[Switchblade]

I always felt that the Ibuki thing in these episodes was a really cheap attempt to throw some more interpersonal conflict into the final arc. It doesn't really fit with what we know about Takeshi as an organization or Ibuki as a character. I never bought into that storyline.

Now the Asumu stuff, that did work for me. I was always on Team Don't Make Asumu an Oni and I liked seeing him start going in a different direction. Having him find other ways to help people that doesn't involve hitting CGI crabs with drumsticks is great by me. I can really see him ending up as a member of Takeshi, but one who assists the Oni from the backline, like Ichiro or Midori.

Anyway, I apparently missed highlighting the one Kiriya moment that I liked. I've been meaning to point it out, but you didn't call attention to it and I have no idea what episode it was. It was back when he and Asumu first started their training and Kiriya was failing pathetically at everything, so he showed up with all of his academic trophies to try and impress Hibiki. I loved how hilariously pathetic that whole scene was: "I'm totally worthy of being your apprentice! Look at my French trophy and badge for mathematic excellence!" Fantastic schadenfreude in that scene.