Ooh... that was a big episode.

First, the flashback served almost as a reboot,cwhich the series really needed IMO. And it did just what I said last week I thought the series needed - it brought some specifics of Natsuko's problems into focus, and established some context for addressing them in the world of A Tale of Perishing.

Second, the tale of her rise to stardom was great, and I especially liked the meta of using exaggerated art to convey it. It's a technique that Eizouken actually did better, but still...

And third, we now know who the hawk (or whatever bird of prey that's meant to be) represents - there was a very brief flash of that same hairdo during her flashback/dream.

::: spoiler spoiler
It's the director of A Tale of Perishing
:::

I was worried about this series for a bit there, but it looks like it's going to get interesting again...

I was a bit unenthusiastic going into this episode, thinking that it might be some drawn-out flashback. While the flashbacks were long, I found the whole episode to be a fun trek through Natsuko's inadvertent romcom maneater adolescence.

Each flashback had little surprises, while also emphasizing how Natsuko is 200% dedicated to her craft.

Fukushima's (the animation studio's president) perspective was also interesting. Drawing a parallel between Natsuko and the director of A Tale of Perishing (who, unlike the bird, is smiling in Fukushima's recollection), and challenging Natsuko to surpass her current limitations.