Considering how Aqua-centric this episode was, I am a bit disappointed and annoyed that it felt like it overshadowed Kana’s moment. It feels like it cut in a little to Kana’s shining moment. Granted, she TECHNICALLY had an extra episode of build up. Though it was much more Akane focused than Kana, so I’m still not fully convinced by her turnaround considering how fast it was. But enough about my gripes, we continue with Aqua seemingly losing it. While it was part of the script of him biting Blade, he definitely sold how insane the character was when his love interest seemingly got killed. He even convinced me that he’d gone off the deep end. Guess it just goes to show that if he really digs deep, he is able to put out an outstanding performance. Even if it comes at an emotional and mental cost. To which, I do really hope he eventually finds acting to be fun and thrilling rather than a painful expectation Ai put on him.
I am glad that it seems like Aqua is conscious of what exactly the “shadowy figure” is to him. The guilt, regret, frustration and overwhelming sadness he feels had seemingly manifested into a separate entity despite it just being himself. I’m not sure how I feel about him coming to terms with his feelings so soon. Especially since I do believe that he NEEDS to go to therapy and/or counseling. Though I do think that acting could be a good outlet to where he can put those feelings of despair into something productive. I thought he would be going down a darker path in acting than what was actually portrayed, but it seems like while he is taking upon those dark feelings, he is putting them towards something good in a way and was able to make a fantastic performance. They also just POPPED OFF with the animation and camera work during the fight scene in the play. Aqua truly sold his unhinged filled with deep rooted pain and sadness in his performance.
But man, the scene where Aqua visualized how he’d react if there was a miracle and Ai didn’t end up dying. That HURT me. I was watching this episode while I was waiting for a friend in the waiting room of a hospital and I almost cried. I felt the tears welling up and everything. It’s honestly heartbreaking seeing what COULD have happened. This series would have been a completely different story. That scene just filled me with a sadness born from a hope that I knew didn’t exist. It was such a bittersweet scene and they animated it BEAUTIFULLY. And also due to Akane sprinkling in Ai’s mannerisms when her character was brought back from the brink of death, brought out some emotional acting from Aqua that didn’t seem possible. Allowing him to really visualize the feeling if Ai was miraculously okay after presuming her dead. Though I admit that it felt strange how they decided to make the part with Toki crying in relief over the princess a still instead of an animated moment considering how it was portrayed in the opening. But maybe they’re saving it for their last performance at the end of the month.
It’s honestly crazy how both Kana and Akane still couldn’t be happy with their performances despite both of them being absolutely fantastic in their own rights. Comparing yourself to another person is such a slippery slope as it can cause you to never be happy with your own work. On the brighter part of it, those feelings can also push you to be better. However, it is a very delicate balancing act where you know there are aspects of yourself you can work on while also not comparing yourself too harshly to others. While it’s unfortunate that both of them didn’t believe they put out excellent performances, it’ll probably push them to reach further heights in their acting. And with Kana’s shining moment, I do hope that she will be given more opportunities to really show her stuff. I definitely enjoy their rivalry within acting a lot more compared to the love triangle. Though I will admit that Kana’s expression to Aqua carrying Akane down the stares to take their bow had me cackling. Focus on your acting career for now Kana lol. Don’t let that boy play with your heart!
I also want to shout out Abiko. It’s honestly adorable how it seems like she’s gone to see the stage play more than once. Which is probably the highest form of praise in her case as she must have had to take time off during her busy schedule to see it again. To which, must mean so much to GOA especially after what happened. He looked so content and proud to see how happy Abiko was after the umpteenth time of seeing the play. It was also cute to see that the two were close to sitting next to each other as opposed to being separated by either Yoriko or her manager. I think their friendship would be adorable and I do hope that they can be close friends. Especially since Abiko needs more people in her life. They’ve already proven that they can get along quite well.
Also I’m so glad that Melt was personally praised for his performance by Abiko. Even Yoriko seems to be okay with him now. GIVE HIM THE PRAISE HE DESERVES, DANG IT.
However, the biggest drop in this episode was at the very end where Aqua revealed that he and Himekawa share the same dad. Which is probably why he was looking quite shooketh in the bathroom stall after what I’m guessing is the end of the play’s first performance. Unfortunately, I did accidentally bump into this spoiler so I already knew of their relation going into this season. Though I am surprised how early it happened. But now we know that they are half siblings. Looking at the two side by side makes it more obvious they have some sort of relation as they have the same hairstyle and even their voice actors sound similar. Which was most likely done on purpose to hint towards them being connected in some way. However, we barely saw them standing next to each other until now so I think they hid it pretty well in plain sight. Considering Himekawa grew up in a children’s home, it’s hard to say whether or not he’ll have any information on who his dad is. Finding out that the two are related must have been such a one in a million find for Aqua. Though we’ll have to wait and see what information Himekawa has.
Unfortunately, it seems like we won’t be getting a new episode next week due to production taking a break. Which, good for them. Take that break! They definitely have earned it consider they have made this season absolutely shine so far. But man, ending it on THAT cliffhanger wasn’t very nice of them lol. This season has made me want to see the entire play in full despite it not existing because it’s a fictional series within a fictional series lol. I’m definitely interested to see how they plan to end this arc since it already feels like it’s finished. But we still have four more episodes to this season and it doesn’t sound like their done with the run of the play yet.
