To Your Eternity “A Girl Named Tonari” Review
To Your Eternity “A Girl Named Tonari” is the fifteenth episode of the To Your Eternity anime. Continuing from the mess he finds himself trapped in episode 14. Fushi begins to realise that he’s not nearly as alone as he thought and maybe not as sure of himself or his life as he thought.
Finding Pioran
Fushi is coming to terms with being able to turn into Parona when “The Creator” shows up. He in no clear terms confirms Parona is dead and says he’s glad she died quicker than he’d hoped. Suddenly Tonari shows up and walks around with Fushi as always. Eventually she makes a deal with Fushi that she’ll go and investigate Pioran’s whereabouts. But she’ll only tell him if Fushi wins the third round in the tournament. That night, Fushi digs all the way to the centre cell tower. And, as Parona, calls out to Pioran. She hears him and immediately asks why he sounds the way he does. He has to break the news to Pioran of Parona’s death but Pioran encourages Fushi to live like she did trying to do the best for others. Pioran even confirms that she’s a criminal and deserves to be there.
The next day and the third round of the tournament is here, Fushi does everything to try and not harm the man he’s fighting. To the point that the crowd get so mad they start attacking. Fushi summons a sword and protects the man but he’s hit by an arrow in his shoulder and Fushi is declared the winner. Convinced the man is dead, Fushi brightens up when he sees him recovering on a bed next to his brother. The man explains that he doesn’t really care about living anymore he just sticks around for his younger brother, who needs him. Fushi turns into Gugu to help them light their fire but he’s warned by “The Creator” to turn back into the boy as “they” are coming.
The fight for his past
Fushi is set upon by an angry mob who hate that he doesn’t have to suffer as they do. Tonari protects him but there’s only so much she can do. Before anything drastic happens the Nokkers show up as Oniguma-Sama and takes Gugu’s form. With only a few to choose from now, Fushi fights back. Turning into a mole to go between the rocks and chew at the membrane like substance keeping the form together. He’s caught though and sent flying, his mole form taken. When the other Islanders show up with a trebuchet like weapon.
They fire at it but it doesn’t do much and is destroyed. Tonari, Mia, Uroy, Sandel and Oopa are also on hand to help. Fushi sees them using exploding arrows as a last ditch attempt. And joins them. He missies miserably, but turns into Parona and hits the Nokker right where it’s needed. Everyone now joins in the fight using bomb arrows. Oopa worries that they’ll run out of arrows but Fushi produces a crap load of them and says not to worry.
With everyone’s help the Nokker is defeated. The core exposed and once again Fushi has all his memories and forms back. The episode ends with Fushi thanking Tonari and her and her friends celebrating.
Review
This was definitely a turning point episode for me. Fushi’s fate seems to be going down a new road, whether he knows it or not. He doesn’t show it. He sees first hand that whilst this Island is a lawless Island. The people on it will rally behind a strong leader and be better versions of themselves given the chance. Tonari is nowhere near the scumbag she seems and is more than likely very book smart as she’s frequently seen writing down all the info she gets from Fushi, or overhears.
Fushi seems to be starting to accept things as they are instead of his idealised version of what they should be. And it’s making him kinder, stronger but smarter too. Quicker to adapt and evolve. Which is what he’ll need going forward.
Overall perfect episode for a massive plot bomb in episode 16.
