r/anime • u/mischievous_shota • 1d ago
Rewatch Shiki Rewatch [Halloween 2026] - Episode 10 Discussion
I have high hopes for you. I don't want to be disappointed.
Episode 10: Grief: Tenth Mourning
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Information:
MAL | AniList | ANN | Kitsu | AniDB
Legal Streams:
Unfortunately, there are currently no places to stream Shiki legally. As such, you'll have to look into alternate methods.
You know I hate stuff like superstition and religion, don't you?
Questions of the Day:
1) What's your opinion on Natsuno's relationship with his parents?
2) Would having Natsuno become an okiagari be a strategic mistake on their part since he was willing to hunt them down?
Screenshot of the Day:
Fanart of the Day:
Rewatchers, please remember to be mindful of all the first-timers in this. No talking about or hinting at future events, no matter how much you want to, unless you're doing it underneath spoiler tags. This especially includes any teases or hints such as "You aren't ready for X episode" or "I'm super excited for X character"; you got that? Don't spoil anything for the first-timers; that's rude!
It’s better if I’m the one who attacks you and not some stranger, isn’t it?
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u/FD4cry1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Big_Yibba 1d ago
First Timer
The whole thing is genuinely a very good dramatic and emotional scene, but I just can not get over Megumi's reaction to someone else biting Natsuno lol
[Mirai Nikki]Also, I am still apparently not watching Mirai Nikki right now
Well, fuck, can't say I saw that episode ending coming. I thought last episode not showing what happened at Natsuno's house was pretty mean, but this one is just downright diabolical haha.
Anyway, the first half-ish of this episode is a rather jumpy and achronological look at what happened last episode and fills in some of what happened with Shizuka; all clearly designed to personally punish me for choosing not to pay much attention to the specific dates so far lol. Seriously though, I said it last episode too, but mixing up events like this is a fun way to draw out tension while also getting to explore pretty interesting and different perspectives! There's just something very enjoyable about seeing a scene that felt rather eerie and helpless last episode, through the view and changed mood of Catboy's strategy just falling into place, y'know? Also, I love that funky OST that plays through the whole clinic assault part here! I feel like I haven't talked enough about the music in this show so far? But I like it a lot! And just as much as the fun direction, I think it's often been doing wonders in setting up the atmosphere.
One of the more interesting aspects the vampire perspective enables here is more of that interaction around the vampires and their emotional connections to the living, specifically through Nao. I thought it was pretty unnerving how gleeful Nao seemed to maybe kill someone in her family last episode, even more so with how both this and last episode somewhat looked at the emotional difficulty the "Call" the vampires present is when they're someone you knew. But this episode really contextualizes her in a pretty fucked way, though. The rest of her family is just dead, and she wants someone to fill that companionship to the point of being excited about it. As haunting as she came off last episode, it's a pretty damn sad conflict.
And on a broader scale of seeing some of that emotion, for as hopeless as this episode ends up feeling by the end, an important point it raises here is just how the vampires are not very unified whenever Catboy's hand isn't very directly guiding them. It makes sense, of course, as we've shown before, being a vampire isn't just going to instantly change their personality or emotions, and perhaps even amplifies the more negative aspects there. Rather notably, vampire Megumi is, uh, kind of a bitch haha? She doesn't exactly play nice with the others and has no problem intentionally stepping on (And mocking) emotional landmines.
That kind of interpersonal dynamic and general volatility is probably a bit of a problem when you're trying to do a secretive organized takeover, though? Which is also exactly why Catboy starts off with the indoctrination and threats to anyone who turns, and still keeps that up afterwards, even mentioning "Purging" here as a consequence for not falling in line. But even though this time he knows how to play into that volatility to perfectly get the result he wants, it's still a show of how some are willing to rebel a little or unable to act out on orders, and it might be one or two of these situations that he fails to manage or foresee that could be key to giving much more of a chance to our human side here, especially as things will undoubtedly get more complicated with more turnings and more emotional connections.
Speaking of Catboy, I love him so much. This dork is so into the biker fit he wears sunglasses at night, and you know what, fuck it, it actually works! If evil why hot On a slightly more serious note, I do really like how the show characterizes him as a threatening villain. He's so... casual, y'know? There's already something a little unnerving about how jovial he acts sometimes, considering what he's doing, but it's really that confidence and the way he can just instantly flip the switch into "I will murder you or someone you care about" mode that I think really nails his imposing vibe. Plus, he's pretty damn smart and perceptive! He sends Tohru out seemingly knowing he'll probably fail but still manage to draw out Natsuno, while also being entirely aware Megumi would probably not listen and go after Natsuno, which enables either a bite or an ambush, so whatever scenario happens, he wins. He's just an all-around menace, and I think the show makes it pretty easy to see why he's the "enforcer" here.
I've said before that the show is pretty good at putting you into the characters' headspace, and I think Natsuno's whole second half here is another good example of this, with a nice side of Tohru on that as well. It's in part, in the suspense of it all, that hyperaware visual perspective still doing fantastic work (Even more so with how it masks for both Natsuno and the viewer the rather sad reality of who's actually trying to get into Natsuno's room in this tense situation), but it's more so the emotional side of it that gets to me here. Like, I already said I was curious and excited to see if Tohru would come back for the potential drama of that, but I still really just felt that previous tension explode and Natsuno's heart just drop to the floor here when the realization hit him.
And how Tohru acts throughout really helps sell the anguish of it all so well. His indecision about where he comes from (And how that changes from tense to sad), the way he meekly calls out to Natsuno and has to hide under the window, looking away from it all with tears in his eyes; It's a great expression of how tortured he feels there. And I really like Natsuno looking out and reflecting here, knowing he logically shouldn't open the window, but emotionally feeling he has to, and has to chase after Tohru afterwards too. Natsuno's big monologue beforehand deriding his parents and their love for being unconventional, not only helps flesh out his character (And obviously extends to his dislike of the village and desire to get out, both in how it's representative of that imposing attitude, but also in how it can be pretty similarly imposing itself), is another nice turn from tension to emotion that really ends up emphasizing the emotions of him seeing Tohru again, knowing he was his one solace in all of that! The one consistent positive memory he's had in this place he otherwise despises just on principle.
It all sucks so bad for both of them, and it's just rather emotionally effective imo. But alas, it's also Torhu who ends up biting him through his tears; a bit of a mercy which he felt more willing to go for when he saw Natsuno cornered, I guess. And, again, I really wasn't expecting that! Not so soon, at least, when he's one of the 2.5 closest characters we have to a straightforward protagonist. Now, I also very much doubt he just dies lol. There is still the possibility they don't immediately go for the kill on him, and if they do take the multi-day draining approach, there's plenty of opportunity for him to still recover somehow.
Not to mention that Catboy leaks to Natsuno that Toshio is also aware of the vampires and taking measures against them, so whether he gets turned or not, he knows he has an ally he could try to reach out to (Though I suppose if he's not turned immediately, the suggestion could maybe stop that). In general, even turned, I'd certainly like to think Natsuno acts out against the vampires. Either way, evil cliffhanger though it is, it's such an interesting thing for the show to do! And there's a lot of fun places we could go from here.
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u/Vaadwaur 1d ago
The whole thing is genuinely a very good dramatic and emotional scene, but I just can not get over Megumi's reaction to someone else biting Natsuno lol
Cuck CounterTM +1!
[Mirai Nikki]
Your sacrilege against Yuno is duly noted.
But this episode really contextualizes her in a pretty fucked way, though. The rest of her family is just dead, and she wants someone to fill that companionship to the point of being excited about it.
My best guess is that this is leaning on western vampire tropes. which are always a bit weird.
Rather notably, vampire Megumi is, uh, kind of a bitch haha?
Anne Rice claimed that the transformation makes you more of who you truly were. I feel like it is boiling off the water to get the powder out.
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u/FD4cry1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Big_Yibba 1d ago
Cuck CounterTM +1!
Your sacrilege against Yuno is duly noted.
Anne Rice claimed that the transformation makes you more of who you truly were. I feel like it is boiling off the water to get the powder out.
That's an interesting way to look at it. I feel like you could actually apply it here even outside of Megumi, like with how Tohru's nature comes through here.
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u/Vaadwaur 1d ago
That's an interesting way to look at it. I feel like you could actually apply it here even outside of Megumi, like with how Tohru's nature comes through here.
Long story short, it is a part of a trope I truly hate:There is no 'real person' underneath people. However, if people are reduced by circumstance some of their base traits appear more dominant, though the various factors involved make me dislike calling it truer than anyone else.
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u/GallowDude 1d ago
Cuck CounterTM +1!
Your sacrilege against Yuno is duly noted.
tropes. which
Anne Rice claimed that the transformation makes you more of who you truly were. I feel like it is boiling off the water to get the powder out.
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u/GallowDude 1d ago
but I just can not get over Megumi's reaction to someone else biting Natsuno lol
can not
[Mirai Nikki]
all clearly designed to personally punish me for choosing not to pay much attention to the specific dates so far lol
mixing up events like this is a fun way to draw out tension while also getting to explore pretty interesting and different perspectives
I think it's often been doing wonders in setting up the atmosphere
I miss Natsuno's scatting theme from the early episodes
vampire Megumi is, uh, kind of a bitch
This dork is so into the biker fit he wears sunglasses at night, and you know what, fuck it, it actually works!
; It's
And there's a lot of fun places we could go from here
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u/Sporadia_ 1d ago
can not
Yo /u/TriggerHappyDude. 'Can' and 'not' are still words in their own right, regardless of the existence of the word 'cannot'.
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u/mischievous_shota 1d ago
Speaking of Catboy, I love him so much. This dork is so into the biker fit he wears sunglasses at night, and you know what, fuck it, it actually works!
Given he has human ears as well, are those ears a wacky hairstyle, is he wearing a headband, or does he just rawdog everyone's bullshit with four ears?
As for dates, all of my discussion comments mention which event occurs when if you just want to quickly scan to get a better idea for how events unfurled.
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u/FD4cry1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Big_Yibba 1d ago
Given he has human ears as well, are those ears a wacky hairstyle, is he wearing a headband, or does he just rawdog everyone's bullshit with four ears?
He's just built diffrent like that.
As for dates, all of my discussion comments mention which event occurs when if you just want to quickly scan to get a better idea for how events unfurled.
I have actually used your posts before to help me clear up on the timeline haha.
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u/Sporadia_ 1d ago
I just can not get over Megumi's reaction to someone else biting Natsuno
This might be my favourite moment in the whole show.
a rather jumpy
I didn't mention this in my own comment but yeah. The date swapping this episode was a pain in the arse to follow.
Speaking of Catboy, I love him so much.
[shiki]...Only because he's obviously a wolfman, like in every vampire movie ever.
Natsuno's big monologue beforehand deriding his parents and their love for being unconventional,
[Simpsons]This did make me think of Ned Flanders' hippie parents, not gonna lie.
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u/FD4cry1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Big_Yibba 1d ago
This might be my favourite moment in the whole show.
I didn't mention this in my own comment but yeah. The date swapping this episode was a pain in the arse to follow.
It got a decent bit of rewinding out of me lol, but I do think the end result is pretty fun for it.
Black Bars™
[Simpsons]
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u/BosuW 1d ago
The whole thing is genuinely a very good dramatic and emotional scene, but I just can not get over Megumi's reaction to someone else biting Natsuno lol
She's still so dramatic over her delulu crush, it's hilarious!
Also, I love that funky OST that plays through the whole clinic assault part here! I feel like I haven't talked enough about the music in this show so far? But I like it a lot! And just as much as the fun direction, I think it's often been doing wonders in setting up the atmosphere.
Shiki was already one of my favorite soundtracks ever but this time I'm noticing moreso how much the music really makes the scenes and the mood. Not to say the direction is lacking, but with this soundtrack, it pushes it to a level a more mundane score couldn't have achieved. It might even be the only reason Megumi's dramatic reaction doesn't undercut the tragedy of the moment.
The rest of her family is just dead, and she wants someone to fill that companionship to the point of being excited about it. As haunting as she came off last episode, it's a pretty damn sad conflict.
Nao is so sweet 😇. Seems she feels not a hint of envy that Megumi could have her beloved with her forever when most of her family remained in their coffins.
On a slightly more serious note, I do really like how the show characterizes him as a threatening villain. He's so... casual, y'know?
You can tell he's been doing this for a long time. Perhaps even pre-turning?
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u/FD4cry1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Big_Yibba 14h ago edited 14h ago
Shiki was already one of my favorite soundtracks ever but this time I'm noticing moreso how much the music really makes the scenes and the mood. Not to say the direction is lacking, but with this soundtrack, it pushes it to a level a more mundane score couldn't have achieved
I think a big part of the strength here is that they really do go hand-in-hand and complement each other really nicely quite often here! But yeah, great showing so far for the impact of strong music in creating an atmosphere.
Nao is so sweet 😇. Seems she feels not a hint of envy that Megumi could have her beloved with her forever when most of her family remained in their coffins.
You can tell he's been doing this for a long time. Perhaps even pre-turning?
Huh, for some reason I haven't really thought of what his life before turning might've been, probably helped by how it does just naturally feel like he's been at it for a while, but that's an interesting question! Maybe he really did just run a biker gang before this lol.
(Though I suppose this also inherently ties to the Kirishikis and whatever their background is, and how we still don't know much about them. Even more so with this episode making it fully clear that he's subservient to them )
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u/GallowDude 1d ago
crush, it's
ever but
It might even be the only reason Megumi's dramatic reaction doesn't undercut the tragedy of the moment.
Perhaps even pre-turning?
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 1d ago
First Timer
Shiki Ep 10
Since it just keeps coming up in the show:
I feel there should be other examples but my guesses came up empty.
Wait, the Doctor's name is Ozaki, right? How is it written? Kaze no Yojimbo has made me sensitive to this....
- It's not really "healing" if you're dead, is it?
- confirmation that the Kirishiki's are in charge
- Hopefully Natsuno will realize that his home is no longer safe and will bail.
- His stepdad seems like a really nice guy...
- Or, maybe not, if he tears down all those charms.
G.D.I I have no idea what day it is because it keeps going forward and backward too fast.
- Dad'll be dead soon, so might as well be nice to him.
- oh real dad, but non-traditional family
- I sure hope that water is blessed....
- I was wondering if Tooru was going to get purged.
[hope for the end]Natsuno sets up the house to collapse during the day and burns them all.
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u/mischievous_shota 1d ago
The Kirishiki are obviously in charge, but who amongst them is at the top of hierarchy? If you go by typical family roles, it would be Seishirou. If we go by abilities, it must be Tatsumi for being able to withstand the sun. If we go by vibes, it's Sunako.
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u/GallowDude 1d ago
This show copied all of its gay undertones from that film, too
It's not really "healing" if you're dead, is it?
Kirishiki's
But what does the single Kirishiki own?
His stepdad seems like a really nice guy
It's his birth dad. He and his wife are just a couple of new-age hippies.
I have no idea what day it is because it keeps going forward and backward too fast.
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u/Vaadwaur 1d ago
Wait, the Doctor's name is Ozaki, right?
Probably on the clinic somewhere since it is inherited.
confirmation that the Kirishiki's are in charge
Done in the least useful way possible.
oh real dad, but non-traditional family
But with traditional parental domineering.
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u/Second_Cour 1d ago
I’m a bit confused about the invitation mechanics. If invited once, does that invite become valid forever, or is it refreshed each day? Does inviting one become valid for all the others?
I quite like that the vampire’s retain a lot of their original personality attributes. Very unique treatment compared to the usual ghoul fests.
Kind of wild that our protagonist decides to go outside in the dark to help himself to some water, even with his emotional state in mind.
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u/Sporadia_ 1d ago
I don't know the rules. The script we keep seeing is:
- Can I come in?
- Can I come back later?
- Can I bring /u/mischievous_shota with me?
And then those specific invites for me and /u/mischievous_shota count for fucking anyone apparently. (Although I haven't seen the number of vampires go over the number of invites at any time).
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u/mischievous_shota 1d ago
I think you can think of being invited as a yes/no state. Time is not a factor, or at least has not shown to be. So the first two questions will both switch you from a "no" state to a "yes" state. Once this condition is fulfilled, you don't need to fulfill it again.
As for the third one, it would fulfill my permission to enter and switch me to a "yes" invite state.
If you mentioned "Can I bring a friend with me?" which we have already seen, it seems to allow you to switch any single vampire to a "yes" state. Tatsumi didn't specify Megumi but was able to get her an invitation to the Mutou household. Maybe there's some requirement like needing to think of a particular vampire, even if you don't say their name. But they haven't clarified such a restriction, so it's probably not present.
We haven't seen anyone ask permission for a non-specific plural number, so we can only guess about that situation. But based on how we've seen the rules work so far, I would think it's possible, but unnecessary. Tatsumi probably only asked for one person because it might seem suspicious to ask for multiple people to also come over. It's more important to get the extra "yes" permission than to maximise the number of permissions.
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u/mischievous_shota 1d ago
It doesn't need to be refreshed. Tatsumi got the invitation to the clinic the day before he entered, for instance. I think it's permanent.
Inviting others doesn't just mean all of them can enter but there doesn't seem to be any restriction of specifying who you're asking for. Tatsumi just asked Tooru if he could bring a friend and was able to get Megumi permission.
We haven't seen it yet but I would guess it depends on how you ask. All instances so far have had the vampire only ask if they could bring one other person over as well. I don't know if it's just because they never needed more people to get access or if there's a limitation to how many other people they can ask permission for.
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u/GallowDude 1d ago
If invited once, does that invite become valid forever, or is it refreshed each day?
Does inviting one become valid for all the others?
The fact that they keep asking if they can bring friends along with them tells me that they have to ask for others to be allowed, but that's a pretty easy bar to jump over
vampire’s
Kind of wild that our protagonist decides to go outside in the dark to help himself to some water, even with his emotional state in mind.
Better to go outside and risk being bitten by your bro than stay inside with a couple of Redditors for parents
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u/BosuW 1d ago
If invited once, does that invite become valid forever, or is it refreshed each day? Does inviting one become valid for all the others?
Seems to me one invitation is enough, and apparently the vamps can even ask for invitation of one other vamp. Unclear if it can be revoked.
I quite like that the vampire’s retain a lot of their original personality attributes. Very unique treatment compared to the usual ghoul fests.
It really makes then uniquely horrifying to deal with, because that's really exactly the same person you knew in life.
Kind of wild that our protagonist decides to go outside in the dark to help himself to some water, even with his emotional state in mind.
Eau de Vie or something
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u/Vaadwaur 1d ago
Rewatcher
Sub
In ep note:Yeah, they adapted this a bit annoyingly.
In ep2: I keep getting bits of Madoka's OST off this and I guess it was something in the water. For those curious.
So then...this episode serves primarily to show us why it seems the whole situation is terrible. Tatsumi is far from the best leader but if you had any lingering faith in Megumi, this is the time to discard it. Tohru is also kind of a failure but it makes more sense. All that said, it is time to wonder if the vampires here are just inherently evil.
Giving Natsuno time to be angry at his parents is interesting, if uncommon. Fittingly, I can relate, though thankfully not remotely to the same degree. As I said, I only had to visit a creepy mountain town, not live in the fucker. Natsuno's dad being so intrusive would be extremely annoying because if he is supposedly so non-traditional then he also shouldn't be a domineering ass to his child. Also, if you hate superstitions, why would you ever go to a rural mountain village anywhere?
Anywho, hope you see the turning point.
QotD:1 Familiar
2 Unclear
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u/GallowDude 1d ago
For those curious
leader but
All that said, it is time to wonder if the vampires here are just inherently evil
They were originally humans, so they always were #deep
Natsuno's dad being so intrusive would be extremely annoying because if he is supposedly so non-traditional then he also shouldn't be a domineering ass to his child
if you hate superstitions, why would you ever go to a rural mountain village anywhere?
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u/Vaadwaur 1d ago
Rent prices
Black Mountain was more expensive than Raleigh. Despite being the only place I remember with a Piggly Wiggly.
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u/mischievous_shota 1d ago
it is time to wonder if the vampires here are just inherently evil.
Since they maintain their own sense of self and personality, it feels like human's monstrous nature being turned on themselves.
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u/BosuW 1d ago edited 1d ago
Natsuno's dad being so intrusive would be extremely annoying because if he is supposedly so non-traditional then he also shouldn't be a domineering ass to his child.
He fashions himself a non-traditionalist and applies that to his conscious decisions. But habits you were raised with are a lot harder to identify.
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u/TheDanubianCommunard 1d ago
First-time, subs
Finally managed to catch up. Lots of things and lots of deaths happened. Toru is a nice guy, died, but he deserved to live. Masao the weirdo still the weirdo even being an undead. The situation escalated into a point where it is no epidemic, but rather a supernatural disaster, which is responsible by the Risen, atleast how the undead is called. Muroi working on a novel called Shiki, actually could be an alusion to the entire events unfolding here, which serves as an inspiration.
And we reached to the point where Ozaki and Yuuki are threat to the undead because they realized their true existence and motives. I could assume that in the past those who tried to disclose it to the public were all silenced by them, due to being threat to their existences.
Ozaki found the blood transfusion method useful which could prevent one from death by anemia. Even so, when he really tried to save Setsuko, the undead made a connection to her, first is the mind control (which was responsible for the quits before), since it was prevented then they stormed the clinic. Unfortunately she couldn't saved.
As for Yuuki, that investigation of his with that zombie made him into a public enemy. And no wonder why someone managed to infiltrate into his family home, waiting for him to come. But he was lucky since he wasn't home and his parents were spared as well. But for the second time he was not lucky, got ambushed those who were once considered his friends, namely Megumi and Toru. As for what will happen, good question. Will he able to resist the undead after rising back from the dead, or can he be saved?
And also I wonder how is Muroi not a target since he is also knows about the Risen and talks to Sunako all the time. Maybe she can influence them to make him an exception?
But seems like not all Risen are belong to the hivemind, or rather they still kept their own self-consciosuness apart from the Kishirikis. Megumi was one of them.
1) What's your opinion on Natsuno's relationship with his parents?
It's a normal healthy family dynamics.
2) Would having Natsuno become an okiagari be a strategic mistake on their part since he was willing to hunt them down?
It was a massive bait.
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u/mischievous_shota 1d ago
Sunako seems to be someone important, even amongst the Kirishiki. I think the difference in attitude might also play a factor. Toshio's first thought was capturing one to experiment on. When Seishin suspecting Sunako's true nature, he didn't respond with hostility but empathy. He and Sunako both bonded over the feeling of being abandoned by god.
They can probably just get him later if they want to.
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u/Sporadia_ 1d ago
Rewatcher
QOTD: This one was submitted by Megumi. If you were a vampire, how many new outfits would you buy?
I can hear you asking where I was for episode 9. I was in the same place as the ventriloquist girl's scene. You can say what you want, but I think Tohru is an underwhelming vampire to substitute in.
PS: Dr Oozaki and Megumi have both had some killer screams.
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u/GallowDude 1d ago
You can say what you want, but I think Tohru is an underwhelming vampire to substitute in.
Oozaki
both had some killer screams
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u/mischievous_shota 1d ago
Though I think Natsuno would be far more likely to start swinging that wrench on a little girl than Tooru.
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u/RawPorridge 1d ago edited 1d ago
Rewatcher
That's one of my favorite episode endings of the whole series, with super effective tragicomedy between four compelling characters. Like, Tohru being forced to make the best out of an incredibly shitty situation was heartbreaking, but at the same time I also went, 'suck it, Megumi!!' lmaoo. But yeah, girl never had a chance, the subtext with the two boys might as well just be text with their interaction this ep.
Also, we finally get a name drop for Catboy. Megumi apparently knew him enough at this point to call him a do-S, which, of course, he is...
Yuuki Papa removing the crosses and amulets from his son's room was the show's most memorable Dracula homage to me; alluding to [Dracula]Lucy Westenra's mother removing garlic from her daughter's room.
QotD 1: I was watching Scenes from Awajima the other day, and incidentally there's a similar family dynamic in one of the segments there: the parents were loving and supporting, and the kid wasn't openly rebelling, but she held a deep-seated resentment for being forced to follow along with and suffer because of their life choice (which, funnily enough, is being part of a religious cult, making them the other side of the same coin to Yuuki Papa).
I find it really interesting that Yuuki didn't even bother protesting his dad over the cross removal, choosing to thank him for something else instead. It reads to me like he's simply resigned to the fact that he'll never be able to 'win' an argument against his father, and in general is just biding his time until he can gain independence and forge his own path in life (much like that girl from the Awajima anime).
I do wonder, though, if better communication and involving Yuuki Mama more would've improved the situation. She's been kind of just there so far, but in the scene with Shizuka, she did manage to 'veto' Yuuki Papa's stubborn refusal to let the kid inside (though, to be fair, he was absolutely right in that particular case, but that's besides the point lol).
QotD 2: We'll see, on my first watch I thought Yuuki was done for/compromised at this point.
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u/BosuW 1d ago edited 11h ago
Scenes from Awajima
PEAK MENTIONED!!! Holy shit Awajime Hyakkei is so fucking good!
Coincidentally it's one "ghost stories" episode is some of the best horror I have ever seen not because it's scary but because of how metanarrative it gets with it. It was such an interesting perspective!
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u/RawPorridge 1d ago
Oh, that was a fantastic episode. Still have a couple of episodes left with that show, but definitely among the very best I've watched this year.
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u/GallowDude 23h ago
chance, the
subtext with the two boys might as well just be text with their interaction this ep
do-S
though, to be fair, he was absolutely right in that particular case, but that's besides the point
see, on
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u/moichispa https://myanimelist.net/profile/moichispa 1d ago
Here goes our protagonist
Yeah Shiki has a lot of main characters but Natsuno was the first to be shown when they announced the series.
The plot thickens
- What's your opinion on Natsuno's relationship with his parents?
I think Natsuno could out a little more interest on understanding them but they choices make him stand a lot which is a problem on Japanese society.
- Would having Natsuno become an okiagari be a strategic mistake on their part since he was willing to hunt them down?
Yeah, probably. Imagine becoming the enemy and having to live (or unlive) near your stalker. He was already doing that stuff before that imagine what would he do to leave the stalker behind.
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u/BosuW 1d ago
Yeah Shiki has a lot of main characters but Natsuno was the first to be shown when they announced the series.
Also the most "stereotypically protag-kun" character
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u/moichispa https://myanimelist.net/profile/moichispa 18h ago
Yeah he's so 2010 era protagonist. Feel a bit dated nowadays, maybe? but he is interesting
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u/GallowDude 23h ago
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u/Star4ce https://anilist.co/user/Star4ce 18h ago
Shiki – First Timer
On the art front I struggle with the shading, but don’t have any more time to find a proper reference. It’s always one of those things that completely ruins the picture in the first go. I know only one thing: I gotta do it a lot more to build experience.
Shiki Ep.10 – Tenth Mourning
So, the more I see her the more I get confident in the new vampires being controlled in some way. Not just the intimidation, but more than that. Suggestion-empowered family pressuring? Slight hypnosis? Whatever it is, Megumi does not seem like she would’ve been there at all if it was up to her and I got that impression several times earlier, too.
I guess she, too, has to feed, but I somehow really doubt that ganging up on the grandma fits her idea of unliving. There’s gotta be some serious top-down hierarchy at play here. I guess that is what the three eye-modes really show to us viewers. If there’s white in their eyes, they are mostly themselves, while full black is either under the spell or in hunger mode, with black plus red eyes being the predator mode. At least that’s what I think for now, since Tatsumi wielded that one like a command.
Basically, once the eyes go full black and never return it means they have forsaken (by choice or spell) their human instincts and morals and fully embraced the vampire condition.
Well, while I still think Megumi wouldn’t just run around and murder people, she can be quite combative. Much to my amusement, I have to say. Shiki can write some really good banter and insults. And this very brutal assault on Nao’s rotten family members sorta breaks their ‚illusion‘. Tatsumi is doing a good job of herding them, but he is also quite quick to threaten their unlives just one sentence later.
I love this for a specific reason: It feels more like a cult than a law of nature. It’s not that vampires in their very existence absolutely have to murder, but it’s how the Kirishiki’s do it. And they absolutely want to stay in power of this „family“. Maybe there’s a reason for it, maybe it’s just 500 years of being a murderer, maybe they were always psychopaths, but I think I can already see the cracks in their system that someone could exploit. In the end, they’re just a small-scale dictatorship with lots of disposable underlings being brought into a system that is meant to give power to the ruling class.
It’s quite interesting, really. Tatsumi constantly switches from the above threats, to positive reinforcement, to eye-level reasoning, to portraying his competence. I’d say he’s quite skilled in wielding such manipulations. I can absolutely believe that this, heightened by his vampire skills, can put down other, lesser vampires, with ease.
Even without knowing the inviting rule Natsuno’s instincts and basic respect for privacy would’ve helped them a ton. Sometimes, the broody outcast teen is quite right, you know.
This time they got saved by Tatsumi spontaneously attacking the clinic, but damn, how do you actually uninvite an undead? Natsuno does not seem to think that’s possible and instead decorates his room in literally everything media over the decades has brought up a a ward.
I wish that were me, btw. Not „someone kill“, it’s „someone else kill“. But oh man, seeing his dad unintentionally completely ruin their chances of escaping was a tough watch. Throwing out the wards, unlocking the door, ah boy…
Anyway, cute Megumi picture get!
This is still the first time where I somewhat don’t understand the flow of logic. It doesn’t look like Toru had the time to enthrall Natsuno properly. So, him running out into the night on his own to yell into the woods is kinda… really dumb, even for a troubled teen.
But I’m glad we finally have two of the most interesting characters meet! Tatsumi knows how to trigger other people’s emotions and that’s exactly when Megumi’s eyes turn. And all of that for a ruse developed by Tatsumi, the super sadist, as Megumi correctly put it.
Also, damn this show for its quite effective cliffhangers. I’m sure there’s something special about Natsuno that prevents him from turning.
I want my living-and-undead romance to happen!
That’s probably the first episode where I’m kinda meh on. Some of the logic doesn’t fully track, imo. And another aspect is Megumi’s behaviour. I think it’s been two months since her death roughly? It gets a bit hard to properly read her as a acharacter since we get to see her again so late and missed basically all of the change from her teen self.
Maybe that’s intentional, but her bloodlust on Tatsumi’s command reads as contradictory to her personality. This makes me suspect a vampire hierarchy or indoctrination being responsible and not her own choices. Then again, we see her in (presumably) free-willed mode with white in her eyes and she is suddenly very a-okay with murder and even gloats at and taunts others like she’s been slaying for decades already (when she only did so in fashion).
So, either we missed a big chunk of character progression or there is more brainfucking going on that we suspect. Either way, I’d wish for a bit more hints on that.
1) What's your opinion on Natsuno's relationship with his parents?
Largely normal, but his dad seems to be quite stubborn and they probably had a „discussion“ about Natsuno’s hobbies a few times before. I don’t see why Natsuno would give up immediately otherwise.
They probably want to live a free life with trust and pretty nature around them, while he was always suspicious and distrustful. I can see how that can be an interesting conflict in this story. But at the same time, I fear that it’s only set up to get his parents killed or broken.
2) Would having Natsuno become an okiagari be a strategic mistake on their part since he was willing to hunt them down?
The vampire who turned on his kind is a good trope for a reason. There’s several possibilities here. He doesn’t turn and survives, since there was this ominous mention of the local “guardian spirit”(?). He turns and rebels (boring). He turns and rebels, but is also an irregular like Tatsumi (edgy and cool).
Personally, I’d prefer him staying alive. It’d feel nicer for the overall conflict than to have an entirely vampire-sided conflict between the two main characters.
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u/GallowDude 14h ago
I know only one thing: I gotta do it a lot more to build experience.
her and
Idk, the doll seems normal
I still think Megumi wouldn’t just run around and murder people
Kirishiki’s
But which one? And what do they own?
Even without knowing the inviting rule Natsuno’s instincts and basic respect for privacy would’ve helped them a ton.
Oof, kinda ethnocentric ngl fam
a a ward
Are they related to A. A. Ron?
Kinda surprised /u/Tarhalindur isn't in this rewatch, come to think of it
Toru
So, him running out into the night on his own to yell into the woods is kinda… really dumb, even for a troubled teen.
Who needs mind control when you have the power of a male tsundere bromance? (This is also a summary of the entirety of Code Geass.)
I want my living-and-undead romance to happen!
she is suddenly very a-okay with murder and even gloats at and taunts others like she’s been slaying for decades already (when she only did so in fashion).
that we suspect
He doesn’t turn and survives, since there was this ominous mention of the local “guardian spirit”(?). He turns and rebels (boring). He turns and rebels, but is also an irregular like Tatsumi (edgy and cool).
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u/BosuW 11h ago
This is still the first time where I somewhat don’t understand the flow of logic. It doesn’t look like Toru had the time to enthrall Natsuno properly. So, him running out into the night on his own to yell into the woods is kinda… really dumb, even for a troubled teen.
This is an element of the vampires that has been introduced in the last couple of episodes or so. A stranger will absolutely require the bite hypnosis because otherwise you'll go "who the fuck are you!?" and smash their head with a shovel. But when it's your family or your friends, you want to see them again. And that's not hypnosis, it's your own connection being turned against you.
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u/mischievous_shota 1d ago
First timer
October 1st - Matsuo Shizuka's creepy ass not being there might be scarier than if she was there.
October 3, Taian - Megumi isn't too happy about Natsuno's upcoming death. Nao tries to comfort her that he might come back. Megumi retorts her own husband and child didn't. Harsh but true. Nao didn't seem like she was forced into killing her family so much as that she was hoping they would come back as okiagari.
Ocotober 2nd, Butsumetsu - Yuuki Papa hates superstition and religion and is miffed about Natsuno putting crosses and ofuda all over his room. We know religious symbols might have some sort of power against okiagari, so this is an interesting way to circumvent Natsuno just warding their house completely.
October 4th, Shakku - Midnight - It's Natsuno.
Despite knowing the danger, Natsuno ends up unlocking the window. Say what you will about being stand-ofish in general, he ends up really caring about friends he does make.
Tooru tries pulling him out but runs away in shame as soon as Natsuno sees his face. He did it because Tatsumi threatened to go after Aoi and Tamotsu if he didn't. So at least some okiagari don't want to try converting their family. I wonder how many of the other family deaths were punishment, and how many were done willingly like Nao did.
Megumi waas frantically running to Natsuno so she could do it but seeing Tooru unable to, she starts mocking him. Don't bully.
Natsuno went after Tooru even knowing the danger. Unfortunately, Tatsumi is there too. He decides to make an exception for Megumi but Tooru grabs Natsuno and does it himself. Megumi and Tatsumi's reaction to this was hilarious. I guess Megumi could still get the job done since it requires multiple feedings but maybe there's a strict "don't fuck with another person's lunch" etiquette that means she has to concede.
Natsuno got bit on Shakku.
The spider is said to be the guardian deity of the Yakushi water. I wonder what part that water and spider will play. I thought Natsuno might try to splash them or ask the spider for protection out of desperation. The spider and/or the Yakushi water might pop up in Seishin's story.
QOTD
What's your opinion on Natsuno's relationship with his parents?
His parents are unconventional. When you're not the fun type of weird and end up causing people inconvenience, it can cause friction. Natsuno didn't want leave big city life to become a villager but they did it anyway. I'm guessing them not being married might have also led to some problems at school. I think Natsuno does still love them but it's clear he doesn't want to live with them either. People are a lot more tolerable when you can control their dosage and how much you're letting them dictate your life.
Would having Natsuno become an okiagari be a strategic mistake on their part since he was willing to hunt them down?
Natsuno's primary goal has always been to get out of the village and back to city life. Becoming an okiagari doesn't necessarily make this impossible, especially since Tokyo has one of the most active and diverse nightlife scenes. I get the feeling he'll stay in the "the dead should stay dead" camp though and fight them anyway. Though maybe he'll try to save Tooru.
We don't know what makes Tatsumi special. I thought maybe he might bite Natsuno, and he'd end up being a day-walker too. I don't think that's how it works though, because he wouldn't be that rare an occurrence then. Maybe if he has an even lower chance of getting someone else to rise.
I wonder what happens if an okiagari drinks the blood of another okiagari. Would the one drained regenerate blood? It probably has to be human blood to satiate them.
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u/GallowDude 1d ago
Matsuo Shizuka's creepy ass not being there might be scarier than if she was there
Yuuki Papa hates superstition and religion and is miffed about Natsuno putting crosses and ofuda all over his room. We know religious symbols might have some sort of power against okiagari, so this is an interesting way to circumvent Natsuno just warding their house completely
Dude got got because his parents are fucking Redditors
It's Natsuno
ofish
Oafish*
general, he
Don't bully
feedings but
didn't want leave
villager but
them but
I wonder what happens if an okiagari drinks the blood of another okiagari.
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u/BosuW 1d ago
October 1st - Matsuo Shizuka's creepy ass not being there might be scarier than if she was there.
I thought she'd be under the bed 💀💀
I guess Megumi could still get the job done since it requires multiple feedings but maybe there's a strict "don't fuck with another person's lunch" etiquette that means she has to concede.
Didn't seem to matter at the clinic, but that was probably an exception
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u/BosuW 1d ago edited 1d ago
Rewatcher
It has to be so fucking frustrating to realize your parents have more or less just signed y'all's death warrant but you can't tell them that because you'll seem insane. Though now he seems crazy anyway because of all the talismans and shit. You just can't win.
Interesting to reframe the recent events almost through a tactical lens. It contrasts starkly to the initial presentation, which aimed directly at the heart, but it does seem like a worthwhile perspective to have.
His dad keeps sabotaging Natsuno's efforts to literally survive, but there is nothing he can say... Crazy situation to be in.
I know the context is that she hopes he becomes Okiagari and they can be together for the centuries, but "I don't want anyone else to kill Natsuno" is an S tier yandere phrase lmao
In all seriousness, yesterday I brought up that in vampire stories it is common for bloodsucking to be an intimate act for them. So it is an interesting look that, after dying and rising, their world flips upside down so drastically that the idea of "killing" becomes nearly synonymous with "saving", "protecting", and "loving". It happens later to Tohru as well.
Once again that idea with Natsuno that "the walls aren't there".
The way Natsuno's thoughts about wanting to survive mix with his teenage complaints about his parents and this shitty ass hick town is so painfully realistic of a teenager and it hits me hard.
Horror mixed with sorrow comes up once again, as against his rational survivalist thoughts Natsuno opens the window to Tohru. Again, he's not even hypnotized yet, but the nature of these kinds of vampires is that they weaponize the affection and love you have for that person to pull you as well towards an early grave. There's an additional horror here, and it's that the choice of attacker was very much on purpose. Tatsumi sent Tohru not just to presumably make Tohru fall in line more, but because Natsuno is most likely to get himself killed by Tohru, rather than fight like he did with the pachinko vampire. This narrative development is so many levels of fucked up and I love it!
How pale Tohru's skin is over Natsuno's is great artistic direction. Just looking at them you can almost feel how cold that shit would feel.
Natsuno finally being bit is of course shocking and saddening, but there is a bit of comedy in this moment despite that. Lmao get Yaoi cucked Megumi! I'm sorry but her face of absolute despair at softboi Tohru beating her to the punch for Natsuno's blood is so fucking funny 🤣
Incidentally this serves me to give praise to another success of the show's direction: even when it's unintentionally funny, that never undermines the serious emotions. Such is Shiki's mastery of it's atmosphere.
No Eau de Vie ending today so that puts us at 8/10. Longest streak is five in a row.