[TinyRedLeaf]

^ Kamishiro's subs are out, and they are fairly decent.

I loved the episode and I find Kanbaru an exciting character, much more so that Hachikuji. And, despite the usual whines from those who've read the novel, I think the episode was handled very well, given the range of themes they wanted to explore.

Spoiler for Episode 7:

The interview response that sirn quoted is instructive and confirms what I've suspected all along: that the splicing of real-life images with animation is intended to have a jarring effect that highlights that surreality of a situation.

I especially like the way it was used in this episode, to draw attention to Kanbaru's unusual affliction. We see her bare arm slowly transformed by her growing jealousy and hatred and then, later in the scene, it's back in animation, fully bandaged. The contrasting effect worked brilliantly, I felt, to show the bizarre nature of the haunting.

As for Kanbaru's home, I'm still waiting to see what Senjougahara really meant by her cryptic remark about it being "flooded above and on fire below".

And as for Kanbaru being a lesbian, I think it's fair to say we all saw that coming, given Senjougahara's revelation in the previous episode. Still, I couldn't help laughing at Araragi's flustered response. Heck, I'd be shocked, too, if I discovered that my girlfriend was a former lesbian.

I guess we'd see more wordplay around the corner, as Oshino explains why Kanbaru's paw is actually a "Rainey Devil". Personally, I wonder if it's related to the book she referred to earlier in the episode, The Monkey's Paw.

Well, I suppose the obvious link appears to be the "three wishes" that Kanbaru's paw grants her, but what does that have to do with a "rainey devil"? I certainly hope the pun is not based on a misunderstanding arising from Engrish.

Meanwhile, with regard to this:

Originally Posted by kujoe

Spoiler for episode 7:

It's sort of funny how she treats Araragi while he lies bleeding and broken on the train tracks. At first I thought she was just being her cold self when she chooses not to call for help right away, knowing that Araragi would heal himself anyway. As it turns out, she has other plans at that moment. I guess this is her unconventional way of tending to him?

Yes, I agree. Completely bizarre, yet very much in keeping with Senjougahara's personality. Behold the healing power of fan service!

Originally Posted by kujoe

Spoiler:

On another note, I also think it's odd that Suruga starts offering herself to Araragi despite her being a lesbian. Is she trying to break Senjougahara and Araragi apart? Perhaps she's testing him? Does she actually like him now all of a sudden?

From what I can infer from the dialogue, it seems as if she wants to be Senjougahara herself, and in a way, with her obvious longing for her, this desire sort of fits from a psychological standpoint. Just as I have said before, I hope that this Suruga Monkey arc wouldn't just be a trivial case of a jealous third party being the source of conflict. I'm not sure if that's indeed the case here, but I'm liking the presentation of the story and portrayal of the characters so far.

Spoiler for my response:

In my opinion, Suruga is merely curious why Araragi is attracted to Senjougahara. If it was simply because he lusted after Senjougahara's body, Suruga felt she could act as her replacement. This comes out of Kanbaru's inherent desire to keep her idol "pure".

After all, Kanbaru is right: she's cute in her own way, despite being a lesbian. And, like Senjougahara, she's not above being ecchi either, teasing Araragi for being a closet gay. It's even more hilarious how she was spot on in placing Araragi in the passive role of a homosexual relationship. Araragi is, after all, a sucker for punishment.

What I found touching, however, was how Senjougahara appears to be genuinely smitten by Araragi, according to Kanbaru's perspective. And even though Araragi couldn't help but be piqued by Kanbaru's attempts to flirt with him, I find it admirable that he managed to fend off her advances by confirming that Senjougahara is unique and therefore irreplaceable.

So, as far as the story goes, it is working out to be a case of a jealous third party, although I don't see why this is necessarily trivial.

By the way, it's interesting that Kanbaru's given name is a double entendre for bondage. In her own words, she's an exhibitionist, and a tomboyish one at that. And yet, ironically, she keeps more than just her arm under wraps. The unravelling of her arm will undoubtedly lead to more secrets being revealed.