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Rating: 9.9/10

Impressions:

I can’t believe this series is STILL getting better. You’d have thought it’s reached its peak, which it won’t touch again until the finale, but it looks like the ride will be thrilling until the very end. Now wait, how many episodes is this again? The episode count seems to have been removed from ANN, and it’s not on AnimeNFO. Well, at least the last time I checked (today). It does, however, say on Wikipedia that it will consist of 12 episodes. If that’s the case, then I doubt there will be a break in the plot from now for ‘recuperation’ time. Anyway, the best part of this episode is of course the flashback. It’s so touching T_T and the song is beautiful. Actually, you can download it here:

[Kasa] by Suara – Full version mp3 (9.81mb)

We find out that Karada’s parents, the ones that she knows, aren’t her real parents, though Hiro is their real son (I think). The entire flashback is so beautifully done; the scenes of death, Hiro’s eventual appearance, it is all just so stunningly good.

Ahh, Karada is twelve years old! That’s higher than I expected. I had thought she was in year 5 before the wish-come-true, but Wiki says that she’s just about to start junior high. I guess that means 12 is the normal age, but it’s strange how Karada is naive enough to think she can survive in the big city alone and with such little money. Even though the events that take place are rather predictable, with the low-lives who wanted to ‘have fun’ with her, as well as the strip club, it was very realistic and highly enjoyable. No, not because I wanted to ser her in such a predicament ¬_¬ but because the change of setting greatly expands the closed and isolated feeling of the show. Also, I love drama (as I’ve said how many times now?) and have been waiting for such an episode (with the tragic flashback) for quite some time now. The other contender (in my views) that competes with Asatte no Houkou this season over the best drama/tragedy is Kanon, though this episode just blows it away big time.

This episode I think, for me, has constantly been above 9/10 in terms of rating, and it truly does deserve it. Unfortunately, there were a few badly drawn faces, but other than that, the quality remains quite high. The end of the episode is heartbreaking, especially since it is revealed earlier Karada’s personal feelings about Hiro and Shouko. She had known Hiro had sacrificed a great deal to be with her, and when she finally realises it was Shouko he had given up, she breaks down and makes a strong resolution to provide for herself. I *would* have thought Karada would return to Hiro at the end when he shows up, if I didn’t know better that Asatte no Houkou is such a great show that can pull out all the stops. I just hope the bleak, tragic and especially realistic feeling the show gives continues in the follow-up episode (which might not be the next since the preview indicates otherwise). It seems Tetsu will take precedence next time, and I guess it’s rather essential for the other characters to not be neglected, though I really wanna just see what happens to Karada.

Plot Outline:

- Karada arrives at the city and is overwhelmed by the complicated setting
- She seeks out a real estate agency but is shocked to find that houses are so expensive
- She goes to buy some food at a fast food restaurant and sees a job offer
- She asks for the job, but realises she needs a resume
- After numerous other attempts at getting a job, she slowly learns exactly what she needs to write in her resume
- However, she does not succeed in getting a job by the end of the day
- In a flashback, it is revealed that Karada’s mother and father aren’t her real parents, and the events that led up to her meeting with Hiro
- A taxi driver finds Karada’s resume when she drops it and uses the contact info to all Hiro
- He arrives at Karada’s location on a train, but seeing him makes her more determined to look after herself
- She boards a train and Hiro catches sight of her, but doesn’t make it in time to stop her from leaving

Preview:

Next episode - #9
Back to Tetsu…

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