Summary
Episode 4 gives the group brief hope but you can always tell that there is something lurking around the corner in another brilliant chapter in this consistent, tragic anime series.
This recap of Netflix anime series Japan Sinks: 2020 season 1, episode 4, “An Open Door” contains significant spoilers.
Access all the episode recaps.
How does Japan Sinks: 2020 season 1, episode 4, “An Open Door” open?
Mari heads over to her son Go. He’s okay as his handheld games console gets in the way of the arrow breaching his skin. The old man (the owner of the store) apologizes for his violence. He tells the group they can hide in his store if they like. Outside, there’s a storm and plenty of rain.
Japan is sinking
Kite makes the group aware that the rain might be dangerous as he saw smoke from the nuclear power plant earlier. He then delivers more bad news; they need to make a move as Japan is sinking. Go asks the elderly man if they can use his truck. Suddenly, another earthquake hits so they all get into the truck and drive off. The elderly man suggests they go to Shan City.
Deporting
On the radio, the country is preparing ships to help people depart the country and go abroad. While they continue to drive through the country, the group picks up a foreign man named Daniel. As night starts to fall, fireworks can be seen in the distance from Shan city. When they reach the city, Kite notices that the land isn’t tilted.
Welcome to Shan city
The city is in complete darkness and they are greeted by people who show them where the showers are. The group is served food as well. It seems like a friendly place and a good community. Haruo Koga states that the food reminds him of his mother’s curry — flashbacks show his mother getting crushed in front of him. The food is laced with marijuana.
How does Japan Sinks: 2020 season 1, episode 4, “An Open Door” end?
The group is then showed where they sleep. Shan City has its own ecosystem for energy and water. The whole situation is too good to be true. Kite gives the elderly man morphine as he could tell he was having withdrawal symptoms. The elderly man says he had another reason for going to Shan City. The audience is then treated to a ritual by a naked woman who is doing yoga poses. Someone tells her it is time to meet the dead. Episode 4 gives the group brief hope but you can always tell that there is something lurking around the corner in another brilliant chapter in this consistent, tragic anime series.
