Shinigami no Ballad ep.4

March 24, 2006 | 7 Comments

This particular episode offers a very low key story which is an exact opposite this week's Mai Otome. In general, this episode works in a similar manner to the episode that comes before it but unfortunately without a similar charm. I find the story to be a bit dry and uninspiring even if there is one emotional scene just like in last week's episode. It also doesn't help that the animation and background design are a bit plain this time around. They mostly involve interior shot of a house due to the nature of the story. I actually wonder if the animators will fix some of the animation and background in the DVD version of the series. I know there is a current trend of adding value to the DVD version by fixing some animated series lately. But since this is a relatively obscure title, I am not sure if the producer will even give the idea a consideration.

The episode begins with a girl called Chiaki making French Toasts for her father and brother while trying to wake them up as well at the same time. Unfortunately because of this, she doesn't pay attention to the French Toasts and they end up getting burnt. Chiaki's brother, Fuyuki, decides to help himself to some Cornflakes, while their father claims that he has to leave now and tells Chiaki that her grandmother will take care of her and Fuyuki while he's away on a business trip. Chiaki, however, tells her father that she can take care of herself and Fuyuki while he's away. Besides, her grandma often cries and talks about their mother, causing Fuyuki to cry as well. Later on at school, Chiaki is seen writing shopping list on her note, prompting her male classmate, Nakayama, to tell her that if she wants to buy toilet paper, the drug store in front of the station has it cheaper than the supermarket.

Chiaki is of course embarassed upon hearing this out of the left field suggestion. So she tells the boy that supermarket is fine because it's more convenient. Despite this, she ends up going to the drug store to buy the toilet paper and tells her friend that she likes the fact that Nakayama is organised. She, however, becomes embarassed when Nakayama shows up behind her offering to help her. When Chiaki returns home, her brother suddenly asks her if she knows anything about Shinigami. Chiaki wonders if it's from game or manga but her brother tells her that the Shinigami is actually playing in his room. During dinner, Fuyuki continues to describe the Shinigami that he saw, down to the detail about the black cat. Upon hearing this, Chiaki becomes alarmed because she thinks she's heard this before. Back then, Chiaki was told by her dying mother that she always thought that Shinigami is scary and evil but now she realised that Shinigami is just a cute little girl.

Back then Chiaki didn't understand what her mother told her but she agreed to take care of her brother when her mother asked her to do so. In the present day, Chiaki becomes panic when she hears a bicycle bell and a cat sound. Because of this, she decides to sleep on the same bed as her brother so that the Shinigami won't be able to take hiim. Because Chiaki was worried the night before, the next day, she looks sleepy and tired. Despite this, she tries her best to make French Toast for Fuyuki. Unfortunately, her effort isn't appreciated by her brother, who thinks that the French Toast tastes horrible in comparison to their mother's. Chiaki feels sad about this and offers her brother some cornflakes instead. At school, Chiaki looks dazed and according to her friend, she's also feverish. That afternoon, Chiaki gets a flashback of the time when her mother was dying. She is then startled when Nakayama comes by and offers to ditch class so he can take her home.

Chiaki, however, tells Nakayama that ditching class is not like him so she decides to go home on her own. At home, Fuyuki complains because Chiaki takes him home earlier while his classmates are having curry udon lunch. Despite this, Fuyuki refuses when Chiaki offers him the bento she bought for him and when she offers to make him curry udon from yesterday's curry leftover. Chiaki becomes angry upon hearing this and tells her brother than in that case, he shouldn't complain when he's hungry. Chiaki then goes to her room to rest but before she can sleep, she hears the sound of a bell. She runs to the living room and sees Momo and Daniel. Chiaki becomes angry when Fuyuki tells her that Momo is the Shinigami he was talking about yesterday. After Momo introduces herself, Chiaki puts herself between Momo and Fuyuki asking Momo not to take Fuyuki away. Much to her surprise, however, Momo tells her that she's not here to take Fuyuki away.

Chiaki's anger, however, remains and as a result, her temperature goes up even more. Because of this, Momo and Daniel offer to take care of Fuyuki while Chiaki rests and gets better. Chiaki agrees after Momo promises not to take Fuyuki away. As a result, Daniel ends up teaching Fuyuki how to take bath and brush his teeth on his own. After Fuyuki is asleep, Momo asks Chiaki not to work too hard because she thinks that's the kind of thing Chiaki's mother will tell her. After saying this, Momo disappears and Chiaki's mother apparition takes her place. Chiaki's mother then teaches her daughter how to make French Toast. She tells Chiaki to use vanilla essence to give the recipe that little bit of 'magic' to make it delicious. She also advises her to only lightly fry the toast. Chiaki's mother then tells her daughter not to push herself too hard. The next day, Chiaki manages to make a good French Toast for Fuyuki and decides to go to school together with Nakayama.

Impression:

Unfortunately I'm not that impressed with this episode. Although I like it when an episode is simple, this one feels too simplistic for me. And the end result doesn't feel satisfying because we won't know if Chiaki will take it easy from now on. I also think the guy who likes her is kind of creepy in the stalker kind of way. He seems to be around regardless of where Chiaki goes. There is a big difference between being loyal and being a persistent stalker. Oh well, I was kind of amused with the whole French Toast cooking lesson and Daniel was funny when he made fun of Momo's boyfriend-less status. At this rate, Daniel will become like Boogie-kun from Karin to Momo, whose behaviour does look a bit like Anju from time to time. And did anyone notice the Nintendo DS subliminal advertising? I wonder if a Shinigami no Ballad DS game is in the works. Well, only 2 more episodes to go, I hope they are a lot better than this one.

© memento 2003