English Dub Review: Shikizakura: “Escape/Stop”

Overview: Kakeru (Bryson Baugus) and Oka (Melissa Molano) spend the day together, enjoying what could be the shrine maiden’s last day. 

Our Take: After doing what Kakeru can to defend Oka on his own with Ibara cracked being out of commission, we are given the chance to understand more about how the Oni came to become more civilized. At least not when he is homicidal and yelling frantically about ripping creatures to shred. It was his experiences with Chisato, Oka’s mother and previous shrine maiden, and Lord Enju, Chisato’s father, that informed how to be more caring and respectful of life. It is nothing more than a few scenes but they are effective in showing how there is more meaning in one’s existence beyond the inevitable end in death. 

With Oka making the decision to perform the shrine ritual, it comes at the cost of her own life. Throughout her day spent with Kakeru, Oka’s reactions in getting to live her missed dreams are adorable, made apparent by how simple the pleasantries are, such as looking at the view atop a TV tower, seeing the ocean or staying at a guest house with room service. Oka is shown how selfless and kind she truly is in giving up her life despite the clear amount of hopes and aspirations she still has. It makes Kakeru’s newfound dream of saving Oka’s life, due to honoring how her mother saved his and how much he cares for her, more of an emotional tear jerker than I expected for both me and Oka alike, leaving off in a great place as the shrine ritual and possible despair inch ever closer.