You can’t accuse OnK of being a no-frills production.

This was definitely a calmer episode than last week’s. Nobody got killed, even. But we’re still in the ramp-up to something big and bloody here, it seems likely. The production of “15-Year Lie” is gathering steam. And a risky one it is – as producer Kaburagi is only too willing to remind director Gotanda every chance he gets. There’s a little discourse here about the production committee process – again, it’s hard not to imagine Akasaka is talking about anime as much as how films are made. And ample reminders of how getting anything produced here is a series of compromises.

Akasaka is, as always, good at deconstructing how all this stuff works. It’s only when he starts excusing all the shit he portrays that he gets into trouble, but that’s for later. Kaburagi knows all the right people to get this thing moving despite its third-rail qualities, but he has very clear ideas about what has to happen to make it work. He wants a big star for the lead, and the one he originally had in mind is unavailable (obviously). His second choice is Shiranui Frill, who’s someone we’ve actually met before. But not since all the way back in Episode 4 – she’s a classmate of Ruby’s.

Kana and Aqua are back on cordial terms, if that term can ever be applied to him. Kana actually doesn’t realize he and Akane have split up until Aqua spills the beans. But he’s adamant to Mem-cho that he has no interest in wading back into romance. And given what he’s planning that makes perfect sense. Aqua gets a visit from Tsukoyomi – the freaky kid with the crows who’s presumably some sort of supernatural entity – while he’s visiting Ai’s grave. This still feels a little discordant, though I suppose given the premise of the plot it really shouldn’t.

The overall key moment of the episode comes when Gotanda runs into Ruby (out terrorizing cats while avoiding her brother) on his way to the agency. This sort of sets a lot of things in motion. Gotanda becomes obsessed with the idea of casting Ruby as Ai (Kaburagi continues to insist on Frill). He also realizes Ruby is unaware of the “video letter” DVDs Ai left behind for her and Aqua. And unless I’m seriously mistaken this is the first we’ve heard about those (I’d hope I’d remember something like that). Whatever she said in those letters it seems to have helped propel Aqua to embrace his current plan. And why does Aqua know about them and not Ruby?

As for Frill, she explains the sitch to Ruby – ie., a big name like her doesn’t have to audition for roles. But Frill declares that she doesn’t like feeling like she’s not being cast on merit, and suggests that she and Ruby have a “showdown” – a private audition, with the losing pulling out of contention for the Ai role. Akane is invited too – she’s the “B”, presumably, who’d normally get first refusal if Frill passed. I find this development pretty far-fetched if I’m honest – starting with Frill’s attitude. It feels like drama (both literally and otherwise) for its own sake. But it’s an excuse to keep Akane on the front burner story-wise, and for Ruby to show whether she has any chops as an actor.

Also, the tarantulas. Obviously.