[NGW]

On to Episode 46 of Hibiki, we're getting into the final stretch here.

The episode opens with our mystery couple (someone do please tell me if I've missed something on them, I can't recall getting much of any backstory for them yet, though something tells me that Mochida's play about the old man and woman in the house, the one that Asumu was distracted during, could be referencing them in some way, just a hunch) finding...something. Looks like an altar to me, maybe a sacrifice is needed to stop orochi?

And a quick visit to the shrine with our heroes allows us a bit of incite into their truest desires...except for Asumu who can only think to look at Hibiki. Still unsure of what you want Asumu?

Todoroki has officially gone full badass. Dual wielding his and Zanki's guitars and kicking some makamou tail. Good on him.

Glad to see Hibiki discuss the ever looming possibility of death with his disciples. He seems to be coming around well to having them under his wing. Imparting upon them some wisdom and really seeing if they understand the kind of sacrifices they may have to make and if they really are ready for that risk.

And Kiriya drops out of school to focus on his oni training. Can't say that is a move Hibiki is likely to appreciate.

And of course Kiriya thinks the exact opposite, that it shows how series he is and that Asumu is wasting his time and efforts by doing anything resembling having a life outside of his oni training.

What with all this talk about life and death without any regrets, I honestly feel that Asumu would regret much less were he to die now than Kiriya would. Asumu is getting as much life as he can, whereas Kiriya is becoming single-minded, giving up so much just for his goal, he'd regret all he gave up were he to die.

Also, on a bit of a tangent, also spoilers for Ryuki, reminds me of Kitaoka, and how he came to accept his own approaching death, rather than fight to live forever, he knew that he lived a full life, one far better than many others could ever hope, he got the most he could have out of it and so was able to die without any regrets.

Oh hey, the douji and hime are still around, been a lil' while since we last saw them. Still kinda miss the old ones though.

The hime continues her existential crisis, much to the chagrin of the douji.

At least it seems Hibiki is able to talk a bit of sense into Kiriya's thick skull.

Ah, so the altar is in fact a stone taiko drum. Kinda thought it looked like one, especially after they started clearing the dirt from it.

Ibuki has to be the one to perform the ritual though. I mean, Hibiki doing it makes far too much sense afterall, being a taiko specialist. Good thing it was made a point to train the others in the use of the taiko eh?

Oh and one more thing, you'll probably be attacked by innumerable monsters both giant and small. Best of luck there Ibuki.

New instructions for the douji and hime. I can see the douji probably having no problems following orders, but this hime in all her existential awareness seems far more dubious about it.

Funny little scene with Asumu and his mother. He's asking some pretty deep and kinda dark questions, and she..well is a mom about it.

That cake looked delicious btw.

Kinda neat seeing Hibiki fight using a different instrument. Ibuki seemed less experienced with the taiko than he was during the summer episodes though. Odd.

And this is how the douji and hime decide to protect the oni. Riiiiight.

Ooh boy, they've decided to be their own independent pair. The mystery couple's really losing control now. Guess they should have been more careful with their experiments.

First time in a long time we really get a scene like this with Ibuki and Kasumi. Quite touching. Definitely wish their relationship had been built up more over the season like Todoroki and Hinaka's was.

Some serious shit going down in the city. That purple cloud looks ominous.

And now we move into our final arc of the season. Just two episodes remain.