The problem with the fillers is that they derail certain characters at times. This time the most obvious was once again Yukio, but Mephisto also acted weird and inconsequential. First this guy gets all serious, and after a really random intervention from the Vatican that he could have stopped easily, he just walks away, abandoning his students that are held hostage. Make up your mind, will ya?
But yeah, Yukio: I still am not buying his subplot. It’s annoying and just feels forced. Like the Konekomaru arc, he’s overreacting way too much and just keeps on angsting about having to protect his brother. That’s just not interesting and gets annoying really fast. It’s not the kind of subplot you’d hold secret for the viewer, especially since they’re being so un-subtle about it.
The rest of this episode had the right spirit, though. Rin’s classmates have been handled quite well in this original story, and this episode solved the biggest barrier between him and them: Rin’s flames. He may have learned to control them a bit too sudden (isn’t it more logical if you gain control of flames like that gradually over time?) and that teacher also was surprisingly interesting. Again pulling his wife in was a bit cliched, but there definitely is more potential in him now than Satan.
Also, why does Yukio shoot with tranquilizers? I mean, with Rin I can understand and all, but against monsters who threaten the lives of his friends. Dude, get a bazooka or something. Anything better than those “it may look like I’m carrying a lethal weapon, but THOU SHALT NOT KILL, KIDS!”-phony weapons.
Rating: (Enjoyable)
Interestingly enough it is heavily hinted that Yukio might go over to the dark side in the manga. Though not for any reasons like a disease or anything but from genuine concern that maybe Rin and he are not too different. I.E. Yukio is also a son of satan. He worries about whether he can maintain the emotional control required to prevent an exorcist from being possessed. He also seems to have continuing issues with Rin. At least that’s how I interpreted it from the manga.
Rin has only recently gained decent control of his flames in the manga. I.E. The light two candles thing as the current arc in the manga (that takes place immediately after the vatican arc) is a sort of training arc for Rin.
Anyway I liked the new villain spider woman. If it was just Neghaus’ revenge it wouldn’t have been as interesting since he is pretty much a known quantity.
~Also, why does Yukio shoot with tranquilizers? I mean, with Rin I can understand and all, but against monsters who threaten the lives of his friends. Dude, get a bazooka or something. Anything better than those “it may look like I’m carrying a lethal weapon, but THOU SHALT NOT KILL, KIDS!~
I lol’d when I read that. I totally agree. What the hell is he doing with a weapon like that.
I thought it’s been going on pretty subtly that Yukio is losing emotional control. I’ve noticed this since they’ve gone to camp. I think it’s because he’s always overshadowed by his brother, really. First Rin always stood up for him since he was a KID and I can understand how frustrating it is that it’s still the same up until now as if nothing has changed. Then Shiemi obviously likes Rin more and now that disease that they’re hinting. IDK why people think it’s forced. It’s been going on like that.
Well, mastering the flames is nothing like mastering a technique because the flames are apparently more psychological. Rin was afraid of the flames that’s why he’s letting it control him. And this kind of control has been going on since he was a kid too so I don’t think it’s something “out of the blue.” You know how he always go berserk and it’s what Rin’s always trying to prevent. Controlling his flames is an achievement earned from long determination.
I wouldn’t say it is that forced, the whole thing struck me as something that has been slowly bubbling up for a while.
He seems to use tranq darts or holy water bullets as standard. I imagine he thought the masked person was a human and as such the holy water bullets would be useless.
Am I the only one who thought the art quality of this episode dropped compared to other episodes?
Nope, I noticed that too, it was a bit weird…
I don’t like the direction that they’re trying to go either, with all that drama around Yukio. it’s… I don’t like it. :/ kind of predictable and meh.
While I do hope they make a second season, some story elements seem too twisted by now… ? (for example, Bon’s father is dead in the anime, right? but so many important stuff is going on with him, they can’t do that.)
“Also, why does Yukio shoot with tranquilizers?”
Exorcists in this world seem to be primarily…you know, exorcists, rather than killers.
Yukio doesn’t hesitate to kill possessed animals such as mice (which the manga says are vessels for hobgoblins); however, killing a person crosses into darker territory. He’s probably never killed a person before. Not to mention, he’s still an adolescent Christian. It makes sense to me that he would instinctively avoid killing anyone.
If the spider woman was possessed, then exorcising the demon from her body might remove her ability to harm everyone–with Yukio’s role to subdue her until an Aria arrived. If she was a half-demon, then a tranquilizer could bring her down–like a single tranq did to Rin–for judgment.
“But yeah, Yukio: I still am not buying his subplot.”
We each watch a different show because of our opinions. I’m enjoying Yukio’s subplot.
One reason I like Yukio and other characters on this show is they each have a unique set of competing goals, like real people do. Yukio’s motivations were introduced in the first episode and have broadened since.
Yukio wants to be strong enough to protect Rin, who’s already physically stronger and more emotionally resilient than he is. Meanwhile, Yukio’s in the awkward position of being professionally and academically superior to his older brother. He’s deferential to authority but knows authority figures might turn on him. Rin drives him crazy, but without his brother, what would be the point of his life?
Meh.
I’ve pretty much given up on the anime at this point. Yes, it’s probably good for quite a few people out there, but it’s just not for me anymore. Did it have its high points? Yes, I actually found that it handled the sad moments present in the manga (i.e. Shiro’s death) even better. The animation and music are usually excellent. But I’ve just lost interest and I’m feeling a little sad about it.
I guess it’s because of what they did to my favorite character. Mephisto in the manga is actually very consistent, even if his actions are often confusing – he’s confusing in a “mysterious” way, not in a “what the heck” way. He’s cool-headed and always seems to have the situation under control, even if other characters don’t realize it. He helps out where he’s needed but wants to let the main characters fight and grow when he believes they can handle it.
With the anime, I just don’t know anymore. He seems more like an incompetent joke character, or just some ineffectual side character, the more they stray from the manga. Like someone who’s just poking a bee hive in hopes of something funny happening.
Also, about Yukio, he’s going through his own sub-plot right now in the manga. And strangely, it has some parallels with what’s going on with the anime. Except it’s a little more subtle, and handled in a better way. And he’s not angsty about it, just strong and thoughtful.
Believe it or not, I don’t say this about EVERY anime that deviates from the manga, but really…I think you should read this one. The paths of anime and manga have already diverged completely, so no spoilers. You might be pleasantly surprised.
At the very least, there’s no filler. That’s certainly a perk, right?