Summer vacation ends on a happy note.
What They Say:
Episode 6: “Touka, Mistress Uka, A Woman in Love”
Inari struggles with her divine gift as she tries to help her newest friend, while Touka and Uka spend some quality time together. Sumizome realizes something about herself that could change her relationships in a major way.
The Review
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
Inari was in a bit of a sticky situation at the end of the last episode, with her godling powers starting to go haywire on her. Kon pleads with her to calm down, which Inari somehow manages to do. She points out to Sumizome that both of them are a lot alike, and that she once wanted to be like her. When Sumizome calms down so does Inari’s rampaging spirit energy.
Inari tells Kon that all that she did to stop her powers was recognize that Sumizome’s wish wasn’t to the gods but nothing more than a confession. This is something that Uka was unable to pull off when Inari said much the same in the first episode. Maybe it’s because Inari is human that she’s able to tell a real plea for help apart from baseless desire.
Sumizome and Maru are able to apologize for the misunderstanding which lead to the less then friendly atmosphere. Even an exploding can of soda to the face can’t dampen the new friendship.
Once the group has cemented, Sumizome feels confident enough to admit her feelings towards Sanjo to Inari and Maru. I expected shocked looks, instead I got Maru flipping out about how great it is because she draws yuri manga. Not just yuri manga either, she also draws bara manga. Not yaoi, bara. Let that sink in for a minute, hardcore man on man manga aimed at men. Maru draws that. Hilariously, Inari casually tells Sumizome all of that, much to Maru’s obvious embarrassment. Of course, sweet Sumizome doesn’t know what they’re talking about.
With that out of the way there are souvenirs to buy, food to grill, and ice cream to eat before returning home. Inari appears to have no problems bringing home a gift of wine for Uka, which makes me wonder about Japanese alcohol laws.
While the parents and girls are off having fun, Touka is home writing his online light novel and probably enjoying his time alone. At least he was until Uka shows up at odd hours wanting to play video games. Touka is starting to let his guard down, and Uka help herself to looking through the family photo albums. It’s great to see Touka loosening up a bit, although Uka’s comments about the life expectancy of humans is making me start to think she’s more than a little cougar in her intentions.
In Summary:
That was a surprisingly anticlimactic way to end a tense situation. Then again, if Inari’s powers had gone completely out of control it would have likely pushed the situation into season finale territory way too soon. I do like how Inari and her friends have been fleshed out as characters, they feel very honest and unique. Now that the gang is all together I’m guessing the focus is going to shift back to Inari’s pursuit of Tanbabashi once again. I wonder when we’re going to get to see the other celestial characters in the opening.
Episode Grade: B
Streamed by: Funimation
Review Equipment: 27” iMac running OS 10.8.4, via Safari 6.0.5, FIOS 15/5 Mbps connection. Your milage may vary.
