Angel Beats 11

More than anything else to me, this was a Yurippe episode. In fact, I won’t be at all surprised if, underneath all of that ridiculous, shadow blighted plot twists we’re seeing now near the end, we are really secretly setting off on the final arc. Yurippe’s arc.

Thinking back on Yurippe’s life story, we are positioned to look upon Yurippe as an angry rebel seeking answers, seeking God that she may demand an explanation for the injustice visited upon her siblings. However at several critical moments it was hinted that Yurippe does not only have matters to settle with an external God, but also with her internal self. She was unable to protect her siblings, even though she was confident of herself as a good sister. She tried desperately hard, but to no avail. She probably didn’t think that she had already done the best possible job and that only God was to blame for what happened – she probably also resented her own inability to do what she thought needed to be done.

Along these lines it’s perhaps not inconceivable to think that Yurippe’s leadership of the SSS is in truth a part of her own subconscious journey towards finding peace. The SSS isn’t exactly a democracy or a republic, Yuri’s leadership over it is near-absolute. Her decision making is literally the pulse of the entire group’s activities. And if the amazing quality of her leadership hasn’t yet been estabilished by previous episodes, it certainly was in episode 11. Calm and cool rationale in the face of an unknown and terrifying threat, not only knowing about but swiftly acknowledging the potential viability of Otonashi’s efforts, and a calculated, personally executed attempt to get to the bottom of everything. And above all that, giving her subordinates a choice when that choice mattered. If everything she has done up to this point is Yurippe’s way of doing what she couldn’t do in life – to be relied on to actually make things happen, to protect what needs to be protected with her own muscles and wits – and succeed – it will I think go a good way towards explaining her character and the unselfish perfection of her leadership.

“Me? I’ve always only been doing my own thing” says she. I won’t be surprised if, should everyone in the SSS find their individual peace at the end, Yurippe disappears alongside the last soul.

Incidentally this would also fundamentally dissociate her from any kind of real Haruhi-resemblance, which raises her likability immensely in my eyes. Kanade-chan may be the dark magical girl turned good (and an extremly adorable one to boot), but if cards are played right, Yurippe may end up the more interesting (and my favourite) character.

And yes, Kanade-chan is Tenshi no more. Yurippe called her by name this episode.