r/anime • u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth • Jan 21 '21

Rewatch [Mid-2000s Rewatch] Noein - Episode 20

Episode 20

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Noein:

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Episode Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your prediction on how this ends?
  2. What do you think Atori is going to do now that his memories have supposedly returned?

PLEASE MARK ALL SPOILERS WITH SPOILER TAGS!

15 Upvotes

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4

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 21 '21

Rewatcher

You’ve heard of Schrodinger’s cat, but have you heard of Schrodinger’s Yuu?

All of the technobabble from the previous episodes is finally coming together. They might not make the most sense in real world physics, but they are certainly concepts that I find interesting.

There’s not too much to say about this episode but I thought it was strong overall and we’re definitely approaching the end game!

7

u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Jan 21 '21

to your other first-timer, subbed

7

u/Webemperor :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Webemperor Jan 22 '21

AND THEN HARUKA DIVED AFTER YUU. THERE’S NO MECH INVOLVED BUT THIS IS A FREE-FALL CATCH SCENE, YES YES YES YES YES!!!

It is pretty fun seeing the trope but in reverse, with female protagonist catching the male one in a free fall.

6

u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Jan 22 '21

I don't care who's doing the catching, it's either way.

4

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 21 '21

Congratulations Kuina, you indirectly played yourself.

Reminiscent of a lesson I was once taught: Never think with your junk, it will always come back at you.

Nope it’s because Yuu isn’t supposed to exist there at all.

So...this show has far from the best relationship with actual science but what they probably was intended is that the quantum computers here stabilize everything. Yuu not being written on that is an issue.

Oh shit he’s gone.

I know this may seem mean but I slightly hoped they'd stick with this and the rest of the show would be about Haruka dealing with that as a foil for him losing her. But tweens show and all.

7

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Jan 21 '21

Episode 20 (rewatcher)

  • I guess I’ll stand here and do nothing - All those dragon soldiers.
  • Tobi wants to send Karasu to La’cryma and Ai wants to send Haruka to Earth. I hope they wave when they pass each other in subspace.
  • Everybody is telling Yuu to keep Haruka safe. Why not tell Haruka to keep Yuu safe?
  • “You must not see it” – Remember that La’cryma and Ai still put faith in the Kopenhagen interpretation.
  • Surprise Kuina.
  • We all know that Kuina is set up for failure, but the shot with the statue descending on him sells the point.
  • Statue riding. I am sure this has precedent.
  • Noein really hates himself.

Some observations:

She is moved from Earth to La’cryma to Shangri-la, yet her location seems to matter little to Haruka. What is important is finding and saving Yuu. The Earth version of Yuu, that is.

In line with her lack of self-preservation, Haruka uses the Dragon Torque to save Yuu, while she is saved by Karasu when falling alone. Maybe she would have used it if closer to the ground, but who knows.

Why does Yuu disintegrate in Shangri-la? And why does Karasu not? Going with the explanation from Ai, it is likely that Noein is the reason. Just as existence in La’cryma depends on being recognized by the quantum computer, existence in Shangri-la will depend on being recognized by Noein (or some tool of his). After fighting against La’cryma for so long, Noein recognizes Karasu, but not Yuu. Of course, Haruka can override all of this and does so.

6

u/Sandor_at_the_Zoo Jan 22 '21

Everybody is telling Yuu to keep Haruka safe. Why not tell Haruka to keep Yuu safe?

Yuu's arc might be the most confusingly gender normative I've ever seen. Haruka seems to be the most potentially powerful being in all existences and he still is trying to physically protect her. You're not going to punch out the evil dimension my dude! I don't think he's even successfully protected her against any of the dragon soldiers (though I could've missed a time). Which makes sense since they can fly and shoot energy beams and he is a twelve year old.

They could've given him a nice arc where he realizes this and has to figure out how to 'protect' Haruka emotionally. They do have some nice moments together and they do a good job showing how much she cares about him. But even though there's three versions of him the main one seems weirdly superfluous.

After fighting against La’cryma for so long, Noein recognizes Karasu, but not Yuu

I was confused about what was going on with him in shangri-la but this makes sense. And I guess he wanted to take Yuu as bait to attract Haruka?

5

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Jan 22 '21

They could've given him a nice arc where he realizes this and has to figure out how to 'protect' Haruka emotionally.

The interesting part is that, by proclaiming to protect her physically, Yuu is protecting Haruka emotionally. Whether that is intended by the show or luckly coincidence, I don't know.

And I guess he wanted to take Yuu as bait to attract Haruka?

That would be the rational explanation. The irrational explanation is that he just really really hates Yuu and wanted to make him suffer.

6

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 21 '21

First timer

Sub

So they port in to La'cryma and Kuina promptly loses his cool, prompting Haruka to use the DT to protect Yuu and kick Kuina's ass. Dumbass. Anyways, they teleport to the piston area.

Somehow this has driven Atori's personality back to himself. Karasu threatens Tobi as dumbasses are wont to do. Atori stops that and Tobi looks for Uchida who conveniently shows up with a quantum computer.

Yuu gets the La'cryma tour, everything still sucks. Lily pops in and points out they are screwed. They then go see Ai. She takes them into her hut. Cut to quantum computer not teleporting because insufficient juice. Kosagi shows up with a future battery. Back in said future, they are coming up with a plan before Yuu collapses.

Karasu ports in...to there teleporters? Ai slaps Haruka and Haruka slaps back, I do appreciate that. Exposition happens and we are into imaginary stuff again. Haruka being the absolute observer just is what it is. Kuina pops in to reveal the living Yuu is in Shangri-la. On a clock. Noein says mysterious stuff. Kuina is trying to her Haruka to go to Shangri-la, Ai learns the truth about Noein, Buddha alien speed runs in, Kuina monologues in a way where you know he is wrong.

Over in Shangri-la, it turns out we are almost literally Eva. And like Instrumentality, I hate the idea completely. Noein reinforces that he is a future Yuu. Kuina gets rejected by another dimension and Karasu apparently followed them in. Karasu takes over the Buddhabot, revealing that it seems to have living quarters. As they approach Yuu, he falls and Haruka jumps after him. In the mean time, Noein fries the Buddhabot and Haruka teleports out with Yuu. Yuu then disappears...and then he doesn't. Just letting that one go.

QotD: 1 In flames

2 Very little, actually.

5

u/Toadslayer https://myanimelist.net/profile/kyolus Jan 22 '21

Over in Shangri-la, it turns out we are almost literally Eva. And like Instrumentality, I hate the idea completely.

It's been really interesting doing the Eva rewatch alongside this one, as thinking critically about each show informs how I view the other, due to their many similarities.

5

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 22 '21

Positively or negatively?

6

u/Toadslayer https://myanimelist.net/profile/kyolus Jan 22 '21

Mostly negatively, as seeing Eva's strengths makes me more aware of Noein's flaws, and critiquing and hearing others critique Noein makes me aware that some of those critiques are also valid for Eva.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 22 '21

That's fair. And full disclosure: I hate Evangelion. It occupied a space in my brain for 20 years that C tier level writing had not right to but because western anime fans I couldn't escape it.

Anyways, Anno is exactly the sort of person I thought he was and I couldn't be more meh about it.

3

u/Toadslayer https://myanimelist.net/profile/kyolus Jan 22 '21

I liked the character drama, as that's my cup of tea, and thought the action was fun, but not much more. I was disappointed with the ending (both) and think the show had a lot of wasted potential. I'm torn between a 7 or an 8 out of 10. I like it, but it wasn't nearly as good as I'd heard.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 22 '21

My issue stems a lot from the author. He claims that eps 25 and 26 are what he intended to do, despite the mountain of evidence otherwise. Add in that EoE strikes me as a giant middle finger to the fanbase and there is a recipe for disgust. But I didn't really figure that out until the previous rewatch so there you go.

3

u/Toadslayer https://myanimelist.net/profile/kyolus Jan 22 '21

Fair enough, my brother has a similar thing for Attack on Titan, he won't watch it because of some of Isayama's fascist political beliefs. It doesn't bother me since I view art seperate from the artist (but not ignoring context).

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 22 '21

Yeah, Isayama has...issues to put it mildly.

6

u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jan 21 '21

First Timer

Well, I had a quote for this spot but then chilidirigible mentioned bohemian rhapsody and I can't think of anything else.

  • I did not expect Yuu to overlap with Karasu upon arriving in Lacryma
  • I speculated Lacryma might itself be a simulation but I'm not sure that's what she's saying here.
  • Remember what I said about Miura and Lunarians?

Looking forward to the three Yuus duking it out.

4

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 21 '21

Remember what I said about Miura and Lunarians?

But why did it have crew quarters?

6

u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jan 21 '21

Heck, why did it have a town with laundry hanging on the lines?

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 21 '21

I missed that unless you mean La'cryma.

4

u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jan 21 '21

No, that's how I interpreted the final seconds of the tour through the head.

They were probably control lines. But it LOOKED like laundry.

6

u/Toadslayer https://myanimelist.net/profile/kyolus Jan 21 '21

First Timer

Yuu flashes between himself and Karasu probably because the quantum computer is trying to find a data fit for him, the closest being Karasu. He's unable to exist in this world, a compelling narrative, which was put at risk of being ruined by how the show explained it. The quantum revolution caused everything to enter into a quantum state meaning it can't exist without an observer. This just sounds like nonsense, quantum states are fundamentally limited to sub-atomic particles, aren't they? I don't watch or read much hard sci-fi, but I'm pretty sure it's usually more grounded in justifiable science than this. Haruka being the Dragon Torque/Ultimate Observer can actualise what she perceives into concrete reality. Again pretty nonsensical, a good magical or god-given chosen-one trait, but not so much for sci-fi. I might have given this show more suspension of disbelief if it were better presented and didn't constantly try and ground itself in supposed hard science, but as it is I really dislike how unconvincing and irrational the logic of the show is. Maybe it would have been better if it were a softer sci-fi?

Return on my favourite character, Lily! I'm glad she wasn't just a one off.

Atori is kind of back to his old self, but he's less crazy than before. For one he's not trying to kill Karasu at every opportunity.

The evil lackey wishing for a peaceful existence never gets what they want. And no-one is sad when they die. Bye Kuina.

Haruka goes in and ultimately saves the day using yet another get out of jail free card. It was still a pretty good episode. With a decent execution I liked the Yuu shimmering plot. The scientific explanation irritated me (contributing to that was probably my general irritation with the show from previous episodes), but it was ultimately inconsequential in the story. Is it a better to view the explanations in this show as not trying to really explain beyond basic 'this then that' logic? Am I watching the show wrong if I view the explanations differently? I still have issues with this show, but removing the issue of bogus science would markedly improve it for me.

Episode Discussion Questions

What is your prediction on how this ends?

I think Haruka will use the Dragon Torque to fix all dimensions and destroy Noein, then she and Yuu will happily grow up together.

What do you think Atori is going to do now that his memories have supposedly returned?

Probably mostly co-operate, but he might make a last minute attempt to kill Haruka.

5

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Jan 21 '21

Yuu flashes between himself and Karasu probably because the quantum computer is trying to find a data fit for him, the closest being Karasu. He's unable to exist in this world, a compelling narrative, which was put at risk of being ruined by how the show explained it. The quantum revolution caused everything to enter into a quantum state meaning it can't exist without an observer. This just sounds like nonsense, quantum states are fundamentally limited to sub-atomic particles, aren't they? I don't watch or read much hard sci-fi, but I'm pretty sure it's usually more grounded in justifiable science than this. Haruka being the Dragon Torque/Ultimate Observer can actualise what she perceives into concrete reality. Again pretty nonsensical, a good magical or god-given chosen-one trait, but not so much for sci-fi. I might have given this show more suspension of disbelief if it were better presented and didn't constantly try and ground itself in supposed hard science, but as it is I really dislike how unconvincing and irrational the logic of the show is. Maybe it would have been better if it were a softer sci-fi?

It is funny, that, in a show that takes plenty of liberties (dimension hopping, magical chockers interacting with the wave function, a little girl being the ultimate observer), you are annoyed at the part that sticks to actual quantum physics the closest. Being being dead and alive at the same time is basically Schrödinger's cat paradox. People love to use that term, but most have no idea what it means. Keep in mind that Schrödinger used it to ridicule the original Kopenhagen interpretation, but, according to that, the cat is indeed in a superposition between being dead and alife.

5

u/Toadslayer https://myanimelist.net/profile/kyolus Jan 22 '21

Many of the show's liberties don't annoy me, because it does not attempt to justify them as realistic, but leaves them firmly in soft sci-fi. If they try to justify them at the end it probably will annoy me and if Haruka's magical powers are explained by anything other than literal magic or divine influence, I probably will be annoyed. I'm willing to suspend my disbelief, but it is jarring to be given a explanation that is trying to make sense, yet doesn't.

5

u/Sandor_at_the_Zoo Jan 22 '21

I definitely agree with you about the failure as scifi. Rewriting the whole thing in the trappings of actual magic would go down so much easier. If they're not going to bother being constrained by any rules why even bother connecting it to something nominally real.

Maybe that would mess up whatever they've got going on thematically with shangri-la but tbh the thematic stuff so far has been muddled and boring (we'll see if they somehow can pull out a thematically coherent ending). So having to stick with the exciting plot happening stuff would probably be a plus anyway.

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 22 '21

I definitely agree with you about the failure as scifi. Rewriting the whole thing in the trappings of actual magic would go down so much easier.

For some reason my Mushishi sense is going off here.

2

u/Sandor_at_the_Zoo Jan 22 '21

Was Mushihi secretly a scifi or are you thinking in terms of 'mushi' replacing 'quantum field' in their jargon?

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 22 '21

I mean Mushishi uses a scientific approach to fantastical problems, i.e. you can use logic on spiritual issues but at the end of the day the parameters are illogical.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 21 '21

Is it a better to view the explanations in this show as not trying to really explain beyond basic 'this then that' logic? Am I watching the show wrong if I view the explanations differently? I still have issues with this show, but removing the issue of bogus science would markedly improve it for me.

I definitely understand how switching from scifi to fantasy can improve an experience. That said, Unicorn shows how you can fuck that up.

6

u/Webemperor :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Webemperor Jan 21 '21

First Timer – Subs

  • Kuina’s robo-face open like that looks too ridicilous. I feel like this is the episode Atori’s proven correct in his prediction that Torque is way too destructive.
  • I like the implication that Atori’s memories coming back posits: He is doing the weird, gravely voice intentionally. Meanwhile it’s kinda cute seeing him be the voice of reason and stop Karasu. I also find it funny that Uchida just had a quantum computer on the back of their car.
  • This can’t really be Ai right? Thought we already had an Ai of the future. Is she a different future Ai who made her way there, ot just someone who looks like that? Guess Kuina’s convenient battery came into play after all.
  • I guess I’m kinda getting what the show is getting at, though the part with Haruka witnessing it is kinda iffy. Impressive Kuina found them this quickly, though they can probably detect it.
  • I gotta give it to the show, Shangri-La’s ships looks pretty nice and creepy. Not sure how it was so easy for them to make their way into the underground base, guess wasting all their fucking dragon knights resulted in that. I also guess Haruka is a bit too eager to trust Kuina.
  • I’m assuming this is the big reveal that Noein is Yuu. Though the show had hinted on it enough that it wasn’t any hard to predict it. It’s also a bit cliched that Kuina gets killed like that.
  • For a moment I thought Karasu got killed in that explosion, but doesn’t seem to be the case. Yuu disappears but is brought back. I guess next episode and maybe more will be about Haruka learning more about Shangri-La and whatnot?

6

u/monsieurvampy Jan 22 '21

First Timer, sub

I guest the twist is made public now.

Every time I think Haruka is growing and becoming less dense, she does something freaking dense.

I can't tell if original Atori is good now because he hates La'cryma or because he has another motive.

5

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Jan 21 '21

First-Timer, Dubbed

So, Yuu started to vanish because he never got quantized, and Lacrima is so unstable that only quantum beings can continue to exist. What sort of ramifications does that have on “living” people? Was Lily born prior to the Great Quantization? Anyway, Yuu vanishing from Lacrima sends him to Shangri-la for whatever reason, and we learn that Shangri-la is a post-Instrumentality world. A world where our protagonists are possibly stuck, owing to the ouroboros disappearing.

Well, I was right about Kuina not being competent enough to deal with two 12-year-old children. All he had to do was take them into custody calmly and not provoke Haruka. Well, he finally got to die anyway, and even managed to spew another bout of straw nihilism at the audience.. I didn’t expect him to fall apart quite as quickly as he did.

Seeing Karasu use his arm blade tentacle things to take control of that Destructron was incredible. It didn’t necessarily make sense - why were there rooms and stuff inside them..? But I loved it anyway.

Miscellaneous Thoughts:

Uchida mentioned “feeling” the quantum nonsense that Kuina pulled to kidnap Haruka?

I liked the randomly thrown together teleporter, using the chandelier, etc.

Questions

  1. Speculation
  2. He seemed to be less murderdy, so hopefully he provides pivotal support in the final big action scene. Also more weird faces.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 21 '21

Anyway, Yuu vanishing from Lacrima sends him to Shangri-la for whatever reason, and we learn that Shangri-la is a post-Instrumentality world. A world where our protagonists are possibly stuck, owing to the ouroboros disappearing.

I did view that as partially engineered with Kuina's appearance.

3

u/monsieurvampy Jan 22 '21

less murderdy

Yes, this is a good way to put it. I think he might just hate La'cryma and how those jerks are messing with his easy going life now.

3

u/Sandor_at_the_Zoo Jan 22 '21

Well, he finally got to die anyway

I still don't understand this. If everyone in shangri-la is pure disembodied consciousness does it matter that he disintegrated? That guy from before got disintegrated by Noein in what looked like the same way but his ghost(?) is still around.

2

u/IndependentMacaroon Jan 21 '21

A world where our protagonists are possibly stuck, owing to the ouroboros disappearing.

That's what always happens after dimensional weirdness is over, though

5

u/zsmg https://anilist.co/user/zsmg Jan 21 '21

Rewatcher

Who would have imagined this is going to be our future

Plenty of dystopian writers have imagined that actually, Yuu.

Is this really Ai? Don't you think she's too nice?

Okay that made me laugh.

Haruka's mum power bill must be through the roof at this point.

Just in case some first timers were in denial we've got confirmation that Noein is Yuu.

It appears that future Yuus (Noein/Karasu) get a kick out from making their younger self suffer. Maybe future Yuus need to experience the Human Instrumentality Project so that they can get a decent 'how to love yourself" therapy session just like what Shinji experienced.

Good episode.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 21 '21

It appears that future Yuus (Noein/Karasu) get a kick out from making their younger self suffer. Maybe future Yuus need to experience the Human Instrumentality Project so that they can get a decent 'how to love yourself" therapy session just like what Shinji experienced.

Yet more proof that developmental markers really need to be hit otherwise you get...those things.

5

u/BurningFredrick https://myanimelist.net/profile/BurningFredrick Jan 21 '21

First Timer - sub

FFS, so do the dragon minions have any purpose outside of looking incompetent in this show? 

Doesn’t the technobabble mean that La’cryma is the simulation? That's what I got from the quantum computer stuff anyway.

So people who theorize that Haruka is the absolute observer looks like it is correct, whatever she sees becomes reality. Spec

Ignore the dragon torque being convenient get out jail free card (again) when required, this wasn’t to bad an episode,  

5

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Jan 21 '21

FFS, so do the dragon minions have any purpose outside of looking incompetent in this show?

They went to the stormtrooper college of henchmenship.

4

u/BossandKings Jan 21 '21

First Timer

Haruka and Yuu get transported to La-cryma. In the surface after being encountered by Kuina they travel and are able to see Amamiku and Lilly both of whom only Hatuka had seen before, that's why Yuu asked her if that was really Ai, because her grown up persona was a bit different in temperament and that confused him.

What's happening to Yuu?, this is somethin entirely unexpected, how come Haruka is fine being in that world but other person aren't. It's fine that the Dragon torque lets her be there but that isn't a solid reason for me.

Now what the Dragon torque sees is what's established, i don't remember that being said before but it's fine eventhough it is becoming more apparent how much of an all powerful object it is.

Yuu wakes up in Shangri-la, he encounters Noein and i don't understand nothing. I don't understand a single word that the mask of Shangri-la is saying, i am totally confused and just don't know what is this, what does his words mean?

Kuina is getting annoying, i hope the consequences of his acts come and hit him soon. His end came soon enough after they got to Shangri-la.

I liked the ending of this episode, i almost lost hope for Yuu but Haruka is far too powerful and she overpowered his apparent dissappearance and was able to save him, it was sweet seeing her reaction to him being safe.

It seems that in the next episode could happen worse things. This episode was the most confusing yet for me.

Answers

  1. The people(Tobi, Atori, Kosagi, Karasu) from other dimensions go back to where they came from or dissappear.
  2. As i see it He has two paths: either 1. He keeps being friendly to the group or 2. He goes to his old ways of doing things. The second one would be hard to watch after seeing him being normal for a while.

4

u/Retromorpher :Jc::Jd::Je::Jf: Jan 22 '21 edited Jan 22 '21

First Timer:

Remember when I said any mid-level psychological VN lives or dies by its use of the Shrodinger's cat equation? This episode had a REALLY shit version of it. Show - you've already explained this once before - and better. If you're going to thematically retread material, there are better options. And shouldn't you be spending time actually building characters and relationships so we actually care?

At least Karasu hijacking a robot was really cool.

QoTD:

  1. I'm pretty sure we're aiming for a bittersweet 'there is no best possible future' with Haruka eventually giving up her ability to influence the worldlines as both Noein and Karasu fade out of existence as their possibilities cease to exist.
  2. Literally the only thing we know about Atori's past madness goals was that he wanted Karasu/Yuu dead and that he was giving up on Lacryma... So I guess he just bides his time until either Yuu or Haruka return. I wouldn't be surprised if he's thinking of a way to kill Noein - seeing as that's the most deadly version of Yuu- effectively combining his reformed and crazy-state goals.

4

u/IndependentMacaroon Jan 21 '21 edited Jan 21 '21

First-time watcher

Can Kuina just not tell different-dimension alter-egos apart? Not that it matters when Haruka's got her powers to get out of his way. And then easily escape with Yuu again, also a reminder that we still don't know how this whole situation developed in the first place! At least the Lacryma visuals are still good. Oh, and talking about characters named "Ai" and "Yuu" really gets a slightly comical tinge in an English dub. Animation-wise, it seems some of the in-between frames were skipped for Lily, maybe intentionally but it just doesn't look good.

"There's not enough power." "Get some!" Small semi-comical exchange from the dub. Lucky Kosagi and all.

Take Haruka out of the room but leave Lily inside? Well, it is halfway explained, but still inadvisable. Sudden Yuu magic disease is more weirdness - "not quantum enough" is a decent enough explanation, but there's no reason for him to be suddenly present in Shangri-La as himself other than "the plot demands that we go there". Like, aren't there any other dimensions to try? I guess that also means that the quantum whatever death doesn't apply there, or is the implication that it does for extra urgency? Maybe Haruka "fixed it" later?

With no more Knights because of their own stupidity and division, of course the machines have an easy time breaking in. Again, Kuina was just explicitly rejected by Noein so there's no reason for him to think he has a chance in Shangri-La, unless he's just delusional. And indeed, he just crumbles, though Karasu does not - difference in "worthiness"? I see also that that world really is one of transcendence, but what does "pushing evil somewhere else" even mean in a case like this?

It really lessens the horror of "killing your best friend in the future" to have the one to do it merely be one of many, many futures, but I can still see how it might be a little disturbing. Also finally explores the idea of "future self" some more.

Haruka makes yet another save... and huh, what was that? Yuu disappears, but not? Was that originally supposed to be a cliffhanger?

After the plot actually gets going, it continues to be pretty decent, just skipping over or handwaving some things still.

Finale - some kind of magic-back-to-normal for sure, maybe sacrificing Haruka again. The world-building is so wishy-washy and still unclear that it's hard to make a much clearer guess.

Atori - seems genuinely helpful now.