Whew… took me some time to get this one out x__x;;;

So they didn’t show us the epilogue of Yumi Tasaka’s story featured in the previous episode. Instead, we see more of the paranormal side of Naginomori High, which predictably turns out to be Persona-related. Are we left to assume that Yumi has recovered from being the suicidal feather-attracted self she was in the last episode, or will that mysterious feather girl come back to haunt her later and continue her plans? Whatever that is. No complaints as of the moment, so long as the series delve into this later, these disjointed episodes will be forgivable.

Not much plot-wise developments happen in this episode, though it allowed us to see a glimpse of Jun’s Persona abilities, aside from his strong sixth sense and mind-reading abilities, people and their personas alike.

We also find out a bit of the background of Saki (whose real name is Mayuri), one of the Outsiders with whom Shin fought with way back episode 2. It turns out that she’s a childhood friend of Kanaru, both of whom grew up in the same nursing home. Mayuri was also oh so cleverly disguised as the new transferee of Naginomiri High, so Shin failed to recognize her despite their close encounter before. Jun also found Mayuri familiar, though I barely recall a close encounter between these two. I guess that’s how amazing Jun’s omniscient-like powers are, huh o_O

With the strange occurrences in Naginomori, coincidentally after Mayuri’s transfer, people started pinning the blame on her, and her possible connection with the seemingly paranormal pranks. Later in the episode, we find out that there is some truth behind these rumors, as her gone-berserk Persona was wreaking this havoc.

It wasn’t clearly explained how Mayu lost control of her Persona, and why it went to Naginomori High. My initial speculation is that her Persona became deviant due to past regrets or other unsettled feelings; hence it went to the camphor tree in Naginomori High, a place which the Persona’s original possessor holds dear to its heart. It was also mentioned that Mayuri suffered from a drug overdose, probably because these pills were meant to stabilize the condition of the deviant Persona.

Discussions in the animesuki forum also point out the possibility that Mayuri lost control of the Persona because of this pills, which will mean that she took the drug for some other purpose. Probably to ease her anxiety over their comrade Touma, who, unknown to the Outsiders, has now been killed by Ryou.

Another thing that puzzled me in this episode is the person Mayuri’s persona was looking for. If it was looking for Mayuri, how then did it end up by the camphor tree? If it was just some random spot it chose, then how come Mayuri entered Naginomori High, seemingly knowing where it’ll be located?

If my original speculation regarding what caused Mayu to lose control of her Persona was correct, then things will be a lot less confusing. This way, we know that the Persona went to the Camphor tree, in search for some other person, and Mayuri knew where to search for it because she knows the background of its original owner. This confuzzlement is one of the downsides of watching Persona, but oh well, it could’ve been worse >_<

On a lighter note, Both Takurou and Shin loses GAR points this episode, with the cowardice they shown in the Ghost Hunting session. And here I thought Takurou is all confident; looks like he’s worse than a girl when it comes to ghosts, same with Shin, who even bought his lucky charm with him. Shin made up for this however, when he gave Kanaru that precious charm of his. That, and the accidental arm-grabbing-in-the-dark scene made me fangirl happy :3 Shin x Kanaru!

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