Nabari no Ou Episode 18

So, I came very close to putting this off in favor of reading Edward Said… sorry, Mr. Said, I’m pretty satisfied with my decision in this case.

Although I am really enjoying Said’s Culture and Imperialism – if you have any interest in that sort of thing, you really should pick it up.

The episode opens in Banten as it is announced that Kumohira-sensei will be taking a leave of absence. Raimei is a bit downcast about it, while Kouichi tries to get her to not worry about it, to little success.

Meanwhile, in some unspecified Japanese city (Tokyo, if I had to guess, although we get no iconic shots of the tower, so maybe not), Yoite powers ahead of Miharu, clearly irritated over Kumohira’s disappearance. He insists that Miharu must know where he could’ve gone, but Miharu emphasizes that Kumohira never really ever told him anything, and notes that Kumohira clearly regrets something from his past. Yoite steps to the side in a coughing fit, and Miharu worries, although Yoite claims he’ll be fine.

Yukimi reports in to Hattori, admitting that Kumohira has managed to vanish. When asked about Yoite, he pretends that Yoite is at home, and was not brought on the mission, but it seems very clear to Hattori that he is lying. As Hattori leaves, he states that perhaps Yoite shouldn’t be in Yukimi’s care. Ichiki (the blind woman) tells Yukimi after Hattori’s departure that she’s always believed that judgement degenerates when it concerns a child.

In Kazuho’s hospital, Yoite lies in bed, breathing haggardly, as Kazuho tells Miharu what exactly is happening to Yoite’s body as the Kira destroys him. When Miharu asks if he’s going to be alright, Kazuho admits that she can only slow the effects, not heal or save him. Miharu also asks about the research regarding the Shinrabanshou, and Kazuho surreptitiously closes a window on her computer screen, although not without Miharu’s notice. She correctly guesses that Miharu’s anxiousness stems from wanting to save Yoite, but then tells him the truth – that it is too late for Yoite, he only has a month left, and that Shinrabanshou research cannot be finished in that time.

In the hallway, Yoite overhears them, having gotten out of bed to find Miharu. He turns away, and stumbles back down the hall, running into Raikou, who is watching the still-comatose Gau. Raikou comments that its surprising to see Yoite without Miharu, and also says that he is somewhat jealous of the pair, as he himself feels guilty about Gau being involved in the world of Nabari. He also says that Gau still slumbers because he blames himself for everything. Yoite tells him, quite simply, to use the Daya, but Raikou resists, stating that it isn’t right. So Yoite tells him he should just kill him and be done with it if he isn’t willing to do everything to save him, even as he claims he is willing to. Raikou becomes upset, and angrily tells Yoite that he regards life too lightly, as he has taken on the Kira. Yoite also reacts angrily, telling him he’ll do the deed of killing Gau if Raikou won’t, and then blasts Raikou away before also blasting Gau.

Miharu discovers Yoite’s absence from his bed, and rushes into the hall where nurses and Kazuho are running past. Miharu asks where Yoite is, and Kazuho expresses shock that he himself doesn’t know, then tells him what has happened. Miharu runs off in search of Yoite.

Yoite himself is wandering the streets in the snow, barefoot, and coughs up blood. He thinks about his parents, and flashes back to his suicide attempt as a child, and continues to internally chant, “I don’t want to die.”

Also on the streets, Miharu rushes to find Yoite. He pauses for breath, and sees a kitten newing next to its dead mother. He clearly fears that Yoite is dead, but at this sight begins running again, telling himself that he doesn’t want Yoite to be dead.

Back in the hospital, Gau is awake; the Kira apparently somehow revived him. He watches the snow as Raikou gapes from the doorway, and hospital staff similarly shocked.

On the streets, Miharu finds blood on the pavement, and follows it to Yoite. Miharu embraces him after brushing snow off of him, but Yoite shoves him away as he appears to have a sudden crisis of identity, shouting about who he used to be, a boy named ‘Sora’, sixteen years prior. But he insists that Sora never really existed, that he himself had no name until Yukimi called him Yoite. His movements suddenly stop and he goes blank-eyed as Miharu comforts him, and tells him that he’s (Miharu’s) there, that they’re both there.

As they hug, Yoite asks Miharu to save him because he doesn’t want to die. He also asks Miharu once again to erase his existence, and Miharu tells him that he will because he’s promised to all along. But Miharu also admits to himself that he doesn’t want Yoite to disappear.

Impressions:

That was absolutely heartbreaking.

This was easily the best episode of the entire series to date – the art direction was superb, the animation impressive, the music perfectly matched, and the characters and storyline were just… wonderful. I can’t think of a single thing I’d change – even Gau waking up, although somewhat predictable and perhaps a tinge cheesey, worked well within the episode.

On Gau, though, I think part of what made his awakening work was that this seemed like a Christmas episode, what with the preponderance of snow and Christmas decorations such as lights and wreaths; thus, it felt a bit like a Christmas miracle-type deal. And, anyway, with him awake, I’m sure things will get further complicated next week.

Kazuho has quickly cemented a place as one of my favorite supporting characters – to me it seems very clear that she sympathizes with Miharu, even though she believes in Hattori’s vision. She and Hanabusa remind me of one another, honestly, and sort of make me think of the family dynamics which have been subtely working in the background this entire show – I feel as if this show is, below the surface, asking questions of family and the bonds family creates. Many of the characters in this show have dead or distant parents, although I’m not completely ready to go into a full discussion of filial relations and what absent parents say about those in this series until it is over.

I really can’t emphasize enough how absolutely… stunning the animation and art on this episode was. The scenes with falling snow in particular were completely beautiful. It really helped set the tone for the episode.

Ultimately, I suppose this episode was a bit more hopeful than not given Gau’s awakening and the door that opened in terms of the concept of miracles, redemption., and the sort. But it was really heartbreaking nonetheless, as Yoite continues his quest for oblivion while Miharu promises to help even as it tears him apart.

I feel like a loser, but that scene with the dead cat really got me.

BL fans will be pleased as punch over this one.

My god, that last scene killed me. The entire last five minutes of this were just… heartbreaking.