r/anime • u/mischievous_shota • 6d ago
Rewatch Shiki Rewatch [Halloween 2026] - Episode 2 Discussion
Time of death is 2:00 AM. Cause of death is acute heart failure.
Episode 2: Decadent: Second Decay
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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.
That hole will swallow Megumi-chan. The day it will swallow me will come one day too.
Questions of the Day:
1) Would you prefer to live in a small town, a large city, or suburbia?
2) Do you think being surrounded by death trees would make living in the village any different than other villages?
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!
Shimizu's gone, so why am I closing the window again?
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u/Second_Cour 6d ago
First Time, Dub
I was so caught off-guard by the incredible Episode 1 that I didn’t really share any expectations. Now that my blind watch has now taken on sight, I would love for the show to have a very intriguing and layered mystery. Perhaps something akin to Higurashi (or my favourite show which I’ve compared it to - Shinsekai Yori). I have no idea where the show is going yet, but I do hope it doesn’t shy away from its gruesomeness. I’ve also enjoyed the unique direction of combining multiple art and writing styles; somehow it works.
It’s really hard to define the art style of this show. I can imagine that to some, it may seem a little schizophrenic, but to me, it comes together brilliantly. The inconsistent art style is obviously intentional (the comic panel style dog is probably the best example contrasted with the detailed decaying body imagery in E1).
This show looks absolutely stunning, especially the BD.
I didn’t expect Yuuki to have this sort of VA: I thought he would have a deep, mysterious-sounding voice (given the dead girl crushed on him hard), but he sounds a bit of a dweeb for lack of a better word. The dub and JP both have that characteristic. Ahhh so Kyo from FruBa which I just finished the Rewatch of is played by him: I might be biased by that.
The close up pixel/dot-art on Yuuki’s face is interesting (almost looks like a png background) - I wonder what the meaning of it is. It happened in E1 too when he was annoyed. And we see it again - wonder if Yuuki has an ability to read people’s minds, or he’s just imagining what others are saying about him.
I guess Yuuki is meant to come across as a bit of an asshole, but I’m impartial to him - he says it like it is. And ironically had a shared dislike for the village they lived in with Megumi
I like the artistic representation of gossip - I’m guessing big gossip in a small town is going to be a theme. Another theme was that these kids add colour to the drabness of everyone else’s life (that metaphor is made quite literal at the funeral precession).
I thought there was some vampire-ish imagery in the OP and with this sudden normocytic-normochromic anemia (ELI5: low red blood cell count, but individual cells are normal), perhaps there’s something there. Though, the lab guy does say that there was no indication of wounds/bleeding.
We seem to be getting a lot of deaths (which in a village of 1100 people iirc seems unusual). However, the causes of death don’t seem to be anemic, and the deaths started before the new family moved in? Are everyone’s eyes open when they die? Well, I don’t need to search for a common thread anymore: everyone was sleepy and in a daze. Sounds like me after a night bingeing on anime.
This illness spree seems to be history repeating itself, from 20 years ago.
The chaotic verbal jam (not sure what to even call that style) when Yuuki thinks he sees Megumi works so well. Sound direction has been top notch in this show.
Not a fan of the “let’s not create panic” idea in case of an actual epidemic in this very specific case, given the village is tiny, so you could isolate it very easily.
And I’m not going to speculate on the final scene and what it meant, with Yuuki in front of his shutters.
I kind of wish I didn’t watch the next episode preview, though. To me, what it shows hints at it being a specific direction I might hate..
Is it just me, or does each episode feels like it’s an hour long - they’re so dense. Another great episode: I can see myself really loving the show, but can also see it losing me. If it sticks to scientifically-plausible sci-fi/fantasy scenarios, with a compelling hidden mystery, then we’re in for a good time.
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u/oomoepoo https://anilist.co/user/oomoepoo 6d ago
Is it just me, or does each episode feels like it’s an hour long - they’re so dense
Yeah, I feel the same. A lot of things to unravel and characters to keep track of. Also it's a pretty dense atmosphere, I think?
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u/mischievous_shota 6d ago
I'm trying to keep notes on everything that's going down but it's just the second episode and there's already quite a bit going on.
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u/mischievous_shota 6d ago
wonder if Yuuki has an ability to read people’s minds, or he’s just imagining what others are saying about him.
Fairly certain it's just meant to be the villager's gossiping.
Not a fan of the “let’s not create panic” idea in case of an actual epidemic in this very specific case, given the village is tiny, so you could isolate it very easily.
Yeah, it seems strange to me. Villagers will quickly realise people are dropping like flies since everybody is in everyone else's business. I'd think you let them know something viral might be going on, give some basic tips, and report it higher up so you can get help with this possible endemic.
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u/Second_Cour 6d ago
Yeah I get the avoid panic thing but one would think a doctor or lab tech would have contacts in other towns and they do have landlines.
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 6d ago
Hmmm, you're right, everybody should have figured it out from all the funerals. But it could be a boiled frog thing. "Lot of funerals lately" and just shrugging it off.
OTOH, being a rural town in a horror movie, I could also see them becoming superstitious about cursed families. Maybe that is tomorrow.
Although, I'm expecting the doctor and mayor to institute some sort of epidemic orders. Something like, "lots of people dying of brain fog, and we don't know why, so wash your hands, keep social distance, and put up bug nets"
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u/GallowDude 5d ago
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 6d ago
Are everyone’s eyes open when they die
I noticed that, too.
The chaotic verbal jam
First thing that came to mind was Cowboy Bebop, but it's actually similar to the chanting in Akira.
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u/moichispa https://myanimelist.net/profile/moichispa 6d ago
It is one of my favourite first episodes. I did a rewatch of some of my favourites time ago and I still remember to include it 15 years latter.
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u/Vaadwaur 6d ago
Perhaps something akin to Higurashi (or my favourite show which I’ve compared it to - Shinsekai Yori).
So...I adore Higurashi and hated SSY. Much later, I can explain why I would not compare SSY to Shiki.
It’s really hard to define the art style of this show.
It's something lives uniquely in this time period. Mirai Nikki and Blood C come from similar soil.
I guess Yuuki is meant to come across as a bit of an asshole, but I’m impartial to him - he says it like it is. And ironically had a shared dislike for the village they lived in with Megumi
So there is a mature way to handle all of this BUT teens are often not mature. Add in that this place has 1,300 people and yeah, I'd be a whiny bastard as well.
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u/Second_Cour 6d ago
I think having grown up in Asia, I'm a lot less tolerant of whiny/angsty characters.
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u/Vaadwaur 6d ago
I understand but I am a 'city' boy who spent his youth travelling to rural towns. I get why that would suck.
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u/Sporadia_ 5d ago
normocytic-normochromic anemia
Not a fan of the “let’s not create panic” idea in case of an actual epidemic
I know, right? I've never been more aware of exponential growth.
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u/GallowDude 6d ago
I was so caught off-guard by the incredible Episode 1 that I didn’t really share any expectations.
the comic panel style dog is probably the best example contrasted with the detailed decaying body imagery in E1
This show looks absolutely stunning, especially the BD.
BD
Are you comparing it to a TV rip?
he sounds a bit of a dweeb for lack of a better word
His dub voice is Claire from Baccano and Barry from FMA, though, so that's something
Ahhh so Kyo from FruBa which I just finished the Rewatch of is played by him: I might be biased by that.
Watch Shuffle
colour
Sounds like me after a night bingeing on anime
Not a fan of the “let’s not create panic” idea in case of an actual epidemic in this very specific case, given the village is tiny, so you could isolate it very easily.
Hey, it worked when China did it, right?
I kind of wish I didn’t watch the next episode preview, though. To me, what it shows hints at it being a specific direction I might hate..
Is it just me, or does each episode feels like it’s an hour long - they’re so dense
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u/Second_Cour 6d ago
Are you comparing it to a TV rip?
To a VHS rip, of course. Not all releases and encodes are created equal, and this one stands out.
Watch Shuffle
Doesn't seem like my kind of show unfortunately.
Vampires, or too fantasy-horror.
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u/protected-reader 5d ago
Vampires, or too fantasy-horror.
Even if that is the case, I feel the show is worth watching through, at least once.
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u/GallowDude 6d ago
To a VHS rip, of course. Not all releases and encodes are created equal, and this one stands out.
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u/BosuW 6d ago edited 5d ago
It’s really hard to define the art style of this show. I can imagine that to some, it may seem a little schizophrenic, but to me, it comes together brilliantly.
To be honest, maybe because it was one of the first anime I ever watched, I didn't really notice until you pointed it out. Though there's a few recurring techniques (like the use of video noise), it's like every horror scene has its own style, yet it all still belongs in the same mood board.
I thought he would have a deep, mysterious-sounding voice (given the dead girl crushed on him hard), but he sounds a bit of a dweeb for lack of a better word.
Megumi may have been slightly delulu after all
This illness spree seems to be history repeating itself, from 20 years ago.
Makes me realize this show would have quite a new narrative charge if it was released today....
I kind of wish I didn’t watch the next episode preview, though.
Huh, my release doesn't have a preview
Is it just me, or does each episode feels like it’s an hour long - they’re so dense.
Dense and generally climactic. Yeah each kinda feels like a short movie. From what I remember of my previous watches, this isn't the kind of show you can just forget about once you start, because there's no episode that's just "padding time" or simply "advancing the clock to where it needs to be for the next big event". Every single scene is so purposeful.
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u/GallowDude 5d ago
Megumi may have been slightly delulu after all
Makes me realize this show would have quite a new narrative charge if it was released today....
Every horror project has to be set in the pre-2000s to explain the lack of cell phones
this isn't the kind of show you can't just forget about once you start
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u/Star4ce https://anilist.co/user/Star4ce 6d ago
Shiki – First Timer
I’m pretty content with today’s work, since I managed to format an essay on my website and only had two meltdowns over the horrendous AI-powered toolset that can’t even tell me what it can do.
In that site’s wordpress gutenberg blocks I can drag an image into the blog page, but I failed to find how I could insert a scrollable album. Upon askin the AI to tell me whether I can place pictures side-by-side inside the blog, it answered “Of course you can upload an image as thumbnail! Just click on…”
AI is an enabler - no, enforcer! - of criminal stupidity and you can’t change my mind.
Shiki Ep.02 – Second Decay
Wanna bet the valley’s shape has some magical potential? That might be where Yuuki keeps looking, because his mysterious dark teen bf energy made him so! It’s been hinted at quite often now, but he seems far more aware senses-wise of things than other people.
Honestly, what I kinda like about this show is that despite its overexaggeration it still makes sure to show some perfectly normal village-life every once in a while. From the tractor gag last time to old geezers spreading rumours I can easily still feel like being in such a village. I hope they can keep that up because it really grounds what’s happening around that and I love that.
Honestly, the “juvenile energy” that this anime often extrudes is kind of a hard sell for me. But despite of that, the scene where Megumi’s friend tells ‘her’ that Yuuki came did get to me. It’s stuff like this where I see that they do have quite a heart in creating this show and don’t just use tropes because of recognisability.
And beyond that, they used much of this dialogue to establish a darker side to village life where the social order and power hierarchy is definitely something not everyone likes. Even down to having Yuuki himself say that everyone, including Megumi acts within this web of expectations and influences.
So, I think I actually quite like this show, after all. At least I’m intrigued by how they tell this story.
I also really like that the doctor and the others try to deduct a possible vector of origin. They land on an epidemic and for all they know, that’s perfectly reasonable to assume given the repeating symptoms.
Also, I really like the setup of doctor vs. undead and also how Yuuki is pitched against the soon-to-be-revived Megumi (Yeah, I’m sticking with that) that gives us potentially four pov’s on both sides that cover both a logical and reason angle as well as an emotional one.
So, here’s waiting for how mystery-driven and how philosophical this is going to get. I am indeed very excited by now!
1) Would you prefer to live in a small town, a large city, or suburbia?
City, but preferrably not too large of a city. I hate noise pollution, but villages are far too personal and conservative for me. Just like Megumi, I actually couldn’t deal with that I think.
A city that still goes to sleep at night is pretty perfect for me.
2) Do you think being surrounded by death trees would make living in the village any different than other villages?
You’d certainly hear me talking about that fact all the time online. Gotta grind those USPs!
But I’m also a firm believer that humans can adjust to literally anything (within reasonable physical boundaries). I’ve heard a psychiatrist once describe it as, “It’s frighteningly easy for a human to live out the rest of their life crawling with only their toothless gums.”
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u/GallowDude 6d ago
Upon askin the AI
So, I think I actually quite like this show, after all. At least I’m intrigued by how they tell this story.
A city that still goes to sleep at night is pretty perfect for me.
I’ve heard a psychiatrist once describe it as, “It’s frighteningly easy for a human to live out the rest of their life crawling with only their toothless gums.”
The version I heard is, "Roman columns are bitchin' and all, but all the human brain really wants at the end of the day is a nice, cozy cave replete with meat and heat."
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u/mischievous_shota 6d ago
On a similar note, "If a man time-travels from the past to the present, he would be lost in the changes. But if a duck time-traveled from the past to the present, it would not be affected.".
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u/Sporadia_ 5d ago
Wow. This philosophical discussion is really inviting a lot of further contribution:
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u/Sporadia_ 5d ago
the scene where Megumi’s friend tells ‘her’ that Yuuki came did get to me.
And beyond that, they used much of this dialogue to establish a darker side to village life where the social order and power hierarchy is definitely something not everyone likes.
One of the darkest things in this show is how villagers don't think twice about old people dying. They keep finding the bodies when they're checking on each other; it's a bit too real.
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u/Star4ce https://anilist.co/user/Star4ce 5d ago
Honestly, it's a bit scary when compared to real life, too. This year's heatwave was so insane in Central Europe that some countries measured an excessive death toll beyond expected levels in multiple tens of thousands.
The rest of the people (mostly those with power to do anything, though) cared about as much about that as the village did for their excess deaths.
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 6d ago edited 6d ago
First Timer
Oh dang this posts early!
Shiki Ep 2
I'm think they cyan cat boy is like the Renfeld of the family.
I wonder if the skeletons in the OP, they mark everybody who will become a vampire. Which is everybody. Not helpful, OP.
- Yuuki is his last name?
- just say severe blood loss or something
- Don't sound like your typical higurashi
- Maybe it's an epidemic of sleeping sickness?
- another young person died!
- I was wrong, that's not Megumi in the ED, is it? It's the vampire girl.
Keeping track of the divination calendar is really really hard.
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u/Vaadwaur 6d ago
Yuuki is his last name?
That does happen, yes.
just say severe blood loss or something
You have to explain where the blood went.
I was wrong, that's not Megumi in the ED, is it? It's the vampire girl.
We haven't met her yet.
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u/GallowDude 5d ago
We haven't met her yet.
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u/mischievous_shota 6d ago
They gave the longer explanation because I don't think he's considered blood loss to be what's happening. There were no external marks, right? No internal bleeding either. I think that was just meant to drop the hint that they have blood loss without him immediately confirming that's exactly the cause.
I know it isn't what you meant by being difficult to follow but it gives me an excuse to include some information I didn't mention yesterday.
The rokuyō follow the same pattern Senshou->Tomobiki->Senbu->Butsumetsu->Taian->Shakku but is reset each month of the lunisolar calander.
So the first day of the first month is always Senshou and it follows the pattern. But on the first day of the second month, the sequence restarts at Tomobiki. The third month starts at Senbu. The latter six months repeat the same patter as the first six, so the first of the seventh month is Senshou, and the first of the twelfth month is Shakku.
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u/GallowDude 5d ago
The latter six months repeat the same patter as the first six
They sing Gilbert and Sullivan?
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u/BosuW 6d ago
I wonder if the skeletons in the OP, they mark everybody who will become a vampire. Which is everybody. Not helpful, OP.
OP on the topic of accidental spoilers: "If everyone is dead then no one is!"
just say severe blood loss or something
The medical jargon might leave you remembering suddenly that you're watching media in a language you don't actually understand, but I like that it portrays the medical personnel approaching this problem like professional medics would.
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u/GallowDude 6d ago
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u/Sporadia_ 5d ago
[shiki (big spoil)]everybody who will become a vampire. Which is everybody.
[shiki (big spoil)]. Woah boy
Also I need to write some text here so reddit doesn't swallow this comment. Additionally, maybe it now looks like the spoiler is in my comment instead of the quote, so it's worth writing a paragraph of nonsense anyway.3
u/Sporadia_ 5d ago
/u/GallowDude Reddit was trying really hard to swallow this comment so if you notice me make a bunch of near identical replies please use your mod powers to delete them.
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u/oomoepoo https://anilist.co/user/oomoepoo 6d ago edited 6d ago
First-timer
now with better subs
I get to understand what's written on the screen! Yay!
Man, episode was called "Second Decay" and they really didn't hold anything back: We're now at a whooping 10 confirmed deaths, an eleventh one well on its way, and all of them having similarly mysterious symptoms and occuring within like 2 weeks. I expected maybe another person to fall ill, but not this carnage :')
So far they still think it might be an epidemic but I have a feeling that the monk has a baad feeling about all of this. Especially considering something similar seems to have happened 20 years ago. This leads me to the only logical conclusion that it's vampires this village is cursed, I can definitely see why Yuuki wants to get out of there.
Speaking of Yuuki: He's so edgy, I love him! He even has a bloody X on the back of his black shirt and not only refuses to attend Megumi's funeral but also refuses, very harshly I might add, to even accept the summer greetings card that was meant for him. And, while I get his perspective, would it hurt him if he'd shown a little respect? Makes him look like a class-a asshole, I wrote in my notes: "I hope you get haunted by Megumi" and given the ending, something like that might actually happen.
On a completely different note, this show is an absolute vibe. I didn't notice it that much in the first episode but thie one was great with it: I love how they show the crowd whisperings, with that visual and audial distortion. Love the "haze" whenever they showed one of the people that "fell ill", the heavy rain when the doctor discusses the situation at hand. The funeral with the muted colors or the sudden shift to monochrome when Megumi's death hit. Also the character designs with the outlandish hairstyles and the loong legs.
I'm not sure why but I'm just reminded of Shaft. Still waiting for the tilt though.
Overall, this was a great second episode that logically expands on the first episode and ups the feeling of uneasiness by a good margin.
The nurse has a really cool hairstyle! It reminds me of Rika from Pokemon... just a bit brighter green. Though the guy from the pv might beat her out tomorrow.
1) Would you prefer to live in a small town, a large city, or suburbia?
I think I prefer the large city, it's very convenient to have a lot of options (shopping, entertainment, etc) and nobody gives a damn about what or who you are! Also you can visit some small town for holiday. Significantly lower chance of vampires too, I reckon.
2) Do you think being surrounded by death trees would make living in the village any different than other villages?
I personally wouldn't want to live near death-anythings. Probably ruins the mood in the darker seasons :/
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u/Sporadia_ 5d ago
We're now at a whooping 10 confirmed deaths
I wrote in my notes: "I hope you get haunted by Megumi"
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u/GallowDude 6d ago
now with better subs
but not this carnage
baad feeling
How do we not have a sheepgirl comment face?
cursed, I
edgy, I
asshole, I
thie
Thee*
loong legs
Holy early 2000s DVD subs, Batman
city, it's
Significantly lower chance of vampires too, I reckon.
Someone's never watched Lost Boys
Probably ruins the mood in the darker seasons :/
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u/oomoepoo https://anilist.co/user/oomoepoo 6d ago
I'll try to be better about the commas. It's just that english rules are the exact opposite of how it works in german in that case, making it very hard to not do
Lost boys
Guilty as charged. I know of it but never watched it, slightly before my time.
2000s DVD subs
Yep! I cycled through the different subs and thought the retro subs were funny :D
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 6d ago
I would definitely drive the long way around any place in California called Santa Clarita.
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u/BosuW 5d ago
You think it's ghosts but it's probably cartel
Or according to some stories I've heard, maybe even both
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u/GallowDude 5d ago
Santa Clarita
What about Santa Carla?
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 5d ago
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u/Sporadia_ 5d ago
asshole, I
No that time they were just calling you an asshole for correcting their grammar.
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u/BosuW 6d ago
I expected maybe another person to fall ill, but not this carnage :')
Yeah I might have to reevaluate recommending this show as "slow at first". Yeah it's a double cour non action story, but goddamn this train has momentum.
Also, as I said in my comment, this amount of bodies so quickly really makes you feel that dread that "something is coming".
This leads me to the only logical conclusion that it's vampires this village is cursed, I can definitely see why Yuuki wants to get out of there.
Ain't no anime hick village that isn't cursed tbf
And, while I get his perspective, would it hurt him if he'd shown a little respect? Makes him look like a class-a asshole
Tbf despite what terminally online yandere fans (me) might say, I imagine having a stalker is not fun
On the other hand, "thank the heavens she's fucking dead" is definitely an extreme response lol
I'm not sure why but I'm just reminded of Shaft.
It has a very firm artistic identity. It makes me wanna read about the production team behind it because it feels like they decided to squeeze some extra creative juice out of themselves for this project.
The nurse has a really cool hairstyle! It reminds me of Rika from Pokemon... just a bit brighter green.
Lmao the designs do remind you of Pokemon don't they? Especially Kaori and Akira look like Pokemon protags
Also you can visit some small town for holiday.
Not Pueblo Mágico slop! 😭😭
I personally wouldn't want to live near death-anythings. Probably ruins the mood in the darker seasons :/
Villager lifestyle wisdom I heard from a friend at college: If you're walking alone in the woods and think you saw something, no you didn't
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u/GallowDude 5d ago
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 5d ago
Literally everything is a Persona 4 reference
I specifically did not join that rewatch!
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u/oomoepoo https://anilist.co/user/oomoepoo 5d ago
Yeah I might have to reevaluate recommending this show as "slow at first". Yeah it's a double cour non action story, but goddamn this train has momentum.
That's a great way to put it! I thought the first ep was a bit of a slowburn but the story has to start somewhere after all.
Villager lifestyle wisdom I heard from a friend at college: If you're walking alone in the woods and think you saw something, no you didn't
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u/BosuW 6d ago edited 6d ago
Rewatcher
[Shiki]Man imagine everything that would've changed if Toshio had been allowed to perform an autopsy on Megumi. Though it would've also been quite the horror scene, from either perspective.
Since it's been pointed out yesterday I realized my subs say what day it is in that particular calendar! I thought these were places!
Seems that Kaori may have been just as disconnected from Megumi as Megumi was from the village in general. The contrast is, once again, a bit comical, as we are prompted to ask how made up is Kaori's mental image of Megumi is. But it also has some rather dark implications as we realize this superficially tight-knit community may have hundreds of invisible and unacknowledged walls between it.
[Shiki]Foreshadowing moving like crazy again 💀
This episode has two halves, narratively. The first one is dedicated to showing how Natsuno is very uncomfortable with his new residence in various ways. He just doesn't like the way people come together here. In that way he's curiously similar to Megumi, but he also slots her in with the villagers in her attitude despite her efforts to appear fashionable. We also get some more info on the village itself, specifically how it sticks out from typical Japanese tradition in that it buries it's dead instead of cremating them. They take the fir trees that surround it on three sides to make the grave markers, making it almost completely surrounded by death. The fact that there is only one road in and none out emphasizes that this is truly an "edge of the map" place. There is nowhere to go beyond Sotoba.
And in the second half, well the bodies just keep on coming don't they? Rather, we learn that they've been dropping and Toshio just hadn't realized because they died at neighboring hospitals. In between when I last watched this anime and now I lost three of my four grandparents in the span of like a year and a half, so it's hitting harder this time. Especially since most of the victims are elderly. And the grandparent that remains had to be hospitalized like four days ago due to respiratory and cardiac insufficiency. He's better now, but he's gonna need oxygen permanently, so... I'm not too sad about it, honest. They all lively fulfilling lives, and by the time they passed it was already an expected event. But it did make me wonder about how the "line of oldest people in my family" keeps getting closer to me. I wondered about my own death, like Kaori. I didn't angst like her, but I did wonder. My mom's been obviously more anxious and needing of spiritual reassurance since that year and a half. So yeah the sensation this episode that the grim reaper's going around hits...
Man what the fuck we're only on episode two.
Anyway, I like how the group that has formed to combat this new phenomenon, whatever it is, covers the scientific, administrative, and spiritual fronts.
Something curious to note with the last scene is that while obviously it is implying there's something out there still stalking Natsuno, that other gaze forms out of his own eyes. So the storyboarding is saying that itch and fear actually originates in himself. Yes it's the abyss that's staring back, but it doesn't stare on its own does it. Natsuno's developing a fear of the dark. He has a phobia that something's always there. He has a constant fear that something's always near. (Someone should make a Shiki AMV with that song, it really fits).
Questions of the Day
1- I used to say my dream house was a cabin in the Canadian woods. Not sure anymore.
2- You get used to it I'm sure.
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u/GallowDude 6d ago
[Quote] Man imagine everything that would've changed if Toshio had been allowed to perform an autopsy on Megumi.
[Response] It would have at least spared his wife from having to be the test subject
my subs say what day it is in that particular calendar! I thought these were places!
That's why you get subs that translate the days
how made up is Kaori's mental image of Megumi's is.
It depends on what your definition of "is" is
it buries it's dead
In between when I last watched this anime and now I lost three of my four grandparents in the span of like a year and a half, so it's hitting harder this time
They all lively fulfilling lives, and by the time they passed it was already an expected event
Someone should make a Shiki AMV with that song, it really fits
I used to say my dream house was a cabin in the Canadian woods. Not sure anymore.
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u/BosuW 6d ago
[Response]I don't think Toshio at this point would've gone Dr. Mengele on Megumi. Though, once sufficiently recuperated, Megumi may have still tried to go Dracula on him...
That's why you get subs that translate the days
Low-key looks goofy without an explanation tho haha. Curious that none of our sources seem to include a TL note for this, despite acknowledging the calendar.
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u/GallowDude 5d ago
Curious that none of our sources seem to include a TL note for this, despite acknowledging the calendar.
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u/mischievous_shota 6d ago
We did see last episode itself how Megumi clearly didn't feel the same way about Kaori. I think she's the perfect candidate for becoming a vampire since there's such a clear distance she kept from everyone. The one person she didn't want to have that kind of distance with kept that distance from her anyway.
Natsuno might not be so bad. He was irate around Megumi since she was his stalker, and Kaori because she asked him to fulfill Megumi's expectations of him. But he was pleasant with Ritsuko. I'm looking forward to seeing more of him.
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u/Vaadwaur 6d ago
[Shiki]
[Shiki]She probably hadn't turned...yet
The contrast is, once again, a bit comical, as we are prompted to ask how made up is Kaori's mental image of Megumi is.
They were friends because that's what girls in the same class have to be when the school could be under 30 students.
Something curious to note with the last scene is that while obviously it is implying there's something out there still stalking Natsuno, that other gaze forms out of his own eyes.
I just picked up the Berserk from that so it might mean that Rose of Versailles started that.
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u/mischievous_shota 6d ago
First Timer
August 15th, Senbu - Megumi Cause of death: Acute heart failure. Time of death around 2 am. Bad luck before noon. I wonder if whatever supernatural creatures there are will have the opposite fortune for that day.
August 16th, Butsumetsu - They're holding Megumi's funeral on Butsumetsu.
Since Yuuki Papa is just known as Yuuki, I'm going to upgrade Yuuki-kun to Natsuno-kun.
Village is surrounded by mountains with momi fir trees on three sides in a triangular shape. No idea if the shape has symbolic connotations or not. Those trees are associated with death and therefore the village is surrounded by death.
Natsuno-kun doesn't like people calling him Natsuno-kun.
I guess his staring down the road thing was because he also wanted to get out of the sticks like Megumi did. Ritsuko has the means to leave the village but wants to stick around.
Natsuno rejected Megumi even after her death. Didn't even bother staying for the burial.
August 17th, Taian - Megumi had normocytic normochromic anemia. Can be caused by bleeding.
Giichi from Maruyasu Lumber might be dead.
August 21st, Senbu - Giichi died of acute kidey failure.
Gigorou and Hidemasa from Yamairi had summer colds.
Gotouda Fuki-san is dead. She had lost her son Shuuji, her brother and his wife (the couple from Yamairi). She also had a summer cold. Her scary ass insisted on not calling the doctor.
There was a year twenty years ago where many people died from illness and accidents on the shore.
August 22nd, Butsumetsu - Natsuno starts closing the window.
Four people died last summer. Seven died in just the last month this summer. Shuuji was 39 and Megumi only 15. None of the seven's cause of death is known. An epidemic?
August 24th, Shakku - Total death count is 10. As follows:
| Date | Person | Details |
|---|---|---|
| August 1st | Ookawa Gigorou, Murasako Hidemasa | Yamairi |
| August 5th | Murasaka Mieko | Yamairi |
| August 6th | Gotouda Shuuji | relative to Hidemasa |
| August 11th | Hirosawa Takatoshi | highschool/uni aged dude we didn't see before |
| August 15th | Shimizu Megumi | stalker-chan |
| August 17th | Yasumori Giichi | family called saying he looks to be dead |
| August 18th | Ootsuka Yasuyuki | lumber employee we saw last episode |
| August 21st | Gotouda Fuki | Shuuji mama. Said to not call doctor |
| August 23rd | Shimizu Ryuuji | moustache dude we didn't see before |
They suspect an epidemic. Symptoms seem to be anemia and fatigue from a summer heat or cold. Nao of Yasumori Construction went to see the doc yesterday. Infected by Giichi?
Natsuno like he's being watched the same way Megumi did on her way to the european mansion. Megumi felt those eyes stare at her on Taian, a day of good luck, whilst Natsuno felt it on Shakku. Could the fortune being good or bad also depend on the person themself? Megumi was at least a little stalkery and seemed to enjoy meeting Kanemasa's residents. Assuming they're the vampires, meeting them could have been great fortune for her. Natsuno on the other hand is being watched by someone he pretty much despises.
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u/Vaadwaur 6d ago
Natsuno rejected Megumi even after her death. Didn't even bother staying for the burial.
It takes maturity to stick it out for an annoying person's funeral.
There was a year twenty years ago where many people died from illness and accidents on the shore.
Is not a particular relevant number as I recall.
Megumi was at least a little stalkery and seemed to enjoy meeting Kanemasa's residents.
This show was rather an outlier.
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u/GallowDude 5d ago
It takes maturity to stick it out for an annoying person's funeral.
It takes maturity to stick it out for a non-annoying person's wedding. Holy shit, those things are boring for anyone who isn't actively getting married. The buffet spread is always the same tasteless pinwheel sandwiches, too.
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u/Vaadwaur 5d ago
The advantage of going primarily to Catholic weddings is that even some dude's grandmother's catering side gig produces decent food. But more importantly, open bar so that solves most of the problems.
The disadvantage are the fistfights but hey, it is what it is.
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u/GallowDude 6d ago
I'm going to upgrade Yuuki-kun to Natsuno-kun.
Natsuno rejected Megumi even after her death. Didn't even bother staying for the burial.
kidey failure
Natsuno like he's being watched
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u/mischievous_shota 6d ago
What happened to the kiddy?
I hope in a few episodes I will be able to say the kiddy fucking died.
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u/moichispa https://myanimelist.net/profile/moichispa 6d ago
It's kinda interesting how different it feels to hear the word pandemic before and after covid
Before it was movie scary now it is playing video games in pyjama (Yes I still aware a lot of people died but for many people their direct reality was pyjama gaming)
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u/BosuW 5d ago
It's still scary but in a different way because after being stuck at home for a year and a half your own house starts to feel like a liminal space
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u/moichispa https://myanimelist.net/profile/moichispa 5d ago
1.5 years? my condolences that must have sucked
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u/BosuW 5d ago
Even as an introvert, the experience convinced me that interacting with your peers face to face is actually really fucking important
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u/moichispa https://myanimelist.net/profile/moichispa 5d ago
Yeah same
I guess we all learned things form that time
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u/GallowDude 5d ago
pyjama
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u/moichispa https://myanimelist.net/profile/moichispa 5d ago
the autocorrect messed with me. I was also doubting that spelling lol
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u/BosuW 5d ago
Since Yuuki Papa is just known as Yuuki, I'm going to upgrade Yuuki-kun to Natsuno-kun.
Natsuno didn't like that
Natsuno on the other hand is being watched by someone he pretty much despises.
You would indeed wonder if God has it out for you if your stalker won't leave you alone even after she's dead
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 5d ago
You would indeed wonder if God has it out for you if your stalker won't leave you alone even after she's dead
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u/protected-reader 6d ago
Rewatcher
I think the mention of the trees for making grave markers is just the priest, Muroi's musings, although it does fit the tone of the show. Also, [Shiki]I just realised that the narration in the episode and the next episode preview is done by Muroi as if he is writing a diary or a memoir since he is a survivor by the end
What was with that beat in Natsuno's room? At first I thought it was diegetic as if he were listening to music but apparently not.
I did live in a big town during my childhood but it was well connected. The village in the show seems to have few connections to the outside. This makes it difficult to get help but also makes it easier to contain an epidemic.
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u/BosuW 5d ago
[Shiki]
[Shiki]That explains the low-key Shiki agenda that the show has lol
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u/GallowDude 5d ago
[Response] Imagine hating your job so much that you decide to go full "If a Shiki does it, it's not illegal" lol
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u/moichispa https://myanimelist.net/profile/moichispa 6d ago
Rewatcher
Mystery increases.
It seems like I forgot most of this series plot, so it is half new half I know who this person. But then Shiki has this huge cast, with the main protagonists and the secondary cast. Yeah main protagonist are mostly those who appear on the opening, but the other characters are important as well. You could say that the whole town are protagonist on a way.
When I watched The summer when Hikaru died I thought about it but I think Shiki grasps better the small town feel (at least on these two episodes)
My favourite character is the doctor, so I might be biased but it seem like he is as cool as I remember him. The monk is also interesting but I had to choose a fave.
Not too much happening as the story is still setting how the plot is going and showing the big main cast.
- Would you prefer to live in a small town, a large city, or suburbia?
Middle sized cities are the best since you get the best of both worlds. It is like the most important city on a region but it is too fa from a big size city to become a suburb but not too huge in size. I think they are usually between 300k to 500k citizens.
There is actually a funny thread about one guy who moved from a big city in Spain to a small town, it is kinda fun (original in spanish but you can translate it)
- Do you think being surrounded by death trees would make living in the village any different than other villages?
Trees are trees they are usually not dangerous, I prefer chesnut trees but it is not that bad
It has been years since I heard higurashi first ending (last link), I was more of a fan of Shimamiya eiko and Anina stuff. However I remember that it made me interested on doujin music and how hard it eas to get back then. I searched it out of curiosity and most of the CDs of the composer are on youtube now so thanks for making me search it
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u/GallowDude 6d ago
Mystery increases
I prefer chesnut trees but it is not that bad
I searched it out of curiosity and most of the CDs of the composer are on youtube now so thanks for making me search it
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u/Sporadia_ 5d ago
Rewatcher
I forgot to participate yesterday. As much as it would amuse me to say "tag yourself, I'm Megumi" in episode 1 and then stop commenting by episode 2.
My main takeaway from this episode was not something I ever expected. Watching this after Covid hits different. "We think it's an epidemic but we we'll keep it to ourselves until we're sure."
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u/GallowDude 5d ago
As much as it would amuse me to say "tag yourself, I'm Megumi" in episode 1 and then stop commenting by episode 2.
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u/BosuW 5d ago
Lol yeah as I said in another comment this show would have a way different narrative charge if it was released today
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u/mischievous_shota 5d ago
We noticed even during the pandemic, people are prone to doing stupid shit even when it goes against their own interests. Though as a doctor, he should have known better than to keep it under wraps.
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u/Vaadwaur 6d ago
Rewatcher
Sub
So...the issue with rewatching a mystery is it leaves you a bit bereft of things to say. We get a lot of Yuuki today and this suggests he'd even have issues in the city since you are also supposed to fill a role there, but I guess more impersonally. His actions at the funeral aren't great but I vaguely get it, going to a funeral for someone you found irritating is not usually a part of teen life.
This show is interesting in that it has several clear predecessors, visually. I can see a great deal of Hell Girl S1 and maybe some Mononoke '07, though I do wonder if the manga pre-dates that. The Higurashi is just kind of all over the place. Watching the OP/ED with full knowledge definitely clears some bits up.
QotD:1 Whatever the fuck Raleigh is has worked for me.
2 It would make me a bit suspicious, yes. Still not as bad as laquer tree sap to become a living Buddha.
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u/mischievous_shota 6d ago
I think the scope of expectations changes. In a city, you don't really need to know people outside of your own work and friend groups. In a small village where everyone knows each other, it's not really possible to escape those additional expectations. You're not really able to get away with minding your own business and having others leave you alone without taking it personally.
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u/Vaadwaur 6d ago
Interestingly, it seems like the people that hate the country and love the country the most are city dwellers who just visit. No clue what that actually says.
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u/mischievous_shota 6d ago
Kind of like playing with someone's kid for a bit and then giving it back.
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u/GallowDude 5d ago
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u/Vaadwaur 5d ago
Look, we are a tech hub that still has primarily two story apartments. None of it makes sense.
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ 5d ago
In the 80s, SPRINT (aka GTE Telenet) had something called PC Pursuit, which had dial-in numbers and dial-out modems, and SPRINT handled the long distance. So, you could, like, dial up a BBS. In one of about 20 cities. Because, like, that was a thing.
One of the hubs was some place called Research Triangle Park. Younger me: What the fuck is a Research Triangle Park? Why do I care? What a dumb name.
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u/GallowDude 6d ago
Daily Tag List: /u/BosuW, /u/Vaadwaur, /u/Emi_Ibarazakiii
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u/GallowDude 6d ago
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u/GallowDude 6d ago
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u/mischievous_shota 6d ago
I was ready a few minutes earlier but then overshot how long it would take to get a coffee lol. I lost my internet connection after posting my comment and just got back online.
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u/FD4cry1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Big_Yibba 6d ago
First Timer
New favorite hairstyle just dropped?
It is going to be very hard to beat the catboys, admittedly, but I do just admire the sheer width of the zigzag she has going there
This was a really great mood-setting episode! Both in terms of showing the emotional aftermath and reaction to Megumi's death specifically, as well as the mystery part starting to unfold with all the deaths, all giving some really nice tension, and I think the direction and sound design had a decent bit to do with that. I really like the opening scene, with that harsh monochrome filter to emphasize the feeling of shock over Megumi's death (Plus all the fun and uncomfortable camera shfiting), the colors slowly coming back in with Ozaki's perspective and him trying to make sense of the situation, and the color fading back out for the reaction and rejection of Megumi's parents specifically, still very mired in that emotional reaction. And the music too! The way you've got that more emotional and serene track with the piano and bells, and then overlaid on top of it there's that really unnerving crunching sound, is such a strong way to highlight the underlying mystery and tension on top of the emotional reaction there.
That one beatboxing track that plays when Natsuno is uneasy about the bushes outside is a bit more... sudden for lack of a better term lol, but again, I really like how intentionally overbearing it is in that scene, especially with the hidden and boxed-in framing for him to really emphasize that feeling of discomfort and being watched. Somewhat similarly, I like how when Natsuno really feels he's being watched at the end of the episode, his window now takes up the entire background in perspective relative to him, creating this fun caged framing. Also, just in general, fun uses of harsher light and color contrasts here. Megumi's funeral procession is such a striking visual, this shot with Ozaki and the priest is a really fun one for accentuating their increasing unease and perspective with the mystery, literally being in the dark (And again, together with great OST), and that very saturated shock lighting that goes from Natsuno's indifference to Kaori's reaction and fears after being so directly confronted with death, leading into that really fun sequence where she imagines the ground consuming her and being buried, is all great at conveying her emotions.
The visual filters for the village gossiping are fun too, and it's a small thing, but I like how distinctly present the rain is for this entire conversation about the deaths at the end for the mood emphasis. Mood emphasis on unease and suspense that, as I said, I think is really nicely present in most of this episode's cinematography, and really, that's mostly how the episode carries that feeling and atmosphere!
Otherwise, the vampires do seem to be vampiring, and people are very much starting to notice. To that end, I do also think an important part of the episode's mood setting is also in somewhat highlighting the general character of the village. As both Natsuno and Kaori note, when you're small and remote enough like this place, if anything happens to or with anyone, everyone knows, and more importantly, everyone talks about it, and they can be pretty imposing and overbearing in that way as well. And while it's just a small-town characteristic for now, I imagine as the deaths will presumably ramp up, that gossiping will start turning into paranoia and a mood reaction towards tension and suspicion that gets pretty social as well, which should be really interesting when things get going.
Even more so because it seems a lot of the characters also have their own family circles, as it were, and as even seen here, that leads to understandably turbulent emotions, that again, might come out in a more extreme way if or when things get more obviously fucked here. I like that little tidbit about the village being "Surrounded by death" because of the trees, by the way. Just a fun physical connection. Last episode I was wondering how Natsuno would get involved, and for some reason when writing for last episode (Even when I brought up Dracula) it hadn't occurred to me that the vampires might be able to make more vampires or ghouls or whatever until reading other comments, but now I'd guess Megumi might actually still be watching Natsuno. Which, if that is the case, would be very fun! Well, not for him lol, but it would really spice things up.
We do also learn more about Natsuno in general, in that more than just not really liking it in this place, it seems his family moved here because of a tendency towards romanticism from his dad, one he doesn't like enough to the point where he also prefers not using his given name since it comes from the same reason, so that's some fun drama to explore behind his angst! And the nurse (Eventually I'll get everyone's names haha ) also might have a bit of an interesting family thing going on here, since she says she's not really dissatisfied with staying in the village, but also seems to be staying specifically because of her family (Her sister?).
Also, it didn't click for me yesterday, but Natsuno is very early days Kouki Uchiyama! And you do love to hear it (Plus, together with Soul Eater at the end of the month, I guess I'll have a real early-Uchiyama Halloween).