Please note the SPOILER warning, many key elements and developments of the anime, Kannaduki no Miko are revealed in the following paragraphs, do not continue reading if you do not want to know the various plot twists.

Kannaduki no Miko - Episode 2: Succession of the Sun and Moon

In the aftermath of that day of awakening, we see Souma in pain from his ordeal. After the upbeat opening song, Re-sublimity (no idea it means) by Kotoko (yes, same band who did the ending song, both songs will really grow on you) , we see Chikane kneeling next to a well (notice how this anime will blithely skip pass all the modern stuff, like cars and water piping and hark back to medieval times just to make a impact). She douses herself repeatedly with buckets of water drawn from the well in remorse for kissing Himeko without her permission, while Otoha waits undetected with a towel and watches helplessly.

Cut to a bedroom in Souma’s house and Himeko awakens to be greeted by a smiling Chikane. Chikane is not aware that Himeko was conscious during the kiss and Himeko thinks that it was only a dream (although she does not appear to think it was an unpleasant dream), so both act as if nothing happened.

Kazuki reveals to them that there is an ancient shrine on the moon that seals an evil power. However, the Lunar Shrine will eventually fall apart and the seal will break to release the Orochi, which can only be defeated by the Sword God, Kenshi Ameno Murakumo. The Sword God can only be revived by the Lunar and Solar Priestesses and the symbol on her chest marks Himeko as the present reincarnation of the Solar Priestess. We also learn that the Oagami family is descended from a long line of priests who work for the Lunar Shrine and whose duty is to guide the priestesses.

Chikane asks if Souma is also a priest and Kazuki tells them that Souma was adopted into the Oagami family and instead has actually just awakened as one of the eight acolytes of the Orochi. Acolytes of the Orochi are chosen for the darkness in their hearts that can turn to violent hostility against the world. The Orochi will infuse them with its power, which will increase their personal fighting ability, as well as give them the capability to call on mechs to wreck havoc on the earth and destroy it.

Himeko faints upon hearing that Souma is the enemy and after settling her back in the bedroom, Chikane continues the discussion with Kazuki. Chikane is concerned about Souma and the dilemma of them being on opposing sides but Kazuki says that Souma is suffering the most from his awakening as he is constantly fighting the primal force within him demanding the death of the priestesses, but he believes Souma will not allow the Orochi to manipulate him. Chikane is satisfied and defers to Kazuki’s judgement and he tells her there is more to reveal.

We cut to a dark place and we meet four more of the Orochi acolytes, Corona the cheerful pop idol, Reiko the noncommittal Mangaka, Nekoko the clueless kid nurse, and Tsubasa the quiet leader who seems to have a special interest in Souma.

Corona the pop idol

Reiko the mangaka

Nekoko the kid nurse

Tsubasa the leader

Himeko regains consciousness and quietly leaves the Oogami residence. She walks back to the dormitory and learns that Makoto was injured in the attack on the town and goes to the hospital. Makoto’s leg is in a cast and she tells Himeko that she was surprised by flowers sent from Chikane, until she realised that every patient got them.

This shows two things, that the Himemiya family is the foremost influence in this town and that Chikane has the presence of mind to make such a small but thoughtful gesture even in the midst of the town’s upheaval and her own inner turmoil. So Chikane is known to be conscientious , authoritative and compassionate, having mastery over her myriad duties, responsibilities and obligations. No wonder Himeko has such difficulty believing that the kindness and attentiveness shown to her means anything special to Chikane).

Even though she tries to hide it, Makoto is really upset about not being able to take part in the inter- high heats (she is on the track team and was the youngest representative to be chosen). She is unable to make small talk and finally asks Himeko to leave (we see a flashback of Makoto halting her escape when Himeko runs back to their room to get Chikane’s gift and was too distracted to dodge when the ceiling above her crumbles, so she might be subconsciously blaming Himeko for her untimely injury) . Makoto weeps bitterly once Himeko wordlessly exits.

Himeko walks despondently among the ruins of the town and thinks that all the damage and injuries suffered are her fault, because the Orochi wrecked rampant havoc in an attempt to kill her, the Solar Priestess. She ends up at a station and is determined to not endanger anyone else by travelling to some remote place alone, regretting not seeing Chikane before she leaves but knowing that her resolve will waver if she meets Chikane.

Chikane appears at the station and offers to go along, but Himeko protests that unlike herself, Chikane will be sorely missed if she went away. Chikane shows the crescent symbol on her back, marking her as the Lunar Priestess. She says that she has as much reason to leave and will never stop Himeko from doing anything she wants, but would Himeko really prefer to leave town all by herself?

Himeko cries on Chikane’s shoulder and talks about Makoto’s sunny disposition and how she is always looking out for Himeko, but now Makoto has gotten hurt and is dispirited because of her. Chikane firmly states that they cannot be blamed for being the reincarnations of priestesses and she will not forgive a destiny that causes Himeko to censure herself because of things beyond her control. So Chikane, who shares the same destiny, wants to fight alongside with her and protect her, because they are not done with this life yet, there are still many things they want to do.

Though not terribly original, this insightful speech sheds a light into Chikane’s psyche, she does not shirk her responsibilities but she would not perpetrate an injustice for the sake of duty either. We also see that Chikane has not given up on life, she does not plan to be a recluse just because people are trying to kill her, she feels that despite their destinies, they both deserve to accomplish and experience many things before they die. She fights for what she wants. Very mature thinking for a sixteen year old.

Girochi, a brawny Orochi acolyte, suddenly bursts into the station with the intention to kill them but ends up with a crush on Himeko for his trouble. Chikane tries to protect Himeko from being manhandled by him but gets swatted around like a fly (looks really painful).

Girochi

He grabs her by the hair and just as he is about to crush Chikane like a bug if she does not kneel and apologise (a tied up Himeko screams in horrified protest at his demand), Souma comes flying in on his motorcycle, complete with dramatic music playing in the background, and knocks Girochi off his feet. He asks Himeko not to leave town because he will definitely fight the Orochi and protect her and this world she is living in. Wow, an impressive entrance and even more impressive words.

Chikane looks devastated by this turn of events, and with good reason too, imagine promising to protect someone and not five minutes later being forced to eat your words and getting utterly trashed and humiliated in the process, this must be a great blow to someone as accomplished as Chikane, who excels in anything she puts her mind to. On top of that, a rival comes just in time to save her life and declares the exact same thing to Himeko that she did, but with the actual power to back his words. This is the second time Souma has protected Himeko when Chikane was powerless to do anything. Chikane has her first bitter taste of what it means to give an empty promise.

Girochi and Souma battle it out with their mechs (goodness, they come up with the dorkiest attack names), and Girochi gets rescued by the Orochi bird just before Souma destroys his mech and it goes up in another great beam of light. Back in the station, Himeko finally confesses her true feelings as she tells Chikane she wants to stay in this town, she wants to be with Chikane, with Souma, with everyone and Chikane tenderly wraps her arms around Himeko while the little blond cries her heart out.