Two scenes within Another, which are presumably intended to highlight the same event, have a stark inconsistency which indicates they’re not the same scene – this ultimately rewrites the entire background plot.
Within the opening minutes of Another’s first episode, the series showcased various sights to some narration – one of the more striking visuals noticed was a fellow grinning in a manner quite sinister under a rainy night. Now while watching through Another to the end, learning of Misaki’s story that she witnessed an individual stabbing Mikami-sensei to death, one would have simply naturally came to assume that the snidely smirking fellow must have been the same who was witnessed within the first episode’s few minutes.
Yet while it is possible, and certain, those both are the same character, it is in fact impossible for that to have been the same instance of him spotted – a paradox plainly not achievable, and this is for a reason quite simple. Within Another’s first episode, notice that it is as aforementioned, a dark night of much rain – however, Misaki saw the crime take place during what is either sunset or sunrise, and not only that, the body was found at that time as well.
This means that the first episode’s segment, as well as that of the final episode, are showing two different sightings of the same fellow.
Now armed with that knowledge, what exactly is this lunatic doing wandering about in the night? This brings up a point of infinite speculation and no answer – could this individual be responsible for more murders? And if so, one has to wonder why? What is his purpose – and how does it relate to the curse? Consider a few things, Mikami’s death made her the extra component of class three only shortly thereafter – yet why would anyone murder her to begin with? And why is this fellow emphasized so, yet not developed story-wise in the least?
For that matter, who exactly is this guy? Perhaps this murderer is the Misaki who suffered the controversial death 26 years ago and he is acting in revenge? Do recall that it was mentioned at one point in the series that his family was also victim – yet never was it said how exactly he died. Maybe he never was killed to begin with, or what if it is his spirit behind this all?
In any case, there is clearly some foul play involved in Another’s “curse” of class three – yet unfortunately, it is one massive chasm in the story which the series doesn’t touch upon beyond a few seconds of obscure scenes.
Mar 29, 2012 @ 22:44 CDT
Keep grinning you bastard, keep grinning.
Ultimately, it was because he received no significant story focus that he managed to get away with it.
Mar 30, 2012 @ 0:54 CDT
nice catch, i didn’t notice that until now that you are telling me
Mar 30, 2012 @ 4:27 CDT
I was looking through some pictures of the series, then I came across the one at night and I realized, it doesn’t match up.
Mar 30, 2012 @ 1:58 CDT
Wow, hadn’t noticed that either… Too bad we can only speculate about his identity and role in the curse (if any). I’d love some official development on that.
Mar 30, 2012 @ 4:29 CDT
I absolutely hate that they did not give this any official light, as to me, it feels as if this is truly the center of the curse, yet they just jumped right over it.
Mar 31, 2012 @ 0:59 CDT
Yeah, that’s exactly the feeling I got after reading this post…
May 28, 2012 @ 22:37 CDT
i would have liked to have an ova where it explains how the curse began, why, and how was it even made possible, and how it srated to spread into other generations. And most of the characters at the end started to have these grins, also most of the psyco people in the story. It would have been really interesting to have an ova like that
Mar 30, 2012 @ 13:41 CDT
Goddammit! That’s a plot hole we would have liked the media had filled!
They just placed that Sakakibara evil clone and didn’t even elaborate in the matter, one without background, appointing to a character who murders one that is important to the storyline, but no sense why. That’s such a plot cockblock!
Apr 3, 2012 @ 20:13 CDT
Well, I think this just gives plot for another series, maybe we’ll have an “Another 2″ focusing on the actual mistery and this evil Sakakibara clone.
Apr 3, 2012 @ 20:18 CDT
That wouldn’t be too far fetched – a second season rumor has been floating around.
Apr 3, 2012 @ 21:02 CDT
…Honestly, I don’t know. I’d be the first to want to see this grinning bastard get what’s coming to him, but I can’t help but be tempted to believe that no one’s capable of stopping him, at least no one we’ve met so far.
Mei and Sakakibara-kun? I feel like he’d mop the floor with the both of them without much effort.
Apr 3, 2012 @ 21:06 CDT
“Mei and Sakakibara-kun? I feel like he’d mop the floor with the both of them without much effort.”
I concur with that – however I think there is one person capable, Chibiki-sensei. He comes off as a Solid Snake-type character to me.
Jun 24, 2012 @ 14:13 CDT
I believe this is what you call a cliff hanger. It leaves room to develop a second plot, or to just leave it as is. It depends on if people want to see a sequel and if that is so, they most likely will.
Jun 24, 2012 @ 14:46 CDT
A properly executed cliffhanger isn’t a randomly tossed in detail that ruptures the quality of the regular story.
Jul 12, 2012 @ 8:33 CDT
I have a feeling that the grinning guy is Sakakibara… I’m not sure why but he was in Yomiyama at around the same time of Mikami’s murder (One and a half years ago) And he now struggles to remember anything from that time period. There must be a link here somewhere… ALSO when Sakakibara is hit by the tin can thrown by Izumi he is walking along a river bank… Similar to where Mikami’s death took place.
Jul 12, 2012 @ 20:12 CDT
That’s not so far-fetched.
Dec 14, 2012 @ 10:13 CDT
If you look at episode seven Kubodera-Sensei commit suicide it is also infered later on that he murdered his mother, that mean it is likely that he was the one who murdered Mikami sensie also known as Rieko base on there appearance and murder weapon despite the tie being the only difference.
Dec 14, 2012 @ 11:02 CDT
What did his mother have to do with anything? was there a connection between reiko and his mother? because i remember none.