[SvenTheSweeper]

Finally, with episode 4 there is a satisfying payoff for sticking with the story, characters, and sometimes off-the-wall visual aesthetics. This was a fulfilling episode for me to experience. Too bad there wasn’t a poll for this show, I’d give it a 9 out of 10. The various stories have started to solidity and converge. The “what” and “why” of each character’s motivation and history are clearer now.

I am eager to see how the following themes play out:

Spoiler for epsiode 4:

• The dichotomy of Hiro’s past which is connected by Kei (i.e. how she and Chihiro inspired him to draw when they were kids), and the possibilities of the present and future connected with Miyako (i.e. she brought color into Hiro’s life) [scene 12:11-13.25 of fansub].

• Renji‘s attempt to help Chihiro write her fairy tale, thereby give giving her continuity to her aspiration and thoughts, but both having to resolve the fear of telling her story. I am eager to see how they deal with the tension between struggling for what you want and the fear of failing that comes with it.

• How someone can know your own story (and therefore memories) more than you, in this case Renji knowing Chihiro’s story than her.

Finally, thanks for the great discussion between Klashikari and Kaoru Chujo on what they liked or didn’t like about episode 4. Your thoughtful posts helped me think about this show in a different way, and therefore enjoy it more.