I was a bit unenthusiastic going into this episode, thinking that it might be some drawn-out flashback. While the flashbacks were long, I found the whole episode to be a fun trek through Natsuko’s inadvertent romcom maneater adolescence.

Each flashback had little surprises, while also emphasizing how Natsuko is 200% dedicated to her craft.

Fukushima’s (the animation studio’s president) perspective was also interesting. Drawing a parallel between Natsuko and the director of A Tale of Perishing (who, unlike the bird, is smiling in Fukushima’s recollection), and challenging Natsuko to surpass her current limitations.