Angel Heart – 11

Summary:
It’s early morning at the Cat’s Eye and Umibouzu is wakes to the noise of Shin Hon cleaning the cafe. Umibouzu quickly catches on that Shin Hon wants to be hired so that he can stay in Shinjuku with Shanin. Umibouzu agrees, but insists on being called by his real name – Falcon. At the clinic, Shanin laments about not having a name since she hasn’t been told it yet. When Shin Hon visits, he accidentally says her name and then lies by saying that Ryo chose it for her. Ryo later creates the explanation that the characters for Shanin and Kaori are the same and goes on about how Shanin is his and Kaori’s child. Shanin cries tears of joy after learning both her name and its meaning.
Sometime later, Lee Taijin and Ryo meet and Ryo makes sure that he should become her father. After Ryo leaves, Lee Taijin is surprised to see Shanin looking for him. Apparently Ryo told her to show Lee Taijin around the city, but didn’t mention that he’s her real father. Shanin tells him her name and feels that it’s a bit weird, but since he’s the one who originally gave her that name, Lee Taijin really likes it. Shanin’s tour includes the Cat’s Eye and the police station, places where Lee Taijin scares off Shin Hon and Mochiyama with his stare. Shanin tells him that he should smile more, and so he suggests that they practice in a photo sticker booth. The pictures turn out pretty bad, with Shanin and her real father sporting the same dumbfounded look, but seeing the resemblance, a happy Lee Taijin starts to cry.

This episode centers on Shanin learning her name and gives Lee Taijin some of the father-daughter moments that he’s always wanted. Both halves are quite entertaining, funny, and light-hearted, especially considering the string of serious episodes that we’ve seen recently.
I find it quite convenient that Shanin and Kaori share the character in their names. For a made up story, Ryo sure comes up with a pretty believable one. In any case, this just further shows the connection that exists between her and Kaori.
Next week: a trip down memory lane for Lee Taijin.