Okay everyone, all together now. What. The. HELL!? Even if you suspected the ultimate outcome of this episode, there’s enough of a twisting plot to leave your head spinning. As far as we know, Izaya didn’t cause a problem, but he shows up anyway because Shizuo has to have his jollies for the day. Anyway, let’s jump right into the meat of this show.
This was my face for most of the episode.
The entire episode revolves around the idea of love. Saika has grown some level of sentience and has found itself loving not just a person, but all of humanity. It reminds me of Izaya in a way, except we’re talking about a crazy sword instead of a person who has a large interest in people. Of course, when two people love each other very much, they might think they could use a little addition to the household. So, Saika decides it wants to reproduce with humanity. A sword is somewhat… lacking… in the proper parts to reproduce in the traditional sense, so what does it do? It decides to possess everyone who comes within five feet of it. In a very obtuse sense, Saika’s strategy is brilliant. As it gains control of more people, its sphere of influence can expand at a quickening pace until it becomes one with the entire planet. On the other hand, it sounds like far more trouble than its worth. I can’t help but wonder why it didn’t just buy a dog. Or ten. Thousand.
All we want to do is eat your brains. We’re not unreasonable; I mean, no one’s gonna eat your eyes
For the sword’s plan to succeed, it needs the most powerful vessels it can find to subject lesser people. Logically, they turn toward Shizuo, since he is not only the most powerful person in Ikebukuro, but also a bit of a social outcast. They just straight up offer to let him join, and I suppose the offer might appeal in the same way as the Borg. Sure, you lose all sense of individuality, but in exchange, you have a collective “family” you can rely upon, at least as long as you have a use. Shizuo appreciates how much they like him, but he doesn’t buy their garbage. He’d have much more fun beating them all up. For now, Saika’s plan to make one happy, demonic, backstabbing family has grinded to a halt. Yet, we still have a loose end in the plan. Remember, the people believe Shizuo has the greatest strength in the city, but they also believe Simon has the best fist-fighting skills. Where is he right now? Has Saika split its attention to him as well, or perhaps sent people off when Shizuo rejected them? Despite Simon’s apparent pacifism, I am interested in the outcome if the two fought.
Spinzaku Shizuo KICK!
Finally, we have Anri. Oh boy, we have Anri. She has the original Saika, just as a lot of us have predicted. Her theme has always been using others to her advantage. Due to losing her parents as a child, she feels like she lost the capacity to love. Thus, she uses the sword as a tool to experience love vicariously. I suppose this makes sense in a way, but the way the sword has gone about its business reinforces an overarching theme of the series. The left hand never knows what the right is doing. It looks like Anri can wield the sword without suffering especially ill effects, but it seems she also lacks a great deal of control over its desires. If she had control, she could just dismiss the possessed girl who stands before her. I suppose you could argue Anri wants the union, but if so, why confront one of her agents and prevent her from spreading the curse? It looks like we will find out more about her motivations next week. However, I do know one thing. I much prefer badass Anri to broken-bird Anri.
Doesn't she just look awesome while pulling out the sword?
Anri wins meganekko of the century, hands-down… and oddly enough, I couldn’t make myself care at all about the rest of the episode. :D
Utterly loved this episode. Despite sort of expecting Anri to be one of the Slashers everything was just so well done. I loved how eerily calm she is during everything. It also interesting how Anri and Saika “complete” each other in a way.
Yeah, it’s a really stark contrast to her normal, jittery self. It’s amazing how just two minutes can make a character so much more likable.
Gotta agree with everyone’s sentiments about badass Anri. Her blocking Haruna’s blade with her arm was pretty awesome. And it was enlightening to see just how lucid she was about her whole situation.
With Anri, Tenshi/Tachibana Kanade from Angel Beats! and Black Rock Shooter from Black Rock Shooter, Kana Hanazawa’s taking on some very blad-oriented roles. Like, with the characters actually having body parts as blades.
I would’ve loved to see an Izaya vs. Shizuo fight, just to see how good Izaya was with a jackknife. Could all his wiles manage to take on Shizuo and his piece of highway fencing? And how will Shizuo handle all these armed enemies when he’s diving in with no weapon himself? This is his moment of glory, but I wonder if it could end up being his last. Hope not; he’s still got so many more fights with Izaya to have.
Well, I imagine Shizuo’s going to channel the Spinzaku quite a bit while jumping into the fray. As for Izaya, he strikes me as the fragile speedster type. There’d probably be a moment where he would stand on the fencing after Shizuo finished a big swing. I think they’re such complete opposites that they’d fight to a standstill, assuming nothing interferes with them.
I also couldn’t help but think, “I am the bone of my sword” during that last scene. It’s the Type-Moon fan in me.
DANGIT! Gah, that’s a missed opportunity for me. I love Archer and his Unlimited Blade Works.
This makes me wonder exactly how much control Anri has over Saika — we can presume that Haruna is under Saika’s influence, and yet Anri had no idea who Haruna was. So is there some kind of alternate personality that pops up when Anri’s out spreadin’ the love with Saika? Or does Saika’s influence proliferate over a wider range than previously thought?
Think of it like a disease. One person gets sick and then passes it on to someone else. That person passes it to someone else, and so on and so forth. The original person ultimately caused all these people to become sick, but they don’t necessarily know anyone beyond the first person. I think the same general idea applies.
It felt like Anri would go into “It has nothing to do with me” mode and then Saika would take over. So whenever Anri ceded control, Saika would magically make everything right… WITH VIOLENCE!
WITH VIOLENCE! Yesss yess I like this idea!