STEINS;GATE: Episode 22 FULL LENGTH Reaction!
Added 2026-01-03 14:00:07 +0000 UTC*SMOOCHABLE HEADPHONE WARNINGS*
For two mad scientists, this episode was all about emotion and heart over the mind, as Kurisu and Okarin have to make a decision...and it's one that will cause both parties extreme pain. For having three episodes left, this definitely felt like the climax of the season...so...what now, show?
LINK TO REACTION: https://share.vidyard.com/watch/W5ppCfcsu4XW9DLTV6Jcqd
Thank you for watching with me and for all the support!
Comments
Man, probably foreshadowing with the Dr. Pepper, then! This is SUCH a good episode! I feel the parallel moment with Mayuri and then Kurisu, indeed! The fact that we ACTUALLY got physical intimacy and KISSES is wild! I’m so glad but at the same time, so heartbroken! And yesssss, that blue tint is just like the sand in the hourglass - I agree, it’s the prettiest she’s looked in this series. I just love the build up with the kiss! Okarin finally was able to be smooth!! I was on cloud 9 as well! And OOOHHHHH, no, that makes total sense about Moeka - I barely even considered it an actual “kiss” but that checks out! I agree, I’m glad that Okarin told her he loves her! I agree about the multiverse theory with string theory - thinking of *Big Bang Theory’s* show for this hahaha! And yes, the build up of the romance! Hahaha I’m glad it all worked out! Okay, so I asked the mods – and in the files that Ambersandra sent me, it’s labeled Episodes 1-25, but yes, Episodes 1-24 and then the OVA. And thank you for the notes on Braun’s name in Episode 1 - that feels like a LIFETIME ago! Thank you for the comment and kind words - I haven’t been able to watch Episode 23 yet, but I’m excited!
Romaniablack
2026-01-07 20:06:41 +0000 UTCSo was my heartbreak of this goodbye foreshadowed in the fact that I couldnt find any Dr.Pepper leading up to watching this episode? Probably. This episode is one of my favorites in the whole show. If I had to be honest the whole redoing the dmails arc is my least favorite section of the story even though it has weight overall but from episode 21 and onwards as the climax unfolds especially this episode are personal favorites. Last week was Okabe and Mayuri and this week just Okarin and Kurisu for most of the episode and the despair the angst the longing those KISSES. It's heartbreaking and at the same time everything that I could have asked for. I think one of the most heartbreaking moments for me is that moment where she's crying on the stairs - her hair is in the same tint of blue as it is in the ending theme and of course similarly the hourglass forms around her. It's a moment that's hard to describe- Kurisu reflects on her distant memories of watching Okarin try time and time again to save Mayuri. Because of her conflict with her father and the isolation of being a genius, she never felt loved by anyone except for Okarin and these friends she's made. Whille she admires and loves Okarin because of his love and loyalty towards his friends especially Mayuri she feels saddened that she has never felt like someone cared for her as deeply as Okarin does towards Mayuri. Im glad that Okarin made it clear that he loves her and that he considers her important to him. Im no scientist but if I recall correctly we've been following the string theory for the entire series but in this episode Kurisu when she mentions the idea of her existing in many world lines simultaneously was referring to a theory called the multiverse theory or many worlds interpretation. I could be wrong about that. The buildup to the kiss had the most romantic and the most 2010s feel to it with the music and both Okarin and Kurisu's monologue and my boy Okarin smoothest operator with that line I need to make sure I'll take extra care next time. I was on cloud nine for that moment. I find that most people dont make this connection and to be fair it's not the first thing that you'd want to come to mind but Im pretty sure that Okarin's unromantic first kiss is the one between him and Moeka. Now that Ive brought that up I remember in the discussion of that episode you said well Feyris hugged his back Rukako went on a date with him he kissed Moeka so what are we building up to him and Kurisu making out. I had to sit on my hands that episode so I wouldnt spoil that yes indeed we were. It didnt even click to me that the shot after he moves to the Beta World line it's the same shot as when Okarin introduced the lab members in episode 1 that hits me hard. I said last week that we had three episodes left and yes it is two episodes (24 episode season) and the OVA. Also I had to double check this in episode 1 around 16 minutes when Okarin calls Mr. Braun that for the first time he says I told you to call me Tennouji san. Im glad I made sure because it was such a quick moment that I almost wondered where in the anime we had his name revealed. This episode was incredible and I cant wait for next week.
sanime
2026-01-04 00:05:54 +0000 UTCI've watched Steins;Gate about 8 times, and there's some imagery and symbolism I never picked up on such as the one you pointed out with the twisted fence behind Okabe. After watching this episode the first time, I was thinking that I never expected this anime to start becoming a romance anime, and it's rare to have any show that does romance right. FYI, Kurisu is usually a top waifu, and r/anime did a "Best Girl" poll about two years ago with thousands of votes, and Kurisu was number one. There's actually two episodes left (23, 24), and while the watch order is set in stone, I'm going to still recommend the order that reaction channels Autosave, and "Wes and Steph" did with Steins;Gates. This is still the official watch order with a slight modification that's recommended by the majority of Steins;Gate fans.
James
2026-01-03 15:50:44 +0000 UTC
