NegaPosi Angler – Episode 10

Episode Synopsis:

Machida ends up in the hospital after a skateboarding accident, so Hiro & Co. head over to bring him some necessary items. Trauma kicks in bad as Hiro realizes this is the same hospital where he received his diagnosis regarding his supposedly terminal condition. He bails out of the visit and emotionally curls up into himself. Later on, Hiro opens up to Takaaki about his illness and the latter gets on his case about finding his medical card and getting himself to the hospital for additional tests. An emotionally charged explosive episode occurs at the end after Hiro discovers that Takaaki himself is still unable to confront his own traumatic event.

Review:

Scott, what’s that you were saying about a relaxing time?! Put down your hotpot spoons people, because the fun times are over.

This episode gives us the inevitable conflict with the dynamite and lighter the show has been simmering in the background and hinting at in rapid flash scenes respectively. For the former, we haven’t dealt with or even had Hiro himself talk about his condition that was diagnosed in Episode 01. Not that I’m morbid, but it would have helped a lot to have seen him suffering from some symptoms periodically for only us to see. He’s been living a decent life after getting the chance to start over, seemingly without any problems. While it’s been lovely to see him learning a new skill, and thus getting a new lease on life, it feels like whiplash to bring back that initial diagnosis and act like NOW the clock is ticking. We as viewers understand this because it’s episode 10 of 12, but in terms of storytelling it feels too sudden.

Regardless, it’s here and it needed showcasing itself because Hiro couldn’t run from it forever. For the latter from my analogy in the paragraph above, Takaaki is the more interesting study. The show’s been ladling in hints that he has some dark past he’s running from and that some of his laid back, caring personality is a farce to hide his suffering. I guessed the traumatic event several episodes ago, but once it’s revealed, it’s rapidly obvious why he is so insistent that Hiro get checked out at the hospital.

It isn’t all doom and gloom. We of course get some fishing time in and a touch of much needed humor as respite. This episode showcases a lot of late midday or dusk shots which provide a lovely lighting scheme. There’s also some great background shots that I’ve missed seeing in this show.

The writing in this episode is excellent in the latter half, when both Takaaki and Hiro explode at each other and finally acknowledge the truth about their fragile friendship: Neither one truly knows the other. Hiro’s hesitation to do what needs doing is very telling of someone who is still in the process of grieving his situation. Takaaki on the other hand, is someone who is hypervigilant due to an extended time suppressing trauma. Their clash is heart-wrenching in terms of both exposition and action. The writers balance everything from the subtle past reveal to the eruption that occurs when one can’t properly express themselves. Like Episode 08 with Machida trying to figure out how to talk to his estranged son, you get the sense that someone really understood the assignment here or is drawing from firsthand experience.

Summary:

Oof, this was a tough one. Hiro and Takaaki collide as their pasts are revealed. Hopefully we see some healing in the last two episodes. Excellent writing helps bring the emotions to life, despite the jerky re-introduction of Hiro’s illness.

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