Nisemonogatari – Episode 5: Ignition and Alleviation
Well, I’m late on everything so this is the best way to keep things off of my mind. Here comes the next episode of Nisemonogatari.
So Araragi is once again having his buttons pushed by his younger sister as Hanekawa looks after his other sister. Tsukihi just loves getting on Araragi’s nerves, but without Karen or Hanekawa around to back her up, it seems she has only a marginal amount of power over him. I just want to mention that getting all of these scenes showing off the Araragi residence just reminds me how artistic this show is. This house must have literally cost billions; step aside, Michelangelo and Picasso.
Ah, that fiery passion of youth.
Well, time to put that little bit aside for a while. We are shown the events leading up to Karen’s contraction of her illness, which starts with her entering Kaiki’s paradoxical hideaway. By setting a little trap for Kaiki, Karen managed to meet with him face-to-face, with full intentions of punching his face in for causing trouble to her school. However, to those who set the traps, the elements involved in the setup can become traps in themselves. Kaiki toys with Karen with the difference in age and viewpoints, and the entire conversation leads to the fact that Karen’s naivety and innocence will be her downfall. With one touch of his finger upon Karen’s head, Kaiki places a deadly spell on the fiery youngster, ironically causing her to burn up slowly. Kaiki even steals what little money Karen had as “payment” for the initiation of the charm, and suggests that once the poison allows her to move, she should quickly call for help.
This series is beautiful, in more ways than one.
With Hanekawa and Araragi, they’re now talking outside while Karen rests. Hanekawa apologizes for helping Karen and Tsukihi with their plan to capture Kaiki and offers Araragi a magical ticket. What kind of magical ticket, you ask? It’ll apparently permit Araragi to um…pass some respectable boundaries whenever he wishes. Hanekawa, that tease- if Araragi ever uses that ticket, she will be forever disappointed, and Araragi just tears it up in front of her in defeat. I guess that is the most respectable decision. Putting that aside, Hanekawa questions where Oshino has gone, and Araragi seems to have confidence that he’s watching over them. Maybe he’ll even help stop Karen from suffering. When Hanekawa parts ways with Araragi, she’s granted the permission to borrow his bike to get home. All Hanekawa asks is that Karen’s problem gets solved tonight so that Araragi can go back to studying.
Shinobu- youthful appearance, aged advice.
Back at home, Araragi carries Karen up to his room and like a good brother, he helps wipe down her inflamed body. Poor Karen spends the entire ordeal basically covered in flames and anger, as Kaiki had tricked other students aside from herself. No matter what has happened, Karen and Tsukihi are as determined as ever to stop injustice from spreading. With no other options at the moment, Araragi confronts Shinobu with an idea. What if Karen could directly transfer her illness to him? Shinobu doesn’t recommend it, but tells him that it’s quite possible nonetheless. So, what needs to be done? Transfer through a kiss, you say? Oh dear.
