This episode begins with a brief flashback/dream sequence where Yohane recalls telling Lailaps her plans to make it big as an idol. The sequence ends with Yohane being bewildered that Lailaps isn’t happy for her. I don’t find this dialogue that shocking. I doubt Lailaps was thrilled about Yohane leaving home and getting all ambitious and she generally questions a lot of what her owner does anyway. Between this and the ending of the last episode however, I can’t shake off the feeling that this show has something in store involving Lailaps.
The real plot of the episode kicks off when Yohane visits Mari for more information regarding her powers. To the best of her ability, Mari believes that everyone has a Resonance and if enough people can tap into it, they can conjure something that’ll protect Numazu. Curiously, Mari describes the combined use of Resonances as a “melody”. An interesting choice of words considering this show’s musical elements and the fact that this is still a Love Live! series. Maybe these characters are going to form an idol group.
While speculating, Yohane shows her staff to Mari and the demon lord thinks the symbols on the back aren’t some glorified friends list. Yohane then wonders if a symbol will appear the more she gets to know Mari. At first, Mari is hesitant to hang out with Yohane as she’s afraid of venturing out into the mainland and getting judged by the townsfolk. The concern is exacerbated by Mari having superhearing. Should anyone speak ill of her, Mari will pretty much know. And should a ton of people gossip simultaneously, Mari could suffer from a mental overload. Eventually, Mari agrees to explore the town and with Yohane’s help, Mari realizes that everyone welcomes her with open arms.
Yohane and Mari are a surprising duo to see. Apart from group interactions, those two don’t really interact with each other in Sunshine!!. Admittedly, these are different versions of the characters and with that comes different chemistry. Within the context of Yohane the Parhelion, it makes a lot of sense that Yohane would be Mari’s ticket towards overcoming her self-doubt. Apart from Hanamaru, Yohane barely had any friends at the beginning of the story and she never really connected with her hometown until recently. She was in a similar situation to Mari so she’s the best person who can empathize with the Demon Lord and help her. Honestly, it’s a bit cheeky that Yohane helps the so-called demon lord. It’s kind of a fun homage to the original Yoshiko’s fallen angel persona and her friends’ acceptance of it.
I like that Dia and Mari apparently exchanged letters, discussing town affairs (which, in turn, helps the townsfolk view Mari in a positive light). It’s not as informal as the two’s friendship in Sunshine!! but I like seeing that these two have interacted before in the Yohane timeline. It’s a shame that the show doesn’t do the same with Kanan. I was expecting Kanan to reveal something, like maybe she once ended up on Wassimer Island during an excavation and indirectly got help from Mari. I suppose regurgitating the same exact chemistry as the original Aqours’ would be too on the nose.
One character I wish this episode leaned into more is Ruby. There’s a scene where Ruby tells Yohane, Kanan, and You that she often worries how others will perceive her, being a fairy and all. She’s pretty much in the same boat as Mari. It would’ve been nice to see these two meet but for whatever reason, this episode doesn’t let them. That said, I still enjoy the part where Mari learns about Ruby and lets her little familiars play with the fairy. If nothing else, it’s a cute moment.
You’d think Mari’s character development would give cause for a musical celebration. That’s kind of the structure here in Love Live!. Hell, that’s the case for two of the previous four episodes. This episode did have me thinking for a bit that it’ll bust into a song by having Yohane show Mari her stage in the forest. Before Yohane gets to sing however, the stage is struck by lighting and becomes infested with dark energy, ending the episode on a pretty effective cliffhanger.
Watch YOHANE THE PARHELION -SUNSHINE in the MIRROR on Crunchyroll
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