The following contains mild spoilers for Episode 2 of Heavenly Delusion.
Heavenly Delusion's premiere was already impressive; a surprisingly fun journey through post-apocalyptic Japan that had a way of drawing the viewer in by virtue of its likable characters. And yet, the second episode blows it out of the water, thanks not only to incredible action but a persistent sense that everything and everyone is far more than meets the eye.
Last week, Kiruko and Maru took a break from their travels across Japan in search of "heaven" and stayed at a small inn that practically was heaven itself, between its bath, electricity, and food. However, when a "Man-eater," or Hiruko, appears under the cover of night, their brief respite is cut short, and they'll need to fight to survive.
"I told you we can kill it"
Episode 2 was directed by Kai Shibata, an animator who has recently worked on Chainsaw Man and Lycoris Recoil, to name just a few of their credits. Those who enjoyed the fight against the bandits in episode 1 by animator Tetsuya Takeuchi will be blown away by the battle against the Hiruko, a showcase of stunning effects animation, and frenetic camera work
It's the first glimpse at the monsters that exist in this world and Kiruko's description of the monsters from last week was quite accurate; they're a sort of mishmash of different parts. This week's monster has appendages similar to a bird, but almost everything else, from the nigh-invisible razor whips to its unnaturally-shaped head, is practically alien.
It can morph and change the shape of its head like the creature from The Thing, growing eyes to spy on its prey and mouths to devour its finely-chopped pieces. Accomplished animator Ryouta Furukawa is credited with the anime designs of the Hiruko, and if future monsters are anything like this first one, we're in for even freakier fights than this.
Part of what makes the action so effective is the characters, their chemistry, and how their quick thinking allows them to stand a chance. Sure, they have Kiruko's "Kiru-beam," but that can be unreliable. Without their ability to assess the monster's attacks and defenses, they don't stand a chance. It plays out like a more horrific, future post-apocalyptic take on Monster Hunter.
The sequence is exciting, but equally horrifying when the Innkeeper's connection to the monster is revealed, begging subsequent questions about the monsters and their nature. It's a big moment that plays with expectations and by the end, there are questions left unanswered that are so effective because the viewer can only imagine. And that's barely the first half of the episode.
A Growing Mystery
It's clear that there is a connection between the two plot lines, with Kiruko and Maru seemingly on their way to wherever Tokio and his friends are all staying. Maru's goal is made as clear as it will get for a while: find someone with the same face as him (presumably Tokio), and inject them with a mysterious syringe. The reasons for why are a mystery- even to Maru, but that's the least of what makes this episode so fascinating every step of the way.
Whether Maru comes from a similar place as Tokio is as yet unknown, but all the kids from the nursery seem to possess some form of supernatural ability. Taka seems to possess superhuman agility and can survive huge falls. Kona's drawings are bizarre but almost look like visions of the kinds of monsters out in the real world. And then there's Maru.
By touching the Hiruko, he can kill them by reaching within and destroying their hearts, making him perhaps the most capable fighter between him and Kiruko. What makes these elements conducive to a gripping narrative is the way the narrative doesn't feel the need to draw attention to these powers more than simply displaying them.
Through context, one can infer that Kiruko already knows about this power, just as the other kids in the nursery are used to seeing the other kids jump higher than normal or fall from great heights. It's understated, letting the viewer ask their own questions, only to explain these abilities later through exposition or by having a third party witness these feats in awe.
While less of a mystery and more simple foreshadowing, the episode dabbles a lot in sexuality. Tokio witnesses two girls kissing in the forest and wonders what it feels like. More shockingly, Shiro receives a nude photo from Mimihime and is generally embarrassed around her after. In the other plotline, Maru even expresses his feelings for Kiruko.
The last one even explains Maru's behavior toward Kiruko at the end of the first episode. Between these and Kiruko's scene with the mirror last week, there is something of a pattern emerging. It suggests a larger thread about the characters and their feelings for one another, though it's uncertain where it's headed, an apt description for the story itself.
Heavenly Delusion is only two episodes in, and it is already one of the most eager sci-fi anime in recent memory, so full of ideas and so adept at executing them with consistent visual flair. After a comparably tame premiere, the second has escalated quickly and promises not only good action but likable characters whose relationships are easy to get invested in and whose secrets will keep you coming back. Here's hoping the answers are just as exciting as the questions.