In this episode, Hyoma gets the chance to learn more about Botan as well as the Nagatsuki’s tsukumogami. He wants to know the power she holds, as Agoi told him in the last episode. Haori decides to tell him because Botan refuses to go out with him because she has a report to drop off. She meets him at the market, where she will show him Botan’s secrets and experiences. The question is, will Hyoma leave the Nagatsuki family?
The flashback of Botan’s childhood experience is emotional, as Haori tells her story. It lets me get into her world to understand her past and present lives. It improves the ability to empathize with how she was treated prior to the six Tsukumogami taking care of her without knowing where her parents were. Kogami tells Hyoma that her grandfather took care of her. It brings the character to life and lets us know where she stands due to her past experiences.
The dialogue between Hyoma and Haori is intriguing. It reveals their qualities and values as he asks about her motive for living with a human, and vice versa. It shows that he is more comfortable with them than in Episode 1. He is more relaxed around Haori and Kogami, not to mention he believes what they tell him. The dialogue also leaves room for imagination as to whether humans and tsukumogami make comparable choices in given circumstances. An example when Maori questions the outcome of humans having the power that tsukumogami have. In this case, she is referring to Botan, who carries marebito in her even though she is a human. How is that possible? Haori does not explain why, which leaves me clueless of how she is the only one who carries it.
The beginning of the episode does not convey much about Hyoma inviting Botan out just to find out what Agoi said in the previous episode. It is more like he is asking her for a date. In the background, he sits on the floor with his face down, as if he is crying because she rejected him. Also, it raises questions about why he wants to ask her such an important question. Should he be asking Haori about it in the first place since she seems to know the most about everything? Does Botan know the depth of why other Tsukumogami are watching her? Even if she does, will she be comfortable enough to tell him?
Despite some issues and the lack of fight action scenes, I enjoyed watching this episode. Botan’s past experience, which shapes her, is touching and inspiring. I am moved by how far Botan has come, regardless of her circumstances. The closing is good. The beginnings of a meaningful friendship can be seen in Hyoma and Botan’s sincere acceptance and respect for one another.
Rating: 7.3/10
| Characters, Season 1 Episode 6 | Cast |
| Hyoma Kunato | Takeo Ootsuka |
| Botan Nagatsuki | Yuuki Takada |
| Zohie Kunato | Hiroshi Yanaka |
| Kagami | Aimi Tanaka |
