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「蒼色の邂逅」 (Ao Shoku no Kaikō)
“Azure Encounter”
That… got weird fast.
Compared to the pilot, this second episode has much more exposition, but it’s still well camouflaged enough that most of the episode does not really feel much of different in tone. That is, it’s still very heavy in dialogue, but it’s a very naturalistic sort of dialogue that not only brews a rich stew of information for contemplation, but also gives insight into the personalities and relationships of the characters. The latter is just as important as the former, because it seems that Subete ga F ni Naru is not simply a mystery, but also human drama. In particular, there’s the juxtaposition between Moe seeking Sohei’s attention, perhaps in vain, and a young Dr Magata (is that her?) seeking her uncle’s, perhaps all too successfully. At least I think that’s what those sudden cuts to the flashbacks were trying to do. Maybe all they wanted to do was establish that Magata Shiki was creepy even as a kid, in which case, mission accomplished.
I wonder if I would have approached Subete ga F ni Naru if it wasn’t a mystery. I think I pay more attention to the details because of it; knowing that it’s a mystery makes my brain paranoid that every little thing is a clue. And, so far, Subete ga F ni Naru has been nothing but meticulous in laying out those potential clues. Everything from access (both physical and digital) to the island, to the security system of the facility, to the notable departure of the director, to AI-controlled robots have all been established in advance. Essentially, Subete ga F ni Naru is laying out all the rules of the game first, so that none can accuse it of cheating somewhere down the line.
So, armed with all this information and the false that Subete ga F ni Naru was, some eccentric personalities aside, a down to earth show, I thought myself prepared for whatever gruesome murder or standard mystery twist that it would throw at me. Nope, I wasn’t. Don’t think a thirteen-year-old girl making moves on her married uncle was enough squick? Fear not, there’s more. It goes to show how horror and mystery play well together; the disorientation of flashing lights and grotesque phenomena serve both genres well. Now we need to wait and see whether the entire cast start dying off one by one starting from next episode.
Looking ahead – I still have no idea
I’m calling it now: Subete ga F ni Naru is a morality, warning that no matter how advanced your electronics system, you want a large and obvious off-switch. You never want to be reduced to shouting at your computer—it’s why I’ll never buy the Xbox Kinect.
Alternatively: evil twin sister. Her sister is a twin and one of them is evil. Just because.
The astute among you will hav figured out that I don’t know what the heck I’m talking about. Yeah, you got me. It’s the same deal as last week, and arguably it’s even worse; the actual ‘mystery’ of Subete ga F ni Naru has just been unveiled and the proper reaction is ‘wah’. This is truly where the story begins. In fact, I think that the first and second episodes could have been combined into a single, double-length pilot and that would have made for a more complete experience. Indeed, this second episode is but an extension of the first; they would piece together end to end quite seemlessly.
Well, last week left me curious, but this week has me completely hooked, if only because my mind demands explanations. A good mystery will be able to feed this feeling for the entirety of the story. I’m looking forward to see if they manage to do so next week.
Well I’m currently on the live-action one.
To be honest, I find anime version Moe and Saikawa a bit plain compared to the actors who portrayed them in the live-action one.
Though I see fillers in that J-drama’s beginnings, I like how the main characters make each episode so far more exciting thab this anime version.
But I’m giving a try on the next episode of this anime version since Dr Magata is getting more mysterious especially when her doll comes out like that.
I haven’t watched the live-action; it’ll be interesting for you to elaborate on these differences.
I finished the live action almost 2 hours ago I think. It’s like 3am and the show has thoroughly spooked me enough that I’m kinda having difficulty sleeping. Magata Shiki is a truly terrifying person.
I guess I might have plans on writing about the comparison between the live-action and the anime on my blog website.
Once this anime has reached its final episode, I shall start writing a comparison between them before the new year starts.
Thanks for the suggestion as I may need support in keeping diligent on writing my anime reviews. 😉
https://randomc.net/image/Subete%20ga%20F%20ni%20Naru/Subete%20ga%20F%20ni%20Naru%20-%2002%20-%2023.jpg
Magata Shiki (or is it?) proves, once again, those immortal words from Cowboy Bebop: “There really is nothing more innocent and cruel than the mind of a child”.
Regrettably, that couldn’t be more true, whether in anime or life.
Alrighty then, enough with the ramblings. Let’s get on with what was undoubtedly a stronger second episode than the first; which, as some may have noticed, I wasn’t exactly over the moon for.
Mystery-wise, I’m quite pleased with how they’ve been setting things up, so much so that I went back and rewatched the whole thing just to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
More than anything though, what really caught my attention was the introspection that this whole affair has given us into Shiki’s mind (which, more than likely, was the intent). Having been forced into the role of a captive genius, is she naught but a normal girl who wishes to go outside? For what reason? Does she simply wish to enjoy life or does she desire to wreck havoc and murder on all those who locked her up like a bird in a cage? Both, perhaps?
Whatever the answer, all we can say with clarity is that the girl named Magata Shiki (whose name is still as perfect as can be) is not someone you’d want to be alone in a dark alley with.
I should note that Dr Magata wasn’t exactly Rapunzel here. She’s locked away not only to preserve secrecy, but also because they’re afraid she’ll kill people.
I get that. When I used the term “normal girl”, I didn’t mean to imply it as being in the most conventional sense, but rather a state of mind; one that anyone could sympathize with with respect to the desire to be outside and to be free.
So, in that sense, she could be seen as a “normal girl”, although obviously she isn’t.
If you are not sure about this anime read the Author’s infro! Hiroshi Mori just amazing person!
He is an avid modeler / inventor / was a Science professor PhD. and likes radio control models / much more
Show Spoiler ▼
Not sure if I’ll continue watching this. It’s interesting, but a tad boring, but the real problem are its characters. The main girl comes off as demanding, selfish, and needy, plus I don’t really care for any of the other characters.
Throw in the end scene which you could sort of see from a mile away with how they set that ick up, and at least for now, we don’t really have an idea of what the mystery is, this is certainly testing my patience.
Also the scene of everyone standing around while one of the characters pleads with the computer system to shutdown, instead of like doing something! Very frustrating to watch.
Liking characters is going to be subjective (and being likable isn’t really the highest cause for a character), but on issue of the plot I can only advise patience. It is the way of mysteries to string things along rather than open their hand early. The payoff is usually worth it.
Oops, I read the blurb for the live-action series and found out what the mystery will be. They’re definitely taking their sweet time setting it up.
I don’t know why, but the art/animation of the thirteen-year-old Shiki (?) was particularly compelling/ beautiful in a very chilling way. No idea why, but visually speaking this was the part of the episode I enjoyed the most.
Case in point, this image in particular: https://randomc.net/image/Subete%20ga%20F%20ni%20Naru/Subete%20ga%20F%20ni%20Naru%20-%2002%20-%20Large%2023.jpg
But wow oh wow it feels like this episode managed to both give more insight into the world and characters of this show and just become more flummoxing at the same time. The end scene was particularly creepy…not sure I’m going to sleep well tonight thinking of that (yes, I’m a wimp). And the revelation that Shiki has a sister….well now, that brings up a whole new line of questions. I hope she appears on the scene at some point during the series, as that is sure to be interesting. That, and I want to know what her name is…
I haven’t gotten round to watching the anime but these scenes looks like they are connected to episodes 05 and 06 of the live-action dorama (which I just finished and the show gives me goosebumps just thinking about it) with a splash of flashbacks.
First off, that is Show Spoiler ▼
https://randomc.net/2015/10/16/subete-ga-f-ni-naru-02/
Seriously, when she came out of the room, I was feeling cold sweat. It has been a long time I since I had that feeling when watching anime.
Easily the creepiest and most WTF? part of this episode is when suddenly Shiki -a 13 year old- makes sexual advances on her married uncle… Seriously WTF… Oh God, I don’t even wanna think what the hell she’s up to… It- it’s repulsive!
I dunno, it’s like when you know that there are indeed people who’re already ‘active’ at such a young age, and then this thing pops up serving to remind you of it once again! Oh God I’m horrified!
Uhm, wasn’t that just Magata’s younger sister? I mean, she was mentioned and we have a younger girl looking very similar. So unless I missed something (likely, I tend to zone out in the morning), wouldn’t the obvious conclusion be that she’s the younger sister?
i find Moe´s anime version very very annoying, i can´t stand her, she´s not all like that in the novel as far as i remember, the live action version of the character is much more likable