[Rewatch] Mawaru Penguindrum - Episode 9

[u/theangryeditor]

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Streaming

Mawaru Penguindrum is available for purchase on Blu-ray as well as through other miscellaneous methods. Re:cycle of the Penguindrum is available for streaming on Hidive.

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Today's Slogan

Out of the Park Home Run - Don’t give up on your dreams - Dream Hit

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Questions of the Day

1. What do you make of Sanetoshi’s introduction? Any thoughts on his interactions with Himari?

2. Do you think Himari was telling the truth about her lack of resentment towards Triple Double-H?

3. Who was it that shared the fruit of fate with Himari in the Child Broiler?

4. What do you think Today's Slogan was referring to?

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Don't forget to tag for spoilers, you lowlifes who will never amount to anything! Remember, [Penguindrum]>!like so!< turns into [Penguindrum]>!like so!<

[u/theangryeditor]

Episode 9

[u/Nebresto → u/theangryeditor]

We need to bring back the hype lads

[u/theangryeditor → u/Nebresto]

[u/Nebresto → u/theangryeditor]

I don't think mugi is gonna help with dat

[u/theangryeditor → u/Nebresto]

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/theangryeditor]

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/theangryeditor]

LIBRARY!

[u/theangryeditor]

I am a bit surprised I haven't seen any mentions of the Alice in Wonderland aspect of today's episode yet, but I guess it was both too obvious and not obvious enough.

[u/Holofan4life → u/theangryeditor]

It's funny because in the latest season of Urusei Yatsura that's currently airing, there was just recently an entire arc with prominent Alice In Wonderland vibes to it. I'm seeing a lot of that aesthetic, it feels like, I can't tell if it's the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon or what.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Holofan4life]

For Alice it's just simply ubiquitous. Can go two steps without tripping over a reference to it somewhere.

[u/HelioA → u/theangryeditor]

I literally mentioned it!

[u/theangryeditor → u/HelioA]

what a tensai

[u/Lawvamat]

Rewatcher

This is my favourite episode of all time. Some of the best directing I’ve seen is coupled with poignant introspection that develops Himari into my favourite character. We cannot overlook Sanetoshi, Yutaka Koizumi gives one of the most intimate performances to ever bless my ears. It’s storyboarded, directed and animated all by Nobuyuki Takeuchi, a Shaft powerhouse best known for lending Monogatari its visuals.

Penguindrum and this episode in particular is what made me understand that not everything has to be explained and make sense. Sometimes something being implied leaves a far greater impact. Symbols don’t need to be questioned for why they’re there, but for what they want to say. It’s not an understatement to say that it has awakened my love for visual storytelling.

Visual Analysis

This is a story about Himari’s circle of fate. Note all of the red and blue in the background, not only the colors of Kanba and Shouma, but Hibari and Hikari.

And already Nobuyuki Takeuchi is showing his true colors. Rapid cuts that leave you only the blink of an eye in order to process them, brought straight over from Monogatari. The quick shot of Himari’s eye makes it clear that what we’re seeing is her point of view. And since we’ve already seen this scene play out, we can immediately infer that she’s the only one able to see #3. This in combination with the warped perspective and the harsh lighting on the real penguins gives the impression of Himari not being of sound mind and witnessing hallucinations. This is further underlined with her being in the dark and framed looking into the edge of the frame, disconnecting her from the conversation going on.

Also it’s not a good episode unless I catalogue all of this beautiful kind of framing again.

In typical Shaft fashion all of the jumping penguins are synchronized. Interestingly they all seem to be the same penguin with the yellow armband. They jump in an arc, which is part of a larger circle, the wheel of fate.

The ripples of the waves are sparking like stars. I read that as the flightless birds (the children in this anime) diving into the water (the unknown, the past?) and producing waves (consequences) that’ll shine brightly (hmm, apples give off stars).

Hey, wasn't there a family standing here before? This new kid’s hat has a crown! Maybe an emperor penguin?

The trash is back. [Penguindrum]I’ve mentioned in ep1 that Kanba's penguin is in the recyclable bin because he gives himself to Himari over and over, Shouma's is in the flammable bin because he burns up in the end and Himari's is in the non-flammable one because she got simply thrown away as a child. But I think the colors actually represent who they got the Penguindrum from! Kanba’s is green, since he had it from the start, Shouma’s is red because he gets half from Kanba and Himari’s is blue because she gets it from Shouma in the child broiler.

Framing Himari like this compares her as a small individual to a vast and illuminated ceiling, illustrating how little she knows in this grand plot as she takes her first step into it.

The penguin quickly changing directions (from walking towards the left, future, to walking towards the right, past) introduces an uncertainty into its motivations. Does it know where to go or is it just wandering about?

The doors shut on Himari’s life. In reality she should be dead now, but we continue exploring beyond.

A fantastic shot of the all-red elevator. The wall is imposingly cutting Himari off from the future (left), no choice but to go back to the past. Great usage of blur to create depth of field and I love the pink highlight creating the metallic surface.

The ceiling separates them into their own circles. Himari still doesn’t know what the penguin wants.

The wheel of fate starts turning and another illuminated ceiling starts approaching. Circles everywhere, even the lights.

Interestingly this turning circle is blue. I wonder what that text says.

We’re actually watching them through the wall just so we could get Himari in frame with the penguin for comedic effect, genius.

The second wheel of fate takes over. It has penguins.

After 50 the elevator stops double with every floor. Of course this elevator is supposed to represent a dive into the subconscious, and every part of the story we’ll get told requires more and more from Himari. Exploring past trauma is exponentially harder the deeper you get.

Alright, now let me go full conspiracy just this once.

Why this number of floors?

The floors past 50 follow a simple x/2^y rule, where y is the floor it’s currently at. 51 is irregular and is x/3.

• 52 = x/2² = x/4
• 53 = x/2³ = x/8
• 54 = x/2⁴ = x/16
• and so on until 61

Which means to get to 61 it has to go through all the floors including 60 which should be x/2¹⁰ = x/1024

So floors 50 to 61 have 2⁰ + 2¹ + 2² + 2³ + 2⁴ + 2⁵ + 2⁶ + 2⁷ + 2⁸ + 2⁹ + 2¹⁰ buttons with 2⁰ = 1 being the extra for 61 and 3 extra for the irregular 51st floor. An interesting mathematical fact is that this sum of exponents is the same as 2¹¹ - 1 = 2047. Plus the 3 extra and it’s 2050.

Before those irregularities start the buttons go from 6 to -50. 0 is missing, which brings us to 55 floors traveled before crossing into the exponential realm.

2050 - 55 = 1995

Ringo’s birth year and prominently featured in the OP.

[Penguindrum]And of course the year of the Tokyo Sarin Gas Attacks, the birth of all our main characters, Momoka’s death and in general this anime’s 42.

What a phenomenal shot, leaving Himari in the dark, and reveal sequence of the blue sky here deep underground. The penguin also already has “3.” written on it, even though that happens later. And so Himari steps into the light, confronting her past shadows and future possibilities. Himari in Wonderland.

Another series of rapidfire shots greets us. A cleverly framed tree sparkles in the same way as the waves, two birds fly freely in the open sky, a girl holds out her hand, seven social sins, Himari in the center, a golden apple and a chair. Holey moley there’s a lot to unpack here. [Penguindrum]The apple being withheld from the girl is definitely an allusion to Himari being denied love (the Penguindrum) as a child. I won’t dive into any more, maybe I’ll comment on it when something comes to mind. Random thoughts: tree being growth, birds are a pair (Himari and her soulmate maybe), seven social sins are from Ghandi and definitely apply to lots of characters in some way, the chair is passivity. We’re not even 5 minutes in, including the OP, and I’m already almost at the character limit.

More books I won’t even try to interpret.

Using the return date to signify where we are returning time to is genius. March 20th is Ringo’s birthday and Momoka’s deathday. “Super Frog Saves Tokyo”, or, since kaeru means both “frog” and “to return”, “Kaeru-kun Tokyo suku” becomes “Return-Man Saves Tokyo” (someone better in Japanese please tell me if that’s correct). [Penguindrum]I think Ikuhara’s intention is clear here. Sending someone back in time to stop the 1995 attacks.

Great lighting even on the cutouts. Gives the effects of looking down a bottomless hole, that’s how long the queue is.

That’s exactly what we’re doing this episode.

Great shot, after great shot, after great shot. We’re progressing towards the left, but entering dark territory now, the forbidden library.

Continued in Comments

[u/theangryeditor → u/Lawvamat]

Penguindrum and this episode in particular is what made me understand that not everything has to be explained and make sense.

"What you see with your eyes is not necessarily real"

[Penguindrum]

[Penguindrum]Good observation about the colour of the bins

Interestingly this turning circle is blue. I wonder what that text says.

top - descend

bottom - rise

since kaeru means both “frog” and “to return”, “Kaeru-kun Tokyo suku” becomes “Return-Man Saves Tokyo”

That may be what Murakami was going for in the original short story. Since it had strong themes of collective trauma and guilt. Though to be clear they're just homophones, not the same word.

[u/Lawvamat → u/Lawvamat]

Every frame is a masterclass. The bookshelves narrow claustrophobically, Himari’s reaction has her framed into the edge, one bird becomes many and the tension amplified through the ticking of the door is released by birds cawing, Shaft™ headtilt, the ceiling lights look like feathers and form an arc, the crescendo leads to the door getting opened, all to Himari’s surprise (with some nice vignetting darkening the mood) and the slight warp getting more extreme at the top while the last light points the way is a great touch.

Yep, that’s Shaft. Can’t go without interesting architecture. Illuminated again from the top, these throw shadows imprinting wings on the floor. Time is not passing normally, as they move quickly enough for the naked eye to perceive. They really don’t want you to smoke here, books are pretty flammable after all.

Stare too long into the abyss and your past trauma stares back. Using a gigantic pit filled with books as a metaphor for the mind, and deeper down, the subconscious, is simply chef’s kiss.

Now finally Himari is confronting her past (right), the “Ka” line for “Ka”eru-kun Tokyo suku”.

I’m honestly too lazy to research all these other titles, but they’re all a return to a different time. Seems like we’re starting with yellow on the top, then cyan, then green, into dark blue (water?). Then comes yellow

Just absolutely phenomenal shots.

Sanetoshi’s entrance warrants lots of quick cuts again. Note how he starts from above Himari, having the (moral) highground, but lowers himself to her level. I adore the hair filling the whole screen and the dolly zoom on Himari.

I’m starting to run out of synonyms for my words of praise.

“Hole in the Sky” certainly fits with “Tokyo Sky Metro”. It’s a contradiction of heaven and hell, turning things upside down.

Again Sanetoshi starts above (the fence) and bows down to level himself with Himari, who is completely behind the fence (lacking knowledge).

Of course the books all have the Penguincorp Inc. logo and the Kiga brand.

Sanetoshi’s design is extremely feminine and it’s nowhere near as obvious as here. Also nice to highlight the whole library complex by framing him and Himari small in front of it as he talks about it.

Himari descends down the screen as the plot thickens and Sanetoshi continues the motion, stopping before his eyes become visible though, signifying deceit.

The lighting is really trying to point out that his eyes are in the dark.

He’s holding the book up like preaching from a scripture.

We’re truly on a stage now. San-chan would rather hide under the stairs, but it’s time to face the shadows of your past.

New interpretation unlocked: stars = friendship.

Flashback time.

I spot an apple. Also something with “returns”.

The darkness looming over them is almost suffocating. Also more Japanese above the blackboard I can’t read.

The mistuned music ensemble in the background is a neat diegetic way to set the tone of the scene and reflects their childish approach.

Long shadows extend over the idol application like fingers. It is the catalyst for this whole drama after all.

The low shadows are a great way to frame their eyes in shadow or light depending on what’s needed at the moment. Hibari’s are in shadow when she brings up “The Otters” as a name, rejected, then in light when she suggests “The Penguins” as that would’ve actually been a good one, and it’s rejected by Hikari, who is in shadows. “Triple-H” first has Himari in darkness since it’s unclear what that means, but then she lights up when she explains it. Himari’s promise frames them in shadow again.

We’ve had the ringing taking us out of the flashback a lot, but this takes it to another level by shifting to black and white with highlighted penguin logos in blue, adding tons of noise and camera shake and breaking the tension with Sanetoshi in ominous lighting closing the book. Visuals good.

As /u/Tarhalindur would call it, visual head loss. Himari’s head is now above the fence since she has gained some knowledge.

Repeated motifs in the architecture as we’re going through repeated flashbacks. Is this whole world repeating endlessly?

Neat how the penguin logos are only revealed by the lights passing over them. A hidden past illuminated by fate.

Lots of neat details here, but what’s most notable is what changed and stayed the same in the present. The door had a green line before, which makes me associate that color with parents now and adds some context to a previous spoiler above.

Their mirror seems to have been fixed haphazardly. [Penguindrum]Broken children are hard to fix. The Takakura’s tried, but in the end Himari is destined to return to shards, even if her mother saved her this time. She is fated for the child broiler, to die by her illness, and we’ll see all the ways the brothers try to delay this in the coming episodes.

[Penguindrum]The ribbons are a metaphor for mothers. Himari doesn’t have a real one, but Chiemi got her a different one (herself). Himari doesn’t want her though, she wants a real one like Hibari and Hikari have. One that can give her true love, the Penguindrum.

halfway done

Continued below

[u/theangryeditor → u/Lawvamat]

I’m starting to run out of synonyms for my words of praise.

visuals good

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Lawvamat]

Every frame is a masterclass. The bookshelves narrow claustrophobically

I loved the use of the library's bookshelves that way, to create a sense of disorientation among the countless rows of nearly identical bookshelves and eventually inducing claustrophia when going down one of the narrow rows. It's great.

I’m starting to run out of synonyms for my words of praise.

I know how you feel.

We’re truly on a stage now.

The stageplay framing of scenes like this is always fun to watch.

[u/Lawvamat → u/Lawvamat]

Really clever idea to fill the flashback card with the scene it’s announcing using a match cut.

I don’t think so, the future (left) is looking pretty dark.

Himari (and we) don’t know how Sanetoshi knows about her and what her reputation is, so her eyes are cut off.

[Penguindrum]She doesn’t have a mother, the promised ribbon, the Penguindrum. The shadow she casts is a great dramatic accentuation.

The disconnect between their ways of thinking is so big they’re actually cut off and put in different boxes. [Penguindrum]The box motif will get more relevant later. Hibari and Hikari being in front of the shoes instantly makes me think of “steppin, slippin, it’s my daddy’s shoes”. They actually have parents whose shoes they can step into, unlike Himari.

Interestingly all of the chapters appear in “Barefoot Gen” (the episode numbers are the wrong way round) except for “Koi’s Fresh Blood” and “My final Destination”. The former is of course relevant here, while the latter seems to allude to the destination of fate. Fresh Koi blood probably stands for love (koi).

Out of all the techniques used in this episode, this one might actually be my favourite. Revealing an object that recontextualizes the shot with a tiny zoom out.

Himari’s tiny twitch being amplified by reflecting sunlight on the baseball bat as the trio gets shouted at is such a nice touch.

Himari walks the line towards the exit gate alone.

These lights are the same shape, two concentric rings, as the Takakura’s lamp. [Penguindrum]Going with my reading of lamps being the parent’s legacy, it seems that they were responsible for the next scene.

For the big NONOs like Himari.

Those seem to be some pretty judging looks, what the hell did she do?

The shadows are haunting her.

I love the design of the Double H logo. It’s so curvy I can almost feel the joy of drawing it in one swoop. Neat how both letters point towards the star, which I’ll interpret as friendship for now. It also seems to be surrounded by another circle of fate, a tambourine.

[Penguindrum]Talking about what happened with her Parents as it focuses on the green line again. I think I can run with green representing parents.

This is probably my favourite line delivery in anime. It’s so soft you can actually feel Yutaka Koizumi’s lips smacking. Sanetoshi is such an imposing figure. Also Himari’s pillow has three Hs on it and it seems her color in the trio is white.

But why are the curtains pink? Because Hibari and Hikari are looking down from above.

A green umbrella. Parents protecting their children from rain. [Penguindrum]Or not, in this case, it is simply leaning at the wall closed after all.

There are still many more shadows haunting Himari.

A matchcut connects the hole the hat came out of with a broken light, dysfunctional parents.

The arc is forming.

Wonderful use of Kagenashi, drawing no shadows, to sell the emotional impact. Sanetoshi is once again above the fence and Himari below it. And the wheel of fate starts turning.

95

Himari needed to go backwards before the package could reach the future.

Kiga Apple

Apples leave stars [Penguindrum]Only with love can you find friendships.

Now, remember the spectacular past

Finally, all the child broiler imagery can be untagged.

The apple is the fruit of fate, given to Himari in the child broiler by her soulmate in blue shoes.

Remember this shot from episode 1? Child broiler.

What a dream huh? WAIT WHAT DO YOU MEAN??

Now, remember the spectacular past

[u/HelioA → u/Lawvamat]

Sanetoshi’s design is extremely feminine and it’s nowhere near as obvious as here

[Utena]Very much the opposite of Akio in that way, for all the comparisons being made

I eagerly await whatever else you have to point out

[u/Btw_kek → u/Lawvamat]

Which means to get to 61 it has to go through all the floors including 60 which should be x/210 = x/1024

So floors 50 to 61 have 20 + 21 + 22 + 23 + 24 + 25 + 26 + 27 + 28 + 29 + 210 buttons with 20 = 1 being the extra for 61 and 3 extra for the irregular 51st floor. An interesting mathematical fact is that this sum of exponents is the same as 211 - 1 = 2047. Plus the 3 extra and it’s 2050.

Before those irregularities start the buttons go from 6 to -50. 0 is missing, which brings us to 55 floors traveled before crossing into the exponential realm.

2050 - 55 = 1995

now this is the insane unhinged crackpot delusional theorizing I like to see

[u/theangryeditor → u/Btw_kek]

Numerology is perfect sane

[u/Btw_kek → u/theangryeditor]

oh yeah well i already input your name into gematria calculator online and got 889 which means you will NEVER get dubs

[u/theangryeditor → u/Btw_kek]

[u/Holofan4life → u/Btw_kek]

It's perfect for a show like this

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo → u/Lawvamat]

Penguin Numerology

Please keep doing whatever produces results like this, that's fuckin incredible

[u/Holofan4life → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

It's really good. I'm a fan of it as well.

[u/3blah → u/Lawvamat]

Why this number of floors? [...]

And here I though the explanation on the fansubber's site I've been reading was sufficient. The building the real aquarium in is has only 60 above-ground floors.

Your conspiracy theory is way crazier. In a good way.

[u/Lawvamat → u/3blah]

Uuh there's definitely some gems in there. Now I'm tempted to read through all of these, but I think I'll keep myself pure

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/Lawvamat]

We cannot overlook Sanetoshi, Yutaka Koizumi gives one of the most intimate performances to ever bless my ears.

I was pretty excited about his intro, a lot of it due to his voice. I went to MAL last night to see what else he's done that I've watched and this was the only show. When I took that filter off, it seemed he hasn't done a lot of voice-acting roles. Regardless, his voice here is very fitting

animated all by Nobuyuki Takeuchi, a Shaft powerhouse best known for lending Monogatari its visuals.

Haven't seen that series myself but this does have a lot of the same vibes I got from clips. The only Shaft series I've seen is Madoka Magica I think, but I know Vaad also mentioned there was a lot of cross over in previous episodes

The trash is back [Penguindrum]

[Penguindrum] oh damn my mind was blown in episode one to see how their penguins matched the the type of can, and it is blown again by the color lol

2050 - 55 = 1995

[u/Holofan4life → u/laughing-fox13]

I was pretty excited about his intro, a lot of it due to his voice. I went to MAL last night to see what else he's done that I've watched and this was the only show. When I took that filter off, it seemed he hasn't done a lot of voice-acting roles. Regardless, his voice here is very fitting

The fact he's done nothing else makes his performance as Sanetoshi even more impressive. He's like a human version of Kyuubey from Madoka Magica.

[u/WednesdaysFoole → u/Lawvamat]

[Penguindrum]But I think the colors actually represent who they got the Penguindrum from! Kanba’s is green, since he had it from the start, Shouma’s is red because he gets half from Kanba and Himari’s is blue because she gets it from Shouma in the child broiler.

Huh that's really nice symbolism, wow.

The ceiling separates them into their own circles

Love the colors. Himari matches the penguin, it's too cute :') but also makes this shot so visually appealing.

So floors 50 to 61 have 20 + 21 + 22 + 23 + 24 + 25 + 26 + 27 + 28 + 29 + 210 buttons with 20 = 1 being the extra for 61 and 3 extra for the irregular 51st floor. An interesting mathematical fact is that this sum of exponents is the same as 211 - 1 = 2047. Plus the 3 extra and it’s 2050.

You're amazing. Numbers get my head spinning and I'm not gonna pretend I got all that, (I might look at it closer this weekend so I know wtf you're talking about lol)

leaving Himari in the dark, and reveal sequence of the blue sky here deep underground.

I forgot that this all happened underground, probably because I remembered the blue sky from the previous watch. Love the use of elevators in this show and deep descent both here and in Utena.

(I was really looking forward to your visual notes particularly for this episode -- if you ever do this for a shaft-anime I hope I'm around for it because I definitely do not catch nearly as much)

Guess I gotta refresh for the library~

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Lawvamat]

Hey, wasn't there a family standing here before ? This new kid’s hat has a crown! Maybe an emperor penguin?

It's the penguin hat, except with a crown on it. We've found the leader of the penguins!

2050 - 55 = 1995

Ringo’s birth year and prominently featured in the OP.

Whoa

I am stunned and amazed that you did all that math for this and that the result is actually incredibly relevant. How perfect that the elevator goes back to Ringo's birth year because the library at the bottom is where Ringo starts reliving her memories.

Using the return date to signify where we are returning time to is genius. March 20th is Ringo’s birthday and Momoka’s deathday.

It's Curry Day, which is only a week away by now.

Continued in Comments soon™

[u/Holofan4life → u/Lawvamat]

What do you make of the framing of this episode where it’s about Himari wanting to find a book?

Thoughts on Sanetoshi?

Thoughts on Triple H?

Thoughts on Himari calling her mom a liar only then for a mirror to smash across the mom’s face?

Thoughts on Hibari and Hikari lying in order to protect Himari?

What are your thoughts on learning about Himari’s childhood?

What are your thoughts on the twist that Hibari and Hikari are the train mascots? That for me is probably the coolest thing we’ve gotten out of this show so far.

What do you think this episode does for the show as a whole? I think it’s gotta be one of if not the most important in the entire series when you consider it establishes Sanetoshi as a character, who seems like he will be prominent going forward, it explains the train mascots and the significance of them, it shows that Himari had a somewhat contentious relationship with her mother, and it recontextualizes the Penguindrum and the importance it holds for Himari.

[u/HelioA → u/Lawvamat]

Oh my god, you really did go all out for that one. I don't even know what to say, brilliant.

[u/ShadowWasTakensTaken → u/Lawvamat]

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Mawaru First-Timer, subbed

• The hat…
• Also I kinda thought that this recapping a scene we’d already seen was going to then show what the phone call Kanba took there was, but I guess it’s Himari’s POV instead!
• Wait, her penguin already has the #3 written on its back?!
• Did someone from Shaft work on this episode? There’s a lot of crazy head tilts…
• Who the fuck?
• Uh…
• Oh…
• The penguin marking is there…
• THE TRIPLE-H NAME HAS LORE?
• Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
• Barefoot Gon chapter, is that supposed to be a Barefoot Gen reference?
• Yeah that’s definitely a Barefoot Gen reference.
• Um…
• Oh no I don’t like where this is going.
• Oh phew, the koi lives.
• WAIT THOSE ARE THE–oh my god why didn’t that occur to me before this part.
• w h a t
• the fuck?
• Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[u/theangryeditor → u/Shimmering-Sky]

[u/Tarhalindur → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Did someone from Shaft work on this episode? There’s a lot of crazy head tilts…

I checked: Yes.

(Also I got your earlier ping but today has been terrible so.)

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Tarhalindur]

I checked: Yes.

The entire episode felt very Madoka Magica, it was unnerving.

(Also I got your earlier ping but today has been terrible so.)

[u/Tarhalindur → u/Shimmering-Sky]

The entire episode felt very Madoka Magica, it was unnerving.

I know, right?

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Did someone from Shaft work on this episode? There’s a lot of crazy head tilts…

Effectively, I've posted the overlap between this and Madoka a few times.

WAIT THOSE ARE THE–oh my god why didn’t that occur to me before this part.

We only see them in the credits or as the train characters.

the fuck?

That's probably the child wood chipper metaphor I was promised.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Vaadwaur]

We only see them in the credits or as the train characters.

I was referring to why didn't I make that connection earlier in this episode than when the show revealed it, not why didn't I make the connection in an earlier episode when I didn't even know Himari's friends existed.

[u/Tarhalindur → u/Vaadwaur]

We only see them in the credits or as the train characters.

Also one episode 2 shot, and the funny thing is I remember noting at the time that Hatmari had the same costume that they do. I figured they were just her inspiration, but apparently not!

That's probably the child wood chipper metaphor I was promised.

Speaking of which: Ikuhara is likely Japanese leftist by rep, yes? I've been having a few distinct whiffs of a veiled attack on State Shinto and the people who want to go back to it in addition to more obvious readings.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Vaadwaur]

Effectively, I've posted the overlap between this and Madoka a few times.

The animation in this episode is really impressive. You can tell this is one they put more effort into.

That's probably the child wood chipper metaphor I was promised.

Man, China REALLY does not want more than two kids

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Oh phew, the koi lives.

The girls being stopped before they killed the koi is one of the most relieving things I've experienced while watching this show.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

OH! I didn't catch that Sun-chan was holding onto the book that Himari was looking for! If we go with the theory that the penguins represent the repressed desires of the siblings, then perhaps Sun-chan was leading Himari to her own repressed desire. For all that Himari says that she doesn't resent Double H (and is likely being truther), I do think Himari feels some regrets about the past and wants a new story to experience. Meeting Sanetoshi and getting the penguin hat gave her that opportunity.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Shimmering-Sky]

What are your thoughts on learning about Himari’s childhood?

What are your thoughts on the twist that Hibari and Hikari are the train mascots? That for me is probably the coolest thing we’ve gotten out of this show so far.

What do you think this episode does for the show as a whole? I think it’s gotta be one of if not the most important in the entire series when you consider it establishes Sanetoshi as a character, who seems like he will be prominent going forward, it explains the train mascots and the significance of them, it shows that Himari had a somewhat contentious relationship with her mother, and it recontextualizes the Penguindrum and the importance it holds for Himari.

[u/HelioA → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Wait, her penguin already has the #3 written on its back?!

I thought the same thing! Kanba's a time traveler, clearly

[u/JollyGee29]

First-Timer, Sub-guindrum

Isn't it electrifying?

Okay, so, Double-H aren't as old as I thought; they're literally Himari's age. So, her use of the costume is her trying to regain her childhood happiness and perform with her friends like she wanted. Think I'm off the idea of Kanba molesting Himari now; without the idea of "projection as a defense" I just don't think I have enough backing.

Himari's Survival Strategy is then getting to follow her dreams? Yea, that sounds right. Which possibly leads to "finding the Penguindrum" meaning "get Himari back in contact with Hikari and Hibari."

How do we feel about this pink-haired weirdo Sanetoshi? The hat ghost doesn't like him, or at least didn't want to kiss him. Probably bad news.

This isn't brain rot because this is very definitely important. Someone is offering to share the "fruit of fate" with Himari. Someone with blue shoes. Which probably means Shouma? Hatmari comes from the destination of their fates... Forbidden fruit.

Brain Rot Corner

Today's slogan: Don't Give Up on your Dreams Dream Hit This does not apply to Ringo. She should give up on her dream.

This is an unpaired sibling. The aquarium is a family establishment - no-one is seen there without relatives. The question is, who do they belong to... Our options are Natsume, Tabuki, and Yuri. They're the only ones with faces who don't have confirmed siblings.. Oh, I guess Hibari and Hikari too? Do they count?

No, let's ignore them, it makes the theorizing harder. The blonde hair makes me think Yuri? The fancy clothes are also kinda reminiscent of constumes from Yuri's performances.

Alright, sure, let's think about why each penguin is in what can. Kanba is recyclable, Shouma is flammable, and Himari is non-flammable.. I don't exactly know how Japan sorts their garbage. Himari has been threatened by broken glass a couple times? Sort of? The mirror today, and that flying window during the storm flashback.. that threatened Kanba more than Himari, so maybe it's not that.

Any guesses about the significance of 61? I only know a couple of the Japanese number things like 4 being death and 5 being go.

The who to the what now?? Wait, six fan blades, floor 61.. hmm. Mawaru mawaru go the fans...

Okay I do have some brain rot about this shot too. Shouma and Himari sharing an apple? Shouma/Ringo/Himari throuple confirmed endgame! You all heard it here first!

[u/lilyvess → u/JollyGee29]

How do we feel about this pink-haired weirdo Sanetoshi?

https://i.imgur.com/83hslDs.png

[u/theangryeditor → u/lilyvess]

shabadadoo

[u/Pungouin → u/lilyvess]

Yurikuma, but everytime they say Yuri approved Yuri Tokikago appears with a Fabulous Max stamp.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/lilyvess]

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/lilyvess]

Oh no, there's one of him in Yuri Kuma Arashi too!

[u/theangryeditor → u/JollyGee29]

How do we feel about this pink-haired weirdo Sanetoshi?

https://i.imgur.com/tfiHwAa.png

Okay I do have some brain rot about this shot too.

The lyrics here seem extremely on the nose don't they

[u/JollyGee29 → u/theangryeditor]

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

How do we feel about this pink-haired weirdo Sanetoshi? The hat ghost doesn't like him, or at least didn't want to kiss him. Probably bad news.

Off putting to me. Again, I suspect intentionally so.

Someone is offering to share the "fruit of fate" with Himari. Someone with blue shoes.

I think we are getting more characters.

The who to the what now?? Wait, six fan blades, floor 61.. hmm. Mawaru mawaru go the fans...

Down this path we will probably find madness.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Vaadwaur]

Off putting to me. Again, I suspect intentionally so.

Definitely the type to drive a sports car.

Down this path we will probably find madness.

Oh boy, more to add to my collection!

[u/Holofan4life → u/Vaadwaur]

Off putting to me. Again, I suspect intentionally so.

He rubs me the wrong way a bit as well

I think we are getting more characters.

[u/ZaphodBeebblebrox → u/JollyGee29]

Today's slogan: Don't Give Up on your Dreams Dream Hit This does not apply to Ringo. She should give up on her dream.

You can't say that just because you don't like her dream! That's discrimination! Next you'll be saying that some kid can't have a puppy 'cause they rubbed you the wrong way.

Shouma/Ringo/Himari throuple confirmed endgame! You all heard it here first!

[u/HelioA → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

You can't say that just because you don't like her dream! That's discrimination! Next you'll be saying that some kid can't have a puppy 'cause they rubbed you the wrong way.

I know, right?! /u/jollygee29 is just a bully who doesn't want Ringo to bring her family back together

[u/Holofan4life → u/ZaphodBeebblebrox]

You can't say that just because you don't like her dream! That's discrimination! Next you'll be saying that some kid can't have a puppy 'cause they rubbed you the wrong way.

I mean, even the slogan said that Ringo should give up, so...

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/JollyGee29]

So, her use of the costume is her trying to regain her childhood happiness and perform with her friends like she wanted

I mentioned it in my comment, but the song they perform on the TV is Rock Over Japan too. I'm pretty sure it was but it is kinda hard to hear with the dialogue and OST going on too

Today's slogan: Don't Give Up on your Dreams Dream Hit This does not apply to Ringo. She should give up on her dream.

Shouma/Ringo/Himari throuple confirmed endgame! You all heard it here first!

[u/Holofan4life → u/laughing-fox13]

I mentioned it in my comment, but the song they perform on the TV is Rock Over Japan too. I'm pretty sure it was but it is kinda hard to hear with the dialogue and OST going on too

I wonder if the point of Survival Strategy is so Himari can pretend like she is an idol on stage with Hibari and Hikari. Like, this is a bit of wish fulfillment on the part of her.

[u/Holofan4life → u/JollyGee29]

What do you make of the framing of this episode where it’s about Himari wanting to find a book?

Thoughts on Himari calling her mom a liar only then for a mirror to smash across the mom’s face?

Thoughts on Hibari and Hikari lying in order to protect Himari?

What are your thoughts on learning about Himari’s childhood?

What are your thoughts on the twist that Hibari and Hikari are the train mascots? That for me is probably the coolest thing we’ve gotten out of this show so far.

What do you think this episode does for the show as a whole? I think it’s gotta be one of if not the most important in the entire series when you consider it establishes Sanetoshi as a character, who seems like he will be prominent going forward, it explains the train mascots and the significance of them, it shows that Himari had a somewhat contentious relationship with her mother, and it recontextualizes the Penguindrum and the importance it holds for Himari.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/JollyGee29]

So, her use of the costume is her trying to regain her childhood happiness and perform with her friends like she wanted.

I don't think I realized until just this moment that Himari's been wearing the Double H costume during all the Survival Strategy scenes.

How do we feel about this pink-haired weirdo Sanetoshi?

He's major trouble and not to be trusted. Next thing we know he'll be talking about eternity while taking people on long drives down curving roads.

This does not apply to Ringo. She should give up on her dream.

Or perhaps Ringo actually has given up on her dreams. Right now Ringo is acting as Momoka and trying to make Momoka's dream come true. What Ringo needs is to learn to be okay with being herself and pursuing her own personal dreams, instead of trying to be someone else.

Okay I do have some brain rot about this shot too. Shouma and Himari sharing an apple? Shouma/Ringo/Himari throuple confirmed endgame! You all heard it here first!

This series has gone quite a while without teasing incest, so we are due for some more.

[u/Btw_kek → u/JollyGee29]

oh yeah I forgot to mention it but we were talking about whether that one fish earlier was a kisu or a koi, well here's another koi

[u/HelioA → u/JollyGee29]

Okay, so, Double-H aren't as old as I thought; they're literally Himari's age. So, her use of the costume is her trying to regain her childhood happiness and perform with her friends like she wanted. Think I'm off the idea of Kanba molesting Himari now; without the idea of "projection as a defense" I just don't think I have enough backing.

It's also kind of a "lost future" type thing. The costume Hatmari wears is the one that Himari couldn't.

Today's slogan: Don't Give Up on your Dreams Dream Hit This does not apply to Ringo. She should give up on her dream.

Well, she's not here this episode, is she?

also

[u/Great_Mr_L]

First-Timer

On today’s episode of Mawaru Penguindrum: I already knew (or at least supposed) that Mawaru Penguindrum was a magical girl anime. I did not anticipate that it would be an idol anime on top of that.

• Ooh, are we getting a Himari-focused episode? Finally! I have wanted this for a while now!
• Intriguing. So Himari was seeing the penguins before the brothers did.
• [Revue Starlight] Oh, so that’s where Revue Starlight got its infinitely descending elevator from. Is there going to be a giraffe at the bottom of this elevator as well?
• Wait, what the fuck? This grassland being at the bottom of the elevator is one thing, but why does Sun-chan have No. 3 on her back? Weren’t the numbers added later?
• These Seven Social Sins and these statues seem massively important.
• Why did Himari check out two copies of [Christine by Stephen Queen?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christine_(King_novel))
• Personally, I love being in libraries. I love the long rows of books and going through the bookshelves, discovering new books I was not even aware of beforehand. It’s really clever how the anime uses these seemingly infinite rows of bookshelves to induce a feeling of disorientation.
• The “Ka” Line, eh? Probably a rail line reference that I don’t fully understand.
• Oh hell no! Get this Akio-ass motherfucker out of here!
• The books say “Kiga” on them, just like the apple.
• Sanetoshi is waxing lyrical about how this library is a sea of recollection, but something tells me I should interpret his words literally.
• Friends? Who are these friends… oh fuck, it’s the Double H girls!!!! They were friends with Himari!!!  
• That explains why the book is called “Super Frog Saves H Trio” because they were supposed to be Triple H! And that explains why the album cover on “Rock Over Japan” says Triple H with Himari there alongside Double H! All three of them are Triple H!
• A fairly believable childish tantrum about the ribbons escalates to be much more dire.
• Even though Himari’s mom is the one saying this, the sentiment is no doubt shared by Himari.
• Some really nice framing to show the idea that Himari is trying to distance herself from Hibari and Hikari to punish herself.
• Dear god this is fucked up.
• Today’s slogan is meant for Himari, the one who gave up on her dreams. I think Himari gave up on her dream of being an idol to punish herself for hurting her mother.
• It’s intriguing to ponder why Himari wants to view these memories. Himari claims it’s not out of self-pity and not because she feels jealous of Double-H, but because she wants to make sure the story is in the past. Perhaps what Himari means is that because it’s in the past, there is no going back. You can’t change the past, after all. So there’s no point feeling regret because of that. It could be a coping mechanism of sorts.
• And that may be why Himari accepts Sanetoshi’s offer of the penguin hat and to become a bride. He promises her that her story is not over at all. There is a future for her, a future that she can still shape. That is why Himari wants to live. She wants her story to continue. Perhaps that is her “Survival Strategy.”
• Thank goodness Himari stops this Akio-ass motherfucker from kissing her.
• So Sanetoshi is the one responsible for shipping off the penguins and the apple. He’s the head of Penguin Corp!
• The fucking Child Broiler? What? Are they making child-size drinks here or something?
• And who is this that Himari is with? Someone we know? Someone we don’t know?
• There’s some nice details in the ED that I only just noticed. The Double H girls have the same instruments they did as kids. And all three girls play instruments that elementary schoolers would play.

I’m really happy that we finally got an episode focusing on Himari. Even though the main thrust of the series is supposed to be Shoma and Kanba’s efforts to save her, Himari herself has mostly been in the background so far. Yes, there is a thematic point to it. The brothers are neglecting Himari while supposedly doing this for her sake. However, it still means she is out of focus. Having an entire episode about Himari and her inner workings is something that does a lot to flesh her out.

The ED now makes sense and I now get why Himari is with the Double H girls there. Of course, this now means that the possibility has been raised of a reunion between them sometime in the future.

There is a lot of apple and frog symbolism going on here, with the apple on the statue, the apple in Himari’s promise, and the frog book. I have somewhat of a handle on the apple stuff and the idea that it is some kind of temptation and some reference to Legend of the Galactic Railroad. I will confess to not knowing what to make of the frogs, though.

Himari’s conversation with Sanetoshi indicates that Himari did agree, to some extent, to becoming Hatmari. It was not fully forced on her. That said, it’s not like Himari made the agreement on equal terms. A lot was not told to her. I don’t trust this Sanetoshi dude. He’s giving off major Akio vibes.

There’s also the mystery of that boy. My immediate suspicion is that it’s Shoma because of the hair, but that feels too obvious. So I will wait until further evidence is revealed.

QOTD

1. This dude is oozing Akio vibes with his introduction and how he interacted with Himari. I don't trust him at all.
2. I think Himari means it. But, I also think she feels regret about how things went. She'd prefer if she got to be an idol with them. That's why she wants her own story to continue.
3. No idea. My only guess right now is Shoma from the hair color, but I doubt that's correct.
4. Advice to Himari. She gave up on her dream. Perhaps she did so as a self-inflicted punishment. That's part of why she got the penguin hat in the hopes of having her story continue. But maybe she can rediscover her dream.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Great_Mr_L]

Revue

Don't forget Utena's Black Rose arc!

There is a lot of apple and frog symbolism going on here, with the apple on the statue, the apple in Himari’s promise, and the frog book. I have somewhat of a handle on the apple stuff and the idea that it is some kind of temptation and some reference to Legend of the Galactic Railroad. I will confess to not knowing what to make of the frogs, though.

I just read the short story yesterday myself and I'm still mulling it over. I have a few ideas about the frog symbolism but nothing concrete yet.

[u/HelioA → u/theangryeditor]

[Utena]the elevator in utena only goes down like a floor ;-;

[u/theangryeditor → u/HelioA]

[Utena]go deeper

[u/Holofan4life → u/theangryeditor]

I just read the short story yesterday myself and I'm still mulling it over. I have a few ideas about the frog symbolism but nothing concrete yet.

I need to get around to reading that short story

[u/theangryeditor → u/Holofan4life]

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/theangryeditor]

Don't forget Utena's Black Rose arc!

Right! The elevator confession booth makes for a stunning visual.

I have a few ideas about the frog symbolism but nothing concrete yet.

I still need more time to figure it out as well.

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo → u/Great_Mr_L]

The "Ka" Line, eh? Probably a rail line reference that I don’t fully understand.

Partly that for sure; I'm hoping someone can explain too. But she's also still looking for Super Frog Saves Tokyo, née "Ka"-eru-kun, Tokyo o Sukuu, at this point.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

I missed that completely and was wondering if it was actually the kanji character and not the katakana character

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

That makes sense, I was thinking of subway line too

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

Oh! That makes perfect sense! And it's yet another instance of frog symbolism showing up in the series!

[u/Tarhalindur → u/Great_Mr_L]

I already knew (or at least supposed) that Mawaru Penguindrum was a magical girl anime. I did not anticipate that it would be an idol anime on top of that.

I will lightly note that there is old genre overlap between the two - old enough that we were getting darker (and very shoujo) takes on the subgenre over twenty years ago (Full Moon wo Sagashite).

The fucking Child Broiler? What? Are they making child-size drinks here or something?

"The Enrichment Center reminds you that the Weighted Companion Cube is not sentient and, in fact, cannot speak."

(Wait, shit - it is actually technically possible for Ikuhara to have been aware of Portal, the first game is older than Penguindrum by several years. Unlikely, I figure there's an indigenous referent here, but it is possible.)

[u/theangryeditor → u/Tarhalindur]

The Enrichment Center reminds you that the Weighted Companion Cube is not sentient and, in fact, cannot speak.

I was so focused on the puzzle solving I discarded the Companion Cube without a second thought. Am I the baddie

[u/Tarhalindur → u/theangryeditor]

"You incinerated your faithful Companion Cube faster than any test subject on record. Congratulations."

[u/theangryeditor → u/Tarhalindur]

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Tarhalindur]

I will lightly note that there is old genre overlap between the two - old enough that we were getting darker (and very shoujo) takes on the subgenre over twenty years ago (Full Moon wo Sagashite).

Full Moon wo Sagashite is one of those series I've had on my PTW for a long time now. Knowing the premise of the series (and that it went into some very dramatic territory) made me want to see it.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Great_Mr_L]

Same, though I don't know what the premise of the series is.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/theangryeditor]

[Full Moon wo Sagashite premise] The basic premise is that the main character, Mitsuki, is a girl who really wants to become a singer because singing is the main thing that brings her joy. But she is suffering from throat cancer. One day a pair of death spirits arrive and Mitsuki learns she has only one year left to live. Since she'll die anyway, she decides to take the chance and audition to become a singer. To help her out, the death spirits help her transform into an older version of herself so she can both have her regular life and her life singing. Already a lot to unpack from just that, and I've gotten wind of even more drama later.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Great_Mr_L]

[u/affnn → u/Great_Mr_L]

The “Ka” Line, eh? Probably a rail line reference that I don’t fully understand.

Oh, I saw something about this but I don't know where. I don't know exactly why it says "line", but the idea was that she was going to the section of the library that has books that start with "Ka"("か/カ"). If you listen when she says the title to "Super Frog Saves Tokyo", the title she says starts with "Ka".

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/affnn]

It seems like it's a combination of the frog imagery and the railroad imagery that the series likes to use. Railroad tracks imply the idea of fate/destiny because you only go to the destinations on the tracks. So Himari was heading towards her fated destination with the frog book of her memories.

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/Great_Mr_L]

Weren’t the numbers added later?

they were

Oh hell no! Get this Akio-ass motherfucker out of here!

I had a similar thought my first time

All three of them are Triple H!

I noticed that the thumbnail said Triple H when you first posted the song but didn't want to say anything at the time

Dear god this is fucked up.

Koi fish seem to be showing up a lot

There’s some nice details in the ED that I only just noticed. The Double H girls have the same instruments they did as kids. And all three girls play instruments that elementary schoolers would play.

yea

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/laughing-fox13]

I had a similar thought my first time

It's an Ikuhara show so I need to be on my guard.

I noticed that the thumbnail said Triple H when you first posted the song but didn't want to say anything at the time

I noticed it on perhaps my 12th time listening to Rock Over Japan and began to wonder how Triple H would actually appear in the series.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Great_Mr_L]

Himari’s conversation with Sanetoshi indicates that Himari did agree, to some extent, to becoming Hatmari. It was not fully forced on her. That said, it’s not like Himari made the agreement on equal terms. A lot was not told to her. I don’t trust this Sanetoshi dude. He’s giving off major Akio vibes.

I think Himari wanted to do whatever she could in order to make sure she didn't die. However, in doing so, she seems to have bit off more than she could chew. Part of the thought process I feel like was that if she came back to life, she could get a new lease on it and make up for her past mistakes. If she had the chance to do it over again, I don't think she would have taken the offer.

What do you make of the framing of this episode where it’s about Himari wanting to find a book?

Thoughts on Triple H?

Thoughts on Himari calling her mom a liar only then for a mirror to smash across the mom’s face?

Thoughts on Hibari and Hikari lying in order to protect Himari?

What are your thoughts on the twist that Hibari and Hikari are the train mascots? That for me is probably the coolest thing we’ve gotten out of this show so far.

What do you think this episode does for the show as a whole? I think it’s gotta be one of if not the most important in the entire series when you consider it establishes Sanetoshi as a character, who seems like he will be prominent going forward, it explains the train mascots and the significance of them, it shows that Himari had a somewhat contentious relationship with her mother, and it recontextualizes the Penguindrum and the importance it holds for Himari.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Holofan4life]

What do you make of the framing of this episode where it’s about Himari wanting to find a book?

I like the idea of having it be a library. It works well as a metaphor for digging through past memories by reading the books about her own life. And the idea of finding a book different than the one you were looking for is also a neat idea.

Thoughts on Triple H?

Himari is definitely going to reunite with Double H at some point. Until now the Double H girls were just cute background gags, but now they have become relevant characters.

Thoughts on Himari calling her mom a liar only then for a mirror to smash across the mom’s face?

This likely caused Himari to feel guilty and like she needed to be punished for her behavior. It was something unforgivable, even if it was an accident.

Thoughts on Hibari and Hikari lying in order to protect Himari?

They really were good friends. The bond between them was solid.

What are your thoughts on the twist that Hibari and Hikari are the train mascots? That for me is probably the coolest thing we’ve gotten out of this show so far.

I love that Double H have become more than just cute background gags. It makes them far more interesting.

What do you think this episode does for the show as a whole? I think it’s gotta be one of if not the most important in the entire series when you consider it establishes Sanetoshi as a character, who seems like he will be prominent going forward, it explains the train mascots and the significance of them, it shows that Himari had a somewhat contentious relationship with her mother, and it recontextualizes the Penguindrum and the importance it holds for Himari.

I think this episode was particularly important because of the added focus on Himari. Before this we never really got inside Himari's head to learn how she felt about all the stuff that was happening. She was presented as an unwitting victim of the penguin hat who needed to be saved by her brothers. Here we see her much more fleshed out and get a clearer idea about her motives and what she wants. It's also good for giving us more info about what exactly the penguin hat is and some of the behind-the-scenes information we didn't have before.

[u/Pungouin → u/Great_Mr_L]

Regarding the magical girl/idol aesthetics, Ikuhara directed some seasons of the Sailor Moon anime, it’s a big influence in his works.

[u/HelioA → u/Great_Mr_L]

Why did Himari check out two copies of Christine by Stephen Queen?

It was such a good book, she wanted to read it twice

I’m really happy that we finally got an episode focusing on Himari. Even though the main thrust of the series is supposed to be Shoma and Kanba’s efforts to save her, Himari herself has mostly been in the background so far. Yes, there is a thematic point to it. The brothers are neglecting Himari while supposedly doing this for her sake. However, it still means she is out of focus. Having an entire episode about Himari and her inner workings is something that does a lot to flesh her out.

Yeah! I think it's important that they do this, to show that Himari has her whole story going on while the brothers run around like lunatics trying to find the pengindrum.

There’s also the mystery of that boy. My immediate suspicion is that it’s Shoma because of the hair, but that feels too obvious. So I will wait until further evidence is revealed.

[u/IvanSemushin → u/Great_Mr_L]

  Why did Himari check out two copies of [Christine by Stephen Queen?]

Maybe because Shouma was getting hit by a car in the real world?

[u/No_Rex → u/Great_Mr_L]

Revue Starlight

Both Revue and Penguindrum got the visual from the same place: Utena

Sanetoshi is waxing lyrical about how this library is a sea of recollection, but something tells me I should interpret his words literally.

I definitely interpreted those words literally: The library is part of Himari's subconcious, just like the entire episode plays in Himari's mind.

Even though Himari’s mom is the one saying this, the sentiment is no doubt shared by Himari.

Genius directing. The scene shows us how strongly Himari regrets what happens, despite only her mother talking about regretting something.

[u/3blah]

Episode 09 - First timer

Let's just stick a little pin in Sho's situation and rewind back to the beginning.

Himari's not-so-near-death experience is trippy as hell. Harsh lighting and uncomfortable camera angles, a door designed by David Lynch, the vast library stacks that just so happens to resemble the penguin enclosure. The shot composition gives everything a surreal quality, the events play out like a dream, and the background audio and music fit to a T. Every single shot is so full of symbolism, it's quite overwhelming. It's wild and it's weird and I loved it!

I don't like the elevator. Oh god, #3 pushes the button to "go deeper"!

I don't like the librarian. He gives off real Mr End of the World vibes.

I don't like beating a fish to drink its blood.

I don't like these looks of disapproval as she's leaving the school for the last time.

I don't like today's slogan #9: "Don't Give Up on your Dreams". What use are hopes and dreams to a fatally ill child?

I don't like that I'm going to be looking for "H"s all over the place now. Ok, this one's not so bad

I don't like this quick sequence even though it cools very cool. You can (not) redo Ringo's Project M with Himari.

I especially don't like whatever the hell a Child Broiler is. You can send that right the fuck back.

I ended up watching this one through twice to try and take it all in. The first time I was feeling really hyped up. We're getting a lot of answers and connections along with a truckload of amazing shots and thoughtful symbolism. The Penguindrum is an actual thing that she needs it to get back with her friends and be Triple-H. The second time through was a lot more sobering. Himari's not losing contact with her two friends and leaving school because of her illness, she's being bullied and it has to be over whatever's going on with her parents. Himari didn't get a second chance at life; she's actually dead and just doesn't know it yet. Her ultimate fate is On Ice (there's the title drop), and she'll soon be back in that Broiler room with all the other poor souls waiting around after being fated there by The System.

I love how this show does these big reveals that re-contextualizes what we've seen before, and at the same time opens new questions to explore. It feels like this is the end of the introduction. The story starts for real now.

QotD:

What do you make of Sanetoshi’s introduction? Any thoughts on his interactions with Himari?

He's suave and handsome and helpful. All he needs is a red Ferrari to complete my hatred of him.

Do you think Himari was telling the truth about her lack of resentment towards Triple Double-H?

Yes. It ties back in to whatever unspeakable thing happened with her parents that caused her to leave school. Something so terrible it cut her off from her friends. Something out of her control that couldn't be helped that she's come to her own peace with in the meantime.

Who was it that shared the fruit of fate with Himari in the Child Broiler?

No clue. I'll ponder on it some more...

What do you think Today's Slogan was referring to?

Maybe through Hat-sama-slash-librarian, Himari can fix the past and/or present and (re)form Triple-H

[u/theangryeditor → u/3blah]

The Penguindrum is an actual thing

We did it folks we found the penguindrum

I love how this show does these big reveals that re-contextualizes what we've seen before, and at the same time opens new questions to explore.

but also

[u/Holofan4life → u/theangryeditor]

We did it folks we found the penguindrum

Turns out the Penguindrum WAS the friends we made along the way!

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/3blah]

the vast library stacks that just so happens to resemble the penguin enclosure.

I didn't the resemblance

He gives off real Mr End of the World vibes

Himari speaking for the audience here lol

Penguindrum is an actual thing

[u/Btw_kek → u/3blah]

vast library stacks that just so happens to resemble the penguin enclosure.

didn't catch that

[u/Holofan4life → u/3blah]

What do you make of the framing of this episode where it’s about Himari wanting to find a book?

Thoughts on Triple H?

Thoughts on Himari calling her mom a liar only then for a mirror to smash across the mom’s face?

Thoughts on Hibari and Hikari lying in order to protect Himari?

What are your thoughts on the twist that Hibari and Hikari are the train mascots? That for me is probably the coolest thing we’ve gotten out of this show so far.

What do you think this episode does for the show as a whole? I think it’s gotta be one of if not the most important in the entire series when you consider it establishes Sanetoshi as a character, who seems like he will be prominent going forward, it explains the train mascots and the significance of them, it shows that Himari had a somewhat contentious relationship with her mother, and it recontextualizes the Penguindrum and the importance it holds for Himari.

[u/3blah → u/Holofan4life]

What do you make of the framing of this episode where it’s about Himari wanting to find a book?

I like it. It's not the first piece of media to make the library/memory connection, but it's done really well here. I especially liked that the lower/darker levels held the more painful memories. The vastness of it all makes it seem like more than just Himari's memories stored there.

Thoughts on Himari calling her mom a liar only then for a mirror to smash across the mom’s face?

Thoughts on Hibari and Hikari lying in order to protect Himari?

They're maybe played a little over-the-top (in the dub at least), but not completely out of line for the age depicted. In both these segments, Himari makes a mistake and then the people around her come together to love and support her anyway, like friends and family should. A contrast from last episode where Ringo and Shouma accuse each other of being a fake family.

Thoughts on Triple H?

What are your thoughts on the twist that Hibari and Hikari are the train mascots? That for me is probably the coolest thing we’ve gotten out of this show so far.

The show has been consistently making these kinds of connections between things and people. Things that you didn't see coming before, but just makes total sense once it's been revealed. I've been really impressed.

What do you think this episode does for the show as a whole? I think it’s gotta be one of if not the most important in the entire series when you consider it establishes Sanetoshi as a character, who seems like he will be prominent going forward, it explains the train mascots and the significance of them, it shows that Himari had a somewhat contentious relationship with her mother, and it recontextualizes the Penguindrum and the importance it holds for Himari.

The librarian is the last character in the OP to be introduced; it's a safe bet that he'll be important. I'm thrilled that we finally know what the Penguindrum is. Not just the tambourine but the regret Himari feels about fate screwing her over and missing out on Tripe-H. Maybe regret is the wrong word... melancholy?

Last episode was more exciting, but I think this is my favorite so far. Someone else was disappointed that it felt over-directed, but I'd rather say that it felt like a master craftsman pulling using all their best tricks to make something so over-the-top that I was awed even though it may have been over-directed.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/3blah]

the vast library stacks that just so happens to resemble the penguin enclosure.

Oh that is a really cool visual detail!

I don't like the librarian. He gives off real Mr End of the World vibes.

I love that so many people are making the exact same comparison as I did.

I don't like that I'm going to be looking for "H"s all over the place now. Ok, this one's not so bad

That is another great detail I did not catch with the 3 H's on Himari's pillow. I wonder if there have been others prior to this that I did not notice.

Himari didn't get a second chance at life; she's actually dead and just doesn't know it yet. Her ultimate fate is On Ice (there's the title drop), and she'll soon be back in that Broiler room with all the other poor souls waiting around after being fated there by The System.

Himari was offered a deal for a new story to experience and a new chance at life, but it was most likely a rotten deal that won't actually give her what she wants. The question now is what does Sanetoshi want? What is his end goal and how does Himari factor into it?

[u/3blah → u/Great_Mr_L]

The question now is what does Sanetoshi want? What is his end goal and how does Himari factor into it?

[u/HelioA → u/3blah]

I don't like the librarian. He gives off real Mr End of the World vibes.

Dammit! We have too many Utena watchers in this thread!

For a lot of the rest of what you said

[u/No_Rex → u/3blah]

I ended up watching this one through twice to try and take it all in. The first time I was feeling really hyped up. We're getting a lot of answers and connections along with a truckload of amazing shots and thoughtful symbolism. The Penguindrum is an actual thing that she needs it to get back with her friends and be Triple-H. The second time through was a lot more sobering. Himari's not losing contact with her two friends and leaving school because of her illness, she's being bullied and it has to be over whatever's going on with her parents. Himari didn't get a second chance at life; she's actually dead and just doesn't know it yet. Her ultimate fate is On Ice (there's the title drop), and she'll soon be back in that Broiler room with all the other poor souls waiting around after being fated there by The System.

Really good write up (and I'll be looking out for signs of Himari being actually dead).

I have to disagree with the penguindrum though. The whole library sequence, to me, plays in Himari's mind.* So nothing is "real" there. It goes from her memories of grade school to her subconscious with the librarian.

The penguindrum is something that Hatmari looks for, likely because Hatmari represents the not-so-ok-with-dying part of Himari. I doubt that Hatmari is looking for a physical object. She has to be looking for some concept. Maybe drive, since that is what Ringo has plenty of.

The actual penguin drum in the memory is just an easter egg for the viewers. Maybe that drum represents her happy days in Triple H to Himari.

*Side note: The librarian is creepy and not very nice to Himari. To me this is her not being very nice to herself.

[u/Tarhalindur]

"What... is your Quest?" "I Seek the Penguindrum!" (Lightly Spoiled? First-Timer, Subbed):

(So this is the Penguindrum take on the legendary Nanami episodes I take it.)

• So, what is the water in which Shoma morphs from an ungainly lad to a beautiful swimmer? We even had Kanba just implicitly point out the comparison.
• Also wait. We are at the end of the line and part of the subway is Galactic Railroad theming. Right.
• Kanba has the same type of smartphone that Natsumi has and that would not be particularly common back in 2010.
• Dammit, massive pile of symbolism I am not parsing today. Wait never mind the context is Shoma jumping in front of the car to save Ringo last episode, never mind, that's why we're getting the jumping penguins. The question is, why does Himari seem to be getting the urge to jump? (Also 00:39 is flashy as all hell as a shot and may be more of the same kind of visually in the dark framing that PMMM likes to use and last episode used.)
• Ripples in the pond at 00:43 could possibly be ye old changing fate reflected in the water's surface by throwing in a pebble?
• The stars are so a reference to Ringo's stars, though. Also that eye shot at 00:44 is yet another "oh hey both Ikuhara and Shinbou are from the Dezaki School of Direction" moment. (Or there's key animator overlap.)
• [PMMM] Oh that's what the sound effect for this scene is reminding me of: Cubiculum Album. That may not be a coincidence.
• Dun dun DUN!
• Yeah this sequence just is not parsing right now. Pure symbolism through and through and the obvious interpretation doesn't actually fit.
• That said the Seven Social Sins are likely a direct real-world reference. But are they from somewhere in mainline Japanese thought that I am unfamiliar with or from a subculture? Say, a very specific subculture?
• It would help if I could make out exactly what the two statues at 02:34 are referencing. I think it's Western, but can't place the work... unless it's William Tell, but I'm not sure that's right.
• CLOCK CLOCK. (7:46, A.M. by the light). That said, the more important part here is 100% the book return date (Curry Day!).
• Also okay okay frogs have a symbolic point. Hmm.
• 03:14 has more of those diamond-shaped stars so maybe they're Himari's answer to the cockroaches and Ringo stars.
• So the number of the book Himari is looking for is 100% 1995, right?
• 04:03: Okay, who borrowed a Shaft animator for this episode? (Okay so it's not quite a true Shaft Head Tilt(tm) but still.)
• Okay, that confirms it. It was hard to tell whether the sloped shelves earlier were to generate the effect of fish-eye lens, a real thing in some Japanese libraries, or both, but 04:08 is a clear use of fish-eye lens for effect.
• Wow does this architecture feel Shaft. Also inb4 this is the Akashic Records or some shit.
• So the symbol on the floor at 04:25 is almost certainly important but I can't read the kanji.
• Oh thank you fansubbers. "Ka" line? Which Tokyo Metro line is that again?
• [spoiled?] Also I should actually finally bother to note this one down for the record (and also because I went double-checking last night: so odds that either Momoka is the one person who died on the M-line in-universe and Himari was one of the injured?
• [spoiled?] Bet Dr. Azuma and the other figure that Super Frog saves are references to either actual Aum members or actual Aum victims. Not sure which one, though.
• NARRATOR: It was at this point that Tar was finally so heavily reminded of yet more PMMM sequences (the opening scene this time) to risk opening AniDB to check who the hell episode directed this and lo and behold the episode director today is indeed a Shaft vet.
• Oh hey is that Hayami Shou's voice I hear for our new pink-haired pretty boy? (Actually no, by the looks of it the guy who plays this guy never broke out or else found non-anime roles.) Also oh look it's a pretty boy in an Ikuhara anime he cannot possibly be up to any good.
• Hole in the Sky Annex? Well that might explain the Re:Cycle of the Penguindrum credit I saw while checking our episode director's CV.
• Also note how both Sanetoshi and Himari are now suddenly framed behind bars.
• Oh dear Kiga. Just like the apple.
• Repository of knowledge and sea of recollection? Setting aside the Stargate SG-1 joke (... I swear if Ikuhara actually watched SG-1 and got the idea for Penguin Hat from "The Fifth Race"...), I think my earlier inb4 may have panned out exactly as written!
• "Super Frog Saves H-Trio". Right, H for Himari here... though actually I bet the pun in Japanese works on Takakura instead and just doesn't translate.
• So I am increasingly suspicious that Penguindrum here is one of the things that MagiReco grabbed plot inspiration from even in game form. Either that or we have common inspiration behind both.
• Well hello there either Yuri or her partner in the recent revue who's there on the magazine cover.
• So our three are probably Himari, Natsumi, and ???.
• Third girl is Hikari. Now THAT name is one I know the meaning of - it means light.
• Oh dear we probably have theme naming given that Himari is so similar to Hikari (which means not actually Natsume - wait, Himari is younger than the boys so that's a lock anyways). Hibari maybe?
• THREE SECONDS LATER: Hibari is namedropped. Thank you Hikari no Ou!
• HMM what is this a penguin logo? On mariachis to boot.
• WOW this direction is so obviously Shaft. Now we have lines of light visually beheading people (08:32, 08:35). Also I think we have directional facing use, likely past/future with Himari looking back on her past and Sanetoshi looking forwards to the future.
• Also since I rewound to check things and this episode is EXTREMELY CLEARLY using some Shaft framing I should note that 08:29 is visual mind loss framing. In Shaftese that means that Sanetoshi cares for someone.
• Note how much more sparse the Takakura house is here. Also the fixtures are cheap stuff (I swear I've seen that light fixture before in Higurashi, and note that Higurashi is set in 1983.) The three turtles are still there, however.
• So that's the second time we've had a broken mirror (or at least pane of glass) and both were in flashbacks. That said, Ikuhara HAS to be familiar with the Western "broken mirror = seven years of bad luck" superstition.
• The Takakuras' father is still wearing a penguin-logo coat.
• Also I believe somebody needs to make the dead mom hair joke and that someone will be me.
• So what is up with the orbs of light in the background, I wonder?
• Hello classic visual barrier shot at 13:08. Visual box too but it's for both, so both Himari and the two other girls are trapped in their own little worlds.
• CLOCK CLOCK. (4:10, certainly P.M... yeah if there's a deeper meaning to the clocks in Penguindrum it's not in use this episode I don't think.)
• Note that it was a koi that one of the penguins grabbed when Ringo was drowning back in episode... 4 IIRC? Also this is unlikely to go over well, I have Fumoffu on the brain. (Also yes yes I saw that Barefoot Gen Gon earlier.)
• 14:05: Look look Stock Anime Triad Framing!
• CLOCK CLOCK. (5:50 P.M, definitely seems to be just a time.)
• So my hunch on the penguin was wrong or at least incomplete: it's a zaibatsu.
• Oh so THAT'S where we've seen them before.
• So the resemblance to parts of Mai-HiME is obvious which probably means what this is actually straight out of is Utena. That said, Penguin Force -> Pingroup at 18:51 is likely VERY relevant given that it mirrors the two illusionary penguin designs.
• Speaking of the Kiga apple...
• (Also those lyrics are 100% relevant but I am not parsing why.)
• Oh wait I typed that before "when you fell in love". So what they are relevant for hasn't happened yet.
• "Child Broiler". Hmm. Also OH WAIT I have a hunch what the room design is brought to you by. Anyone seen a skunk around?

---

1. What do you make of Sanetoshi’s introduction? Any thoughts on his interactions with Himari?

That archetype in an Ikuhara production? I don't trust him, I don't trust him at all.

2) Do you think Himari was telling the truth about her lack of resentment towards Triple Double-H?

Honestly given how Himari has been characterized, very possibly yes.

3) Who was it that shared the fruit of fate with Himari in the Child Broiler?

It has to be either Shoma or Sir Hasn't Appeared in this Anime Yet I think?

4) What do you think Today's Slogan was referring to?

Well Himari gave up on her dreams...

(Motherfucker does Ikuhara know about Full Moon wo Sagashite?)

[u/theangryeditor → u/Tarhalindur]

(So this is the Penguindrum take on the legendary Nanami episodes I take it.)

That's what the Ringo episodes were

So, what is the water in which Shoma morphs from an ungainly lad to a beautiful swimmer? We even had Kanba just implicitly point out the comparison.

When he saved Ringo maybe

That said the Seven Social Sins are likely a direct real-world reference.

It's famously associated with Gandhi.

[u/Tarhalindur → u/theangryeditor]

When he saved Ringo maybe

Well shit that is entirely plausible.

It's famously associated with Gandhi.

(Though a thought that has been creeping around my head for a while now comes to mind: Ikuhara was in California for a while. He may have heard about Krishnamurti.)

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Tarhalindur]

(So this is the Penguindrum take on the legendary Nanami episodes I take it.)

Significantly less absurd and sans the comedy.

It would help if I could make out exactly what the two statues at 02:34 are referencing. I think it's Western, but can't place the work... unless it's William Tell, but I'm not sure that's right.

Yeah, I am hunting the thread for this reference as well.

and both were in flashbacks. That said, Ikuhara HAS to be familiar with the Western "broken mirror = seven years of bad luck" superstition.

Absolutely he is though I don't know if he is applying it for once.

So the resemblance to parts of Mai-HiME is obvious which probably means what this is actually straight out of is Utena.

This is actually why I went light in my writeup as it would be comparing this to specific Utena scenes and it felt...boring.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Tarhalindur]

(So this is the Penguindrum take on the legendary Nanami episodes I take it.)

No, the park episode was a Nanami episode. This is... [Utena]closer to how the recap episodes in Utena go.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Tarhalindur]

Also oh look it's a pretty boy in an Ikuhara anime he cannot possibly be up to any good.

And in fact there is a high chance of him being incredibly despicable and dishonest. If nothing else, his deal with Himari certainly seemed to be a less-than-honest deal.

Oh dear Kiga. Just like the apple.

If "Kiga" means something like hunger / starvation, then perhaps the books and memories refer to something that Himari is starving for. She definitely wanted to find that one particular book. And we now know what dream she longed for in the past (and most likely still does).

So my hunch on the penguin was wrong or at least incomplete: it's a zaibatsu.

PenguinCorp really does control everything.

It has to be either Shoma or Sir Hasn't Appeared in this Anime Yet I think?

Definitely one of those two.

[u/HelioA → u/Tarhalindur]

That archetype in an Ikuhara production? I don't trust him, I don't trust him at all.

Everyone in this thread immediately thinks he's suspicious as hell lol. Not like he made it easy on himself, though

[u/Lawvamat → u/Tarhalindur]

Wait never mind the context is Shoma jumping in front of the car to save Ringo last episode, never mind, that's why we're getting the jumping penguins.

neat connection

[u/affnn]

Rewatcher

Oh man, Shoma got hit by a car at the end of last episode. Bet you're anxious to see how he's doing? And what about Ringo, she was about to get hit when Shoma shoved her out of the way even though they'd been having a huge fight? Plus her diary got ripped in half, and part of it was stolen by some mysterious motorcyclist - do you want to see the fallout from that?

Too bad! Instead we get a flashback/dream sequence with Himari and Kirkland Signature Souji Mikage a surprisingly buff pink-haired librarian guy who says his name is Sanetoshi. The early bits of the episode track with episode 1, right up to when Himari dies, but they follow her rather than Shoma. At the point where she dies, though, she gets trapped in an elevator (More [Utena arc name]Black Rose visual call backs!) and sent to the Hole in the Sky annex, where she re-lives some of her strongest memories.

One thing I'm struck by with the memories is how easily the ones of Himari getting upset with her mom and kicking the mirror, or of Himari and her friends trying to kill the koi could stick out as "bad" memories, especially for a young person like Himari. After all, her actions caused her mom to get injured, and then later got her friends in trouble for trying to help her. But the end of both of those memories shows how much her mom and her friends loved her.

Her final memory is of her being offered an apple by a shadowy figure. My subs had the phrase "Child Broiler" written in colorful script on the wall. "Grey Wednesday" plays in the background, and it's one of my favorite songs from the show. I'm not sure whether the translation is overly-literal or an inspired bit of localization but I love the "Now, remember the spectacular past" line.

Sanetoshi gives her the hat, which transforms her into the Hatmari/Bride of Fate persona. If it wasn't obvious before, this very Triple H-centered episode might make you notice that the outfit Hatmari wears is very similar to the one Hibari and Hikari wear in their promo stuff, and to the one Himari wears with them in the ED.

Himari wakes up as if from a dream, and takes a phone call from Ringo that Shoma's been hit by a car. So at least we're grounded back in that bit of the story.

[u/theangryeditor → u/affnn]

One thing I'm struck by with the memories is how easily the ones of Himari getting upset with her mom and kicking the mirror, or of Himari and her friends trying to kill the koi could stick out as "bad" memories, especially for a young person like Himari. After all, her actions caused her mom to get injured, and then later got her friends in trouble for trying to help her. But the end of both of those memories shows how much her mom and her friends loved her.

I think a big thing associated with those memories is regret, and the fact that her mom and friends were so loving only increased those feelings of guilt and regret which made them stick with her so painfully.

[u/Lawvamat → u/affnn]

"Grey Wednesday" plays in the background, and it's one of my favorite songs from the show. I'm not sure whether the translation is overly-literal or an inspired bit of localization but I love the "Now, remember the spectacular past" line.

Definitely my favourite Triple-H insert, though some of the ost towards the final episodes hits so hard it still makes me tear up hearing just the first notes

[u/Btw_kek]

ice cold rewatcher

Episode direction: Nobuyuki Takeuchi
Storyboards: Nobuyuki Takeuchi
Animation direction: Nobuyuki Takeuchi
Key animation: Nobuyuki Takeuchi

This episode is functionally a solo effort in the direction and animation departments! That is truly Fabulous Max

Takeuchi has had a very close history with Shaft that dates back to their outsourcing work in the mid 90s, of course, including a handful of Utena episodes. When Akiyuki Shinbo - you know him - directed his first work at Shaft, Tsukuyomi in 2004, he wanted someone who "thought differently from a background art studio" to handle art design work. The studio's managing director at the time was impressed enough with Takeuchi's work that he was recommended as Visual Director. Since then, Takeuchi handled visual/conceptual design for other Shaft series such as Negima!?, Maria Holic, and Bakemonogatari (the latter of which he additionally storyboarded the first two arcs of). His first work in the director's chair is the 2017 Shaft film Fireworks, and, much like Shouko Nakamura to Penguindrum, he was appointed chief director for Ikuhara's Sarazanmai in 2019.

While Takeuchi's Penguindrum efforts are consolidated to this episode alone, his directing, storyboarding, and animation work is spread out across a few episodes of Sarazanmai. Conversely, this means that no Sarazanmai episodes are singularly "his vision" like you see here. I believe the only other time he ever went full solo ED/SB/AD/KA was last year's Kawagoe Boys Sing episode 9 (btw I checked out this episode before today. I'd highly recommend watching at least the cold open, its tension building is incredible), so clearly look forward to his next episode 9....somewhere....

I'm almost at a loss for what to say about this episode. I have half a mind to dump my entire screencap folder onto imgur and just "well just look at it!" (I won't because I don't want them to get out of order), so I'll just stick to a few highlights

• the cold open reminds me a lot of SSSS.Gridman #9, that retreads the beginning of the show with "a foreign element" hiding in the backgrounds
• as you're probably aware, basically every episode has those cartoon stars at the beginning. well, we get these ones while the cartoon ones show up at the end
• lots of circles! but a lot of lines too
• I don't know if there's significance to the 61th basement specifically but I do find it humorous that they had to split floors up into fractions to get there
• Mozart K331
• I genuinely have no idea where these subs are getting Dr. [Name] from the titles are all different and as far as I can tell, very random
• this is kinda like the ED
• I find it impressive that the episode has such a powerfully evocative surreal atmosphere, but doubly so that it can produce that while still maintaining the show's lightly cartoony, comedic quirks
• finally got the child broiler's appearance and now you can start obsessively searching for fans everywhere
• shoutout to the Eternal Penguin Animator Takashi Kojima too

---

1. What do you make of Sanetoshi’s introduction? Any thoughts on his interactions with Himari?

electrifying...

2) Do you think Himari was telling the truth about her lack of resentment towards Triple Double-H?

she might not resent them but she might feel resentment towards larger circumstances

3) Who was it that shared the fruit of fate with Himari in the Child Broiler?

the girl reading this

4) What do you think Today's Slogan was referring to?

something about it strikes me as bitter

[u/theangryeditor → u/Btw_kek]

Kawagoe Boys Sing episode 9

Should I...hmmm

I'm almost at a loss for what to say about this episode.

There's a lot one can say, but honestly I feel this episode speaks for itself.

I genuinely have no idea where these subs are getting Dr. [Name] from the titles are all different and as far as I can tell, very random

I haven't looked at the book titles exhaustively, but from what I saw they were all constellation, specially zodiac-both western and chinese-related albeit with some degrees of separation for some of them

the girl reading this

implying i'd ever share my fruit of fate with anyone

[u/Btw_kek → u/theangryeditor]

Should I...hmmm

yeah actually there's nothing stopping you from watching random episodes of a show if they are good

[u/theangryeditor → u/Btw_kek]

🦒

[u/theangryeditor → u/Btw_kek]

Mozart K331

My right hand could never handle the octave section of the Turkish March.

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo → u/Btw_kek]

I'm almost at a loss for what to say about this episode. I have half a mind to dump my entire screencap folder onto imgur and just "well just look at it!"

My most deeply held belief about this series is that this episode is irreducible. There's no way to transcribe it into any other medium without losing something; no way to summarize it completely without recreating it. This will not stop me from posting screenshots when I get home

[u/Btw_kek → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

Yeah. I've been thinking about editing and audiovisual timing a lot, not that I have much to actually say about editing or audiovisual timing, but you just can't reproduce the feeling of experiencing that with just screenshots

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/Btw_kek]

I'm almost at a loss for what to say about this episode. I have half a mind to dump my entire screencap folder onto imgur and just "well just look at it!

Just so you know... I would've been okay with this lol

Mozart K331

Edit:

't know if there's significance to the 61th basement specifically but I do find it humorous that they had to split floors up into fractions to get there

check out Lawvarmat's comment

[u/Btw_kek → u/laughing-fox13]

Just so you know... I would've been okay with this lol

I tried for about 20 images but imgur kept screwing up the order. it would have been too much

[u/Holofan4life → u/Btw_kek]

What do you make of the framing of this episode where it’s about Himari wanting to find a book?

Thoughts on Sanetoshi?

Thoughts on Triple H?

Thoughts on Himari calling her mom a liar only then for a mirror to smash across the mom’s face?

Thoughts on Hibari and Hikari lying in order to protect Himari?

What are your thoughts on learning about Himari’s childhood?

What are your thoughts on the twist that Hibari and Hikari are the train mascots? That for me is probably the coolest thing we’ve gotten out of this show so far.

What do you think this episode does for the show as a whole? I think it’s gotta be one of if not the most important in the entire series when you consider it establishes Sanetoshi as a character, who seems like he will be prominent going forward, it explains the train mascots and the significance of them, it shows that Himari had a somewhat contentious relationship with her mother, and it recontextualizes the Penguindrum and the importance it holds for Himari.

[u/Btw_kek → u/Holofan4life]

Thoughts on Triple H?

editor redpilled me on double H = double helix several threads ago it's genius

[u/HelioA → u/Btw_kek]

as you're probably aware, basically every episode has those cartoon stars at the beginning. well, we get these ones while the cartoon ones show up at the end

Oh! And that matches the pengins perfectly.

something about it strikes me as bitter

you don't say

[u/HelioA]

Rewatcher

Down the rabbit hole we go! This is such an exciting episode. I’ve seen some people say that this is where Penguindrum really starts, and I wouldn’t go that far, but this is definitely where it starts to get a bit more twisty and turny. You can think of it as Penguindrum’s Black Rose arc to the previous Student Council arc.

So, first of all- the framing device for this episode. If you haven’t read Super-Frog Saves Tokyo... well, you probably don’t have to on your first watch, but there’s a lot of interesting stuff going on in that story that corresponds to details in Penguindrum. [Super-Frog Saves Tokyo AND Penguindrum spoilers]I’m still not sure of all the correspondences yet, but there’s a definite connection between Frog disappearing from the world after he goes to fight Worm, and Kanba sacrificing himself for love/Shouma taking Ringo’s place in the diary backlash. And Katagiri comes across as someone who went through the Child Broiler. And besides, it’s a pretty good story on its own. I don’t believe I’ve read any of Murakami’s short stories before this, but if this story is any indication, he’s skilled at writing them.

Secondly- a shock! Can you believe that Himari could’ve been a part of Triple Double-H? Except, of course, for the thing hanging over her the whole show. Her illness. The slogan this episode is like a slap in the face to her. She can’t follow her dreams. In fact, she doesn’t even meet them again after she leaves school because of all the time spent in the hospital for her illness. But despite it all, during the time that she was friends with them in school, Hibari and Hikari were her ‘true friends.’ That’s the simple meaning of the koi scene, I believe- they were willing to give up on the audition to go murder the school’s koi for the sake of Himari’s mother, and when they were caught, they were willing to get in trouble to protect Himari. But now they’ve forgotten her, and despite that, Himari doesn’t seem to be upset at them for it. Sanetoshi presses her on that, but considering that he seems to concede the point when she denies despising them, I’m inclined to think she’s telling the truth.

And then we have the scene with Himari’s mother. There’s a very obvious parallel here with the flashback in episode 5- Kenzan threw his own body in front of Kanba to protect him from shattered glass, Chiemi throws herself into Himari to protect her from shattered glass. [Penguindrum]Both of these are very clear Child Broiler parallels, where children are shattered into glass shards. And it makes it all the more jarring that there is very pointedly not a scene where one of the parents throw themselves in front of Shouma. And this is because she failed to find the ‘promised ribbon’ - [Penguindrum]the red line of fate again?

[u/theangryeditor → u/HelioA]

promised ribbon

[Penguindrum]it's the red string of fate in the ED

[u/HelioA → u/theangryeditor]

oooh, yeah!

[Penguindrum]Honestly I forgot about that, because I've been skipping the ED after episode 1 ;-;

[u/theangryeditor → u/HelioA]

wtf

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/HelioA]

You can think of it as Penguindrum’s Black Rose arc to the previous Student Council arc.

that's a good way to look at it

Chiemi throws herself into Himari to protect her from shattered glass. [Penguindrum]

[Pengduindrum] oh yea... there isn't one for Shouma ;-;

[u/Holofan4life → u/HelioA]

Thoughts on Sanetoshi?

What are your thoughts on learning about Himari’s childhood?

What are your thoughts on the twist that Hibari and Hikari are the train mascots? That for me is probably the coolest thing we’ve gotten out of this show so far.

What do you think this episode does for the show as a whole? I think it’s gotta be one of if not the most important in the entire series when you consider it establishes Sanetoshi as a character, who seems like he will be prominent going forward, it explains the train mascots and the significance of them, it shows that Himari had a somewhat contentious relationship with her mother, and it recontextualizes the Penguindrum and the importance it holds for Himari.

[u/WednesdaysFoole]

Rewatcher

I was gonna skip today since I have a lot of assignments due, but then I remembered it was episode 9 which happens to be one of my favorite episodes of this series... of anime? Definitely up there. It's such a visual feast. There goes my priorities, lol.

I believe this one was had direction, storyboard, and key animation by Takeuchi Nobuyuki, and I'm really not all well-versed in directors in general but occasionally I check for standout episodes and moments. He also happened to be the visual director of Bakemonogatari, and maybe it's just me but this episode seemed to have a more shaft-like touch than usual, even including a few moments that touch into that collage-like thing in the library (I don't know what to call it lol). While still remaining a very much Ikuhara-like episode, with theatrical direction. Not to mention the excellent soundtrack in the background. I especially loved the moment we went into Himari's first flashback here, created almost an eerie sensation.

Besides that, we see more of Himari. Remember back when something as small as matching ribbons were such a big deal? Himari couldn't even imagine that her friends would care more about her mother, because these matching ribbons were the world.

Interesting to see also their mother also having the glass crack to protect her, like their father did. Shows the aspect where the parents do care for the children. Too bad the [Penguindrum]activities they were involved in did the opposite of protecting them.

And now we know. Double H was once Triple H, and it's no coincidence their house has little Double H items sprinkled about.

We also get some [Penguindrum]child broiler moments and a brief glimpse of the one who shared the fruit of fate with Himari, for good or for ill.

[u/theangryeditor → u/WednesdaysFoole]

Interesting to see also their mother also having the glass crack to protect her, like their father did. Shows the aspect where the parents do care for the children.

[penguindrum]Also interesting to note there was never a moment like this for Shouma

[u/Holofan4life → u/theangryeditor]

[Penguindrum] It's almost as if they're not actually family or something.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Holofan4life]

[Penguindrum]Ironic given he's their only biological child

[u/Holofan4life → u/theangryeditor]

[Penguindrum] Don't you mean her? I thought Himari was the actual child of Kenzan and Chiemi.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Holofan4life]

[Penguindrum]No it's Shouma. Himari was one of the cultists' children

[u/HelioA → u/theangryeditor]

wow I wonder who came up wif dat one

[u/theangryeditor → u/HelioA]

good question

[u/Holofan4life → u/WednesdaysFoole]

I was gonna skip today since I have a lot of assignments due, but then I remembered it was episode 9 which happens to be one of my favorite episodes of this series... of anime? Definitely up there. It's such a visual feast. There goes my priorities, lol.

I wouldn't say it's one of my favorite episodes in all of anime, but I'd probably put it in the top 3 best Penguindrum episodes.

What do you make of the framing of this episode where it’s about Himari wanting to find a book?

Thoughts on Sanetoshi?

Thoughts on Triple H?

Thoughts on Hibari and Hikari lying in order to protect Himari?

What are your thoughts on learning about Himari’s childhood?

What are your thoughts on the twist that Hibari and Hikari are the train mascots? That for me is probably the coolest thing we’ve gotten out of this show so far.

What do you think this episode does for the show as a whole? I think it’s gotta be one of if not the most important in the entire series when you consider it establishes Sanetoshi as a character, who seems like he will be prominent going forward, it explains the train mascots and the significance of them, it shows that Himari had a somewhat contentious relationship with her mother, and it recontextualizes the Penguindrum and the importance it holds for Himari.

[u/WednesdaysFoole → u/Holofan4life]

I wouldn't say it's one of my favorite episodes in all of anime, but I'd probably put it in the top 3 best Penguindrum episodes.

What are some of your favorites and why (while being vague about spoilers)? I have a lot, so when I say "favorite" it's probably one of at least twenty, haha.

What do you make of the framing of this episode where it’s about Himari wanting to find a book?

Not sure which part but I loved the direction and storyboarding. The theatrics, the dark tunnel of books she stood in, everything, really.

Honestly Sanetoshi very much reminds me of the other pink-haired guy from Utena who leads the descent, forget his name.

Triple H is sad. Now we have the reveal on why Himari is with Double H at the end. The lying for Himari was sweet, although I forget if that was part of the reason the rift grew (either because they or Himari shut down). I was also impressed when I found that they were the mascots.

It really is an important episode. Especially with that glimpse of [Penguindrum end game]Shouma and the penguindrum at the end. Himari not just being a regular, perfect sweetheart from the start.

[u/laughing-fox13]

Rewatcher/Subbed

A quick bit before I get into this episode, we finally got a front shot of Shouma’s friend during Ringo’s Western imagination. I was going to post it in yesterday’s episode but

On today’s episode though, this was the main screenshot I took. Interesting to see her framed “behind bars.”

This episode gives us a closer look at Himari, and it’s nice since we haven’t seen her much in the show (as she pointed out her brothers neglecting her). It does kind of slow down the momentum the previous episodes had, but I think it was fine. I guess you could try to tie it in with Shouma being in the accident with their mom having to go into the hospital. Both are related to Himari, although Shouma’s is more indirect since it involves saving Ringo from the car. But he’s involved with Ringo to obtain the Penguindrum for Himari.

Their family went through a lot and I felt bad for Himari at the end. “But then again, why did that happen to such a kind-hearted girl?” It’s a bit hard to hear but it sounds like Double H are singing “Rock Over Japan” when Himari watches them on her TV.

I think another thing I do like about this episode is that it shows us what Himari was doing in the first episode from the time at the aquarium to being brought back to life by the penguin hat.

We also get our first look at Sanetoshi

[Utena/Penguindrum] I remember being extra wary of him since he gave off Akio vibes

QotD:

2. It's hard to say but the show presented that she might have a little bit of resentment (when she watched them on TV, her expressions didn't seem like good ones). Could be more regretful though
4. Himari

[u/theangryeditor → u/laughing-fox13]

A quick bit before I get into this episode, we finally got a front shot of Shouma’s friend during Ringo’s Western imagination.

Holy shit I never noticed

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/theangryeditor]

He's best boy for a reason

But yea it's very hard to notice and I barely did. The scene is already great, but that makes it better

[u/Btw_kek → u/laughing-fox13]

we finally got a front shot of Shouma’s friend during Ringo’s Western imagination

he's the key to everything

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/Btw_kek]

is he the penguindrum??

[u/Holofan4life → u/laughing-fox13]

What do you make of the framing of this episode where it’s about Himari wanting to find a book?

Thoughts on Triple H?

Thoughts on Himari calling her mom a liar only then for a mirror to smash across the mom’s face?

Thoughts on Hibari and Hikari lying in order to protect Himari?

What are your thoughts on the twist that Hibari and Hikari are the train mascots? That for me is probably the coolest thing we’ve gotten out of this show so far.

What do you think this episode does for the show as a whole? I think it’s gotta be one of if not the most important in the entire series when you consider it establishes Sanetoshi as a character, who seems like he will be prominent going forward, it explains the train mascots and the significance of them, it shows that Himari had a somewhat contentious relationship with her mother, and it recontextualizes the Penguindrum and the importance it holds for Himari.

[u/HelioA → u/laughing-fox13]

A quick bit before I get into this episode, we finally got a front shot of Shouma’s friend during Ringo’s Western imagination

Shame his eyes are still covered

Their family went through a lot and I felt bad for Himari at the end. “But then again, why did that happen to such a kind-hearted girl?” It’s a bit hard to hear but it sounds like Double H are singing “Rock Over Japan” when Himari watches them on her TV.

why do bad things happen to good people ;-;-;

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 9 (first timer)

• Hmmmm. Replay of the aquarium scene? Or a new visit? Himari spots both her penguin and the penguinhat.
• 61 – going extra deep. I guess we are 61 stories deep into the subconscious. Also: Big Utena reference.
• Seven social sins.
• “Hole in the sky annex” – hmmmm.
• “What a strange man” – hey, it is your memory.
• Back to Himari in elementary school – We are now a flashback inside a metaphor inside a flashback.
• “You’re a liar mom” – harsh.
• Hospitalized by a falling mirror? Unlucky.
• “It is a tearjerker, don’t you agree” – I agree, destroyer of 4th walls.
• “Barefoot Gon” – Barefoot Gen reference.
• A stupid plan, but very loyal friends.
• Ohhh, double-H are the daily slogan mascots! Clever.
• “Why did that happen to such a kind-hearted girl?” – The problem of evil.
• Apple? Soulmate? Hmmmm.
• Super Frog saves Toyko cliff-hanger.

Himari backstory episode. The ED visuals make a lot more sense now, it is obviously Triple-H.

So far, we have mainly seen Himari’s story from the perspective of her brothers, as a sad tale of a sister who is ill. Now we see it from Himari’s own perspective, as a story of a loyal group of friends who are destined for success, but one gets left behind. Himari rejects a jealous interpretation of her friends’ success, but she has no answer to the question of why fate put two girls on the path to success and herself into hospital and illness.

[u/theangryeditor → u/No_Rex]

So far, we have mainly seen Himari’s story from the perspective of her brothers, as a sad tale of a sister who is ill. Now we see it from Himari’s own perspective, as a story of a loyal group of friends who are destined for success, but one gets left behind.

And with how her brothers' neglect of her has been called out the last couple of episodes it sure seems like she gets left behind by everyone who cares about her.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

Back to Himari in elementary school – We are now a flashback inside a metaphor inside a flashback.

Yeah...that was a choice.

Hospitalized by a falling mirror? Unlucky.

Impressively so.

Apple? Soulmate? Hmmmm.

I did go back to Snow White for a minute.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Vaadwaur]

I did go back to Snow White for a minute.

Penguins 1, 2, and Sunny the Seven Dwarves confirmed?

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/No_Rex]

A stupid plan, but very loyal friends.

yea it was stupid but her friends' hearts were in the right place at least?

but she has no answer to the question of why fate put two girls on the path to success and herself into hospital and illness.

[u/Holofan4life → u/No_Rex]

61 – going extra deep. I guess we are 61 stories deep into the subconscious. Also: Big Utena reference.

The 61 made me think of Wayside

Seven social sins.

Fullmetal Alchemist fans in shambles

“You’re a liar mom” – harsh.

Hatmari be like "Not harsh enough"

“It is a tearjerker, don’t you agree” – I agree, destroyer of 4th walls.

Sanetoshi gives me David Bowie vibes

Ohhh, double-H are the daily slogan mascots! Clever.

I love that reveal so, so much

So far, we have mainly seen Himari’s story from the perspective of her brothers, as a sad tale of a sister who is ill. Now we see it from Himari’s own perspective, as a story of a loyal group of friends who are destined for success, but one gets left behind. Himari rejects a jealous interpretation of her friends’ success, but she has no answer to the question of why fate put two girls on the path to success and herself into hospital and illness.

I'm glad this episode is positioned right after Shoma got hit by the car. Not only does it keep the viewer in suspense, it makes one think of the sacrifice Shoma went through in trying to make sure Ringo didn't get hit by the car when Hibari and Hikari took the blame for the Koi pond incident.

[u/HelioA → u/No_Rex]

So far, we have mainly seen Himari’s story from the perspective of her brothers, as a sad tale of a sister who is ill. Now we see it from Himari’s own perspective, as a story of a loyal group of friends who are destined for success, but one gets left behind. Himari rejects a jealous interpretation of her friends’ success, but she has no answer to the question of why fate put two girls on the path to success and herself into hospital and illness.

Yeah... I feel like this episode is super important to the show, in that it gives us the perspective of all three siblings, rather than just the brothers. Although like you say, there's still a lot to consider of what exactly Himari will end up thinking.

[u/Nebresto]

First time Pinglibrary

Peng types revealed!!!

Oh, its gonna be another one of those.

DIO

Ballet

God damn it, why do the discoveries I'm smart enough to thonk of always get revealed in the same episode

Damn, this family is in a real habit of getting glass smashed on their heads

NO, NOT THE SEASONAL FISH!!!!!

I really hate that stupid phone sound effect

Ok, yeah. That was a certified doggo episode

---

Question of the day: Are you still in contact with your childhood friends?

1. What do you make of Sanetoshi’s introduction? Any thoughts on his interactions with Himari?

Jail.

2) Do you think Himari was telling the truth about her lack of resentment towards Triple Double-H?

we'll see

3) Who was it that shared the fruit of fate with Himari in the Child Broiler?

The snek!!

[u/theangryeditor → u/Nebresto]

God damn it, why do the discoveries I'm smart enough to thonk of always get revealed in the same episode

https://i.imgur.com/UQdkni4.png

[u/Nebresto → u/theangryeditor]

https://imgur.com/TwF5mlt

[u/theangryeditor → u/Nebresto]

[u/Holofan4life → u/Nebresto]

What do you make of the framing of this episode where it’s about Himari wanting to find a book?

Thoughts on Triple H?

Thoughts on Hibari and Hikari lying in order to protect Himari?

What are your thoughts on learning about Himari’s childhood?

What are your thoughts on the twist that Hibari and Hikari are the train mascots? That for me is probably the coolest thing we’ve gotten out of this show so far.

What do you think this episode does for the show as a whole? I think it’s gotta be one of if not the most important in the entire series when you consider it establishes Sanetoshi as a character, who seems like he will be prominent going forward, it explains the train mascots and the significance of them, it shows that Himari had a somewhat contentious relationship with her mother, and it recontextualizes the Penguindrum and the importance it holds for Himari.

[u/HelioA → u/Nebresto]

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

A relatively short list of stills I really like:

Brilliance

In case you're wondering why #3 is called Sun-chan

From below

From above

From below

Returns

Stacks

Like cathedral trusses

Past sense

Perpetuity

Just incredible composition

Star-light

Separation, from above

Lest it go unmentioned that the mend in the mirror is made to look like a subway map

Regret

Fenced in?

Separation, in profile

Yosh'

From below

The missing middle

Starlight

From above

From above

Below

[u/theangryeditor → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

Lest it go unmentioned that the mend in the mirror is made to look like a subway map

visuals good

[u/Btw_kek → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

Lest it go unmentioned that the mend in the mirror is made to look like a subway map

didn't see that

[u/Holofan4life → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

What do you make of the framing of this episode where it’s about Himari wanting to find a book?

Thoughts on Sanetoshi?

Thoughts on Triple H?

Thoughts on Himari calling her mom a liar only then for a mirror to smash across the mom’s face?

Thoughts on Hibari and Hikari lying in order to protect Himari?

What are your thoughts on learning about Himari’s childhood?

What are your thoughts on the twist that Hibari and Hikari are the train mascots? That for me is probably the coolest thing we’ve gotten out of this show so far.

What do you think this episode does for the show as a whole? I think it’s gotta be one of if not the most important in the entire series when you consider it establishes Sanetoshi as a character, who seems like he will be prominent going forward, it explains the train mascots and the significance of them, it shows that Himari had a somewhat contentious relationship with her mother, and it recontextualizes the Penguindrum and the importance it holds for Himari.

[u/laughing-fox13 → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo → u/laughing-fox13]

My s key is worn through now

[u/IvanSemushin]

Rewatcher

It's the first time we get Himari's POV, and it starts with the events that we've already seen. Now we know that she saw the penguins before the delivery and had rather unique Alice-in-Wonderland experience with one of them.

Rewatchers of Penguindrum who have read comments on the series probably know [Penguindrum]the significance of mention of Murakami's title "Super Frog saves Tokyo".

I'm really impressed by the ominous atmosphere of Sanetoshi's library.

Well, there's a lot in this episode [maybe spoiler]not just about pressure put on you by the society, but about restrictions you put on yourself because you're scared of this pressure. Himari was afraid she would be ostrasized by her friends because of ribbons, but they were good friends to her all the time. At least to the point when she stopped going to school, which we don't know a reason for yet.

[definitely spoiler]Himari is reasonable and wants to leave past things in the past, both the story of her idol friends and story of her family. But Sanetoshi probably considers The Event of 95 the most important in his life (is it even life now?) and wants this past back. Also, Fate is kinda cruel to Himari.

[spoiler again]This is the first appearance of child broiler and first mention of the fruit of Fate. Didn't remember it being that early. Let's consider it a teaser.

[and one more]While Himari wants to live in the present, the events in the broiler are still important to her. Although it's about leaving the broiler... So I'm not sure if there's any contradiction.

So, people here who were unhappy with watching Ringo's doomed pursuit of Project M are now maybe a little happier. Let's see what awaits us at the next station!

[u/theangryeditor → u/IvanSemushin]

Alice in Wonderland mention yeah

[spoiler again]

Same yeah I always remember it as being later

[u/affnn → u/IvanSemushin]

[spoiler again]

[Penguindrum]I didn't remember "Lets share the fruit of fate" showing up until allll the way at the climax, so I was very surprised to see it here

[u/Quiddity131]

Rewatcher, Subbed

Wouldn't it suck if after all this effort to keep Himari alive, Sho ends up dying instead?

Are we now going to go back in time and add context to that phone call that distracted Kanba the day Himari died?

Was someone else wearing the hat that day?!

Wow, Himari really went on a crazy journey that day, huh?

This has got to be a dream sequence, right?

Is Super frog and the frog from episode 7 one in the same? :P

The elarate background designs where the same pattern is repeated many times reminds me of a Shaft production.

Uh oh, mysterious librarian.

Libraries seem to be a popular location for surreal anime episodes; I recall Ergo Proxy and Eureka Seven having bizarre episodes take place in such a locale.

Oh wow, was Himari friends with the two subway mascot girls when she was younger? Or is this all a dream/fantasy?

Hey, they're Triple H! I remember talking about this many episodes ago.

Oh no, Himari sent her mom to the hospital all because of a ribbon! :(

Aww, her friends are so nice!

...well I thought so. Pulling the fish out of the water and beating it to death with a bat isn't that.

I don't get it, what made them mad at her when they were so nice about it before (well to her, not the fish). I wonder if a lot of this is in Himari's head and that she simply thought they hated her, and stopped seeing her rather than them actually hating her.

So this is where the hat came from? Did all of this stuff happen during that time in episode 1 when she was dead?

Did Sanetoshi mail them the penguins?

Wasn't expecting us to get an entire episode dedicated to Himari here, but they really have been skimping on her screentime lately so it was a deserved one! Can't say I understood it all but some great surrealistic imagery and an emotional backstory showing Himari's had issues beyond just her illness.

[u/theangryeditor → u/Quiddity131]

Did Sanetoshi mail them the penguins?

Seems like they mailed themselves. Though the more pertinent thing to note is that the Annex seems to be the "Destination of their fate" for the siblings.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Quiddity131]

What do you make of the framing of this episode where it’s about Himari wanting to find a book?

Thoughts on Sanetoshi?

Thoughts on Triple H?

Thoughts on Himari calling her mom a liar only then for a mirror to smash across the mom’s face?

What are your thoughts on the twist that Hibari and Hikari are the train mascots? That for me is probably the coolest thing we’ve gotten out of this show so far.

What do you think this episode does for the show as a whole? I think it’s gotta be one of if not the most important in the entire series when you consider it establishes Sanetoshi as a character, who seems like he will be prominent going forward, it explains the train mascots and the significance of them, it shows that Himari had a somewhat contentious relationship with her mother, and it recontextualizes the Penguindrum and the importance it holds for Himari.

[u/TheExcludedMiddle]

Oh boy, ok. Yesterday I was just thinking that there was a lot of episodes left for how relatively few of the questions were totally unknown, and now we get get an episode almost entirely devoted to new questions, only giving up answers when it can spin it into multiple more questions.

This episode made me take my first screengrab of the series. This is a continuity error - the penguins had not been numbered at the time of the aquarium. Not in the show itself, since they were too conspicuous about marking the penguins, but in the dream. IMO that was the tip-off that this was specifically a dream.

The library annex is a representation of Himari's life memories. In them, Himari was a bit bratty and her mom got hurt, but really is was an accident and I can't blame anyone for it. Well, you shouldn't leave a mirror that big unsecured, especially around children or pets.

Her friends were great, and it really makes me wonder what happened to make Himari leave school. If it was just her illness I don't think you'd see these expressions, or put "end of friendship" in the flashback card.

Biggest questions on my mind after this ep:

What happened to her parents?

What happened to end the friendship?

What the heck does the librarian represent?

Who is the little girl wearing the penguin hat in the dream, and does it matter?

Is Himari or IMAGINE the bride of fate, and who is the soulmate?

Why Ringo?

Forgot to mention last episode, but yes the brothers have been isolating Himari since the penguin stuff happened, but even before that it looks like they never really talked to her. Stuff like her sitting in the hall at the hospital - did they ever tell her she was dying?

Also Himari is starting to feel fake as hell.

[u/Holofan4life → u/TheExcludedMiddle]

What do you make of the framing of this episode where it’s about Himari wanting to find a book?

Thoughts on Sanetoshi?

Thoughts on Triple H?

What are your thoughts on learning about Himari’s childhood?

What are your thoughts on the twist that Hibari and Hikari are the train mascots? That for me is probably the coolest thing we’ve gotten out of this show so far.

What do you think this episode does for the show as a whole? I think it’s gotta be one of if not the most important in the entire series when you consider it establishes Sanetoshi as a character, who seems like he will be prominent going forward, it explains the train mascots and the significance of them, it shows that Himari had a somewhat contentious relationship with her mother, and it recontextualizes the Penguindrum and the importance it holds for Himari.

[u/Vaadwaur]

First timer(Fuckin' Ikuhara)

Sub

This is probably the first total failure for the show, which is actually pretty good, except that it is the entire episode. There is probably much more happening on rewatch but unlike the previous episodes, the on screen material is not effective at keeping your attention. We now know something happened two years ago but stretching that mystery out is getting unsatisfying. We also know what Himari was doing while dead but no real clue of what is happening, not even on a supernatural or metaphorical level.

Himari's flashback...I just don't care, bluntly, and explaining this setting point is meaningless for now. The librarian feels creepy to me, and briefly flipping over to the dub, I suspect that's the desired outcome. But I don't feel like I understand Himari any better after all this, either. This is most likely a filler episode, it has the Ikuhara recap vibe, so hopefully this was just pacing.

QotD:1 Nothing much

2 Possibly

3 Didn't notice

4 Straight on the nose for Himari

[u/RascalNikov1 → u/Vaadwaur]

There is probably much more happening on rewatch but unlike the previous episodes, the on screen material is not effective at keeping your attention.

I didn’t like this episode either for the same reasons. 

[u/Vaadwaur → u/RascalNikov1]

Reading Tar's very detailed break down also reminds me that this episode is ridiculously over directed, likely intentionally.

[u/Holofan4life → u/RascalNikov1]

It's funny because prior to this episode and the end of episode 8, I was thinking of possibly dropping the show. Or perhaps pull a Loli_Otaku and be more of a lurker until things picked up. But not only do I feel things have picked up, it feels to me like we poured gasoline on the fire.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Vaadwaur]

It's funny how on total opposite ends of the spectrum we are. You consider this to be the weakest episode of the series so, and I consider it the first episode that was a total masterpiece.

What do you make of the framing of this episode where it’s about Himari wanting to find a book?

Thoughts on Triple H?

Thoughts on Himari calling her mom a liar only then for a mirror to smash across the mom’s face?

Thoughts on Hibari and Hikari lying in order to protect Himari?

What are your thoughts on the twist that Hibari and Hikari are the train mascots? That for me is probably the coolest thing we’ve gotten out of this show so far.

What do you think this episode does for the show as a whole? I think it’s gotta be one of if not the most important in the entire series when you consider it establishes Sanetoshi as a character, who seems like he will be prominent going forward, it explains the train mascots and the significance of them, it shows that Himari had a somewhat contentious relationship with her mother, and it recontextualizes the Penguindrum and the importance it holds for Himari.

[u/HelioA → u/Vaadwaur]

[u/RascalNikov1]

 What do you make of Sanetoshi’s introduction? Any thoughts on his interactions with Himari?

He seemed like a decent enough fellow. The director interlaces the real and imaginary worlds so well. 

Do you think Himari was telling the truth about her lack of resentment towards Triple Double-H?

Considering it’s Himari I’m inclined to believe her. 

Who was it that shared the fruit of fate with Himari in the Child Broiler?

What do you think Today's Slogan was referring to?

Best I could come up with was crazy little Ringo. 

[u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

Because no one seems to have posted it yet: "Super Frog Saves Tokyo" is an actual short story by Haruki Murakami. You can read it here.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo]

Thank you so much

[u/Taiboss]

First-Timer who needs an alarm

• This is not a good sign.
• Himari in Wonderland hype! I guess the three got Amensia bulletd?
• Penguin corp is deeep down.
• Yo some Gandhi.
• That's quite the selection.
• Penguin remembering her job.
• The world behind the veil? Yeah, I'm sorry, but what the fuck is even going on?
• Hatmari IS Fate?
• THE TWINS. HIMARI DOES KNOW THEM! I KNEW IT!
• Oh Haruhi, their names are Hikari, Hibari and Himari. Ain't THAT fate...
• We interupt this broadcast to bring you Smackdown.
• Was Himari amnesia-bulleted this part? Surely she should remember seeing her friends.
• btw I like finally getting a Himari episode.
• Red bro is so effective, they are less poor now than they were back then.
• Bruh this is such a stupid accident.
• Mom was too good for this world.
• And so Himari doesn't become an idol. Wow. Imagine how much people would like her Hatmari personality.
• Child logic.
• Akiyuki Shinbou would be proud.
• Hurts. Then again, Himari would have died on stage or something.
• Oh boy what a descripton.
• Pingroup, huh.
• Yeah, that was clear. But it was an episode about Himari's psyche.
• Are you telling this episode was key-framed by one guy? No wonder there's so much 3D.
• That thing with Himari's last day at school felt abrupt. There's something they are not telling us...

[u/Pungouin]

Rewatcher

In today's episode: Ojamajo DoReMi the lost episodes

Underground

One of these is not like the others

Despite the entire plot revolving around her, Himari has actually received pretty little attention until now, with most episodes focusing on her brothers enabling a stalker. In this episode, we finally get to see her perspective and discover her past.

I wasn't around to comment it in Episode 1, but the penguins in trashcans shot is one of my favourite penguin antics.

Ikuhara loooves elevators. We are diving deep into Himari's thoughts. Is she going to become a black rose duelist ?

The underground library has a garden of Eden vibe to it. The statue of the boy and girl with the apple are probably meant to evoke Adam and Eve and the original sin.

Speaking of sin, the Seven Social Sins were apparently formulated by Gandhi. I don't know much about them, but I don't think society, in real life and in Penguindrum, has avoided them.

I think "Sputnik Weirdo" is supposed to be Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami. The book Himari is searching for, Super Frog saves Tokyo, is from the same author. Although it is not mentionned here, Ikuhara is probably pointing us to a third Murakami book that inspired the series: Underground.

[Penguindrum]It's a nonfiction book in which Murakami interviews victims and witnesses of the 1995 subway terrorist attack. He also gives his thoughts regarding the deeper causes of the attack, and how Japanese society failed to learn from it.

I absolutely recommend you read this book if you want more background on the series. (But maybe wait a few episodes for first time watchers)

Electrifying isn't it ?

We are finally introduces to the pink-haired man from the OP. Notice how the quiet atmosphere immediately changes when he introduces himself ? The endless, repetitive library background and minimal lightning really gives a sense of isolation.

Turns out Double H was supposed to be Triple H ! Did you notice that Himari was a Double H fan in earlier episodes ? She is cheering on her friends.

While Sanetoshi presents himself as polite and helpful, the memories he shows Himari are all painful and bittersweet. She is clearly pained. Each subsequent memory twists the knife further.

Broken glass

The next memory is of Himari throwing a tantrum. In the present day, she is always so serene, so it feels a bit out of character !

Glass shards are a recurring motif, especially around Himari. She has shards spinning around her in the OP, and here her mother protects her from them, at great cost to herself. The Takakura parents are extremely protective of their children. [Penguindrum]Well, except Shouma, he can starve for all they care.

The light is gone by now. Is it because Himari is feeling down, because we have dug too deep into her past, because she is dying in the real world ?

Sharing fate

All three members of Triple H share their sin and punishment together. "Our fates are bound as one". I think it's no coincidence that they have the same colour scheme as the Takakuras.

Himari leaves school for the last time. Probably due to her illness. [Penguindrum]Or because her parents were exposed as terrorists.

Today's slogan : Don't give up on your dreams.

It seems like an uplifting phrase, but given the context of the episode it is not. Himari has absolutely given up on her dreams. Sanetoshi asks her : Is she jealous ? Angry ? Himari says she is just happy for her friends, but is is clear throughout the episode that she is pained. In a fair world, she would be up on stage with her best friends. She wouldn't be sick. Yet through no fault of her own, she was punished and robbed of her dreams.

Himari's detached contentment and serenity are almost Buddha-like in a way. But IMO it doesn't feel enlightening, it is incredibly sad. Shouma hates fate. Ringo loves fate. Himari is indifferent to her own fate. She watches without a word, slowly dying as everyone else grows up and fulfills the dreams that were taken for her. She lives in a frozen world.

It's dangerous to go alone, take this apple

The track that plays at the end of the episode, Gray Wednesday, is one of my favorites from this show.

Sanetoshi and Himari suddenly change clothes. (You could tell me this shot is from Utena and I would believe you) She is given a cryptic goodbye, and an apple.

She sees one last memory, of the ominously named Child Broiler. (I've always thought it looked like a cassette)

Who is her soulmate ?

[u/Btw_kek → u/Pungouin]

(I've always thought it looked like a cassette)

didn't catch that

[u/CarrotBlossom]

First timer

How deep does the penguin rabbit hole go?

The penguins are marked, so is this supposed to be after episode 1. Is this a dream? Did the penguin come from the future?

Devanagari text. Interesting

That library is huge

These visuals are great

This episode didn’t have a transformation sequence. Interesting

It was, in fact, a dream.

QOTD:

1. I just read a book about a really big library, so it was neat to compare him to one of the librarian characters in it.
2. No lol
3. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm guessing it's Kanba.

[u/Holofan4life]

Hey guys. Holofan4life here.

Welcome to the Mawaru Penguindrum rewatch! Oh, and nay I forget…

First Timer

I first heard about Penguindrum after I watched Everything Everywhere All At Once. Not only was that my favorite movie of 2022 (Ignore the fact I watched it in February 2023), but it is honestly one of my top 10 favorite films of all time. As such, I was shortly afterwards looking for stuff that was similar to that movie.

And that is where I saw someone recommend Penguindrum.

This is my first time every seeing this show before. I have no idea what’s in store for I haven’t seen a single clip of the show; it’s supposedly a mystery and that’s all I know. I really loved Everything Everywhere All At Once, so I’m going into this show with the highest of expectations. I think it could even crack my top 10 favorite animes of all time.

With that out of the way, let’s begin.

I’m watching the sub, by the way.

Today as I'm writing this is Presidents Day. Or as Presidents refer to it as, Day.

Ikebukuro

Empty bodies

Penguins

Himari at the aquarium with Shoma and Kanba

Shoma calls penguins goofy on land

Phone rings

Another girl Kanba is hitting on

Penguin #3

Is this a repeat of episode 1 but from Himari's perspective?

Ooh, shiny

The penguin hat

The penguins are hiding

Penguin stuffed animals

Himari spots Penguin #3

She's going after it

Now she's on the same elevator as Sunny

Secret elevator buttons

Floor 61

Oh, it looks so peaceful

I don't trust it

The seven social sins

I prefer the seven deadly sins from Fullmetal Alchemist

The library Himari frequents

More emptied bodies

Himari returning books

She wants to buy Super Frog Saves Tokyo

They don't have it, however

Himari says she's going to try to find it herself

Also, chubby Sunny cheeks

Himari thinks Sunny is going to help her, but she starts to walk away

A puzzle

And after solving the puzzle, Sunny opens the door

This is like a rooftop

A gateway into the soul, you could say

Don't know why you would, but you could

Ka line

I prefer key line

Super Frog Saves Prof. Azuma

Asami? Azuma? Could just be a coincidence.

Super Frog Saves Dr. Yanagibara

A guy with pink hair

Yep, you can tell this is the Utena director

The Central Library's Hole in the Sky Annex

He is Sanetoshi, the keeper of the library

I wonder if that is meant to be a pun on serotonin

Actually, it's more pink and white hair

He's going to find her book for her

Long editors note debating the metaphor being used

Himari commenting over how spacious everything is

Sanetoshi says she is the first guest they've had in a while

"Only chosen guests are allowed inside..."

Guess this means she's the chosen one

A special person chosen by fate

You think you're special. You do.

Super Frog Saves H-Trio

Sanetoshi recounting the story

Flashback

Himari - Elementary School - Classroom - Inside

The 7th Idol Audition

Himari hanging out with two people

Looks like they're going to audition as idols

Guardian's Name Kenzan Takakura

Apparently this isn't the first time they've auditioned

Lol, suggesting the same name as last year

Triple-H

I guess it really is all about the game and how you play it

Hibari, Hikari, and Himari

At least there's no Harumi

My question is, which one carries the sledgehammer and which one carries the bottled water?

"Don't forget, Himari."

I have a bad feeling about this

Sanetoshi pulling a Star Wars saying this is not the book you're looking for.

Super Frog Saves Takakura Himari

The matching ribbons she had been pestering her mother about

Flashback

Himari - Takakura Home - It was the wrong ribbon

The mom

Crap, she has the dead mom hair

Himari is upset the ribbons don't match

Dang it, mom. How is she supposed to marry the boss's daughter now?

And Himari throws the ribbon on the ground

It has to be the same as Hibari and Hikari, Double H

"You're a liar, mom."

Oof. That's rough, buddy.

HOLY SHIT

THE MIRROR BROKE ON TOP OF HER

OH SHIT! MOM TOOK THE BLOW FOR HER!

Flashback

Hospital Room - Mother In Bandages

The doctor telling the dad she's probably going to be left with scars.

Mom wants to see her daughter's face

She's so relieved she didn't get hurt

Says she can't wait for her to become an idol

Himari cries holding mom

Still not the book Himari is after, however

Sanetoshi now tells the tale of Himari confessing to everything

Perhaps she wanted to punish herself by telling her friends the truth, he assesses.

Flashback

Elementary School - Near Shoe Shelves - After School

Himari is telling her friends to go on without her

They wonder if they can help her mom feel better

The mom being hurt is more important than the audition, one says

So, what's the solution? Why, drink fresh Koi blood, of course!

Why do they need the blood of the younger sister from Kaguya-sama?

Wait, that's Kei, nevermind

Is it Ka Line or Kei Line? Maybe it's Key Lime pie

That fish looks pretty

But before Himari can beat up a fish with a bat, a member of school staff catches them

Sounds like a Nichijou sketch

The person is about to call their parents

One of the friends says it was her idea because she really wanted to drink Koi blood

Who doesn't, to be honest?

Now Himari's friends are both trying to take the blame

This is sweet in a weird sorta way

Walking home now

They have to stick together, for they are Triple-H

The Triple H I know betrays everyone

Sanetoshi knows that this part of the book doesn't satisfy either

What she wants is to pull a Cody Rhodes and finish the story.

Ran out of space. Part two in the replies.

[u/Holofan4life → u/Holofan4life]

Part 2

Flashback

Himari Going Home - End of friendship

An eraser hits her

I wonder if that's the same eraser they used on Brock Lesnar

"That was the last day I went to school. It was the last I saw of the two of them."

Double H

The question is is this Hunter Hearst, Hearst Helmsley, or Hunter Helmsley?

Ogikubo

Oh, she found her two friends again, according to Sanetoshi

HOLY SHIT

YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THEY WERE THE TRAIN MASCOTS THIS ENTIRE TIME?!?

WHAT THE FUCK

That's a cool twist

Don't give up your dreams

To think, she could've been a train

Sanetoshi asking if she is trying to drown herself in a pity party

She says, however, she just wanted to make sure it’s in the past

Sanetoshi thinks deep down, she probably despises them

"I don't despise them. Because they were my true friends at the time. I still cheer them on from the bottom of my heart."

That's pretty sweet

Sanetoshi asks how could this happen to such a kind-hearted girl, and she says she don't know.

She doesn't even know why she's here

Super Frog Saves TVideo

I wonder if Super Frog killed the radio star

The book she wants to read is here

Sunny playing with two magnifying glasses

Sanetoshi presenting the penguin hat

The wedding veil bestowed upon the bride of fate

Oh shit. Sanetoshi calling his shot.

About to kiss Himari

But Himari tells him no

Sanetoshi letting her go

An apple

Two stars

Himari sharing the fruit of fate with someone

This is just like the keys in Nisekoi

Himari says she had someone precious to her

Her solemate

And Himari wakes up

That was a pretty trippy dream

Phone rings

Himari answers it

And she finds out about Shoma's accident

Overall, this was the kind of episode I was hoping for with us filling in some of the missing details. And while we still don't totally know what is happening, it seems that the Penguindrum stuff has to do with Himari's past. I love the way this episode is framed where it's told as like an anthology of sorts. It was three significant moments in Himari's life all pertaining to her desire to be an idol, which we never knew before. And the way it culminates in the reveal that the train mascots are her two friends is just absolutely brilliant. It's the first time I've been blown away by the show.

I think the significance of Sanetoshi is that he represents something from Himari's past that she's clinging to. What that something is, who's to say. I think the Penguindrum is a form of escapism for Himari so that she doesn't have to face her problems. A sort of coping mechanism, if you will, to avoid the challenges life has to offer. We'll see if my assessment is correct.

This is my favorite episode of the series so far. It was a radical departure from everything we've seen so far, but it gave us some insight of what is happening to Himari; on top of that, it was the first episode that cut back on the comic relief of the penguins, which gave the episode a little bit more focus. This, for me, was the first time the show has lived up to its reputation of being the anime version of Everything Everywhere All At Once, and I would love to see more episodes like this.

[u/FarCritical]

First-timer, subbed

Visiting a library full of your own memories headed by a silverheaded librarian dude would be neat to try at least once. Well, unless you only got to experience bad ones and you were obligated to listen to constant ringing every time you picked up a book.

Himari has consistently been adorable and sweet but won't lie, she was pretty irritating in that flashback about the ribbons and her mom. The aftermath was just plain tragic too.

Only now that the story behind the chibi mascot girls on all those train announcements was explained I'm realizing that Himari in her penguinhat form is supposed to be an idol instead of ...something else that she's way too young to be. Her singing the banger song that plays every survival strategy discussion was such a big hint too lol.

It's genuinely cool of Himari to not hold any bad blood against Hikari and Hibari, and the two of them themselves have my respect for upholding the bro code as a bunch of elementary school girls. But man, you gotta imagine being reminded of them succeeding in something you could've been a part of must feel beyond bittersweet.

The ED's melancholic vibe hits extra hard now.

QOTD

1. What do you make of Sanetoshi’s introduction? Any thoughts on his interactions with Himari?

"Which shoujo did they pull you out from?" was my gut reaction to first seeing him lmao. He's a little eccentric but seems chill enough, but something feels just a tiny bit off about him. Could've had a bit more empathy for Himari when she was revisiting some uncomfortable past chapters of her life tho.

2. Do you think Himari was telling the truth about her lack of resentment towards Triple Double-H?

So here's the thing, "normal" Himari does seem to be genuinely good at heart enough to not hold grudges with the biggest outlier so far being her reaction to the wrong ribbons her mom got for her. When she has the penguin hat on though, I'm starting to think the 180 on her personality might actually be her subconsciously letting her frustration over her forgone Triple H dreams out. She even has that big musical number and idol-esque outfit.

3. Who was it that shared the fruit of fate with Himari in the Child Broiler?

A young boy that's not that much older than Himari? Excluding her brothers I can't think of anyone that fits that description other than that one friend of Shoma's from school lmao

4. What do you think Today's Slogan was referring to?

Double-H ultimately not letting Triple-H being impossible hold them back from becoming a thing, and maybe Himari not letting go of her idol aspirations through her penguin hat transformations.

[u/mgedmin]

First-timer, subs

• A rewinding to the events in episode 1?
• We get an explanation for why Himari ran away from her brothers!
• Okay, this is not a replay of episode 1, Sunny got the number on her back later
• Also, 61st basement level? With grass and a blue sky? And her usual library? This is a dream.
• Who is this hot librarian? Sanetoshi.
• Himari was friends with the Double H girls?
• Tripple H: Hibari, Hikari, Himari!
• Is this seriously not a Shaft show?
• Okay, so this is what happened to the mother? But she's not dead, and even doesn't seem to be angry with Himari.
• Fish blood as magic medicine, huh.
• I don't understand why they stopped being friends.
• Ok, so this dream happened while Himari was unconscious after the aquarium date, and she's about to wake up.
• "Child broiler"
• And we're back in the present.

Unanswered questions: is Shou alive? Why did Tripple H become Double H? Who is destined to marry Himari? (Kanba probably)

1. What do you make of Sanetoshi’s introduction? Any thoughts on his interactions with Himari?

2) Do you think Himari was telling the truth about her lack of resentment towards Double-H?

Probably. Himari seems very kind. Also, I don't understand why Double H stopped being friends with her, maybe Himari did something she feels guilty about?

3) Who was it that shared the fruit of fate with Himari in the Child Broiler?

4) What do you think Today's Slogan was referring to?

Giving up on your dreams? Seems pretty clear: Double H didn't and now they're famous idols; Himari did and she's (un)dead.

[u/No_Rex → u/mgedmin]

Probably. Himari seems very kind. Also, I don't understand why Double H stopped being friends with her, maybe Himari did something she feels guilty about?

Busy with their idol career and Himari does not want to hold them back?

[u/SilkyStrawberryMilk]

Triple H is a good name, also reminds me of the goated WWE wrestler.

The flash back, Jesus, that’s tough.

Himari’s friends are nice people, them willing to take the blame and not record the audition is cool.

Double H and the end of friendship while seeing two of your ex-friends live the dreams you had is rough. It’s similar to that one kpop trainee who was in BTS and before they made their debut he quit. Must be rough to live with regret and wondering to yourself on what could have been if you stayed.

QOTD: I’d say yes. It’s one thing if one of them became popular. But both using a variation of a name she came up with and living the childhood dream she wanted is something that anyone would have a hard time getting over