天下制覇

The Evil Mastermind… revealed!

Impressions:

Finally. FINALLY, we leave the tortuously annoying “save Satoko” arc. Thank the gods of Olympus. Also this episode comes the rather very important reveal that Takano is the evil mastermind behind every single thing each time, deliberately spreading the Hinamizawa virus. You’d have thought that Hanyuu or Rika would have tried to investigate Tomitake and Takano’s deaths at some point, in their supposed 100 years of this nonsense, but apparently they’re slightly behind the detective curve.

Anyway, my rantings aside, it was decent enough. The Takano reveal could have been made a bit better by being a little more subtle about it instead of just immediately slipping into delusional crazy-mode, but eh, I’ve known she’s a crazy bitch for months. She really does look fetching in her black beret. Much better than Rena’s white one. She also looks more drunk than batshit insane most of the time. It’s hard to be menacing when you look like you’re about to fall asleep or break into tears. She certainly had the crazy rantings down pat. She just needs different eyes or a more menacing beret or something. Maybe something in a nice blood red.

A phone rings. Teppei answers it. The voice on the other end is very concerned about Satoko, but Teppei just gets angrier as the questions continue. Satoko gets up as Teppei comes back upstairs and tells her to go tell the person on the phone that she’s okay and what’ll happen if she doesn’t. She picks up the phone and the person asks if she’s okay. She pauses, and Teppei lays his hand on her shoulder.

Keiichi kicks the counselor off the phone and takes over. He starts talking about their meetings and all the people who have come out to support her and save her, saying that it’s really a sight to see. He tells her that the whole thing about the Hojos is a thing of the past.

Rika takes over next and confirms everything that Keiichi said and lets her know that all the villagers won’t act like that any more. Satoko says she can’t believe it, and Rika shifts into dark mode, saying that she used to believe in an unescapable fate, but Keiichi has convinced her that destiny can be broken. Teppei’s grip on her shoulders tightens.

Rika keeps talking, bringing up Satoshi and saying that they won’t let Teppei do what he wants. Teppei is now listening with a scowl as Rika says that she’ll save her. Teppei asks if that’s really what she wants, knowing what’ll happen. Rika tells her to find the courage.

The counselor takes over again and asks one more time. This time, she asks to be saved. Teppei flips out and Satoko just starts crying about how much she hates him. Teppei slaps her across the floor and then slams her down and is about to punch her when a knock on the door demands his attention. There’s a scuffle at the door when he answers.

The phone off the hook, Keiichi is yelling into it for Satoko, but Oishi says that everything is well in hand, and as soon as Satoko asked for help, he made his own call to have the waiting police move in. (S/M)ion say that there’s hope in this world after all.

At Satoko’s house, the police are taking Teppei away. Satoko starts crying and runs to Rika’s arms while Keiichi talks about everybody coming together and will all get to celebrate the festival tomorrow.

The next day at the festival, everybody is running around. Rika and Hanyuu are happy too. Rika especially thinks that the battle is over and destiny has been escaped. Hanyuu fades away with a downcast look.

That night, Takano, Tomitake and Rika are discussing that the danger might not be totally past, but they’ve got the ‘Janitors’ to watch over them. Takano says that she has Tomitake watching over her too and both laugh. Rika is still worried and wants to make sure they’re all protected since she really does think that they may die. Takano still isn’t taking Rika very seriously though, so Rika runs off, thinking to herself that she won’t give up.

She goes to Oishi and repeats her worries that Takano and Tomitake may die. Oishi agrees to keep a look out for suspicious things, and Rika says that she’ll believe in him.

She then tells the school brigade about her fears that Takano and Tomitake being in danger. They all agree to keep them safe and decide to search for them.

After the eyecatch, the kiddos have escorted Tomitake and Takano back to their place. Rika asks if they’re really going to be okay, and the two say of course and bid good night to them.

Inside, Tomitake is thinking about how good a girl Rika is. Takano lays her hand on Tomitake and gets a dark look on her face, talking about a dark dream where she sees Oyashiro. Tomitake turns to her in surprise and then gets up, pushing her back. Takano opens the door and lets in the janitor squad while Takano keeps talking about how they were supposed to stop an explosion, but they could also make one happen.

Tomitake tries to talk to the grunts, asking if this destruction is their wish too. They just smile while Takano continues her insane rantings.

The grunts tackle Tomitake and hold him down. Takano leans down and tells him that this is all a part of her dream to see everything go up so prettily and then brandishes a syringe. She tells him that everything was preparation all for this.

An unconscious Tomitake is loaded into the trunk of a car. Takano gives the order to being their operation. Later, she’s driving away and sees a cop car by the side of the road. She drives past them with a dark look.

Elsewhere, she throws Tomitake out of the trunk. She says that once he wakes up, he’ll be at level 5 and pretty much dead, etc etc.

In a van, Takano has changed into a black beret outfit and is overseeing operations. A subordinate reports some bad news to her that Tomitake’s corpse was found a little earlier than expected. She’s not worried in the least and finds it all rather amusing.

She then asks about her own ‘death’ and he tells her that they did as instructed. Another guy comes up and says that they’re ready to start. Takano can’t wait for it to begin.

Oishi has found Tomitake’s corpse. Irie is in complete shock.

Soon, Takano says… everything… soon.