I think this is the best standalone episode of the season. A lot of the others, which more often veer into two short micro-episodes, can be evocative but don't really leave you thinking about the premise afterward. This one becomes more fully post-apocalyptic, which to me makes the episode feel more suggestive. Even if it's pretty surreal, is this episode doing something to explore cultural attitudes toward suicide? I'm not sure it's making any sort of coherent argument, but I find myself haunted by the imagery in this episode far more than anything else from the season.
I only had limited familiarity with Ito's work before this, and to me this episode highlights the overwhelming dread mixed with surrealism that is the best of his work.
I only had limited familiarity with Ito's work before this, and to me this episode highlights the overwhelming dread mixed with surrealism that is the best of his work.