I'm really liking this, and this was arguably the best episode yet..

I originally expected this to be an iyashikei, but (starting with the oddly dissonant OP) it sort of shifted from what I expected, and started to feel more threatening and somber than that. And this episode started out the most threatening yet. But then there was such a complete and rewarding shift in tone from start to finish that it made it ultimately just that much more warm and uplifting. And to the degree that this has a central theme, that seems to be it.

This is essentially an iyashikei - it's just that it's not naturally or automatically that way. It's made that way by Yachiyo's kindness and courtesy that's tempered by quiet determination and a sharp sense of right and wrong. She's unstintingly kind and courteous, right up until the moment that someone steps beyond acceptable behavior, at which point she immediately shifts to brutally honest and unreserved condemnation, which lasts exactly long enough to clearly convey her opinion of things, at which point she just as quickly and easily shifts back to unstinting kindness and courtesy. And it works. It's made clear, even to someone like Harmy, that she bears no ill will at all - that her kindness is entirely sincere. It's just that she's also entirely honest and fair-minded and fearless, and when somebody deserves a figurative smack upside the head, she will deliver it. And they all come to respect and even admire that.

As do I.

Great episode, they squeezed as much airtime as they possibly could. Also the designs are getting better and better.

Another great episode. Interesting to see they skipped straight to the chorus of the OP

What an incredible Episode. But for me, it feels like the end of the show has been revealed to me. Yachiyo will leave earth eventually. It may take a thousand years, but she cannot stay in the ruins of humanity forever. She will at some point have to face the reality of humanities demise, and something will force her to leave. Feels like the only logical ending to me.