Norn9: Norn+Nonet Episode 7

OH MY GOD. IT’S HAPPENING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AKSDJASKDASKDHASJDKASD, OH MY GOD, THEY ACTUALLY DID IT, THEY ACTUALLY SWITCHED ROUTES!!! Seriously guys, I did not want to set myself up for disappointment so every time they messed with us with foreshadowing to this event I was like- actually you know what? I’m just going to show you my reaction notes:

• huh? What did- OH SHIT, ARE THEY REALLY? Ron picked up her drawing she dropped.
• Oh my god, are they actually going to switch routes?
• Yeah never mind looks like it was only a tease. Doesn’t look like they are changing routes.
• Mikoto says to separately look for Sorata
• OH MY GOD SO IT’S ACTUALLY GOING TO HAPPEN
• Ron tells her he knows- POASJDLAKSJDA OMG THEY ARE ACTUALLY GOING IT
• HE THROWS HER OFF
• I SPOKE TO SOON THEY ARE ACTUALLY DOING IT
• OH MY GOD

Can we please give them major props for figuring out how to do this for fluidly? I mean they could have done it last week, but they made it work even better this week and in more efficient way! Why? Let me lay it out. So first, they have now more or less completed the core development between Koharu and Kakeru- which is SUPER IMPORTANT because they were the ones who were hogging all the screen-time- and fans were treated with a never ending make out session that we all know where that is definitely leading to! *WINKS* Also worth mentioning they have totally set a new records for the amount of kisses a couple ever had in an Otome Game Anime Adaption, within ONE EPISODE at that! Congratulations on breaking through the ceiling for that one!

NEXT, NUMBER TWO: Akito and Nanami’s development is getting to the point where they are almost complete, not quite there yet, but almost. Although this was not necessarily a plot-progressing episode, this episode revealed to us the history between them, and why it affects Nanami so deeply. She had wiped out the memories of Akito’s brother, Senri – if you hadn’t noticed. Her guilt of taking away Akito’s most important and beloved person and their memories is eating her alive. She can’t wrap her head around how Akito doesn’t hate her, doesn’t hold a grudge against her, doesn’t resent her. And Akito in a way knows that. He describes her to be delicate like snow, and he thinks she is cute. But now Nanami has overheard how he his talk with Itsuki, she has been given a bit of insight and evidence that he does cares as much as he says he does. But the question now is will she truly take it to heart?

And onto our third criteria: which was the most important part of the transitioning between Mikoto’s routes.
As you can recall last week, I felt they were running out  of time. That it had to be then or never because the longer they were to neglect Mikoto’s relationship development, the harder it would be to deliver. But the fact they were able to reach the point we can finally have an intermission for Koharu x Kakeru’s relationship and Masamune had revealed they will reach their destination in nine days helps set a time frame for the upcoming developments. Now when you put down a small number like nine, it does raise a lot of concerns of, now that Mikoto is no longer on the ship, for how long will her absence post-pone their arrival to their destination. Because honestly, I would be pretty ticked off if they were to make Bandit x Mikoto fall in love in the speed of light we see in the classic Disney Movies. I love my OTP too much to tolerate it being rushed.

Finally, the most important factor of this development (which is probably being overshadowed by everything else), is Ron. The fact Ron was confronted by Masamune about him being the culprit behind the explosion, created the best time and opportunity to switch gears fluidly. Regardless of the fact he needs to get off the ship before the others find out, he was able to take out the most important person, Mikoto. Now the one person who could protect everyone is gone. They are now more vulnerable than ever, and also creates a window of opportunity to allow him to escape since their primary focus will shift to Mikoto’s disappearance than to capture him.

MIND BLOWN. But yeah, this love triangle thing I was talking about, might actually happen now- varying on the times tables and how they choose to play things from here on out. Like seriously,  I cannot trust the writers, they can literally do ANYTHING at this point. They are both REALLY GOOD and REALLY BAD at making original content. You can say what you want and say, “Oh they are DEFINITELY going to make Bandit x Mikoto the canon couple because now Sakuya’s route incomplete”, but still, the fact they were able to even get this far into this route is a big deal- and YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO PULL! Of course the key characteristic (that will differ depending on who you ship) is how you perceive Mikoto’s perspective on their relationship. I will tell you though, regardless of my shipping bias for Bandit x Mikoto, the way I see it right now, she doesn’t love Sakauya as a man, but only her most beloved friend whom she desperately wants to protect from his tragic fate AKA: Friend-Zoned.

For an episode that had little to no plot-progression, it was pretty good, and again, Koharu x Kakeru fans were in for a special treat this week, with Akito and Nanami sure to follow. I am really looking forward to the fact it appears they will now be devoting a bit (or more preferably: A LOT) more time to Mikoto’s relationship development. I just hope they won’t rush it too much. This series is only supposed to have twelve episodes, and leaving only five to remain. At this point my biggest concern is Mikoto’s relationship being rushed. I am hoping that her development will get about the same amount of time Kakeru x Koharu were given to develop. She needs time, and there is so little time left! They need to make the most of every second and ever minute without ruining the beauty of the relationship.

Speaking of which, I have noticed a stark difference in each relationships’ development. For example, Nanami and Akito for most part, have been very true to their route. Nanami’s character hasn’t been watered down as much as Koharu as, making her more close to her original character. Koharu’s character however, as I have said multiple times, has been watered down so much, it makes me wonder if all that sacrifice of her character’s perks and personality was really worth it to dedicate focus on her relationship development with Kakeru. While their relationship and all is nice, I think a lot of people would enjoy SS Kakeru x Koharu a lot more if they were more true to her original character. I have noticed they are focusing a lot on their, uh for the lack of a better word, lovey-dovey mood. Everything seems to be so perfect, and wonderful and although there are little bit of hiccups here and there, but no biggie, they are still hopelessly in love with each other, they almost never fight. Like, I have been literally redoing my notes for Kakeru’s route for the game, and I’m looking at them, and I can’t tell you how often Kakeru had lashed out and made a fuss about something. In the Anime, it happened, one or two times so far? Anyways, the point I am trying to make here is: I am hoping Mikoto’s character and the Bandit’s character will be closer to their original characters and not drastically adjusted like Kakeru’s and Koharu’s.  Nanami x Akito’s adaption treatment have been the most balanced, so to speak.

Other than making the bold move of switching lanes at the very last minute of the episode, this week was simple. As I have said earlier, there was virtually no plot-progression involved. In fact, there was quite a bit of original anime content taking place. They pulled out the event of the Scare Maze, which only takes place on one route. They not only switched up the partners that were originally paired up for this event, but threw a handful events from other routes to take occur within this setting. You have to hand it to them, it was really clever. Kakeru pulling Koharu aside and the two ensue having a make-out session, to creating some time between Senri and Koharu (though brief), highlighting Senri in all his glory of complaining and calling out on all the things he is dragged into or has to witness. (Bless Senri!) Akito talking to Itsuki about Nanami, her overhearing it, the Scare Maze itself taking place, creating original content of Sakuya and Mikoto making it ‘equal’ (though I only took it with a grain of salt) after Sakuya had a jealous episode and was being a bit forceful with Mikoto (fortunately they toned the entire scene down, it was the one scene I disliked in his route). In short it was good, it was well done and was enjoyable to watch. I also particularly enjoyed the town scene with Akito and Nanami, it was so cute seeing him blush around her. SO CUTE! (But let’s be real, she totally could have kicked those guys’ asses, I’m sure she had her kunai in her bag.)

With that, I will wrap up this week’s entry of Norn9 here! I can’t tell you have excited and anxious I am! I’m looking forward to it, but I hope they do it right! See you then!