Jigoku Shoujo ep.21

March 1, 2006 | 7 Comments

This is a rather interesting episode even if the resolution is not really satisfying and the animation quality takes a little nosedive. As the show gets closer towards the end, however, I am more concerned about the direction that the series is going to take. I think there are two obvious paths to take at the moment. The first one is the deliberation of Ai from her job as Jigoku Shoujo. The other one is the possibility of her exchanging position with Tsugumi at the end of the series. To be honest, I am not sure which one I prefer the most. I personally don't know if I am keen to see a tragic ending at the end of the series. Although judging from the way each episode ends thus far, I won't rule it out as a possibility.

The episode itself begins when Tsugumi gets a vision involving Murai Yuuko, a daughter of Hajime's acquaintance who has an alcoholic problem. Because of this, the two drive down to their house only to find that it is in desolate state. The two then get into the house and find Yuuko all alone. Yuuko informs the two that her father has passed away. She blames his death on Sekine Ryousuke, a con man who at first befriends Yuuko's father. The two met when Yuuko and her father has just moved into the house Yuuko's father inherited from his old man. He and Yuuko were planning to grow vegetables around the area. Sekine told the two that he'd like to help because he used to do the same as well. Ever since then, Sekine came everyday to Yuuko's house and helped Yuuko's father. One day, however, the plants die due to insect attacks. Sekine persuaded Yuuko's father to buy medicine that he sells. Unfortunately that said medicine was very expensive.

Despite the medicine, however, their plants continue to die due to insect attacks. Ever since then, Yuuko's father returns to his alcoholism. One day when Yuuko was sitting in front of the porch, she saw a dog licking a bucket containing the medicine. Much to Yuuko's surprise, the dog didn't die from the medicine. Yuuko eventually finds out that the medicine was nothing but a combination of water and juice. However, by that time it is Yuuko's father has passed away due to extreme use of alcohol. Hajime gets straight to the point and asks Yuuko if she has accessed Jigoku Tsuushin. When Yuuko confirms this, Hajime tells her that her father would not want her to get revenge. Yuuko is eventually convinced and shows her straw doll. Unknown to Hajime, his words have been heard by Hone-Onna and Ichimoku Ren. Both of them are unhappy with his interference and even more so when Hajime confiscates the doll from Yuuko and throws it into garbage bin.

The two, however, can't help themselves from laughing upon seeing Wanyuudo emerging from the garbage bin looking dirty and smelling bad. Meanwhile, Hajime and Tsugumi have arguments whether or not Yuuko should send Sekine to Hell. Tsugumi thinks it'll be better if Sekine dies, prompting Hajime to slap her. Tsugumi becomes angry and tells her father that if he were to get killed, she's definitely going to avenge him. At the same time, Ai sees a vision of the boy she saw on last week's episode when her associates appear with Wanyuudo smelling bad. Because of this, Ai pays another visit to Yuuko and despite Yuuko's request for advice, Ai simply tells her that it is up to her to decide and drives her look towards the window. Through the window, Yuuko sees an image of Seki outside smirking at her. She tries to run out of the house and confront him but instead of finding the guy, she finds the straw doll near the footsteps.

Before Yuuko can pull the string, however, she is startled by the presence of Hajime, who's looking for Tsugumi. The two eventually team up to find Tsugumi and find her near the river area. The two momentarily reconcile after Hajime hugs Tsugumi and tells his daughter that he's worried for her. Upon seeing Tsugumi and Hajime, Yuuko decides not to seek revenge. Unfortunately this is not the end of the story because Sekine appears the next day and demands payment for the money that Yuuko's father borrowed. Since Yuuko can't pay for it, she is evicted from her house. This incident causes a big rift between Hajime and Tsugumi. Tsugumi thinks that Yuuko ends up in the orphanage because of Hajime's interference. At the same time, Yuuko is seen guided by the orphanage manager into a room, which contains a computer. The episode then ends with Ai appearing behind the two, echoing the words she said earlier to Yuuko that it is up to her to decide what she wants to do.

Impression:

I find the episode to be highly unpleasant to watch probably because of the ending, where everyone ends up being unhappy. I supposed Gill was correct last week when he said that even if a person knows that revenge is wrong, deep down in his heart, the person will still wish for one. I supposed this is the animators' way to show that "no revenge" does not necessarily equals happiness. If one thinks about it though, is it really worth it to pull the string? I mean there are many con men in this world, it is up to you to not be deceived by them. In the end, even though Sekine influenced the death of Yuuko’s father, it was his alcoholism that drove him to death. I think I just feel sorry the most for Yuuko because she's the one who gets the brunt of the situation due to her spineless father. In addition to this, the situation causes a big rift between Hajime and Tsugumi because the two disagree on what is the best for Yuuko. The question is, if you were in Hajime/Tsugumi shoes, would you recommend Yuuko to pull the string?

As for the boy that Ai saw, I suddenly get a realisation as to how similar he looks to Hajime. Now I can't help but wonder if that kid is actually a young version of Hajime, while Ai is the young version of his wife, Ayumi. Otherwise, it is also possible that the boy is actually Ai's descendant. That means if the boy turns out to be Hajime, it explains why he and Tsugumi gets involved in Ai's business. Having said that, I like the idea that Ai is actually the child version of Hajime's deceased wife. It gives more impact to all of the characters in the series. Moreover, it makes a lot of sense that Hajime's wife tries to contact her husband and daughter from beyond the grave so that she'll be freed from her afterlife as Jigoku Shoujo. And watch as next week episode and the ones that come after it shoot my theory to death. Nevertheless, I feel that the animators blatantly shows the image of the young boy and drawn his hair so similar to Hajime for a good reason.

© memento 2003