User blog comment:AquilaeAltair/OnS Theories. Eighth Theory - Shikama and Shinoa. Two sides of the same coin./@comment-36009152-20190321195258/@comment-36009152-20190404172649

Yes with a foundation in Mahiru, Shikama must have known he was getting close. A lack of desires is one thing, but Shikama would get his wish and pounce right away with Shinoa in the mere process of turning into a vampire. At first the lack of desires may have been a good foundation, maybe it was a gradual process and Shikama needed a right time for the full effect of the possession? I guess the vampire change was exactly that yet I wonder if Shinoa knew full well her feelings but also knew that indulging in them couldn’t be done, not without the whole Shikama thing. Of course desires are desires and those seem to have turned out fine here! XD

Aw that would be lovely if Mahiru did go to those lengths for Shinoa. It is possible, seriously a demon of that power would need to be extracted ASAP and if anyone were to have the means it would be the Hiragi family that would have the technology to achieve this demon removal. Also on Saito that would have been his best shot to attack early if he knew, so just as well Mahiru withheld that from him. If he did find out and took the steps he thought necessary more than likely Shikama would have arisen much earlier. That would have been goodbye to the story, presumably Yu and anyone else who can stop Shinoa/Shikama would not be in the position strength wise they are now if Shikama came back any time sooner. Good thought, Shikama possibly having a first hand account of what was at hand for Shinoa, before Mahiru conceivably done a memory alteration of her own.

Makes sense about Shikama waiting patiently for Tenri to produce the test subject, not exactly strapped for time. Awful and all, and yet it’s the lengths they would go to for however small a chance it was there would be a suitable vassel. Can definitely see that removing Guren would have been a deciding factor for Mahiru to go all out. Working with a second progenitor vampire to achieve this, Mahiru definitely meant business!

As for Shikama’s view on Mahiru's emotions that makes sense, I guess when it came down to it Mahiru was a useful prototype test, guess Shinoa just fitted more of what Shikama needed.

The possibility that Shinoa did meet Yu from the past is an idea. There, witnessing those feelings means Shikama could ensure a suitable vassel in the future, one whose barriers could be broken down by Yu when appropriate. If that is the case then Shikama has an even greater grasp of events then we realise. Bringing his vassal and the key to activate it to the future, makes me wonder if he also planned for Asuramaru and Yu to get their memories back, and join him! This would explain all the more why the Hyakuya Sect is taking out all the stops to gain Yu. To protect him, but also stop him coming into contact with Shinoa, maybe the thought of Yu rescuing her, or Shinoa rescuing him would only fuel desire even more, making Shinoa/Shikama even stronger than they are now. Saito has certainly gone all out to presumably attack Shikama if he viewed even Shinoa possessed by him as some kind of underdeveloped state. It has lowered the upper hand for Shikama, sure he’s still the strongest but better a weaker super strong monster than a super powered one.

With Tenri disappointed in Kureto it might have been the case that he was concerned that the family head is not as strong, will the family demon Shikama be happy XD Though it is just as likely it’s firmly rooted casual sexism – “the girl is stronger than you how can this be?!” Or something. With houses serving others and especially the atmosphere in the light novels, there are some serious societal concerns to say the least! It’s likely to comment on societies in general with men geared up to be the head of the households. From considering Mahiru to choosing Shinoa, Shikama didn’t care at all who the host would be, so long as there was one. Tenri’s disappointment stemmed from his background, the man simply had to be the best but here was Mahiru. Makes you wonder if the previous heads of the family were all male and Shikama was possessing them over the most strongest member whether they were female or someone who was not the head. The former is more likely, so long as the head of the family was strong enough to pass Shikama down to this point where he could get to where Mahiru and Shinoa’s birth could be induced, the end result was what mattered most. Having said that, for all her power maybe you are right about Tenri seeing too many emotions and passing Mahiru over despite her strength, maybe he even cared for her... Have to assume the good things!

That’s amazing about Shinoa having an awareness of Shikama’s name, and checking since it would be easier for Japanese readers to recognise what this means – that this knowledge of his name was in Shinoa all along, because they are the same! Also didn’t even think Shikama would be in incomplete stages, just assumed he was all set to go and like before he was only wielding three scythes just because I guess. He doesn’t exactly take current battles seriously. That was also related to above, with Saito launching a full scale attack now maybe because he knows even this Shinoa form is an incomplete stage. An upgrade to four scythes at least, naturally this may be the weakest Shikama can get hence why Saito’s attacking whilst he can. The power increase takes little time as well, what if the next step is for Shinoa to be fully assimilated to the point of no return?!

For the numbered points, yes Guren, Shinya, everyone was just out to live in the sick survival of the cruellest, world they were existing in. Wonderful Guren had a very welcome change of heart, too! Love that as well, the all manipulative, has to know everything Kureto, playing second fiddle to Mahiru XD

With Shikama preserving people, he does go to some lengths, as Ferid can attest to! For point 3) are you saying that it was Shikama who suppressed the seraph? That would be insane, I think like everyone just assumed it was either human contact or love from a squad member to bring Yu back when he lost control at Shinjuku, and didn’t think any further if only to await an explanation from the story. But the demon inside Shinoa being responsible for that, that is a mind blown and a key thing to look back on to understand what was occurring. Like you say as well, active at all times to keep Shinoa safe and those around her in case their loss caused some unwanted emotions perhaps?

4) Kureto is rather bonkers, really out for everyone! Maybe Shikama was counting on Yu’s arrival so his master plan was already underway. Like with subduing the seraph, we just would not realise it at the time of reading the story.

So overall yes Shikama is a gracious host, sure he’ll keep you and friends safe from enemies but only because he wants to possess you? Um, yay I guess?! On the other side of things if Shinoa and Shikama are the same, these actions lend credence to the titular theory, why would Shikama rescue people? He wouldn’t, but Shinoa would and being a part of a whole her desires to protect those close to her would nudge Shikama the demon side to do exactly that.