Category: Ghost Hunt

So far, we’re at episode six. Two three-episode arcs have passed, and with each of these arcs, the best episode was the middle one, while for each, the third one offered a nice conclusion. Still, the second arc has been sooo much better than the first arc. While it doesn’t manage to top the fifth episode, the sixth episode was another great one. 🙂

This episode managed to give me the chills yet again. Even though we know what’s going on, the tension remains. It’s interesting that everyone has suddenly started to call Naru-chan Naru-chan, even though it’s a name made up by Mai. I guess they found that it was such a fitting name, that they kept using it. The strange thing is that Naru-chan doesn’t even seem to mind. ^^;

Ayako also had an interesting role this time. While the other exorcists are very serious when they’re doing their job, when she actually gets to attempt and exorcise an actual ghost, she gets scared. This suggests that she never really got to work against a real ghost, and therefore lacks experience. I’m also wondering what the relationship between Naru-chan and Masako is. I mean, we already knew that Naru-chan had a lot of respect for her, though now we also see that this is vice versa. Did something happen between the two of them that we don’t know yet?

(This was another example as to why I should write about an episode as soon as possible, and not stall it for a few hours. I kindof lost my motivation and original thoughts now)

Whoa… seriously! This is a message to everyone with a younger sister: KEEP ALL DOLLS AWAY FROM HER! BURN THEM!!!

Seriously, I can’t believe how good this episode was. Never have I seen such a high-quality tv-series about ghost stories. There is so much mystery going on around Millie, especially considering that every child who entered the house ended up dying. Judging by the climax, it’s the work of the mother of the first victim. Her child probably died due to a natural reason, and she was broken because of it. She couldn’t live any more without thinking of her died child, and when she died herself, she remained as spirit, killing off all children who entered the house, hoping them to be her long lost child.

Also, this episode finally showed that exorcisms do work. At least, with the Monk and the Priest. I’m still wondering about Ayako, who has to do some interesting jobs in the meantime. ^^; Still, it’s an interesting approach, contrasting with the first arc, in which it became questionable whether their powers really worked or not.

Though seriously, there were so many good moments in this episode, it’d be almost impossible to list them all. I especially loved the professional approach to all of this, contrasting to other ghost stories, in which it’s usually a bunch of kids, chasing after a spirit without any proper plan or structure. This time, everyone has a task, there’s a clear leader, things go much smoother, and because of this, the creators can be more creative with the concept. Not to mention that the different characters get more interesting by the minute. My favourite character so far is the Monk. 🙂

Whoa… someone turned up the pacing and intensity for this episode. I sort of figured that the second case would be more serious than the first case, which served more as an introduction to the anime, but I never thought that the creators would already go this far for only the second arc. There are much less dialogues than in the first arc, which makes this episode really event-based. Overall, it was pretty good. 🙂

Takigawa Hounshou and Matsuzaki Ayako also returned for this arc, the other ones didn’t. It’s interesting if you look at the roles of the two of them. Takigawa turns out to have quite some knowledge on supernatural phenomena, though Matsuzaki turned out quite useless so far. She tried another exorcism, but she failed yet again. It makes you wonder whether she actually has the ability to exorcise ghosts in the first place. Lin also has an interesting role as technician, though he hasn’t really had the chance to be fleshed out well. I’m guessing that’ll come later.

Mai also has a strange dream this time, again involving Naru-chan saying things to her. Does this have some special meaning? Are these dreams doing more than just reflecting Mai’s thoughts about Naru? Also, the culprit is definitely the doll, but how is she linked to Ayami. Is this ghost really strong enough to influence the way this girl is thinking? Perhaps it used Minnie in order to make contact with her. Then it started talking to her, and Ayami began to act to the things Minnie, and the ghost told her to do.

Ah, it seems that Ghost Hunt will be another one of those anime which only get released twice a month, or so. Not that that’s a problem, or anything. After all, two of the best shows which aired during the Spring Season, Tsubasa Chronicle and The Third, also got subbed slowly. The current arc has been a strange one. Most shows which deal with ghosts can be divided into two parts:
– Ghosts exist
– Ghosts don’t exist.

Ghost Hunt adds a third category: ghosts exist, though this time they’re not really involved. The episode starts with a strange twist, as Mai wakes up, and suddenly, the priest, the monk and the exorcist suddenly start laughing alongside of her. Overall, the tone of the episode also has been very different from the previous one. The conflicts from the previous episode were almost totally gone, and the current episode actually focused on Mai, Naru-chan and Kuroda. The Monk, the Priest and the others were actually placed in the background.

I actually liked this episode. It all seemed to be Kuroda’s fault. Her desires that something might happen caused a poltergeist to blow up various parts of the abandoned school building. The ending of the episode was a very nice one. Naru-chan tries to please all the cute girls again, so he agrees to tell nothing to the principal about Kuroda-san’s involvement with the ghosts. Still, at the end of the episode, the building still collapses. The peculiar thing is that we never get to see Kuroda’s reaction. We never see how she reacts to the fact that she still kept believing that she was right.

I’m really interested about what’s going on inside of Naru-chan’s head. Sure, Mai had a good reason to accept his offer to work for him. He’s a bishounen, and a huge player as well. But I’m wondering about his reason to actually employ Mai. Is it because she’s a woman, or is there another reason for this? Another thing I’m wondering about: will the Monk, the Priest, the Exorcist and the Psychic return after this episode? It seems that everyone has gone home after the case was solved, which means that we won’t see them together anymore, seeing as they all work separately. But will Naru-chan have to work with another one of them at another case?

Aah, finally the second episode of Ghost Hunt has been subbed. It’s one of the non-sequel Autumn Season shows I was actually looking forward to, and so far, it hasn’t disappointed. I’ve also heard some great things from the people who watched the Chinese subs, so this might prove to be a very interesting anime.

The thing that immediately sets this anime apart from all other anime is the OP. It’s definitely a unique one, and I really like it. This anime also makes very well use of conflicts. Basically, we have this haunted deserted old school building, and eight parties actually were involved:
– Our main character: Mai. A normal schoolgirl who got involved in this.
– Our main supporting character: Shibuya Kazuya, or Naru-chan. Like his nickname suggest, he’s an incredible narcissist. He looks at ghosts in a technological way. This episode also shows that he doesn’t really care about himself: he just sleeps in a van from time to time and when his hand starts bleeding, he refuses help.
– Kuroda: she sortof involved herself in this. She tells everyone that she can sense spirits, and she likes to act as a drama queen. I’m not sure whether to believe this, but she actually was the only one who hasn’t blundered during this episode.
– Hara: a medium. She’s been asked to investigate. According to her, there isn’t any spirit around. Still, during this episode, she ends up in the hospital.
– Matsuzaki: a priest, also asked to investigate. She’s quite cocky.
– John: an exorcist, with a strange accent. He’s actually the only person who doesn’t cause conflicts. Though the fact that he tries to calm the arguing others does mean that he ends up enlarging them.
– The unnamed monk. Sorry, forgot his name. He’s quite confident in his own abilities, which does make him quite cocky at times, though not as bad as Matsuzaki.

This was actually a very enjoyable episode. First, Matsuzaki gives her exorcism a try. Because of this, the principal ends up in the hospital, being hit by a bunch of windows, suddenly breaking in front of his face. Next up is Hara, who ends up in the hospital as well after she fell through a one-story-high wall. Next up is John and the roof collapses right above him. Mai luckily manages to save him. Naru-chan is up next. He figures everything is because of the fact that the building is built on a swampy floor, making the it on the verge of collapsing. Well, this theory gets smashed, almost literally when a whole bunch of windows explode and someone starts banging extremely hard on the wall. The monk is up next, but that doesn’t work as well, the lights go out and Mai is hit by a falling bookshelf, and gets knocked out. Cliff-hanger.

The best part of the episode was probably Mai, who starts to yell at the monk and Matsuzaki after they try to convince themselves that the ghost is gone through the use of lousy excuses. It may seem cheesy at first, but it worked exceptionally well. That’s the thing about this anime: at first sight, it may seem cliché and cheesy, but it definitely is everything but that. I was indeed right to be looking forward to this series. Now, let’s hope it doesn’t disappoint.