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Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnugiga

Hibiki... what the hell was that last episode!? Was there more behind-the-scene/budget-related trouble? The narrative conclusion of Asumu pursuing his own path is okay (more than okay, actually; it fits well with his characterisation and the show's overarching theme), but the execution's all over the place. The early run of this Faux Hibiki show was actually tolerable in a vacuum (i.e. if you can look past how it meshes horribly with everything that's been established before), but the final stretch, especially the last ep, was disjointed, oddly paced, and reeks of general air of 'let's just this get over with'.

They were literally writing and rewriting it while filming. An entire planned ending with Asumu as an oni was scrapped and parts of his suit were used to make the one for Kiriya.

If there's one good thing I'll say about the apocryphal episodes, it's that I agree with the decision not to make Asumu an oni. I never felt that was his path and that his experience with Hibiki and the others was meant to be more about him finding confidence as he becomes an adult.