Dead Account 1×08 Review: “Open the Window, and…”

Dead Account anime season 1 episode 8, titled ‘Open the Window, and…’ continued the test between Class A and B while also fleshing out the bond between Hasumi and Kasubata.

With Wagari having easily sliced through Emoto’s sound wall in the previous episode, I was looking forward to seeing Class B figure out a plan to retreat. There was no way they could win against someone so powerful. At least, not yet. However, when Wagari began mocking Emoto for being weak and not having leveled up since their past encounter, I thought the narrative was going to make a trope-heavy pivot of having Emoto pulling strength from his well of feelings to create a sound wall that proved tougher for Wagari to destroy. Thankfully, that didn’t happen.

Don’t get me wrong. I would like for Emoto to grow stronger. Apparently, his weakness was his inability to maintain focus not only to create the sound barriers but also to keep them up against attacks. Wagari disliked how easily Emoto got scared. According to Wagari, Emoto calling himself an exorcist was a disgrace to the institution. Emoto’s friends did stand up for him against Wagari.

But yeah, it has to be Emoto himself who finds the courage to overcome his emotional obstacle and prove himself a valuable member of the team. Such growth is bound to happen. But having it occur during the current confrontation with Wagari wouldn’t have felt right. That’s why I’m glad the creatives had Class B scatter from Wagari’s eyesight instead of continuing the fight.

As for how Class B managed to run away in such a manner, it’s revealed that there’s more to Hasumi’s Cyberkinesis than what Wagari and even the rest of Class B were aware of. Not only could Hasumi take pictures from his cellphone and use them for surveillance purposes, but he could also create windows to various locations for quick teleportation. Even some of the instructors at the Miden Academy were unaware of this particular aspect of Hasumi’s Cyberkinesis. According to Azaki, Hasumi was the most difficult student from Class B to deal with during battle. And you could see why.

Even though retreating from Wagari was the right choice, doing so also meant that Class B couldn’t keep ganging up on individual Class A students as initially planned. Consisting of a majority of Attack-Type exorcists, Class A would be tough to take down 1-on-1. However, seeing Azaki keeping his cool while monitoring the test, I think Class B will do well once the dust settles.

Of course, Soji got teleported to a location where he ran into Surugi. Kudos to Soji for ignoring Surugi’s ragebait comments. We all know that one of the best ways to get under a ragebaiter’s skin is not to give them the reaction they crave. I’m excited about their battle, especially when it comes to Soji’s possible counter to Surugi using his Cyberkinesis without holding his cellphone.

Wagari decided to force his way through the same teleportation window that had sent Kasubata away. As far as Wagari was concerned, Kasubata was his nemesis because Kasubata reminded Wagari of everything he had been trained to fight against. I liked the flashback to Wagari’s childhood, where he was taught to always strive for perfection. Coming from a family of exorcists, taking on such a role held utmost importance. Wagari needed to be the best of the best to continue his family’s teachings of being beneficial to society. And taking people like Kasubata off the board was part of that.

In contrast to Wagari, Kasubata was someone who, even though he also came from a family of exorcists, stood against the physical and emotional torture such families put their young through to forcibly awaken their Psychokinesis.

I had been waiting to learn more about Kasubata’s past as a gang leader and his friendship with Hasumi. However, I wasn’t expecting the answers so soon. But I’m not complaining. The flashbacks did a lot to flesh out Kasubata and Hasumi as well as the dark side of exorcist families.

Kasubta and Hasumi knew each other as kids because they both belonged to exorcist families. With the adults wanting to raise the respect of their family names by unlocking Psychokinesis early in their young sons, both kids had to experience a lot of torture from their respective households. While Kasubata went through it alone, Hasumi had to share the horror alongside his younger brother Rota. Back then, using technology to awaken Cyberkinesis was considered blasphemous.

The creative decision to blur Rota’s face during the flashback because it linked to how Hasumi couldn’t remember what Rota looked like anymore was a good choice. It lent nicely to the emotional weight that led to Hasumi always taking pictures of people and places because he didn’t want to forget anyone.

With Rota dying because of the brothers being punished (no food and water) for not awakening their Psychokinesis in the expected time, Hasumi’s life changed dramatically when Kasubata appeared one night, so he and Hasumi could run away from their families together. Seeing Hasumi jump through the house’s window to join Kasubata in freedom was clearly linked to his Cyberkinesis involving windows and teleportation.

The two continued to support each other while leading a life of crime. Kasubata changed his appearance as a way to distance himself from his family. Kasubata also encouraged Hasumi to take pictures as a way to preserve memories. The duo later joined the Miden Academy to become exorcists. I’m hoping we get to know the reason behind their return soon.

It was understandable that someone like Wagari couldn’t stand Kasubata. His hatred was intensified by the fact that Kasubata’s Cyberkinesis manifested as a Hammer of Righteousness. There was nothing righteous about Kasubata’s past and present in Wagari’s eyes, and he needed him gone from the world of exorcists.

Before Hasumi could rush to Kasubata’s aid, he was slowed down by Ikko Owada. Their quick battle added another layer to the worldbuilding of Dead Account. Owada’s Cyberkinesis allowed him to summon Cyberbeasts from his smartphone. We saw him use a bird-like creature for surveillance and flight. He then summoned a giant Teddy Bear for attacking Hasumi. Owada’s flashback showed that, because of coming from a large and poor family, Owada couldn’t keep actual animals as pets, even though he did what he could to help stray cats and such. The lack of resources and space resulted in Owada keeping digital pets instead.

Apparently, Cyberbeasts were very difficult to tame. Nanzo was the one who reached out to Owada to enroll at the Miden Academy. He and the other instructors were impressed by Owada’s ability to control dangerous Cyberbeasts.

I would like to know more about Cyberbeasts and how they differ from Cyberghosts. Also, could Cyberghosts control Cyberbeasts too, or was it a human-only ability? Also, could someone create a unique Cyberbeast if they were skilled at app or game development? I have questions!

With the battles commencing, let’s see who stands victorious.

Did you watch Dead Account anime season 1 episode 8, ‘Open the Window, and…”? What did you think of it?

Feel free to leave a comment.

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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