Given that in almost every single episode of Shin Sekai Yori so far more and more questions have been raised, it is little wonder I’ve found episodes dedicated to exposition so satisfying. Indeed, the most satisfying part of this episode was finding out that their having completely forgotten about that girl from episode one (I can’t remember her name, and neither can MAL or Wikipedia, apparently) after her disappearance wasn’t just sloppiness on the part of the writer, the kids have had their memories tampered with. That also explains why Saki has only just remembered she used to have a sister. Nevertheless, that leads to more questions, such as: why bother tampering with the kids’ memories in the first place?
Given the knowledge that the Ethics Committee are not exactly averse to using unethical methods to control the villagers, wouldn’t it be advantageous to leave the children with their original memories, giving them a powerful incentive to work hard in school, or behave? I know I would certainly buck up my ideas and work harder to complete my university assignments on time were I to know the most heinous of procrastinators would be eliminated! But then that would run the risk of a revolt, something that, if the children are as all-powerful as I have supposed them to be, they’d wish to avoid. Also, the less informed an individual, the easier they are to control…
Another thing I’m left wondering over is the meaning behind Saki’s dream. One of my favourite things about writing about SSY is that, as Cantus is such a strange and mysterious ability, one that can be used to bring things from the realm of the imagination into reality, I can really let my own imagination run wild and come up with the most crazy of theories! To illustrate, the darkness, the gravestones, and the presence of Subaru (who we know is no longer among the living), made me feel as though this could be some kind of world of the dead, a grim alternate reality that Shun- who I’m not certain really died- could have fabricated and drawn Saki into to help her in her search for truth. Of course, it’s more likely Saki’s dream represents the graveyard of her memories, wherein lie the long-forgotten memories that dwell deep within her, which can only be re-discovered by delving into her unconscious mind whilst dreaming. I think the first theory is definitely more interesting, but then I would say that- I grew quite fond of Shun, towards the end, and part of me would really like to see him again.
I would also like to know how it is exactly the Ethics Committee are able to keep such close tabs on the children. Such a short time passed between the exploring the abandoned village, and discussing what might have happened to their missing friends, and representatives of the Committee showing up, I can’t help but suspect there is a spy in their midst. And if I had to point the finger of blame at anyone, it’d be Mamoru. He’s always been the character least adaptive to change, so it wouldn’t surprise me if, during his short absence, he reported his friends to the Ethics Committee in order to prevent them from further threatening the safe sanctity of his everyday life…
Wow, I think I’ve suspected mostly every character of committing some misdeed at some point in this show now! This is what regular exposure to the horror genre does to me!
Watashi Wa Bucho!! 