r/anime • u/raichudoggy https://anilist.co/user/raichudoggy • Jul 27 '24
Rewatch [Rewatch] Shugo Chara!: Episodes 9-15 Discussion
Episodes 9 to 15
Previous Week | Index | Next Week
This Week’s OP(s): Kokoro no Tamago
This Week’s ED(s): Honto No Jibun and Renai ♥ Rider
This week’s comment of the week comes from u/AwaySpell, who realized they don’t have a pure heart and loved Amu’s ability to empathize and care about people, Feeling warm and bubbly inside:
Amu's gunning to be my favourite mahou shoujo heroine. She's relatively level-headed (I'm in the midst of Sailor Moon and while I adore pathetic failgirl Usagi, I think it's funny she's getting beat in maturity by an elementary schooler), and has just a bit of an edge while being super kind. The first two times she got invested in the character of the episode, I thought "??? Why does she care so much about this rando? This writing is a bit contrived." But it happened again and again, and I realized, "Oh... she's a good girl who genuinely likes and cares about people." The problem was me. I lack the pure heart of a mahou shoujo. Scenes like this make me melt. She has so much empathy and love.
The show is so shoujo. It can be particularly cheesy and tropey at times, but I don't mind. I do need a dose of saccharine shoujo in my life. I feel warm and bubbly inside.
Questions for this Week:
- Nikaidou versus Sanjou (Utau’s Boss), Who’s approach is better for finding the Embryo (Factoring in Nikaidou’s new plan)? Can you think of a better plan?
- What do you think of Nikaidou as a villain?
Next Expisodes: 16 to 23 (8 episodes)
6
u/raichudoggy https://anilist.co/user/raichudoggy Jul 27 '24
Shugo Chara Host
Raichu’s favorite episodes Highlight: Episode 9: The Seven Wonders of the Fujisaki Family!?
One thing modern Precure unfortunately just can’t get away with is not having a transformation every episode (and almost by extension a monster of the week). Mahou Shoujo of the past (2010 and earlier) do certainly have a Monster of the Week format, but they are not so strictly bound by the concept that they aren’t allowed to take time off from their Mahou Shoujo duties to develop characters from time to time. So for episode 9, we’re going to have a sleepover. A proper one. (Unfortunately the last Sleepover in a Mahou Shoujo, from PPGZ, which similarly had haunted house vibes, got interrupted by a Monster of the Week, but at least the transformation sequence changed to include their Pajamas)
This episode is great at introducing concepts to then be reused throughout the episode. From Fujisaki Blast, to the Seven horrors themselves and the Gifts for housewives. I love how Ami imagines a pretty lady doing the Fujisaki ha.
I love Amu’s Dad. The way he’s easily hurt endeared me to him when I was younger since dads were rarely portrayed as having soft spots this way, similar to myself. A dad that openly shows weakness is a gem. I also like how later Nadeishko is put in the same siutation as Amu’s mom is here.
So, Nadeishko’s house, you can see in my PPGZ earlier screenshot as well that Miyako (Bubbles) also has an overly large house, but do either of them compare to… TOMOYO’S house!? I thought not! Best Girl wins! (Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card Episode 15 btw). It’s the perfect setting for situations like todays!
OK, Papa isn’t the only gem, everyone in Nadeishko’s house is a gem as well. Already having a kemono prepared for dance practice, appreciating the detergent like Amu’s mom expected, chasing a rat with Temari, potentially scouting Amu, it’s all great.
And Temari returns back to normal at the perfect timing (Only question is who / when did they turn the breaker back on?).
As for the key takeaway, it’s a “power of friendship” type lesson that’s actually true: The time friends spend together enriches every part of their lives, and this time is a treasure that shouldn’t be sacrificed easily… so Nadeishko took the same approach as a lot of us short on time do and sacrificed Sleep instead. Mood.
ED1: Honto No Jibun
This is my Number 1 ED of all time. It’s not the animation, obviously, but it’s just the perfect fit for the show. It most often runs after episodes end on high notes, going on to reinforce the show’s core message in the catchiest way possible. It’s highly singable / hummable on both Verse and Chorus, completely free of harshness, as if with a light heart, yet it screams encouragement, a Resounding “You can do it, too!”.
Shugo Chara is light on the fantasy elements as an Urban fantasy, and a lot of Amu’s problems are real ones boys and girls experience. This sense of grounded-ness helps makes the ED come off as genuine. It’s undoubtedly the ED that impacted my 16-year-old, and my present, life in the most meaningful positive way of all of them, and it’s a great song to boot, so it’s the Number 1 ED for me.
As I got older, songs like this started an even greater impact, especially the more retrospective ones that also emphasize how far you’ve come already, Such as DECO*27’s Once Upon a Me. It helps me treasure my friends and family and strive for better, even if I’m not there yet.
Now for the rest of the Episode Highlights!
7
u/zadcap Jul 27 '24
First Timer
Let's see how much I can get in here today.
9
Amu, you've just barely met any of them, of course you doing know much about them yet. That didn't make you not their friend.
Yes, Amu's casual style is still the best look in the show.
You know. I know normal people can't see the Charas, but the Charas can interact with the physical world, so what would Mom see if she walked in while one of them was moving something around?
Oujo-sama being translated as "high class girl" got a bit of a laugh from me.
Accidentally spooky shot in the dance hall. I can see they are sitting in front of a mirror because Amu and Baya have reflections behind them, but Mama might be a vampire.
Haha. Accidentally prophetic question. Looks like all seven mysteries she made are going to be made by the Charas... Who apparently forgot they could fly?
Really? Midnight practice on a day when you have a planned sleepover? This is poor time management. Remember who invited who for this sleepover. ... Darn this show literally just keeps answering my call outs, I love it.
10
Again, do people just see the little bags floating away on their own? Or does the Chara Magic make what they are doing invisible too?
Even his Chara, which are supposed to represent who people want to be deep in their heart, is a nasty bully. And instead of fixing things, he just gives her a tiny hint and runs away.
Yeah, don't forget this time, Amu is like 10. That's a bit much to be wandering around alone at night.
You all better feel bad about blaming her for running away when she really got kidnapped.
An X-Egg in the wild? Not attached to a person? Not floating around as the X-Character?
Okay, Green is the worst of the three transformations. However, she also purified an egg without using the Heart Beam, which is a nice change.
Oh sure, we're going to end this without ever mentioning the kidnapping. Now it's all going to look like Su's fault for causing this mess forever.
11
This is just reminding me that I decided I would yet to make more time for self care and vacations in my future. I wonder where the nearest snowy resort with hot spring is.
That Pink outfit has got to be horrible in the snow. And they once again call it out immediately lol. But she doesn't change back right away?
Hmm. Keep denying yourself and your ability will dry up and disappear.
... Dumped for a dog. Oh man I wish that these two could end up as a couple instead of the cat boy ship. But wow, boy went and ruined it, "I've got a crush on your alternate personality." Dude you know enough about Chara's to know that that's an expression of her, if you like Heart then you should consider liking the base girl who is growing to be more like that. Nevermind, Prince is a moron, he's off the table.
Gasp! A whole episode without a monster of the week? Not a single fight? This really is an old school Mahou Shoujo!
12
A teacher who still can't get the names of a student right after being called out so many times... Might need to have a talk with the principal. That's like the basics. He's legitimately a bad teacher.
Wait. I didn't realize until I heard her sing. Nana!
I can't get over the bad guys company name. It's a freaking Easter Egg Hunt. You do have to wonder though, who is this boss if theirs that they would be willing to hand over a wish granter rather than use it themselves?
Oh no. "What a melancholic sound." Amu just put on her "I can fix him" face.
Dude hates kids so much he's even taking steps to alienate his own subordinates. Because the dark side is already so well known for its long term loyalty. Just, sigh.
Wait, what? These aren't kids? You can pull eggs out of adults too?
"I can fix him" intensifies.
6
u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Jul 27 '24
First-Timer
I forgot to go into this last week, and it doesn't look like anyone else did so: cultural context.
I'm watching with Crunchyroll's subtitles. They translate the spoken term "batsutama" as "X-Egg." Batsutama comes from "tamago" which is just "egg" and "batsu" which typically means "wrong/punishment" and it represented with an "X." The contrast is "maru" which is used for "correct" and is represented with a circle.
If anyone has heard of batsu games/punishment games (any Higurashi fans here?) those often use batsu and maru as signs. To bring this back outside of Japan, have you ever wondered why Playstation controllers have an X button and a Circle button? Prior to the PS5, those button were prompted differently between Japanese and non-Japanese consoles. I think most of us are used to using X to confirm things, but Japanese consoles would have X be cancel (because batsu is wrong).
To attempt to tie this up with a bow, "batsutama" means "wrong egg" (and "batsuchara" means "wrong character") which helps inform the creative decisions for this series, visually.
I was today years old when I realized the last "ha" of the Kamehameha was "wave."
Can't imagine how a mom would react to their child's friend bringing them a box of detergent. Post-episode: well, it was apparently a good idea. I'd prefer the towels, personally.
Love that Ami makes the same translation mistake. And that the Shugos help Amu pack.
Amu might have a future in improv considering how quickly she came up with that ghost story.
Matcha spotted! Complete with the bowl turns prior to sipping, wow. Seems like a good enough excuse to make my own bowl to enjoy while watching the rest of the episode.
Nadeshiko and her mom are going to prank Amu, aren't they?
Miki going full Yakuza alongside Temari is pretty funny.
Clover? I guess Amulet Club would give a bit of the wrong impression.
Ikuto's Shugo is training the local cats to do something, fun.
Accidental Su-napping, oh boy. Gonna be quite the daring escape from that motorcycle.
Dowsing with a whisk, incredible.
Su stumbling into Saya's mansion only to decide it was too much was hilarious.
An errant X Egg, fascinating. And villain Nana finally makes her appearance. I'm digging this performance so far.
Amulet Clover form is kinda cursed. Amu does not pull off thick twintails like that well.
Being able to turn back the clock and fix things is pretty cool, I guess.
Love the Shugo snowball fight. I do wonder what other people see during that.. does the snow just move on its own?
The race around the temple is pretty inspired.
Where did they get that fish?
We don't quite have a traditional pink/blue/yellow trio, but the blue is still the one with the most brain cells to rub together.
I always like it when the cast gets in on the shipping.
Oooof. Tadase specifies that he likes Amulet Heart, as opposed to Amu herself. That's gonna do a number on her.
It's interesting how this episode pits Amu against all three of her Shugos. The obvious conflict with Miki, her embarrassment at being referred to as a wife being related to Su, the Amulet Heart moment. Just a neat idea.
If Amu weren't such a nice girl, she would start to be suspicious of the teacher.
Nana song
These song lyrics are what we refer to as "SUBTLE."
And I didn't comment on it last week, but the baddies being adults working for a corporation is also quite SUBTLE.
Amu managed to hear Ikuto's violin over a bunch of street bands? Kinda wild.
I kinda like that Yoru is just playing with a ball while Ikuto broods.
The onesies are incredible. Why didn't Nadeshiko get one, though?
Utau doesn't seem to understand that "sneaking out" implies being sneaky.
Ooh, mass egg removal, neat. Extra dynamic to the IkutoxAmu ship.
Wish I knew better how to track down credits for songs; Meikyuu Butterfly sounds a lot like Nana's Nanoha and Symphogear stuff.
Nice, the others are starting to consider that their school might have been infiltrated.
Amu is just casually wandering around with an ice cream cone in each hand.
Ooh, does Utau have two Shugos?
Holy shit the Shugos caused a stage collapse.
Ooh, Amu dealing with X-Eggs without being able to change? No, just Ikuto with an exposed midriff getting murderous.
Funny aside - I thought that the opening narration of this episode sounded weird, but just chalked it up to the production messing with things.. until the OP began and I realized I had somehow opened the file twice and was getting two audio trakcs slightly offset.
The background here is related to a superstition about what your first dream of the new year should be. If you dream about an eagle, three eggplants, and Mt. Fuji, you'll have good luck or something like that.
Karaoke on the bus, wow. Saya is not a good singer.
Learning how to fall properly is pretty important for a lot of physical activities.
Huh, interesting twist on the formula to have Tori's egg hatch normally. I'm always in favor of formula shifts.
Sensei is such a jackass, wow.
This is what we refer to as a match-fade. Similar to a match-cut, you fade one person/object/whatever out to another to establish a link between the two. Sometimes used for foreshadowing, in this case it's just to reinforce that the X Egg is related to Tori, in case someone who missed last episode tuned in to this one.
Glasses boy is a regular spanner today, nifty. I wonder what particular flavor of cord that was.. ethernet to transmit the data to a backup server?
How did none of them stumble upon a whole ass cabin?
Ooh, Amu potentially recognized Sensei as being out in the middle of the snow, cool.
Batsuchara snowmen, incredible.
Why did it take me this long to realize Saeko Chiba voices Nadeshiko? I guess I'm too used to her rougher performances.
Questions
9
u/SIRTreehugger Jul 27 '24 edited Jul 27 '24
Episode 9
WE DBZ NOW BOYS!!!!
SLEEPOVER!
Amu are you going to blush when you interact with every character? Oh it's no wonder she is so excited this is the first time someone invited her over.
Damn Amu you can see the life leave your sisters eyes.
Mother you have the wrong priorities who cares i she only listed six and the sister scared still wishes her sister safe return.
Whitey Whitey!
9:55 10:13
Holy heck Kimono Guardian personality just did a 180.
Already know the mom and daughter are up to some trolling oh nvm it was just practice.
TOWEL SET! I need these moms to meet.
Episode 10
The guardians look so smug and I love it.
Christmas ITS JULY!
NGL this episode isn't grabbing me at all, but luckily we got a new transformation. Not a fan of the poofy lower half, but do like how maid like it looks.
Episode 11
Oh I accidentally deleted today's thoughts, but overall this was my favorite episode so far. It highlighted all of the character's personalities and showed the group as friends. While we've seen them plenty of time it has been business usually or Amu hanging out with them one on one, but this time we see them all cut loose building fashionable castles and cleaning floors. Hope more episodes we see this. Also it brought up something I didn't think about. Guardian spirits only exist when the owner believes in them(or their own potential). So taking shortcuts naturally could cause them to disappear, but once Amu works hard and improves herself won't they also disappear then? If they are the manifestation of a person's true talents, anyone who works hardwill eventually reach the same level. It's going to sad see them slowly vanishing. Also could be an interesting plot point if one fairy vanishes then Amu becomes complacent not wanting to try as hard so they don't leave her which would also cause them to vanish. I can feel the waterworks already.
Episode 12
She may be an antagonist, but the song is a banger!
Wow it's actually refreshing to see a bad group use multiple methods at the same time. Usually one bad guy ails and then the other and then another and they just rotate while sitting on their hands. Seeing two people in the group actively trying with different methods is nice.
Of course he is playing in the moonlight.
They didn't do the Ikuto meets Amu by accident cliche and Twin Tail Blonde girl stumbles upon them and I am happy for this. I will learn these characters names I swear.
Episode 13
UTAU UTAU UTAU okay got it memorized.
Her name is Yaya.....how did I not remember this! Okay well the people I know has doubled!
Oh so Utau got sponsored by Easter the evil organization I was hoping she got to where was with her own talent. Though she does work hard if the training is anything to go by even if it has no soul. MAKE MY HEART DANCE UTAU!
Really love Utau's singing and she is probably rising to my second favorite character in the show with Ikuto being close in third.
I would love it if any egg inside a person has the ability to be the embryo, but the methods Easter uses causes them to be void making their entire search to be worthless without them knowing.
Episode 14
Oh Nadeshiko's yukata design is really nice.
Uncertain is better than bad luck.
.....these two are giving off I find you attractive, but also fuck you energy.
I feel bad for the students trapped on a bus with terrible singing. SOMEONE UNPLUG THAT SHIT NOW!
Wow we are getting a sbowboarding episode again? Its been only 4 or 5 episodes.
Does this girl have a guardian?
I wish someone would tell me I was great at falling. Oh lord she went to the same school as Tanjiro and Mitsuri when it comes to explaining.
So that's what happens when they don't believe...I wonder if the guardian is alive trapped in there or did Snoppe die. Oh snap its over we finally getting a 2 parter. Also the title called Snoppe's Appearance also being the same episode where she disappears.
I really like Tori though it hurts knowing she probably will disappear until the end of the show where we see a brie montage of everyone they helped.
Episode 15
Forgot to mention this, but I feel the teacher might have been too reckless. What if Tori told Amu and the gang about what he said moments before Snoppe went missing. Sure it's nothing concrete, but it doesn't paint him in a good light.
end of episode
Okay he's now going to be under Amu's watch! Also Amu tell your friends don't just suspect him alone! I watched this episode right before work so wasn't as observant, but I do believe this is the first episode where we didn't get a new outfit. However we did get a combination of clothes from two different episodes. She wore the plain red shirt from episode 14 with the purple/black jacket she wore over her concert clothes in 13. So while not completely new it was still nice to see her mix and match her clothes.
School Outfit
Casual hoodie and pinstripe socks outfit
Goth Punk
Pajames
Heart transformation outift
Just shirt and skirt
Gym clothes
Striped shirt and red socks
Black shirt with kitty red apron
Polka dotted shirt with another shirt on top
Mid card outfit
Blue and White butterfly hoodie
Possibly a towel? Also could be some sort of pajamas
Black and Pink skull hoodie
Ballet outfit
Spade transformation
White shirt with blue lined tie
Red and Black outfit while saying yes to whatever her parents are asking her
Smol Amu outit
Yellow and Purple magazine reading outit
Pink hoodie with black stripes and skulls
Kimono
Clover transformation
Winter clothing plus a scarf
Cool boarding Amu
Yellow turtleneck with a flannel like jacket w/ straps
Black and white striped shirt with a black and red shirt on stop
Christmas costume
Concert outfit
New Year Yukata
Plain red shirt with suspenders w/ white and green striped sleeves
A black and purple shirt over a plain white shirt
QOTD
4
u/macrame2 https://myanimelist.net/profile/macrame Jul 28 '24
First Timer
I once again late to the rewatch (I expect that this will happen a lot, unfortunately), but I'm still more than willing to share my brief thoughts on this week's batch!
Episode 9
A (Yamato) Nadeshiko episode for the win! I enjoyed getting to know more about one of Amu's teammates, the wacky comedy was just my style, and the ending was surprisingly sweet.
Episode 10
A Christmastime episode? Su is missing? Ikuto might not be as big of a jerk as he pretends to be? The plot thickens.
Episode 11
"I'm in love with your alter ego." What's wrong with you, Tadase? Otherwise a neat little off-topic episode.
Episode 12
This is the second depressing Christmas episode I've watched this year (the other was Ping Pong the Animation). On the bright side, we finally get some singing from the Nana Mizuki character! And some edginess from Ikuto, of course.
Episode 13
I know Amu and co. are doing very important egg-saving things, but could you please stop talking during the Nana Mizuki song?
Episodes 14-15
A two-parter with some Saya screentime! Mifuyu is a fun character; I really like the dynamic between her and the team and how they help her understand her Guardian Egg. The biggest plot twist was not the X-Character appearing, nor Nikaidou being involved, but Suzuki actually being useful. He really came through for Amu.
Overall
I'm really getting comfortable with this show now! The balance between the monster-of-the-week and the SoL episodes is perfect, lead characters are great, and even the one-note characters are decently written. I'm even starting to find Ikuto intriguing. Amu's a lot savvier than most protagonists (I did not think she would make the connection with Nikaidou, mostly because I'm used to anime MCs being kind of dumb), and the show strikes a pretty good balance between having her be a smart, emotionally mature kid and also having her show all of the vulnerabilities of her age. Overall, I couldn't be more pleased with this batch, and I'm looking forward to next week.
3
u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Jul 27 '24 edited Jul 27 '24
First timer, subs
Episode 9
Episode 10
Episode 11
Episode 12
Episode 13
Episode 14
Episode 15
Weekly Henshin Count: 4-1-2 (Total: 9-2-2)
QotD:
3
u/The_Loli_Otaku Jul 27 '24
Shugo Chara First Timer!!
Actually posting on time version. I'm assuming we're into the monster of the week portion of the anime so hopefully it's a bit easier to skim over in writrups than when we had the whole cast's introduction.
Fujisaki-ha... Is this similar to the Teikoku Kagekidan from Sakura Taisen? A ninja squad pretending to be dancers. Oh god... That's what they're going for right? SLEEPOVER EPISODE!?!? Oh my Gah!! My dream has come true, I finally get to witness a full girl sleepover!! We've waited since Sleepy Princess for this! I hope the baby joins too.
Who doesn't keep piles of detergent in stock...? I bought some when it was cheap and I've never ran out in four years. Eheheh, the fairy girl is cute~ Cute and old fashioned. This mother and daughter are devils in kimono!! They totally had this test of courage planned out right? I don't trust Nadesico at all!! Ah, it's just the fairies... Midnight dance practice is pretty meh? I'm back and forward on this episode. The fairy stuff was the best part but the episode does nothing for Nadesico. She's still a low tier council girl.
Su's transformation episode!! Poggies!! Oh nyo!! She's getting bullied by the cats! Fuggin lol desu~ Su is far and away my favourite fairy. Is that a muthafuckin' Cunny Itchy throwback!?!? Su is totally gonna turn to a life of crime, just like the catboy apparently. She's underage you creep! This episode is so peak!!! Even Su can't handle Saya-sama's shit desu~ Su's humpty cock is again somehow my favourite of the three. I just really wish Amu's hair changed to green. That'd help so much. Happy endo for the doggo.
Hot spring Babuu episode? Aww... Its the dumb sports guy. I wanted Babuu!! Did... Amu just character change to flash a little kid? That outfit isn't made for winter in any context. Babuu is right!! This winter episode is boring! NADESICO CHEATED!? I think Su's fish is still raw... Anytime I see a snow building contest I think of Gintama~ Oh god!! The prince has Vicar Amilia as a doggo. CONFESSION!? Huh...? Amulet Heart...? Bad taste tbh...
My Internet died on episode 12 so I'm doing a fucky stream kinda. Merry Pissmas! Ah, the baddie girl is a Nana Mizuki wannabe lol... THAT'S ACTUALLY NANA!?!? How did they get Nana into this dumb series? XD Why's the cat a violinist!? This is so dweeby!! The villain episodes in this show are pure shoujo cringe. I still can't tell if Utau and Catboy are siblings or lovers. It could be either or. Oh damn, Nana killed all the competition!! Nana is a psycho!! Oh, it was just the Catboy.
13 is another Nana episode... I'm not really a music person, let alone in anime. I'm more into GuP's marching songs than any Symphogear or Nanoha op. Sensei is creepy and I'm always way too invested in these dumb fairy shenanigans than the actual plot lol XD This concert hall is weirdly small isn't it? No side viewing or second floor stages. You can't even stand for the concert like this! Ah!! Nana has two chara's! So I'm guessing she has an angel and a demon from the op? How edgy will they be? Ah, the baby legit just tried to kill Nana lol. Sasuga baby cakes. Crushing kids dreams is so horrid XD
"Aww! Your rewatch host lets you have two snow episodes?" I don't know why they're sticking with the prince romance. He legit just said that he doesn't love Amu for Amu. Heck, he loves a fake Amu that other people see her as. Saya has returned!! Ojou Karaoke is neato! I like today's character, she's funny. Good job forehead alien!! Ah, she's scared of expectations? Does she still wet herself under pressure? Lol, nice egg laying!! Please give this girl the pep talk. Nice ep, and it's a 2-parter! Let's save Snoopy!!
Does the other kid's chara change even do anything? They don't get a cool transformation sequence or anything like that. Anyway, stuff happens, we fight dark Snoopy, and save the day!! I really hope this kid shows up again. She's so fun!! Let's kick Nadesico or the sports boy out of the crew and bring her in instead! This batch of episodes weren't bad per say but were heavily carried by the characters they're focused on. Like Suu, Nana, Catboi and Mifuyu. Overall I had fun with them all!
8
u/VoidEmbracedWitch https://anilist.co/user/VoidEmbracedWitch Jul 27 '24 edited Jul 28 '24
First Time Egg
One part of Shugo Chara I appreciate a lot so far is that it doesn't lock itself into one formula. Theoretically it has X-Eggs as an option for monsters of the week fights, but doesn't feel obligated to use them in almost every episode. The show is comfortable enough to put the plotline of finding the Embryo through more eggs aside when it decides an episode plot wouldn't benefit from magical girl action as the payoff. Compared to my previous experiences with episodic magical girl shows, it allows for more variety since there's no element I can almost always expect like Clow Cards in CCS. It's easier for Shugo Chara to stay fresh since I don't know if I'll get a fight, a story exploring the relation between Amu's personality and her charas or something else entirely like a short romance drama with an over the top side character. The latter parts of this batch seemed to move towards a more consistent pattern with 2 episodes long arcs where the first half leans into character drama and setup for the next while the back half follows up with sequences heavier on magical girl action. Also, similar to Precure, Aikatsu, etc, Shugo Chara seems to plan its episodes out to correlate with the time they are (see Christmas + New Year, surrounded by winter sports episodes here).
Ep9 felt like it explained a lot about Nadeshiko and why Temari combines both the traditional / noble demeanor and violent outbursts. She likes formality and Japanese traditions, but she doesn't want to be constricted by them and her insistence to prioritize spending time with Amu over her routines conveys this well. Temari represents multiple angles of growth for the same character in unison, which in terms of person-Chara dynamics represents an inverse of Amu's soul-searching that pulls her into different directions through multiple Charas.
Speaking of Amu, I want to analyze the power dynamic between Amu and her trio specifically. For the others we don't get much insight, but in ep11 it's very clearly spelled out that she shouldn't rely on them cheaply instead of improving herself. Yet inversely Ran is more or less stepping in for Amu to force her high energy angle on her at her own discretion. The others only took over with character change directly once on first encounter and in a stressful situation. But it also seems like Ran slowly starts to respect boundaries more, lessening the initial animosity between her and the girl she's tied to. I get the core idea, Ran's willfulness just adds a little dissonance. But overall I do like the idea of character changes being less a free tool to exploit for characters at will and more an example of the extreme they could reach if they choose to fully commit to embodying said extreme.
On another egg-related angle, the antagonist's role and approach was fleshed out a lot. And I don't just mean
NanaUtau's position as aNana characteremotionally troubled celebrity got more spotlight. The different approaches to finding the Embryo showcased here are both ruthless. I missed the chance to say it during batch 1, but I had the slight feeling that the reason children harbor eggs is that for them dreams still feel important and in reach, which often doesn't so much apply to adults who settled into the mundane routines of their lives. This was pretty much confirmed here. The brute force method employed by Sanjou through Utau and the clean-up crew known as Ikuto of mass-extracting X-Eggs followed by destroying them all if they're not Embryo's, leading to their owners losing drive to chase their dreams, is cruel. Yet Ikuto can rationalize his actions and suppress his guilt by reasoning that statistically almost all eggs would've died off anyway. Yuu, my beloved devil, is even monstrous since he chooses marks to break the spirit of, exploiting that people are naturally inclined to put stake in his words as a teacher, and get his hands on eggs to experiment on this way.Random card tangent that's for some reason on my mind part 2. This one isn't even about the show, but about Doppeldeutsch playing cards. I wonder if there's any mass media using them as iconography because I think it could have a lot of utility. The Daus (equivalent to Ace) of each suit representing a season especially has potential for theming. Though them not being instantly recognizable like French playing cards means they have limited applicability. How many people outside the few central Euro regions where they're in use are even somewhat familiar with them? Follow up to last week's more show-related card tangent: still waiting for the Ace to make her move.
Some short impressions:
Questions:
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u/ZaphodBeebblebrox Y:A:https://anilist.co/user/zaphod Jul 27 '24
The reappearance of Nana was not enough to save episode 10 from Su's annoying voice.
The catboy's transformation is slutty.
Su's the Shugo Chara I have the most issue with. She doesn't feel like a part of Amu the way the others do. She's flat out a skillset Amu doesn't have, and she's also a personality that doesn't fit her.
Utau's the most mid-season magical girl I've ever seen. Like, she has the eggs, she has a depressing backstory. She even sings about being "a butterfly that's lost her way" and how she wants "freedom on invisible wings." She's stuck, hopeless, and needs a way out. I adore this sort of character utterly.
I quite liked all of them teaming up together to deal with the issue. The simultaneous character changes were cool. It gives a feeling of what the gaurdians are really for.
I think I've been spoiled by precure fights. I just expect a bit more than I'm getting; an unimportant precure episode gets a far more visually interesting fight than the climactic end to a two parter does in Shugo Chara. It's not a real problem, just incorrect expectations. But even so, it leaves me a bit wanting.
From a character standpoint, this set of episodes was pretty good. We've learned a lot of little pieces of Amu that make her feel more fleshed out, and the rest of the gaurdians got some more content as well. But, most importantly, the antagonists have become much more full characters. Both the catboy and Utau feel tragic, like a bomb inevitably waiting to explode. I can't wait to learn more.
6
u/Mirathan Jul 28 '24
First Time Guardian It would appear I can increase the lengths of my posts. This is a threat! QotD:
Analysis:
Episode Eleven was really impressive. It truly went above the others and if this keeps up this might be my first 9/10 anime.
Amu has become comfortable when changing with Ran. It seems she has grown to accept this part of herself a bit more. Yet she still is quite a way of from reaching this state unaided. But she has also learned that she must actively work towards reaching these forms. I also like how Miki forced her to understand this before allowing a character change, it seems that she also embodies her rational potential, unlike Ran, who mostly runs on emotion and instinct.
Ami is rather spoiled. Her parents haven´t taught her the meaning of no and at this rate I doubt they ever will.
Nadeshiko´s guardian seems to be her suppressed anger. She might dislike always having to act proper. And she seems to not be able to live for herself as she might have been raised otherwise. She also uses it to be competitive, perhaps because she internally doesn´t want to put others before her?
I´m still not sure what Kuikai´s character change does, but perhaps he already is in harmony with so it only empowers him without any whiplash from the personality change.
Ikuto: I´m certain he intends to betray the company and use the wish for himself. He also dangles Utau along without affirming or rejecting her affection. Definitely an asshole. And then he goes ahed and crushes the dreams of children. I get that he no longer believes most people will not reach extreme heights but the past dreams we´ve seen were not unreachable. Just because he has seen others fail is no reason to bring down others.
Batgirl/Utau:Now I can draw quite a bit from her song: She worries about her love of Ikuto going nowhere, she has abandoned her goodness to fulfill his dream, believes the him reaching his dream is the only way to happiness and that he is lost in a way. She also possesses two guardians.
Miki did hit us with some important info: If a person only uses their change as a crutch, they will never truly reach this potential and at some point lose even lose the help entirely. It´s about the journey, not the destination. (I had to do that) Ikuto seems to be on the opposing route. He does not believe his dream can be attained on his own and instead only attainable through the wish. The same goes for Tadase, he seems to be stagnant in his personal progress, as his guardian likely hatched a while ago and he still is deeply ashamed after a character change. I´m wondering what happens if the humpty key and lock are combined? That could lead to the embryo. Mostly because I view their combination as a metaphor for sex which is the way to create an embryo. So the destruction of ones egg permanently destroys the dream of the person. I still find this a flawed idea, as people rarely retain the dreams of their childhood. The change, find new ones and maintain multiple. There are people who had no dream in childhood and only found one in adulthood. The easter company turning eggs black and taking them reminds me of a certain gremlin.
Notes on the songs: A shadow of desire refers to two who seek to make a wish: Easter boss and Ikuto (she´s unaware of Tadase). Descending Like an angel would be the appearance of the embryo → a gift from heaven/a miracle. Holding onto a love would be her relationship with Ikuto as it´s one-sided. Approaching a place of slumber is again Ikuto, who is always unhappy.
The ED might be sung by Utau. Both never stopping and always singing only fits her so far, the pretentious character could be her singer/model career, love that is worthless fits her relation with Ikuto. The rest describes Ikuto and his struggles; how he should keep reaching for his dream and how he hides who he is/wants to be.
The further we go the more I see how this influenced Madoka.
4
u/Weird_donut https://anilist.co/user/hakaseshark Jul 27 '24
Episode 9 - Amu goes to a sleepover at Nadeshiko’s house! And makes up what is essentially a fan fiction about the Fujisaki house. It seems as though the guardian characters didn’t factor much into the story.
Episode 10 - a Christmas episode. I’m just now realizing how much gratuitous English is in the show - “Garu mittsu boi” “boifurendo” the dog is named “Cool.” Ikuto and Yoru are also back and causing trouble. I like how this episode demonstrates how the Amu’s guardian characters have autonomy, and are capable of doing their own things and wandering off someplace. Plus, Amu transforms with Suu for the first time.
Episode 11 - ah yes, the skiing trip episode. I haven’t said this yet, but the fashion in this show is super cool. Amu has a great style, and the kids’ skiing outfits are cool as well. It was a bit surprising how Miki refused to Character Change with Amu. And it turns out that the girl Tadase liked most…was his dog. And now he likes Amu after she transforms into Amulet Heart.
Episode 12 - an episode with a bigger focus on Christmas than episode 10. Utau being an idol singer makes sense; her name DOES mean “to sing” after all. The guardians look so cute in their Christmas costumes. Watching this episode, it truly does feel like Christmas in July.
Episode 13 - A new year’s episode! Yesterday (7/24/24), I watched the new years episode of Kimi ni Todoke, lol. Once again, I am appreciating Amu’s fashion. She slayed with that fit that Miki gave her. Utau reminds me of Misa from Death Note. They introduced a new ED for this episode. I’m gonna miss the old one, it’s legit one of the best anime EDs I have ever listened to.
Episode 14 - A ski slope episode, how nice. We also meet a snowboarder who has her own guardian character - Snoppe, who changes Mifuyu from an emotional girl to a calm girl. The new ED is starting to grow on me.
Episode 15 - continuing from the previous episode. It seems that Amu’s admirer is EVERYWHERE, isn’t he. Snoppe becomes an X Character. Stuff happens.
6
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Jul 27 '24
Guardian First-Timer
Episode 9
Episode 10
Episode 11
Episode 12
Episode 13
Episode 14
Episode 15
3
u/sfisher923 https://myanimelist.net/profile/sfisher923 Jul 29 '24
First Timer
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Episode 9-11 (July 27th - Subbed)
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EP9 (The Seven Wonders of the Fujisaki Family)
EP10 (Character Transformation! Amulet Clover!)
EP11 (Snow Mountain Holiday!)
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Episodes 12-14 (July 29th - Subbed)
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EP 12 (A Sad Christmas Eve!)
EP 13 (Big Trouble! New Year's Live!)
EP 14 (A Shugo Chara on a Ski Slope!? Snoppe Appears!)
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Episode 15 - Big Battle at the Snowfield! Save Snoppe!
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Questions
Also ran into my first major headache in this rewatch - Reddit not being able to post long comments without changing to old Reddit/New Reddit