Shiki 9

I’m on the outside/ I’m looking in…

This was a very happening episode as per Shiki standards, which are usually on the slow side. I mean, cliffhanger much? The story went ahead chronologically yet to our agony we didn’t find out what went down with that ventriloquist brat! She’s hard to miss right? Look at the homepage and your eyes would go to that colourful geisha doll without fail; there’s a marketing term for it: eye-grabbing. Though we find out more than enough from the preview (THANK YOU, Daume!); more on this later. Talking about happening agony, my week has been one hell of a roller coaster ride. Starting from mentoring workshops, corporate downsizing, various meet ups and then old friends’ BS; it had the making of one weird and stressful week. I’m letting it all out on the weekend by watching animu like crazy and how fitting a stress reliever as the next installment of Shiki, ne~?! ^^;

BFF forever!

「 Shiki 9 – Ninth Coffin (第柩話) 」Death is looming over Sotoba more than ever and it’s there because a certain novelist chose to write about his village in utter gloom. Dealing with his own stress and inner conflicts, he’s working on a story called Shiki about a wanderer heretic, whatever he touches turns into something that it shouldn’t (Midas touch, anyone?). Why he murders his own well-liked younger brother can be anybody’s guess. Internal turmoil or not Seishin’s there for his friend to not only support him in the vampire hunt but to get proof in quenching his own uncertainties about the Kirishikis. If he’s the over-thinker (as OC puts it), Toshio is the over-stresser who would not give up until he either gets real proof about the Risen or captures a vampire for further dissection. So, even if his staff is worried sick over him, he’ll do the usual rounds in his clinic, go out for house calls and pull all-nighters to observe his bitten patient.

I'm reminded of weird home deco pieces from Sims looking at their hairstyles... =.=;;

The most hilarious moment was Toshio’s wife’s entrance. Who would have thought that he’d be in such an amusing predicament: out of town wife (managing a boutique or saloon perhaps?) and living with an overbearing mother who meddles in his business. I could never imagine him marrying someone like Kyouko, an absentee wife, who seemed too flippant to care; rather I would be more inclined towards someone like Ristu, who actually worries about him. Together with his mother, they make quite a pair of ridiculous hair but it’s a thing of this series anyway. Still, I couldn’t help but LOL when his mother’s hair gave an angry wave while lecturing him and the banter that ensued between the mother- and daughter-in-law. My respect for Toshio increased two-folds when he didn’t listen to Takae’s BS about not taking the responsibility and trying the option of remarriage if she really wanted an heir. You got one cheeky son, Mrs. Ozaki! Fufuu~

The must PEEEEKAAAABOOOOOOOOOOOO

Interesting to note is the in-law relations between Kyouko and Takae Ozaki, getting repeated in Nao and Setsuko in reverse order of an over-bearing demon and victim. Though, it remains to be seen what Kyouko’s role would be but she totally vibed a blonde bimbo inviting a random dude (a la Tatsumi) for bread. At least we got some facts straight about the vampires of Shiki that they need permission to enter a premise, feed at least four times per prey and have hypnotic powers over them for remote control. No wonder, Nao made a puppet out of Setsuko to the horror of Toshio and Seishin, both of whose fears were realized seeing a live specimen of Okiagari. Not to mention, the scene was so GIF worthy… I literally had to stop myself from not making one…  It’s sad that they couldn’t capture her for further dissection but manly points to Toshio for screaming his lungs out to stay the hell out of his clinic. Bonus points to Ritsu even for not running off screaming in the opposite direction after witnessing the walking dead Nao. I imagine this scenario playing out true with her dog, who chickened out of accompanying her (stupid dog!).

Hear him ROARRR!

Vampires are crafty creatures and it was proven by Tatsumi’s brawny raid to kidnap their prey (Setsuko) out of Toshio and Seishin’s grasps.  He doesn’t mess around as he’s been instructed to; by Sunako? Probably. It was comical to see Nao running towards her mother-in-law like a bishoujo only to sink her fangs in. All funnies vanish when all the vampires present gather around the old woman like a bunch of animals to get their fill. Toshio and Seishin are left helpless to contemplate their anger as per their own faculty of rage and patience respectively. I can’t wait to see their next diabolical plan to counter the Risen and hopefully next time Seishin would take more of an active part rather than staying on the sidelines.

Preview Huzzah! TOHRU-CHAN, you handsome vampire, you, You, YOU! XD

The cliffhanger from last episode was not dealt with but goodness gracious, Daume, another preview?! This 25-employee production house is made of pure WIN~! Let me just say it aloud, TOHRU-CHAN IS ALIIIIVEEEE!!! Well, technically an undead but you get the picture. I secretly wished for it and didn’t discuss it just to get it done; not to mention his presence in the OP was always soothing. I just hope my wish remains true of him being a good vampire rather than someone like Masao (yuck!). There’s some hope left for bromance still but don’t expect any running around trees and hugging, but lots and lots of blood and nails-scraping-on-wall moments. Also, there are bigger problems, like the ever watchful Tatsumi and Megumi Shimizu who’s going out of her mind in jealousy realizing the big reunion between Natsuno and Tohru. Even when this incident would be traumatic for Natsuno, I see good things coming out of this friendship for the war that the strong-willed of Sotoba would wage against the preying Risen. Coming to the ventriloquist Okiagari, seems like she’s an accomplice of Tohru and hopefully would not harm Natsuno’s family and so I could safely assume because no one came for a checkup to Ozaki clinic till October 3, timeline.

Now, do I have to say I can’t wait for the next episode? There, said and done. Ja ne~

/ 4 Commentsleave a comment /

• Overcooled says:

  September 5, 2010

  SO MUCH HAPPENED! I was pissed they didn't resolve the cliffhanger, but at least the episode was good.

  Haha, yes, Toshio is definitely the over-stresser. At least Seishin deals with things calmly. Maybe Toshio got his snappy side from his crazy mother? I also loled when her lopsided hair bristled like an angry cat. XD I agree that Kyouko does NOT suit Toshio at all, and they barely even acknowledge each other -_- Why does she even exist?

  All this drama and not a single scream of terror…talk about brave. I would've freaked out by now in that situation, let alone THRUST THE WINDOWS OPEN AND YELL ANGRILY.

  YES TOHRU IS BACK~!!!!!! I think everyone is excited for this~ I can't see him being evil since he's not with the main baddy group. =p

  Reply
  • Kyokai says:

    September 10, 2010

    This was definitely a surprise for the Shiki pacing but we shouldn't complain at all. XD

    Showing Toshio's mother and some nostalgia about his father, just proves the point of weirdness in his family. Still, you can call him the good egg because he turned out right even with the over traditionalism of his father and strictness of his mother. I totally fangirled him for his utter non-existent fear for the Okiagari. And I dunno what's the deal of Kyouko but I guess, we'll find out. She's strange. =_=

    I can't wait to see TOHRU in the next episode. I can guarantee he'll be good; he's the nicest guy in Sotoba for sure. (Bias speaking XD)

    Reply
• Vivi says:

  September 7, 2010

  The appearance of Toshio's family was surprising, and kind of upsetting (ruins my suspicion of Toshio&Seishin bromance, daaarn). Hilarious hair really much sums Shiki up!

  A bit early, but I can't wait until next season, Wakeshima Kanon (and some dude named Kanon from An Cafe) is going to sing for the opening :D She's one of my fashion idols~ ♥

  Reply
  • Kyokai says:

    September 10, 2010

    Lololol! Btw, there's still more than a chance to bromance between these two. You know that unattained love in case of Seishin and Toshio hating his wife. I'll look forward to doujins. XD

    Yeah, I heard about that through ANN. Looking at the current music, I can bet the next OP/ED would be awesome too. And if you like them already, I'll already setup expectations bar high. ^^

    Reply