Land of Tanabata: Season 1, Episode 7 - Marching Forward (2024)

The episode "Marching Forward" begins with Tokyo descending into chaos after Aki is kidnapped. Nanmaru, the protagonist with the supernatural ability to create small holes in anything, immediately sets out to rescue her. He is confronted with the overwhelming scale of the crisis as the city is in turmoil, with many people missing and widespread panic.

Nanmaru first investigates the location where Aki was last seen. He uses his unique power to create portals and small holes to navigate through obstacles and evade hostile forces. During this sequence, he encounters several confrontations with unknown assailants who are trying to prevent him from reaching Aki. Each fight is detailed with Nanmaru strategically using his ability to outmaneuver and incapacitate his opponents without lethal force.

As Nanmaru progresses, he experiences a disturbing hallucination or vision that blurs the line between reality and his inner fears. This moment reveals his internal struggle with the power he wields and the consequences it has on his psyche. The hallucination sequence is vivid and disorienting, showing symbolic imagery related to loss and responsibility.

Meanwhile, the city's chaos escalates with reports of 200 people missing. Authorities, led by Yoriyuki, claim they will put an end to the nightmares causing the disappearances, but their efforts seem insufficient. This backdrop heightens the urgency of Nanmaru's mission and the stakes involved.

Nanmaru finally locates the place where Aki is held captive. The environment is hostile and heavily guarded. He carefully plans his approach, using his powers to create entry points and distractions. The rescue attempt is tense and methodical, with Nanmaru neutralizing guards and navigating traps step by step. The episode details each move he makes, emphasizing his tactical thinking and emotional determination.

During the rescue, Nanmaru confronts a major antagonist who reveals critical information about the kidnappings and the larger threat facing Tokyo. This confrontation is intense, involving a physical and psychological battle where Nanmaru must push his powers to the limit. The antagonist challenges Nanmaru's beliefs and forces him to make a key decision about how to use his abilities moving forward.

After rescuing Aki, Nanmaru and Aki escape through a series of narrow passages created by Nanmaru's powers. The escape is fraught with danger as pursuers close in, but Nanmaru's quick thinking and control over his abilities allow them to evade capture. The episode ends with them reaching a temporary safe place, but the threat to Tokyo remains unresolved, setting up further conflict.

Throughout the episode, the emotional states of the characters are highlighted--Nanmaru's determination mixed with doubt, Aki's fear and relief, and the city's collective anxiety. The episode closes on a somber note with the aftermath of the chaos and the unresolved mystery of the missing people, emphasizing the ongoing struggle ahead.

The episode "Marching Forward," the seventh episode of Land of Tanabata Season 1, ends with Nanmaru confronting his own powers in a chaotic Tokyo as he attempts to rescue the kidnapped Aki. Despite the turmoil and the disappearance of many people, including 200 missing after the events, Yoriyuki asserts that the nightmares will end, while Nanmaru experiences a hallucinatory state near the conclusion.

Expanding on the ending scene by scene:

The episode opens with Tokyo in chaos following Aki's kidnapping. Nanmaru, the protagonist with unique abilities, is determined to rescue her. As he navigates the city, he faces not only external threats but also the challenge of controlling and understanding his own emerging powers. The tension escalates as Nanmaru confronts these powers, which seem to have a will of their own, complicating his mission.

During the rescue attempt, Nanmaru encounters various obstacles that test his resolve and force him to push his abilities to their limits. The city's disorder reflects the internal conflict he experiences, blurring the lines between reality and hallucination. This culminates in a moment where Nanmaru experiences a vivid hallucination, symbolizing his struggle with his identity and power.

Meanwhile, Yoriyuki, another key character, addresses the aftermath of the chaos. He reveals that 200 people are missing due to the events, highlighting the scale of the disaster. Despite this grim reality, Yoriyuki claims that the nightmares--the source of much of the turmoil--will come to an end, suggesting a turning point or resolution in the larger conflict.

The episode closes with Nanmaru still grappling with his powers and the consequences of the rescue attempt. The fate of Aki is left somewhat ambiguous, but the focus is on Nanmaru's internal journey and the broader impact on Tokyo. The ending leaves viewers with a sense of unresolved tension, emphasizing the ongoing challenges the characters face.

In terms of character fates at the end:

• Nanmaru remains deeply conflicted, having faced his own powers and the chaos they bring. His journey is far from over, as indicated by his hallucinatory experience and unresolved mission.

• Aki is kidnapped during the episode, and while the rescue attempt is central, her ultimate fate is not conclusively shown by the end.

• Yoriyuki survives and takes a leadership role in addressing the crisis aftermath, promising an end to the nightmares but acknowledging the heavy toll on the population.

This detailed narrative highlights the episode's focus on personal struggle, the consequences of power, and the broader societal impact of the crisis unfolding in Tokyo.

Nanmaru is driven by his deep connection to Aki and a sense of responsibility after she is kidnapped, compelling him to confront his own supernatural powers and the chaos engulfing Tokyo to save her.

Nanmaru's ability to create small holes in anything plays a critical role as he faces intense situations during the rescue of Aki, forcing him to push his powers to new limits amid the turmoil in Tokyo.

After Nanmaru is released from captivity, Takashi waits for him at home and asks him to communicate with Sachiko, indicating Takashi's involvement in the unfolding events and possibly influencing Nanmaru's decisions.

The chaos in Tokyo serves as the backdrop for Nanmaru's urgent mission to rescue Aki, heightening the stakes and reflecting the broader impact of the kidnapping on the city and its inhabitants.

Earlier in the season, Nanmaru and his classmates travel to Marukami Village searching for a professor, which sets off a chain of events including the eerie out-of-season Tanabata Festival, indirectly influencing the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and rescue efforts in episode 7.