#ons analysis

Warning for manga spoilers ofc and lots of ramble under the cut ^^;

Hello everyone. On the last post I updated, I mentioned I'd talk about certain topic regarding the story along how Yuu might actually underestimate Guren and company but at the end of the day, this is merely an analysis and a theory to some extent.

P.S: Analysis are held within a neutral view

First of all, to some degree it was rather special that Yuu was the first to take independent action regarding his fate along what he wanted to achieve, which of course lead to the Shinoa squad take a path on their own as well.

But now. The first point surges

1. The proof of the spiderweb

To begin with, it is evident that we have had several schemers within the OnS Story, those schemers being: Guren, Mahiru, Rigr Stafford, Ferid Bathory and Shikama Doji.

In the LNs of the Resurrection at 19, it is stated that Shikama Doji or Sika Madu was well known for being someone who could command which empires would rise or fall, leading to having control of "Fate" itself. Of course this changed thanks to Rigr Stafford after he made the Ichinose branch split or distance from the Hiragi Family.

But let's get closer to events that affect the characters.

The fateful encounter

The very first element of this spiderweb between Guren, Yuu, Mika, Mahiru and Ferid lies in the very encounter between Yuu and Guren.

At the beginning, the story itself felt like coincidence but further events proved that the whole meeting and arrival of Guren was planned from the get go which is revealed after 109 chapters, leading to chapter 110.

In chapter 110, Mikaela managed to rewind the events that took place when Yuu and him were children, given that their memories were quite the same and his status as a demon allowed him to spot anomalies, he managed to see who were their schemers along realizing that Ferid organized everything so Yuu could leave along making Mikaela turn into a vampire.

Reunion

The next element to the massive spiderweb is the very fact that the reunion between Mikaela and Yuu once they turned 16 was planned very independent from Guren activating the Seraph within Yuu for the first time.

Of course at such time, such point could easily be misleading given that it was more aligned to human experimentation than what Guren truthfully sought.

But what was the real reason?

Correct. Guren needed Yuu to actually erase his humanity given that at the beginning of the story; among the three wielders of black demon series, only Yuu had the special drugs to trigger the Seraph trait. This eventually would lead for Yuu to lose his humanity due to the abuse he gave along finally touching the trumphet.

Within this, it also played the role that given the love Yuu felt and the signs of Yuu's bonds with the Hyakuya Sect, specially with Mikaela; this lead to the first awkward statement from Yuu.

Purpose

The next part that follows up is the fact of the purpose or reason. Guren never lied in the fact that he needed to use Yuu along Mikaela.

The very first time Guren opened on his use for Yuu given that he was the vital piece for the Resurrection was back in chapter 59.

Now, this might feel like a disconnection but actually, it connects to the fact that in chapters 113-114, Guren explained briefly the requirements for the Resurrection but of course, that wasn't the real plan at all.

The beginning of the battle against the First and the birth of Demon Mikaela.

Now, following up with this, Mikaela's transformation as a Demon wasn't just something that was within sight from the First Progenitor but also a plan from Guren and Mahiru. But what was the whole purpose for it?

Truth to be told, there is actually a purpose but just like the other points, it was made from a finite spiderweb as well.

Given that Mikaela was a test subject for carrying the Michaela Trait and the Seraph Trait, he was bound to be special and among the abilities he had, was the fact that in contrast to the other demons, Mikaela was able to see through Yuu's memories into more depth.

And this of course, eventually led to something Mahiru aimed from the get go, since in chapter 110 she suggested they needed to figure out who they were millenia ago.

Back in chapter 120, Yuu and Mikaela finally chose to discover who they were but, the question might pop: If the purpose was for them to see their memories and identities, was there a need to split them?

This connects to the next point.

2.Is Yuu in control of his own fate or is he actually dancing on Guren's palm?

Answering the question in point 1; there is actually a reason as to why Guren, Mahiru and Ferid needed the Squad to split but this is divided in two points.

1. Adquiring the remaining sinful keys.

First of all, way back from old chapters, it was known that there were seven sinful keys, but so far, we were able to see in total 4 within the manga, one being held by Yuu in chapter 139 making them 5, and lastly the mystery of the remaining two as shown in the same chapter.

(Side note: I know that in the LN of the Resurrection we see Mahiru getting one on her neck...though, as to why now there are physically 5 in the current manga, I don't know, perhaps that sinful key Mahiru got had its use or was more akin to a prototype. This is mere speculation)

Given that Shinoa was aware that Guren and Mahiru along the aid of Ferid were pretty much planning things without letting vital information float for the whole squad, and considering the lack of power at that time. Shinoa's squad pretty much stayed like lambs, taking in consideration that Yoichi and Kimizuki never got their Seraph trait exploited like Yuu. This left with the consequence of an umbalanced Squad and any hope of fighting against Guren would be a complete loss.

But given the new events of Shinoa finally analyzing everything that has happened so far along gaining coinfidence, this led for her to finally have a vast amount of power along ensuring her friends and family aren't deceived any longer by fake promises.

Along this, she is aware Ferid is stupidly smart, she was aware that Guren's team made Ferid keep an eye on them hence why she spied on them back in chapter 139; this of course led for her to know that within her squad there are two sinful key sources which of course are Yoichi Saotome and Shiho Kimizuki.

2. Divide and Conquer. Dancing in the palm of Guren

While it's good that Yuu and Mika chose their fate to their own hands; Mika and Yuu are pretty much dividing and conquering but there's one issue here. Which is it?

Correct. He's not the only one using such tactic. The second one using them from the very beginning was Guren's team.

But why?

Back in chapter 130, there was a flashback showing Ferid, Guren and very likely ghost type Mahiru to check the memories of Yuu and Mika, leaving an open ending about such events.

But why do I state they're still dancing to someone's tune?

Given that Guren exploited the nature of Mikaela's distrust towards humanity along having the knowledge of Mahiru of how perceptive he was; Guren knew that if the Squad along Yuu and Mika, there would be a difference in terms of power given that the squad would have played the role of supporters in a real combat.

Hence why instead of making such scenario, the best one was of dividing and conquering while making certain Yuu and Mika would dive into their pasts along ensuring to get one special thing Guren needs. What could it be?

Correct. The three spells and power of the First.

But how can I state this?

This follows up by the nature of the First. He was secretive always evading and making his web to counter possibilities but what he didn't have in sight was the very issue that Guren was one of the few that could go against such flow along the inclusion of Ferid Bathory to such team.

But in order to trigger such massive miracle, they need power of an equivalent force for such miracle.

Yuu and Mika so far have joined with the progenitors but at the same time, those progenitors are the very target of Ferid Bathory. Quite ironic isn't it?

At the end, it is possible that a decisive battle between Guren and Yuu takes place and this time won't be about letting win someone but rather defeating and proceeding with their agenda.

Ok, everybody sit down because the only reason I didn’t mention this was because my dumb of ass self didn’t actually know what ‘lewd’ means, and so I read in a rush this part like “oh ok”. It didn’t sound significant.

First: Yuu doesn’t sound like the type of guy who has this kind of thoughts lol I don’t know if he is asexual or something else, but at least it is clear that he knows about sexuality. We don’t have references in the past that he has sexual desires and of course being a shounen we also don’t have reasons to get into this kind of topic, and sometimes we don’t have clear access into Yuu’s mind. It’s open up for discussion, and I’m really divided by this matter but personally I’d headcanon him in the ace spec.

Second: He probably wasn’t joking. It was a genuine question because he is at a loss since all his desires didn’t seem strong enough. I mean, look at his face in the last panel lol

Third: If he were to have sexual thoughts, GOSH WHAT COULD IT BE . No, seriously, it is my turn to make this into a genuine question. I don’t believe this is from the author’s part something as simple as his question actually was. As a long time reader and as a writer, things in stories are meant to have purposes. Even the silly ones. It could have been the idea of a joke only, but it’s already been some chapters where the relationship between Yuu and Mika have been strongly weighted and differentiated from the others. Especially from a Yuu point of view. We are led to understand up until now that the main focus of his thoughts is MIKA.

I know this may sound obvious to most of you, but the only conclusion given context I can come up with, is that Yuu’s “lewd thoughts” would have been directed towards Mika, and this silly line was actually to make it a little bit more obvious, a stronger hint that Yuu has actual sexual desires concerning Mika. This is the same chapter that Yuu admits out loud Mika is “really pretty”, mind you.

Well, a new chapter dropped. I must say that I liked it. We really are heading towards the end of the story and two sides now are on stage.

One fighting for love; the other one fighting to bring back something that is long lost.

Love can often be misunderstood in the manga story; to the point it distorts a lot, but in reality, it takes so many shapes, so many forms along giving birth to ideals.

Each character within the story is moved to do something for "love". But in this role too; the "love" for the "past" exists.

The past is a momentum that will always live in our memories; it is something that will forever be frozen; something that will not change. It's something that is part of us without defining us.

As we've seen today; the chapter starts with Yuu trying to reach the First; but given that the Progenitors want to avoid the destruction of the world much further; they were preventing Yuu from making contact with the First.

Of course, we see how Mika couldn't withstand the raw power of Urd Geales; we saw Shinya and Kureto alive and kicking once again; and finally, the main spot; the reunion between Shikama and Yuu.

Shikama is aware that Yuu has all his memories back ever since he detected an anomaly along the interaction with the corpse of Mikaela. Of course, whenever Shikama knows the soul of his son is alive and kicking, it's up to interpretation. Though, it is clear he knows it exists.

Eventually we see how Shikama is going to bestow Yuu his knowledge and power

But before he could give away his power to Yuu; Shinoa interferred with the possibility.

Leading to our possible future battle between Shinoa and Yuu.

Two ideals being carried away within the story. And yet, at the same time they connect through the main theme. "Love."

And no, it's not "romantic love ". The "love" or 愛 which is not the same as other interpretations of love itself. Just "ai". A love that takes so many shapes.

Let's begin with the real analysis here.

Yuu isn't exactly fighting for humanity nor his friends, nor his family. Given that the "regression" process he made to recall his whole life; he saw how his life originated alongside being the son of the First.

Given that, he is actually aiming for the task of "saving" but given that "love" is playing its role as well. It is the love he has deep down for his father that he is doing everything to bring back what his father cherished in the past. Which is something reflected as well when he was the angel Mikaela. Taking his life so divine punishment wouldn't fall upon his father.

Shikama did love his angels, his followers and he did blame himself for the punishment that fell upon them. But given God's nature; it was normal that the punishment fell upon those angels given that they no longer praised for God.

Though; one thing Shikama and Yuu have in common, is the attachment to the past. It is the very fact that the past for them is something that should have prevailed instead of changing. What do I mean?

To Shikama, the Progenitors he chose, despite being reincarnations of those angels that followed him once; are not his angels.

And this is highly visible once Ashera asks Shikama what he should do back in chapter 117.

To his eyes, Shikama's sired progenitors were just tools given that to him; they are shadows of who they were once, but to those progenitors; even if they have acknowledged that they are reincarnations; they made a choice.

They chose to follow up their own path. And as they've stated back in chapter 114; their last and final task is to protect the world they live in. Meaning avoiding the resurrection of the angel Mikaela.

But now, why do I say Shikama and Yuu have one thing in common?

Yuu is a character that despite living endlessly; along having a constant memory reset until now that he gathered all his memories; he's done one thing to no end. And that is living in the past.

True, there are scars that take its time to heal from the past; some are very difficult nonetheless; he chose to live in such past. When he had a chance to make a choice; that choice was no longer centered in the present; it began to lead further astray to the past.

But then, what's the point of those promises?

Given how everything has turned. Those promises are something that can't be fulfilled. What do I mean?

In order to revive the angels from long ago; sacrifices must be made. But here's another thing that it is being dismissed. What could it be?

The absolute lack of appreciation to life.

Yuu might state he aims to save everyone; even to Ashera who at the end understood that there are limits to life. He loved and embraced he managed to get his sister back; but the cost for that was making her suffer for eternity; nevertheless, the lives both had, those kind of experiences they managed to live had their moments of bliss; bringing back entities that perished long ago, is discarting the moments experienced, the moments lived along the emotions that were carried through a lifetime.

But now, there is an opposite force here. And that force is no other than. "Love."

Many might consider that Shinoa's love is "obssession, madness like Mahiru's love" but no. This is actually wrong.

Back when she stated she would kill Mikaela; there was a massive misconception of this which chapter 133 explained a lot.

Shinoa thought Yuu was being possessed by Mikaela at that time hence her retoric; but given that she saw first hand that Yuu had fooled them; she understood that Yuu was doing everything on his own will. And let's not forget that Yuu might be dumb, but not clueless or ignorant.

Shinoa's form of "love" is not something that came out of nothing; it's something that began taking shape by her own; it began from curiosity, turning into uncertainty, then transforming into caring, along developing feelings for a special someone. Such feelings for her were seen as something hideous or bad; but at the end, she understood they weren't bad, nevertheless, she never admitted them until or rather never accepted them truthfully until chapter 133.

Chapter 133 was a very reflexive chapter given that it gave Shinoa resolution; a resolution as to why it is the reason she was standing still in the very end of the world.

Shinoa's love is not centered to one person, but rather; it is centered to the very core family she gained through her journey which lead to this.

Her battle and her resolution is directed to the very family that has stood with her and has followed her through the long journey she has taken so far. Hence why; she is standing along her squad just like how the vampires did; how they are going to live. Not by a decree of an entity, not by a decree of her sister and Guren nor the vampires; but rather, taking their own path until the very end.

Hence why Shikama states that her love is self centered, which is no different from him. He centered his love to his angels; Shinoa is centering her love to those who exist in the present. Along letting them return to their normality before the world ended; given that the end of the world, the events that took place before they were born, were all spiderwebs made by the First.

This is the first time they are fighting for their own.

What do you think it'll happen next?

HOWEVER let's focus on mika's verses

"I must be sacrificed, so can I help you all? I'll be a scapegoat if I can. My resolution failed, and all who died, light of day still hurts me"

i've always interpreted them as referring the beginning of the story : mika's plan to escape from sanguinem with yuu and the orphans, which failed causing the kids to die, so he sacrificed himself for yuu staying back and helping him to escape, and being turned into a vampire

BUT after the latest chapters, that fits even better with the ending : mika literally being jesus fucking christ and his sacrifice being needed to resurrect humanity

Hey guys, I’m back with my PH parallels. As I said in this post, there are elements in both stories which I find it very similar. The most recent chapter just reinforced the similarities, which if it’s good or bad is up to you (though I do give my opinion at the end).

Here we go: so are you saying that for the sake and concern with his father Mika killed himself, but he was used by one of Shikama’s servant? Manipulated to suicide? Ok, so let me get this straight: Mika, out of love, killed himself. It was a selfless move, leaving Yuu desolated.

What about PH? In chapter 74, we are revealed that Alice actually kills herself in order to stop Jack. Mostly motivated by her love for Oz, not being able to bear his suffering.

Both Alice and Mika already grabbed my attention to their similarities, but the fact that both of them killed themselves was… something else.

Look here:

Both Yuu and Oz are seeing these scenes, MEMORIES. It’s not the mere past being shown to us, it’s being shown to them! And with the help of a third person sharing some strange connection to one of the bodies. Demon Mika, in ONS case, and Jack Vessalius, in PH.

If I’m going to be 200% honest with you all, Pandora Hearts dealt with it much, much better. Not only in writing perspective, but also the panels. They convey the emotions much better and feels more natural. To this day, Alice’s truth still hurts. Oz was broken to find out the truth. It’s dense, sad and the readers were able to get inside his heart, whereas in ONS I’m feeling a little bit too disconnected at this point in the narrative. We started the chapter with Yuu needing to get back to eat, which is kinda pointless and anti-climactic. The truth and the power it holds should be shown in his eyes, it must be completely blowing up his mind by now. Instead, he is looking a little bit too robotic. The dialogues and the panels are not helping at all.

When we talk about a parallel as strong as this one, comparison is inevitable. If this was intended or not I don’t know and I can’t be sure of it, but I’d risk to say that Kagami-sensei must have read Pandora Hearts or some source in common with Jun Mochizuki.