Posted by  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
「Chapter.22 ゆく年 / Chapter.23 くる年」 (Chapter. 22 Yukunen / Chapter. 23 Kurunen)
“Chapter.22 The Old Year / Chapter.23 The New Year”
What a great way to start my Christmas Day. Also, huge props to the director and the team at SHAFT behind this one for having this episode line up perfectly with Christmas Day (or Christmas Eve in some areas). Not that it would have made a huge difference, but the fact that the time matches up with real life really helps it feel that much closer to our own lives.
Family
After an entire season of watching Rei get pummeled by everything ranging from his shitty life circumstances to that god awful step sister of his, it’s about damn time he’s found some happiness. This week’s episode took the opportunity to finally shed some light on Rei’s circumstance and was so bright it eliminated any shadows that tried to creep back. Under the guise of our three favorite sisters showing up to Rei’s place to drag his sickly self to the doctor, what started out as an episode about nursing Rei back to health turned into something so much more.
Watching Akari and Rei have a heart-to-heart right before ringing in the New Years kicked off what I hope is the turning point for the theme and mood of the upcoming episodes. In that moment when Akari finally admitted why she was so appreciative for Rei being at the house (and probably vice versa) instead of just muttering words under her breath, it felt like the pair (and the story) had reached a point where the healing could finally start. Toss in all the warm moments prior when Akari reminded Rei that family, no matter how disconnected or how far, is family and when Rei realized that none of the three sisters never really talk about their dad and I think there’s no denying that moving forward has been cemented into the story.
New Years
God, everything that happened after the break warmed up my heart so much that I can barely describe my feelings. With Rei getting to join in with all the New Year’s celebrations and even getting some New Year’s money from Akari’s aunt, you just couldn’t help but have a smile on your face throughout the entire thing.
Looking Ahead
With things looking up and Rei having a newly ignited vigor in his heart, I can’t wait to see what happens next week. Judging from the preview and what Rei says though, it looks like the match he’s about to play is going to be an important one and seeing how he’s confiding in Momo, I’m fully expecting some awfully cute or at least somewhat cute moments.
See you guys then!
Preview
 |
 |
 |
Wait, you don’t talk about that bathroom?? 0_0 Because I’m like “whoa (ʘᗩʘ’)” when I see it. I mean, that bathroom is right next to living/guest room.
Well, putting that bathroom aside, this week we got a super warm episode that blew the cold wind from previous episode far far away. We got Momo, the cats, and Nikaidou to brighten things up.
Rei is loved by everyone around him this week, Kawamoto trio picked him up when he’s sick, heck even ready to ‘quarantine’ him at his apartment if he got flu. A lot of phone call from his (foster) father. He got new year’s money, and even postcard, 2 of them!
Also like the contrast between each half. He spend the last of an awful year alone and sick, while he starts a new year healthy and blessed with good people around him. I hope 2017 will turn out just like 2nd half of this episode hha.
Hey, sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.
And sometimes, a bathroom just ends up next to the living room (•_•) / ( •_•)>⌐■-■ / (⌐■_■)
I see what you did there Takaii 😀
Great episode nonetheless, loved the sync they’ve done with real life events.
Rei getting sick and being nursed back to health was like a metaphor of emotional healing. He went from being alone and fading away to being surrounded by people that help give his life meaning. I was blown away by how beautiful and heartwarming this episode was, especially the second half. I was smiling so much and then moved to tears by what was happening and all of the imagery. I don’t know if it’s just me but I so badly want Rei and Akari to end up together someday. I feel like they are a two halves of a whole and that they are stronger when they are around each other. She has this way of showing him that he is not alone, that he is loved. He has grown as a character as a direct result of his friendship with this little family and I cannot wait to see what kind of man he becomes as the show progresses.
She’s 27 years old I think, while he’s 16 or 17 at best. There’s too much of a gap for this series. At most, she’s like a reliable big sister to him.
she’s not 27, she’s 21.
Something about putting stickers on the dresser drawer really resonated with me. I’m sure most of us have done that.
That was something I connected with, too.