Ok, first post here, let’s see how it goes.

So, first things first, Robin… I know he was a bad human being, that was evident from his introduction in ep 2 (3?), but still the rape came out of nowhere from my perspective.
Maybe is because my perspective is limited by Haruki pov, but I don’t understand what he was trying to accomplish there, especially with his remarks:
punishing Haruki? And why so?
Rage against Kiruko? He seemed scared to death when he first caught sight of her, as if he’d just seen a ghost… That was sus as fuck, now I start to believe Robin was involved in Kiruko’s death in the first place. I saw a still from the episode that framed Kiruko behind a cracked window, the cracks being right at her head height, as a bullet shot through to her head. Pretty creepy imagery. Then again, why and how? So many questions…

Haruki will be devastated after this, the scene where he cries and admits to himself how scared he was all this time highlights how despite all his cockyness he’s just a little boy in need of a family. I think he should be around Maru’s age, shouldn’t he?

Lol at him being unsure on what sex to declare on papers (it’s F Haruki, you’re a female boy), though I didn’t get what was about they were focusing on Maru’s paper.

Speaking of Maru, the twins in the factory were mixed up and now Sawatari (who got a deep wound on his forehead, this pretty much confirms he’s the older doctor who was hanging around with Kiruko) marked one of them with a circle, which in Japanese is called a maru. I guess now we know how Maru got his name. Also, aren’t circles used in Japanese to mark right answers? Why is a twin marked as “right”? Right for what, being transplanted the Director’s brain into?

The director! She’s fitter than me. That was funny, until her assistant was blown up to smithereens. What is this celestial thing they were referring to? Is it the meteorite of Kona’s pictures?
The attack didn’t seem coming from some natural disaster, it seemed more like an internal job, form all the security systems malfunctioning, to the small holes pocked in the walls so that the kids may escape. Why is the pool supposed to be the safest place? Dammit

Mimihime continues to get more and more badass every episode, and she finally saw the sky she loved so much in ep 8, the epitome of freedom, so huge and scary. How aren’t all of them scared shitless from the sight of it I don’t understand. I imagine is like for us suddenly finding ourselves in deep space.
The other two older children holding hands I think confirm the as another couple, and most probably the parents of the Hotel queen. That would mean they’re dead too, since she was an orphan. Damn, are they all dead? I hope Tokio is still alive…

Overall, it was another wonderful episode. The juxtaposition between the two groups’ long run delusions being smashed mercilessly like overripe tomatoes was very impactful.

People had been warning about the r*** scene, but it was awful anyway. At least it had no sound (for the most part) and was short.

Japan on how to portray someone as a bad guy: Rape Scene.

The SAO approach.

I have questions.

Was that a spur of the moment thing? Or was he planning/hoping for it all this time?

Ok what was that?!

The suspense, Building up the tension, the questions of what will happen. I can not believe my eyes.

the tomato shot was the same as in the first episode, but the tomato broke just like heaven.

Very good play on my emotions. I very much enjoyed it.

Do we know how long the series will last?

I guess I need to see the result of this plot point before making any permanent judgments, but…I can’t think of a single instance where an anime or manga used rape as a plot point and it actually made the story better. Almost 100% of the time it’s just shock value, adding edginess, or a writing crutch to make the viewer think “wow, this a really bad guy, huh?”

Sorry for the cynicism but…bit of a downer after this show being such a stand-out this season.