#hiiragi

If Nana herself were an esper, her ability definitely wouldn’t be something openly destructive like fire manipulation or teleportation. Nana is far too, let's call it, “quiet” of a character for that. Her power would be psychological type.

Her ability would probably be called something like “False Reflection” or “White Noise.”

She would be able to subtly influence people’s perception. Not full mind control, but more like gentle manipulation: making people doubt their memories, confusing their sense of time, causing them to overlook small details, amplifying fears or suspicions.

The longer someone stayed around her, the stronger the effect became. Because of that, people would start trusting her almost automatically without understanding why.

She would hate her own ability. Because she’d never know whether someone genuinely cared about her or if it was just her power affecting them.

As a child, she probably accidentally manipulated the emotions of people around her, which made her grow up extremely cautious about relationships. Despite that, outwardly she would still remain sweet, friendly, and “safe-looking.” Nana understands perfectly well how others see her, and she uses that as a weapon.

Her power would be almost useless in direct combat. If someone cornered her physically, she’d be done for. That’s why she would rely even more heavily on analysis, traps, and psychological tactics.

She would immediately get along with calm and observant people. The kind who don’t pressure her or constantly demand emotional attention from her. She’d probably like quiet introverts, intelligent but emotional people, people who can sit in silence comfortably, people with dark humor.

( She would slowly become friends with Nanao and only on her own initiative get to know him better, he was hardly the first on her list, but nevertheless, she still liked him. She would have become friends with Michiru almost like in canon, because she attributed her behavior to the action of her ability. She would find Kyouya strange, but nice. Maybe they would just be buddies. She most likely got along just as well with Fuuko.)

On the other hand, loud, impulsive, and aggressively dominant people would drain her very quickly. Especially controlling people. She would be extremely wary of telepaths or empaths. Almost paranoid around them.

(She would dislike Kaori and Kirara not only because she bullies her friend, but also because she finds them disgusting. She might have avoided Koharu. Moguo, his gang, and Kori too. Without knowing about Rentarou's true nature, she would most likely have liked him. Shinji and Sasaki would have given her strange feelings, so they'd be out of the question. But Tsunekichi would have evoked nothing but disgust.)

(+ if her character is the same then if someone ever saw the “real” her exhausted, angry, scared, Nana would either start avoiding that person or become deeply attached to them.)

She’d most likely fall in love not with a “perfect” person, but with someone who noticed her lies understood she was manipulative and still stayed by her side. With her superpower she only wishes to be seen.

(Potential with Kyouya and Koharu ,yeah)

At first, she would probably see that person as a threat.

Her love would be very anxious. She’d constantly analyze her partner’s tone, pauses, expressions, and behavior for reassurance. At the same time, Nana would show affection through acts of care like memorizing habits, helping quietly behind the scenes, making sure they’ve eaten, protecting them even when it hurts her.

She’s jealous, but in a hidden way. She wouldn’t make scenes, instead, she’d grow colder and more observant, paying attention to every little detail.

If someone truly became precious to her, it would be the first time she used her ability not for survival or manipulation, but for protection and that would become her greatest weakness.

One interesting thing about rakugo is that it can be performed anywhere as long as it’s in demand and there is an audience for it. Akane’s next performance takes place in a retirement home where her audience mostly consists of elderly people. I honestly like that Akane is getting redemption from her lukewarm performance in the previous episode where she first accompanied Kyoji. If you had noticed, she did the same story she did in the previous venue but it’s highlighted here now that she’s being paid attention to. I think it was smart of the author to have her do the same story until she gets good reception from it.

The one week training at the izakaya really helped her. Miku was definitely a key factor in helping Akane understand people. She even used some of the techniques she learned from him to capture the audience’s attention like last eye contact and such. She was cute with how she told her audience to think of her as a granddaughter and told that one lady that she doesn’t look over 87 as an 88-year-old. I think the fact that the story she told, “Praising Children” revolved around mannerisms when it came to complimenting a person’s age was befitting.

This episode also shows a rakugo performance from Kyoji. As he’s a serious and disciplined person, one might think he’d be a boring storyteller, but he isn’t. In fact, he’s using his personality as an advantage when doing rakugo. It’s because he’s so serious that when he starts doing comedic roles, it becomes funnier. It’s to the point that Akane laughs at his performance. I think the ‘competitiveness’ she had regarding Kaisei dissipated after seeing his performance because she doesn’t feel overwhelmed by him like she did with him. Instead, she grows a huge respect for him.

Kyoji really is a great mentor towards Akane because he’s serious and disciplined while she’s laid back. While Akane knows about the mannerisms when it comes to rakugo and in society, Kyoji really hones in on how important manners are in their field. He tells her to call him “Kyoji ani-san” as it’s to showcase that a rakugo school is like a family where the master is the parent and the apprentices are the children. With Akane being the newest of Shiguma’s apprentices, she now has four older brothers and Kyoji could be her favorite. I have to say that Yohei Azakami really honed in on the rakugo performance. He’s really gaining good traction as a voice actor. I honestly adore his role as Ron Kamonohashi from Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions. Like, I can see why the anime staff chose to hire talents who are on the verge of super stardom like Anna Nagase and Yohei Azakami in an anime about storytelling—it’s like the voice actors want to test themselves and to show off that they have range and they do.

Let’s just hope Akane is able to pass her exams! From what I remembered reading in the manga, the next few chapters will focus on her school life. I honestly can’t wait because it’s one of my favorite parts of the earlier story bits of Akane-banashi. I don’t remember where I stopped, though… Let me know your thoughts on this episode!

Apparently this is how genes work??

I feel like he could pass as her halfbrother but... I wonder if there is a chance that he is adopted (since Nanas father was handling affairs regarding talented, maybe it happened along those lines) and the age gap would make more sense to me. It would even be pretty original. (*update*- he actually is Nanas halfbrother-!?🙊)