English Dub Review: Onmyo Kaiten Re:Birth Verse “Come On Down, Once-in-a-Millennium Me! The Yasha Mask That Guides Takeru”

Overview (Spoilers Below):
After the trauma of losing a Centennial Pandemonium fight, Takeru becomes afraid to enter the black mist.

Our Take:
While the time loop mechanic has its perks in reviving oneself, it certainly isn’t without having to repeat the process of earning people’s trust again.  This was the case when Takeru was murdered during his first Centennial Pandemonium battle, only to be brought back to his first encounter with Tsukimiya…again.  Thankfully for him, Tsukimiya was much more friendly to him compared to the other “first encounters”, notably due to her recognizing Takeru’s sorrow.  However, the real issue that arises is that Takeru’s first loss at the Centennial Pandemonium resulted in him getting PTSD, leaving him unable to enter the black mist.
This resulted in him getting some unexpected help from Tsukimiya and her Yasha mask.  Regarding the Yasha mask, Tsukimiya uses it to “become a different person,” meaning she’s been wearing it to calm her nerves while practicing her dance routines.  From a narrative perspective, it’s supposed to symbolize a character learning to control their fears rather than letting them control them.  Given the baboon oni’s ability to freeze its victims in fear, it makes sense for this symbolism to resonate with its message.  While the episode may not have showcased it sentimentally, it’s still a satisfying representation that puts Takeru and Tsukimiya closer than ever.  It also helps that the time loop element was refreshing enough to warrant the world’s changing future as well as some raising questions about this peculiar circumstance.