I need to do a little backtracking first and mention about this part that should’ve been shown in the previous episode as well. The night after the incident in the rooftop, there was a meeting between Ayano, Soushu and Masayuki (Misao’s father). Now this discussion is an important chunk in the novel, because it should’ve made the viewers see and feel the pressure laid down on Ayano as the next clan head. In this meeting, Ayano also thinks about how a gentle girl like Misao could become this aggressive and bold when they ‘snap’, showing us that Ayano did have compassion for what happened to Misao.

The novel mentioned that Ayano was specifically instructed by Soushu and Masayuki to capture Misao (with that encounter on the rooftop). This should’ve cleared up misunderstandings regarding Ayano’s actions in the previous episode (since I questioned the reason why she just jumped in between Kazuma and Misao, and showed this sense of ‘justice’ all of a sudden). Since Ayano wasn’t able to capture Misao (because of Kazuma), she was scolded by her father because it’s supposed to be her responsibility as the “next clan head”, putting much pressure on her (hence her actions in this episode as well). When Ayano was asked if there’s anything else she observed in that encounter with Misao, she told them that she’s suspicious of Kazuma’s actions of protecting Misao. Ayano couldn’t think of the reason why Kazuma would want to protect her, knowing that Kazuma has a deep grudge on the Kannagis, despite what Ren told them that Kazuma no longer bears a grudge against them. It was also said that when Ayano confronted Misao and was planning to attack her, Kazuma questioned why she’s doing that, considering that no one was killed (and that he wasn’t hurt from what happened). Ayano mentions that Misao got about fourteen or fifteen people killed from what she did (the henchmen and ‘assassins’ she hired, who were almost ‘half-killed’ by Kazuma), but Kazuma didn’t seem to mind that at all.

This makes Soushu think that perhaps Kazuma is in love with Misao, making Ayano sad (the novel mentioned that she ‘trembled’ when Soushu mentioned this), and tells her father, “You also think that way?” (a stress with the ‘also’ there, implying that Ayano is also thinking about it that way). Her father ‘sensed’ something in Ayano (her feelings for Kazuma), and it was said that he stared at Ayano (who was looking down, deep in her thoughts), before she told her to talk to Kazuma and clear up whatever misunderstanding they have.

In the conversation between Misao and “Tenshi-sama” (at the beginning of this episode), the anime just omitted parts of the conversation, and it’s worth noting that Misao mentioned about her and Tenshi-sama helping out each other for “both of their benefits”, but we still don’t know at this point what exactly Michael will have in return for granting Misao’s wishes.

Gonzo also decided to change the original ‘setting’ where the discussion regarding the case to be investigated took place, which I believe was also a good choice for speeding up the pace for the anime. In the novel, Ayano didn’t go to Kazuma’s hotel to discuss the case with him, but rather Kazuma was summoned into the Kannagi residence where Soushu was there with them too. There were also a detailed explanation in the novel with regards to the power of the youma who attacked the victims, but I don’t think that’s critical in the plot (sue me for being lazy and skipping this part as well :P) The hotel scene was just an additional scene shown in the anime, which was actually an entertaining watch ^^

Then Ayano meets up with her friends, and the “slime attack” happens (the transition was well-done in the anime, considering that they connected the events in the hotel and this incident). In the novel however, it seems that Kazuma rode a motorbike first before ascending to the skies to observe on Ayano, which I think is pretty random o_O (Although the inner fangirl in me would’ve loved to see Kazuma in his bike… LOL XD)

The ‘fight scene’ in the novel was much more dramatic (and cheesy), because when Kazuma arrived on the scene, he told Ayano “For what reason has the [fire] spirit bestowed you its power and protection?”, making her remember Soushu’s words, that their strength was bestowed to them by the spirits for protecting people, to get rid of youmas whose mind have gone evil / astray. With this, Ayano’s doubts faded, and she regained complete confidence to fight against the slimes. She attacks the enemies, saying, “To protect the ones I love!” But then the slimes kept on reappearing, and so it was only this time that Kazuma told Ayano to concentrate on attacking those in front of her and leave the ‘enemies behind’ to him. Ayano’s ‘thank you’ also came in earlier in the novel, before they commenced their “team attack”, and Ayano was filled with thoughts of wanting to protect Yukari and Nanase, serving as her motivation to fight against the slimes.

And well, it seems that Gonzo stripped away more of the action scenes that should’ve been shown in this fight, like this scene where Ayano’s still having a hard time defeating the slimes because she needs to “purify” the slimes rather than simply attack them (a “lesson” from Kazuma). But then the enemy retreats and the ‘seal’ is released before the fight is finished (just like how it was in the anime). Kazuma goes to the ‘source’ of the slimes’ power, but Ayano doesn’t immediately follow him because of some “cleaning up” they need to do (not sure what Kazuma meant about this). Ayano didn’t forget about Yukari and Nanase, she actually told them she’s going ahead (to catch up on Kazuma), but then Yukari manages to stop her because of ‘things’ they have to discuss.

Yukari tells Ayano that she can’t just let her get away after seeing such a nice ‘scoop’ (about Kazuma), saying that she wants to hear the ‘details’ regarding Kazuma until she becomes familiar about him, and Nanase gives her a light spanking on the head, scolding her that asking her such questions will just make her more confused ^^;; Then Nanase apologizes to Ayano regarding what she felt earlier when Ayano was attacking the slimes, telling Ayano that she became afraid at first because it seemed as though she became a completely different person. But then when Kazuma came and she was having a ‘dialogue’ with him, she was able to see her as ‘Ayano’ once again. Afterwards, Nanase assures her that the fact that Ayano has this special ability won’t change their relationship. Ayano asks if they’re afraid of her, since she could kill them with her special abilities, but then Nanase kiddingly replies that she can actually kill them even with their bare hands :p Yukari and Nanase assures Ayano that they’re not afraid of her since they trust her, that she won’t just go on hurting people for no reason.

Then they go about discussing about Kazuma, saying that Ayano and Kazuma’s ‘love’ isn’t really one-sided (it’s just Ayano’s misconception, they said), and that he seemed to feel ‘something’ for Ayano as well. Ayano once again denies that she likes Kazuma, and her friends presents her some ‘proofs’ as to why they say she likes Kazuma – the fact that she was ‘relying’ on Kazuma in the fight earlier, and the fact that it was Kazuma who made her get back on her feet again Ayano couldn’t say anything against what they said, and just asks them why they are suddenly so curious about Kazuma when they never had any interest in him before (like, after they saw Kazuma with Kirika). They answer her back, saying that it’s because they thought Kazuma was simply a ‘sleazy guy’, but now they’re impression of him has changed, and thinks that Kazuma is really cool

Ayano tells them about Kazuma, that the first time they met was probably when she was born because they’re cousins, and that ‘Kazuma Yagami’ used to be ‘Kazuma Kannagi’, before he was disowned by his family. Then Yukari comments on how kind Kazuma is, because despite all that has happened (with the Kannagis), he still protected Ayano from danger (like what he did earlier). Not only that, Kazuma was concerned about her and also made her stand up on her own feet, making her fight back through her own strength. Then they go on saying that Kazuma seemed to be “Ayano’s knight” Ayano couldn’t believe they could consider Kazuma as her “knight”, and says that she wouldn’t ever want to have a knight with such a twisted personality like him. She even says that she always feels like killing Kazuma, at least once every five minutes when she’s with him :p And well, Yukari and Nanase just exchanged glances and thinks “It can’t be helped”

They make Ayano realize that despite all this, Kazuma did came to save them from the danger they were in, and Ayano couldn’t say anything against this because it’s true. But then ‘fights back’ and just replies that Kazuma’s a ‘scumbag’ (or, ‘nefarious villain’), reasoning out that he only saved them for his own satisfaction This simply shows how stubborn and slow Ayano can really get :p After this, they part ways… and Yukari couldn’t believe how Ayano hasn’t realized her own feelings, worried that someone might take away Kazuma from her instead (if Ayano doesn’t do anything, more so at this point where Ayano hasn’t even realized her own feelings ^^;;; ). But then they think this is a good thing, since they can have fun teasing Ayano (but promises to watch after her ‘love’, as was shown in the anime) In the end, both Yukari and Nanase reach an agreement that having a third party in their relationship who’s going to complicate things will prove to be even more interesting

The next scene was with Kazuma confronting Misao regarding what she has done, and Ayano’s arrival in the scene, which is pretty much faithful to novel.There was just some dialogue cut off, like this scene with Misao and Kazuma asking Ayano about her justification of wanting to attack Misao, rather than simply being the ‘next clan head’. After Ayano confronts Kazuma as to why he let Misao escape, more of Ayano’s thoughts were shown in the novel. She says that it’s her responsibility as the next clan head to fight against Misao, and that her ‘sense of existence’ as a Kannagi will be lost if she doesn’t do this. And of course Ayano is torn in between wanting to have faith in Kazuma and her responsibility as the ‘next clan head’… I felt the tension in Ayano when she said this in the anime, but then she didn’t shed any tears, which should’ve added a more ‘dramatic effect’ on the scene o_o

After this, some flashback (or rather, ‘brainwashing’ by Tenshi-sama) was shown regarding the Oogamis, where this ten year old kid Takeshi (Misao and Takeya’s little brother), is being ‘maltreated’ by their father (and he was soaked in blood because of what his father did to him). Masayuki justifies his actions and says that it’s simply for ‘practice’, to make him stronger. Takeya reprimands his father’s actions towards Takeshi, but ends up getting jabbed by his father because he was insulted by his remarks, especially after he tells Masayuki that he’s someone who’s “ambitioning for the position of being Soushu”. The flashback shown with Misao and Takeya in the previous episode was only shown in this part of the novel. Then it seems as if the scene has shifted (with this illusion created by Tenshi-sama), and Misao started seeing images of both Takeya and Takeshi, telling her that they’re both dead – killed by Kazuma. She also sees Kazuma simply jeering at the death of her brothers, making her rage even worse… after she wakes up, she performs that “ritual” with Tenshi-sama, and he mentions something like “Hey, Misao, don’t you think parents should also help out in carrying out their children’s revenge?” (and I think this will have something to do with what Misao is going to do to his father in the next episode)

(it’s only after I read this part that I came to realize my mistake of naming ‘Takeya’, as ‘Takuya’ =__=)

I don’t think the omission of Misao’s little brother Takeshi affects the plot much, but nevertheless it should’ve made the tension and the events more ‘justifiable’. And I believe that the ‘flashback’ / ‘dream sequence’ of Misao should’ve been shown. I don’t know if they plan on showing this in the next episode, but we’ll see…

Here’s another ‘scenario’ change Gonzo did for this episode… they omitted Kazuma from the ‘discussion’ scenes between Ayano, Soushu, and the Oogamis. In the novel, Kazuma was right then and there while they were talking about how the matter will be left to the Oogamis. It was clearly explained in the novel that with this decision, it’s like they’re treating Misao no more than an ordinary ‘criminal’, thus they’re going to leave the matter in the hands of the Oogamis and the police. Ayano’s thoughts about this decision of Masayuki was also shown in the novel, where she not only thought about how un-fatherly-like his actions are, but also how she thinks that Kazuma will be angry at Masayuki with his actions (thinking about this principle of ‘a parent’s responsibility’).

Then there’s this info about Takeya’s background (which I believe the anime won’t show anymore)… Takeya actually got married two years ago, and has twin sons. This information was brought up when Kazuma asked if there was anyone else in the Oogami clan who is capable of fighting, wondering if there’s any ‘heir’, next in line to the Oogamis now that Misao has become ‘that way’. Kazuma gave this sarcastic remark that he’ll give a bouquet of flowers for the ‘wife’, and says that there seems to be no one else in the Oogami who’s capable of fighting. As Kazuma leaves the Kannagi house, Ayano confronts him about Misao, and asks him right then and there as to why he’s so hung up on Misao. Kazuma coldly replies, “It’s none of your business”, and just leaves…

Again, I think reading this part of the novel would clearly show just how Ayano would be determined to face him as her opponent… Kazuma deserves some slapping because of the cold shoulder he’s giving Ayano T__T (but of course that can’t be helped since he has problems of his own)

Ayano was also shown to be more ‘sensitive’ in the novel, as she comes to realize what drove Misao to get this revenge. As she thinks of Masayuki’s actions (and Misao’s ‘family’), she realizes just how Misao would not be able to bear the loss of her brothers. With this, Ayano understands the importance of ‘family’, and at the same time the unpleasant experiences one can also have from this ‘family’ (as she somewhat compares her own family with that of Misao’s).

Now when Ayano met Kirika, she was shown to be surprised that this was the very same women Kazuma with in that ‘love hotel town’, which should’ve been shown in the anime… it’s supposed to be a ‘logical scene’ that shouldn’t have been omitted ><

What happens after this is pretty much faithful to the novel, with Kirika and Ayano’s discussion, Misao’s ‘taunt’ regarding Ayano, and Kazuma’s appearance.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Related posts:

1. Yamato Takahiro X Kaze no Stigma: In Memoriam
2. The Uber Late Kure-nai Anime vs. Novel ‘Deep Frying’ Part 1