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Rating: 9.4/10 (slight quality drop but better story)

Impressions:

Yup, Makoto was once a fox. I believe Yuuichi helped her in some way all those years ago, which made her attached to him. However, he was forced to abandon it when he left town. Sadly, I strongly believe that Makoto will die, as the only other Key game I know, Air, manages to kill of everyone with no trouble, so there shouldn’t be any problem with her death this time. Except ONE thing: it’s TOO early! They can’t kill off such a main character so early in the show! Well, actually they can since they did it with Air, but there will be a vast emptiness to replace Makoto, and I don’t want to accept that. Even if she doesn’t die and returns to being a fox or something, the show would still be missing her. This is why they should’ve merged the stories together more to destroy the threshold that will be her death. At least involve some other characters so that the climax to her story would happen in the beginning of another. But then again, I love drama and I can’t wait until these sad things unfold. Even if a whole episode is spent on showing Yuuichi and the others crying or something, I wouldn’t mind. However, I hope everyone doesn’t lose their memories of Makoto or something, since that happens a lot in fantastical storylines where some mystical being dies.

And what’s the deal with Amano? Does she have her own story or is it merged completely with Makoto’s? And if so, if Makoto is taken out of the storyline, what will happen to her? She’s quite an interesting character, not to mention having a mystical aura not unlike Mai’s. In fact, everyone seems to be strange except for Nayuki, though she has an arc too, so there must be something different about her. Right now, I really want to see more of her. I’d also be to my liking if she ends up with Yuuichi before something tragic happens to her, as it probably will, since Ayu is just too small. Of the two, I believe Ayu will be the main and final arc, since her mystery was introduced first. Also, I wonder what part Mai plays. Does she have her own secret past or something, or is she just someone who will play a role in everyone’s story. What I’d really like to see is Amano and Mai conversing, though I doubt they’d actually say anything if they passed each other on the street. Mai seems to be more in control, with her composure and demon-hunter thing, while Amano appears to be in a similar boat to Makoto, though aware of herself. I’m not sure I like her voice though, and her introduction is too sudden. More time should’ve been spent on making her appear in odd places, just to increase the curiosities arousing around her.

Although the quality didn’t exactly drop (to a noticeable degree), KyoAni has finally resorted to some lazy animation, deciding to save some budget for the climax of this arc perhaps. Or maybe it’s a long term conservation. Anyway, the still frames are evidence of this cheaper work, though it is inserted at appropriate times and fits in with the mood quite nicely. Another effect they could’ve used is fading in and out scenes involving Makoto and Yuuichi spending time together while completely muting the events. This would increase tension as well give viewers the horrible sense of dread that something is not quite write. Speaking of Yuuichi x Makoto moments, their relationship development progressed at an alarming pace this episode. It seems that Makoto has now fulfilled the goal that she’s probably only aware of subconsciously; to forgive Yuuichi. Now that things have become right again for the two of them regarding their relationship with each other, Makoto is free to pass on to the other side, if that does happen. I had been wishing that something dramatic would happen as an interlude between Makoto disliking Yuuichi and her finally forgiving him (sort of). Something like Makoto getting lost and hurt (I can just envision a scene where she’s lying in the mud in the forest with dreary rain pouring down on her…and Yuuichi desperately searching). This would also serve as the perfect time for Yuuichi to remember his past with Makoto.

Plot Outline:

- Makoto wants to keep the cat and asks Akiko whether she can or not
- The answer is immediate: “yes”
- With that settled, she gets Yuuichi to think up a name for the cat
- After a few tries, she ends up calling the cat Piroshiki, or just Piro for short
- Makoto, Piro and Yuuichi then head outside together, heading for school and day-care respectively
- At school, Yuuichi tries to get Mai to tell her about Makoto, but she claims to know nothing
- However, she does direct his attention to another girl passing by, Amano Mishio
- Makoto waits for Yuuichi after school and the two head home together
- The next day, Yuuichi meets Amano who asks him about Makoto
- When replying, Yuuichi gets a flashback about Makoto
- Afterwards, he and Makoto head to an open area in the forest, where both of them get a flashback involving that place

- When they head home, Nayuki tells Yuuichi about how Akiko is still trying to find Makoto’s parents
- At night, Makoto tries to play with Yuuichi but he refuses
- After a while, he gives in to Makoto and decides to read a manga with her
- Later in the night, Makoto comes to Yuuichi’s room and finds Piro in his bed
- She decides to sleep in his bed and also prevents Yuuichi from leaving her side
- The next day in the evening, Yuuichi has another talk with Amano
- During that talk, Yuuichi finally remembers that Makoto was a fox a long time ago
- Amano tells him she had sacrificed her memory and life just to become a human to see him
- This also means Makoto will die soon
- It is also backed up by Makoto’s deteriorating co-ordination
- Finally, Amano tells Yuuichi to not drag her into business with Makoto any more

Preview:

Next episode – #9
Makoto…dying?

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