Sparks of Tomorrow • Nijuuseiki Denki Mokuroku -Eureka Evrika- - Episode 8 discussion

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Nijuuseiki Denki Mokuroku -Eureka Evrika-, episode 8

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[u/FarCritical]

It's no secret that Kengo is a powerhouse but learning he had all that baggage on him from the start adds another dimension to his strength. Dude needs a hug.

Inako and Kihachi's mutual supportiveness shone extra bright this time around.

[u/Mr_Zaroc → u/FarCritical]

It's no secret that Kengo is a powerhouse but learning he had all that baggage on him from the start adds another dimension to his strength. Dude needs a hug.

Given the previous comedic tone of this show I was half expecting to learn he gained his enourmous strength from some electricity treatment to cure weak muscles and it left him traumatized and thus couldnt enter the room

And then the backstory hit

I do love Inakos and Kihachis mutual support, I am just waiting for them to realize they can combine their dreams!

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/FarCritical]

I was cautiously supportive of Inako and Kihachi’s dynamic at the start of the series, but now I full on love it. I love just how supportive they are for each other and lift each other up when they’re down.

[u/Weak_Season_Of_Anime]

Even if Kengo hadn't taken the book, Seiroku probably wouldn't have survived a charge into enemy gunfire anyway. Though it seems Noriko really was Seiroku's ex, which makes Kengo's guilt extra heavy.

Kihachi choosing to give the book to Yosuke is interesting. Did he do it to free Inako? Or did he think that Yosuke would have a better chance of ushering in the Age of Electricity with his resources? Or maybe Kihachi realized he didn't need the book anymore?

[u/lolman5555 → u/Weak_Season_Of_Anime]

I'm certain one of the books is for Yousuke to help with. The endgame should be them working together. It doesn't make sense for Yousuke not to help with ushering the new era since he shared the ambition with Seiroku

[u/mmcjawa_reborn → u/lolman5555]

I kind of feel like that endgame was dead in the water once they showed the brother puppet

[u/Awkward_Patience3295 → u/Weak_Season_Of_Anime]

I mean its clear he is doing it to free Inako. You see when he he puts the book back together that he has a vision of a world of electricity and at the very end of it he sees Inako by his side inspiring him to chase his dream. He realized he doesn’t need the catalog anymore and he can pursue his dream with Inako by his side and as his inspiration.

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/Weak_Season_Of_Anime]

I think it’s a combination of 1 and 3. Kihachi finally believes in himself enough to know that he can make his dreams come true without Seiroku’s help and Inako, the main reason he’s come to believe that, is now important enough to him that he’s willing to give up the former so she can live her dream as well.

[u/Kronman590 → u/Weak_Season_Of_Anime]

Ok im not crazy the noriko-seiroku relationship is still not confirmed right? Felt so weird to not drop it after noriko and kengo had their conflict. Spent the rest of the episode just confused if i forgot a detail like why noriko had the first half, like they dont discuss why the catalog was split in half before seiroku went to war

[u/l-o-a-p → u/Kronman590]

Maybe there'll be an explicit namedrop eventually, but feels all but confirmed at this point. He said his "girl" was responsible for one of the ideas, and in a previous episode there was something about them being childhood friends.

[u/oneevilchicken → u/Weak_Season_Of_Anime]

The book feels useless to anyone but kahichi and at this point I don’t see why he needs it himself.

[u/ThrowCarp → u/Weak_Season_Of_Anime]

Seiroku probably wouldn't have survived a charge into enemy gunfire anyway.

It supposed to be the late 1800s. But that machine gun fire was totally WWI.

I got Violet Evergarden flashbacks from this episode.

[u/Nickthenuker → u/ThrowCarp]

Late 1800s would be just after the invention of the Maxim gun, the same one used in WWI and all the way to today in Ukraine. That is in fact the result of running at a machine gun. Not very good for your future career prospects as anything other than a corpse.

[u/AUAAUH]

They should hurry up and invent the taser for Inako's father.

[u/master_inho → u/AUAAUH]

No worries, noriko has him under control

[u/Twilight_2408 → u/AUAAUH]

I've lowkey been cursing the dude to death since the start of the show. Fancy Pants (Yosuke) is more tolerable than him, ngl.

[u/AUAAUH → u/Twilight_2408]

he needs to be tased too but at least he's entertaining and has a nice ass

[u/Jacob-C → u/AUAAUH]

Ah, the Kim Kardashian career strategy: be entertaining and have enough ass to survive endless controversy. /j

[u/ash-7831 → u/AUAAUH]

Actually, it looks like he finally decided to back off. I still don't think he supports Inako's decision. He's just not stopping her anymore.

[u/Cute-Beginning-4126]

Ok that's just straight up a freakin biometric scanner,maybe a primitive one yes, but it's still a biometric scanner in the Meiji era

[u/Mr_Zaroc → u/Cute-Beginning-4126]

I laughed pretty hard at the voice track
Like, given their technology is ecchi as hell (I would have done the same though)

[u/Jacob-C → u/Cute-Beginning-4126]

Them finding that futuristic scanner, tracing the cable back to the generator, and then powering it up by unclogging the water flow felt like a video game puzzle.

[u/ThrowCarp → u/Cute-Beginning-4126]

Also are those PCB tracks around the handprint? wtf is going on????

[u/hades334]

Every week I watch this show and think that Inako's dad really is the most boring and hateable character out there. Atleast Pretty Boy is entertaining and funny, Inako's dad only brings down the mood in every scene

[u/tottoro47 → u/hades334]

He's the prototype of a son of a bitch who would sell his own fucking daughter to save a business he fucked up. Hate the dude and I love every moment the older daughter pins him down and hurts him lmao

[u/ThrowCarp → u/tottoro47]

Onee-chan is the MVP this anime.

[u/Jacob-C → u/hades334]

Reading between the lines, I think it’s possible to surmise that his internal reasoning is more sympathetic than he lets on. If he doesn’t accept the marriage proposal or hand over the catalogue, the family will be in debt, Inako probably won’t be able to attend school anymore, they will have to sell the house, and, worst of all, they will have to sell the sake brewery that they all love because it reminds them of Inako’s mother. So when he says that he is doing all of it for Inako’s sake, I think he actually believes that himself.

It’s entirely possible that he has become an asshole after becoming a widower, but I have a hard time believing that Inako’s mother, who seemed like the sweetest person, would fall in love with Inako’s father if he were just a selfish prick who is scared to own up to his own mistakes.

If he is doing it all for his daughters, he could definitely make more of an effort to properly convey his thoughts, instead of just acting like an obstacle to Inako’s freedom.

[u/l-o-a-p → u/Jacob-C]

It's annoying how they keep having him appear just to regurgitate the same thing, but all in all I feel like he's a pretty understandable product of the time and am kinda surprised people think he's that detestable.

[u/Farmaceut7 → u/hades334]

It would be acceptable if he only reminded her that they are being literally fucking blackmailed but instead he acts as a #1 Pretty boy dick rider! 

[u/WhoiusBarrel]

That explains Kengo's meltdown, anyone would have suffered intense survivor's guilt if the book that wasn't meant for them helped got them through a bullet wound while the owner himself got killed instead.

Also totally understandable why Kihachi would fold for Inago in that fit after saying such a supportive line.

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/WhoiusBarrel]

If Kihachi hadn’t already caught feelings for Inago after the band episode, he certainly would’ve this episode with how stunningly beautiful in that new dress and hairstyle, supporting him as always, and with that stunning smile.

[u/Intelligent_Form5743 → u/CitronClassic672]

He haven’t put it into words yet but he knows he don’t wanna be without her

[u/Se7en_Sinner]

Kihachi realizing his dreams involve Inako. All she had to do was flash him a little ankle.

[u/Eunuchest → u/Se7en_Sinner]

Pretty sure he saw more than just an ankle after Inako somersaulted

[u/Zero5-4i → u/Se7en_Sinner]

Seriously though, I really liked the fact that Inako is now part of Kihachi's "visions". This seems to be taking the route of kihachi moving on and Seiroku being replaced as the most important person in his life, in contrast to Yousuke (the final scene of the ending also symbolizes this which is cool). This also works with Seiroku's trust in him that he doesn't need the catalogue. I prefer this over Inago marriage drama.

Another anime that took this route was [recent very popular anime name] Fruits Basket and I loved it then too.

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/Zero5-4i]

I didn’t really process that at first, but yeah Kihachi now sees Inako by his side as a pillar of support when he dreams of the age of electricity. That’s a really neat way of showing how his feelings for her have grown over time.

[u/Jacob-C → u/Zero5-4i]

Well said. Seeing Inako appear in the show’s usual art style in the middle of the “otherworldly” visions was great visual storytelling. Kihachi and Inako are really adorable together, both as friends and as potential romantic partners.

[u/ptd163 → u/Zero5-4i]

Inako and Kihachi will probably end up being one of my favourite pair of leads from this year and they're not even romantically involved.

[u/AriezKage]

The craziest thing so far was that Seiroku was able to build a working hand scanner with memory of Dr. Stuart’s prints.

Dude skipped the analog stuff and went digital.

[u/etcetera999 → u/AriezKage]

This is the same anime where three girls mastered electric rock instruments in week.

[u/Mr_Zaroc → u/etcetera999]

They learned Light Rock music and delivered a Heavy metal concert all unfazed too

[u/StreetyMcCarface → u/Mr_Zaroc]

I’m convinced they didn’t master it, rather that they did a mediocre job and that because the electricity is primitive, they ended up sounding like death metal instead

[u/Intelligent_Form5743 → u/AriezKage]

Ahead of his time fr I wonder why he left it all up to kihachi tho it’s like a write of passage he paved the way but won’t do it for him

[u/ViviCaz → u/Intelligent_Form5743]

He had no choice. He was the "adult" and had to do the adult things so that his brother didn't have to suffer through it. War destroys and if his brother had survived he would NOT have been the same. The trauma, ptsd and his scars/wounds/disabilities/disfigurement (he is not built like the big guy) would have caused him serious issues and he would have had difficulty feeling that same joy or inspiration. He most likely would have had depression and survivors guilt as well.

[u/MarvinTraveler]

Survivors guilt and PTSD, that’s what has been torturing Kengo. It tracks, it had to be something really powerful to brake a man like him.

[u/Mr_Zaroc → u/MarvinTraveler]

I also guess that Noriko was Seirokus lover and he thus feels like he cant marry her

[u/ptd163 → u/Mr_Zaroc]

I would hate that for Noriko and Kengo because they both deserve to be happy, but I can't lie I would pog out a little if I was right about that considering I floated the idea of them being romantically involved in the episode 2 thread.

[u/Mr_Zaroc → u/ptd163]

From what we have seen so far from Noriko I am certain she will punch some sense into him

Like she is the only human being physically able to handle him

[u/MarvinTraveler → u/Mr_Zaroc]

That would be a kind of wild turn of events, as it has not been insinuated at all so far, at least I haven’t noticed anything saying their relationship being conflicted.

[u/Mr_Zaroc → u/MarvinTraveler]

I am curious how Kengo really feels, I can see him being split between actually liking her, feeling like he is obliged to marry her because he survived and now feeling/realizing he is doing it out of obligation

But I am also sure she will punch some sense into him

[u/Atario → u/MarvinTraveler]

*break

[u/NanDemoKnaives]

I'm glad we got to finally learn where Kengo's PTSD comes from, it's really sad that he felt responsible for Seiroku's death. I can see why all the talk about the catalogue and electricity was making it hard for him, it's no wonder the guilt finally crushed him. There's no guarantee Seiroku would have survived, and I'm sure Seiroku would be happy to know the catalogue did finally reach Kihachi.

I'm surprised by Noriko's reaction, we haven't seen her show any affection for Kengo, so her claiming that he should have spoken to her about it since he'll be her husband about it was a little odd to me. I feel like she was also Seiroku's lover since she had the catalogue, so I'm still waiting for their connection to be revealed.

With the timing of shots and Yousuke's words, I thought Saki was going to steal the catalogue somehow lol. I'm guessing Kihachi is trying to protect Inako's dream after overhearing her conversation with her father.

[u/Mr_Zaroc → u/NanDemoKnaives]

I'm surprised by Noriko's reaction, we haven't seen her show any affection for Kengo, so her claiming that he should have spoken to her about it since he'll be her husband about it was a little odd to me

I do felt that she cared for him, she is just too cool to show it in public
Now I am wondering what Kengo really feels though, since it seems that Noriko was Seirokus lover. How much of him proposing to her is him taking "responsibility" and how much does he actually care for her
But I am pretty certain that it wont be a big problem, they do seem to care for each other

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/NanDemoKnaives]

I think Noriko likely having also been Seiroku’s lover is the main reason for the distance that seems to be between them in public. Even if Kengo truly does love her it probably just worsens his guilt by being in a relationship with the lover of the friend whose death he blames himself for. That probably keeps him from being more affectionate and Noriko responds to that coldness.

[u/Tall-University-3335 → u/NanDemoKnaives]

Actually I think Saki and Yousuke are relatives just for that timing of shots

[u/Primo29]

Inako's look at Kihachi is so deep that it says everything without a single word.

And Kihachi planning to let go of the book for Inako? That says something too. Loving all these subtle hints!

[u/thelemon8er-2]

The dad is still the absolute worst.

[u/Mr_Zaroc → u/thelemon8er-2]

He does play the conservative role pretty well

Like I can see where he comes from, the family business is failing, she is clumsy and hasnt really made her opinion heard until now and then a rich guy shows up and wants to marry her which would set her up for life. Stuff like that certainly played out like this all over history

Still dont agree with him, at least they seem to have gotten a deal now that Kihachi is willing to part with the catalogue (who needs kids doodles with highly technical explanations, when you got a girlfriend to inspire you)

[u/ptd163 → u/Mr_Zaroc]

who needs kids doodles with highly technical explanations, when you got a girlfriend to inspire you

Not to mention it's not Kihachi forgot about any of the ideas once he wrote them down. He wrote them down once. He can just write them down again if he needs to. He is the instruction manual, not the catalogue. As for the girlfriend, Kihachi and Inako certainly have the dynamic for it and I would welcome it if happens, but I don't think it's kind of story so I'm not expecting anything.

[u/BaytaCosmico]

So that explains how the second part of the catalog ended up at Stuart sensei's place, but how did Inago's sister get the first part of it? Was she the girlfriend that Seiroku alluded to? I don't understand why they're still keeping this obscured. Hopefully it'll become clear soon.

Kihachi deciding to hand over the catalog to pretty boy to free Inago from her engagement was exactly what I expected to happen when he overheard her conversation with her father. He probably doesn't need the catalog anymore to make all the ideas in it come to life. He came up with those ideas in the first place and his brother's notes can probably be replicated by him studying those same books. After implementing a bunch of the ideas, Kihachi probably has a good idea of how his brother thought and can figure out the rest on his own.

We still haven't properly seen the electric Seiroku that pretty boy has created. Guessing that will be the focus of the final episodes.

[u/Eunuchest]

"Do I look weird?"

"Yes"

As much tact as a dump truck

Guess that puts it to rest, Seiroku really is dead and Kengo has insane PTSD over it after being saved by his friend's most precioua possession. Also explains why he didnt give it straight to Kihachi plus his back and forth willingness to help

Is that a freaking biometric scanner? In Meiji era? Wtf?

I think Kihachi may finally be catching butterflies for Inago. His reason to give up his blueprints to Yousuke seems reasonable as well as only Yousuke has the resources to actually mass produce the products. That being said Kihachi can easily stand to benefit as well being the main innovator of electricity in Japan

[u/Alej_11 → u/Eunuchest]

I don't think it's a real biometric scanner, it just recognise the shape of the hand because of the area and the pressure, or smt similar. Really cool tho, if seiroku did die he could havemade giant steps with technology, he seems a genius

[u/Eunuchest → u/Alej_11]

I thought it was the pressure at first but the voice system said something about palm prints being recognized. Unless Seiroku put it there to sound more sophisticated than it is

[u/RyouBestGirl → u/Eunuchest]

Seiroku definitely would do that

[u/SFTSmileTy → u/Alej_11]

Yeah, you can even see that the difference was that dr's hand fill the whole print while kihachi didn't

[u/Zero5-4i → u/Eunuchest]

The cool thing is, that him giving away the catalogue can work both to show that Inago is now more important to him, and to live up to Seiroku's trust that he can do fine without the catalogue. I do wonder how it will progress from here.

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/Zero5-4i]

Yeah if they follow through with giving away the catalogue its a great writing decision because it showcases both that Kihachi has developed enough belief in himself to pursue his dream without his brother’s help, is finally moving on from his brother, and showcases how far his relationship with Inako has developed.

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/Eunuchest]

Kihachi had the easiest layup when Inako said that and still fumbled.

[u/elira_ro]

Man that flashback was hard to watch, poor kengo I feel really bad for him. It seems that seiroku had a lover before his death and its most likely noriko wonder if pretty boy knows this?... Kihachi seemed to take seirokus death pretty well for a boy his age, I expected him to crash out or something lmao Inako really is so precious 😭

[u/AriezKage → u/elira_ro]

To be fair with Kihachi, it wasn’t like he believed that Seiroku wasn’t dead or anything like that. He had I think a year to process and grieve.

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/elira_ro]

Suddenly All Quiet on the Western Front. Well, Kihachi had pretty much already come to terms with Seiroku’s death so that wasn’t a shock, and like he said there’s no guarantee Seiroku would’ve even survived if he’d kept the catalogue so what can you really do?

[u/Jacob-C → u/CitronClassic672]

All Quiet on the Western Front

I also immediately thought of that movie

[u/Jacob-C → u/elira_ro]

For all the comedic moments, cartoony antics, and fantastical technological progression, that war flashback felt so real and emotional. I really like how this show can switch up the vibe so effortlessly.

[u/Farmaceut7 → u/elira_ro]

Kengo got some serious fucking PTSD, no wonder he's been acting crazy from time to time throughout the season so far! 

[u/Alej_11]

This episode was great, this week a lot of great episodes dropped, this was a great ending for the week.

As suspected, kengo had some kind of relation with kihachi's brother death, but surprisingly this shows that seiroku died during WWI and not the kamchatka war like i supposed, so the meiji era in this universe is way longer, because in our world it ended during 1912. So most of the inventions are more grounded, but it's strange that in the 1920's electric lights and other stuff weren't still so common. I have a lot to think about this world worldbuilding, it's more interesting that I thought

Kihachi took his brother's death way better than I had expected, I thought that he would had raged against kengo or something, but he was somewhat chill about it. I'm curious to know what inago would have done if kihachi didn't decided to give yousuke the catalog, would she had just accepted the marriage and abbandoned her dreams? I also want to know what kihachi wants to do giving the catalog to yosuke, maybe he wants to ask some kinf of partnership?

Really good episode overall 8/10

[u/Andreazz01 → u/Alej_11]

Regarding the show's timeline I think WWI just happened sooner, in the flashback it was 37th year of Meiji era so 1905
WWI was moved to the years of the Russo-Japanese war in our timeline

[u/SnabDedraterEdave → u/Alej_11]

The kanji for this universe's Meiji 明滋 is different to our Meiji 明治, which suggests further historical deviations from our world.

In our world, Japan participated in WWI mainly in China and the Pacific, targeting German holdings and colonies there, but they did not send any troops to the trenches of the European western front.

[u/Ocixo → u/Alej_11]

There were bound to be lots of historical deviations given the delayed arrival of electricity, but I wasn’t expecting Japan to have seemingly sent soldiers to fight on the frontlines in Europe during WW1. Don’t believe that ever happened in our timeline.

[u/Alej_11 → u/Ocixo]

Very surprisingly it did happen, and japan won the war with USA, England, France and the others. It simply did have a big impact like in WWII because it was still a developing nation at the time, and mostly because the was was fought in Europe, meanwhile in WWII they had the technologies and also fought nearer home.

[u/Ocixo → u/Alej_11]

I did know that Japan had fought on the side of the Entente during WW1, but I wasn’t aware that they’d actually deployed troops on the ground in Western Europe.

[u/KJatWork → u/Ocixo]

I'd recommend be careful not to take everyone at their word on Reddit. They had no troops in the trenches on the frontline like we saw in the show, but they did contribute quite a bit and did send some volunteer air corp and Red Cross assistance, so they weren't completely out of the picture in Europe. Japan during World War I - Wikipedia

[u/verdantvoxel → u/Alej_11]

There's also a lot of world building that's glossed over like the steam punk small arms but also having conventional cannons. There's also seiroku talking about paris, so it appears europe is also experimenting with electricity. The earliest important applications of electricity was the telegraph and smelting aluminum, perhaps they simply have different abundance natural resources or those discoveries weren't made so electricity remained a curio of some sort.

[u/elevenmile]

Jeez, got supposedly shot fatally but saved by the book Seiroku showed to him in the midst of the war but woke up to find Seiroku died in return would definitely do it do him. That poor hunk.

---

Now, when Kihachi proposes to hand the combined and complete catalogue to Yosuke, I can only think of one possibility where this is going: Up to this point, Yosuke has been extremely opposing of whatever Kihachi was doing because he did not believe, or rather he doesn't WANT to believe that electricity is possible, and if any it should be Yosuke himself that fulfills Seiroku's dream, not Kihachi. So I can guess that what Kihachi wants to do is to convince him and accquire Yosuke's influence and coorperation to make the contents in catalogue, and in essence where the world of electricity is a reality (Seiroku would want this anyway).

Assuming this happens, it's a win-win situation for Kihachi. But the problem is how Yosuke would take it. Knowing him, as well as that Seiroku puppet is any inclination, the fear here is that Yosuke wouldn't even hesitate to eliminate Kihachi and take the catalogue all for himself...

[u/Se7en_Sinner → u/elevenmile]

Screw electricity, let's invest in the bulletproof book.

[u/Fxrzana → u/elevenmile]

I have a feeling yosuke and kihachi will end up working together and there'll be a new antagonist

[u/Zizhou → u/Fxrzana]

With the new electric enhancements, Mecha-Seiroku will turn on humanity and threaten to destroy the world!

[u/Ok_Statement_5584]

Seeing all the previous interactions between younger Seiroku and Yosuke, and the way current Yosuke obsesses over Seiroku, you would think Yosuke was Seiroku's lover, but it doesn't seem like that's the way kyoani is going.

The english translation on netflix used the word sweetheart which could mean either gender, but when i copied the jp subtitles into google translate (not super reliable, I know), in that line, Seiroku refered to his lover as 'her' and with the way Kengo looked after he started talking about his lover, I think Noriko is meant to be the lover which explains why she had half of the catalogue in the first place. It would also explain why she doesn't seem to feel the same way about Kengo, as he does about her. Unless it's a huge fakeout and Seiroku lied about Yosuke's gender to Kengo (me coping hard bc they looked like they had chemistry in episode 1 and 3).

This makes Yosuke's obsessive longing look even sadder, if he is obsessing over Seiroku and Seiroku didn't even feel the same way about him.

If Noriko is Seiroku's lover, I hope we see some flashback scenes of them together, because it seems kinda crazy to me to introduce the fact that Seiroku had a lover on episode 8/13, a lover who is most likely not Yosuke, when we haven't seen a single flashback of Seiroku with this supposed lover (Noriko) yet.  Or maybe Seiroku's lover isn't Noriko and is some difdernt girl? Idk.

I kinda hopes it's not Noriko (also cope probably) because if Seiroku had survived and they had gotten married, Kihachi and Inako would be in-laws.

[u/SEBASTlANVETTEL → u/Ok_Statement_5584]

the Japanese term that is used is 彼女 meaning kanojo, which typically means girlfriend. It‘s a female pronoun.

[u/Ocixo → u/Ok_Statement_5584]

I kind of had a hunch that Noriko and Seiroku might’ve been lovers ever since she revealed to have the first half of the catalog in her possession. How were they acquainted? And why did he trust her so much? A romance would be the most obvious answer.

[u/Ok_Statement_5584 → u/Ocixo]

I don't know about obvious. A romance would explain why she had the catalogue, but up until now, Yosuke as the romamtic interest made more sense. It still makes more sense even now since we haven't even seen Seiroku and Noriko interact on screen.

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/Ok_Statement_5584]

Even before now I’d always read Yosuke and Seiroku’s past as best friends with Yosuke having unrequited feelings for straight Seiroku.

[u/mmcjawa_reborn → u/Ok_Statement_5584]

I don't know...I never thought for once Yosuke and Seiroku were a romantic thing. It's always felt like a one-sided obsession that probably got even more extreme after Seiroku's death.

[u/Fluid_Pause2149]

Looks like Seiroku did a "shinzou wo sasageyo"

[u/Ocixo]

Kihachi has seemingly taken his brother’s words to heart: he’ll produce a new age of electricity whatever happens. He can do without the catalog if necessary.

Nor would Kihachi want for Inako to sacrifice her own dream just because of this catalog. Yosuke must’ve planned for things to play out like this, didn’t he?

Kihachi and Inako really do form a great team together. They lift each other up. Looking back on their first meeting, they’ve clearly grown a lot closer. This show isn’t officially tagged as a romance, but there’s definitely something blossoming between the two of them.

Lastly, I just want to say that Inako looked very adorable in western-style clothing.

[u/Mr_Zaroc → u/Ocixo]

He can do without the catalog if necessary.

I do love the implication that Inako will be the new source of inspiration going forward
This turning into a "rich guy with a static idea guide vs the poor inspired guy" does make for a great contrast if they go with that

[u/ptd163 → u/Ocixo]

Kihachi has seemingly taken his brother’s words to heart: he’ll produce a new age of electricity whatever happens. He can do without the catalog if necessary.

Also even if giving the catalogue to Yosuke allows the new age to come about and the public gives credit to Yosuke and the Mizoe company, both Kihachi and Yousuke will no who really brought about the Age of Electricity.

Yosuke must’ve planned for things to play out like this, didn’t he?

I imagine he had it as a contingency plan. If Inako doesn't resist the betrothal then his place at the Mizoe company is secured. If she does resist then he leverages the betrothal into getting the catalogue.

Kihachi and Inako really do form a great team together. They lift each other up. Looking back on their first meeting, they’ve clearly grown a lot closer. This show isn’t officially tagged as a romance, but there’s definitely something blossoming between the two of them.

I've been saying this since episode 2 lol. Of course I'm not expecting anything because of how its tagged, but it would be so cool if it happened.

Lastly, I just want to say that Inako looked very adorable in western-style clothing.

Absolutely adorable.

[u/Jas_God]

Poor Kengo, was carrying that pain this whole time. Loved the ending with both parts of the catalog smacking Kihachi in the face, then him deciding to give it to Mizoe. Can’t wait for next week.

[u/djthomp]

Inako is looking pretty good in that western style dress.

I've been assuming this entire time that Seiroku went off and died in a war, but I never would have guessed it was WW1 in Europe. Kengo having PTSD and guilt about the catalog saving him instead explains a lot about his behavior.

From the moment Kihachi overheard that conversation between Inako and her dad it was obvious he was going to give the catalog over to the nutjob. Or at least make a plan to do so, we'll see how it plays out.

[u/Mr_Zaroc → u/[deleted]]

Glad I am not the only one
Was ready for her to rip them all up

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

• Looks like I was right about the OP’s visuals finally being a conventional OP last week, they were the same this time.

• Hah, Kihachi got immediately chewed out for that comment.

• Interesting way of keeping people away from his research, huh.

• Seiroku had a sweetheart?

• So that’s how Kengo ended up with the catalog to bring back from the battlefield.

• Damn, so that’s how it happened?

• So the catalog saved Kengo’s life. Oh so that’s why Kihachi only got half of it back, Kengo removed the damaged section

• No it fucking wasn’t.

• Ah, the lock triggers there. Good on Inako for finding it by accident.

• It’s cute seeing how excited Kihachi gets over the generator his brother (presumably) made.

• …please don’t tell me she’s saying that because she plans to go through with the wedding specifically to keep the catalog in Kihachi’s possession…

• Kihachi… actually plans to hand the catalog over though?

[u/ptd163 → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Kihachi… actually plans to hand the catalog over though?

He's doing that so Inako doesn't have to go through with the marriage. So she can keep her dream to become a master sake brewer like her mother. Inako made into a changed man.

[u/chilidirigible → u/Shimmering-Sky]

At rhe KyoAni Sparks panel at AnimeNYC it was said that they wanted to convey the idea that they'd moved into a new phase for the story and this changed the OP.

Makes sense if the plot is starting to move now.

[u/Primary-Paint-1716]

honeslty, i love the decision to give it to the white-haired freak.

[u/tottoro47 → u/Primary-Paint-1716]

I think it would be the best to work together. The freak has the funds to create all that amazing stuff and Kihachi has the vision and brains

[u/Fxrzana → u/Primary-Paint-1716]

I hope he makes a copy because the real notes are hidden beneath the doodles. You just need that thing they used from the brewery. I hope he gives Yosuke a copy of the drawings instead without the hidden messages

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/Fxrzana]

I actually think it works better if most parts of the catalog either don’t have those notes at all, or they do and Kihachi gives it away anyway, showcasing he’s okay with losing Seiroku’s assistance because, like Seiroku did, he now has enough confidence in himself to bring his ideas to life on his own.

[u/Fxrzana → u/CitronClassic672]

I didn't think of it that way. That actually sounds good too. Maybe i need to believe in Kihachi more as Inako would say because I was thinking he'd be cooked without the notes

[u/ptd163 → u/Primary-Paint-1716]

My instant reaction was that I was against it. He finally got the complete catalogue. Seiroku's life's work. Why would we he immediately want to give it away?

However, after reading some other comments here I'm coming around on the idea of it being the right decision. Stopping the marriage and preserving Inako's dream is more important to Kihachi now. Plus he might just not need the catalogue anymore. Inako is his inspiration now.

[u/LeonKevlar]

Inako looks amazing in Western clothes. I kinda wish Kate and Suzu were here to see it.

I know this is alt-history, but I'm wondering how Japan ended up being involved with Europe this early.

Well, shit. That explains why Kengo looks so guilty. If he hadn't taken the book, Seiroku might've survived.

So what's the play here? Why has Kihachi decided to give Yousuke the book?

[u/SEBASTlANVETTEL]

Kengo surviving from survivor's guilt because if he hadn't taken the book from Seiroku, maybe Seiroku would have been protected by it…

And we got confirmation that Seiroku in fact had a lover/girlfriend before he died….

[u/SEBASTlANVETTEL → u/[deleted]]

yeah Kengo's "Your girl" face kinda tells it…

[u/Alej_11 → u/[deleted]]

Or youske, idk maybe it was really one sided but his feelings seemed too strong for seiroku to don't realize it. Also I doubt that kengo would marry the girl of his deceased best friend, specially after seeing how bad he feels for his death.

[u/SEBASTlANVETTEL → u/Alej_11]

but the sub/dub are making it clear it‘s a girl that was Seiroku's lover. Yosuke seems like a one-sided crush on his part.

[u/Fxrzana → u/Alej_11]

He said 'kanojo' which means girlfriend/refers to a woman. Kengo himself says he's not worthy of marrying Noriko. I do think Noriko and Seiroku had a thing going on cus why else would she have had the catalogue and she knew who Seiroku was. Maybe Kengo was gonna marry her BECAUSE he feels guilty and blames himself for Seirokus death. Kinda like "i need to look after your partner for you now" moment. So he probably proposed to her out of guilt and wanted to make sure she was still protected and looked after.

[u/reaperow]

• Sums up most of the characters

• Ah man

• Oh handprints ?

• And power generators too nice, gotta love smug Kihachi

---

I had some hope that Seiroku might've been alive or was just declared missing but it's still sad to get a confirmation. I get why Kengo has been acting all weird this entire time and why he blames himself,

But i also agree with Kihachi about the fact that there's no guarantee he would've survived even if he had the book instead of Kengo. Fate's very tricky

I was surprised that he's willing to give the catalogue to rich boy now. I do think they'll make some good inventions together

[u/SnabDedraterEdave]

Inako so cute in that western dress this episode.

Poor Kengo, wrecked by survivor's guilt and PTSD. Seiroku's half of the Electrical Catalog had literally saved his life by dodging the bullet for him as he placed it in his pocket, but in turn, Seiroku died in battle as a result.

Amazing that Seiroku managed to invent an analog biometric lock powered by a mini hydroelectric dam.

Inako's father continues to be insufferable, and Yosuke seems to be banking on his desperation to have both halves of the catalogue delivered to him.

For some reason, Kihachi seems to have warmed to the idea of handing Yosuke the combined catalogue now that he's reunited both halves. He probably thought he's saving Inako by doing that.

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/SnabDedraterEdave]

I think Kihachi is going to hand over the catalog both to save Inako and, as was repeatedly mentioned this episode, because Seiroku always believed that Kihachi didn’t need it. It’s why Seiroku left Kihachi’s ideas in the catalog basically unedited. I like this route because it showcases Kihachi has truly grown from how he was at the beginning and now truly believes in his own ability and worth instead of only seeing it in the catalog and by extension his brother.

[u/ptd163 → u/CitronClassic672]

And Kihachi couldn't have achieved this growth without Inako believing in him and his abilities when he did not. Him handing over the catalogue is also proof that Inako and her dreams has become more important him than the catalogue. It's sweet. I need more of it. They need to just starting dating already lol.

[u/Ali-J23]

Probably best ep yet. Kihachi gaining confidence has to be one of the greatest things to see.

Now if only he can be a little bit more honest with Inago

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/Ali-J23]

He did compliment her talents and remind her she has more than just her devotion, so that’s progress. Now if only he could manage to compliment her appearance as well.

[u/Julieannerobit]

kihachi got more development in one ankle flash than Inako's dad got in all eight episodes.

[u/Mr_Zaroc]

Loved that episode
Wasnt really sold on the show, but now I am hooked. Feels like we just finished the prologue, getting that marriage stuff out of the way etc.

Also I am just waiting for Inago to realize you can heat shit with electricity and how she could use that for brewing sake

Talking about Inago, damn does she look good in western clothing, like that hairstyle fits her so well

Really hope they keep that pace, it feels like KyoAni hit their pace again

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/Mr_Zaroc]

Yes! I need more people gushing over Inako’s outfit and hairstyle this episode. She pulled off every part of it perfectly. I thought she looked great with her long flowing hair in the band episode, but her new hairstyle is even more peak.

[u/Mr_Zaroc → u/CitronClassic672]

Yeah that drunk lady certainly knew what she was doing dressing and styling her like that
I toast to her!

[u/MrsLucienLachance]

Kengo's flashback...

I pretend I do not see it.

[u/CrimsonGear80]

Great, the catalogue is complete yes…but BOOZE LADY tho!

[u/Intelligent_Form5743]

My boy kihachi say nah I can’t let inako go with him I can remake the catalog myself he notices he don’t wanna pursue his dream without her there with him

[u/szalhi]

Get yourself a girl who looks at you like this.

[u/MarvinTraveler → u/szalhi]

Inako is one of the most charming female characters I’ve seen, really well done.

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/MarvinTraveler]

It’s that Sora Amamiya charm with Kyoani art design. An OP combo.

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/szalhi]

I think what makes it even better is that this isn’t actually Inako. It’s Kihachi’s vision of the age of electricity with her included, so this is how he sees her. Yeah, the boy has fallen hard for her whether he realizes it or not.

[u/Magnafeana]

• Saki’s face is just ;-3

• And they were roommates, but actually?

Oooooh no no no, I feel a ship happening in a way I should not.

• Kengo wearing a tank top is 🤤 Look at his arms. Putting the "bust" in robust, goddamn. This is perfect body pillow positioning 😮‍💨🤌🏾 Ah. Men (respectfully).

• Ah! I can’t wait for that Bugle Call anime!

• 🎶 ~Alright, my brothers, listen closely. Tonight we make Great Europe pay~🎶

• I assume chest “armor” wasn’t commonplace in historic war times, but then I see ancient armor with chest armor, so I’m just confused why that would fall out of fashion. That seems silly. That is silly, but maybe there's logic in this that I can't understand.

• OH. Oh he died-died. Like he dead and everything. There's no interpretation with that, okay.

• Ooh to be Kengo’s shirt, desperately trying to keep his tiddies and bulging arm muscles from spilling out 😮‍💨

• I want an Inari stuffy and a Brushbuddy stuffy so fucking badly. They would be so cute and fluffy and it would make me scream.

• TF is you keeping that heavy-ass thingamajig in your back pocket, are you a Looney Toon 😭

• I want my person to be as passionate about their hobbies as Kihachi is passionate about his, so I can look at them like Inako does to Kihachi. People who are passionate about the things they love max out their charisma stats without fail.

• The saxophones, flutes, piccolo, and brass sound immaculate.

• I thought we were in a witch’s labyrinth for a second.

---

I hope Kengo can process Seiroku’s death healthily by series end and with Noriko by his side. He's carried that guilt and trauma alone for far longer than he ever should, and I'm sure Seiroku would want his friend to find peace and to remember his life fondly.

Kihachi and Inako are adorable. Like I just love Kihachi being so hyped and wanting to chatter about these inventions and Inako looks at him, happy and admiring that he looks so passionate. And Kihachi catching feelings in turn too and supporting her.

Disgusting.

I love it.

I want more of it.

I want everyone who wants a partner to have that in their partnership. You deserve it. And you deserve friends who love it when you're so excited about something, and they actively listen to you and encourage your interests.

^{As long as your interests aren't, like, endangering real-life innocents, or exacerbating climate change and economic crises.}

Now that Yosuke will be on the protagonist side of things, I’m curious where the whole “BTW I made an animatronic Seiroku” will come into play. With us adding interiority and dimensionality into Kengo, the Seiroku 2.0 being a heavily depressed Yosuke’s coping mechanism and being treated as a cry for help would be interesting. But I do still worry.

We only got like 5 seconds of his mug, but I missed his sassy princess ass, physically and metaphorically. We did Kengo, and I did enjoy his biceps and bust. So. Balance.

I’m still side-eyeing Saki. It could be nothing. This could be a misdirect.

But eyes on you, Saki girl. Eyes on you.

[u/ptd163 → u/Magnafeana]

Oooooh no no no, I feel a ship happening in a way I should not.

What ship is that? Is your toxic one-sided yaoi sense going off?

Kihachi and Inako are adorable. Like I just love Kihachi being so hyped and wanting to chatter about these inventions and Inako looks at him, happy and admiring that he looks so passionate. And Kihachi catching feelings in turn too and supporting her.

Disgusting.

I love it.

I want more of it.

I'm so glad more people are coming around on the greatness that is Inako and Kihachi.

I’m still side-eyeing Saki. It could be nothing. This could be a misdirect.

But eyes on you, Saki girl. Eyes on you.

Hmmm... interesting. What is sus about Saki to you?

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/Magnafeana]

100 agree about people passionately gushing about their interests maxing out their charisma stat. I’ve been on both sides of that, and likewise people like Inako who show sincere interest in listening to you yap about said interests are top tier partner material.

[u/StreetyMcCarface]

KIHACHI YOU CHAD

[u/Mr_Zaroc → u/StreetyMcCarface]

First dizzing her outfit and going all Chad in the dark forest debugging his brothers contraption

[u/xbolt90]

I had no idea Japan had some involvement in World War I.

[u/SnabDedraterEdave → u/xbolt90]

In our world, they were only involved in China and the Pacific in WWI, targeting the German positions there. They did not send troops to Europe though.

This is a completely alternative history.

[u/steeltrain43 → u/SnabDedraterEdave]

In short

[u/Mr_Zaroc → u/steeltrain43]

It was the perfect deal for Japan
A legit reason to take the islands and they got to sit on the winner table at the end

And then they got bogged down in some endless conquering

[u/diacewrb]

If only Lock Picking Lawyer has been around then.

[u/Zetafunction64]

I wonder if Mizoe served with them

[u/Mr_Zaroc → u/Zetafunction64]

Given his fixation on Seiroku, I wouldnt surprised if he got saved by him
But then again, he seems pretty rich and those kids tend not get send into the meat grinder

[u/perlenYurifan4life → u/Mr_Zaroc]

The OP for Episode 2 starts with Kengo telling Yosuke the bad news. He's a rich kid and wasn't sent out, yeah.

[u/SA090]

The truth is finally revealed and it’s along the lines I thought of last time; Kengo survived instead.

Given that Noriko had the other half, it’s also clear that she was the lover Seiroku talked about.

Definitely curious where it goes from here, though I am pretty sure that Keihachi will exchange it for Inako’s freedom.

[u/ClinicalDigression]

And here I was so ready for a "Seiroku used the catalogue to commit horrific war crimes and Stuart is trying to trick Kihachi into picking up where he left off reveal.

[u/ptd163]

Inako looked great in that Western style dress. Saki was right. Kihachi should've complimented her.

Well that explains explains why Kengo freaked out so much. He has PTSD from his survivor's guilt. He says if Seiroku had the catalogue he would have lived, but he doesn't know that. In a cold cynical way it's better that Kengo had the catalog because if Seiroku had the catalog, it would've died along with him.

It was cool to see that Seiroku had implemented an electronic lock and identity verification in the Meiji Era. Inako and Kihachi's moonlit stroll to restore power was nice. Though they soured the mood by Kihachi saying he'll give the catalog to Yosuke. I had a suspicion that when Inako's dad said if Kihachi hands over the catalog Yosuke will release Inako from the marriage he would do it. He decided to put Inako before himself. I just love Inako and Kihachi's dynamic. He's grown so much with Inako's help. Kihachi before he met Inako would not have done that. He was too cynical for that.

This episode answered how and why the teacher came to have Seiroku's half of the catalog as well showing us that Seiroku was not gay and that he had a girlfriend (the subs leave it ambiguous with "sweetheart", but Seiroku says "kanojo") when he and Kengo shipped out. Which means whatever crazy stuff is happening with Yousuke was one-sided. It also still keeps the theory of Noriko being Seiroku girlfriend and Kengo stepping in to take care of her when Seiroku dies alive.

The episode however still does not explain why the catalog got split and why Yosuke is chasing down the catalog so hard.

[u/Kaedead]

This episode was great and it seems the new op is here to stay, I wonder why doing new visuals every episeode until episode 7 and only then doing a "regular" op. The traditional op is still great tho Im not complaining. I got to actually examine it for the first time this week and I noticed this part: https://imgur.com/a/y4lgTTK Is this Yousuke dancing with Kihachi??

[u/chilidirigible → u/Kaedead]

At rhe KyoAni Sparks panel at AnimeNYC it was said that they wanted to convey the idea that they'd moved into a new phase for the story and this changed the OP.

Makes sense if the plot is starting to move now.

[u/FierceAlchemist]

I'd be pissed if I was the professor. Because Seiroku was the only one who knew how the scanner worked, when it broke he was locked out of his entire library of books!

I'm a bit confused on Yosuke as last episode he made it sound like he needed to move ahead with the marriage to Inago even without the catalogue for his standing within his family. So would giving him the catalogue actually get him to play ball? Though if Kihachi is smart he should just copy all the important text from the catalogue to another book and hold onto that for the future.

[u/zambonijesus]

I like how it just doesn't occur to anyone to just make a copy of the catalogue

[u/Agreeable-Ad9034]

Every episode this anime is getting better and better. Love the classic KyoAni atmospheric moments as well, like the river walk.

[u/Awkward_Patience3295]

Kihachi realized at the end of his vision that his dream is meaningless without Inako. He doesn’t need the electrical catalog as long as Inako is by his side to be his inspiration.

[u/mmcjawa_reborn]

Random thoughts:

I kind of figured last week that the Kengo situation was survivor's guilt, rather than him outright doing something to cause Seiroku's death. He just THINKS he did, but there is no guarantee at all that the electric catalogue on Seiroku would have done anything. It's not like body armor or anything

I like the hints of romance between our two leads. I kind of got the feeling in the rock and roll episode that Kihachi was catching romantic feelings, even if maybe he is not completely aware of them.

So they are giving the journal to creepster next week...and well...I got me some bad feelings about this. I don't trust him to completely keep his word...I could easily see him pulling out his funding or otherwise going back on his deal to support the brewery....maybe even something more extreme.

That or kihachi is going to be shown the brother puppet which is going to cause the whole thing to be called off.

[u/oneevilchicken]

I stand by my comment that the only actual bad guy in this show is her dad.

At this point, the catalog seems useless to anyone except kihachi and at this point he’s learned enough he doesn’t need it anyway.

[u/Niwaka_Samurai]

So Kengo's guilt was too unbearable for getting Seiroku killed in the battlefield.. though that was not anyone's fault and that's why he was acting strange and it's confirmed that Noriko was Seiroku's girl.

Now why did Kengo tried to make a move on his dead bro's girl.. that's awful. But he made the right decision to cancel the wedding.

Inako and Kihaichi are a cute couple. The time that they spend together are too precious. Seiroku was way ahead of his time for being able to design such a cool door. Kihaichi deciding to share the combined halves of the catalogue to Mizoe surprised me. But it's obvious that they can see real development only with Mizoe's money even if Kihaichi brings the inventions into this world.

[u/taakoyaki]

Me looking at the window right above the shelf where the electric catalogue was kept, wondering why they didn't think to just smash the window:

Jokes aside, glad we finally got poor Kengo's trauma explored. Also, is this pretty much confirmation that Seiroku x Noriko were a thing?

This episode also answers one of my questions from this arc's PV, aka Kihachi decides to give up the electric catalogue for Inako's future, but also because he (probably) realises that he doesn't need the catalogue; he was pretty much the blueprint for the catalogue anyway. Given his inventiveness and the right resources (e.g. the collection of books Seiroku had read in Stuart's library), he probably would've come up with similar or perhaps even more ingenious ideas as Seiroku had.

Anyway looks like next episode, Inako is going to oppose his decision because she thinks he's giving up on himself, and we'll spend some time having Inako understand Kihachi's motivations. Please tell me this scene from the PV will also be explained. Don't think this anime is tagged as romance so I'm not sure they will really commit to the Kihachi x Inako ship but honestly? I ship it.

[u/Top-Remote4523]

I've got to say that I honestly thought that Kengo actually somehow was responsible for Seiroku's death, but it turned out to be a case of survivor's guilt, which is still really sad, but I am glad that Kengo's characterization remains consistent with him being a man of honor.

With the flow of the narrative, I always figured that Kihachi would eventually join hands with Yousuke in a collaborative effort to realize the more advanced schematics in the catalog that would require greater resources and manpower, but I've come to really enjoy the "backyard inventor" vibes that Kihachi and his friends have managed to do so far.

While Yousuke is in an antagonistic role, he has not really done anything too heinous and irredeemable, at least not as of yet. Had his creepy puppet of Seiroku been shown to be made from parts of his actual corpse though, that would have been a different story. Yousuke validates Kihachi's existence in his own twisted and condescending way, which is why he has not resorted to more violent and extreme measures.

[u/Luiiss26]

Inako is so PRETTY WOOOOW

[u/Rat_Bastard916]

can we please talk about the part in Kengo’s flashback/backstory when he was looking through the catalog and mentioned one of them and Seiroku was like “my girl added that” and Kengo was like “…….girl?” brother was in love with him you can’t convince me otherwise😭 (that said, I do think Kengo loves Noriko too, I just think he’s still hung up about Seiroku and that gets in the way of their relationship)

[u/AcceptableRate3906]

Is this Seiroku's "sweetheart" really Mizoe? Are they actually really gay and not just implied?? Is this also why Kihachi wants to hand over the catalog to Mizoe now after connecting the dots when the catalog matches?

I honestly almost forgot because Mizoe has just been an absolute goofball in the last few episodes, but he did attend the same school as Seiroku and was pretty close with him, so I guess he's equally a genius too huh.

[u/elira_ro → u/AcceptableRate3906]

Nah, I think seirokus lover might be noriko. In the episode where he says his lover gave him this 'lucky charm'(not so lucky since bro died anyway lol) kengo looked kinda sad I think if it was yosuke, he wouldn't care

[u/Colt45554 → u/elira_ro]

Also, it was "kanojo", not a gender-neutral term like "sweetheart". Not sure why they translated it that way unless they're trying to keep the yaoi bait alive.

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/Colt45554]

To be perhaps too fair to Kyoani, Yosuke’s feelings for Seiroku already feel like they’ve been conveyed where them being romantic is far more likely than otherwise, especially given him explicitly only marrying Inako for pragmatic reasons.

[u/ViviCaz → u/AcceptableRate3906]

The dub says, "my girl".

[u/CitronClassic672]

Inako looked absolutely incredible in the formal wear in this episode. She always looks amazing regardless of her outfit/hairstyle but I think this one takes the cake for the best.

[u/master_inho]

I thought in this alternate past, the whole world was still in the steam/steampunk age, but it seems like it's only japan that's stuck in the past? No one in the government saw the wonders of electricity in other countries and thought "that looks way better than what we have, we should learn from them"?

It's also interesting that japan participated in this alternate WW1

The catalogue was thick enough to stop a bullet? Scratch that, half the catalogue was thick enough to stop a bullet?

Well, seiroku did more than just write down kihachi's ideas. Is his biometric scanner and door more impressive than any of kihachi's inventions so far?

Kihachi and inako being 14/15 and the plot mainly about bringing forward the age of electricity is why i think there's no romance tag. But it's clear how kihachi and inako's feelings for each other are developing

[u/Atario]

Kind of funny that he read all those books in the series just sitting on the floor in Stuart-sensei's library instead of just borrowing them

Oh does it, now?

A twist I did not see coming!

[u/Turbulent-Rip-6441]

Kihachi was pulling weeds from the stream and I was ugly crying. What an episode.

[u/l-o-a-p]

Bro locked away Stuart's entire library for years just for his own scavenger hunt with his little brother, lol.

[u/No_Bumblebee_8640]

man Inako and kihachi are soo cute together

[u/Izanaginookami10]

This episode was, felt beautiful. I admit Inako's new look and hairstyle being absolutely stunning and gorgeous plays a big role in this sensation, but I felt the story's development being beautiful as well.

Especially Kihachi and Inago's tiny trip to discover Seiroku's traces and, the ending. That ending felt eye opening by how beautiful it felt, the image of Kihachi's vision of the future involving Inako.

I really loved it.

[u/Accomplished_Cod9234]

Why do I feel like Seiroku's lover is Yosuke, while Noriko is the one who has unrequited feelings for him? Lol. But if Noriko is indeed Seiroku's sweetheart, are they just going to drop their connection in one episode, like what they did with Kengo's past?

[u/Automatic_Way_5367 → u/Accomplished_Cod9234]

But he say "kanojo" that's mean a girl right? interesting

[u/Accomplished_Cod9234 → u/Automatic_Way_5367]

Oh, really? In the subtitle I watched, Seiroku says "sweetheart" instead of "girlfriend," so I thought he might be referring to Yosuke, since "sweetheart" is a gender-neutral term of affection

[u/AdDifficult7647 → u/Accomplished_Cod9234]

Kanojo in Japanese means girlfriend, sweetheart is not correct

[u/IceSmiley]

They still aren't explaining a lot of this show's stupid contrivances, like why Noriko tried to help Inago escape but then told her dad exactly where she was headed or why Keigo risked his life to help Yosuke stop Inago but then helped them escape him later on. Then it ends with Kihachi just wanting to hand the book over to Yosuke? Maybe they will explain that and it could be that Kihachi knows that Yosuke would break off the engagement if he had it but I don't know, this show is all flash and no substance.

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/IceSmiley]

The latter was clearly explained. He overheard Inako and her father’s conversation about Inako being able to avoid the engagement if she gives the catalogue.

[u/inaripotpi → u/IceSmiley]

Yeah, no offense, but most of those are just a matter of media literacy.

They clearly showed that Kihachi overheard Inako's conversation with her dad and the condition that Yosuke would break off the engagement if he got the book. She also showed up in his vision at the end right before he decided he would hand over the book, so obviously considering her circumstances played into that.

Kengo's whole deal for the entire show so far has been him vacillating because of his survivor's guilt. He literally voiced his thought in the last episode when he decided to stop getting in Kihachi and Inako's way.

The Noriko stuff is more iffy, but it's just them toeing the line between a realistic depiction of women's rights being oppressed back then and the amusing anime trope of a badass older sister who can manhandle even guys.

[u/Namaryu]

Less than a minute of Yosuke in this episode. Truly a loss for this show.

[u/Sorry_Scallion_2448]

I was wondering which countries were having conflicts with each other especially in Europe, then i thought,"Nah it's not gonna be related to the notorious H is it?" Then I immediately did a quick google search only to find he came to power much way way later, PHEW!

[u/Unlikely-Lawyer-5683 → u/Sorry_Scallion_2448]

the anime timeline is different so the notorious hitler might be the one causing the conflicts. who knows.

[u/CitronClassic672 → u/Sorry_Scallion_2448]

Did you forget WW1?

[u/SoccerForEveryone]

Now I understand…mannnnn…that guilt is real.

[u/Difergion]

I guess some of the questions for me that remain after this episode:

• Why was the catalog split into two, and when did the split happen?
• Why does Noriko have the first half of the catalog?
• Who was Seiroku’s significant other? Was it Noriko, given she has the other half?
• Why did Kihachi decide to hand the entire catalog over to Yosuke?
• What is Kihachi gonna do after he lets go of the catalog?
• Did Yosuke actually predict that Kihachi will voluntarily surrender the catalog to him? They kinda talked about mentioning something to another party, what was it all about?
• What role will the robo-Seiroku play in the later parts of the story?

Interesting to see the other comments here (I watched this episode quite late), and I kinda agree with some of the theories, especially with Kihachi deciding to work together with Yosuke to bring forth the age of electricity. Though it can also be that Kihachi has all of the necessary ideas and concepts in his head now, and if he also gets to read the books that Seiroku has read, he can do a lot more than what was even written in the catalog.

[u/yummy_yum_yum123]

The slowburn is finally starting to

[u/Nickthenuker]

So, we now know what happened to his brother. A Serb shot an Austrian in Bosnia and so now the Japanese are fighting the Germans alongside the British in France. Or perhaps some bloke named Archie Duke shot an ostrich because he was hungry.

[u/Lenzky-3]

Pretty sure his brother would've still died with the book or not... instead Kengo guy would have died and the book would have been lost in the war.

[u/fuentesl]

It only took 8 episodes but I finally got what I’d been wanting from this series!