[NGW]

Episode 40 of Hibiki and shit is getting serious. Starting to move into the endgame scenario I think.

The introduction of the makamou was pretty cool, with the tree coming to life and attacking the lost hikers.

We get a lot more of both Kiriya and now Asumu wanting to become Hibiki's disciple, with Kiriya getting...really desperate and pathetic about it. This is followed with him asking to take Akira's place as Ibuki's disciple, a request which is swiftly denied with Ibuki telling him just how ignorant he is being.

I also liked the dialogue between the oni about Hibiki's unwillingness to take on a disciple, touching on his own personal issues and worries, not wanting to have to worry about another being his reason behind it. Glad we're getting a little more light shone on the subject.

And finally the reappearance of our mystery couple behind the makamou. Talking about the forest the makamou appeared in disappearing, and that it is a sign of Orochi's coming, and if it has the bad guys worrying..something big is about to happen.

Wow, Kiriya turning towards Todoroki as a mentor. He really is desperate. It's honestly getting pathetic at this point. I struggle to say almost tragic, but Kiriya doesn't quite deserve such sympathy.

I take that back, asking Akira to be her apprentice is somehow even more desperate and pathetic.

Asumu, not you too...

And Akira transforms! Oh snap!

Finally entering the home stretch. And I gotta say, unless it isn't until the last handful of episodes (I am aware that the final episode did have a lot of issues with rewrites, even during its actual filming) that things get really bad, I can't say that the show has suffered that much from the production changes. While I agree that it was a bit of a dick move to do, and that it is a shame that the show didn't proceed as it was originally envisioned, the actual quality itself hasn't really declined all that much, and some of the story arcs have been really rather good IMO.

Episode 41 of Hibiki

And Akira promptly has her ass handed to her. Can't say I'm surprised.

And everyone is disappointed in our trio of youngin's. Certainly don't blame them. Scene was pretty well acted, especially Hibiki's reaction to Asumu saying he is the same as Kiriya, you could just see the disappointment in him at hearing that.

And now more about the looming threat.

Good to see Asumu genuinely regretting his actions. Kiriya on the other hand...continues to be Kiriya.

Oh Hibiki, that jacket looks terrible on you.....

Rather nice scene between Ibuki and Akira. There's this sad tension between them. They were such a good pair starting off, and they're growing apart as they both deal with their doubts and worries.

And Hibiki trying to teach the boys to do the salute. Maybe this'll be my chance to learn it too haha.

Nice bit of contrast between the two scenes here. With Ibuki seeming to be losing his disciple as Hibiki decides to take one on.

And the boys aren't quite happy with Hibiki's method/leading them on. Little bit of emotion to the scene, with Asumu handing Hibiki back his glasses. It's just a nice little touch that makes things seem more real, more human. Little things like that add a lot to the emotion and mood of things, and I like that this show seems to do this so well.

And the boss meets face to face with our mystery couple. They're telling him to gather the oni to deal with orochi. Seems this is a threat even to them.

And again shedding some light on Hibiki's reasoning behind refusing to take on a disciple. Though him saying that he feels Asumu just wants power is a bit off putting, other than him saying he too is like Kiriya (then again, that may be why he thinks this), you'd think he would know Asumu better than that.

Ya know, Akira isn't doing a half bad job of teaching Kiriya and Asumu. She makes a great point as to how managing the kindergarteners at the crosswalk teaches some very important lessons they will need as oni.

And Kiriya does a completely selfless thing! Diving to save a child from an oncoming car. Why does this remind me of Tiger?

Well, his attitude afterwards is still a bit off putting.

The Kodama forest is proving to be a pretty nasty customer. I can't imagine what is to follow it.

Seeing Asumu and Kiriya work together to save Kasumi with Hibiki watching on was kinda nice. Giving him a chance to see their willingness to help people.

And Akira finally comes to her decision to resign her apprenticeship. Was nice seeing her work so well with Ibuki one last time. And her explanation for taking the boys on as pseudo-disciples was a rather pleasant one, wanting to pass on what she learned to two that she believes in, and so as to not feel her time with Ibuki is wasted by her not finishing her training.

And finally, after so many episodes of build up, Hibiki finally takes Asumu on as a disciple...alongside Kiriya.

These last couple episodes were definitely the game changers. Akira comes to her ultimate decision to leave her apprenticeship under Ibuki behind. And I actually feel it was handled rather well. It didn't really come out of nowhere, there was a good bit of build up for it, and I feel her reasons were quite understandable. We learn of a much greater threat looming, one that even brings the enemy to a point of seeming to ask the oni for help in dealing with it. And of course we get something the series has been beating around the bush and building towards, Hibiki taking on a disciple.

There's not too many episodes left, cannot wait to see what happens next.