This looks more like a date!
While the last episode wasn’t enough in terms of Eru making love with Houtarou despite the interesting mystery, there is more focus on the two in this episode. It’s New Years Eve and they decide to visit a temple that Mayaka apparently works at as a Shrine Maiden. Although Eru’s kimono looks gorgeous, it’s kind of disappointing that there weren’t many romantic interactions between the two. The only shocking thing is that Houtarou receives a bad fortune. I suppose his low energy life style won’t become reality anytime soon as long Eru stays by his side and asking for more mysteries to solve.
As expected, there wasn’t much of a mystery in this episode since we are almost at the end. However, they do get stuck in a shed while looking for sake. Believe it or not, watching them get locked in with hardly any methods of getting out is bad. This anxiety kind of reminded me of the gym shed lockout scene in Clannad, but without any stripping off clothes. Still, I can’t see why they can knock down a wall or break the roof and just pay for the damages. Perhaps doing that will make them look bad? If I were in that situation, I would just dig a hole since I can’t stand the cold. Either way, the good old symbolism through hanging a bag with a rope tied at the middle did the trick. Even with the save from Satoshi, I think Houtarou needs to get with the times and buy a cellphone since nobody going to know what lies ahead.
With one episode remaining, I have my doubts regarding their relationship even though the last episode may look promising with Valentines Day chocolates. It makes me wonder how the mystery will play out for that. Still, it’s kind of sad that Hyouka is finally coming to an end since it was a rather enjoyable ride.
Truth to be said, breaking the wall was an easier solution, even while having to fix it the next day…:P
That is true, considering that the wood is rather week. Then again, it might be dangerous at the same time as the shed could collapse and they would be in bigger trouble.
The official website says 24 episodes, so don’t fret about all these people assuming this anime will end next week just because most other ones do. Since I’m writing this after seeing episode 21, everyone should note it has a preview for episode 22! It’s not over yet.
Back on topic:
One is not supposed to destroy property at a shrine, it is all considered sacred.
Do Eru and Houtarou realize they’re starting to do things “going in a pair” now? I don’t think of this as a mystery anime, it’s a relationship and romance one mostly about how girls can change guys.
It’s actually 22 episodes confirmed with the next being the last as confirmed on the station, which airs the show in Japan. But at this point, the producers are merely hinting it… There was some more in Episode 21, but it’s interesting that Hountarou can now retrain Eru’s excitement when it happens.
I know it has been a really long time and you probably don’t care anymore but the problem with breaking the shed was not because of the expenses but rather the fact that they are breaking something that belongs to a shrine. To make this clearer, it’s because they would be damaging something “sacred” is what bothers Eru since protecting sacred things is very big in a lot of Asian cultures. I got this straight away because I come from Korea so I’ve lived my life understanding these things but I’m not surprised that it confused you 😀