[Kurona]

I never really said it, but... I decided to give up on doing a write-up on each OOO and Ghost episode. That's not because I decided to stop watching them -- it's actually the opposite... the need to do a write-up each episode and how time consuming that was especially with my schedule was very ominous and made me put off episodes so many times, so I just decided to give it up after a bit. Frankly I'm at least very glad I got to get that Toucon Boost debut out; that's still been a huge highlight for me and a big turning point in how I view Ghost!

But, boy I need to give it up for this scene in Ghost Episode 18. Which, by the way, is an incredibly perfect episode all around -- the A-plot features a brilliant contrast between the relationships of Akari & Onari and Himiko & Newton, which expertly lifts up both our side characters and highlights their good points equally to the point they're now becoming some of my favourites...! And then they hardly let the B-plot here go either, as it's the start of Alain's arc; which even people who don't like Ghost will tell you is fantastic and a highlight of the season. Ask me a few months ago and I would have said Alain is my favourite Ghost character instead of Takeru, and it might just change back after I see this arc again!

So, this scene? Brilliant, brilliant, BRILLIANT use of the visual medium! It illustrates with so few words and so many visuals just how deeply fucked up Alain’s worldview is and how he’s been conditioned; how he technically values friendship and his loved ones but can only see that through the lens of control. There's so much in this scene beforehand by the way that expertly portrays Alain's character - his looking around at normal people happily living normal lives, slowly starting to break through his brainwashing of what a 'perfect society' looks like; and readily taking on a battle so he doesn't have to keep thinking? Perfect! His struggles with Kanon laying on the love for both him and Makoto when he knows damn well what he's done to her brother? Fantastic! His looking at a Takoyaki and thinking it's an Eyecon? Hilarious and I've thought about it every day since I saw it. But this scene, this one right here is what I'd point to if I was to highlight the sort of character Alain is before his development. It's incredibly fucked up and incredibly well done.