MAO

Okay. So Mao's sword can only be *wielded* by him, yet Nanoka just used it as well. What's the reasoning behind that? Is it because the sword is like a holy instrument that only onmyoji priests can use? Or is it because that sword slashed the Byouki and both Mao and Nanoka were cursed by it? I'm wondering if Mao and Nanoka could be bloodline relatives maybe? Like the Byouki cursed Mao's entire bloodline or something? And maybe that's why Nanoka's maid gives her those weird smoothie concoctions to keep the curse at bay. Some questions still need to be answered here. But I'm liking the mystery so far.

Man, they're padding out the runtime with unnecessary recaps already lmao. Well, it seems like the first episode being 25 minutes long wasn't an exception but the standard. So it all balances out in the end. Nanoka chasing the rickshaw was so funny. I really liked the animation on Nanoka. I heard concerns that since this episode had 3 animation directors, which is higher than standard, it might negatively affect this episode. I thought it looked fine. As I said, I love how expressive they made Nanoka in some of the shots. It looks goofy sometimes, but that's what I like. Nanoka not saying she's from the future is a cliche that I don't like tho. At least tell us why they can't say they're from the future if they won't say it. Looks like the plot is slowly kicking in. Nanoka swung the sword. Now what? Guess we'll find out.

The OP/ED weren't wrong in terms of showing how deeply connected Mao and Nanoka are, even if they can't figure it out themselves quite yet. Well, so much for Mao giving Nanoka ANY answers before dipping and leaving her alone. It's cool to see a rickshaw in the flesh, but if Mao thought he was going to bail on Nanoka again, he has another thing coming! Superhuman stamina comes in handy sometimes! Welcome to Taisho era Japan, Nanoka! Circa 1923! Where East and West met in a true melting pot of culture for Japan! And yet Nanoka still stands out with her short high school skirt. What is Mao's connection to the mysterious Byoki? All he recollects is himself, near death and pierced with weapons across his body, with Byoki in a similar state...but just as Byoki seemed to make a move to possess him, Mao severed his head in one last ditch effort and sent Byoki's head flying across the sky. And where does Nanoka fit in? Wow, actual Taisho era waitresses! Including Tenko (Yoko Hikasa) a bubbly and cute waitress who seems to help connect Mao to clients and supernatural incidents. Such as the case with Sayoko and the Headless Murder incidents. Storybook style, we get the story of a viscount covered in bandages whom only his wife attends too...all the while he leaves the mansion and only comes back with his bag dripping blood. Something is DEFINITELY up here. Smart of Nanoka to start trying to figure out the quantum mechanics of her time-traveling while she's stuck with Mao. It was obvious something was going on when the viscount wanted Sayoko in the room with him. He clearly does NOT appreciate any outside being aware of his business, and would've killed Sayoko if not for Mao's dramatic entrance. Hilariously Sayoko left the backdoor open for them and NONE of them actually used it. Otoya really just seems to be vibing with everything at this point. But the true culprit isn't the viscount, who is nothing more than a corpse filled with spider thread and spiders, but his "wife," the titular Spider Lady who has a preference for young, male, heads she can fill with her eggs. It's as unsettling as it sounds. Nanoka is NOT a fighter or emotionally ready to get killed, but her blood is acid to spider webbing, much like Mao's, and she can wield Mao's sword to be able to slice the Spider Lady to pieces! Guess that's yet another thing they have in common now, especially since no one else can wield Mao's sword.

Do you think it's called Mao not just because of the title character, but because it kinda sounds like meow, and they're chasing an evil kitty? I think I'm okayish with spiders as long as they're on the smaller side, but there's a limit, and that limit was broken. That's too many damn spiders in this joint. That's not okay. Bandaged up faces, and special sword techniques, huh? Love to see it. Still, if Nanoka can wield the katana, it just raises more questions.