Noein: Episode 12

If you have not seen this episode, I advise you to step away and look at the other direction. Seriously. If you’re a fan of the show, the enjoyment factor will be maximized if not spoiled unnecessarily. You’ve been warned.

Staring at my monitor even after the final credits roll seldom happens to this blogger. And this is one of those few occasions. Whew. Excellent, and I mean, excellent animation, great soundtrack coupled with beautiful storytelling. From the teaser right down to the last scene, it is surely a roller-coaster ride.

The hints on the previous episode screams of an upcoming tragedy. Fukurou’s death is almost inevitable yet the cause of it earns the shocking surprise. Moreover, the intervention of the mysterious Noein is not merely a plot twist, it ties in with the Lacrima theory of dimensions. Noein states the ‘future’ cannot be altered. It seems to be a direct contradiction to the Lacrima theory of endless possibilities. Is this mere mind games? Or is the theory incorrect?

My mind has this nagging feeling that there is a connection with cycles and this universe. A circle has no beginning nor end, and an infinite universe can very well be an infinite circle. One may have notice, circles constantly make a display in Noein; The circular device which appears whenever one timespace dimension merges with another, the necklace that materializes whenever the Dragon torque’s power is utilized, the round table which decides on the fate of its subordinates, the yellow sphere used by those caped individuals, and the Lacrima apparatus that aims to harness the Dragon Torque’s power. As I said, circles.

Interestingly enough, it even metaphorically manifests a few episodes ago as a cycle that repeats itself as shown in the Yuu-Miyuki interaction resembling Miyuki and her mother’s. But in this case Haruka’s power intervenes and sets free of the potential chain, which implies as a source of breaking a cycle. I do wonder if this foreshadows Haruka as capable to destroy the never-ending cycle that Noein suggests. Argh, these speculations will be the death of me.

While Fukurou’s demise garners the emotional impact, it is the abruptness of Atori’s disappearance which definitely stunned this audience. *gasp* Psycho-dude, are you truly gone? You are one deliciously evil villain and I lurv you for that. You’ll be missed.