“takt op. Destiny” episode 6 is surprisingly a calm and heartfelt episode. I know everybody is hyped up to receive less filler-ish episodes but this episode proves that the anime is more than just its quick-frame rates. It’s been a running gag that Takt has no other talents than piano and the plot finally addresses it. Takt’s identity is centered around his passion for music and that itself is something that matters a lot in a hurt world such as this.
The episode begins with the trio as they arrive at the city of New Orleans — the capital of jazz music. Instead of finding pubs and musicians, they discover that the city is a ghost town! Most of the residents are oldies so Anna and Cossette spend the trip helping a few. Meanwhile, Takt discovers an underground pub with music records and a grand piano. The bartender is also passionate about Maestro Asahina’s impact on music. The people haven’t forgotten his concerts and quote that “Music displays people’s thoughts and it creates history. That’s life.”
When Louis Armstrong plays, the episode’s mood becomes an emotional and nostalgic one. I’m just glad that the D2s never came to New Orleans. In the end, Takt performed a beautiful concert. The show’s plot might have gotten slower, but I believe that this episode was something we didn’t want but actually needed. It was a perfect moment to slow down and appreciate music — whether jazz or classical or whatever.
Additionally, there were a lot of subtle details that made me realize more about our protagonist. When Takt was playing the piano, he was genuinely passionate about it. He even smiled! He may be a piano nerd, but his heart is there for the music. He’s even become more relaxed and confident about it too. It also so moving when Destiny appreciates this. It sort of brings us back to when Cosette expressed her love for Takt’s music.
If you think about it, this brings the same thought to when the mother mistook Anna for her own daughter. Losing someone is beyond painful, especially if its happening right in front of you. Just like the husband, Takt can also feel the remnants of Cosette’s presence with him. That moment in the concert was a truly a bittersweet moment.
Will Destiny maybe develop to become like Cosette soon? Or is this just wishful thinking…? Destiny’s reaction and character growth this week was undeniably cute. Now that she knows how to joke around with her robotic self, I definitely look forward to more of their shenanigans soon. When will the story converge with the first episode? Additionally, there’s the ominous appearance of Sagan and a new Musicart…
All in all, I appreciate this wholesome and heartfelt episode. I realized that happy nostalgia is a wonderful thing. Music is something we can all bond and feel open with. In some way, I feel closer to Takt, Destiny, and Anna. Whether it’s joy or sadness, it is there to comfort us. In this anime, it is explained as a weapon against the monsters, but for this episode particularly, it was just about the people and their plain old, pleasant music.
The original character designer, LAM, posted a special illustration of Takt as a celebration for this week’s episode. Check it out on Twitter:
Episode 7 of “takt op. Destiny” will air on November 16, at 24:00 JST, while the subtitled version will stream an hour later on Crunchyroll and VRV. You can also watch it on Ani-one, and Amazon in select regions. What did you think of this episode? If you like it, don’t forget to vote for it in our weekly poll!
Set in New York City, in the year 2047. The world was destroyed in a war with a mysterious monster D2, which was created out of Black Night Meteorite that fell from the sky. Magical girls, “Musicarts” fight against the monster, while being led by the “Conductor”. Their goal is to bring music back to the destroyed world.
-via ACN Edit
Images via Ani-one Asia
©DeNA／タクトオーパスフィルハーモニック