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Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 16 – Quick Summary
In Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 16, “Immutability and Change,” Choubei Aza came across the Tensen named Rien. Of course, Rien planned to capture and study Choubei. But Choubei discovered the secret to maintaining his combat form. Does that give him any chance against a Tensen? Meanwhile, Gabimaru came up with some theories about tao. He asks the others to help him test those theories. Can he rely on people like Touma to help him? Or will they try to follow their own agenda?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 16
Mei didn’t care for Yuzuriha and Fuchi’s characterization of her. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
One of the things that distinguishes Sagiri from pretty much everyone else in this plot is that she’s considerate. Well, she’s considerate when she can be. There are clearly situations on this crazy island where she can’t afford such niceties.
In this episode, Fuchi Yamada Asaemon tried to treat Mei. She had grown into a young adult, and she had a fever. Fuchi wasn’t pleased to learn that Mei had Tensen powers. He wasn’t sure he could forgive her, given what the island did to some of his friends. But he was willing to treat her if she gave him information.
If he could accept what she said, he might even forgive her.
Mei wasn’t so sure. She knew she could not express herself well.
In front of Mei, Yuzuriha decided to just blurt out (03:19), “Wait. You can’t expect a proper explanation with her limited vocabulary.”
“True,” Fuchi answered. Mei gasped, apparently stung by them saying that right in front of her.
Sagiri, outraged on Mei’s behalf, said (03:23), “Phrasing!”
I’m glad to see that someone’s looking out for Mei’s feelings!
Favorite Moment from Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 16
Mei didn’t agree with Houko’s assessment. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
The episode treated us to more reveals than I expected. I really enjoyed learning about the hierarchy of creatures on the island, and how the first guy to start the research is probably still there somewhere.
The whole thing with Rien? Choubei had a tough choice to make, and he made it. Interesting stuff, though pretty disturbing at the same time. Using sexuality in that way might be sensible in the context of the story. But it’s pretty unsettling to think about.
I almost chose Gabimaru’s analysis of tao tactics. He even asked Gantetsusai, Touma, Shion, and Nurugai to help out by sparing with him. I particularly liked Shion point out that he still didn’t trust Gabimaru and would cut him down if he tried to betray them. To which Nurugai added (04:13), “In that case, so will I.”
It’s cool how Shion has earned her trust.
I had to admire her sentiment. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
But you can probably guess my favorite moment. It had to be when Houko offered to sacrifice himself to restore Mei’s health. She needed tao, and because of something Rien did to her, she can’t manufacture it on her own.
Houko said he had lost his wife and daughter to whatever it was the turned them, and him, into trees. He was about to become a tree himself when he discovered Mei shortly after she had escaped from Rien. He adopted her because she reminded him so much of his own daughter.
Houko felt guilty about that. Not about helping her, but about seeing his own daughter in her. He thought he’d wronged her because he saw what he did as a lie.
“It wasn’t a lie,” a tearful Mei said (21:03). “We were like a real family. Like a real father and daughter.” That’s when he offered up his remaining tao to heal her.
After it was over, she was healed. Houko’s tao had restored her to how she had been. At least she got to say (21:41), “Goodbye, father.”
That’s about as hopeful a thing as we can expect to see on this island!
What did you think of Choubei’s decision? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 16: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Jigokuraku Season 2 • Hell’s Paradise Season 2 – Episode 3 discussion
- Leisure Byte: Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 3 Review: Things Got Freaky Here
- Anime Rants: Hell’s Paradise Season 2 Episode 3 Review
