Kasuga finds that what he might have been looking for was by his side all along.
What They Say
FLOWERS OF EVIL revolves around Takao Kasuga, who is caught stealing Nanako Saeki’s gym clothes by Sawa Nakamura whose cold attitude makes her generally disliked by everyone. In exchange for her silence, he makes a “contract” with her, in which he must abide by all of her unreasonable demands. Initially torturous, Kasuga wants out until one day when things start to change between them…
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
After a night of soul-baring confessions, Saeki, Kasuga, and Nakamura are taken back into the small town where none of them truly belong. Kasuga’s mother cries knowing all that her son has done, but as far as his father knows, all he is guilty of is encouraging two girls to run away. Whether it’s out of shame, or to protect her son, Kasuga’s mother keeps what she knows about his involvement in the vandalism secret, and Nakamura and Saeki do so as well.
So in some ways, things return to normal. A month has passed. Summer has started, and the three kids return to school in time for swimming and the chirping of cicadas. All Kasuga can think about is the killing heat beating down upon the town, and his feelings of being trapped. Nakamura is cranky as usual, but Saeki and Kasuga no longer speak. Kasuga’s old friends ignore him, now considering him a big weirdo who’s retreated back into his shell.
The three kids seem almost content to keep things at a cold stalemate, but Saeki’s friend will have none of it: She drags Saeki along to confront Kasuga and demands he stop ignoring Saeki. In response, Kasuga apologizes and tells her they’re breaking up. And this time, Saeki seems to accept it. All of the hopes and dreams are gone, and Kasuga now seems to have nothing left.
In fact, Kasuga even breaks the picture of Baudelaire he’d long had on his shelf, now realizing that it no longer holds any meaning for him. After throwing up the little dinner he was capable of eating, he goes to sleep depressed, and has a dream. As he walks through the town, it truly becomes the burned-up wasteland he feels it is, and the flowers of evil from the cover of his once favorite book spring up beneath his feet. In the center of a field of flowers, he sees Nakamura-san sitting alone. In his dream, she tells Kasuga how sad she is that he broke his promise to her.
Kasuga sits up, woken from his dream with the shock of realization: Saeki is popular and pretty, so she will be fine. However, Nakamura is alone, and he is her only friend. He decides to do everything in his power to restore Nakamura’s faith in him.
This episode isn’t as searing and eventful as episode 10, but returns to the more uneventful gloom of earlier episodes. The atmosphere is oppressive, and the dream sequence is extraordinary. This is truly a sequence that would not have worked in live action, but rotoscoping makes it not only possible, but powerful. The sound and music is just as exceptional as ever, and heightens the emotions of the scene. I also have to praise what the show has done with its opening themes as well. Each of the characters have sung the opening for 3 episodes at a time, and now this final opening combines the colors and themes of the three previous ones. Each of the openings are different, but end on the same haunting chorus about the flower of evil blooming. Even though it’s an upbeat and poppy song, it’s still able to deliver a kick to the gut. One hopes that the Flowers of Evil soundtrack will be available to purchase, and soon.
In Summary
The pacing of Flowers of Evil has settled, and it looks like we’ll be ending right with volume four. While not my choice, it’s a fine place to end on an ambiguous note, providing the opportunity for interpretation while also leaving the door open for a second season. The dream sequence made possible by rotoscoping is another standout scene for the series, and one that should also find an easy home on YouTube and NicoNico. In a season where a lot of shows are disappointing fans, Flowers of Evil remains just as strong as ever, and should not be missed.
Grade: A-
Streamed By: Crunchyroll
Review Equipment: Sony VAIO 17″ HD screen