It seems like Akira's horrifying experience and realization last episode has grounded him. Recall how he nearly raped Miki, but now they can have a touching and not remotely sexual encounter on the roof. It was one of the most touching scenes we've gotten so far, so wholesome. That and the fact his urges haven't been out of control anymore. We even got him crying again for someone being sad, someone being sad on the inside(alike that of Ryo perhaps?). It's important to note that Miki finally confronted him on his changes after having her own miniature character arc. I'm positive Akira was out on the roof thinking about his newfound respect for devil life. This all coming together with how he tried to save Koda at the end, told Ryo not to, and sincerely felt for him. This was the most human he's been since episode 1! Drastic and subtle development, but immense for a series so short.
"You're not a human. But, You're not a demon either. You're a devilman! And I'm going... to save you!", a speech that contrasted his last which centered around a human and devil distinction, and ended in a climactic 'I'm going to save you' rather than 'kill you'.
I wonder what Ryo's goal is. He knew who Amon was and wanted him, specifically, to merge with Akira. Moreover, he films stuff such as his demonic mess of parents with a sadistic smile. And this episode he spoke about getting hits on his broadcast of this event. It seems like he wants to create mass hysteria. I don't know where the lines begin and end though. And at first I had thought there was no way he wouldn't have covered for Akira disobeying him, alike how he had the Sabbath projections as a way to start his trauma up if the water didn't work, but it's not like he wanted Akira to face Silene and Kaim, and it's not like he could have predicted them showing him that devils can love. The development of hatred, which may have been organized in some way by Ryo by getting his parents killed(remember the sadistic smile), has been countered by this display of emotion and conscience from this last unpredictable encounter. Because of that, I don't know how far Ryo has planned ahead! He's an interesting character, but one that Akira deeply cares about as well. I think the line about how Ryo was 'sad too' in the opening scene of the anime will be important to this puzzling relationship.
Taro has to represent the influence the media and witnessing these things has on someone with how it constantly shows him looking at sex, violence, and devils. This leading to the fact he said 'cool' to the Koda massacre.
Love that the cool rap squad is becoming more and more important with each episode.
Koda finally got some screen time that wasn't just in the background and it was something. Poor guy. I sympathize with him so much, the way he wears Junichi's pendent is kind of heart breaking. Great foreshadowing on his part with the opening scene and his presence in the anime before this episode. I wonder how many Devilman's are out there, I have to assume the ones in the secret meetings are mostly pure devil but even then there could be some devilman's who have tried to help them and joined them. Recall how the devils who killed the priest accepted Akira without a second thought claiming "you are one of us"! Because of that I'm sure some which retained their humanity have joined them, perhaps out of sympathy or understanding or a way to survive and release their urges in a way that doesn't get them killed. To release them in a somewhat 'healthy' way.
Something I forgot to bring up last episode was that Miko has thematically changed wardrobes showing off her naked body to Miki in this episode proudly, or by wearing more provocative outfits. In the last episodes she was in she always wore a baggy t-shirt or something like it. I'm sure if Miki had time to respond to the winner getting the name Miki, she would have said something kind, along the lines of you're special as you are, or maybe she would have even agreed to call her that. I think the way Miki's expressions tell us all we need to know is an amazing detail, such an expressive character. There is no ill-will between them, just inferiority steaming off of Miko's mentality. I hope she comes around and learns to love herself by the end. I seem to remember her wanting to do something with Akira in the first episode, but him running after Miki without saying a word. And later her masturbation scene started with thoughts of him. Her character has been foreshadowed in so many ways from the very first episode, and I think we can infer even the boy she liked was on Miki's side and not hers? Brutal.
The more I watch this, the more I see the ways Kiseijuu was heavily inspired by it. |