It’s been quite the weekend for the Miharu/vampire theme in anime. But Witch Watch obviously takes it in a vey different direction than Call of the Night. This was probably the most “serious” episode apart from the warlock battle arc (ironically it had a mini one of those too), but not overly so. Dispensing with the usual three-sketch rule it’s one story from start to finish here, and the last main member of the cast (if the OP and ED are to be believed) is added into the mix.
Again it’s a prophecy that sets things off, this time about a new weapon that can be used in the battle against warlocks. That means a trip to a nearby mountain village, which the baka brigade quickly turns into a vacation planning session even as Moi-chan tries to keep it all business. Summer vacation is summer vacation after all, and the bikinis (Nico decides to invite Nemu along for the trip) are packed up along with the daily necessities, and it’s off to Mt. Kanhachiya.
The first sign that things are taking their usual Witch Watch left turn is the pretty young boy with a black umbrella who comes to meet the quintet at the station. He introduces himself as third-year middle schooler Kiryuu Miharu (Wakai Yuuki) and dives right in by referring to Nico’s retinue by a variety of demeaning titles, all of which with “lowly” preceding them (though he does apologize each time, a trend that will prove recurrent). They pile into the family van with dad Masumi (Ebara Masahi) who looks strangely old to be Miharu’s father.
Masumi says his side job is as a pastor, but his real gig is as an exorcist. He also says his family owes a great deal to Nico’s mother and would do whatever they can to help Nico. The gang head off to play in the river, but soon one of the looming questions of WW is answered – yes, men can be witches (and warlocks). Then includes the fisherman (Okitsu Kazuyuki) Nico waved at on the way over. A warlock he is indeed, and he’s using the river to cast a binding spell from outside the 200 meter reach of “Alert” (another fact to file away). Unable to move, the boys and Nemu are unable to stop him from snatching Nico away. That’s when Miharu shows up with the drinks.
Long story short, chibi Miharu is the badass in the family, who inherited the exorcism superpowers. He’s also a vampire, as the whole family is – a fact which comes in handy when he’s gravely wounded by one of the defeated warlock’s flailing attacks. He says Nico’s healing magic won’t work fast enough but restores himself, however, by draining some of Moi’s life energy. That’s how hip modern vamps do it, rather than sucking blood. And it seems that oni have exceptionally delicious life force, judging by the sense of… completion Miharu seems to get from the experience.
The main reason the episode doesn’t get bogged down in serious is because of Miharu, who’s a real live wire. He says whatever he’s thinking, which is mostly what people are not supposed to say out loud. He also has a biting (no pun intended) sense of humor – it’s clear some of what he says is exactly because he knows it will shock people, and he can lean on his cuteness and an apology to dodge any repercussions. As such Miharu makes a nice addition to the group dynamic, as his unfiltered and snarky personality is quite unlike any of the others.
And join the group dynamic he does, because his soaring pubescent appetite for energy has aged his father up about 30 years in the space of five. Not so his mom (Inoue Marina no less) who’s apparently never been nibbled. By joining Team Nico he can dine from it’s youthful viking buffet, and continue to live as normal a life as possible. So after a clever magical gattai with Nico to drain the warlock’s magic without killing him, it’s a tearful goodbye to mom and dad – with one last embarrassing commentary – and off to the Otogi house and the big city. And that’s a good thing, as this vampire definitely doesn’t suck.
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