Ep 4. Because We're Friends

The episode named Because We're Friends is the fourth episode of season one of the anime series Nagi no Asukara.

The episode begins with the students of Mihama Middle School getting ready for their first day back to school after summer break. As they make their way to school, they notice that the sea is becoming rougher and the waves are getting higher. However, they brush it off and continue on their way.

Meanwhile, the Sea Village residents are getting ready for the annual Ofunehiki ceremony, a festival where they offer a sacred stone to the sea god in exchange for their protection. The ceremony is set to happen soon, and everyone is excited.

Back at school, Hikari and Kaname are surprised to see their old friend and fellow Sea Village resident, Itaru, attending their school. They are overjoyed to see him and catch up on old times. Itaru reveals that he is attending their school in order to help bridge the gap between the Sea and Land dwellers.

Later, as the storm intensifies, the Sea and Land dwellers become worried about the safety of the ceremony. The Sea Village residents fear that the offering won't be accepted by the sea god if the weather is too rough, while the Land dwellers fear for the safety of their friends in the Sea Village.

Hikari, Kaname, and Itaru decide to take matters into their own hands and build a makeshift pier in order to ensure the safety of the offering. They work tirelessly in the pouring rain, but their efforts are not in vain as they manage to complete the pier just in time for the ceremony.

The ceremony itself is a beautiful spectacle, with the Sea Village residents dressed in traditional clothing and singing hymns to the sea god. The offering is made, and miraculously, the storm subsides, indicating that the sea god has accepted their offering.

As the Sea and Land dwellers celebrate the success of the ceremony, Hikari, Kaname, and Itaru reflect on the importance of their friendship and how it has helped to bring their two communities closer together. They vow to continue working towards unity and understanding between the two worlds.

Overall, Because We're Friends is a heartwarming episode that emphasizes the importance of friendship and cooperation, even in the face of adversity. It also explores the complex relationship between the Sea and Land dwellers and highlights the efforts being made to bridge the gap between the two communities.