EPISODE CONTEXT

Following the transitional 'Interlude' arc and its closing chapter 'Wandering Love,' Episode 28 marks the formal beginning of the 'GIFT' arc, representing a meaningful escalation in the series' overall stakes and tone. The groundwork laid in earlier arcs pays off here as new characters like Miharu Kagamori and the Glowing Dawn team reframe what the conflict in this world actually looks like. This episode functions as a hard reset on expectations, signaling that the back half of the series intends to challenge its characters — and its audience — far more seriously.