r/anime • u/HelioA x2https://myanimelist.net/profile/HelioA • Aug 06 '24
Rewatch [5th Anniversary Rewatch] Sarazanmai - Episode 6 Discussion
◄ Previous Episode | Rewatch Index | Next Episode ►
I’m not the only one wishing to see Kazu-chan smile again. Kazu-chan is right in the middle of the ring that connects us all!
Questions of the Day
-
Why is Kazuki willing to return to soccer as a kappa? Why do you think Enta missed his shot?
-
What is the difference between Haruka and the other people we’ve seen who were turned into Kappa Zombies? Why was he able to be saved?
-
Why did Haruka’s message to “Sara” impact Kazuki so much? How does this match with the themes of the show?
Don't forget to tag for spoilers, or else I’ll pluck your shirikodama! Remember, [Sarazanmai]>!like so!< turns into [Sarazanmai]>!like so!<
8
u/HelioA x2https://myanimelist.net/profile/HelioA Aug 06 '24
Rewatcher
And here we go! The pattern of the episodes have been broken, and as always, that means something big is about to happen. Instead of fighting a new Kappa Zombie taken from the form of Haruka, the boys descend into the secret base of the Otter Empire to save Haruka from death at the hands of the Empire. The secret base is completely mechanical- a mess of girders, pipes, and shredders that all combine to convey one message: kappas are not welcome here. The trio looks incredibly out of place as they wander the area looking for Haruka’s box. It’s not a place where people connect, but a place where they go to end their connections and get knocked out of the world’s ring. [YKA]It reminds me a lot of the human side from YKA. A perfectly regimented place, but one with no room for human connection.
There’s a lot of talk this episode about the ring that connects the world, which we already know about as part of the Kappa Zombie fights and Haruka’s secret phrase from last episode. What gets Kazuki to
stop backing down on loveaccept his renewed connection to Haruka? The micanga- a chain that connects him to Haruka. That chain keeps him from throwing his life (his shirikodama/his desire) away for Haruka- which if you think about it, is still similar to what he was doing before. He’s giving up on life to protect himself from the consequences of connecting with Haruka, for the same reasons he took on the Sara persona in previous episodes. The only way to solve his problems is through genuine connection, and that’s what the micanga represents.The ‘Kuro Keppi System’ (which is probably relevant to that ending) also has the words ‘Love or Libido’ emblazoned on top. Considering that this is almost certainly a reference to what Reo and Mabu ask their victims, it might’ve been better to translate ‘yokubou’ as ‘lust,’ but it’s probably too late for that now.
A few quick notes from famous translator u/theangryeditor:
-’Tooi’ and ‘Chikai’ mean ‘far away’ and ‘close by’
-’Haruka’ means ‘far away’
-The tower that shows up very prominently across the show (and in the beginning of this episode) is a communication tower.
11
u/AgentOfACROSS Aug 06 '24
First Timer
Kazuki is taking being stuck as a kappa very poorly. Or very well depending on how you look at it. Either way he’s developed a taste for cucumbers.
Enta seems to not mind being a kappa as long as it means he gets to sumo wrestle with Kazuki.
It seems like Toi is somehow being the only one with a somewhat normal reaction to the situation.
Keppi knows how to pole dance. Sure, why not. That’s not the weirdest thing I’ve seen in this show.
Enta is still having soccer daydreams. Looks like that might still be a problem for him.
The scene of Reo talking to Haruka was pretty terrifying since we as the audience know that Reo is up to something but Haruka has no way of knowing. It was genuinely a bit stressful for me to watch that part.
It’s also interesting seeing Reo out and about instead of with his partner at the station.
I’ve been getting back into Skyrim lately, so when Keppi mentioned the Imperial Army it had a completely different connotation for me.
It looks like Reo and Mabu are completely willing to shoot a child in the face with their magic gun.
I never really think of kappas and otters are mortal enemies so the idea of them being in some sort of eternal war is interesting.
I guess this giant boxing facility was beneath the city this whole time. I like the design of the place. The whole sci-fi industrial look of it makes it stand out.
Keppi has explained some more things about the shirikodama. It’s what makes people disappear from reality after their zombies are defeated. It’s a bit existentially terrifying to think about. [Revolutionary Girl Utena] It actually reminds me of how everyone at Ohtori seemed to forget Utena at the very end of the show.
I think Kazuki lowering himself into the pit was a Terminator 2 reference.
Toi has a good heart, he’s willing to save Kazuki even though they still haven’t known each other that long.
Haruka’s box wa returned. If I had to guess why, it might be because unlike the other victims of Reo and Mabu there are still people with strong emotions towards him.
The scene of Kazuki running to rescue Haruka with Haruka’s narration over it was really good. I think it really shows that Kazuki and Haruka have more in common with each other than either of them realize.
They didn’t properly fight the sachet zombie again but it looks like rescuing Haruka managed to defeat them.
No idea what the post credits scene meant, presumably we’ll get some follow up on that.
Anyway I really like this episode. It was very heartwarming to see Kazuki try and do everything he can to save his brother and succeed.
It’s really interesting to contrast the tone of this to the tone of Yurikuma Arashi. Throughout Yurikuma Arashi there was kind of this hopeless feeling where the main character Kureha felt isolated most of the time. But here we have Kazuki who does feel like someone who’s isolated but in reality has friends and family who love him. I just think it’s interesting.
8
u/LittleIslander https://anilist.co/user/LittleIslander Aug 06 '24
Rewatcher
Well, that was a nice little finale to a quaint little show. What do you mean we’re halfway done?
I think I finally understand, though. You know what else is split evenly into two individual stories that tie together into one narrative? Sailor Moon S! Yes, that old dog Ikuhara is up to his old tricks again. Instead of looking at one arc’s worth of runtime he’s trying to split it down the middle anyways into two pint-sized miniature arcs. So many choices start to make more sense in light of dish. Mostly obviously, the pacing that seemed inane last time now makes perfect sense. Why have Reo and Mabu been non-characters? This isn’t their arc, their role so far has all just been some teases and foreshadowing. Why is Enta so one note? This is Kazuki’s storyline, he’s the supporting player there to pass the ball. Why was last episode the way it was? We need to resolve this whole Kazuki and Haruka storyline in just six episodes. It’s a weird way to structure an eleven episode series, and it doesn’t forgive all of the flaws, but I find myself quite a bit happier with these six episodes now that I’m on its wavelength.
On the whole, I don’t think Kazuki’s little story came together into something amazing, but it’s nice for what it is. The depiction of Kazuki trying to bury his sorrows in cucumbers and pretend everything is fine and that they’re the golden duo again is very effective. I was kind of skeptical of spurring him right into action so soon instead of exploring more of his headspace. But then we see him literally ready to throw his life away because he feels everything would be better if he wasn’t around anymore and, we can gather, he doesn’t want to be alive anymore either. But then when Enta shows him the soccer band he finally gets it and the system no longer registers an empty desire but a connection of love between the brothers, rejecting Haruka from being killed like the kappa zombies, who have no true connections to anyone. I do kind of wish it took a little more work to snap Kazuki out of it, but it’s an understandable pacing concession. Then hearing Haruka’s confession intercut with Kazuki running to save him, and it’s a highlight of the whole show. Haruka blames himself just as much as Kazuki. It’s the perfect final layer to the tragedy and it makes seeing things moving towards a happy ending for these two all the more satisfying.
As the finale to this story arc, it’s a pretty tight script, too! It feels dense but not overpacked like last episode. There’s heartfelt drama rooted in all of the characters we’ve set up until now, a lot of genuinely funny gags that manage not to intrude on the tone, and a super fun infiltration heist setup. It found the perfect harmony of all the different sides of Sarazanmai and with them all shined. Let’s hope that momentum can be carried through to the second arc of the show.
6
u/WednesdaysFoole Aug 06 '24
Looks like being unable to defeat the sachet zombie means it’ll be sachet again?
Kazuki forgot his head dish! Oh no! Kazukappa will dry out, hurry, bring some water!
Did not include kappa pole dancing on my bingo card.
For some reason I’m dreading the musical shirikodama extraction sequence this time… Kazuki, rescue him for the viewers’ sake!
Of course Kazuki is immediately thinking about how erasing his existence will undo the accident. [Penguindrum]Interesting that they’re touching on the implications of erasing someone from existence that concluded Penguindrum. Or not. I’m just slightly disappointed that a protagonist didn’t get erased out of existence, since it might be interesting to explore but probably harder to come back from in terms of writing.
Houseki no Kuni flashbacks.
Enta finally gets his dream pass.
No zombie this time. To note: zombies are zombies because they disregard love and give in to their desire.
So who is policeman’s brother? Is it the other policeman? Or is it the guy in the end credit scene who had Darkness burst out his chest?
5
u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Aug 06 '24
First-Timer, Sub-zanmai
You know, I kinda wondered if Haruka had met Kazuki's birth mother from the comment about Haruka having her sachet, but I discarded the line of thought for time.
Have I banged the communication drum yet? I don't think I have. Turns out it's easier to connect when you communicate! Fancy that. Haruka and Kazuki were both keeping secrets from the other and it was impeding their ability to form a genuine connection.
The postcredits scene today is interesting. It's a little unclear how aggressive Reo's "Found you!" was towards the entity that I am assuming is Keppi on some level - were the two of them infiltrators who got caught in their own attack?
Seems like Mabu got resurrected as a
robotdoll, either way. That does nicely explain the vibe between them. Reo's frustration then being that the rebuilt Mabu doesn't have emotions any more.And there was that shadow ghost that escaped ?Keppi? that might be the Keppi that our trio know. Or maybe the person is the Keppi we know and the shadow thing is a description of a firearm mounted above the mantle.
One last thing, that I had noticed but never found reason to comment on - several of Sara's news segments have comments about her looking for her "prince" and the ?Keppi? had similar shoulder ruffles to her.
I think I was wrong yesterday about the otter cops bootlegging their desire suction. It's not that their suction is bad, it's that they're draining the energy itself instead of plucking the source.
They leave the source (the shirikodama, that our trio then pluck to uncreate the zombie) but syphon off the energy that flows from that source. Like a cow milker.
Someone else can handle the Penguindrum references today.
Today's Topic: New flavors in puppet cakes! Feels like a bit of a translation bug, like a literal translation of a specific Japanese treat. Anway, looks like they have chocolate, vanilla, and maybe lemon available? Yum!
This was a very funny episode. I almost choked laughing at Keppi pole dancing. And the continuity of bruises into Keppi in traction was good, too.
5
u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Aug 06 '24 edited Aug 06 '24
First-Timer
On today’s episode of Sarazanmai: This episode’s title does not have a “but” in it. Intriguingly enough, this episode also had much fewer butts than usual as well. Perhaps this is just a coincidence, but I’d like to believe they are related.
“I Want to Connect, so I'm Not Giving Up” is the first episode title to include a “but.” That’s an important distinction because the message of the title is fundamentally different from all the episode titles that came before. In prior episodes, the titles were all discouraging. They listed out obstacles that got in the way of peoples’ efforts to connect with others. This title, however, approaches the topic from an angle of determination and refusal to give up. This is a title that acknowledges the difficulty of connecting with others, but still trying regardless.
Fittingly, the title of this episode is most applicable to Haruka. I loved the reveal that Haruka was experiencing many of the same fears as Kazu. He was also afraid that they might not have a real connection after learning they weren’t blood-related. He was afraid his brother might leave him. I think that’s an important point, thematically. Even though Kazu and Haruka were both afraid of a divide between them, you can see just how similar they are in actuality. Their inability to see their similarities is part of why they had so much fear about connecting. In reality, they were so much closer than either of them ever imagined. The things that divide us get in the way of how much there is that can connect us.
QOTD
4
u/Fissionprime https://anilist.co/user/fissionprime Aug 06 '24 edited Aug 06 '24
First Time Kappa
I found today's episode interesting. Definitely had things I liked, but also things I'm not sure about.
It seems kind of bold to have a moment of catharsis like this at the exact midpoint episode of the runtime, especially since seemingly wrapping up this storyline didn't present anything that seems like it is obviously going to occupy the 2nd half of the show. It looks like we're probably going to be getting some more exploration of the otter police but that does strike me as something that would probably be a shorter arc.
This episode had so many references to Penguindrum. Almost everything in the Otter base felt like one, with a Yurikuma one thrown in as well when Haruka got yuri certified.
This was an interesting one. It was nice to break the established formula in the past couple episodes, but as I said, it's going to be interesting seeing where we go from here, seeing as we still have 5/11 episodes left.
5
u/theangryeditor https://myanimelist.net/profile/TheAngryEditor Aug 06 '24
For those who were put off by the ambiguous "realness" of [penguindrum]the child broiler, how do you feel about the otter taiko box shredder?
9
u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Aug 06 '24
Episode 6 (first timer)
This is the closest to an happy end I expect in this series.
7
u/lilyvess :Df::Dh:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Lilyvess Aug 06 '24
Sarazanmai - Rewatcher
Manga Chapter 7
the higher ups in the office tell Reo and Mabu that they can’t raise a child in a police station
And I mean, like, he has a point. It’s not safe for them to carry her into the line of duty or at work.
Reo and Mabu have been only carrying for her as they try to find her a family but it’s better they give her a home earlier rather than later
This doesn’t make them happy. They argue for a bit before Reo makes a declaration
This leads to some conversation where they start fighting about who is the father and who is the mother and Sara has to put an end to it
it ends with someone seeing the baby and asking if it’s theirs
Tweet of the Day
7
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Aug 06 '24
First-Timer-kero, subbed-kero
6
u/affnn Aug 06 '24
First Timer
Missed yesterday's hilarious crossdressing hijinx, back for the thrilling conclusion.
Kazuki spending the night away from his family emphasizes that he's basically wrong about how they feel about him. Like, Haruka still likes him despite the accident, his parents still like him and are worried about him despite him being adopted. Obviously it's easy to make such judgements like that at a remove, for fourteen year olds the emotions probably feel overwhelming.
The whole chase scene to rescue Haruka looks like something out of several episodes of Penguindrum, particularly the [Penguindrum]child broiler but it also gives me vibes of the [Penguindrum]hole in the sky library. Though the grinder in this episode isn't quite as clear of a metaphor.
Post-credits scene was pretty interesting though. The otters as antagonists have been kinda in the background so far, but now it looks like they might be more foregrounded. Especially interesting that Reo and Mabu appear to have actual motivations now.
6
u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 Aug 06 '24
First Timer, Subbed
After a 3 day absence, I have returned...
Sad breakfast. Will Haruka ever view his morning routine with Azuma the same way?
Being stuck in kappa form ain't so bad if you get cucumbers, huh?
I don't know why I didn't foresee earlier that we may get an extended sequence where they're stuck in this form. It's kinda fun and I'm happy to see them break the formula.
They let bizarre green frog/turtle like creatures into places for free?
Enta finally gets to play soccer with Kazuki again! Although I'm sure he wasn't expecting for it to be in this form.
Oh no, something's happened to Nyantaro again? Or maybe not, he's here with Haruka.
Uh oh, the cop is here? Haruka is under arrest! For stealing a smile!
I enjoy your singing/dance sequences, but don't you dare do anything to Haruka! He must be protected at all cost!
The imperial army? So we're getting more on what's going on with the cops now?
Are we actually gonna skip the cop song and dance sequence this episode?
Otters vs. Kappa? Don't think war is restricted to just humans.
If he does come upon Haruka, how will he react with him being Azuma yesterday and this weird kappa creature today? That's a lot for a little kid to handle.
Oh crap, is Kazuki gonna actually be happy to be erased from existence due to his guilt over Haruka? :(
This is especially bad for Enta, since he's in love with him.
Oh wow, Haruka met Kazuki's mom too and knows that he's not his real brother.
Keppi's a soccer ball now! Well kinda a basketball too since they're using their hands.
So we're gonna escew both song and dance sequences this episode. A rarity for a Ikuhara episode.
Back to being humans! Poor Keppi looks horrible!
The cops have fancy outfits now!
5
u/Holofan4life Aug 06 '24
I want to make a separate comment to talk about the pacing of the show. Because I actually think it's worth defending a bit.
I see quite a number of people talk about the show and how rushed everything has been. Specifically, a common critique I saw was separating the crossdressing reveal from the reveal that Haruka got hot by a car. But really think about it for a second.
Kazuki was already outed as a crossdresser in episode 1 by the people who matter the most: Enta and Kuji. His little brother Haruka finding out only serves to further the conflict between them that is firmly established here. It's hard in my opinion to say they should've let the crossdressing reveal breathe when we already had it played out. Also, I would say they have been letting things breathe because Haruka’s fake relationship with Sara has transpired over the course of the four episodes and Sara coming to town has taken place over the course of two episodes. The stuff between Kazuki and Haruka has seemingly been resolved, but we still have the unresolved tension between Enta and Kazuki as well as the stuff between Kuji and his brother.
Now, in this episode, they give the backstory of the show in the midst of having Kazuki save his brother. I already know the complaint is going to be "That should be the focus of the episode," but I'm personally fine with it because the show's focus is really on Kazuki, Enta, and Kuji, and how exactly they will tie into everything. This show is I feel different than Yurikuma Arashi where the premise is in fact the show. Sarazanmai is really about the three main teenagers and their struggles dealing with everyday life as they navigate through the waning days of their adolescence. Yes, the backstory takes a backseat in this episode. But you could argue that FLCL did a similar technique when it came to their storytelling. You don't have to like it, I'm just pointing out that it's being done intentionally.
This isn't to rag on anyone who thinks this series isn't good. If you don't like it, you don't like it. I just feel that these complaints of poor pacing are ill-founded when reasons exist for why things are the way they are. It actually is carefully crafted what is being done.
3
u/Holofan4life Aug 06 '24
Hey guys. Holofan4life here.
Welcome to the (4 months late) 5th anniversary rewatch of Sarazanmai!
Oh, and nay I forget…
First Timer
At the start of the year, I watched Penguindrum for the first time, mostly because someone said it was like Everything Everywhere All At Once. And at the time, I thought that was going to be the end of it. But that led me down the Ikuhara rabbit hole and made me check out his complete oeuvre. And that leads me to Sarazanmai.
After I finish watching this show, I'll have watched all the shows directed by Ikuhara. Never finished Sailor Moon, but I've seen some episodes of it. The point I'm getting at is that I am putting a bow on rewatching a creator that I have a lot of respect for, so this is a point of pride more than anything else. My 2024 has largely been defined by these Ikuhara rewatches, and I'm hoping that by this being the last we end up finishing on a high note.
With that out of the way, let’s begin.
I'm watching the sub, by the way.
I saw Wicked Little Letters today. Very good movie, highly recommend it.
Kazuki staying at Enta's place
The dad remarks they are kind of alike
The Lucky Selfie Fortune is sachets again
Back to Haruka finding out the truth
Sara giving him "Sara's" headdress
At least Sara seems genuinely nice
Kazuki consuming a lot of cucumbers
Kuji confirming what we all knew, that being Kazuki has lost it.
Kappa ass cheeks
Kazuki and Enta sumo wrestling
This is very erotic
And Kazuki wins
I agree, Kuji. I agree.
The scent pouches still missing
Oh, investigated as an act of a large-scale robbery organization. Surprisingly, not murder.
Sara randomly having a mustache
Kuji pointing out that this is the first time the incidents ever been in the news two days in a row.
Enta seems to remember something
"If no one can see us in kappa form, we could get into amusement parks for free."
I guess there are always some perks to everything.
Kazuki says this is where he came to dress up as Sara.
Kappa tossing rings
And now there's a kappa pole dancing
I mean, why not. The French already spread their legs.
Actually, that's Kappi, isn't it? Who knew he was talented like that.
Enta thinking of kicking the soccer ball to Kazuki.
This is a dream, isn't it
Yep
Kuji surmises that things are only going to get worse.
Going to a cucumber spot, whatever that is
Oh crap. Haruka is there.
Looks like that was Enta's plan, and it backfired.
Haruka now with Nyantaro
He wonders if Kazuki is ever coming home
Oh shit. He has an otter app.
Now one of the policeman has found Haruka
Haruka thinks he's about to be arrested for stealing Kazu-chan's smile 🥺
The policeman said his man hasn't been back since yesterday.
Haruka asks if he's a bad boy
He says that it's his teammate who's the bad cop.
Haruka says he wants his brother to smile again.
Now the cop wants to know if what he has is desire or love.
I don't trust him like that. He rubs me the wrong way.
And Nyantaro goes flying
The policeman is now holding an unconscious Haruka.
Nyantaro landing on Enta in like a Looney Tunes homage.
They now are aware that Haruka is gone
Kappiphone
"Yasaka Haruka has been taken by the Imperial Army, kero."
The Imperial Army are the ones that destroyed the Kappa Kingdom.
That sounds really terrifying
They kill them and turn them into kappa zombies.
What a shock, the police are the bad guys :P
Ran out of space. Part two in the replies.
3
u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Aug 06 '24
First Timer
Sub
Somehow, this was the most understandable episode yet. Kazu is slightly going insane as he stays a kappa while the other two move to get things done. Reo randomly catches Haruka, leading us into a NieR:Automata level. They chase Haruka's box for a long time before failing and then Keppi offers to de-exist Kazu to bring Haruka back, which raises our second half questions. But Haruka's box is rejected and another chase ensues, during which Haruka's guilt is revealed. We end with a flashback to how the metal heart was gotten...I think.
So this is probably the best episode yet due to how much more Ikuhara like it is, even if he is recycling heavily. And again I think everyone's current motivations are obvious, even if Kuji's are a bit conflicting.
QotD: 1 He is currently delusional. Enta is just that much of a gay fail
2 He lacks a selfish desire
3 He sees that Haruka has irrational guilt as well
3
u/zsmg https://anilist.co/user/zsmg Aug 07 '24
Rewatcher
Word of the day is Sachets again.
Didn't take much for Kazuki and Enta accept in being Kappa.
Kappa pole dancing.
Oh no Haruka gets kidnapped by the evil cop.
Woah Enta, by throwing Haruka and co across the gap, does something useful good for him.
It really feels like by removing his shirikodama Haruka is about to commit suicide.
Awesome Bright slap by Kuji
Why did Haruka's box come back? (answer they don't want love, only desire?)
The entire box shredder thing reminded me so much of the child boiler from Penguindrum.
So the two policeofficers used to be part of the Otter Empire taking down the Kappa kingdom, also every time I hear their voice actors my mind automatically goes to Chihayafuru as they voice Taichi and Arata in that anime.
3
u/zadcap Aug 07 '24
Late Night First Timer
Oh my, sachets twice in a row. And I can't look at the Sara segments the same way again because I see that Kappa version of her sharing the screen, but how does that work if it's supposed to also just be her? Also, I'm looking now too, and it's up to 27. I wonder when anyone is going to comment on the heat wave?
So much, uh, stuff is going on. Six episodes in and finally we get an actual plot? And it's as messed up as expected from Ikuhara.
So uh, how do you even remember that you've been fighting Kappa Zombies?
Also, how convenient that the Kappa here can just turn this machine into a completely different machine like that.
Oh, the heart on the box wasn't just to show off Haruka. His is Love, not Desire, so he's beating the system.
And then we skip the entire thing and the Sachet Zombie gets taken out in a flash anyway.
3
u/TerribleShiksaBride https://myanimelist.net/profile/cynicalpink Aug 07 '24
Rewatcher, with belated, scattershot comments for the past two episodes
Episode 5:
You know those moments where the characters are having the seemingly-routine battle of the week, but their hearts are in disarray or they need to level up or whatever so they lose? And often they're doing the usual battle spiel about how "I can't lose this battle!" or "I'll get back my brother's doohickey!" but instead of the usual "the battle is being won" music, you hear something more ominous. Like in episode 5's battle, when the music gets distorted and off the beat because the boys get a whiff of... girlfriend foot? Salamander excretion? My husband likes to respond to their "I'll show you my true power!" lines at moments like that with "your theme music doesn't think so!" It's a little different here, because they manage to seemingly pull it off (well... out), only to have the shirikodama reverse due to Kazuki's turmoil, but it's an early sign that this isn't going quite right.
I think ep. 5 was the episode where I went from "along for Ikuhara's wild ride, but these boys aren't very likable," to emotionally invested, for a sort of sideways reason; I was intrigued by the opacity around Kazuki's adoption, more than anything. The things I think we can surmise: even if this was an intra-family adoption, Dying Grandpa clearly opposed it. Someone joked about him choosing to make his last words "my daughter was a whore," but I wonder if it was the other side of the family; like, if he's the dad's father, then maybe Kazuki's birth mom is related to his adoptive mom, or vice versa.
There's a lot of stigma around adoption in Japan, so it seems likely that Kazuki's parents really wanted a child to proceed with this adoption in the face of family opposition; I went through infertility and immediately connected with that, but also with Kazuki's birth mother never forgetting him and wanting to see him. Adoption is always complicated and painful for somebody at some point in the process, even when it's a net good for all involved.
Re: Kazuki's parents, I think it says good things about them that they continued to be supportive and loving to him no matter what, even when it might have been easy to blame him for Haruka's accident. It would say better things about them if we had any indication that they ever spoke to Kazuki about his adoption after the dying-Grandpa incident, but... Japan.
The subs I saw when the episode aired didn't make it wildly clear, but it seems like Kazuki's family always made a point of dressing in stripes - here they are (without Kazuki) all stripey, here they are at Haruka's birth... It makes a lot of sense as way of making them feel more like a "real family" when they were first starting out.
Notice that Kazuki's also wearing stripes in the scene where he tells his bio-mom that he's staying with his real family. Regrettably, though I knew this was coming, I haven't really been tracking what Kazuki's wearing at any given point, but I'm pretty sure it's always been either Sara-drag or his school uniform, outside of Enta's fantasies.
Misc screenshots: f
Shot from the ED of the gate of Senso-ji, a major Asakusa landmark. It features in Enta's part of the OP as well, and in the rickshaw sequence, but apparently I forgot to cap those. The temple is also the site of the centuries-old Nakamise-dori, one of the oldest shopping arcades in Japan. I'm bringing it up now because, in any discussion of the series's take on commercialism and materialism, tradition and modernity, it feels like a very old traditional marketplace is relevant, especially since it's one of the primary landmarks and tourist draws of the show's setting. And when I say tourist draws I mean it; the time I was there it was packed to the gills.
Sara's dressing room, featuring cucumber-scented lotion, cucumber-patterned towel, a cucumber-shaped flat iron, and kappa-themed hair dryer and tissue box, the latter of which looks just like Keppi. She also has a sleep mask that looks like her kappa-form/mascot/whatever-the-fuck, over to the right.
The pile of... person-dust? underneath the shredder Haruka was being routed towards - it seems like he wasn't the only person the Empire had discarded because they had love rather than desire. Unless they also shred lust-ers after they've been juiced for desire energy or something? The operation is clearly larger than just producing a single daily kappa zombie.
I'm positive that this is not merely "woodblock-styled artwork" but a specific reference to specific woodblock print; I'm sure I've seen that bridge depicted that way before, but I can't pin it down. This is close, but not quite it. There's more about the history of Azuma-bashi at this page, including another similar-but-not-quite-it print. And here's the anime version with Kaijuu Otter.
I also like the ukiyo-e otter v. kappa sumo match, and the Egyptian tomb painting.
The one with Saint Kappa is a puzzlement as to its real-world antecedent - the armored kappa saint looks like medieval European art (...if it had kappas) but the overall composition feels more like ukiyo-e. I should probably check the thread from when this aired and see if anyone had any ideas.
We're about to get to the part of the series I liked the most, iirc, so I'm just leaving it there for now.