This review contains spoilers.
It is tough to look this special in the eyes, as either a fan of the series or someone who thought ill of it. Why is that? The answer is plain and simple. The second you glance at "My Priority", or MP for short, you will be lost in the emptiness of its gaze.
After three months of eager anticipation, this episode finally appeared on our screens. As the show suffered severely on account of its production issues, many desired to see some sort of continuation that would shed light on the staggering amount of unanswered questions. The idea of a possible conclusion, an explanation or a mere expansion of the established world seemed very alluring at first. Yet, what we received instead is nothing more than a confusing and insulting entity whose purpose is unclear, and its attempts at bringing the entire series to a conclusion are nothing short of flimsy.
Notwithstanding the fact that its run time is only 46 minutes long, MP dedicates over 26 of those minutes to the opening, the ending and the ghastly recap that exists solely to pad out space. Comprehending what transpired here is nigh impossible. The 8th episode was already a recap, yet here we are, three months later, seeing yet another one. Naturally, the production troubles had something to do with it, it is pretty obvious, yet I still could not believe my eyes. The recap takes up more space than new content. I wanted somebody to pinch me because I must have been dreaming. No, that was the reality. The grim, depressing reality. After witnessing it, I was prepared for the worst. To no one's surprise, that is what the remaining 20 minutes had in store for us.
The production values are a shadow of their former self. Lifeless and static... that is what they became. There are some decent shots here and there, but the overall decrease in quality is a saddening sight. The one thing WEP had going for it was now absent...

The actual episode starts with Neiru hopping onto a bus and driving away. Why? I do not know. The next day, Ai sees Koito at school. Why is no one surprised that a person who committed suicide is once again roaming the school corridors? I do not know. She is from a parallel world, right? Yeah. Does that mean in the said world Koito just magically disappeared? Who knows, I do not. Does every person taken from a parallel world feel obligated to act as mean as they can? It seems like it!
"She caused a problem with a male teacher at her last school. He committed suicide after that, although I was told he had a family. She shouted that I had raped her and anything else she could think of."
This is merely revolting. Is that who Koito is? A character we barely know turns out to be an inhumane individual who drives people to an early grave, and we are supposed to care about her? Was it ever foreshadowed? Hell no. Does it make sense? No. Does it come off as something painfully hamfisted, awkward and damaging to the narrative? Yes. Was it conceived on the spot as a way of salvaging the underdeveloped and underexplored character and her suicide? Yes. Does it exist solely to shock the viewer? Yes, and I do not comprehend it. It is, by far, the laziest way of crawling out of the pit the show threw itself into. There is no forethought here. Just... why? What purpose does her character serve? Why should I care? What should I feel? Confusion? Anger? Nothing? Just... why?!
That is not the only questionable reveal we get to experience in MP. Apparently, Neiru was never real. She is an AI created in the image of her younger sister. Yet again, was it foreshadowed? No. Does it add anything to the character? No. Does it exist merely as a shocking reveal that is supposed to "wow" the viewer? Yes. Does it overcomplicate the already confusing state of affairs? Yes, I think it is obvious. I am at a loss for words at this point.
Amidst all of this confusing, eyebrow-raising chaos that is MP, there is one scene that I kind of appreciate; Ai being comforted by her mother as she lays on her lap with tears in her eyes. Why is this significant? Because it goes against the notion of not trusting adults. It shows that the grown-ups in your life can be supportive and allow you to stand tall.
However, it is too late, the damage has been done and the show is still an unempathetic mess. For instance, earlier on, MP implies that these suicide victims should be grateful for being resurrected, which is... ignorant and narrow-minded to say the least...
I... I do not know. This episode feels like an enormous, vile spit in the fans' faces. It explains nothing. It adds nothing of value to the conversation. It shoves never-foreshadowed and empty reveals down your throat, and yet, it expects you to care. Is there any reason to care? No, and it was like that from the get-go. To top it all off, it has the audacity to hint at a sequel. Please, stop. Just... stop.
68.5 out of 74 users liked this review