This episode begins with Hanamaru introducing Yohane to You (Shuka Saitou), who works as a messenger in this universe. You delivers a letter from Yohane’s mother, who reminds our protagonist to find something fun that only she can do, something that was established in the first episode (and I may or may not have overlooked…). Right now, Yohane is drawing a blank. I guess performing as an idol, using magic, fortune telling, performing odd jobs, or saving the town could be potential answers but Yohane probably doesn’t feel confident in any of those picks.
Since everyone treats her as a handyman, Yohane gets roped into helping You with delivering mail throughout the town. Their final destination ends up being the port where we get to see the last character Yohane the Parhelion needs to re-introduce, Kanan (Nanaka Suwa). Kanan is once again an underwater diver like she was in Sunshine!! though in this universe, she primarily works as a repairman who uses spare parts salvaged from the ocean. She’s quite good at it as she apparently managed to create a talking robot assistant. After Dia became a superhero, I really shouldn’t be surprised with this.
The task Kanan has at the moment is a lot less fancy by comparison: she just wants to repair a run down set of swings at one of Numazu’s parks. With all the mail taken care of, You and Yohane decide to help Kanan with repairing the sets. Hanamaru joins them soon after. Yohane takes a particular interest in the swings as they were a go-to place for her when she was a kid. At first, Yohane struggles with the repairs though with Kanan’s advice and Lailaps’ encouragement, she perseveres and helps everyone complete the renovated (and drastically different) swing set.
Based on the first four episodes, the overarching development for Yohane is her growing affinity for her hometown. She still wants to return to the big city but over time, she’s reconnected with Numazu and she’s grown to appreciate it again. She’s still reluctant to take odd jobs but she ultimately finds them fulfilling and she’s developed an admiration for all the different jobs the other main characters do. It makes you wonder what Yohane’s travel plans will be by the end of the series. Will she still want to go to the city or will she ultimately stay home instead? Yohane’s reconnection with Numazu also factors into her powers as symbols begin to appear on the back of her staff the more she helps others. I want to say that’s a good thing considering that Yohane will eventually need her Resonance to do something for the town. That said, there’s a curious couple of moments where Lailaps observes Yohane’s magical growth and she doesn’t look too thrilled about it.
Since it’s been a while since the first music video, Yohane the Parhelion gives us a new one for the fourth episode. The song is pretty unique within the Sunshine!! anime soundtrack. It’s more lowkey and relaxed compared to the energetic pop songs we’ve heard before. Hanamaru, You, and Kanan perform the song, a combo the anime never utilized, and they rap a few lines, which is a first as far as I can remember. I’m really digging the differentiations in Yohane‘s soundtrack compared to Sunshine‘s. It’s a good direction to take for Aqours’ return.
Watch YOHANE THE PARHELION -SUNSHINE in the MIRROR on Crunchyroll
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