Kekkaishi ep.10

January 28, 2007 | 7 Comments

Well, it looks like the subtitle version manages to get quite close to the on-air version. I think up to episode 9 has been translated now. Hopefully that means more people will be more enthusiastic in following the series. I also have to step up a little bit since I'm 2 episodes behind at the moment. Anyway, I find this episode to be a lot more enjoyable than the one that came before it. This is strange since there is nothing out of the ordinary in this episode. Having said that, the comedy makes up for the lack of plot. It also helps that the animation and character design looks a lot better this time around. There's just one thing that bothers me and that's the unpleasant OP theme. I'm starting to appreciate the ED but no matter how many times I listen to the OP theme, I don't like it. It's unfortunate because it gets awesome animation to go with it. Although it will be strange, I hope we'll get a new OP in episode 13.

The episode begins with Yoshimori coming to his daily patrol carrying a cake that he's just made for Tokine. Tokine actually likes the cake but after she sees the ecstatic look on Yoshimori's face, she decides to spoil the mood. She claims that she's not impressed and if Yoshi has a free time to make this then he should have used it to practice his Kekkai jutsu. Hakubi thinks that Tokine is 'cool' although 'icy cold' would have been a more apt description of Tokine. As a result of this rejection, Yoshimori becomes depressed and later on is found by Shuuji hiding underneath a table, unable to finish the cake he's about to make. Upon hearing Yoshimori's explanation about Tokine refusing the cake that he's made, Yoshimori's father is afraid that his son's passion for cake is cooling down. In order to cheer up his son, Shuuji tells his son about a special cake. He explains how when his passion died down, Yoshi's mother bought him this special cake.

When Shuuji tasted the cake, he became happy and consequently believes that sweets have fantastic power. He asks Yoshimori to wait for him at "Nattou no douzo" (Nattou bronze statue) in front of the train station around 3.30PM tomorrow. The next day Yoshimori is waiting at a park, complaining that his father has not arrived yet. Because he's eating chips, a group of pigeons start to flock around him. A few minutes later, Yoshimori's little brother, Toshimori comes to tell him that the meeting place is supposed to be "Nattou no douzo" not "Hato no douzo" (Pigeon bronze statue). Despite this, Yoshimori wonders why his brother is here since he's supposed to meet his father. Toshimori explains that their father has a deadline and therefore can't come out. However, Toshimori has the wallet and instructions on how to buy the cake. Because of this, the two head to a cake shop called "Castle Chateau Berg". Hmm, shouldn't that be "Chateaubourg"?

Much to Yoshimori's surprise, Toshimori takes him to the back entrance instead of the front entrance. Toshimori confirms this because the cake is supposed to be top secret. He reads the instruction how once a week, Castle Chateau Berg distribute a ticket which allows its receiver to buy a dream chocolate cake from the shop. The seven layered cake has a rich taste. Every ingredient works in harmony to create the chocolate taste and smell. The cake was so good that it made Yoshimori's father cried. Toshimori then points out that since there are only 7 chairs lined up this week, it means only 7 people can buy the cake. Shuuji believes that if Yoshimori eats this, he will surely remember the passion he has for cake. As soon as Toshimori finished reading the instruction, a baker comes out of the back door to paste an instruction note. Unfortunately, the note tells them that the ticket will be handed out at 5.00AM tomorrow.

This is a problem for Yoshimori since he has to work as Kekkaishi. Toshimori suggests that Yoshimori entrusts the job to Tokine but Yoshimori refuses to do so. However, Yoshimori also doesn't want to give up on the cake so he produces a Shikigami to imitate him. Much to his shock, his Shikigami's imitation of him looks fat and bloated. Yoshimori is pissed off about this and asks the Shikigami if it thinks that he's fat. Toshimori asks his brother not to bully the Shikigami but Yoshimori refuses, claiming that as Kekkaishi he has to control his Shikigami. Upon hearing this, Toshimori snidely calls Yoshimori 「沽券に関わる」- Koken ni kakawaru (someone who's too concerned with self-dignity). The words Koken is similar to 「股間」- Kokan (crotch), which means this is all about Yoshimori's need to prove something. Yoshimori ignores this and orders his Shikigami to look more manly. In response to this, the Shikigami transforms into a Spanish man.

Yoshimori, however, doesn't care that this version of him looks totally different from his real form. He orders the Shikigami to wait here until tomorrow. In response the Shikigami "Roger" him, creeping out Toshimori in the process. That night, Yoshimori has difficulty concentrating at work because his energy is also used to produce the Shikigami. To make things worse, the Ayakashi that they hunt is called「火土竜」- Himogura, a mole which is capable of breathing fire. Hakubi notices that Yoshimori is out of breath so Tokine orders him to rest if he's not feeling well. At the same time, Shuuji comes to the cake shop to check on Yoshimori's shikigami. Much to his horror, a group of Yakuza comes to the place and starts terrorising the other customers because the the girlfriend of the leader wants to eat the cake as well. Shuuji is angry to see this but his courage deflates as soon as he hears the Yakuza's laughter.

The only person who stands up to the Yakuza's bullying is Yoshimori's Shikigami. But the Yakuza leader immediately kicks the Shikigami on the stomach. At the same time, Tokine manages to capture the fire sent by the Ayakashi mole using her Kekkai. Yoshimori, however, is not so fast and has to protect himself using the Kekkai. Because he's pissed off, Yoshimori ends up whacking at the mole everytime it appears out of a hole. Tokine is unhappy to see this but her anger turns to concern when she realises that Yoshimori looks tired. Yoshimori denies this but he senses that his Shikigami is about to disappear. Cut to a shot of the Shikigami being ganged-up by the Yakuza. Yoshimori, however, is not worried because he already told the Shikigami to use whatever power is necessary at a time like this. While Yoshimori encloses a large portion of the Karasumori site with his Kekkai, his Shikigami uses a large of power to turn into a tornado.

With this, Yoshimori manages to wipe out the Ayakashi while his Shikigami manages to defeat the Yakuza. However, the effort spent a lot of Yoshimori's energy and he falls unconscious because of it. He, however, quickly regains his consciousness and brags about using his Shiki to secure chocolate cake. Tokine becomes angry upon hearing this, calling him a disgrace to the Kekkaishi practicioner. If an enemy uses all of its power to attack him, he would have died instantly. Hakubi points out that there's no point for her to get angry but Tokine storms off, swearing that she doesn't want to hear anything Yoshimori has to say. Yoshimori is shocked to hear this that he ends up petrified. In order to calm herself down, Tokine decides to take a bath but can't help but wonder if Yoshimori's "Cake Otaku" disease is incurable. She then goes to the kitchen to drink milk but becomes horrified when she notices a black creature appears in the corner.

Meanwhile Yoshimori is still depressed due to what happened earlier. He, however, greets her when she comes to his house. As it turns out, she's looking for his father but Yoshimori quick to point out that he's out delivering the manuscript because the deadline is today. When Tokine asks for Toshimori, Yoshi tells her that his brother is at a friend's house playing. Upon hearing this Tokine decides to walk out so Yoshimori suggests that she asks for his grandfather's help. When Tokine refuses the idea, Yoshi nominates himself. Much to Yoshimori's shock, Tokine has to think about it first. Tokine explains that there's a black thing coming out of her house. Yoshimori immediately uses the opportunity to scare her off, saying that it's dangerous. Tokine agrees with the assessment, claiming that the creature is black, rounded, and rustles around as it moves. Before Yoshi can mention the creature's name, Tokine already knocks him unconscious.

She orders him not to say its name because it might shows up and she won't be able to bear it. Back at Tokine's house, the old hag begs her granddaughter not to leave her behind. She is also unhappy when she sees Tokine bringing Yoshimori into the house but is resigned to the fact when Tokine points out that there's no one else inside the house. Tokine apologises because her mother usually takes care of the creature but today she's at Onsen. Upon hearing this, Yoshimori realises that this is the first time he enters Tokine's house. He is immediately distracted when he notices a room which could be Tokine's. Before he can get in, Tokine already drags him away, saying that the kitchen is somewhere else. However, when they get there, they can't find said creature. Tokine refuses to believe this and insist that it's here. Yoshimori becomes distracted when Tokine pushes him forward because he can smell her freshly washed hair.

All of a sudden, the creature, which turns out to be a cockroach, comes out behind them. Tokine screams in terror and almost choke Yoshimori in the process. Because he's distracted, Yoshimori fails to capture the roach. Tokine is not impressed about this, claiming that her mother could kill it within 3 seconds using her slipper. She's also horrified that Yoshimori tried to use Kekkai and wonders what would happen if the cockroach's body got scattered all over the kitchen. Yoshimori points out what's the big deal about this since Tokine's mother uses slipper to kill the creature after all. Tokine disagrees and claims that her mother is a pro who can control her force so she won't make a mess when she swat them. Yoshimori is freaked out upon hearing this but Tokine quickly tells him to get the job within 5 to 10 seconds. In response Yoshimori tells Tokine that she's selfish. This stops Tokine from whining and she apologises for what she said.

After accepting the apology, Yoshimori comes up with the plan. He spreads out newspapers on the floor because he just realises that by placing his Kekkai on top of a paper, he can move the Kekkai and the object captured within it somewhere else. While he doesn't know the technical details, he finds out that you can use Kekkai either to capture an object or lifts it up. Much to Yoshi's surprise, he can actually read about this from the scrolls. Regardless, Tokine is surprised that Yoshimori manages to figure this out on his own. Anyway, Yoshimori's plan is to capture the cockroach on Kekkai, which he would then dispose outside thanks to the help of the newspaper. After the preparation is complete, Yoshimori summons 3 Shikigamis. He then orders the Shikigami to find the cockroach and draws it out into the newspaper area. Not long after the Shikigamis disappear, Yoshimori and Tokine hear rustling sound coming from part of the Kitchen.

In her fear, Tokine latches onto Yoshimori's back, disturbing his concentration. When the Shikigamis come out and herd the cockroach out, however, Tokine freaks out and pushes Yoshimori forward. Yoshimori falls flat on the floor and crushes the cockroach. Tokine is horrified to see this and screams outloud. A few hours later, it's Yoshimori's turn to scream in terror because he finds out that his grandfather has eaten his portion of the chocolate cake. Yoshimori is also depressed that Tokine hasn't been talking to him ever since the roach incident. That night, however, Tokine gives Yoshimori a package before running away in fear. The package contains a new t-shirt, suggesting that she doesn't want him to wear the t-shirt that crushed the cockroach. Yoshimori is even happier when he finds out that Tokine has also bought the special chocolate cake for him. Tokine wonders why Yoshimori looks so happy so Hakubi points out that it's youth.

Impression:

For some reason Tokine always rubs me the wrong way in almost every episode. I usually like Tsundere girls (Asuka Langley in Evangelion, Tousaka Rin in Fate/Stay Night) in anime but I find it hard to like Tokine. I find her to be annoying and I have problem seeing any kind of chemistry between her and Yoshimori. I think the fact that she always acts like Yoshimori's older sister (or worse, mother) is a complete turn-off for me. Thankfully the episode comes with a lot of comedy so it's easy to forget the parts which I don't like. Despite my dislike of Tokine, her "Cake Otaku" comment was golden as always. Speaking of cake, I think the idea of Yoshimori misusing his Shikigami to buy a cake was hilarious. The same thing can be said about his vanity upon seeing his Shikagami's tubby first form. I also like how the Shikigami turns itself into a Spanish man because Yoshimori wants it to look more manly.

Preview

The second half of the episode was actually hilarious in that gross kind of way. In general, I have no problem of swatting cockroaches the minute I spot them. However, while writing this entry, I decided to open Wikipedia to learn more about the creature. What a big mistake. I was completely revolted upon reading the description. Anyway, on a more pleasant note, the Ayakashi dogs are funny as usual although their role are quite minimal in this episode. I think Hakubi likes Yoshimori at this point, as evidenced by his attempt to defend him from Tokine's wrath. I can't recall this part from the manga and I think the addition is a good idea considering of what would happen in the next episode. Well, more like the next few episodes since I think this upcoming arc will be longer than one episode.

© memento 2003