Mawaru Penguindrum Season 1 Episode 5 This is What Drives Me

This is What Drives Me is the fifth episode of Mawaru Penguindrum, a surreal anime that explores themes of fate, family, and identity. The episode begins with the Takakura siblings, Kanba, Shouma, and Himari, attending a wedding ceremony at a grand hotel. As they watch the bride and groom exchange vows, the brothers reminisce about their own parents' wedding, which took place in the same spot many years ago. Despite the happy occasion, there is a sense of unease as a group of men in suits keep a watchful eye on the guests.

After the ceremony, the siblings split up to explore the hotel. Himari wanders into a room filled with aquariums, where she meets a mysterious man named Sanetoshi. He claims to be a friend of her deceased parents and offers her a cryptic message about "the fruit of fate" before disappearing. Kanba, meanwhile, sneaks into a restricted area of the hotel and discovers a secret room filled with strange devices and files. He is caught by the men in suits and narrowly escapes with Shouma's help.

As the night wears on, the siblings attend a lavish banquet hosted by the bride's wealthy family. However, the festivities are interrupted by a sudden power outage, causing chaos to erupt. Amidst the confusion, Kanba and Shouma work together to retrieve a mysterious briefcase that is being guarded by the men in suits. They succeed in obtaining the case, but are pursued by their enemies as they try to make their escape.

Throughout the episode, there are several cutaway scenes that provide glimpses into the backstories of the various characters. We see the bride, Yuri, struggling to break free of her parent's expectations and forge her own path in life. We also learn more about Sanetoshi, who seems to have a connection with both the Takakura siblings and the enigmatic organization that has been hunting them down.

Overall, This is What Drives Me is a tense and suspenseful episode that furthers the overarching plot of Mawaru Penguindrum. It provides a deeper understanding of the characters and their motivations, while also introducing new mysteries and plot threads. The episode is notable for its skillful use of visual metaphors and surreal imagery, which create a dreamlike atmosphere that underscores the show's themes of destiny and identity.