Shinobi no Ittoki episode 12 manages to end the season on a high note, but I can’t help but have very mixed feelings about its execution.
First of all, there is at least some attempt at addressing the issues I had pointed out in prior weeks. We get an idea of the ninja core’s abilities, some insight into why Ittoki tried to venture into the Koga headquarters alone, and a few resolutions thrown in at the end that wrap up most of the loose ends while leaving a few tantalizing hooks dangling for potential future seasons. Nothing here feels random or poorly-considered.
My main issue with this finale is the pacing. Unlike prior emotional high water marks (such as the death of Ittoki’s mother), the pacing of the big scenes in this episode seem terribly unbalanced. A lot of the episode is spent dealing with the low-level fighting in a way that honestly makes it all seem rushed; the…
