We really just saw two 9 year olds burrying the corpse of another 9 year old... This anime is just so dark on so many different levels.
I'm starting to think Shizuka isn't as kind hearted as we might think, because she's clearly using Azuma and draggin him to that mess, for her own good. But it's understandable, since he's probably the only thing she has close to a friend.
Now, the thing is, Azuma went there, because he was suspecting Marina was doing something to Shizuka (and that's why he wasn't even that sad for her death, he knew really well what she was capable of). This means that in the other timeline, where Shizuka took her own life, he knew what happened to her, and didn't come to her rescue. Or maybe he was going to do something to help her, but since Takopi gave her that ribbon, his help didn't come in time... It really makes you think that maybe Takopi shouldn't have intervened at all, and the situation would eventually get resolved (although I doubt Azuma would be able to do something in that situation, even if Takopi didn't giver her the ribbon, Shizuka would just find another way).
Anyways, Azuma has the biggest crush on Shizuka, so he does anything for her. In reality, you can just see that he sees in Shizuka someone that appreciates him and aknowledges him, in contrast to his mother, that is constantly comparing Azuma to his older brother, and making him feel like he's not worth anything, because his grades aren't as perfect as his brother's. As expected from this anime, we have yet another child that lives in a toxic environment. Probably not as tragic as Shizuka, but at the same time a much more common situation in real life, especially in the context of Japan. It's unfortunate that Azuma feels some hatred towards his brother, because his brother genuinely seems like a good guy, but their mother is making Azuma turn against him with her actions. And the thing is that Azuma is actually quite smart, and yet that "mother" still makes him feel like he's worth nothing... GIVE HIM THE PANCAKE, HE JUST GOT A 95%.
I'm guessing he realized at the end that stealing his brother's ring wouldn't change a thing, and he just wanted to be accepted by his mother. I wonder what's the matter with his father though.
The episode ended in a dark tone again, when Takopi realized that although Marina was horrible to Shizuka, she still was the daughter of someone. Even if her parents have a toxic relationship, it does seem that they were a happy family before Marina's father started cheating on her mother, hence why Marina hated Shizuka so much. I wonder if Marina's father actually loves her, we actually never saw him deliberatly treat her badly, it seems that her mother is actually more manipulative, as we can see by the end (and also by how episode 1 ended), but I'm not sure if her father cares that much about her either, since the only one that noticed that Marina was different was the mother, even if she takes all her anger on her own kid (the father probably doesn't even know his own child for that). What a messed up family. But it was cute seeing them playing Pokémon (White 2 if I'm seeing that correctly) together, before all this happened. Either way, Marina's father treats Marina's mother badly, and that for sure isn't a good environment for Marina.
Marina was the only thing her mother had, so now she really lost everything.
Now, I wonder what Takopi is going to do. It seems it is finally realizing the damage it caused, and there's still a way for it to rewind back in time, only if he's able to return to his planet.
Marina's body has been found, so that certainly isn't good news for Shizuka and Azuma...
This anime is just so well done honestly, every aspect is executed perfectly, and the storytelling is amazing. It really deserves all the praise it's getting.
It also makes people really reflect about what's happening. For example, now with Marina's death, the truth is that what they did was wrong, but Marina was making Shizuka's life a living hell, to the point she commited suicide, so what really was the way to save Shizuka? Could they really just talk it over, like Takopi wanted, when we know that Marina wants Shizuka and her mother gone, to have her "old family" back?
Edit: Everyone mentioning how Azuma will take the blame, and the truth is that is probably what's going to happen, especially if Shizuka really is manipulating Azuma.
And really, how is it possible for that town to have so many bad parents.
It also seems that Shizuka's father really is alive, and is currently living in Tokyo. But does he really have Chappy? |