SEKIREI – 07

「黒ノ鶺鴒」 (Kuro no Sekirei)
“The Black Sekirei”

Episode at a Glance:
With the satellite system in place and their personnel deployed, Takami informs Hiroto that everything is ready. When Takami expresses how she’s growing tired of all this, Hiroto reminds her of the qualification they received 21 years ago when they discovered the “body of a god” on a geological excursion and became game masters in this Sekirei Project. At Izumo Inn, Minato is reminded how his Sekirei fought over who would sleep with him (with Matsu happily observing) and ended up with everyone fawning over him. In the morning, Miya bursts in though and reminds him that illicit sexual relationships aren’t allowed here, so she devises a new room assignments which has Musubi and Tsukiumi sharing their own room. Shortly after, Matsu notices a change of deployment in the M.B.I., Miya leaves for some shopping, and Tsukiumi is displeased about being forced out of a room with her “husband”. In the hallway, Kagari is amused that Tsukiumi is grumbling about how Musubi thinks she’d have fun watering the garden with her, causing her to suspect that he looks familiar after all.

Elsewhere, Karasuba gets out of a Ferrari and tells the driver that she’ll be back after a short visit. She stops by Izumo Inn to check on Musubi, or Mu-chan, much to her delight. Having inadvertently soaked her kimono, Musubi gives her some temporary clothes to wear and discusses how they both have Ashikabi now. After verifying that Musubi defeated No.43 Yomi, Karasubi confirms that Musubi still remembers their promise. On Karasuba’s way out, Matsu catches sight of her and fears that they’ll all be killed. She also exchanges glances with Homura, who feels that No.4 Karasuba, the Black Sekirei, is a dog of the M.B.I. Matsu then informs Minato to watch the television, where Hiroto declares to the inhabitants of Shintou Teito that the M.B.I. have surrounded the city. While he claims that no one needs to worry about this, people will be inspected if they leave the city. Hearing this, Matsu confirms their deployment and informs Minato that Hiroto intends to turn Shintou Teito into a battleground.

During this time, Karasuba runs into Miya and informs her that she paid a visit to Izumo Inn but didn’t lay a hand on anyone. While Miya is willing to overlook it this time, she tells Karasuba that she won’t let her get away it again. After getting into a weaponless standoff, Miya tells Karasuba to get her ominous appearance out of here, making her comment on how No.1 Miya hasn’t changed. As she leaves, Miya notices the helicopters overhead and realizes that things have finally started. Back in the car, Karasuba’s Ashikabi, Natsuo, senses that something has her riled up. As they pass Mitsuha and Akitsu on the street, Karasuba gets out to “play” and blow off some steam. Strolling along, Mitsuha is dwelling on entering the second phase and unable to find Shiina, when Karasuba appears in front of them. Realizing that it’s the Black Sekirei, Akitsu suggests running, but Mitsuha charges in without knowing any better. She is easily defeated, so Akitsu decides to retreat.

Back at Izumo Inn, Minato is wondering what to do after Matsu suddenly told him to prepare himself, when Musubi comes along informing him that Ku is napping, Tsukiumi can’t be found, and Uzume’s been out since the morning. With them alone together, Musubi decides to reveal her promise with Karasuba to him, where they had decided to use the Sekirei Project to decide whose view on humans is correct. Karasuba feels that humans aren’t needed, but Musubi claims otherwise, stating how she’ll fall in love with her Ashikabi one day, much like how Yume felt. After expressing how she wants all the Sekirei that have acquired wings to fly freely one day, Musubi tells Minato how much she loves him and lets him verify the throbbing in her heart. Touched by her words and smile, Minato encourages her to follow through with her aspirations.

On a rooftop somewhere, Homura tells Tsukiumi that she must have known that this city would become a battleground one day. Realizing that this concerns all Sekireis with wings, Tsukiumi storms off and tells Homura not to show his face in front of her again unless he wants to fight. Meanwhile, Yukari is taking Shiina around town in his new clothes, where Hayato and his Sekirei Mutsu notice that they haven’t formed a contract yet. Seeing as his two Sekirei’s have failed in the past, Hayato decides to take this one into his own hands. Dressed up in one of Uzume’s costumes, Tsukiumi nearly kills Musubi by shaking her out of protest, but Miya returns home and asks them to do some shopping or else they don’t eat. Using Minato as an incentive, Miya manages to convince the two of them to do so, leaving Minato to wonder if it’s okay for things to be this way. Later that night, a scantily clad Sekirei defeats another one and erases her Sekirei crest, while Kazehana looks at the city from afar and comments on how an unpleasant wind is blowing.

Next Episode:
「閉ジタ帝都」 (Tojita Teito)
“A Shut Teito” (Teito translates to “Imperial Capital”)

Impressions:
So it turns out the Hiroto and Takami discovered what looks like a crashed spaceship 21 years ago and took it upon themselves to carry out the Sekirei Project. I find it interesting how neither of them looked like they aged one bit, aside from their hair turning white, making me wonder if this is a side effect of the so-called “god’s body” (as Hiroto likes to refer to it as) that they came in contact with.

In any case, Karasuba makes her appearance again, along with her Ashikabi, Natsuo, and it turns out that she’s a member of the M.B.I. Disciplinary Force (懲罰部隊). Also known as the Black Sekirei, she’s quite feared by the other Sekirei that know of her, and those that don’t, quickly find out why. Speaking of which, this makes me wonder if Mitsuha has been defeated already, as I’m not sure whether or not the Disciplinary Force is there to actively participate in the project or simply enforce the M.B.I’s plans. Since Homura refers to Karasuba as a dog of the M.B.I., I’m leaning towards the latter, with the impression that they act on their on accord when they feel like it. Given that they’re Sekirei themselves though, they’ll need to take part at one point or another if there is to be only one remaining.

While Karasuba seems to have close relationship with Musubi, their promise to see whose beliefs about humans is correct seems more like a challenge than anything else. I basically saw it as Karasuba’s way to easily resolve their difference of opinion without having to debate about it, as she’s probably fairly confident she can outlast Musubi in the Sekirei project. With her being Sekirei No.04 and backed by the M.B.I. (who pays enough for its employees to drive a Ferrari 360 / F430 apparently), I guess it’s only natural for her to feel that way. However, back in episode one, Karasuba did help Yume rescue what appears to be a young Musubi, so I’m curious to see what her true intentions are. Miya isn’t too fond of her though, but was revealed to be Sekirei No.01 and questionably the strongest one, which would explain why she can intimidate others so easily. This is actually something I already learned during my mini-research of the series though, so it comes as no big surprise, but seeing as she’s the first Sekirei, I’m wondering if this was her.

As for Yukari, it turns out she hasn’t made a contract with Shiina yet, but sure seems to enjoy playing dress-up with him… in female clothing no less. Hayato on the other hand has taken an interest to him and already has a male Sekirei, Mutsu, making me really question his “tastes”. I mean, even Mutsu commented on his “bad habit” and I don’t even want to imagine the scene of them forming a contract or Mutsu being instinctively drawn to him. Ack! Get the BL imagery out of my head!

Last but not least is Uzume, whom they’ve been quite mysterious about even now; however, the credits reveal that the scantily clad Sekirei that manipulates white sheets of cloth is played by Nabatame Hitomi, Uzume’s seiyuu. Their appearance is remarkably similar as well, so feel free to draw your own conclusions. There’s still a lot more about Uzume they have yet to reveal though, including who her Ashikabi is, but it looks like they’ll delve into some of that next time.

Finally, I should add that both Itou Shizuka (Ichijou Eika in Sky Girls, Amanda Werner in BLASSREITER) and Saiga Mitsuki (Yoite in Nabari no Ou) have been added to the SEKIREI cast as Benitsubasa and Haihane, who are the Red and Blue Sekirei respectively. Together with Karasuba and Yume (the Sekirei of Fate), they make up the M.B.I.’s Disciplinary Force. Also, here’s a full length shot of Minato with his lovely Sekirei.

Cast:
– Sahashi Minato (佐橋 皆人) / Tachibana Shinnosuke (立花 慎之介)
– Musubi (結) / Hayami Saori (早見 沙織)
– Kusano (草野) / Hanazawa Kana (花澤 香菜)
– Matsu (松) / Endou Aya (遠藤 綾)
– Tsukiumi (月海) / Inoue Marina (井上 麻里奈)
– Asama Miya (浅間 美哉) / Oohara Sayaka (大原 さやか)
– Homura (焔) / Kagari (篝) / Kaida Yuki (甲斐田 ゆき)
– Hire Sekirei (比礼の鶺鴒) / Nabatame Hitomi (生天目 仁美)
– Kazehana (風花) / Yukana (ゆかな)
– Sahashi Yukari (佐橋 ユカリ) / Asumi Kana (阿澄 佳奈)
– Shiina (椎菜) / Ishidzuka Sayori (石塚 さより)
– Minaka Hiroto (御中 広人) / Seki Toshihiko (関 俊彦)
– Takami (高美) / Itou Miki (伊藤 美紀)
– Karasuba (鴉羽) / Paku Romi (朴 璐美)
– Natsuo (夏朗) / Toriumi Kousuke (鳥海 浩輔)
– Mikogami Hayato (御子上 隼人) / Fukuyama Jun (福山 潤)
– Mutsu (陸奥) / Matsubara Daisuke (松原 大典)
– Akitsu (秋津) / Kobayashi Yuu (小林 ゆう)
– Mitsuha (蜜羽) / Yahagi Sayuri (矢作 紗友里)