Aw shit, stuff actually happened this week! Like, BIG stuff! Not “this retroactively justifies me watching an entire season of a low quality slice of life” big, but certainly “wow, this episode was really rewarding for its own sake” big. The execution just really, really stepped up for this episode’s Big Shift, and the result was one of the more effectively moody episodes I’ve seen in a long time. Great work, Nagato Yuki team.

Alright, that’s enough beating around the big spoiler this week. Here’s my full ANN post, and you can check out (spoiler-filled, of course) notes below.

Just letting the rain carry this scene. Good call

Yep, Nagato’s switched back to her Melancholy personality

Good ominous piano for this part too

Asakura is far more freaked out than Nagato, and Nagato doesn’t know how to react. Really good shot of Nagato just staring at Asakura crying for a while from mid-distance, before Nagato eventually lowers her head and apologizes. She doesn’t know what she’s supposed to do, and the framing keeps us from attributing any emotion to her expression

“As long as you understand, then it’s okay.” But she doesn’t understand

This music track is perfect for this mood. Solemn, sad, a little ominous

And now Nagato’s reading, instead of playing her game

Now we get to see the two old dudes from the Haruhi show

Kyon just staring at and worrying about Yuki. This is a good use of slice of life pacing – his zoning out of everything else is portrayed laterally across time, which makes it feel real

Another scene with no music, followed by another with melancholy piano. Good sound direction this episode

Kyon tries to start a conversation, Nagato responds blankly

They’re letting this whole scene unfold very slowly and naturally. Confident work

“Are you concerned about me?” “What are you talking about? Of course I am.” A little color returns to her eyes

Intense strings for this scene

Nagato almost winces when thinking about the summer festival

Those ominous train crossing alarms. An unfamiliar sound for this show

Asakura looking more and more frustrated

This week is even more slow than the show’s usual fair, but its pacing feels purposeful this time. This is basically the difference between good and bad slow things

This piano track in the final scene, as Asakura tries to make small talk, is wonderful. With Nagato no longer able to emote, the sound design is doing all the work of carrying the emotions, and it’s knocking it out of the park

“Thank you for your concern.” Again. Totally formal, like strangers

“Actually, one more thing. Who are you?”