I'm not an Eichi-P so I cannot comment extensively. I've read the recent fine events (Atlantis and Fairy Tale) and Stella Maris. I've heard some say this is a natural progression given his ambitions with Ensemble Square and worldview. So to my understanding, he has stagnated as a character. The writers are in this fucked up state where Eichi is acknowledged as antagonistic in his colonization schemes but also benevolent for offering "opportunity" to the impoverished people of Hoshijima by taking their land and making their island a tourist destination which is really gross to say the least. What upsets me even more is that no characters have meaningfully opposed Eichi. Rinne did to protect his village, and he criticizes Eichi's actions, but he's done nothing to help Hoshijima. Instead this colonization is depicted as necessary to progress. Even Ibuki's grandfather's strongest complaint is that, while he likes Atlantis, it encourages gentrification in Okinawa. So hey, what's actually inevitable is that drawing tourists to a region leads to gentrification. Instead, why not help the residents of Hoshijima become self sufficient in a way that's not exploitative? Better yet, let them actually be independent. Because working under Eichi and having to sway to his demands to be granted resources and not have him turn the island into "hell" isn't independence. Whatever the writers are trying to do here is incredibly misguided at best. Anyway, I don't have any hopes for the Okinawa Arc at this point. It's been made very clear that the writers don't want to confront that colonization is an inherent evil in all of its forms, no matter how much Eichi "sweetens the deal" by offering the islanders jobs working at his business and doing physical labor for him. Which again, exploitation! So Eichi cannot be salvaged. He's demonstrated self-awareness. He's threatened to harm the residents of Hoshijima if they don't comply with him, and he's called his own project colonization. Whether that's character assassination or in-character for the ruthless and cruel businessman Eichi is, I don't know. It's a very realistic evil, but the writers don't seem willing to treat it seriously or respectfully. That's all I have to say on it.

Oh I have so many thoughts. I was first intrigued by their interaction in Ibuki's Idol Story 2. My figured that since Ibuki is a martial artist and karate originates from the Ryukyu Islands, wouldn't it make sense for him to join the Karate Club? I was already curious to see what kind of relationship he'd develop with the Amagis since he's also Indigenous and the "outsider proudly carrying the flag of his culture" concept is shared by Hiiro. It's depressing that they messed that up again. Another thing he has in common with Hiiro, I suppose! Anyway, I was excited for them. I had a feeling he'd get along with Hiiro, in spite of their quite different social approaches. I was so happy that he and Hiiro appeared together in VS Audience, and it really solidified the ship in my mind. Seeing Ibuki approach Hiiro because he recognizes him as a capable person, Hiiro working out Ibuki's thought process quite quickly, them sharing a hotel room and the tension dissipating as they chat away. Ibuki understanding that Hiiro isn't Yamato Japanese and immediately respecting—even immediately uplifting—Hiiro's culture. We haven't quite seen anything like that before. And the cultural exchange! Now they are friends. It was really so promising. I thought the writers were ready to take a completely new approach in their depiction of an Indigenous character. But really, and I cannot stress this enough, the decision to put Ibuki in Akatsuki and the philosophy that having Ibuki conform with the Yamato Japanese image promotes "harmony" is not some woke choice. The ones saying that don't know what they're talking about. Personally, I haven't seen any Ryukyuan people say this. They may be well-intentioned (though, to defend this company that continuously shits on Indigenous people and has continued to do so with Ibuki does make me question that), but they are not educated. They want people to say "Thank you Happy Elements K.K-sama for this rancid meal!" and hush up. They're adverse to conversation and conflict because it makes them uncomfortable. Anyway, that aside, I've already finished adopting the Amagis as my own and I'm in charge of those two. Which I have every right to do by the way! I'm taking custody and reclaiming them! I'm not Ryukyuan, but I'd also like to do my best to reimagine Ibuki's story to be more sensitive and actually have a good message. I've been thinking about it for the past couple weeks now. So um. IbuHii gets revamped by someone who gives a proper shit about them. Yay! Rinne I hope you like your new little brother in law. Well he and Niki are already fond of Ibuki! Happy family!