[NGW]

Episode 39 of Hibiki

I rather liked the brief bit in the opening with Ibuki and Akira, well her hiding from him and his lamenting it, plus her little emotional reaction there. I actually am liking this arc with them, yeah it sucks that Akira is going to give up her training, but the way it is being handled is emotional and rather well done I feel.

Todoroki still dealing with his Zanki issues, though this time around it's taken a bit more of a humorous approach.

Adachi biting through the web was kinda..odd, but whatever. Nice bit of backstory for Hibiki though, touching back on what we heard previously and expanding it a bit.

Kiriya, scared of the dark. Starting to get more into his secrets and flaws he tries so hard to cover up and sweep under the rug. And he tries to henshin without the proper training, ouch.

The boss talking some sense into Todoroki, explaining just why Zanki is treating him as he is. Not because he doesn't like him, but because it is for his own good, he needs to become independent and grow and mature as an oni. Todoroki, of course, hears it the way he wants to. "I am a lion." Oh dear...Ah well, at least he seems motivated again.

And Sabaki is getting his ass kicked. Again.

And despite getting his ass handed to him as well, Todoroki at least put forth a good effort.

The dual confrontation (well not exactly a confrontation, but you know what I mean) between Zanki and Todoroki and Ibuki and Akira was pretty awesome. Seeing the mentors and their disciples in some emotionally trying times, it was just a bit of a nice parallel I feel. Was shot nice, and the rain added some nice dramatic impact, even if the use of rain to convey sadness is a bit cliche.

Also, something I forgot to mention previously, while I do really miss Shonen Yo! at the end of each episode, I do like that the instrumental of it is still used regularly throughout the episodes. Just a fantastic song that really fits the series.

Kiriya having his face to face with Hibiki and telling him he wants to be his disciple, and his reasons for wanting to become an oni. I'm pretty sure he had mentioned them before, wanting to surpass his dead father, but I can't say that we really have the complete picture on that yet. At least not that I can recall. IIRC his dad died saving someone from a fire, so perhaps he means in that regard, as a hero. Not too sure. That said, I really do hope Hibiki doesn't take him on as his disciple. I doubt that is the direction things will go, but stranger things have happened, as this series is, as I've said, ostensibly about the relationship between Hibiki and Adachi, and while Hibiki taking on someone else as a disciple would add an interesting dynamic, there has just been too much build up towards Adachi finally taking on the role to not.

And Kiriya already showing that he lacks the understanding of what it means to be an oni. Telling Hibiki that he knows he is fighting a losing battle, that there is no meaning in doing so. Despite the fight being one with little hope, as Hibiki says, there is meaning to it, he's fighting for more than just himself.

Another nice little moment between Ibuki and Akira.

Man the new douji and hime are a lot more..serious. I kinda miss the sinisterly playful ones of yore. That said, these two do seem more dangerous I suppose. I am a bit perplexed by the lack of puppets, unless the new douji and hime basically took the place of them as well as the other douji and hime.

And Adachi putting to use what Hibiki has taught him. Well done boy.

Wha?!?!? Hibiki finally calls Asumu by name, well hot damn.

Overall a solid episode, this arc was pretty good. As I said, kinda like this season's ESB.