Noragami Aragoto Episode 4

*GROSS SOBBING*

MY EMOTIONS. YUKINEEEEEEEEEEEE~ THE FINAL SCENE WRECKED ME. GOD DAMN IT BISHAMON. WHY SUCH A DIRTY TRICK!?!?! CONFINING YATO SO HE WOULD BE DEFENSELESS AND THEN… AND THAN… YUKKINEE!!! HE JUMPED IN FRONT OF YATO AS A SHIELD TO PROTECT HIM *GROSS SOBBING* YOU ARE SUCH A BRAVE BOY.

I considered starting a Tears Count for this season, but that wouldn’t work because there are too many tears!!! Ugh, this week was yet again, another heart-wrenching episode (like I said before: this what we’re in for this season). This was one of the few episodes I wasn’t exactly sure where they were planning to setup the cliffhanger until the very last minute. Needless to say, this episode was very well done and to me at least, it actually felt long as oppose to feeling short.

Kazuma and Hiyori are now imprisoned somewhere within Bishamon’s manor. Hiyori however is in more danger than Kazuma because she could end up dying due to being separated from her body for too long. In fact, her condition is so bad, she has to be hospitalized and be under surveillance at her parent’s hospital. In the mean time, Kugaha finally reveals his grand plot to Aiha, of how he intends to have Yato kill Bishamon so that she will then be reborn and once she does so- he will become the Exemplar. Aiha is horrified because she did not sign up for this shit. Kugaha has successfully exploited her jealousy and tunnel vision.

We also learned about the misunderstanding between Bishamon and Yato and how Kazuma played a role in that. It wasn’t for any malicious reason, but in fact the opposite. Kazuma was only a ‘nail’, and was young and new, not to mention powerless during the era of the”Ma” clan. However tragedy struck when Bishamon fell ill due to being blighted by one of her beloved regalia. But despite such dire situation, no one came forward, and soon distrust was fueled between one another and they soon turned against each other and evolved and clumped together into a deadly Phantom. Kazuma, being the only one who managed to escape the crisis sought out for the God of Calmity to grant his taboo wish to kill off his Clan so Bishamon could be saved. Although he had nothing to provide in exchange, Yato acknowledged Kazuma’s resolve to save his master, and agreed to do so, permitted Kazuma to pay him back later.

Kazuma’s loyalty towards Bishamon is no joke. Although he was powerless at the time, he was so desperate to save Bishamon, he was willing to give back his name to her and become a nora if it meant she would be saved. It was not an easy decision because, Bishamon, despite her critical condition- she still refused to give up on her children. She didn’t want them to be killed off despite the fact they were being consumed or had already turned into a Phantom. It may be perceived as selfish in some eyes, but remember, Bishamon is like a mother. Her regalia are her babies and she wants to take care of them in the best she can- even if it means risking her life.

It was thanks to Yato having slayed her beloved “Ma” clan that she is still alive today. Although she is now burdened with the heart-ache and pain and grief from the memories of the tragedy, the problem persists- as a repeat of history (though likely started on different terms due to Kugaha’s plotting), Bishamon still carries absolute faith in her children- claiming no one has betrayed her. Unfortunately for her, there are two betrayers- and only one of them are having second thoughts about their involvement.
Had Bishamon died back then and be reborn just as Kugaha is attempting to accomplish now, she would have no memories of the tradegy. She would have started off a fresh, and start anew. It is up for debates of what would have been a wiser decision, but remember this: being reborn is exactly what is means. The newly reborn Bishamon would not be the same as the Bishamon we know and love today.

However, as we have seen: due to keeping the truth under wraps, Bishamon’s misunderstanding and grudge towards Yato has been exploited. And it was super easy to do because Bishamon is the only one who is left out of the loop! It certainly doesn’t help that Yato has been willing to shoulder misunderstanding and grudge she has towards him. In fact, it also highlights Yato’s ability to care for others even more, because he never told her that it was Kazuma’s wish, (not that she’d believe it coming out of his mouth anyways). Call it a client protection or whatever- but if Yato were truly malicious, I am sure he wouldn’t have any qualms putting it out there.

Now that Kazuma knows what Kugaha is trying to do, he and Hiyori knows they need to put this fight to a stop. But first they will need to get out of the cell, which Hiyori tried her epic Jungle Savate kick- only to fail unfortunately (bless our queen for trying though!). With Aiha now aware what she has been involved in, she ought to reveal herself soon enough- and I can’t remember if she’s the one who will get them out- I think she is… Anyhow, with being so severely blighted, god help the “Ha” Clan, because it’s going to get real ugly next week.