WHOA!!! HOLD UP, THE EPISODE IS ALREADY OVER? HOLY SHIT, it felt as if I was only five minutes into it!

From start to finish, this week’s episode was so much fun and heartfelt to watch. Norn9 Ep 5 Img 0008While there were some key major adjustments to the Dream World event, I honestly believe they did a fantastic job given the complicated story line of mixing all these routes together (in particular, Mikoto’s). While it was a shame that Koharu’s humor didn’t make the cut, thank goodness Nanami’s dream not tampered with (otherwise there would’ve been a riot). When Nanami is happy, she is the cutest girl in the show. It was so freaking adorable how she took a hold of the opportunity to let out a different side of her, taking a hold of the rare and ultimate opportunity to pet Akito’s fluffy Wolf Ears. Akito on the other hand was absolutely freaking out and ended up running for it, sending her on a wild goose chase which was hilarious to watch. Of the three girls’ Nanami’s dream was the one with the fewest adjustments. Norn9 Ep 5 Img 0026Both new and the game’s fans will probably agree one of the best parts of this episode was seeing Akito protect her from his nightmare!edition, (manifested based off Nanami’s guilt towards him and how she expects him to feel towards her). When nightmare!Akito showed up, Nanami didn’t struggle against him when he strangled, her, and when Akito saw this, he was horrified because he would never do such a thing. He made the nightmare go away, and when Nanami was thinking how convenient her dream was, he tells her he and his actions were not a dream. Those words were freaking magical. It meant what he did was something he had consciously chosen to do. By the look of it, it doesn’t appear we will be treated with the following scene, which would have been icing on the cake for this episode. I am crossing my fingers that they will arrange it to take place in another time and location, because so far the writers have been doing a fair enough job with the re-arrangement of events, something as some of you may know, 99% of the time it drives me nuts, (one of my biggest pet-peeves in adaptions). COME ON GIVE IT TO US!

I was bummed out to see Koharu’s humorous scene be cut out, but at least we were able to see her more fiery side for an exchange- only for a brief second though. It is something I hope the writer will address more of in the future.
Norn9 Ep 5 Img 0014Koharu’s dream event had a couple of entertaining moments, such as seeing this Masamune as the Prince and with this extremely bright aura, his seeing a different side of his personality made it even more hilarious. Senri wounded up as one of the hiyokos dwarfs, but Koharu failed to notice it was him (poor Senri). As Koharu was playing the role as Snow White, Kakeru, the important person who she was searching for, turned out to play a role she didn’t expect him to be. Rather than being the big bad witch, Kakeru was the poisoned apple. The reason why he is in this role, is because he identifies himself as poison. He reveals to Koharu how he doesn’t deserve to be beside her, he is a fake and deceitful individual who will only hurt her. But the reasons why he considers himself poisons is probably a lot different than most of the audience would expect, and to be fair- it is strange mix and match. But Koharu who cares about him deeply straight up tells him he is a bad man, but he is not poison. Koharu tells him that he should stop putting up a fake front, she wants to get to know his true self. Don’t true to be alone, it makes her lonely and in pain. This was the part we finally got to see the long overdue bold and fiery side of Koharu. True to the story, as the only way out of the dream is to complete the story, the two kiss, as Koharu must eat the poison apple (oh my god this line sounds so weird ahahahahaha!).

I will be honest: While I adore Koharu’s character, I am not a huge fan of Kakeru’s. I don’t love him, but I don’t hate him- I am in the neutral party. Norn9 Ep 5 Img 0034So seeing them kiss didn’t make me squeal or experience at butterflies. It is also an understatement to say Koharu’s and Kakeru’s relationship is probably the fastest paced relationship of all Otome Games adaptions we have seen. I mean seriously, you tell me- when was the last time you saw an Otome Game Adaption (full 23 minutes one) that had a couple kiss within five episodes? While it is something nobody is complaining about due to the LACK OF canon ships in Otome Games Adaptions and of course actual kiss scenes, (the last and only one I can remember is in Hakouki’s adaption) – Koharu’s and Kakeru’s relationship development speed is best to be compared with Disney’s Love Stories.
A speedy romantic development is a double-edge sword. I will say this factor is true to the game as well, but within the anime, a lot of things get cut out so their growth as a couple is not as thorough as it can be, causing their confessions and love scenes to wound up underwhelming.
But it is not all in vain, especially given how this finally provides the window of opportunity to address and focus on the other canon couples’ developments, which leads me to Mikoto’s love story.

Norn9 Ep 5 Img 0021Since the writers have been craftily mixing and merging two of her routes together, and even created some original content to support the flow of it (thumbs up!), Mikoto’s dream event was the one I was most curious of how they would work with it. And seriously, you have to hand it to them, they did a fantastic job! Mikoto’s role in her dream was Cinderella, and it was her job to find her prince, her important person. The prince for Cinderella’s Love Story was of course Sakuya, but this story had a heart-wrenching twist! In the end, Mikoto never actually found Sakuya, instead she embraced Itsuki, whom she had envisioned as Sakuya because she was looking for him and the minute she thought she had found him, she jumped onto him, crying how she wants to protect him from his tragic death. But as all of this happens, the true Sakuya who holds her glass slipper witnesses the scene- and saw how out of all people, she was in Itsuki’s arms. It was one of those moments where you can actually see the exact moment a heart was ripped into pieces… Poor Sakuya.
Another part of her event which I enjoyed was simply watching her walk with Itsuki under the beautiful moon. It was fun to see how he deliberately was leading her away from the castle just so he could spend time with her.

Itsuki is a really awesome guy, though he has a playboy attitude, he has a big heart. He created this dream world to help the girls with their boy problems. He provided each of them the opportunity to learn who is important to them, and why. Furthermore, because this is all taking place within their dreams, it allowed them to be more true to themselves, just as we had seen from Nanami and Mikoto. He is the ultimate match-maker and relationship counselor of the team, and is always looking out for others. He really doesn’t get enough credit. I love him so much!

Norn9 Ep 5 Img 0011
*SOBS* I CAN’T HANDLE HIS SAD FACE, I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!

Next week, IT IS FINALLY HAPPENING! Our dear Bandit is making his return to the spotlight! Oh my god, I can’t wait. I really hope this means they are finally going to focus on Mikoto’s story more. It is about high time for Koharu x Kakeru to be benched! I am also craving for more Nanami x Akito development. I better control my expectations, I would hate to set myself up for disappointment.


AHHHH I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!

Eva

Blogging Anime since Summer 2009, & Founder of AngryAnimeBitches Anime Blog ...I may or may not be addicted to writing

This Post Has 10 Comments

  1. zztop

    What about Sorata? How does he figure into the game’s central plot? ( unless its some kind of shota romance route.)

    1. Eva

      No, he isn’t paired up with anyone except for someone who i cannot mention as of yet- the anime is very likely to be going in that direction.He plays a role in the game’s true end, which is the epilogue. But there is one route which is part of Mikotos’ story where Sorata plays a bigger role becoming more and more suspicious of this era, which we saw last week.

  2. Alice

    It’s me again!
    I was totally screaming and squealing while watching this episode! Especially during Nanami and Akito’s parts. I give my hats off to the storyboard writers for this episode. They really outdone themselves with integrating all the scenes together. But it makes sense considering the dream world happened in one night, and it happens in all but one route.
    They even shown off how badass Nanami. Threatening Ron with her kunai, “attacking” Itsuki with her secret technique, and of course, chasing after Akito’s soft fur. .> Other than that, her scenes were fine.
    I am seriously confused with who Mikoto supposed to be with. I think they are sticking with Sakuya’s route. The next episode preview even shows more of Sakuya’s route than the “attacker’s” route, since she gets attacked on the ship instead of… you know, the other thing. Anyway, I’m glad to see more of Itsuki. His route was okay for me, but he is such a great character in general. Great support, friend of Heishi and Nanami, love counselor, comic relief. He is way too selfless. I felt bad for both him and Sakuya during the ending of Mikoto’s dream.
    What a great episode. Not much plot, but the dream sequence is mostly a way for the couples to get closer, even though it may seem Sakuya and Mikoto are separating.
    I feel like replaying Akito’s route for the 20th time. lol Can’t wait until the next episode. 🙂

    1. Eva

      IKR, IT WAS SO FREAKING ADORABLE! <3 <3 <3
      Like I said last week, I think the writers are going to push it as far as they possibly can with making this love triangle happen, and make the best of it. If this is the case I really like the idea because it makes it more exciting instead of continuing with the obvious couple trend. It provides some suspense and something unpredictable for those who had played the game. 🙂
      I was so happy about Itsuki getting sufficient screentime this episode! ; v ; ITSUKI IS THE BEST! *SOBS* I did find his route a tad underwhelming since I was expecting I bit more of it. I was seriously hoping they were going to implement the Scary Maze's activity in his route, so I was SO DISAPPOINTED when we didn't get to experience that *SOBS* Heishi and Nanami made it sound like it was such a good sceneeeeeeeee!!!!!

      1. Ran

        I don’t see any actual love triangle with Mikoto. They’re mostly following the Sakuya route, and going by the next episode preview, it seems they will keep following that route from here on too.

        1. Eva

          (Game Spoilers Below) There might be if…
          [spoiler] …If Mikoto does end up being is kidnapped to Natsuhiko’s hideout since he was shown in the preview. But I can see why you are convinced they are following Sakuya’s route since since Ron attacks her on that route too.
          The question now is how are they going to go about this. In fact I can see them following Sakuya’s route, the tree falls and Mikoto runs off as she is supposed to… BUT: instead of being stashed away somewhere in the ship, Ron tosses her out and that is how they can start Natsuhiko’s route.
          The “love triangle” would technically exist if she does end up being capture by Natsuhiko because if she develops feelings by following true to his route- given how we have already experienced Sakuya’s route, they are creating an opportunity to further the depth and struggles of Mikoto’s feelings and who she would choose in this case. But again, this is purely a guess.
          [/spoiler]

          1. Ran

            Considering the preview, I honestly think they’re just going to keep following Sakuya’s route.

  3. Virginia

    Mikoto will have the biggest struggle with her true feelings and who she truly loves- I love how the writer are currently making it very unclear as to what path they plan for her to take.

    1. Ran

      It seems very clear to me. I’m actually kinda surprised some people think they will shift to Natsuhiko’s route after they followed Sakuya’s route for 5 episodes. It wouldn’t make sense at this point.
      But I guess we’ll see for sure next episode.

      1. Alice

        Considering how different Natsuhiko’s route compare to all the other routes, it would be difficult to follow his route along with the other 2 routes. Still, the opening is throwing me off. When I saw the PVs before the anime started, I saw a lot of Sakuya and Mikoto moments, and thought it will be Sakuya’s route in the anime.
        I think, since Natsuhiko is really popular, they will include him more. It would be disappointing for many fans if they only scratched the surface of his character like the other 5 “background” guys. But that is what the game is for, huh?

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