Quick Summary
In Midnight occult civil servants episode 12, “Shinjuku Ward Nocturnal Community Relations Division,” little fairy Anothers took Arata Miyako to an oddity: A human-sized Another who looked like an old man — and who had lost all of his memories! The only clue was a broken piece of what looked like the base of a statue. Seo Himezuka started a search, and Kyouichi Sakaki suggested Arata help the unnamed Another try to recover his memories. Without having any other place to go, Arata let the Another stay with him. Should Arata be concerned that both Yuki and Huehuecoyotl immediately left — siting the uncontrolled aroma of divinity? And why was Arata feeling so tired and rundown all of a sudden?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Best Moment in the Show
The Another might have had amnesia, but he had no desire to bring harm to Arata. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Little details can make or break a show. Did you notice that when Arata first met the amnesiac Another, that Another’s staff’s three fingers were wilted and drooping? By the show’s midpoint, as the Another gained strength, they were straight up! This whole episode was like that — delightfully straight forward, slowly unveiling its secrets, until we learn who the amnesiac Another really was.
That made picking a single favorite moment a bit harder than usual! At what point does a fragrant stew smell best? Even before it starts simmering, it’s really pleasant!
That being said, I’ll pick the moment Arata regained consciousness after the near confrontation with the pink drinking god (the one from episode 4). The (as of that time) unnamed Another had carried Arata back to the precinct office, where Seo helped him wake up. Arata thought he’d just been pushing himself too hard, but Seo dropped a revelation on him: it was likely the Another was sapping Arata’s strength (12:05)!
That news seemed to come as a surprise to the Another, whose amnesia meant he had no idea what he’d been doing. Mortified, he immediately got up to leave. Saying that if he stayed any longer it might mean Arata’s death, he added, “I cannot take the life of an innocent man, let alone one who’s done so much for me” (12:51).
We’ve seen all kinds of Anothers in this series. Most of the time, we had a difficult time understanding their perspective — just as they had trouble understanding ours (remember episode 5?). I think it’s fitting that the final episode shows that sometimes, Anothers are not only understandable, but are actually pretty cool. A lot of humans could learn from this one (and I’m looking at you, Satoru Kanoichi!).
Other Posts about This Series
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Mayonaka no Occult Koumuin – Episode 12 discussion
- AngryAnimeBitches: Mayonaka no Occult Koumuin Ep 12 [FINAL]
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- Review: Midnight Occult Civil Servants Episode 01 – Best In Show
- Review: Midnight Occult Civil Servants Episode 02 – Best In Show
- Review: Midnight Occult Civil Servants Episode 03 – Best In Show
- Review: Midnight Occult Civil Servants Episode 04 – Best In Show
- Review: Midnight Occult Civil Servants Episode 05 – Best In Show
- Review: Midnight Occult Civil Servants Episode 06 – Best In Show
- Review: Midnight Occult Civil Servants Episode 07 – Best In Show
- Review: Midnight Occult Civil Servants Episode 08 – Best In Show
- Review: Midnight Occult Civil Servants Episode 09 – Best In Show
- Review: Midnight Occult Civil Servants Episode 10 – Best In Show
- Review: Midnight Occult Civil Servants Episode 11 – Best In Show
I liked the episode, but I’d have preferred something that plays better with an ensemble cast for the final episode. It’s not bad as a sort of life-goes-on epilogue, after the more epic two-parter has just finished, though.
I think this show was my most pleasant surprise of the season. I had no expectations at all, and it ended up really good. Proof that you don’t need outstanding production values for an entertaining show.
“Proof that you don’t need outstanding production values for an entertaining show.”
The show had a great vibe — almost a “CSI” meets “Kolchak: The Night Stalker.”
I would have liked more complex animation, but when it counted (like Seimei’s garden), they pulled it off.
It’s not really a complaint, but I think I would have liked it a bit better if Satoru had paid a bigger price. But I suppose there’s no need for me to be petty about it!