he can manipulate black e-Pulse without exhibiting exhaustion/side effects unlike Tomoro and Raito.

Members of the Five Stars have praised him. Some have lamented how he's changed and lost his strength, even.

When viewers meet him, he's nerfed. Still very strong, but self-nerfed for his own personal reasons/punishment/atonement via his own continuation of the Nirinsou project as a shelter.

(I mean, he also doesn't view himself as "strong", but I wonder if he meant that in the sense that even for what it took to evolve to Habikirimon, this is still a far cry from how strong he used to be. Or if he doesn't view himself as strong because of all the horrible things he did as a Five Star -- murder among them. I do love that side of him though. A character so powerful that he uses as little of his true strength as possible, but is still strong enough on his own. Yet doesn't feel he's worthy enough to call himself that? )

Klay resorted to artificially inducing the evolution given the lack of stability because he admitted (indirectly) that his e-Pulse wasn't powerful enough and iirc kept praising Kyo's. In a wild theory, I wonder if he attempted to recruit him to his internal coup plan because he knew or had an inking that Kyo could evolve his Digimon further, but with significantly less stress on the surface.

If it were Reina, Makto or Tomoro going through this, then I'd understand comments like that, for example.

I think the key is based on actual, deep, bonds (Digimon and those who love and support you) and trust and understanding. Klay had a much longer partnership with his Digimon than Kyo yet still resorted to artificially inducing a mega evolution. And while he and his Digimon were more or less on equal standing (as in, he wasn't abusive), it seems like he rarely gave Proganomon his e-Pulse.

Kyo has been partners with his Digimon not for as long as Klay (minimum 20 years), but longer than most on his team (minimum 11 years). Beatbreak has demonstrated with this arc that artificially inducing an evolution to Mega, even when your Digimon is party to it, will only produce something that is powerful, but is highly unstable. A natural evolution, built on deep, strong and supportive bonds between Partner and Digimon, a strong or powerful enough e-Pulse, plus a partner Digimon who also feels the time is right for the simple reason that they see and feel deeply that their human partner is ready...is the key, I think in this series. And that's what we got)

Also--why are we putting faith in Klay's methods for achieving Mega? The man who admits to using others as a means to an end? It is interesting that his Digimon is one that saved him from being Cold Hearted by berserk, hungry, wild Digimon after the explosion at the heart of the Kano Island Incident and helped him survive in the post-disaster world after being stripped of his status and reduced to being a test subject. In another timeline, their bond would've been insanely powerful.

These two...I swear!

I was half expecting a Gruff Uplifting Speech of Motivation, but a silent but gentle fistbump to his back to get him to say what he truly wanted to say? May as well be a hug.

This was so beautiful.

It's impressive that their bond is just that solid. And we get to see the proof of this through actions like this, among others. I'm also beyond happy that staff were going for a moment where Kyo leans to trust the kids and let himself be loved and protected.

Also: we know Kyo and Murasamemon met 11 years ago, but what if it was earlier than that? I love that Beatbreak has explored long term Digimon and human partnerships. Because when compared to Makoto and Tomoro, the difference is stark, but not in a bad way.

Episode 42 preview - WAIT WHAT THE ACTUAL WHAT WAIT!?

WAIT

WHAT!?

OH MY GOD?!

OLD FRIENDS?! TRULY OLD FRIENDS?!???

OLD FRIENDS THEORY CONFIRMED. CHILDHOOD--MAYBE LOST CONTACT AFTER GETTING A DIGIMON THEN MAYBE REUNITED AS TEENS THEN AS YOUNG ADULTS --FRIENDS AAAAAAH??????

(I have nothing to add other than I have a suspicion that in this screenshot, Kyo was waiting for Asuka and he never showed up or didn't respond for...reasons we learn relate to that time (he gets cornered by those bullies?) or something related to his e-Pulse, like glitching his Sapotama)

Before I discuss the tragedy...something interesting about Klay's discussion...

That as far as he and probably the others are concerned, Souji went missing five years ago and was declared dead--the other Five Stars didn't know what Kyo did. Not only that, he was fairly new only having been there a year. Maybe a willingness to believe Wong's story (which may be true because he may not know either?) and the short time was there never raised suspicions? What makes this extra suspicious though is the information only Glowing Dawn and Kawarazaki know: Souji's records were erased. Whether because he was a Five Star, whose links are meant to be hidden from other Cleaners, or something else...remains to be seen.

(And this erasure is much more serious being that in Japan, he was likely erased from his family registry. Which means he has no means of proving who is family is, nor his birthdate or anything. In the Japanese drama, MIU 404, our detective duo realize that the culprit they caught had the means to erase his existence from his family registry and that there was truly no means for them to know what his real name was nor his surname or birthdate. To which one goes "Can you imagine if he had got in to the National Registry? Chills! I'm getting chills--look!" (paraphrased!))

Not only that but we get some new information about Souji's e-Pulse abilities -- his skill to control Digimon is unique to him and not due to his black e-Pulse. Could Tomoro -- who flinched (!) -- skill be glitching out technology? Or was his flinch an involuntary movement recalling what his black e-Pulse has done to Gekkomon?

The first family...

I would be lying if I didn't say I wasn't watching this part with a sense of dread. Still, I was holding out some kind of hope that one of the two could've survived, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

The way the episode introduced to, and got us to know Karina and Minoru even just for a short time was enough to make their violent deaths all the more tragic...if not all the more painful. I know for some viewers it felt too short or maybe underdeveloped, but in the context of a flashback I think it was more than enough. You got to know them as briefly as Kyo did and how they impacted the trajectory of his life, and the grave cost that came with it.

We even got bonus worldbuilding and more insight into how chaotic things were after the Kano Island Incident through Minoru's history, and the observatory's history. Plus details about Karina losing her family as well.

The way they interact with, comfort, welcome and love Kyo do more than enough to communicate to us who they are and what they were like. (And how Kyo came to love them as family)

I can see why Kyo has put so much effort into breaking away from Reina, Makoto and Tomoro when Souji returned.

It isn't only for their safety and fears that history could possibly repeat itself, but that his past is now actively endangering them. To the same point that he may fear that continuing the Nirinso project and starting Glowing Dawn was a grave mistake, that they should've never met him.

It was painful to see him in this scene try to justify why he didn't deserve any ounce of love or happiness, especially when the audience is more familiar with present-day Kyo. Karina's (and Luxmon's) efforts to convince him work for the better. I really loved how much she gently pushed him to accept what he knew deep down he wanted. And the scene itself was so beautifully framed.

(The flashback ends with Kyo concluding that it would've been better if Minoru and Karina and the others had never met him. That he feels wholly responsible for their deaths. I am curious if over the years Kyo has forgiven himself yet, or if that's just unresolved. Or if his idea of forgiveness is to apologize and atone to Karina and Minoru by continuing Nirinsou, using his e-Pulse leaving him in a weaker state, and justifying his suffering and atonement as sufficient punishment. Maybe his way of continuing Nirinsou isn't for the best reasons and he needs someone to help him reframe why he should continue Nirinsou (or that may be where his ideal about coexistence comes in?))

Azakami's delivery during the end of this scene was truly heartbreaking. Truly.

A little note: but notice how the three baby Digimon are the baby forms of three protagonist's Digimon from three Digimon series with anniversaries this year! Botamon - Agumon from Savers (20th), Guilmon's baby form - from Tamers (25th), and & Gammamon's baby form - from Ghost Game (5th).

And resounding Fuck You to Souji.

That's it. That's the title.

It does piss me off that he had the last laugh in the end, which makes his return all more a horrifying event. But it's done so well for this story.

(Reserving on Wong because I think all he did was ask him to keep an eye out for Kyo, not hunt him down. Besides, he just nonchalantly described murdering them as something he came across, not something he did because Wong had eyes watching Kyo this whole time...unless?)

Mentioning Kyo's childhood again

I know way back in episode 12 the story of how Kyo was recruited by The Gentleman to join the Five Stars was presented probably in a way that didn't quite communicate the gravity of the path he was embarking on. But the way it was brought up again by Klay and how Kyo really had no childhood.

Whatever led to him leaving the orphanage (whether the birth of his Digimon, or an as-of-yet revealed event), the story as well as Klay's additional anecdotes, paint a picture that Kyo went straight into the very physical and violent ways he operated as a Five Star. I wonder if he was pushed into murdering people or had done so before joining out a need to survive...?

Speaking of, I did find it interesting how we saw another(?) level to his e-Pulse that didn't turn dark:

And I wonder if that will be key in the next episode. Whenever we've seen sparks from e-Pulses, the user's e-Pulse has turned dark (though in GIFT arc, Tomoro's didn't near the end when he overloaded Belphemon iirc)

And I didn't know whether to start a new paragraph, but the rage he had during his battle with Souji grew to the point where the killing intent from it was so powerful, Souji felt he had been sliced cleanly in half like his Digimon had. I suppose now we know what the "great feeling" Kyo had helped to make him feel for the first time.

The disappearance and...reapperance of Kyo's eye rings

Beatbreak has a decently run production (from the outside looking in) that I had a difficult time believing this could be an error. So what happened with Kyo's eyes during the flashback and especially after the flashback in present day had me bolt upright while still crying.

Kyo's eye rings do something very strange -- they disappear. In fact they were gone after his first meal at Nirinsou with Karina and Minoru after he starts to lower his guard around them a little.

They only reappear when he goes to confront Souji after Kyo leaves the observatory building to see where Karina and Minoru went, coming across their bodies in the lake.

When Kyo opens his eyes after the pain in his head subsides, (a pain that built up as he made his way to Mt. Aihoshi waterfall moments before the flashback scene kicked in), his eye rings returned in the present. Like? He has a strong headache the closer he gets to a place associated with a significant life trauma, sits, closes his eyes, moments later it's back?

He hasn't had his eye rings at some point since he left the Five Stars. It's bizarre and highly suspicious and I think genuinely disconcerting.

Is it dependent on emotional state? A switch? A trigger unique to each Five Star?

Asuka and Professor Tenma's roles in Kyo's life -- they're still relevant

I don't get the feeling Kyo left the Five Stars immediately following the incident at Nirinsou. In fact, I think he just drifted through the days until another event happened which triggered the departure. Whatever that event could be.

Kyo at that point was in no mental state to probably consider continuing Nirinsou in the form we know it in in the present. Let alone improve his cooking, nor maybe apply what he was exposed to from Minoru and Karina's gestures of kindness. I think the catalyst could be Asuka in some way. Granted, I'm still holding out hope for a connection in the past leading to a lost connection.

There's still quite a lot about Kyo's life we don't know that we may find out, or see revealed later as they tie elements of the plot they laid out closer to Professor Tenma

Something of note: it's November in the flashback.

Five years ago from the present setting, Asuka and Tomoro's parents were arrested in the winter. It could be that that winter was..."this" year in December 2045. It could have even occurred in January or February of that year, too!

Would be interesting if that links to this arc or Kyo's final period with the Five Stars. (I had a wild theory that the original owner of the Observatory was Professor Tenma because of the way Karina discussed things --there's also a picture/illustration of an old scientist on the wall with the map of the solar system back in episode 15 I think. If the original owner was Professor Tenma, and he went missing, then someone could frame him and the family for sheltering unregistered Digimon and people with outstanding warrants)

Finally: the theatrical screening of the Kyo Arc plus premiere of episode 42, and stage greeting/chat with Series Director Miyamoto, and Kyo's and Cougarmon's VAs Azakami Ryohei and Hamano Daiki, also includes a gift -- a cassette recording of Edge of Limit. (as well as an illustration from character designer Kojima Takahiro)

Why include a cassette recording of a song so strongly tied to Asuka?

Also: we know the extensive burn scars were a "parting gift" before being expelled from paradise, so to speak. Kyo's going to get seriously injured and be alone and in immense pain. Someone has to find him. But who?

Edit: And we were given a hint earlier that made seem at the time that it could have been Asuka who swayed him. (In light of the flashback, I could see how Minoru and Karina could be candidates, but it also doesn't make sense given what we know)

Episode 41 preview - The conclusion of the Kyo Arc

So we'll see how Tomoro and the others ended up losing so badly to Souji and Kyo possibly succumb to rage again, but with a dose of fear.

I do hope the kids get through to him, that there's a complete emotional meltdown from all of them to him after what Kyo did. And that rather than dreading his past, he fully appreciates the good that transpired from meeting Karina and Minoru and Luxmon, he appreciates what he's been able to carve in the present and that he learns to let himself to be loved and stop punishing himself for what happened.

I do think that we may get an evolution. Or two. next week? I hope there's a big payoff for Kyo's if Murasamemon will be the first to achieve mega.