#yoshitoki

Third batch of prints, this time it's Kekkaishi and BIRDMEN! Come get them at my INPRNT shop!

The following blogpost contains spoilers about the first five episodes of To Your Eternity.

This episode was an exceptional 25 minutes and it is definitely the best of the series so far despite a bit of a wonky start to the episode. The ending was a heartstopping conclusion, the likes of which I don’t think I’ve seen before. I’m too excited. I have to talk about it. Right this second.

I actually thought the episode started weakly which is a shame because I felt like it could've been easily avoided. Parona rescues March from her cell but before they all leave through the sewer system, Parona decides she is going to cut a piece from the dead bear and March protests. They engage in a bit of a longwinded argument and Parona comes off as really unlikeable in this scene because she's trying everything under the sun to convince March that she needs to prove Oniguma is dead.

I feel like this could all have been avoided if Parona had just waited for March to have disappeared with old shaman woman. A little annoying because, to me, I haven't really got behind March doting for the dead bear for most of the last episode. It felt a bit random and I didn't really care all that much.

What's even weirder is that in the next scene in the back of the wagon, Parona and March seem like fine pals once again and all the conversation is very promising and optimistic. It's so light-hearted in fact, that it actually lulled me into a false sense of security and I remember thinking that it was going to be more of a brighter episode.

But Hayase and her goons catch up to them and Parona devoutly provides an offence and a defence at the same time to protect both the child and the wolf and she's struggling. It's quite creative in the costume design for Parona here because she uses her chest plate as a shield for arrows which I thought was pretty neat. I'm back to liking Parona because they consistantly tell the story of her being in control of the situation all the time and that, to March, she is someone to look up to despite the weird scene previously. Parona is struggling here though and March does something that I really honestly never thought they would ever do in this animé.

March actually jumps in front of an arrow that Parona is unaware of and she actually, literally, dies. You can't not be shocked by it. The entire rest of the episode is directed so exquisitely that I was lost for words. For a brief moment, there's silence and then, Joaan leaps from the back of the carriage to attack the chasers and...

Fushi becomes Oniguma and ruins their whole week with a fervid rampage. It's so dynamic and three-dimensional for developing this story in such short order. The narrator and the visual storytelling itself often reminds you that Fushi is becoming more and more human with every scene and you really are drawn to the licanthropic orb that doesn't speak any language whatsoever. It's fantastic.

Parona frantically tries to bandage March up and March appears ready to accept death unlike the way she was before when they were going to sacrifice her. I like this because it carries the message that she has lived out a purpose, however microscopic it was and has became more mature because of it. You see a flashback of all the great times they had together with March constantly desiring responsibility and agency despite being a toddler and Parona being the only one to give it to her.

Anyway, Fushi is absolutely annihilating everything in his sight but Parona walks through the battlefield carrying March all wrapped up and calmly talks Fushi out of his rampage. The following sequence, unbelievably, is even more great.

Fushi is reduced to his human form and Hayase is lying broken in some rubble. Parona holds a blade to her and it cuts to March appearing to be living in some afterlife state back in a world with her parents and Parona and it's just so sad.

This aetherial version of her doesn't really believe any of it and she recalls the way in which she dies and sees Parona holding a blade to her own face. She beats her back repeatedly in the same way that she did when protesting about her own sacrifice except it's far more profound this time because it's as though she views Parona as a part of herself and that her sacrifice of her own life has to mean something inportant and not be wasted. No-one can seemingly hear her though - except for one person.

Fushi grabs the blade and forces it away from Parona's neck.

I don't what I can even say about all of this. It's just so good that I can't possibly do any of it justice. Fushi at this point, has an enormous amount of humanity and it's so exciting to follow the character of the orb and it's made especially brilliant by the directorial use of visual cues, music and narration. I feel like I'm going to say this a lot because I've said it so many times already but I will say it once more;- I cannot get over how great this was.

Parona returns with March to Nihannah to tell March's parents and the gravity of the situation is made all more greater because, to them, Parona couldn't save her from being sacrificed but nobody blames her and they know Parona did her best by March in the end. This makes the argument at the beginning all the more tragic because, during it, Parona says that March couldn't possibly understand the situation being a child but the truth is that her connection with Fushi ultimately saved everybody. On a depressing note, Parona hands March's parents the handprint March made two episodes earlier that was meant to say that they were doing fine in Yanome which is just upsetting. I'm watching amazed that they were able to tell such a profound story so well over such a short time.

The hunt for Fushi continues though but Parona demands that he run for his life which he actually is able to understand. Fushi transforms back into Joaan and disappears into the woods. She then climbs the tower and uses her expert vision and archery to target Hayase and finish her off with the same arrow that killed March but she misses and hits her hand. Hayase at this point is manic, bloody and scarred and the image of her is amazing.

We fade out with Fushi walking through the woods and looking at the fruit that March fed him earlier invokes a sense of emotional attachment within the orb and is able to experience deja vu.

I absolutely can't wait to see where we go next with Fushi and I am hooked on this animé. Because the second half of this episode was so good, I am willing to forgive the weirdly timed argument at the beginning with March and Parona. I will be diplomatic and say that it was to establish the idea that March has built her own independent and moral compass but it was still slightly annoying. I still maintain that, in my opinion, this was the best episode in the series so far but it is closely rivalled with the third episode and maybe even the very first one.

Here’s a lil something for all of you... I’m sorry and i love you!!!

Nobu Man I dunno what to say You finally found happiness and I helped take it away. No one deserved good stuff more than you Now it looks like there’s nothing I can do. I know you treasure every moment you had together Im sorry it ended up bein a very short forever. Im so sorry I brought you this sorta pain when I know Ive been so lucky to have a chance to gain a bro like you.

Yuka My funny, awesome, gorgeous wife Thanks so much for showing me this sorta life. We always laugh together, we have so much fun and most importantly you gave me our son. I love my family so much I cant even explain After you walked away, all i feel is pain. I’d never replace you or trade you for someone new you’re more than I could’ve dreamt of, if you only knew... Please come back one day, i’ll wait until I die And since I can’t die I guess I’ll wait to the end of time.

Kyoichi Dunno why you’re so pissed but I guess maybe You’re just being a good friend, Kyo-baby. I know you’re smart, hardworking and act like a royal and now you’re also proving you’re super loyal. I’m glad Nobu has you by his side since I let him down I just pray you’ll give another chance to be your clown. I wanna be with you guys too, every single day if you will just listen, please let me say You’ve taught me so much, about life and about school it turns out you’re actually really really cool.

while i’m here take my only decent kekkaishi scribbles for now