Impression:
The Hollow Shadow was an absolute monster that even when Mirai can continuously landed solid blows and stabs, it was still intact, even after having been stabbed and more while have taken possession of Akihito’s body. But in the end, it wasn’t the Hollow shadow that was the real problem, it was Akihito himself. It appears that he isn’t quite aware of the consequences of putting his life in a perilous situation, and so as result is ended up awakening his Youmu Instincts which turned him into a deadly immortal monster that can only be “killed” if they destroy his body beyond repairs. In fact, while I don’t know what rank Hiroomi is, there were still two spirit warriors at the scene along with Ayaka who is a youmu. Izumi was there as well, but she didn’t do anything in particular except for protect the town from Akihito’s blasts. Akihito’s powers were so overwhelming that he broke their their barriers and wiped out everything around them that was far worse than Mirai’s “cursed” powers. The only way he was spared was because well, there wasn’t anyone left standing for one and Izumi hadn’t taken action yet (nor does she seem to particularly care), and it was Mirai who was able to snap him out of it but tackling him. This whole revelation of Akihito’s Youmu Nature explains SO MUCH why he is under surveillance, it’s because he is just that dangerous.
It turns out that what I had mistaken as a barrier last week because it happened so suddenly was in fact a Labyrinth of their Memories created by the Hollow Shadow itself. Both Mirai and Sakura saw Yui, who Akihito (and I’m sure Sakura s well) knew wasn’t real. But it was quite intense yet interesting at the same time to see the Hollow’s Shadow’s abilities. I am not entirely sure whether what attacked them in there was truly it’s main body since as I mentioned in the above, even then when Mirai struck it, it was still alive. I think that was just one part of it which was the key to getting them out of there in the first place.
Then there is Izumi. Since the first episode I have grown quite suspicious after we saw a glimpse of her during the Youmu’s attack in Mirai’s apartment. This episode only made me grow wary of her even more-. She took the Hollow Shadow’s ore WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE MIRAI’S AWARD (which was by the way replaced by a puny worthless ore) AND she was SMIRKING when Akihito was going berserk. It also appears there’s a propaganda in motion, as they intend to stall the Society of Spirit World Warriors for the time being. I don’t know whether this is perhaps before or after, but regardless it’s something to pay attention to because if it’s the later, this might not be the last time we see the Hollow Shadow. There’s something being organized, prepared and whoever Izumi is working along with appears to be against the Society of Spirit World Warriors.
I found the animation for Akihito’s Youmu’s Instincts unleashing and the barriers and all were absolutely spectacular. The colors, the patterns, just everything about it made it beautiful to watch despite the fact it was quite a grim situation they were in.
As whole episode was solid and gave us more insight about our two beloved mains, and at the same time Mirai was finally able to see why Akihito understood her, and saw herself in him as she too considers herself to be ‘a monster’. We don’t know where Sakura had disappeared off to, but either she is ditching the whole revenge quest, or saving her mission for another day. Oh and on the extra note, Hiroomi just made a bundle with all the ores he collected from the youmu that were attacking him earlier last episode.
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Thief! Thief! That was Mirai’s kill! She earned that fair and square! Izumi, you give that back! >:(
TOTALLY UNFAIR, AND TO REPLACE IT FOR A FLIMSY ORE THAT’S WORTH NOTHING /RAGEQUIT
…But doesn’t it seem weird though? They’re talking like they were hiding the defeat of that youmu from other spirit warriors, as if all the local spirit warriors are protecting the secret surrounding either Akihito’s half-youmu blood, or the last survivor of the ‘blood users’ clan.
I agree there’s something weird going on. It would be interesting if it’s isn’t so much of a propaganda on their part, but actually the “Society” members being a threat against the local spirit warriors. It’s been plaguing my mind for the past few days on how Izumi was actually glaring at the guy (Society Spirit Warrior Member), as if a warning look to back off and don’t get too involved- especially since he was intrigued about Akihito’s half-youmu abilities
What is Sakura’s motive here? I think that there was a window to kill Mirai but she didn’t take it. Could it be that her target was never Mirai but the Hollow Shadow all along?
TQ
She was definitely trying to kill Mirai, but there’s a possibility that she was targeting the Hollow Shadow as well, two in one kill but Mirai was her priority obviously since she wasn’t fazed by the HS. She may be fuelled by her revenge, but it all comes down to whether she can actually pull it off or not because there were brief moments where we can see her questioning her actions.
It’s possible that after what she saw in the nightmare place her motivation to kill Mirai was shaken. It’s really hard for us to judge because of how little we really know about Sakura at this point. I don’t think it was bad, however. If we basically consider this Sakura’s intro episode it still works. We’re left with questions, but they’re questions we can still work with because we’ll assume they’ll be filled in as we go along.