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#6

Yuri's background has one more episode in the spotlight, and it's a logical follow-up to her unexpected adventure in a different world. Turns out she hails from the frigid NE of Japan and her family is big and is still doing well. Although she did not reconcile with traditionalist father, hearing it from him how the eldest son actually refused the family business (against traditional expectations) and his own stance about not standing in the way of his offspring after they'd made up their minds about something (like Yuri's rejection of the family home) helped her reach a compromise. She will not object to future visits to the family home while her mother remains under treatment and can more easily catch up with her other siblings (she didn't know her older sister married and has offspring, with the spouse not the same Bakekitsune).

Buchio getting a driver's license means he can find work more easily, but as a newly minted Youkai with no money of his own he will most likely have to borrow his adopted family's vehicles for now until he earns enough for his coin. It will be typical of him to wait before the purchase; he likes doing things properly and sponging off the family for a drive is something he's likely to object to.

This is not the only franchise which deals with differing lifespans (the most recent and memorable franchise on this is Frieren). Unlike that one, this franchise has a lighter touch in dealing with the subject but the approach is the same. Those who are longer-lived take things for granted which the shorter-lived species have more urgency towards. Jirou's words carry weight though; when he says forever he really means it and he will continue to live for as long as the tree stands and the gods who govern the area deem him necessary. Just as Tazenbou's fishing buddy has to worry about his own impending mortality, his two much more long-lived comrades cannot appreciate the sentiment but like all good neighbours (a big theme running through this franchise) immediately offer to help in any way they can.

The post-credits scene is surprisingly a follow-up to last week's episode as well. Just as the Kisaragi urban legend in real life gets a retelling in that episode, the premise in this one is that urban legends really do come true in this universe. Rumour coming to "life" have real consequences, which has its own implications regarding the silent buzz-cut kid in the initial scene (this caught me out, I knew there were four of them but the buzz cut had no speaking parts and had more muted reactions. Had to rewind and rewatch several times to appreciate how well done this was). It strongly reminds me of the "Another" horror novel which has spun off its own manga, anime and live-action adaptations each with its different spin on the source material. The sentient anatomical figure is another Japanese urban legend also brought to life, but he/it(?) is more benign and is treated like the school's Hanako as a figure to approach for advice informally by students. Not sure if this arc is going to be developed further in the next episode, or if it's a one-off to add more exposition to the world already described.

The monster called a Tulpa comes fromTibetan mythology, a being given life by the thoughts and imaginations and emotions of lots of people believing in it passionately until the situation reached a kind of critical mass. So, for example, there might be Elvis's and Tupacs and Santas running around out there. The show Supernatural used them to good effect, and this show made me remember some of those episodes fondly.

Welp, last week I said that the shorter segments about differing lifespans and the ghost story felt too short and here we are. Episode 7 provided a lot of the mixed feelings when it comes to lifespans of different lengths. It was a rather heavy episode for that reason and I am not sure what to think. Sure, living for very long (having the potential to at least) means you get to experience a lot more but it also means saying a lot of goodbyes. On the other hand, it also means getting to know a lot more people and having plenty of time to explore the world/hobbies etc.

On a side note, the family knowing that they are a descendant from a banana plant/spirit should have done a tad more research into what that entails and making sure every member of the family knows that information. Having that plant be a critical weakness and out in the open unprotected is not great. Maybe nothing bad could have been done against the plant and it died/withered due to age, but was that fully explained?

#7

The running theme of differing lifespans takes a more serious tone this week, what with the gap between humans and most non-humans and how the longer-lived ones have to deal with the inevitability which comes with it. It's tied in with Wagen's backstory, which is also a very charming albeit bittersweet tale about inter-species romance.

This is the first and likely only franchise I'll ever watch that will depict the Umibouzu as something akin to a whale playing offshore. Anyone aware of the legends behind these particular entities are fully aware they are nowhere near as benign as depicted here, both them and the Daidabocchi they are supposed to be related to.

I'm quite sure cats have some human foods they are allergic to, but in this franchise turning into a Youkai gives non-human spirits like Wagen and Buchio distinctly human proclivities with food and alcohol. It does simplify matters as far as sustenance is concerned, as it would mean not having to cater to a Wagen who continued to consume motor oil and antifreeze.

Not only are inter-species couplings possible, they even pass on some of their genetic traits and susceptibilities. Just as Jirou is vulnerable to annihilation if the cedar his spirit is bound to is destroyed, so too do descendants of human-youkai pairings who inherit the latter's peculiar weakness of a vulnerable host body. Banana plants aren't some kind of ornamental plant that can be moved indoors and taken care of like a museum exhibit, like all plants they are susceptible to disease and old age which humans can stave off for a time with the appropriate care whilst keeping them outdoors where they are suited. For Wagen's human master, that was likely not possible because her family divorced when she was younger and eventually the family home was abandoned, leaving the plant to the mercy of the elements and time. Like many entities in this franchise, living life and enjoying the day to day moments to the maximum is the default method for coping with that clawing sense of inevitability that comes with human-youkai relationships.

This applies to Jirou as well, as it explains why he is so partial to Mutsumi despite being a Tengu who has lived since the establishment of the settlement. It seems he owes Mutsumi's great-grandmother an apology, but we will have to find out why next week. There's more than a passing resemblance between Mutsumi now and the great grandmother Kazue from back then, so perhaps there was a romantic relationship which had to end due to the difference in lifespans. That would be a twist if it means Jirou is related to Mutsumi, but it's down to next week to see how that pans out.

This was the first episode where I thought "Oh, so this probably isn't a show for kids too." The Highlander motif was indeed pretty heavy. That said, I liked it and continue to be impressed by this show, and I thought the way they had the same narrative baton being passed between the different members of the ensemble like some kind of relay race was skillfully handled. I have to say, this season has been a cornucopia of different kinds of delights. There should be something for everyone unless I'm missing something, and people who appreciate a good smorgasbord ought to be tucking in. .

This week's episode was also very much one that isn't suited for kids. A bit of awkward teenage romance with a misunderstanding was the happiest thing on display. Otherwise it continued the issue of differing lifespans and in the case of Jiro seeing a lot of bad stuff during his long life and not really having dealt with it for many years.

On a more positive side: the brief visit to England was very interesting. Seeing ghost Sherlock and magic all over the place sure was something.

#8

The contrast between the first part with Buchio in England against the second part couldn't be more stark. The franchise has a very peculiar world which somewhat mirrors ours, but it also has its charms to differentiate itself from other fantasy works with magic.

The England depicted in this franchise retains a lot of its former Celtic heritage, what with the pixie being our demon Lord's best mate and the ready accessibility of magic restricted to locality. We only get a glimpse of what Buchio sees abroad, but it's very different from the Japan depicted in this franchise. I can only guess how the Demon Lord figured out Buchio's concerns over differing lifespans, but he (as well as his assistant) must have decided the trip was the best way to get him to come to terms with his anxieties in the fastest way possible.

Everything after the England trip is a continuation of what was described in the episode immediately before this. Humans who have raised pets from childhood years will be very familiar with the emotional issues faced by many of the ensemble cast this week. The twist is that the positions will be reversed for pet-owners, with the non-humans they form relationships far outstripping theirs and both parties eventually needing to coming to terms with stark reality no matter how much they try to enjoy their everyday lives before mortality ends the connection. Humans however have an awareness of legacy, and the wish to ensure what they've left behind endures inevitably means relying on those whose lifespans are far longer to bear a responsibility which may not be entirely fair for them to bear. Chiaki's point in particular is a running theme in this franchise: enjoy the bonds you've forged in the here and now, so that when it all ends there won't be any regrets and there will be enough memories remaining to treasure for the survivors.

There's also the flip side when the focus switches back to Jirou. Sometimes the legacy left behind is treasured, but the pain from loss is so great it's better to forget about the legacy. In Jirou's case he was even requested to forget, which he did as Mutsumi's great-grandmother was dear to him. However, it's likely something he's now regretting, since generations later and he's doing the same thing he did for Mutsumi's great-grandmother. The 6-year old Mutsumi's reaction isn't entirely unexpected, after all children aren't expected to process emotional trauma the same way adults do. What surprises me is Jirou never spoke about his burden even though the other Tengu is at hand to listen to his concerns, a point which was already raised by others who remark Jirou never speaks about his troubles yet always has to listen to others as that is his role in the settlement.

Despite being a fantasy depiction, some features in this episode do remind the local audience this is not completely a stand-alone work of fiction. Mountain settlements suffered the same devastation in real-life Japan during severe earthquakes, and the Pacific War took place in this adaptation (albeit with modifications such as B-51 bombing raids being carried out by fire-breathing dragons with fighter escorts). Unlike the stringent building codes of Japan post-Kobe, an earthquake of any magnitude in settlements which used traditional building methods would guarantee devastation. Likewise visiting the mountain during an earthquake would likely be fatal if people were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Technology in the modern-day of this adaptation has certainly progressed in orders of magnitude since, but for the longer-lived beings the tragedies they've witnessed when humans didn't have the technological capacity to mitigate disasters must be uncountable.

The themes in the last few episodes have been emotionally heavy, so here's hoping the adaptation ends on a happier note. Resolving the Kappa issue doesn't need the same heavy approach of the last few weeks, so I'm looking forward to seeing what the adaptation has in its locker to surprise me.

@Harleyquin, according to her bio on the show’s official website, Mutsumi is in 3rd grade which would make her between 8-9 years old, which feels more in line to how she’s portrayed.

That was an effing ridiculous episode. This is obviously a show that has forgotten that it's okay to have a bit of fun every now and then. Yeah, death sucks and it's painful when people we love leave forever. Thanks for that super profound insight. Message received. So just for poops and giggles how about showing us a character who isn't crying or suffering? Am I asking too much?

Well, you got your wish Blood, I am not sure if I would call this week's episode particularly happy yet it was not all that sad either and quite a few of the problems of last week were resolved. The falling into water bit was so predictable that it was hard not to see coming from a mile away though. It was also nice to see that someone as old as Jiro can still learn new things and change.

As for the shadowy arm thingy at the end, seems like the peace will not last.

#9

The episode is adept at closing a few open story threads whilst also elaborating further on world-building initiated in previous weeks. For a small town, even minor squabbles require dramatic interventions for an amicable resolution.

Following on from the last episode's theme about those with Youkai heritage inheriting some of their ancestral traits, Rain (written 虹 in Kanji which should really be Niji, but her parents have the typical Kappa naming sense) learns why she's freezing compared to her peers. Despite being warned about several things to avoid while the season is against her, she'll risk it all to save her crush. Bearing in mind rivers in winter are freezing cold in the countryside even with a warmer winter temperature, she did the right thing at great personal risk (she's a kappa so naturally the best swimmer even if his "fall" into the water wasn't a pure accident). The episode is clever in tying this arc with the Jiro and Mutsumi dispute, since the latter once again tells off the former for trying to do his job alone and gets everyone to pitch in to help in the only way they can. The scene where everybody anchors Jirou while he does what he can during negotiations really emphasises what the franchise is about: good neighbours help each other when disaster strikes.

While the Kappa mini-arc is resolved somewhat happily with no one having any lasting injuries and all relationship disputes made up, the second half deals with Jirou's unresolved backstory. Making that promise again certainly helped Jirou, since it allowed him to open up and ask for a second opinion. Mutsumi being a typical kid thinks his approach is clearly wrong, and because her words carry more weight because of who she's descended from it frees him from the psychological burden that has affected him since he showed the camera to her. To ram home the point that Mutsumi isn't just being a kid, the letter at the end supports Mutsumi's stance and if revealed to Jirou separately should remove any lingering doubts of guilt or uncertainty over the "forget or remember" dilemma.

The post-credits scene indicates the story is going to shift back to the one remaining open story thread in this franchise: Mutsumi's father. We don't know exactly why he disappeared beyond conjecture, and it appears the force behind his disappearance wishes to claim the daughter as well. The next episodes will show whether the miniature youkai who once had the same position as the consuming shadows is proven right: that shadows seek company and will inadvertently cause misery because of their instinctive actions.

I'm a fan of this anime, and I generally admire the way the show has certain motifs running through multiple storylines (immortals among mortals, dealing with mixed legacies, etc) but I found the way this episode dealt with selfish requests a bit heavy handed. Specifically, I found the letter at the end kind of contrived and unlikely. "I have a feeling I might do this in the future, so if I do, I'm going to write this letter without disclosing its existence on the off chance that it might come into play at a convenient moment for plot purposes...." I didn't mind the storyline with the widow finding out information about his wife's "selfish request" secondhand. In fact, I found it kind of interesting that her fond, rambling soliloquy to a beloved car might have resulted in it becoming a spirit. I talk to my car too, though the things I say to it usually aren't fond, and God help me if it ever comes to life in response Shocked

But having the second latent revelation coming out right on top of that, and in such an obvious this-is-the-author-hammering-the-point-in-for-dummies fashion was a bit too much for me. .

I agree with your comment about the letter but I am a simple man of simple emotions and I was sobbing like you do when you discover you are out of coffee. Speaking of tears, if somebody started a drinking game where you had to take a shot for every time a character onscreen cries, the incidence of alcoholism among viewers would spike noticeably. Also something happened that drives me nuts about Japanese content creators. As a Westerner, I would dearly loved actually seeing Dude apologize to Rain-chan for ignoring her out his misguided (and very Japanese) notion that she wouldn't want people assuming they were an item. Of course, the scene cuts away before that actually happens. We're Japanese! No need to actually see something emotional! Move along, move along. Rolling Eyes

#10

The storyline comes full circle, as the reason Mutsumi is so heavily featured in this adaptation is finally addressed. Having been without her biological father for years, it is Jirou who has taken on the surrogate parent role. So what happens when the adaptation's unique take on reincarnation and the line between the mundane and the supernatural is applied to Mutsumi's family?

The end result is a lot of emotional stress to manage for Mutsumi's household. On the one hand, they finally know what happened to the household's father. That said, when he is "released" from the void which has held him captive for so long, he undergoes a similar experience to what the Youkai now called Kobayashi Benmaru underwent when he returned to his new form. The father they once knew is gone, but in a way he's not "dead" in the same way their household's grandfather is (like how he returns to them every Bon festival). Without his memories or personality yet with the same voice, the ideal scenario for Mutsumi's household would be that his "old self" is awakened and their lives can continue in a similar fashion to Buchio with his adopted family. Unfortunately, reality for them is going to be harsh as that might not happen at all, with the newly born Youkai having to do the same registration procedures as Buchio and finding a new life for himself.

Although the Mutsumi storyline takes centre stage, there's still time for the adaptation to throw in one more storyline before it finishes for the quarter. The one person who has remained unidentified all this time from the OP and ED animations is introduced: Hayachiyo's partner. A famous guitarist who goes on tours, she spends her time with him when not on duty. She's also very good at maintaining her privacy; in previous episodes she was able to dodge Mutsumi's question about her romantic interests when addressing Mutsumi's concerns. The oni they see in the mountains (the object of the Setsubun festival in this adaptation is a very real and present concern) is most likely a different organism from the shadows which consumed Mutsumi's father, and it would be no surprise if this story thread is intertwined with the ongoing Mutsumi one for the end of the adaptation.

Maybe it is a setting thing, but a lot of my thoughts was that it seemed a little unfair to put all the expectations on the youkai now reincarnated from the dad's soul, since they mentioned several times about the whole memories thing taken by the void. They probably should have taken it as now they know the man they knew is gone, and on the off chance there is anything left behind that is something down the road. The mum getting her daughter to interact with him and with a name I suspect connected to the man before, feels off.

To be honest with my feelings on this show, I have felt a little disconnected, and the reasoning I have given is that it has been kind of hard to relate to existing real-life issues or situations. It might have been because earlier parts of this season coincided with releases X-Men 97, which was very upfront with mutants as allegories for minorities, being racial, abled, sexuality, identity etc. So, with that on the mind I have been looking for something in this setting where "monsters" are a literal part of everyday life, but it feels terrified of saying anything political or really relating these things to real life things. Like, sure, there was a bisexual man and whatever the car youkai is, but these things are never touched on, I didn't recognise anything that commented acceptance of queer folk or relationships.

The show doesn't feel like it really uses elements like say the differences between the rural villages/towns compared to the cities, either in greater spirituality in a small town, or maybe the greater exposure to different things in the city. The shots we have seen look like the youkai exist similarly in both. The closest element I can think of was the intergenerational differences with the fox family where the dad believed in his version of how things should be done. But I am still not entirely sure what most of this show is supposed to reflect back on Japanese society.

Perhaps it would be pushing that from what I understand Japan is a very homogeneous society, and this is a Japan that by necessity has to be inclusive of very variable people. But this idea feels like it would need a lot more focus the crossovers to the other normal world to show a difference. Or really something had been done with the traveling England where it could have done something more with the meeting between youkai and fairies. But he just brought back souvenirs.

For why I am saying this all now after episode 10, I think there could be something, such be the rare situation of rare people have amnesia or other neurological scenarios where people become totally new people. It has been done in anime before, and the stuff I have seen is that it is important to respect, and not just expect them to remember or turn back into the people they were. I am just not entirely sure it will be handled with grace.

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Tonari no Youkai-san (TV).