ef - a tale of melodies - Episode 5

It seems that with each passing episode, ef - a tale of melodies is getting more and more artistically focused, reaching a point where it almost manically crams in images and allusions either just for the Hell of it or to point to something deeper within the storylines presented (personally, I'm guessing the former in the majority of cases). This episode is a particularly good example of this, an instalment that some kind of media class could probably spend weeks dissecting. Certainly, it is interesting to see the use of shots and angles to work certain motifs into the animation - Take the example of crosses (or a religious bent) in episode five, and one particular shot where a chair in an art room is kept in shot and at just such an angle so that it represents said cross. Deeply meaningful or just having way too much pretending to be highbrow? You decide.

Anyway, all that aside episode five is really a rather bittersweet one (as befits the end of the last instalment), with Kuze accepting Mizuki's feelings but then dismissing her out of hand, before Mizuki bumps into Kei, who is along to visit Chihiro, and Nagi. While the whole reunion of Kei and Chihiro is sweet and poignant, seemingly offering some closure between the two of them following the heartbreak that was related to us fully in a tale of memories, Nagi's revelations to Mizuki are an absolute bombshell whose effects will doubtless be felt long and hard over subsequent episodes.


On the other hand, the "back in time" story of Yuuko takes some rather disturbing turns involving both the bullying aimed at her and, in a less well defined sense, her relationship with her adopted brother. Things are definitely not right there, and it leaves the viewer with a distinctly uneasy feeling as the episode progresses, but only time will tell what is being alluded to there.

While I still find myself muttering under my breath about how pretentious the art direction of ef - a tale of melodies is, I can't help but admire it at the same time - It is frequently beautiful, and adds a surreal dimension to the proceedings which either helps or hinders the series as a whole... I'm honestly not sure which it is. Away from pure aesthetics, this is probably the best episode so far, as we really seem to be getting everything tied together while also adding some depth to the story. My only complaint is that the relationship between Mizuki and Kuze feels far, far too flimsy to have any real weight as an emotional or dramatic device, but I suppose given the revelation towards the end of this episode that can almost be explained away. Either way, I'm finally starting to get a more positive vibe from this series - After turning me around in circles for so long, it finally feels like the show is going to let me having a bash at clubbing the proverbial watermelon. The only question now is whether I can smash it after being dizzied so early on.