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Lycoris Recoil Episode 4 Review – Quick Summary
In Lycoris Recoil episode 4, “Nothing seek, nothing find,” Chisato made a disturbing discovery while watching Takina playing a video game. The discovery shocked Chisato so much that she had to act on it immediately. What did Takina do that so provoked Chisato? Why did Kurumi deny any knowledge of this thing? And How will Takina react when Chisato confronts her?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from Lycoris Recoil Episode 4
The matter of Takina’s panties weighed heavily on Chisato’s mind. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
An entire episode about Chisato’s and Takina’s panties – and not a single frame of same (the boxer briefs don’t count)? And yes, I know we did see Chisato’s panties as she tried on the boxers, but that doesn’t count, either. I’m going to start calling this Lycoris Tease.
Except that at its heart, the show is pretty dark – and I have a feeling that’s about to take center stage. But in the meantime, we did get an episode featuring a panties-driven plot. It all started when Takina, playing an immersive 3-D video game, gave Chisato an under-skirt view.
At the time, we in the audience only saw a flying skirt and Chisato’s reaction. So we had no idea what was going on. Neither, apparently, did Kurumi, because a few minutes after that Takina’s news flash, Chisato confronted Kurumi.
“Have you ever seen Takina’s panties?” Chisato asked (04:03).
“Of course I haven’t!” she said.
She sounded like she thought that Chisato had asked a stupid question. I’m not sure it was stupid, but it was certainly unusual!
Best in Show Moment for Lycoris Recoil Episode 4
For an instant, Takina was at peace with herself and her world. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: A Sunny Morning Before the Storm?
It seems that Takina took a page from the Mikoto Misaka school of tactical attire. Mikoto is the main character from A Certain Scientific Railgun, and she wears shorts under her skirt. Despite Kuroko Shirai’s protestations, Mikoto said that she can’t fight if she’s worried about showing her panties to the world. Sounds like solid reasoning to me.
And did you see the shot of Chisato after she tried on a pair of boxer briefs (20:30)? Looks like she might be a convert.
Suddenly, Chisato understood the Mikoto Way. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
I’m not sure where this show’s heading. There are some elements that make me think we’re about to veer towards the tragic: Chisato’s past association with Shinji Yoshimatsu; Mika’s current association with Shinji; and of course the massacre of so many Lycoris in the train station and the subsequent escape of the villain. And on top of all that, against that backdrop of suspicion and darkness, we have the blossoming friendship between Chisato and Takina. Something that beautiful and wholesome, only four episodes in, makes me worry.
My favorite moment also makes me worry. Not for the moment itself, but because if this story were about Takina learning to embrace herself and her life, this episode might be considered a climax. Again, we’re only four episodes in.
In the previous episode, Chisato helped Takina see that there were paths available to her other than those that led to DA. In this episode, Chisato showed Takina how to enjoy herself – just enjoy herself, not as a Lycoris, but simply as a person. They went shopping. They joked around. When Takina said she wanted work-appropriate panties, Chisato said (07:26), “Oh, lingerie suitable for a gunfight? There’s no such thing!”
At one point, Takina demanded to see Chisato’s panties, which was quite a role-reversal for the two. But it was a sign that they’re getting along well. It’s not so much now that Chisato is pulling Takina along, but that the two are starting to build experiences together, side by side.
Delivery: Chisato’s French Interlude
They stopped to get something to eat. Chisato ordered sweets for both of them, earning Takina’s remark that (09:22), “This is a clump of carbohydrates.” But she delivered it in a voice less judgemental than we’ve heard her use before. Then Chisato heard two people speaking a foreign language behind them. With a quick smile at Takina, Chisato went over to help the couple interpret the menu.
That left Takina sitting alone with her thoughts. She tasted her dessert and thought it tasted good. As Takina watched Chisato happily chatting with the couple in French – I guess Chisato is multilingual, which comes as no surprise! – a breeze caught her hair. She looked at the sky with its white, fluffy clouds, and she smiled.
Heart-warming moment, yes? If this were Takina’s story, it would be the resolution of her arc. But then the shot followed a white bird as it drifted by. And flew straight towards the radio tower that had been the scene of a pivotal event in Chisato’s mysterious past.
What’s this about? What’s Mika doing? Who is Shinji, really? Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
This show gives us these warm, emotional moments, and they set off against some really dark and violent scenes. I’m not sure what’s next for Chisato and Takina, but it was nice seeing that at least in this episode, Takina has become happy. I hope her friendship with Chisato can endure whatever comes next!
What did you think of the train station ambush? What were your favorite moments in this episode? Feel free to let me know in the comments!
Lycoris Recoil Episode 4: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Lycoris Recoil – Episode 4 discussion
- Chikorita157’s Anime Blog: Lycoris Recoil – Episode 4 – Chisato’s “Date” with Takina
- RABUJOI: Lycoris Recoil – 04 – Lycra Regird
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- Lycoris Recoil Episode 1: Easy does it
- Lycoris Recoil Episode 2: The more the merrier
- Lycoris Recoil Episode 3: More haste, less speed
- Lycoris Recoil Episode 4: Nothing seek, nothing find
- Lycoris Recoil Episode 5: So far, so good
- Lycoris Recoil Episode 6: Opposites attract
- Lycoris Recoil Episode 7: Time will tell
- Lycoris Recoil Episode 8: Another day, another dollar
- Lycoris Recoil Episode 9: What’s done is done
- Lycoris Recoil Episode 10: Repay evil with evil
- Lycoris Recoil Episode 11: Diamond cut diamond
- Lycoris Recoil Episode 12: Nature versus nurture
- Lycoris Recoil Episode 13: Recoil of Lycoris
I had no idea that this would be as good as it’s turned out to be. Chisato and Takina are one of the best budding friendships of the season. If only they could lead safe, normal lives…
I’m really worried for both their safety! Also, I like the two of them so much just watching them go around helping people would be a lot of fun. Too bad that’s not to be.
They’ve remininded us of that tower pretty much every episode – but they *really* laid it on thick this week.