We see hands stretching out for some kind of resolution. It was inevitable, but the process of bringing this world’s Yuki back has begun.
What They Say:
Episode 12: “The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan, Part 2”
Kyon and Yuki visit the library in order to study for their final exams. Although Kyon was hoping to get Yuki’s help with his studying, she becomes so fixated on books that she ends up forgetting why they are there in the first place.
The Review:
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
Earlier in its run, The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan developed two serious problems. The first and most damaging one was that the baseline of romantic comedy material presented was just so indistinguishable from everything else that is out there in the same vein that it was incapable of doing much to set itself apart from every generic romantic comedy set in a high school. The second problem arose from what it attempted to do in order to address that fault—which was to make the following episodes just a Haruhi Suzumiya-lite clone that may have done a lot to mollify disappointed hardcore fans of the main franchise, but then exposed the show to another problem: how to keep the story focused on Yuki when Haruhi, just by her very nature, is something of an attention-seeking black hole that swallows everything in its immediate vicinity.
With the arrival of the “alternate Yuki” arc, one I recall quite well from the source manga, the show has managed finally to break free of its Haruhi dependence (as she has been absent this whole time) while at the same time doing a better job of executing the baseline romantic comedy elements. If what has been lacking this whole time has been any sense of genuineness and sincerity in its emotional output, it is highly ironic that the show now manages to provide some of this by bringing on an intentionally unemotional Nagato—who slowly discovers emotion.
“Uh…yes, it is, isn’t it?”
The events we see can be summed up simply and quickly. Nagato and Kyon go to the library to study. Nagato gets drawn away into the world of books and Kyon takes a nap. Attempt #1 at studying is a failure. The next day, they try again, but this time Nagato is distracted for other reasons.
Yes, I have left out the most important bits, because they will need a bit more unpacking. At the library, because it is the library, the current Yuki begins to feel something different, something that makes her uneasy. It’s touched off by a library card. While it might seem a mundane and unimportant little prop, the card holds great meaning for Yuki. The current Yuki recalls that it was Kyon who helped her to get that card in the first place. Well…he helped the original Yuki, but this Yuki now remembers the scene, including the memory that the other Yuki wanted to thank Kyon at the time, but was not able to do so (because of her shyness and Kyon being distratcted by his little sister). This little drop in the pond sets off a ripple that slowly grows into a tidal wave of memories and emotions.
The Original Yuki appears to be slowly waking from her slumber.
Current Yuki can sense the change in the wind, as further events set the stage for this world’s Yuki to return. Yuki’s glasses have been repaired and on the train rides to and from the library, she is met with more and more reminders of the other Yuki’s interactions with Kyon, helped by musical callbacks (“Clair de lune” makes its reappearance) to Yuki before the accident. The score also alternates between cheerful bumbling tunes and more melancholic pieces, reflecting the shifting emotions inside of unemotional Current Yuki.
The climax comes when Current Yuki, trying to work through the emotions and memories of Original Yuki, begins to feel even more strongly what Original Yuki felt and it shows even on her face. She smiles and thanks Kyon for his help in the past. It’s also pretty clear that Current Yuki, even as she fears that she will disappear entirely when Original Yuki awakens from her slumber, is experiencing another strong emotion at the same time: a growing love for Kyon. Is it her own feeling, or is it a sign of the Original Yuki’s personality and emotions coming back to the surface? That’s an interesting question to ponder.
It took a while and maybe what it required most of all was to have one of the stronger arcs from the manga enter the frame in order to get this show firmly on track. Yes, it can be pointed out that the story is relying heavily on the main franchise for support and assistance since the Current Yuki is more in-line with main universe Yuki Nagato, but it’s good to see this show standing up on its own two feet without having to use Haruhi as a crutch. It probably also helps that there is something just a touch more genuine and less generic about these past two episodes. You can sense Nagato’s fear and joy. It strikes a deeper chord than the meandering antics we saw earlier in the season.
In Summary:
Kyon’s plans of studying at the library with Nagato do not bear much academic fruit as Yuki is far too distracted by the prospect of endless numbers of books to read. The location, however, begins to cause a change in her as this is a place that holds deep meaning for the Yuki who normally exists in this world. This is the place where Yuki first met Kyon and where her love for him was born. It may also be the place when the current Yuki’s feelings towards Kyon will have their root…for as long as they will last. Current Yuki senses something stirring within her. It may be only a matter of time before the original Yuki Nagato will reemerge.
Episode Grade: A-
Streamed by: FUNimation
Review Equipment:
Apple iMac with 4GB RAM, Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard
