Interview Mtm

Interviewer:
―Next, regarding Mutsumi. In Episode 10, there’s a scene where she falls into the abyss and merges with Mortis. What exactly happened there?

Response:
That scene implies that *both* Mutsumi and Mortis—her two core personalities—disappeared. In Mutsumi’s internal world, only the figures on the “stage” are true “personalities.” The countless Mutsumis in the audience seats are merely “roles” she plays, not distinct identities.

Mortis was originally created to protect Mutsumi, but when Mortis developed her own sense of self, her fear of vanishing overpowered her purpose. She erased the host personality, Mutsumi. Yet, because Mortis exists *to protect Mutsumi*, she still longed for Mutsumi to remain. During Imprisoned XII, emotions like “loss of purpose,” “guilt over destroying Mutsumi,” and “yearning for Mutsumi” overwhelmed Mortis, leading her to follow Mutsumi into the abyss. By the end, even the nearly faded “Mutsumi” makes a final choice. After this, the one who begins playing the guitar is neither Mutsumi nor Mortis—nor a third personality. Instead, it’s a state where various “roles” cycle to adapt to situations.

Current Mutsumi differs slightly from her earlier state when Nyamu interacted with her. She lacks defined personalities, just interchangeable roles. Mortis, being childlike and unable to articulate herself, relied on mimicry. Now, these roles surface autonomously when needed, making her elusive. Nyamu immediately notices “That’s not Mortis” when Mutsumi plays the guitar, while Umiri only notes, “She said she’d just mimic the fingering… but she’s actually playing.”

Interviewer:
―Does this mean her ability to adapt to situations now allows her to play guitar?

Response:
Like ballet, the technical skill was already ingrained in her body. A “role” capable of playing guitar simply emerged. In the finale’s opening scene, after Uika says, “Seems like we’re up to no good,” Mutsumi laughs with an uncharacteristic “Heh?"—a deliberate performance at a moment when “Mutsumi wouldn’t laugh.”

Interviewer:
―After the finale’s live performance, why does the Mutsumi in the mirror smile?

Response:
It symbolizes Mortis lingering as a shadow among the many “roles.” More personally, it’s my parental urge to let Mortis take a bow as part of the band in Ave Mujica’s final curtain call. Since she can’t appear publicly as “Mortis,” I asked the team to include her in the mirror—a meta touch for attentive viewers. Apologies to those overanalyzing it!