Ep 9. After the Festival

After the Festival is the ninth episode of season one of the Japanese anime series, Plastic Memories. The show is set in a world where humans coexist with highly advanced androids, known as Giftia, capable of mimicking human emotions and memories. The story follows the members of the Terminal Service team, who have the heart-wrenching task of retrieving Giftia whose lifespan has ended.

The episode After the Festival begins with the members of the Terminal Service team, including Tsukasa Mizugaki, Isla, and Michiru Kinushima, getting ready to attend a festival in the city. Tsukasa is excited about the festival, but he notices that Isla seems a little off. He asks her what is wrong, but she brushes it off, saying it is nothing.

As they reach the festival, they see a display of fireworks that fills the sky with beautiful colors. Tsukasa is awestruck, but Isla seems to be lost in thought. As the night progresses, they enjoy street performances, games, and food stalls. Isla looks around at the festival but seems preoccupied.

Meanwhile, a rumor about the appearance of an AI beauty contest begins to spread, causing many people to flock to the area where it is set to take place. Tsukasa and Isla decide to check it out, and they find that the contest is being hosted by the creator of the Giftia's mind design. The contest features a lineup of Giftia prototypes who are given the task of acting in a movie, and members of the audience are asked to rate their performance.

As the night progresses, the team receives a call about a missing Giftia. Tsukasa, Isla, and Michiru are tasked with finding the Giftia, which belongs to a little girl, Eru Miru. Eru is distraught over losing her Giftia, and the team decides to team up with her to find the missing android.

As they search the city and follow a lead, Isla's behavior becomes more erratic. She seems to be distracted and lost in thought, causing Tsukasa to worry about her. He confronts her, asking her to talk about what is bothering her. Isla reveals that she has been thinking about her relationship with Tsukasa and how it will inevitably come to an end, given the nature of their work.

Tsukasa reassures her and tells her that he cherishes the time they have together. Isla seems reassured, and they continue their search for the missing Giftia. They finally find the android and, after a tearful goodbye, they retrieve it, bringing it back to the company.

After the mission, the team returns to the festival, where they meet up with the creator of the Giftia's mind design. He congratulates them on their success and presents them with a prototype Giftia, which he believes has a longer lifespan than current models. The team is overjoyed at the prospect of being able to spend more time with their android companions.

After the Festival is a touching episode that delves into the complex emotions and relationships between humans and their android companions. The episode showcases the struggles of the Terminal Service team and the importance of cherishing the time that they have with their Giftia. It also explores the fears of a relationship that is ultimately doomed to end and the impact that it has on Isla. Overall, the episode is a moving testament to the power of human emotions and the importance of relationships, even in a world dominated by technology.