How would you rate episode 6 of
In all fairness, sometimes the manga has trouble drawing Geena Haas proportionally. Little kids are hard, and we can't all be Rumiko Takahashi or Hari Tokeino ( School Babysitters ). But the anime version of her looks particularly off this week, especially when they're trying to show her sitting down. This hasn't been the best-looking show on the block, but watching Geena flop back on the bed is definitely one of its least impressive moments.
So it's a good thing that this episode gives us a couple of very important pieces of plot, with the most major being the revelation that Noriko and Izark can communicate psychically. Izark previously heard Noriko's voice in his head while Gaya's home was being sacked, but he couldn't quite figure out what was going on. But while he's sitting in Nada's jail cell, waiting for his strength to come back, he has the time to really think about it and to figure out if their connection works both ways. The fact that it does indicates that Izark won't be getting rid of Noriko any time soon, because even if he does leave her with someone, he'll still be connected to her. That's not necessarily bad; while it does mean that Izark had best resign himself to being with her (something I don't think he'd actually mind), it also allows for them to separate for safety or work purposes and remain in contact in a world without phones. It's an extra bit of reassurance, if Izark is willing to admit to it; he keeps stopping just shy of acknowledging that he cares about Noriko and would really rather stay with her. Their psychic connection, were Noriko someone like Rachef, be dangerous, but she's not evil or filled with vicious ambitions. Whatever else they may be, Izark and Noriko are good for each other, making both feel less alone, and that's something they both need in their lives.
It also is definitely raising some questions for Gaya, although the only one she voices is to ask if Izark and Noriko are a couple. (I daresay Izark and Noriko would also like to know the answer to that question.) Gaya is clearly more than she appears herself; while we don't know who the “Gray Bird Tribe” are, Gaya evaded capture when her home was raided and has an older sister who's a seer like Geena Haas. She recognizes Noriko's psychic ability and the fact that it's linked to Izark. While she isn't giving much away at this point, it definitely feels like there's more going on with her than just being someone who was nice to Izark when he was younger. And given that the amount of bad guys far outweighs the good at this point, Noriko and Izark need that. Right now there's really just Gaya on their side, since Agol's loyalties are only to his daughter and Grand Duke Jeida is imprisoned. Rachef's coalition is much larger and considerably less sane; he may have all of his evil ducks in a row, but most of the people working for him are wrapped up in their own goals – Barago just wants to fight, Nada wants to watch men fight and die, and there's something that feels off about the seer as well. All of this makes Rachef more dangerous because he's capable of cold planning and his minions lack the morals to make them question what he asks of them – or to carry out his orders calmly.
At this point, Gaya's plan to escape to the country where her sister lives seems like the only good option available, whether or not Izark can escape captivity. Rienka isn't a safe place for Noriko or Izark, or for Geena for that matter. But the forest they need to traverse to leave may be haunted, if Noriko's vision has anything to do with the tree Geena sees in her own. Noriko may have come From Far Away , but she still has a long way to go.
From Far Away is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.