Kyoukai no Kanata Episode 1 [First Impression]

First Impression
Ahhh, there’s nothing better than kicking off a show with a girl who the guy thought was going to commit suicide stab him only to find out he’s immortal!
*EYES SPARKLES* WOOOOHOOOOO!!!! What a different taste from Kyoto Animation and I am just loving it! OH SO SWEET! It was quite a fascinating way to start off with Mirai who is quite a clumsy Spirit Warrior taking full advantage of Akihito’s immortality by using him as a fodder to practice slaying Youmu. It also turns out (and it was obvious in many ways) that Mirai is actually scared of Youmu, or more specifically- killing one. Something happened in the past that caused that trauma and made her want to quit being a Spirit Warrior, but in the end couldn’t.
Earlier this episode, Mirai had told Akihito that she is the last of her clan and is hated by the others because they were considered cursed because of their ability to control blood. She suspects it was because her clan was too powerful, and when Spirit Warriors have abnormal powers, they have the tendency to eliminate any who are more powerful than them and so her clan died off. With that said, it’s matter of whether they destroyed themselves, or other clans wanted them to perish.
And considering how the Mitsuki had constantly been warning Akikito to cut all ties with Mirai, I have a feeling it’s all about wiping out their competition thus is most likely the later statement. However, they (the Nase Clan) don’t seem to be aware of the fact that Mirai has never killed/defeated a Youmu before. So for most part, she doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing. And so because of that, having heard that there’s a Youmu in her apartment, Akihito offers her his assistance, but we have yet to find out whether he possesses any special abilities besides his immortality. This brings me to my next point I wanted to make: With the warning from Mitsuki and how we were given glimpse of what appears to be those who are part of the Nase Clan, I am almost 100% sure that they are controlling the Youmu to attack Mirai.
So far we have been shown when Spirit Warrior defeated a Youmu, an Ore appears. (Well that what it looks like to me right now, so until we’re given an official name that’s what I’m going to call it). I am already leaning towards the idea that the Ore is something the clans want in their possession. I don’t know whether perhaps it gives them the ability to control the Youmu, or it could be used for something else entirely. Either way, if the ‘loot’ is considered extremely valuable, it would make a lot of sense why a clan is in control of the area they would do their best to keep outsiders away. Mirai is an outsider, and on top of that the last survivor of her cursed clan- naturally making her target to eliminate or scare out of town.
Akihito’s rare entity is indeed quite a mystery. I would love to learn more about how that came to be, and of course learn more about the Youmu’s background. As of right now, they only appear as monsters- making it hard to imagine how a hybrid would be born unless it turns out to be like some folklores where a pregnant women spirited away and their child will bare supernatural powers or become a hybrid of the said spirit- where in this case perhaps a Youmu had possessed a pregnant woman. Of course this is the first episode, we ought to get some answers at some point along way. Hell, perhaps Akihito isn’t what he thinks he is!!!
Overall this was a solid kickoff. One of the things I was concerned about as I was watching the episode whether they would explain what we needed to know to understand the basis of the story, but thankfully they filled us in. We don’t know too much about the main cast, but like I said earlier, Mirai is a very interesting character, Akihito pretty mellow until his fetish for glasses comes into play. He also happens to be a dork from time to time.  Mitsuki is an interesting character herself, but we have yet to learn much more about her. We were given nothing more than a glimpse and knowledge that she is Akihito’s childhood friend.
Finally last but not least, the OP sequence was beautiful, I absolutely loved every bit of it. The song was a surprisingly choice, but still managed work with the more epic bits. The ED sequence and song are both beautiful as well. On top of that I absolutely LOVED the animation, I am psyched to see the big fights! Ahhh Kyoto Animation, I look forward to this adaption! /SWOONS
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