Fantastic Children: Episode 23

Beware of major spoilers. You know the drill.

Hiisuma. Although Hiisuma plays the role of the calculating scientist, his coldness for the human world is not because of malice or a menacing heart. In fact, his longing for his Girishia pushes him into this disposition. He is seen as strong and unshaken yet he hides a weak vulnerability on the constant verge of breaking. Once Dumas exacts his revenge on the Girishia scientist, it is Hiisuma who falters the most. He (literally) clings to his other self, afraid to let go. And the inevitable happens. The heavily injured Hiisuma reaches out and hands over to Agi the data taken from Dumas, his last act as a scientist. And his parting words speak of his longing for his native land.

Although I cannot readily admit a real fondness for Hiisuma, I can sympathize with his dilemma. To act unfeelingly towards humans is his defense mechanism. It his way to protect himself from forgetting his objective. The temporary alliance with Dumas cannot be seen as a true betrayal, for his goal was to retrieve information (which he succeeded) by any means possible.

Gherta. When Agi and Soreto receive word about Mel, Soreto decides to awaken Gherta’s memories by traversing through the heavily guarded facility. She finds her target and reminds the scientist of the forgotten connection. In an instant, an understanding dawns on the shaken Gherta. She remembers her past life as Mel walking hand-in-hand with her lover Paruza under the Girishia sky. She remembers Paruza’s loss of memories and her attempts to seek even the merest bond with the twenty-five-year-old Rontgen. She remembers the addled mind caused by the instability of the transfer machine she built. She remembers her capture and the torture she endured under Dumas’ tyranny.

Gherta is also another character in this series which initially struck me cold and calculating, traits one does not find appealing. But halfway through the season when she had shown remarkable reaction towards Dumas, my interest in her doubled. It also helps that the her past life is riddled with a bittersweet romance. Although deemed as a supporting character, I am rather anxious to see a possible resolution for the her.