Fuck it I'll start this now from episode 1, will try to keep it brief but that's unlikely... anyways.

Episode 1:

The opening scene of season 1 is one of if not the greatest sequences I've ever seen. The brutal windy and cold words of Kyouko. Her haughty words cut deep and... https://twitter.com/Joshuagumi/status/1356750016010989570

clue us in on the nature of the next scene.

This next scene is extremely powerful for me and nearly always makes me cry personally and I believe it is for anyone who has gone through depression.

The eery silence.

Rei spiritlessly gets up, listlessly drinks water and gets dressed, in a room so lacking in colour and life in a room so allegorical to his own mind, shrouded in darkness and dejection. He leaves the room purely to play his shogi matches, an obligation being the only thing...

keeping his fragile mental state from fraying at the seams.

However, the outside breathes some life into the scene, the chatter of people on the sidewalks, the cars passing by, the beautiful song "En Fermant Les Yeux" plays in the background, a lovely yet sombre song that...

describes Rei perfectly, an existence fluttering on the edge of living, yet still so despondent. This entire scene is one of the most beautiful in the show, so imbued with the simplicity and beauty, that I find it hard to describe why it so effortlessly makes me emotional.

In the Shogi hall Rei has a match with his adoptive father.

The tension and awkwardness bound the shogi hall in a most uncomfortable and melancholic mood. In what feels like Rei expressing his emotions through Shogi, each piece moved a punch to the face, a desire or emotion...

unable to be expressed, in a match between a parent and son so devoid of warmth and paternal bonds, a match born only from the decisions of the shogi association. A deep sadness fills the room, as bitter memories from the past are spaced between the moving pieces.

Kouda, tries to make small talk and say how the family misses him, yet he knows this is untrue, but we'll save that analysis for later. This is also the first time the main character speaks in the first ten minutes, a powerful display of emotion through visual imagery.

The piano and setting sun bring life into the scene as Rei receives a message from both Hina and Akari. Unknown to a new viewer, but to us, they know Rei so well that their worded messages they almost force him to come over, which they want.

After such a downcast and dismal first half comes one of my favourite scenes in the episode, in a beautiful and much needed tonal shift, Chica Umino is a master of balancing the mood and tones of her story, the lifeless first 10 minutes greatly enhance the joy of the second half.

The Kawamoto family is the closest thing Rei has to a home, the pure bliss and joy they bring just from their sheer presence alone is incredible, and I'm not sure they would be appreciated as much if it wasn't for the exposition on Rei and his past. A ray of light in Rei's life.

However, news of a murder, like ink in water, shroud Rei's mind in darkness reminding him of his own trauma and his depression, for reasons I'll leave unkept here. However, the Kawamoto family are quick to notice and care for Rei.

Akari and Hina are always so understandable, kind and caring, they know what he's been through & share a similar sadness, & that's partly why they so desperately wish for him to come round, the humanity & love they show is a perfect balancing act for the sadder parts of the show.

Now comes a scene that never fails to make me cry. Hina being the caring soul that she is, takes care of the sleeping Rei only to find him crying in his sleep.

This is such an emotionally charged scene, Rei, dreams of his family, the torment and sadness he feels come pouring out

Whilst being such a driving force in his life, the Kawamoto family are almost like a double-edged sword at times, they're bubbliness and family bonds remind Rei of a time where he once had that, bringing his own trauma to the forefront from time to time.

Next, we are introduced to another big driving force in Rei's life, Hayashida, his teacher at school, someone who slowly nudges Rei in the right direction in his own way, and one person who genuinely cares for Rei's wellbeing.

As the episode ends we see Rei help the Kawamoto family out, and the episode ends with a beautiful departure between them as they encourage Rei to come back anytime, in their own loveable way.

This episode is a perfect example of show don't tell and it magnificently introduces the tone, setting and characters of the show in a beautiful way, the sound designs and key lighting perfectly encapsulate the mood of each moment.

That concludes the greatest first episode ever.