This was an episode of interesting revelations held back by some aimlessness. While I certainly don’t mind a bit of character and setting development, it felt like the elements that got most of the screen time here were (to my mind) the least interesting. Instead, this episode tried to lean into territory that it did not have enough… oomph to deliver on.
The positives I think are all present, if unbalanced. The notion that language is really the primary barrier between people and a lack of understanding (also the giant demon portal thing I suppose, but that’s probably a metaphor), the admission that human beings are not exactly peaceful when left to their own devices, and the fact that Tomoe can speak with them are all great stuff. It opens the door for more complex plot development and political positioning down the road, and I’m glad to see the inclusion of those…
