Welcome, readers! It’s time for the final episode of Hell’s Paradise. As expected, we were left with an incomplete story. Moreover, we got a psychological plot twist too! MAPPA announced that there will be a second season, but there is currently no confirmed release date. Anyway, here is my episode review/response.

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Episode Recap

Shion and Nurugai join the fight, barely saving Sagiri and Yuzuriha from the monstrous Tensen, Mu Dan. While Shion holds his own against the monster, the others tend to Senta, removing the flowers from his flesh. It causes immense pain and bleeding. When Nurugai gives Sagiri a hug, the samurai woman finds her Tao and stamina partly restored. Apparently, it’s a trick that Nurugai has known since early childhood. Yuzuriha stays behind, but Sagiri and Nurugai hurry to help Shion fight Mu Dan.

The three work together, but the one who truly shines in this fight is Shion. He is consumed with rage at himself for running away previously, and this powers up his Tao. Senta, with the last of his strength, yells that the weakness of the monster is the ovule part of the flower. With that information, Shion strikes down Mu Dan once and for all. The supposedly immortal monster is dead. But unfortunately, Shion and Senta are both bleeding out.

Yuzuriha has a salve that can save both of the dying men, but she wants to keep half of it for herself. Thus, half of the salve is given to Shion so he can survive. Then Yuzuriha sits beside Senta and gives him company and comforting words. Shedding a tear of contentment, Senta passes away. Sagiri is devastated, crying until her eyes are red. Shion leads the survivors to a small shelter where they find fresh clothes and supplies. They spend the third night on the island in this shelter.

When Sagiri says she believes the Elixir of Life is real, Yuzuriha calls it into question. Gabimaru’s memory of the immortal village chief could have been a complex Shinobi illusion. In fact, Yuzuriha continues, Gabimaru’s wife might be an illusion too – a psychological mechanism that the chief implanted to keep Gabimaru alive. This idea horrifies Sagiri, and she refuses to believe it.

Meanwhile, Gabimaru wakes up in a cave with Tamiya, Fuchi, and Mei. Much to his confusion, he cannot remember anything except his identity as a Shinobi. He has no idea where he is or why. When Mei looks at Gabimaru, she senses that he’s missing the Tao surrounding his head. Apparently, when one overuses their Tao, there can be effects on the brain, and thus the psyche. The worst part is that Gabimaru is missing the memories of his wife. He has reverted back to “Gabimaru the Hollow,” a ruthless killer.

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Episode Thoughts

First, I’ll share some general responses and reactions with regards to the different characters. Shion was completely awesome in this episode and has become one of my favorite characters in Hell’s Paradise. If it comes to choosing a single favorite, however, I’ll still have to go with Sagiri. I love how she is strong but also very sensitive: probably an INFJ personality. It makes me so upset whenever I see her cry.

Nurugai is such an entertaining character. I loved when she hugged the others to restore their Tao. It was so cute. Also, when Yuzuriha assumed she was male, Nurugai’s angry reaction made me smile. I am going to miss Senta and his excellent knowledge base. As for Chobei, given that he used so much Tao, I can’t imagine he is psychologically the same man as before. That’s a bit sad, since I admired him. So far, all of the characters have been great.

Now, let’s move on to the main point of discussion: is Gabimaru’s wife real? The final episode did a great job springing this question on us and making us doubt everything we know about Gabimaru. However, I still think the woman he remembers is real. His memories of her are just too detailed and specific to be illusions, in my opinion. Unfortunately, I’ll have no way of knowing if I’m correct for a while. I hope we get a second season soon, rather than waiting 4 or 5 years.

I have just one other thought to air out. It was interesting to me that the anime already addressed the question of Sagiri’s feelings toward Gabimaru. It was rather quickly and unceremoniously dealt with. Shion begins to ask if Sagiri has fallen for Gabimaru, but Sagiri interrupts with a curt, “No, not at all.” (Japanese: “Ie, zenzen.”)

I would prefer if this was the end of the debate. While I have no issues with fans shipping characters in their minds or fanfics, I want to know for sure what is canonical. I think Sagiri was being honest. So for now, we can safely say that although Sagiri cares about Gabimaru, she does not love him in a romantic way.

That concludes my thoughts for today. I will write a series review soon!

Thanks for reading~

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