Shinigami no Ballad ep.2

March 10, 2006 | 13 Comments

Woot! This is a pleasant surprise. Two episodes in and already the series take on an entirely different approach to the story. I personally am quite relieved to see this and believe that this show won't end up like the early episodes of Jigoku Shoujo, where each episode is similar to the ones that come before it. Having said that, I suspect some people will dislike the protagonist of this episode and his mindset. It is hard to understand why anyone will think like this but the truth is, there are many people in this world who suffers from the same problem as the protagonist. I personally feel sorry for him because I think it's not easy living with that kind of outlook on life. Anyway, as a side note I thought the VA for Fujishima is actually Takahashi Mikako but as it turned out, she's actually Kana Ueda, the voice of Rin from Fate/stay night.

Asano Mitsuki is seen floating in a water while remembering about how his sister had compared a pool at night to swimming in space. All of sudden he hears the sound of a bell and sees Momo floating on top of the water telling him that he's going to die soon. Because of this, she asks him to live life to the fullest until then. After Momo disappears, Asano is startled seeing her classmate, Fujishima Yutaka, standing beside him. Both of them want to know what the other is doing in the area but Asano changes the topic and decides to ask Fujishima if she saw a girl with a white dress. Fujishima, however, saw no one and is more concerned with getting Asano out of the pool because she just released a Piranha into it. Asano panics to hear this but manages to get out of the pool safely. The next day Asano's classmates are happy to know that swimming lesson has been postponed because of the Piranha. The fish itself is now dead in the pool.

Later on, Asano is asked by his classmate why he stopped playing Basketball but Asano refuses to give any reason and only focuses his attention on Fujishima. Asano eventually gets to talk privately to Fujishima. He, however, is surprised when Fujishima tells him that she doesn't mind if he tells others about last night. Asano, however, tells her that he's not going to tell anyone but he wants to know where he got the fish. Because of this Fujishima tells the guy that her father has a hobby of raising them. Upon hearing the way Fujishima using the word 'Otou-san' to refer to her father, Asano makes comment that it must be nice to call her father using normal respect because he had to call his father using 'Daddy' ever since elementary school. Fujishima obviously can't help herself from laughing upon hearing this and the two becomes a bit closer with one another. Anyway, as the two walk around the schoolyard, Asano hears the sound of a bell again.

That night Asano gets a visitation from Momo again who ends up showing her Shinigami ID card to convince Asano of her identity. Upon seeing the ID, Asano wants to know when he will die. Momo, however, can't tell the precise time and is more interested to let Asano knows that she's aware that he thinks it would have been better if he's the one who died instead of someone else. Because of this, she tells Asano that no one can replace another person's death because that's the other person's fate. Asano becomes angry upon hearing this and tells Momo that Subaru, who is his sister, was clever, talented, and cheerful. In reply, Momo tells Asano that each life carries its own fate. It does not change as long as the person is alive. Therefore, no one else can take that person's place. Upon hearing this, Asano becomes startled and wonders if he had met Momo before. She points out that they met yesterday at the pool then leaves Asano after telling him to do his best.

After another nice eye catch, the episode shows a quick flashback to the time when Asano's sister was dying and stretching her hands out to Asano. The flashback, however, is interrupted when Asano's mother invites Asano to have dinner because she's just made Asano's favourite food, Hamburger. After his mother left the room, however, Asano quietly apologises because he too will soon die. The next day, Asano meets with Fujishima inside the empty lab again. Fujishima points out how she's a bit jealous of Asano because it seems he is free to do what he wants to do. So she wishes she could be more like him. When Asano hears this, he remembers what Momo said about how no one can replace another person. Fujishima then changes the conversation to summer holiday and asks Asano where he'd like to go. She wonders if it'll be the ocean or the pool. Asano is surprised to hear this because he thinks Fujishima doesn't like getting into either of them.

Fujishima realises that Asano doesn't get her hint so she spells it out that she wants to go out with Asano. Asano, in return is shocked and wonders if Fujishima has feelings for him. He wonders what she actually sees in him. Instead of answering the question, however, Fujishima asks Asano what kind of food he likes so Asano tells her that he likes Hamburger because it's tastes good. Fujishima is glad to hear this but Asano quietly tells her that he will soon die. Fujishima becomes angry to hear this and tells Asano that it's fine if he doesn't like her but she doesn't want him to say anything stupid like that. Fujishima then runs out of the room crying. After the poor girl left, Momo appears behind Asano and points out that Asano made Fujishima cried. Daniel, on the other hand, is more pre-occupied with the fish inside the tank. Asano asks Momo why Fujishima had to tell him something like that when he's about to die.

In reply, Momo points out that he's not the only one who's going to die. That's why she asked him to do his best. Asano is annoyed to hear this and wonders why a Shinigami encourages him to do his best. Momo calmly answers because she was asked to do so by Asano's sister before disappearing as usual. Asano feels messed up with the entire thing so he decides to visit the sick room. He ends up talking to Fujishima who's also resting in the room. Fujishima tells Asano that it's okay if he doesn't like her. She now realises that she loves Asano but it's okay for her if Asano hates her. While resting inside the room, Asano remembers what his sister said about how she thinks that deep down human is similar to a fish and that is probably why human likes to swim. Later on that night, Asano decides to trespass the pool again then decides to drown himself inside the pool by swimming as deep as possible. Before he is completely drowned, however, someone saves him. Asano is surprised to see Fujishima saving him since he thought she's afraid of water.

Fujishima thinks that does not matter because she can't bear the idea of Asano being dead. She then hugs Asano and tells him that she's glad that he's alive. Upon hearing this Asano tells Fujishima that he wants to live. As Asano and Fujishima walk home together from the school, he remembers that Momo never told him when he exactly would die. This makes him realises that although everyone knows that one day they will die, they keep on living. Asano then hears another bell sound and this triggers a memory about how when his sister died, he saw Momo about to take his sister's soul. Back then Asano begged Momo not to take Subaru away and when Momo told him that is impossible, he told Momo that he wants to go as well. Momo, however, told him that he couldn’t do that because he must continue to live for his own sake. Back in the present day, Momo cries because she's happy for Asano. The next day, Asano finds Fujishima about to swim as well despite the fact that she has a big scar on her chest.

Impression:

The story of the week seems a bit heavy this time around because it deals with the topic of suicide and a desire to die. I personally don't really understand why Asano wants to die since his life doesn't seem to be that bad. But it's hard to understand why someone who is depressed often feels like this. Moreover, I don't have a sibling that I have a close attachment to so I don't think I'll feel the same way if they passed away. I'll be sad for sure but I don't think I will want to die with them. Either way, I am glad that an animated series actually deal with this kind of serious issue. It makes me wonder if it was written to combat Japan's apparently high teenage suicide rate. While I don't think an anime series could change a person's mind that easily, I think any kind of message will be helpful for these people. Thankfully the writers managed to ensure that the message doesn't end up becoming too preachy or too understated.

This is why I think the animators don't need to show a shot of Momo crying in almost every episode. I feel that the dialogue for this episode already did a good job on its own. The last thing it needs is a cheesy shot of Momo crying over and over again. I also think there are a few things that the anime omit from the story. For example, I still have no idea why Fujishima is afraid of water. Despite this, I think in general the episode is quite good. I like the fact that this time around Momo appears not to take a soul but to ensure that Asano makes the right choice. I also love many of the lines that both Momo and Asano get to say in this episode. I think that even though they are kind of obvious, those words can be quite powerful when put in the right context. It's nice to see Asano finally able to live on for his own sake instead for his sister's. And how lucky of him to get an instant girlfriend the minute he's over his depression and suicidal tendency.

© memento 2003