Can somebody explain the story so far (Ep. 7) a bit, I don't get it!

Takuan_Soho said:
The UN actually has something called "World Heritage Sites". In Japan being selected is big news, the places become (or hope to become) big tourist sites bringing a lot of money to the region. Various historical sites in Japan compete against one another to get declared a "world heritage site".

Now take that concept and imagine that instead of physical locations what we are talking about is certain mystical traditions being selected. Now increase the benefits of being selected so that the winner gains wealth and influence for both themselves and their tradition.

In this world people have mystical power. This school is the home for people with that power. At the school there is a competition to be declared a "world heritage". There are two main factions fighting at school: the triplets (who represent a ninja tradition) and the Kyoto dude who represents the Onmyouji tradition.

Izumiko is the wildcard in this game. People know that she is a "miko" (Japanese priestess - similar to the student council president who performed the dance in episode 7), the triplets want her on their side because she can spot the Onmyouji's paper puppets, but no one realizes how powerful Izumiko actually is. Far from being a run of a mill miko she can actually channel an extremely powerful goddess.

You're at episode 7, so I won't provide spoilers for 8 and 9, but that is where we are.

From another angle this is really a "coming of age story for the shy girl as she becomes more assertive and self confident" story set in the above setting.

KevinRammstein said:
Thank you very much, that helped a lot!!
Only one question, what is the whole thing about with this guy (I believe he's called Manatsu but I am horrible with names^^) changing places with another guy that looks just like him, then in the end of the episode he texted this girl that he will disappear or something and she was really shocked. What is her relationship with him anyway? I don't get it XD Maybe I just didn't pay enough attention as well.

Takuan_Soho said:


That will get explained better in 8, but it doesn't give anything away to say that the triplets were born at the same time, but Masumi at a young age died (Manatsu is the horse loving living brother). Masumi is now a ghost. Now in Japanese culture ghosts represent people who cling to something so much that they do not pass on to rebirth 49 days after their deaths. This something can be positive (love), but is far more often some negative emotion: hate, resentment, etc. The stronger this something is, the stronger the ghost is. Masumi had very strong emotions at his death, both love for his siblings (particularly his sister), and resentment over his death.

Him and Manatsu, share a close bond similar to a form of possession, where Masumi can use Manatsu's strength to materialize in the real world. This bond has a physical and mental cost to Masumi.

Episode 8 will reveal more things that will take things beyond my above definition (and change it slightly), but that is the general situation to prepare you for what is about to happen.

minuetto said:
Below contains a bit of spoilers:

Masumi is not a ghost. I mean 'Masumi' that's taking part in this show. He is actually a 'Shinrei' (神霊) or a god (holy spirt) of Tokagushi named Kuzuryuokami (literally translated as 'Great God Nine-headed Dragon'). It reveals in ep 8 that Masumi is one of Kuzuryuokami's heads' dream. He could change forms at wills and has abilities to create another dimension (not sure which is the right vocabulary). (You will surely see it in later episode that Masumi or this Shinrei is powerful and even surpasses that of Wamiya. So he is certainly not just a ghost.)

Mayura and Manatsu are people with special abilities who can summon (and made contract/promise) with this Shinrei (One of Kuzuryu's heads). So this Shinrei takes a form of Masumi, their deceased brother, according to Mayura's and Manatsu's wills. This is why Mayura and Manatsu have to think of Masumi (Shinrei) in the same way in order for the Shinrei to be Masumi.

By the way, the horse that you see at the end of ep 7 is Masumi (Shinrei).

I hope I don't confuse you with my imperfect English. I did try my best to explain.