Episode 7 of Tasokare Hotel delves deeper into the lives of its enigmatic staff, intertwining their pasts with the lost souls who wander through the hotel’s twilight halls. This week, the narrative focuses on Ruri, the longest-serving human employee, and a new guest whose arrival stirs up long-dormant emotions.
Ruri’s Reflections
This episode shines a spotlight on Ruri and her strained relationship with her mother. Viewers may recall hints of trouble with her parents from previous episodes, as Tasokare Hotel has showcased its ability to handle foreshadowing. Episode 7 clarifies that, among the human staff, Ruri has worked at the hotel the longest. In the real world, she exists in a vegetative state, a truck having crashed through her wall. Perhaps the most intriguing detail is Ruri’s claim that she is paid in “time” for her work at the hotel.
A Mother’s Guilt
A new guest arrives: a woman with brass knuckles. Initially, she appears uninterested in searching her room for clues about her identity. However, Neko learns that the woman is a single mother named Akari. Akari’s story becomes intertwined with Ruri’s as Ruri sees similarities between Akari and her own mother.
Akari isn’t necessarily a good person; she uses her love for her daughter to justify robbing the elderly. When she checks into the hotel, she immediately goes to the bar, delaying the search for her identity. However, she eventually realizes the impact of her actions. She breaks down and apologizes, understanding what she has lost. Although her daughter may be better off with her ex, Akari isn’t a bad mother. She ultimately confronts her conscience.
Complicated Truths
This is significant for Ruri, who recognizes that her own mother may also be a complicated person. While this doesn’t excuse her mother’s abandonment and the burden of debt she left for Ruri’s father, it suggests that the happy memories Ruri cherishes weren’t entirely false. This realization allows Ruri to open up more to Neko and Atori.
The Allure of the Twilight Hotel
Tasokare Hotel exists in a perpetual twilight, a limbo for souls who haven’t decided whether to move on to the afterlife or return to the world of the living. The protagonist, Neko Tsukahara, arrives at the hotel with no memory of her past. Guided by the hotel staff, she begins to piece together her identity.
The hotel serves as a haven for lost souls, those unsure if they are alive or dead. They regain their memories by finding clues within their guest rooms, revealing the circumstances of their accidents and whether they should wake up or move on. Despite regaining her memories, Neko can’t recall the events surrounding her arrival or determine if she is alive. Along with Atori, another long-term guest, she chooses to work at the hotel, assisting other guests while unraveling her own mysteries.
Echoes of Reality
Each episode ties a guest’s story to a member of the hotel staff, teasing out satisfying arcs for each character. Ruri’s room contains morbid details, a truck crashes through one of the walls.
A Murderous Mystery
Neko discovers that she and Atori share a complicated and terrifying bond. Justice in the hotel can have permanent consequences: killing someone in the hotel, regardless of their state, results in the killer going to hell. Initially, the staff learns to live with a malignant spirit, but Neko can’t ignore his crimes once she uncovers them.
Recurring Characters
- Neko Tsukahara: Voiced by Rika Momokawa, Neko is the protagonist who arrives at the Tasokare Hotel with amnesia. She decides to work at the hotel to uncover her past and help other guests.
- Haruto Atori: Voiced by Koudai Sakai, Atori is another long-term guest who works at the hotel.
- Masaki Oosoto: Voiced by Yuusuke Shirai, Masaki is another member of the hotel staff.
- Hotel Manager: Voiced by Kanehira Yamamoto, the manager oversees the operations of the Tasokare Hotel.
- Ruri: Voiced by Yuki Nagano, Ruri is the longest-serving human employee at the hotel.
Themes and Analysis
“Tasokare Hotel” explores themes of memory, identity, and the complexities of human relationships. The series delves into the pasts of its characters, revealing their regrets, hopes, and the circumstances that led them to the hotel. By intertwining the stories of the guests and the staff, the anime highlights the shared human experience of loss and the search for meaning.
The character of Ruri is particularly compelling. Her vegetative state in the real world and her extended stay at the hotel raise questions about her connection to the afterlife and her reasons for remaining in limbo. The episode’s focus on her relationship with her mother adds depth to her character, revealing her vulnerabilities and her capacity for forgiveness.
Akari’s story serves as a mirror to Ruri’s, prompting her to reconsider her own judgments and recognize the complexities of human nature. The episode suggests that even those who make questionable choices are capable of love and redemption.
A Show Worth Watching
Tasokare Hotel uses its unique setting and intriguing characters to explore profound themes. Episode 7 is a testament to the series’ strengths, delivering a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant story that will leave viewers eager to see what awaits the characters in the twilight realm.
