Still neatly balancing very traditional Japanese gods and goddesses and pageantry and rites with modern nation-state trappings - black limos, government agents, some sort of enormous and rigid bureaucracy, insurgents… And it’s just that much more impressive that they’re keeping the balance, since the pageantry and the rites (and the songs) are so beautiful, even against that backdrop.

And it’s just stuffed full of mysteries and secrets.

Looking forward to more.

That ice flower scene at the end was beautiful. I’m really interested in the world building here. I found Hinagiku a bit too emotional manipulative for my taste (in how the character was tailored to be laser focussed on invoking the viewers protective instincts) but this episode was great.

This is more action-heavy than I thought it would be. I didn’t expect that, given how emotional the first episode was, but I’m not complaining. I’m happy that there’s no drop in quality, which is often the case. The Winter team is just as interesting as Spring, and I’m curious how Hinagiku managed to make a comeback after the kidnapping when everyone other than Sakura and Rosei has given up on her.