First Toya=Battler was a very nice touch, but this one I actually saw coming. Well initially, I thought toya was ange, however, numerous things didn't fit. First, Toya was found on the road, initially I thought that might be because Ange actually jumped, and survived though with brain damage, however, that didn't make sense. No way she would survive a jump at that height, secondly, it would have been the guards who picked her up assuming she survived instead of Ikuko (Aurora). So, it had to be someone else, and as I kept playing Ep.8, there really were so many hints towards Battler being alive. Well not being alive, but at least surviving rokkenjimma. Also, when it was mentioned that toya had knowledge of mystery novels, I found that odd because that fit battler more than ange. And the fact that toya's words were never voiced too. If it was Ange, why not say let her speak. It's just like with yasu
- First there are the games themselves. I recall I once asked how these games could possibly be happening. Now, I'd say it's simply Toya reading the message bottles, and conversing with Beatrice (imagination), while trying to figure out the games. In a sense, it isn't much different that what Shannon/Gaap were doing earlier.
- Second, Battler never dies in any of the games. Although, in retrospect, we could probably say this was shannon simply never killing her beloved, but it was strange indeed. This point isn't really a strong indication of anything though
- Third was the fact that battler could even reach a truth about the game/Beatrice. I believe this was battler reading the bottled stories, and eventually solving the mystery. It goes without saying that if Battler was already dead in 1986, then it's impossible for him to reach the truth no matter what.
- Fourth (let's call this a mix of other things) but at certain points battler was at a forefront where it shouldn't have been possible. He and ange reached the noble city of books, the fact that there were two bells couldn't have been a coincidence. Also, why did Battler know of the single truth (referring to Eva's diary) and why was his game focused on preserving this (side objective I know but still). Battler is also one of those actively controlling their piece (even before GM). Also, there was too much emphasis on Ange believing someone survived. From a game perspective, there would be no need of placing so much emphasis if it was completely impossible.
Well the only thing that was off was why he never visited ange, initially my theory was that he survived but then died/was stranded later and never got home, however, there were indications that he at least survived. We saw Toya regain his memories, so that threw me off. However, I did manage to figure it out mostly. Also, I solved bern's game where Battler, Kyrie and Rudolf were culprits (albeit with the help of hints XD). Battler being Kyrie's actual son is something else I didn't see coming, although I completely forget about the time he choked when he tried to declare with red that he's asumu's son. But once Rudolf mentioned it, it made sense.
So Aurora is Ikuko, Dlanor, WIll, Cornelia, Gertrude apparently are real people too? But seems bern is a cat, Lamba is? a toy? and Erika might be real too. I know you said they operate at some higher level thing, but I don't believe that haha XD
Overall, I like the end. Both ends. However, what really is the truth? I mentioned earlier, but seems what Bern showed Ange bout her parents being the culprits was one of many truths ( I recall I said back then that Bern didn't finish the statement which was off). However, it does seem like that's actually the closest fit? Or maybe it's really something else? The mansion really did blow up...maybe Eva solved the riddle, got the gold, and then accidentally set of the bomb? However, we're told that Battler was told to take the underground passage...so if Battler was told, why not others? The Kyrie/Rudolf theory seems more plausible tbh. Also, since now we know Toya recovered his memories, does that mean that though he survived, he wasn't completely sure what happened? Else why would he get deceived by Beato in the games? If he knew the actual truth, then he could have won Beato's games easier (though maybe not figure out that shannon=kanon=beatrice). Something is off, what's the actual truth? You mentioned before but don't tell me the game never explicitly opens the cat box?
Also, in the final scene, did Battler and Shannon actually get away? Was that simply an illusion or shannon was actually with him but killed herself? Some events are a bit confusing tbh.
Anyway, I really liked the reunion between siblings. It was quite touching after all the tragedies and years that had passed. Plus a nice touch with Ange reviving the fukkin house and redecorating it as the Rokkenjimma hall. At the end, I suppose Battler is hallucinating again? Things really aren't very clear cur in the VN.
Anyway, tell me once you're done with the whole of EP7, that's when we can talk about most of this for real and I will link you to a specific bunch of chapters that go into a lot more detail than the Visual Novel, because the Visual Novel will remain somewhat vague on a number of things. You can pretty much figure out everything once you're done with EP7, though some stuff still remains difficult to fully understand. That's why those manga chapters help immensely and are 10/10 in my eyes
And yes they're canon, because the VN author gave his approval before those chaps were published.
. wow
