[NGW]

Hibiki episode 37

Continuing from the last episode. Shuki is pretty awesome. Hoping we get to see a bit more between her and Akira.

Can definitely tell they are building up to Akira making a choice to no longer pursue her oni training, but at least they seem to be giving a decent justification for it, and it isn't even really somewhere completely out of nowhere. Her parents were killed by the makamou, her reason for becoing an oni was hatred and revenge..and that is usually a bad reason to do anything, so I can actually kinda go along with this.

Rather liked the bit of backstory about Shuki and Zanki, why she was forced to give up her status as an oni. And of course how this ties into Akira and why her reasons for becoming an oni are, not necessarily wrong (Hibiki's talk about hitting walls and finding your own answers seems to support this, that there isn't necessarily a wrong answer) but can be dangerous.

Ibuki having to put down Shuki, his talk with Hibiki about it. Raising his concerns and doubts, you can see him being conflicted over it. It is a heavy burden, something that changes you.

Series is still doing a good job of having Hibiki come across as the wise mentor type. The semi-cryptic nature of it is a bit cliche, but he also gives some rather solid advice I feel.

Ah, and so it's the attack Shuki hit Zanki with all those years ago that is the reason he can longer become an oni. I see. Was wondering what the doctor meant by that last episode.

Akira turning to Shuki as a mentor. I wish I could say this didn't catch me off guard, as it is a bit of an obvious turn of events.

Shuki killing herself to take down the makamou was pretty damned awesome. Rather liked her last little talk with Zanki as well.

The ending with Zanki covering Shuki's body was also somewhat beautiful. And Akira crying in the rain, this is definitely taking an emotional toll on her, and given how much of herself she likely saw in Shuki...

This was another pretty solid arc, was nice to have some more backstory for Zanki, a bit more of a look into the oni organization with Ibuki, the head of the oni, all that stuff, and it gives some more development for Akira, who was honestly a bit underdeveloped up until now I feel.