I don't get any sense that Ritsu is the main character in this chapter. There is a seeming attempt at misdirection with the part-time work idea, but the way the Iijima at the party behaves makes it very clear right away that he isn't Ritsu. To begin with, Ritsu doesn't have any friends and he's super-dependent on his youkai servants. Not only would he not have entered the Arimura house by himself, Blue Storm would have been drawn there the moment the oni started appearing. Rather, it seems that the reader is supposed to think he's "Kiyoshi", uncle Kai's supposed son who would have been around the same age as Ritsu (uncle Kai disappeared 26 years ago and was declared dead by Kagyuu 17 years ago) and that he's exactly like Ritsu but "better" as a properly-trained psychic. Throughout the whole story my impression is of following a better, parallel Ritsu. I actually thought Ritsu's job was going to be his usual temple gig and that he'd cross paths with "Kiyoshi" just in time to rescue him. Well, he did, just not in the context of his own job.Ugh, ever since reading the raws this became my favorite chapter, i just love love LOVE how masterfully written it is to lead you into thinking Ritsu is the main character in it. Also, Uncle Kai is a certified badass so I'm excited the arcs including him will be translated into english. Thanks so so so much for translating once again.
I don't get any sense that Ritsu is the main character in this chapter. There is a seeming attempt at misdirection with the part-time work idea, but the way the Iijima at the party behaves makes it very clear right away that he isn't Ritsu. To begin with, Ritsu doesn't have any friends and he's super-dependent on his youkai servants. Not only would he not have entered the Arimura house by himself, Blue Storm would have been drawn there the moment the oni started appearing. Rather, it seems that the reader is supposed to think he's "Kiyoshi", uncle Kai's supposed son who would have been around the same age as Ritsu (uncle Kai disappeared 26 years ago and was declared dead by Kagyuu 17 years ago) and that he's exactly like Ritsu but "better" as a properly-trained psychic. Throughout the whole story my impression is of following a better, parallel Ritsu. I actually thought Ritsu's job was going to be his usual temple gig and that he'd cross paths with "Kiyoshi" just in time to rescue him. Well, he did, just not in the context of his own job.
What I think is funny as heck is the implication made by Katsura (the mountain god) about the people in the house behind hers. She thinks "they" are way scarier and more trouble than the oni. Well, the house behind hers (past a dimension or two) is the Iijima house. Even actual gods are scared shitless of Kagyuu's old haunted house and its denizens.
Oh please please please spill some tea. I've been dying to know more about the story. It's still ongoing so how has it been progressing over the last 30 years? Do you anything about the latest chapters? Is time progressing normally? Or is ritsu forever stuck at a late teens early 20s guy. Is there a love line? Do the cousins get together together (I hope they dropped the idea). Please please share anything. I'm so sad this isn't an anime. It would be great.Ugh, ever since reading the raws this became my favorite chapter, i just love love LOVE how masterfully written it is to lead you into thinking Ritsu is the main character in it. Also, Uncle Kai is a certified badass so I'm excited the arcs including him will be translated into english. Thanks so so so much for translating once again.