#karen and maruta was so cute actually.

[5-pp-man]

migi n dali just keeps getting better. ep 10 was crazyyyyy i was on the edge of my seat the entire time, and if i wasnt it was just so sweet or hilarious. this show is the perfect blend of emotions honestly.

[mtdthoughts]

Migi & Dali Episode 12 Retrospective Reaction

Hello again! As part of commemorating the one-year anniversary of the anime, I'm doing a rewatch and providing my (unorganized) thoughts and reactions.

This time, I'm doing Episode 12! As always, I'll be keeping timestamps in case you want to watch along while reading, and be prepared for another long post below, and of course spoilers!

[00:00] First, the opening scene. This is a repeat of the post-credit scene in the previous episode, so I won't talk about it again. Other than that it's very sad…

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[02:23] Next, the group talks in the confinement room.

It's both funny and creepy that the first thing we see is Maruta gnawing at the door.

Notice that the soundtrack "Throne of Death" (死の玉座) is playing here, which is rather fitting since the house is about to become a "Birdcage of Hell" (I just made this up)

Once again, Migi looks to Dali for answers, though Dali is frustrated that he doesn't know. The line "We're just strangers" is very important, since in my view Episode 12 is mainly about settling things between Dali and Eiji.

Migi makes such cute sounds…

I really empathize with Karen. Although I'm sure Akira has good intentions, it seems like he has never really been around his family. While I understand that Reiko hid things from him, it's quite terrifying how oblivious this man is. Hasn't he heard of the phrase "too good to be true"? Anyway, it's truly tragic and ironic. If he had noticed Reiko's mental illness, so much pain and suffering could have been avoided.

When Akira looks away, perhaps he is thinking how much he has failed as a father and husband.

This could have been a funny and awkward time for the twins to tell Akira, "Hey, we're your sons!"

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[03:41] Next, everyone discovers a smoky surprise.

Maruta's teeth are really strong…

I like how Karen is the only one who realizes what's going on. And the way she says it in such a deadpan way is hilarious.

Although Micchan isn't here, her soundtrack plays for dramatic effect. (Or maybe the smoke and fire is drawing her here??)

Even now, Maruta calls for Mama…

Twins, those tiny fists of yours aren't going to do a thing…

Trying to break the door with the wooden horse wasn't a bad idea, but it would have been much more efficient to try to kick it down. But then again, we know Akira isn't the smartest man…

Dali tries to chip away at the damaged part of the door. Good try…

I love the concerned face that Dali makes toward Migi.

This is one of the only times Migi snaps at Dali. This along with Migi's face conveys how much determination he has.

At first, I was confused why Migi would bang his head against the door, and I just attributed it to desperation. But the manga makes it clear that Migi was targeting the pet door which was sealed shut by Reiko. So it seems that Migi's plan was for Karen or Dali sneak through and open the door from outside the room (e.g. lockpicking). Migi isn't stupid at all, and it's moving how he can still act when all hope seems lost. Despite shedding blood and tears, Migi holds on to hope and stubbornly does everything he can to make sure that he and Dali can return home to live happily. Migi's love is apparent through sacrificing his own well-being, and it's no wonder Dali was touched by this.

Yet despite this, Dali can't bear to see Migi hurt himself, and the way he hugs Migi and says his name is so touching… Personally, I think this image gives off the message, "It's alright Migi. Even if we die here, I'm happy that my last moments were with you"

Also, the vision that Dali had of him and Migi eating cherry pie with the Sonoyamas is actually the cover image of Chapter 25.

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[05:50] Next, Akiyama saves the day. What a hero!

I'm not quite sure I understood Akiyama's monologue, but it seems that after escaping the police, Akiyama noticed the fire at the Ichijo house. Sensing that everyone was in trouble, he gathered an axe and prepared to save everyone.

Perhaps Migi's persistence paid off, letting Akiyama know where everyone was.

Notice that the soundtrack "Heaven and Hell" (天国と地獄) plays here, specifically the transition from "Hell" to "Heaven". Very fitting!

I really like Akiyama's concern for his dear friend Migi. Even though his precious bird costume was destroyed, he was able to save the people that mattered most to him.

His line 「鳥カゴで終わる人生なんてクソくらえだろ？」(i.e. "It would be shitty to end your life in a birdcage, right?" was very cool, and it makes sense since Akiyama has talked about freedom and living a life unburdened by others' expectations. These words are especially important since later Dali tries to rescue Eiji from this kind of death.

Also, is it just me, or is Akiyama literally wearing a birdcage on his head?

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[06:39] Next, everyone escapes from the house. The soundtrack "Fly, Icarus!" (飛べ!イカロス) is playing here, which is rather fitting.

I wonder why they didn't try going through the front door. Was it blocked by flames?

It's funny how Akiyama is leading the way instead of Akira, the head of the house.

I'm not sure how I feel about this scene having almost no voices the entire time. Perhaps some of the dialogue is unnecessary, but I would've loved to hear Akiyama encouraging Maruta, the twins taunting Akiyama while waiting for him, as well as Akiyama being called a phoenix and a "bird among birds" (「鳥の中の鳥」). Also, hearing Akira scream from pain from the barbed wire would have been funny. (Am I a sadist?)

It's cool how the twins jump out together.

Despite being quite fat, Maruta is able to jump unscathed because of the power of love.

It's very cool how despite Akiyama's bird costume being destroyed, he was able to transcend birddom and arise from the flames as a phoenix! It's a mark of a hero.

It's adorable how Karen and Dali care for Fidelite in the anime. In the manga, Dali says 「お前、けものを助けるために…」(i.e. "You went so far as to save a beast…"), which I think is quite important since it highlights Dali's decision later to save Eiji, whom he once called a beast in Episode 7.

Hmm… I really do prefer this scene in the manga after all.

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[09:00] Next, Akiyama tells everyone that Eiji is still inside the burning house.

Completely unrelated, but I love the twins' lean frames here.

Everyone is surprised, which shows that at this moment, no one really understood Eiji…

The twins were especially shocked to hear that Eiji was trying to die. It wasn't too long ago that Dali tried to die on his own…

The moment when "Clair de Lune" plays really stirs my heart… Apparently, the manga never specified what song was playing in the background, but I'm glad the anime clarified that it was "Clair de Lune".

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[09:51] Next, Eiji prepares to burn to death next to his mother.

The fact that Eiji so willingly accepts his own death is so sad…

"Clair de Lune" is a song that ties Metry, Reiko, and the triplets together. For the triplets, it's a song that reminds them of precious childhood memories of their mothers, as well as a simpler time filled with warmth and affection. Undoubtedly, this would help Dali see the similarities between himself and Eiji.

Personally, I feel like this was one of the most important scenes of the story, so (unfortunately) I have to be more critical here. I'll admit I did not like the choice of images they used for the flashback. This scene would have been much more impactful if these used the exact frames from the manga with Eiji saying his lines in the flashbacks, though I can understand that there are budget and time constraints. I've talked about this before, so I'll keep it short. The original flashbacks in the manga properly convey the idea that just like Dali, Eiji was someone who kept up a facade of perfection and pushed others away, but was deep down lonely and wanted to be loved. However, unlike Eiji, Dali was never truly alone and had Migi, someone who truly loved him and could forgive his mistakes and failures. That's why Dali felt compelled to rescue Eiji, so that he could give a chance to finally experience a feeling of unconditional love. Sadly, I don't think the anime conveyed this message effectively, especially since they included a memory of Eiji groping Migi's butt… Furthermore, I really wish the anime had adapted Chapter 10! (bedwetting chapter)

I really love the line 「あいつはぼくだ」("He's me") along with Dali's face. The fact that he's willing to rush into a burning building to save Eiji is so touching.

Also, I honestly do feel bad for Akira. Despite being so oblivious, he really did care about his son and his wife, but can do nothing now as his house burns down. (probably because of the barbed wire earlier)

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[11:25] Next, Eiji says his final goodbyes to Reiko's corpse.

Okay, I will give major credit to the anime for adding this wonderful planetarium scene. It really adds a layer in the mother-son relationship between Reiko and Eiji, and it just shows that despite Reiko's imperfections, Eiji has always loved her. Despite Reiko's mental illness, you could really tell that she actually did love Eiji and did her best for him. I've mentioned this before, but the remark about Reiko's drool reminds me of the scene where Migi sees Dali's attempt at a silly face in Episode 10. Similarly, Migi found it refreshing that his older brother who was always very serious was able to make such a foolish face.

I wonder, how long has Eiji been aware of Reiko's mental illness? In the manga, Karen said that Eiji told her that Reiko had depersonalization. Furthermore, in Chapter 12, he tried to treat Migi whom he believed to have suffered from a similar disorder. Perhaps Eiji has known for a very long time.

This makes me wonder: if the twins had never come to Origon Village, would Eiji eventually have been able to treat her?

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[13:45] Next, Dali interrupts Eiji.

I love how Eiji's monologue is interrupted by Dali bluntly pointing out something so embarrassing. Stuff like this is one reason why I love Dali so much. Indeed, it seems that Eiji forgot to include the negative parts about his experience as Reiko's son.

I wonder, can Eiji tell the difference between the twins?

Now, a big mystery about Dali's heart has unraveled: his hatred and desire for revenge was motivated not just because of the fact that Eiji killed Metry, but because he hated himself. Thus, Dali's attempt to kill Eiji earlier in the story could be seen as a subconscious, misguided attempt to kill the inadequacies and weakness within himself. This reminds me of Episode 9 when Dali's self-loathing was most apparent and when he tried to die a beautiful death. It's no wonder that Dali sees himself and Eiji as similar.

It's so sad to see Eiji gladly telling Dali to stab him with a knife…

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[14:52] Next, Migi leaps into the scene.

It's rare to see Migi scolding Dali for doing something so reckless. It's also kind of adorable how Migi seems to have no clue what Dali is thinking.

I like how this episode takes a break from all the seriousness and gave us a refreshing comedic break. That being said, it does seem a bit odd since considering Reiko's corpse is in the same room…

Dali doesn't seem very surprised that Migi interrupted his conversation with Eiji.

The sound and expression Migi makes when checking his own butt is so cute, and his reaction to being on fire for the second time in the story is so cute as well. Once again, Migi's butt is the subject of humor…

I love how the normally calm Eiji loses his cool and snaps at Migi. Eiji really is like Dali…

I also love how Dali appreciates his precious little brother and is glad that his self-destructive plans have been foiled.

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[15:33] Next, Dali reveals what is revenge is as the soundtrack "Our Revenge" (ぼくらの復讐) begins to play.

Ah, this face that Dali makes when he says "Live ungracefully" (「不様に生きろ」) is one of my top 5 faces in "Migi and Dali"

I really like the message that Dali presents here, (i.e. "Live ungracefully rather than dying a beautiful death"), since I believe that life always has meaning, and that true beauty isn't found in what we are or what we leave behind after death, but in the way that we live and how we interact with those around us. I hate to go off-topic, but this is also one of the most important themes of the series "Gintama", where the main character Gintoki often saves those in despair and that lost sight of themselves. Some of Gintoki's famous quotes are: "If you have time to think of a beautiful death, why not live beautifully until the very end?"(「美しく最後を飾りつける暇があるな��、最後まで美しく生きようじゃねーか」) as well as: "It's much better to live the way you are, even if it's a little dirty, than to abandon yourself and die with beauty and dignity" ( 「自分を捨てて潔く奇麗に死んでくなんてことより、小汚くても自分らしく生きてく事の方が、よっぽど上等だ」)

Dali's revenge is for Eiji to live ungracefully, but what or whom is Dali taking revenge on? Is it on Eiji for killing Metry? Is it on their parents who started this twisted tale? Or is it revenge against himself for how he's chosen to live until recently?

Dali drags Eiji by the arm, as if Eiji was his little brother…

Note that in the manga, Eiji pushes Dali off the banister. (Eiji really loves pushing).

Furthermore, part of Migi's pants were burned off after they were on fire, partially exposing Migi's butt. Well, I suppose I can see why the anime producers didn't want to show that (even though they've shown Migi's butt jiggling after being groped by Eiji!)

Also, seeing Eiji and Migi fall downstairs into the fire after Dali makes me think of the imagery of the triplets descending into the underworld or Hell together.

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[16:11] Next, Migi comes to downstairs and tries to find Dali.

Maybe it's just me, but it's quite poetic how Migi is searching for Dali among the flames. It gives me vibes of Chapter 43.

It's scary that Migi could have met his end by falling rubble.

Ah, the face Migi makes when accepting his death is so sad… Just like his brothers, Migi imagines his own mother when approaching death.

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[16:56] Next, Micchan comes to the rescue again, as her soundtrack plays.

This is the third time Micchan has come to the twins' aid, and this time she's here to bring everyone out of the inferno of the underworld. I suppose ash and smoke can be seen as "dust", so this would definitely be Micchan's domain.

Is it just me, or does the ghost look more youthful than the actual Micchan…?

Dali's first concern when regaining consciousness is where Eiji is…

It's so sweet how Micchan wants the triplets to go home together!

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[17:42] Next, Dali tries to save Eiji. Undoubtedly, this scene is the episode's climax.

It's rare that Migi is the voice of reason. Or rather, it's rare that Dali is completely dominated by emotion. In my opinion, the fact that Migi just stood there puzzled and was willing to leave Eiji here just shows how he hasn't truly accepted Eiji as a brother. (which is understandable) Of course, when he sees Dali risking his own life and putting himself through great pain to save Eiji, he realizes what's going on.

Ah, Dali's pained cry from getting burned is adorable… (Am I a sadist?)

I really love the words "You're a troublesome older brother" (「世話の焼ける兄だな」). I've talked about this before, but it shows how Migi has finally seen and accepted Dali for who he was, an imperfect older brother. You can really see a stark contrast between Migi here and the Migi in the early part of the story who blindly idolized Dali. It's also so sweet to see Dali relieved from getting scolded by his younger brother, as if accepting affirmation. Ah, it's so soothing to see that these twin brothers have grown…

Once again, it's sad to see Eiji wanting to die. Him being "not perfect" is an understatement, since he's stained with the sin of killing both Metry and Reiko. Even if he lived and escaped legal consequences, he'll always be shunned by others because of what he did, and above all, he feels that he would be isolated forever. Dali acknowledges this, yet at the same time embraces Eiji with open arms. Although Dali has never actually killed anyone, he once desired Eiji's death, and has hurt Migi in the process of seeking revenge, so he sympathizes with Eiji. Dali knows the pain of loneliness all too well, yet he has found the warmth that can be found through bonds, which is what cherry pie symbolizes. The way Dali expresses his love here is a great parallel to Migi's desire to go home and have cherry pie together back in Episode 9. It's so sweet how Migi's compassion has rubbed off on Dali, and it's so cute how Migi jumps in to welcome Eiji. Finally, Eiji is a stranger no more…

I love how Eiji's vision of eating cherry pie together in the anime includes the Sonoyamas as well as the dogs, Akiyama, Maruta, and Karen. It's interesting how Eiji sees himself and his brothers eating pie with their hands, which I think gives a sense of unity. Also, it's funny how Eiji's vision doesn't include Akira… (do the anime producers hate him? lol)

The triplets lifting up the chandelier together shows how sometimes, we need help from others to shoulder the burdens we can't carry alone.

It's so heartwarming to see the triplets walking shoulder-to-shoulder out of the smoldering house, as if breaking out of Hell. I'm sure Metry would have been happy alongside Micchan to watch this scene play out.

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[20:26] Next, the aftermath of the fire.

Just as Karen requested, the house was destroyed, but at what cost…?

It's touching how much Akiyama and Maruta care for the twins.

I love the way Migi holds on to Dali's shoulders.

It's so sweet how Migi warmly invites Eiji to their home. Although I'm not sure how the Sonoyamas would feel about hiding fugitives wanted for murder, I think they would be understanding of the situation. (even though Eiji did actually kill Reiko) Honestly, I would like to see a fanfiction where the triplets hide together at the Sonoyama house.

Eiji's face along with the line "That pie is too sweet for me" (「そのパイは俺には甘すぎるな」) is so sad to hear. Although I agree that he needs to take responsibility and spend time in repentance for killing his mother, I can't help but feel very sorry for him. Eiji deserved happiness as well…

Honestly, as much as I ridicule Akira for his idiocy, I feel sorry for him. I can't imagine the pain he must have felt to have his family devastated in such a manner over the course of one night. He was so hopeful that his son was alright, and now he has to learn the horrible news…

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[23:23] Finally, the post-credit scene. I don't have much to say here, since I will talk about Dali's scar more for the final episode.

Again, I feel really bad for Eiji.

Dali's fantasy of bringing Eiji home has been crushed by reality, and you can also tell how much Dali now cares for Eiji and how Eiji's arrest has shaken him by his expression and the way he says his name. With the twins' original mission of avenging their mother coming to a close, Dali realizes the consequences of what he started, which I'll discuss for the final episode.

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[Conclusion]

In Episode 12, we observed the end of Reiko and Metry's story with Reiko's death and the destruction of the Ichijo house. Unable to bear Reiko's sins, Eiji effectively condemned the entire family to perdition, and chose to die because he felt he had no one else.

Meanwhile, Episode 12 also featured Dali's struggle understanding Eiji. Initially, he saw Eiji as nothing more than a stranger, but after hearing the Water Flea Song and remembering his past interactions with Eiji, he saw that he and Eiji were alike and did everything he could to save him. And it seems that Dali (followed by Migi) has finally accepted Eiji as his brother.

This episode also featured heroism and compassion, with Akiyama saving everyone in the confinement room, Dali rushing into a burning house to save Eiji, and Micchan's ghost saving the triplets from being burned or suffocated to death. Though all these are admirable actions, I though Dali's act of saving Eiji was the most admirable. After all, it's easy to want to help your friends, but it's difficult to help your enemy, especially one who you've begrudged for killing your mother.

Thus, in my opinion, this episode provides a beautiful message of hope and redemption, showcased through what Dali rescuing Eiji, who has both Metry's and Reiko's blood in his hands. No matter how stained and ugly one's life is, as long as their heart is open to love, there will always be someone that can connect with them, and its through these precious connections that they can better find hope and salvation. Even if it means living a life others consider unsightly, true beauty is found in staying true to oneself and treasuring the connections that one has made. That's why I feel bad for Reiko because she could have been saved in a similar manner. Nonetheless, her example highlights the triplets' victory in overcoming this curse of loneliness and desperation for perfection, and in a way the tragedy of "Metry and Reiko" has been avenged. (Perhaps this was the true revenge all along)

But just as things were about to end happily, reality sets in, as there was a price to pay for Reiko's death. As a result, Eiji took the fall, and now he will spend time in a lonely prison with the permanent stigma of matricide. Eiji's life would likely become a living hell, and it seems that Dali will not take this well. But that's for the next episode.

As a final note, this episode once again adapts just two chapters of the manga (41 and 42). As a result, the pacing is wonderful!

Anyway, that's all! See you again for the final episode~~

[mtdthoughts]

Migi & Dali Episode 13 Retrospective Reaction

Hello again! As part of commemorating the one-year anniversary of the anime, I'm doing a rewatch and providing my (unorganized) thoughts and reactions.

This time, I'm doing the final episode! I did something similar to this last year, though now I hopefully have more to say given that I've watched the entire series (more than) twice.

As always, I'll be keeping timestamps in case you want to watch along while reading, and be prepared for a very, very long post below, and of course spoilers!

[00:00] First, the opening scene. "Clair de Lune" plays in the background, and is a reminder of the aftermath from Episode 12.

When I first watched this scene, I was surprised that Akiyama had a dog. Actually, if you read Chapter 7 of the manga (i.e. the twins' first visit to Akiyama's house), you can see his dog in the background.

Undoubtedly, all of Origon Village would be filled with sadness after seeing the beloved Eiji and his family fall from grace in such a disastrous manner.

I do feel sorry for Akira, and it's likely that he and Karen had to move away from Origon Village because of the shame of failing as a father and husband. He really does seem to care about Eiji.

It's sweet that Maruta still thinks of Karen…

The imagery of the bird flying while Akiyama thinks about the twins is clever! Since it's one bird (ひとり), this represents how the twins are still pretending to be one boy Hitori-kun.

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[03:07] Next, the Sonoyamas have a big feast.

It's refreshing to see the old couple again, since they did not appear in Episodes 11 and 12. I want to be at that dinner table…

I wonder: when exactly did the twins return to the Sonoyama house? Right after Eiji turned himself in to the police? Or perhaps a few days after? I would have liked to see the Sonoyamas' reactions when they finally see their beloved son again.

Also, why did Fidelite end up with the Sonoyamas? It's very likely that Akira and Karen can't take Fidelite with them, and since Dali gets along with Fidelite, that may have been the rationale. Perhaps Fidelite's appearance foreshadows Dali officially becoming a part of the Sonoyama family… It's possible that Akira may have interacted with the Sonoyamas when giving them Fidelite. Could Akira have mentioned the twins to them? Has he ever found out that the twins were his and Metry's sons? I really want to know…

It's funny how the twins always look pregnant after eating too much. It's amazing how they stay lean after living with the Sonoyamas for more than two years. (I wish I had their metabolism!)

Dali refusing to come out and eat seems to parallel a similar scene in Chapter 25 (or the end of Episode 6). Once again, it's clear that Dali's mind is troubled.

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[03:42] Next, Migi tries to talk to Dali.

The reflection of Dali looks exactly like Migi! (duh…)

The way Migi says Dali's name is so cute… You can tell from Migi's voice and facial expressions how much he has changed since the first episode when he was effectively imitating Dali. Migi has really embraced his softer and gentler personality. He's just like his own mother now!

Dali looks so cool with his scar…

On the surface, it seems Dali won't come out because his scar ensures that the twins couldn't pretend to be one person. Naturally, Migi rebuts by saying that the Sonoyamas would surely accept them both, which I'm sure Dali knows. Thus, there seems to be a deeper reason why Dali refuses to come out, as well as a deeper meaning to his scar. I've written about this before, but I think Dali refuses to come out because he is overwhelmed by guilt for what happened to Eiji, and believes he does not deserve happiness. Personally, I think that Dali might have believed that if he never sought revenge, Eiji's life would have been fine, and that Eiji would still have a mother. Thus, Dali could have seen his own scar as a proof of his sins. Dali sees himself as unforgivable, much unlike the good boy "Hitori-kun" that the Sonoyamas deserve to have. This idea is highlighted by Dali closing the curtains, which could symbolize how he's hiding himself away in the shadows, or how he's putting an end to his life on the surface.

Of course, Dali knows that Migi would be concerned for him, so he claims that Migi's happiness is all that he needs. But Dali's pained smile seems to suggest that he's holding back his true feelings. Once again, Dali is lying to Migi.

As Dali tells Migi that he'll live as Migi's shadow, the soundtrack "Two Humans" (ふたりの人間) begins to play (specifically the first half). This was last played when Dali offered himself to be killed by Reiko in Episode 9, and it's very fitting here. But unlike getting strangled to death by a scarf, Dali would suffer a slower, more excruciating death living as Migi's shadow, effectively killing his own existence. This was Dali's revenge against himself.

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[04:47] Next, Dali becomes Migi's shadow at school.

Unlike the manga, the anime makes it clear that Hitori-kun has advanced to Class 1-1, which makes sense since that was the twins' goal in Episode 4, and because Hitori-kun is supposed to be a top student.

That jump was very cool…

The anime also adds the detail of Hitori-kun getting a perfect score on his midterm exams. I wonder how the twins could have cheated here…

It feels like Hitori-kun has effectively replaced Eiji, who was also a top athlete and student in Class 1-1. Personally, I think Dali was trying to "rebuild Eiji" by making sure Migi's life is as perfect as possible. To Dali, this would be penance for destroying Eiji's life.

It's so cute how Migi rubs his head.

Sakamoto from "Sakamoto desu ga" makes a cameo here!

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[05:43] Next, Akiyama stops Migi and talks to him outside. Note that in the anime, Migi draws a picture of himself and Dali in the dirt.

Before Akiyama stops him, Migi looks troubled. It's clear that he's uncomfortable with the fact that his life as Hitori-kun is a lie. The only difference from before is that Dali is now never in the forefront.

Akiyama really is the twins' best friend… I wonder, did Akiyama already know about Dali's scar? If not, then it's impressive that he can tell the twins apart.

As always, when Migi draws, he reverses the directions that his and Dali's bangs are swept.

It's nice how Akiyama's "Will you be Hitori forever?" (この先ずっと「秘鳥」として生きてくの？) has a double meaning (i.e. being a boy named "Hitori", as well as Migi being the only one living life on the surface)

It's sad to see Migi admitting that he doesn't understand what Dali is thinking. Likewise, Dali's melancholic face is sad to see. Personally, I think Dali really wants the same thing as Migi, but his guilt and self-hatred prevents him from taking it.

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[07:07] Next, Dali stares down at Migi's drawing, which is an anime-original scene.

It's really sad how Dali tries to suppress his own desires and justify his self-imprisonment…

Him obscuring the drawing of himself with his shadow makes me more convinced in my hypothesis. It's symbolic of how Dali is erasing his own existence.

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[07:23] Next, the Sonoyamas have dinner on Christmas Eve.

Youko's singing is lovely. I've learned that it's common for Japanese households to sing songs like this during Christmas, which is really nice…

It's nice how Dali smiles when Youko calls Migi the "best kid in the world" (「世界一いい子」). You can tell how he loves his younger brother's purity and innocence.

Migi's choices of presents are interesting. Considering that the twins have played with hammers and ropes before, was Migi asking for toys that he could play with Dali? If so, it's really sweet how he's always thinking about his older brother… Also, what was the last thing he was going to ask for before getting interrupted by Youko? Was it a wig?? What would he even do with that?

There's more good Japanese wordplay when Osamu says "Santa only gives one gift per person" (「サンタさんはひとりにつきひとつ配るんだよ」). Since "Hitori-kun" is a symbol of a "good child", this statement can also be taken to mean "Santa only gives presents to good children".

I love how Migi swings his feet when he says "good boy", and how Dali smiles during this.

It's not surprising that the twins would react when Youko brings up the word "lover", since Metry was Akira's lover, and since Migi and Dali both have had romantic experiences before (albeit with each other)

Considering that "Santa Claus" is another way of saying "parent" (sorry children!), then it seems that Osamu is basically saying that Migi would have children after finding a lover. Osamu really is a romantic!

Once again, Dali is disheartened after the Sonoyama couple begins mentioning romance and the wonderful life Migi could look forward to. Now, Dali sits in despair, realizing that not only is he forfeiting a life he would have wanted, but that also Migi would possibly move on without him.

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[08:55] Next, the twins prepare to sleep.

Note that in the manga, Migi is also sleeping with a teddy bear. (cute!)

It's cute how Migi believes in Santa. It appears that Osamu's earlier comment about Santa has gone over his head… However, I'm pretty sure that Dali doesn't believe in Santa, considering his conversations with Eiji while dressed up as Sally.

Here, Dali's soundtrack (少年・ダリ) plays, which is fitting as Dali continues to remain in the shadows.

It's pretty clear that Migi is trying to help Dali feel better by saying that he'll share his Christmas presents with Dali. This somewhat validates my assumption about the presents that Migi wanted earlier. In an alternate storyline where Dali never leaves Migi's shadow, it seems that Migi might seriously live his whole life trying to share his joy with Dali…

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[09:19] Next, Dali has a nightmare. (He really has a lot of nightmares!)

It's sad how Dali's regards the space under the dinner table as his "usual spot"…

I would really like to see an adult Migi along with his wife and child.

Dali's words "Don't leave me behind" (「おいてかないで」) are too sad to hear. I'm sure this was one of the thoughts in Reiko's mind before she lost her mind…

Indeed, the Sonoyama couple's words really seemed to dwell in Dali's mind. A life in Migi's shadow means that Dali would forever be stuck in a lonely prison. It reminds me of Akiyama's line in Episode 12: 「鳥カゴで終わる人生なんてクソくらえだろ？」(i.e. "It would be shitty to end your life in a birdcage, right?") Now, Dali was stuck in a metaphorical birdcage, imprisoning himself despite yearning to be free.

His nightmare could be seen as a message from his soul or from his subconscious mind to stop what he's doing…

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[09:53] Next, Dali wakes up from the nightmare and finds a surprise.

It's really sad to wake up with tears…

Honestly, I was surprised when I first saw the two Christmas presents by the tree.

How in the world did the Sonoyamas manage to sneak into the twins' room without waking them up? Perhaps this shows how both twins have let their guard down in this house and have truly regarded it as their home.

Dali's 「え？」 sounded really cute. Migi's yawn is so cute as well…

As soon as there's a knock at the door, Dali's soft expression immediately changes back to his usual hardened expression… It's amazing how he runs and hides in the wardrobe almost instantly.

I like how the Sonoyamas look at each other, as if they're thinking, "He doesn't know that we know!"

I like Migi's sheer enthusiasm with the clay pasta set and his audible confusion at the science set.

It's wonderful how the Sonoyamas recognize the differences between the twins and want to help them realize their full potential.

Note that in the manga, Migi is seen playing with the pasta set and puts his mouth under the fake pasta…

Dali really is an "intelligent, sensitive child" (「理知的で繊細な子」), and it's so heartwarming to see his reaction when he realizes that the Sonoyamas have seen who he really is.

It's so sweet that the Sonoyamas have accepted both of the twins so lovingly, and Migi's face full of joyful tears is a beautiful sight to see.

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[11:17] Next, Migi tries to get Dali to come out.

Migi is understandably overjoyed that the Sonoyamas have already accepted both of them as their sons, and he seemed to be hopeful that this would convince Dali to finally come out of the shadows. But he seems to be unaware of what was truly plaguing Dali's heart.

Ah… the way Migi says Dali's name is so cute. Horie-san is really good at making Migi sound like the little brother.

Once again, it's a bit surreal to see Migi admitting that he and Dali are different in such a soft voice, considering how in the beginning he was doing his best to be exactly like Dali. He's wearing his pajamas here, which shows how he's truly become a part of the Sonoyamas.

Dali seemed to have been moved by the Sonoyamas' love for him that he is crying just like Migi. He might've realized that despite being away from the Sonoyamas for so long, he was still loved as equally as Migi. Furthermore, since Santa only gives presents to good children, the fact there was a present for Dali shows that they thought of him also as a good boy. Yet because of his guilt, Dali can do nothing but cry and remain in his dark, lonely prison.

Personally, I interpret Migi's comment as him admitting that he doesn't really understand what Dali's thinking. Migi seemed to have always been aware of superficial differences between him and his twin brother such as their abilities and roles as a duo, but until recently he's always believed that he and Dali were of the same mind. After Episode 7, Migi couldn't understand Dali and thus rejected him in a similar way that Dali did to Eiji in Episode 11. Even after the twins reconciled, there were still moments where Migi couldn't understand Dali, such as when Dali hid in Akiyama's closet, when Dali ran into the burning Ichijo house to save Eiji, and of course now when Dali is still staying in the shadows despite the Sonoyamas' acceptance of him.

Nonetheless, despite being unable to understand Dali's thoughts, Migi knows that Dali is clearly suffering despite him claiming otherwise. But Migi's words seemed to have changed everything, as he has finally arrived at the answer. Indeed, even if Migi doesn't know the solution to the burdens in Dali's heart, his warmth and love gives Dali strength to overcome these burdens because of their precious bond. To me, Migi's words were basically: "I can't be happy without you, Dali." (Ahh, so precious…!)

Of course, Dali was overwhelmed by Migi's expression of love, which was also a reminder of a truth that he's known all his life. The twins have always lived for each other's sake, which meant that not only was their happiness shared, but also their suffering. Though Dali burdened by guilt, at the same time he couldn't bear to let Migi suffer because of it. Because of Migi's love, Dali was finally able to emerge from his birdcage, symbolized by the two birds outside the window flying together.

In my opinion, this wonderful scene has parallels in previous episodes. For example, in Episode 6, when Dali is suffering from a nightmare, Migi hides in the wardrobe so that Dali can receive the Sonoyamas' affection. In Episode 8, Migi shuts Dali in Akiyama's closet, which is the complete opposite of this scene (i.e. acceptance vs. rejection) In Episode 9, when the twins fought, Migi convinces Dali to go back to the Sonoyamas by fervently expressing his desire to eat cherry pie together with him. In Episode 10, Migi convinces Dali to come out of Akiyama's closet. In Episode 12, Dali (and Migi) tries to save Eiji who was trapped under a chandelier (a representation of Eiji's burdens), and it was due to the combined efforts of the triplets that they escaped the fire (Hell).

Finally, there's a nice duality of light and dark in this scene, observable in the parallels above. On one side, Dali sits in the darkness of the closet, and he views himself as a dark existence that does not deserve to be free. On other side, Migi stands in the light, and it's through this light (love) that Migi is finally able to dispel the darkness around Dali.

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[12:08] Next, the Sonoyamas wait to begin breakfast.

Are the dogs having steak? In the manga, Sardine is wearing a party hat, and Fidelite is wearing a dog tuxedo. I would've loved to see that in the anime…

Similar to how Migi is just as gluttonous as Sardine, Dali is as reserved as Fidelite. This also reflects the difference in the twins in readily accepting warmth and happiness.

It was so satisfying to see and hear two sets of footsteps come into the dining room…

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[12:44] Next, the twins finally appear for breakfast, as the second half of the soundtrack "Two Humans" (ふたりの人間) plays, which gives the image of "life" and "hope".

It's very clear how relaxed Migi looks compared to Dali, who has his thumb in his pocket, tense shoulders, and a nervous expression. It's not surprising, since it would naturally take Dali time to fully accept the new path he has chosen after finally emerging from his prison.

When the twins sit down, Dali looks upset but is able to smile to make sure that he doesn't upset Migi.

The Sonoyamas' drinks look so good… I still don't know what it is though.

Dali is still listless until Youko presents his favorite omelet. His surprised expression is so adorable! It's so heartwarming how he eats it so enthusiastically, just as fast as his gluttonous younger brother. Furthermore, he's also using his left hand, symbolizing how Dali is beginning to accept his own identity after being moved by Youko's endless motherly love for him.

The anime adds some dialogue between Dali and the Sonoyamas. I wonder, when did the Sonoyamas notice the existence of twins? Although the Sonoyamas said that they knew omelets were Dali's favorite food while Migi was gone, that doesn't actually pinpoint an exact moment or timeframe. There are so many possibilities… Personally, I think it's around some time in November.

The way Migi says his own name is so cute!

Dali is so moved with joy that he cries in front of his younger brother! Before, he would've never let Migi catch him in a moment of weakness. It's not surprising, since his new life was now one that was previously taken from him (via Metry's death), one that he didn't want before (during revenge), and one that he thought he didn't deserve (after revenge).

I loved that the anime adds a scene of the twins laughing at each other. Dali's smile is so precious…! I also loved that they make the same faces at the end, which shows that despite there being differences, the twins are still fundamentally the same in the most important ways.

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[16:09] Next, the extra long post-credit scene begins, as Youko calls for her sons to help make a pie crust.

It's so satisfying to hear Youko say her sons' real names.

It's crazy how out of nowhere, Akiyama and Osamu are matching like twins… When did this happen?

Migi's artistic work has evolved, and so has Dali's studies. Undoubtedly, the Sonoyamas helped them realize their true callings.

It's quite shocking how Maruta suddenly got skinnier and more fashionable. Well, I suppose he's doing his best to be Karen's "official boyfriend".

It's so sweet how the twins understand each other…! That being said, I'm not quite sure if Migi is able to understand the stuff that Dali is reading about… Also, what exactly is Dali reading about? In the anime, it's algebraic geometry (very difficult!!), and in the manga, it's a bit unclear. (I think it's related to geophysics)

In the manga, when Youko opened the doors and shouted the twins' names, the twins were startled and tossed up what they were holding. (cute!) I would've loved to see that in the anime.

It's nice how the boys' voices got deeper after two years. Well, except for Akiyama and Dali. For Akiyama, it makes sense since it seems like he had an early growth spurt. Sadly, I wish that Murase-san was able to deepen Dali's voice further… Oh well. I will continue to believe that canonically, the twins always have approximately the same voice.

Also, I love the twins' new looks, with their new haircuts and clothes. I've talked about this before, but their new looks really reflect their different personalities and how they have grown throughout their journey together.

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[17:16] Next, the twins help with making the pie.

The twins put on their aprons together, and even look at Akiyama and Maruta at the same time.

It seems like Akiyama and Maruta have been entertained by Migi and Dali doing stuff as twins for quite a while.

Perhaps flour can be seen as similar to dust, which is why Micchan is able to be here! It's so sweet how Youko can still be with her best friend.

Ah… the twins looks so intimate making the pie crust together. Even though they've become more different from each other, their unity and bond as twins will always remain, and they'll always synchronize and act as one.

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[18:22] Next, everyone nervously awaits for the guests to arrive.

It's not surprising that everyone's nervous considering the disaster that befell the Ichijos.

It's a good thing Youko is chugging tea instead of her usual choice of drink (lol)

I love the way the twins put their hands on each other's shoulders.

Note that Migi refers to Dali in the second person as "you" or 「お前」(informal "you"), which pretty much never happened before in the story. Meanwhile, Dali has frequently used 「お前」 when referring to Migi in the second person. It goes to show how the twins now truly see themselves as equals.

We can guess that Migi is asking Dali to greet Eiji while dressed up as Sally to lighten the tension in the room. What a considerate boy! Usually, one wouldn't ask someone to do something so embarrassing, but Migi is able to ask this of Dali because of the unbreakable trust they have in each other. This request reminds me of the scene in Episode 10 where Migi asks Dali to make a funny face for Eiji.

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[18:48] Next, the Ichijos arrive.

It's nice sweet how Fidelite knows his former owners are here.

Youko opening the front door here in the final episode for Eiji is a nice parallel to when she opened the door in the first episode for Dali. After two years in isolation after losing his mother, Eiji would finally be welcomed by the new family he has discovered.

The Ichijos look good after these two years. Akira looks really good in that suit!

It's heartwarming how everyone warmly welcomes back Eiji… except for Maruta who welcomes back Karen.

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[19:17] Next, Eiji meets his first love again, as the soundtrack "First Baiser" (初めてのベーゼ ) plays.

It's cute how obviously uncomfortable Dali is becoming Sally again. In the anime, his voice is slightly off, and carries not even close to the amount of confidence that Sally has.

It hasn't even been a few seconds until Dali breaks character. But Migi was right, the tension is completely gone! (albeit at the expense of Dali's dignity)

In the manga, Migi was laughing on the floor, much like how Dali laughs.

Eiji is right, Dali does still look good in that wig.

It's funny how Migi jumps in to protect his claim over Sally even though she's not real. (plus, he's dressed up as her before!) Perhaps it's payback for how Eiji supposedly stole her back in Episode 7.

Everyone else's reaction to Sally was… unexpectedly receptive (especially Akiyama's).

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[20:21] Next, everyone eats cherry pie together.

Finally, the scene that Eiji fantasized about (plus Akira) has become a reality, and Eiji gets to eat the cherry pie that Migi was bragging about.

It's so heartwarming how Eiji says he has a sweet tooth. It just shows how despite his terrible circumstances, Eiji was able to grab on to hope, treasuring the new connections he made. It's especially moving when you consider that in the previous episode, Eiji said that the pie was too sweet for him. Also, in Chapter 19 of the manga, Eiji basically insults Karen for having immature taste buds. Now, it's nice seeing Eiji's newfound appreciation for simple pleasures.

I love how the twins smile at Eiji.

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[20:44] Next, the triplets visit Metry's grave.

Finally, Eiji can visit the mother who once tried to reunite him with his brothers.

I wonder, does anyone know the meaning of the flowers that Eiji places besides Metry's grave? I don't know anything about flowers unfortunately.

Unsurprisingly, Eiji says that his real mother (Reiko) isn't here. It's interesting how Dali is the only one who responds to this, which makes sense considering his guilt in the earlier part of the episode.

It's so heartwarming to see Eiji look forward to living life happily while looking up in the sky. It really gives off an image full of hope. It's also nice how he accepts an unsightly and ungraceful life, which references the words that Dali told him in the previous episode ("Live ungracefully" 「不様に生きろ」). Although Eiji has lived perfectly all his life, I'm sure that to Reiko, it would have been enough if Eiji just lived happily.

It's nice to see the twins' gentle smiles. The triplets can finally get closure after everything that's happened because of their mothers. They've overcome their previous attachments and are now ready to face the world head-on. It is often said that boys need to become independent from their mothers in order to grow up. Indeed, as the triplets stand tall over their mother's grave, we can see that they have indeed grown from boys to fine young men.

Once again, I love it whenever the twins smile at each other and talk at the same time. Horie-san and Murase-san have great voice chemistry…

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[21:37] Finally, the final scene of the story, where Dali departs and the twins begin their test of living separately.

They seem to be at a train station in Kobe, but I have no idea which one. (I'm sure the Japanese fans would know…)

I totally empathize with the Sonoyamas…

It's so nice how Dali was able to find his own path in life after such an arduous journey.

It's nice how Youko offers to go to Dali's dorm to bake without any hesitation.

Everyone's sendoffs are touching… Even if Maruta has changed in appearance, he'll always be a beaver!

Migi doesn't give a sendoff likely because Sano-sensei wanted to surprise the viewer with the twins' separation. (I was also surprised by this) On the other hand, perhaps it's because the twins' bond is so strong, they don't words to know what the other is thinking.

The twins' faces are so lovely when they look fondly at each other. Of course, I'm sure that this scene takes place after the twins came to terms with living apart after some emotional struggle. Certainly, this hypothesis would be supported by the brief sequel manga where Migi clearly misses Dali. It's not that they wanted to be apart, but that following their paths and dreams would likely require it. If the twins stayed together, one of the twins would have to make a sacrifice in their life. That being said, I would love to see an alternative storyline where the twins decide to continue living together, whether it's at the Sonoyamas' home or at the town where Dali is attending school.

Speaking of which, where is Dali's school? And what exactly is he studying to become? These are certainly highly open-ended questions, but I'm rather confident that he wants to pursue a career in the sciences. Personally, I think it's possible that he might try to become a geologist, an astronomer, or something similar given the space-themed room and books that were given to him by the Sonoyamas.

I also wonder about Migi's path. He said he's going to become an avant-garde artist, so is he not going to school? If I'm not mistaken, high school in Japan isn't compulsory, so it's likely that Migi might have finished his education after middle school. This would make sense since he seems to hate studying! Also, why does Migi stay at home? Since he wants to be an artist, he can go anywhere, including to where Dali is studying. My theory is that he wants to stay at home because otherwise, the Sonoyamas would be lonely without either of their adopted sons.

I love how Maruta casually pokes fun at Migi's decision.

The final words in the story are so touching: "Our hearts, even if they're far apart…" (「ぼくらのこころはどんなに遠く離れても」) This seems to be an obvious reference to the twins' aquarium date in Episode 4, when Sally (actually Dali) said that she was moving to a faraway town. This time, it's actually real… Of course, the words that come right after should be "are one" (ひとつ), reflecting what Migi said in response to Sally. The fact that the sentence is left incomplete reflects an optimistic uncertainty of what's to come next. I'm reminded of one of the final lines of the full version of the opening, 「阿吽ツーカー終わってもこころはひとつ解るから」, which basically means "Even if we become different, we know that our hearts will always be one". Admittedly, I like to play this line on repeat while thinking of this scene.

And of course, rest in peace Nami Sano, thank you again for your wonderful work!!

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[Conclusion]

In the final episode, Dali suffers from the aftermath of his revenge after Eiji was arrested. Just as Eiji said that cherry pie was "too sweet" for him, Dali believed that living a blissful life with the Sonoyamas was something that he did not deserve, so he imprisoned himself in the shadows.

Meanwhile, Migi struggled to understand Dali's actions, even though it was obvious now that the Sonoyamas would have happily accepted them both. Just like at the end of Episode 6, Dali was suffering and Migi didn't know what to do to help his brother. However, Migi seemed to remember Youko's message, namely that being family was all about sharing emotions, both good and bad. As Dali's other half, Migi would share all of Dali's feelings, including his pain and suffering. Because of Migi's warmth, Dali realized this truth and was able to gather the strength to come out and begin his new life. Thus, just like Eiji, Dali would also atone for his sins by "living ungracefully" (「不様に生きろ」), symbolized by the scar on his perfect face.

With the Sonoyamas' loving care, the twins were able to grow and realize their own paths in life. One of my good friends on X, Ronsu, brings up a very good observation, namely how it's amazing how the twins finally have dreams and aspirations rather than just plans and calculations. Furthermore, it was fortunate that despite spending two years in prison, Eiji's spirit has not been broken, and he was finally able to enjoy the "cherry pie" that he said was too sweet for him. Although the story of Metry and Reiko ended tragically without the two understanding each other, their sons were able to overcome their curse and were able to find closure.

With Migi and Dali having different paths, they made a difficult decision to live separate lives. Although Dali has lots of experience leading the way into the unknown with his younger brother following behind, this time he'll be venturing into the world all by himself. Hopefully, Dali's future will be bright and filled with lots of joy…

To wrap things up, "Migi and Dali" is such a wonderful work. It's an emotional roller coaster that masterfully oscillates between different genres like mystery, comedy, drama, and even horror, and it tells a gripping coming-of-age story of two brothers who have only had each other for most of their lives. It is also a story that covers many themes beautifully, such as loneliness, resentment, obligation to fulfill others' expectations, conformity, sin and redemption, brotherhood, bonds, sacrifice, the true meaning of love, self-identity. To reinforce these themes, the story also often employs parallelism between characters as well as parallelism between scenes.

I also really liked how Christmas is used as an important plot device. The twins lost their mother during Christmas, but eight years later, they officially became a part of a new family during another Christmas. Furthermore, Santa Claus is not only used to highlight the differences between Eiji's and the twins' childhoods, but also to establish the gift of love and how anyone with heart open to love deserves this gift. I was once asked if Migi and Dali can be viewed as a Christmas series. Now, I definitely think so, and I firmly believe that a Christmas movie can be made based on "Migi and Dali"!

In fact, I would love to see further adaptations of "Migi and Dali". Perhaps an OVA for the chapters that were skipped. Perhaps a second season showing the twins' lives between Chapter 43 and 44 (although there isn't existing content). Or perhaps a movie as mentioned earlier.

Finally, though I do have criticisms of certain creative choices the production staff have made, I really must give credit to them for the excellent job they've done in making the anime. The art, the voice acting, and the music are all amazing, and I really love the opening 「ユウマガドキ」 and how it well it captures the mysterious, life-changing experiences that the twins had in Origon Village. It's clear how much love and care they've put into creating this anime! And of course, I am most grateful to Nami Sano for creating such a beautiful story, and I hope that more people can get a chance to see it. I'm sure that if she were still alive, she would be happy knowing that her works were deeply loved and appreciated by many.

Anyway, that's all, Merry Christmas (belated), and have a Happy New Year!!

[mtdthoughts]

Personal Migi & Dali Character Ranking

Unlike most of my other posts, this one is completely opinionated and subjective. I generally try to rank characters based on complexity, character development, and whether they're interesting rather than likability alone.

Please also note that this is a reflection of the entire story.

Dali: The best hands down, no questions asked. If you're familiar with this blog, then this shouldn't come as a surprise. I love Migi too, but Dali keeps the story so interesting with his bold and wacky plans and his charisma. Furthermore, his complexity, character arc, and redemption were the most satisfying to see.

Migi: He and Dali complement each other so well, and seeing him grow into a proper twin brother capable of saving Dali was satisfying to see. His lovable goofiness throughout the story was also very fun to watch.

Reiko: She ranks surprisingly high as she was quite the compelling antagonist. I love how Sano introduces her as a perfect mother and neighbor and then slowly peels back the layers to reveal the demon within, which was terrifying to see, but in a good way. Despite this, she was a very tragic character, and she serves as an important parallel to Dali.

Eiji: He started off as a prick, but then we gradually realized how tragic and pitiable his circumstances were (he truly never stood a chance!). His redemption was very satisfying to see, and he was also crucial in highlighting Dali's character development and growth.

Sonoyamas: Very wholesome and loving parents, and just heartwarming to see as they were helpful in Migi's character development as well as a foil to Reiko and Dali. I love how the twins were suspicious of them at first, and Youko's outbursts (SHIT) are always great to hear.

Micchan: A true heroine, as she stuck her neck out (literally) for the twins, and her devotion and love towards children definitely shows.

Akiyama: A true friend and moral compass for the twins, and without him, they probably would've remained social pariahs. He also played a significant role in Migi's character development.

Maruta: A decent guy who was desperate for friends, and also quite the quick thinker and tech savant. Wish he would've been shown a bit more prior to the twins' reveal.

Karen: Cute girl that turned out to be an unexpected ally. Love how she can be strangely calculating and emotionless.

Metry: Sorry, but she was more a plot device rather than an actual character. But she does serve as an important parallel to Migi.

Sardine/Fidelite: They may be good dogs, but they're still dogs.

Akira: This guy was a complete buffoon who expected nothing to be wrong after he found out about his affair and continued to pursue Metry, and thought nothing was wrong when she mysteriously disappeared. I guess he tried to be a decent father, but honestly he's an afterthought and a pushover compared to the other characters. I do wish that we could've seen some closure between him and the twins.

[mtdthoughts]

Predicting Careers (Migi & Dali Analysis)

Alright, after avoiding this question for months, it's finally time to attempt answering it:

What do I think everyone does in the future?

As always, spoiler warning!

First, let's begin with Migi.

Migi says that he'll become an avant-garde artist. Of course, art unfortunately doesn't always directly lead to a fruitful career, so in the worst case scenario he might need a backup plan. However, in Migi's case, perhaps he might not need one since he is staying with the Sonoyamas.

In any case, given his love for food, it's possible he may take up cooking. He might also take on a housekeeper-like role (butler?) in the house just like Metry (but maybe a little less clumsy?), which would make sense since Micchan isn't around anymore. Unless that is, of course, she can perform her usual duties as a ghost...

Next, let's look at Akiyama.

Obviously, Akiyama likes birds and flying, and he might join the flight industry (maybe as a pilot?), which is likely what his parents do for work. But we also know that he's quite obsessed with glider and aircraft design, as given by his photos around his room, his participation in the Birdman rallies, and of course his sister calling him a nerd. Therefore, it's also possible that Akiyama might become an engineer, specifically a mechanical or aeronautical engineer.

Next, let's look at Maruta.

We know that Maruta likes beavers and dams, but more importantly he seems to possess skills with technology, as seen with his video games, his toy robot, his toy helicopter, his mastery of Morse code, and his camera. He's also quite quick-witted, and so I think that he would make for a great engineer or maybe programmer.

Now, let's look at Karen.

On the one hand, one might think that she'll become a pianist since she was noted to be very skilled with the piano. However, I'd venture to guess that she wasn't actually all that fond of it, considering she ditched her practice in Chapter 12 after Reiko left the house. Plus, since she's great at pretending, it's very well possible that she didn't really enjoy the piano after all, and was only doing to satisfy Reiko. If that was the case, what does she want to do? That's a bit tough... She'd definitely be an excellent actress, that's for sure!

For a slightly similar reason, Eiji's is also a bit hard to guess.

If the twins never came to Origon Village, Eiji would have most likely become a psychiatrist just like his father, and this is stated explicitly in the story. However, him killing Reiko makes things a bit more complicated, as this definitely impacted his future and possibly what'd he'd want to do after his release from prison.

However, I personally think that despite everything that's happened to him, Eiji would continue his pursuit of becoming a doctor or psychiatrist. Yes, it might bring back painful memories, but after his release I believe he'll move forward and help others just as he would have for Reiko.

Finally, let's end with Dali.

We all know that Dali's great at math and science, given his grades in school, his plans that make use of physics (e.g. the "zero-weight" balancing of the twins and the "Throne of Death"), as well as the science set he received for Christmas. But "math and science" doesn't really narrow things down that much, so we'll need a bit more information if we want more specificity.

There are a couple clues, and I really must give credit to @secretaltissimocat for pointing me in this direction. Namely, it is quite conspicuous that the twins' room has an overall theme of stars and outer space. Their ceiling is covered in stars, their blanket is covered with stars, their bookshelf contains books about outer space (e.g. black holes), and there's even a cute mini model of the solar system hanging from the ceiling. Dali even says "I love the stars", which I'm inclined to believe may actually be the truth. Assuming it is, then this room in a sense is truly "Dali's room". Since Dali is also quite the heavy reader, it's very likely that he read every last one of those books and deepened his interests in space.

Furthermore, while I wasn't able to identify the book that Dali was reading in the timeskip (no, it's NOT algebraic geometry), I was able to guess that he was reading a book on geophysics, as the book cover could have depicted a model of wave propagation through ground. The book on top of the stack next to him could have depicted a seismic wave. Therefore, based on all of this information, I think we can say that Dali could be studying to become a physicist, astronomer, Earth scientist, or something related to those occupations. Hell, he could even become an astronaut in the future, which is why I drew that silly drawing in an earlier post. (Note: I'd like to create a somewhat more serious drawing of Dali in space one day :) )

Well, that's pretty much all that I had regarding everyone's future careers. If you have any other ideas, I'd be happy to hear them!

Bonus: My good friend on Twitter, Ronsu, pointed out the Great Hanshin Earthquake that occurred on January 17, 1995 in the southern part of Hyogo Prefecture of Japan, which is basically where Origon Village would have been in real life. It was quite disastrous as tens of thousands were either injured or killed, and hundreds of thousands of people were displaced. If it happened in the world of Migi & Dali, Dali would have been 17 at that time, and probably would not have yet finished his studies. I think he most likely would have rushed back to Origon Village, concerned about his family and friends that might have been hit by the quake, and his career might be put on hold for the time being.

Of course, I'd like to believe that this earthquake didn't happen in their world, since I want the twins to live their lives happily without any worries.