[Kurona]

I still think about this episode a lot because it really reflects how Godai and Ichijou are simultaneously opposites of each other, yet the same person. I adore how this show decided to posit its main characters as a peaceful man who has to engage in violence and then we look at his struggles with that; and a man all too used to engaging in violence being able to indulge in peace around that former man.

It's a bit difficult and complicated to get across without getting you to watch the series too, because I wouldn't say Ichijou exactly... learns anything from Godai, and I don't mean that in a bad way either. I think it's clear that he's pretty well-adjusted and knows how important it is to have these different aspects of himself, and to be able to smile and be happy when he's able to. I don't think of him as a character that needs Godai to come in and help him grow as a person.

Rather... I think it's more accurate to say that Godai is someone that lets him be his best self a lot more. Someone he's much more able to be that person around; someone that draws out his best characteristics like that. It's hard for me to not see Godai and Ichijou as each other's other half, because to me they're just the best examples of opposites attracting. They're both extremely well developed as people before the series starts, and don't exactly have anything they need to grow on; but more just... this constant life stuff they need to work through. And they help each other immensely on that. It's a very different angle to come from on a show like this, and I think it works heavily to its credit.

This episode was called Reality, and it's a very fitting name... but to mirror something that'll happen in not long from now, I think it would have been just as apt to call it Ichijou. It's a very specific and complex character piece on the man and I think it's fantastic that this was done so close to the end. It's a real bookend on what makes Ichijou Ichijou.