[DreadBringer]

The series is self-aware that this is the last episode of 2023.

Maybe another hidden traits from the supposed dumb Houtaro to figure out about the bells in the Orochi's heads, thus knowing that the Malgam has multiple heads. Though who largely saves the day is the Daybreak Gotchard, even if Houtaro does land the finishing blow on the humanoid remains. Houtaro becomes a lot more assertive, against Supana, if precious lives/moments are on the brink, the boy he gave a present to.

Though obviously they can be reverted, quite surprising that all the friends are victimized, Kajiki, Sabi, Renge, and later both Rinne and Supana. The latter 2 got some role in helping to identify the Orochi Malgam due to their work in capturing them. Sabi seems to act more too on a brink to shield Renge, but he'd refuse to intervene when crowds are involved.

Rinne is obviously shown as someone who's warming up to Houtaro from their initial interactions, but the moments of her being irritated at the idea of being with Houtaro is frequent enough. Is it meant to be recurring joke considering she seems to interact better with the Ichinoses later on? Cuz I'm not ruling out moments meant for comedy (not this, but particularly something like slapstick abuse). So they do touch upon her being consistently helped by Houtaro as "helpless girl", likely a tease for Majade.

Supana also warms up to Houtaro a bit to actually praise his victory. Otherwise, unlike Rinne, Supana pays no mind to the civilians around him and just happens to oppose something that is threatening them (and perhaps how Houtaro's doing in the fight), like Michinaga from previous series. Somehow there are also other Geats vibes here like the people being petrified but can be reverted like Tree of Knowledge, Malgam being huge-sized like its final bosses, the Chemy name starting with "Jyama", and

Atropos seems to care less about the other sisters compared to the other 2, as she just urges Lachesis to accept Geryon's possession unlike Clotho. Geryon is so far the usual abusive boss of the villains who treat them as disposable pawns by using them as guinea pigs for experiment and possession.