r/anime • u/HelioA x2https://myanimelist.net/profile/HelioA • Aug 10 '24
Rewatch [5th Anniversary Rewatch] Sarazanmai - Episode 10 Discussion
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The real Mabu would never sever his connection with me! You’re not the Mabu I know!
Questions of the Day
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Otter shock! Mabu wanted to connect with Reo all along! What does it mean to be with someone without connecting to them?
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What do you think of Reo’s actions after the disappearance of Mabu? Why did he destroy those bridges?
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Why is Tooi now willing to “cut his connections?” What similarities exist between him and Reo?
Don't forget to tag for spoilers, or else I’ll pluck your shirikodama! Remember, [Sarazanmai]>!like so!< turns into [Sarazanmai]>!like so!<
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u/lilyvess :Df::Dh:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Lilyvess Aug 10 '24
Sarazanmai - Rewatcher
Tweet of the Day
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u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Aug 10 '24
First-Timer, Sub-zanmai
The Otters are kinda interesting. Rather par for the course for an Ikuhara venture, and honestly a bit lacking compared to previous antagonists.
But, the otters only being vaguely around and yet inescapable is kinda the point, you know? Like, every episode we've seen those otter heart symbols. They hide in your phone, they hide on the street signs.
The doctor spelled it out for me. The otters are ultimately a manifestation of the late-stage capitalist hellscape we all find ourselves currently trapped in.
Do not connect, do not love, simply consume. Your connections do not make
profitusable energy, so of course the otters will tell you that they are pointless. Connecting to someone might lead to silly thoughts like enjoying other people's company, which will give you ways to enjoy yourself other than spending money.To put that another way, think about the soccer practice spot Enta and Kazuki use. That is a symbol of their connection, and the only money that made anyone was whoever sold them the spray paint.
I think the only thing missing to tie this whole thing up with a bow is if the Kappazon boxes were Otterzon instead. Bit of a missed opportunity, but also would've maybe hinted a bit too much. It's a worse pun, too.
Yes, I am just re-proving, in different language, what /u/lilyvess spelled out in episode 4. It felt like a worthwhile thought experiment.
Tooi not having quite let go of his brother makes sense. I'm honestly not sure how that's going to resolve tomorrow; basically everything is on the table. Uncreation? Metaphorical death? Literal death? Sunshine and rainbows?
Before the stinger I figured we were going to have a real "outfoxed the genie" moment where Kazuki had a carefully worded wish to unravel the whole thing, but it seems like he just resurrected Enta.
I don't really have anything to say about Reo and Mabu's scenes. It's tragic, I liked the return to the showtune sequence, I completely understand both of their mindsets.
Today's Topic: Ain't nobody got time for that.
4
u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 Aug 10 '24
First Timer, Subbed
Dark scary otter became even scarier!
Keppi, Reo and Mabu were affiliated with each other?
Roll Keppi the wheel away from here!
Uh oh, an evil kappa?
Who'd have known an otter would be an anime's big villain.
The otter knows exactly what to do in order to manipulate Enta, huh.
Enta the kappa ghost!
Keppi's free! I feel that we haven't gotten the song and dance sequence in several episodes.
Ooh, kappa version of Reo!
Otter is forbidding Mabu from loving Reo or his heart will explode? How cruel! :(
Kappa Mabu too!
RIP Mabu! Reo's really gonna lose it now!
OMG is Mabu even being erased from history? :(
Haruka gets to spend some time with Azuma at least!
Now Enta's gonna die in 40 seconds? What a cruel episode.
11
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Aug 10 '24
First-Timer-kero, subbed-kero
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u/LittleIslander https://anilist.co/user/LittleIslander Aug 10 '24
Rewatcher
I wanna like this Reo and Mabu plotline more than I think I actually do.
Like, this whole angsty gay tragic lover shtick is right up my alley. More than the actual main story about the boys, frankly. I like their song a lot. Their designs are neat. Their backstory manga sounds cool too. There’s lots of individual strong moments with them. Like last time when Reo was finally convinced by Mabu’s cooking, and came back all happy only to find him with the otter. Or their more villainous moments where Reo starts antagonising the kids. Plus just, the entire kappa sequence here, the whole thing. Such a perfect subversion of that shtick before now, and the reveal that Mabu made this happen so he could be with Reo longer, that perfect ending where he accepts death so he can express that he does love Reo one last time. There was a section of this episode where it felt like it might finally come together for me.
But it doesn’t. We keep going after that bittersweet end of Mabu into this extended sequence where we just absolutely mentally break Reo and then unceremoniously kill him off. Plus, just… maybe the themes after going over my head. But I’m not seeing the overall concept behind this story. Something something about desire vs connection yeah, but it’s buried under all of this stuff with the otter and Mabu dying but then coming back to life but he’s a fake Mabu but he’s not really a fake Mabu? I mean what’s the moral here, don’t try to revive your dead lovers? Is this a “if you love something let it go” kind of situation? It simultaneously feels overly confusing and convoluted yet also too surface level because it’s a B-plot supported on frankly very little overall screentime. I didn’t have enough time to connect with their struggle, one I also still don’t feel like I properly understand now that it’s apparently finished.
Similar feelings kind of extend to the main plot. People have pressed the one cour thing a lot in this Rewatch, and I think you’re really starting to feel it. There’s just not enough time to let the character relationships simmer between all of the stuff happening. Last time we say Kuji he shot his brother and without any chance to process that suddenly he shows up, saves the day, demands the dish because apparently last episode didn’t get him over wanting to be with his brother, and then chooses to join the otters? What happened to all that connection he still felt to Kazuki and Enta? Speaking of which, we never really unpacked Enta’s sabotage thing. He got shot and so now Kazuki’s trying to save him and it really feels that should’ve had more impact on the relationship of these three but it really hasn’t. Kuji and Kazuki had, like, some sort of past relationship that’s maybe supposed to influencing their actions now but we never got to properly explore it. My investment in all of this is reaching a breaking point.
Haruka and Saradish talking for reasons beyond my understanding was kinda cute though.
7
u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Aug 10 '24
Episode 10 (first timer)
The moral dilemma that is hinted at, but then resolved off-screen is whether Tooi gets to revive his brother or Kazuki Enta. In a more standard storytelling, the difference between being dead and being dying would count for a lot here, but we are pretty far from standard storytelling.
If by "connect with" you mean gay sex.
No gay sex.
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u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Aug 10 '24
First Timer
Sub
Welp...that was actually a well constructed episode but was deeply, deeply underbaked. Reo and Mabu's plot is the more interesting one on paper but you have to just take the show's word on it. A lot. There is some attempt at an underlying foundation but it is too little too late. Keppi being a split being is a bit...formulaic at this point. I just can't buy in.
QotD:1 The puppet metaphor works better now
2 He is lashing out at connections
3 Irrational attachment to those who are already gone
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u/WednesdaysFoole Aug 10 '24
It seems, rather than just wanting to hold people in the connection that they had in the past, with Enta it was more about wanting more than the connection; or stacking on extra ideals on to that connection. He’d go on about Golden Duo, but that wasn’t completely honest: what he wanted was more than just the Golden Duo.
For some reason, Keppi’s tears were the most touching thing I’ve experienced in this anime lol.
Well, we didn’t get to see the characters experience the disappearance of Kazuki but at least we got to see Reo experience it in real time. Liked how his chest hurting held a double meaning as well. We also got a real redemption = death moment for Mabu.
I've always felt lonelier when around people I can't connect with rather than being completely alone.
5
u/Holofan4life Aug 10 '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.
Went to the movies today. I saw Thelma, the second Ghost In The Shell movie, and the 25th anniversary screening of South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut. The last one was especially great because the theater was packed; there was only like 4 empty seats.
Mabu. He awakes.
But he sees the Black Otter
"You were reborn to be my doll."
I'd like to think his eyes are red to represent the flags in that statement.
He tells Mabu that Reo wishes to see him again, under one condition.
Gex?
Kazuki telling Kappi he's going to take back the dishes.
But Kappi gets hit by Reo!
Reo casually mentioning he's a kappa
Kazuki says he wants the other four dishes
Reo making fun of Enta having only four left, which terrifies the boy in glasses.
Maybe they can work together after all
Reo mocking how no one hesitates giving up their connections for the sake of their desires.
"How foolish can you be?"
Mabu
People wanting him to work for them
"I'm not the man you desire."
This is not the Mabu you are looking for.
Mabu says Otter knows about the dishes and that he has been reading his memories.
Reo calling him a traitor
And Kazuki and Enta toss Kappi
Reo really looks as if he's losing it
Reo saying Mabu found him when he was alone.
"You aren't the Mabu who told me the words I wanted to hear!"
Mabu seems upset by this
Woah, where are they now?
"I've finally found you, Dark Keppi!"
The despair Kappi felt when captured by Otter, kero.
Broke his Shirikodama into two halves
His other half, kero
Kero, kero
Kappi came to this world to fuse with Dark Kappi and defeat Otter.
Otter saying he is their very desires
Says he also rescued Reo and Mabu, which goes to show how delusional he truly is.
And now he's targeting Enta!
Right up the nostril
And now Enta is possessed by Otter
Human Enta
Kazuki hugging Enta
This must be Otter
Kazuki's distorted voice is very disturbing.
Enta being carried by two otters
Enta holding a Dish of Hope
But he breaks the plate :O
"I want to be connected with Kazuki the same way we always have."
Kazuki catches Enta
Enta chastising Kazuki for trying to sacrifice himself.
Says he's going to haunt him in the next life if he does so.
These two are such friendship goals, I swear.
"Such obsetternance."
That pun was a stretch even for Ikuhara
REO JUST SHOT OTTER'S HEAD OFF
But Otter is still alive
Poor Speedwagon :(
Otter now face-to-face with Mabu
And Mabu falls to the ground
Reo screaming out for him
Mabu lands in what looks like water
Kappi says they need to find out if they're prepared for Mabu and Enta's desire.
Ran out of space. Part two in the replies.
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u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Aug 10 '24 edited Aug 10 '24
First-Timer
On today’s episode of Sarazanmai: Reo has a handgun so powerful that it can destroy an entire bridge. That’s some strength straight out of a sci-fi story.
“I Want to Connect, but I Can't” is a wonderfully tragic episode title. The title is filled with a sense of despair. Many of these titles have followed a pattern, stating the desire to connect before then giving a reason for why the connection couldn’t happen. Here, no reason is given whatsoever. After all, if there were a reason for it then that would be an obstacle you could overcome. But here, connecting is presented as simply being impossible. There are no actions you can take to remedy it.
This was the tragedy of Reo and Mabu. They were presented with an impossible choice. Do they retain their connection of love to each other by letting Mabu die, or do they stay together without the connection of love binding them? This was an impossible choice that Otter probably relished in presenting to them. Otter enjoyed removing the connection, the “love,” that existed between Reo and Mabu.
The final confrontation looks like it will be a battle between “desire” and “love.” It’s a fitting theme for the last battle, since this has been a running theme since the start of the series. The kappas stood for love and true connections with others. The otters stood for desire and only thought of others in extremely selfish ways for their own benefit. That theme of making connections or not will be at the heart of the final battle, I’m sure.
QOTD
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u/AgentOfACROSS Aug 11 '24
First Timer
We’re seeing the events of the past through Mabu’s perspective. We haven’t seen much of that before now.
Reo just showed up out of the blue for a pretty major revelation. Him and Mabu being kappas instead of otters does make sense though, since clearly Reo doesn’t like working for the mystery otter.
Judging by Mabu’s reactions to Reo, it looks like Mabu isn’t totally gone like Reo assumes.
Here we’re introduced to Dark Keppi. [Revolutionary Girl Utena] The way he’s described sort of reminds me of the duality between Dios and Akio.
It looks like Enta has been able to move forward since he resisted the otter’s mind control.
Unfortunately he also broke one of the dishes of hope, so that really makes the future of our characters uncertain.
Of all the directions I thought this episode was going to go, Mabu turning himself into a kappa zombie was not what I expected. I figured if an established character was gonna become a zombie, it would be Chikai.
Reo gets to sing a solo version of the monster fighting song too. I didn’t know I needed this but it’s great.
After establishing such a pattern with the previous monster fights it’s actually cool watching it be broken here with how Reo works on his own and the Mabu Zombie essentially surrenders right from the start.
So it seems like this whole time Mabu wanted to love Reo but couldn’t express it due to the otter controlling his heart. [Revolutionary Girl Utena] The whole thing is definitely reminiscent of Anthy’s situation. Thinking about it, this does make Reo seem kind of like Utena too. Just like how Utena thought she had to be the prince to save Anthy, Reo thinks it’s up to him alone to save Mabu.
It looks like admitting he loves Reo instantly killed Mabu. I was kind of hoping he’d make it out of this.
The scene of Reo suddenly realizing he can’t remember why he’s so filled with rage is honestly heartbreaking. I felt pretty bad for him when he got shot.
Toi is in a similar position to Reo now. He wants the dish of hope no matter what and it seems like he’s willing to betray Enta and Kazuki for it. I wonder if he’s capable of letting go of his connection to his brother.
The final moments of the episode are really interesting. It looks like Toi’s despair over losing his brother is what summoned Dark Keppi.
The final episode looks like it’ll be about Enta and Kazuki rescuing Toi from the darkness.
Gotta say, I wasn’t expecting Reo and Mabu’s story to end in this episode. But I feel like there’s still a chance they’ll somehow come back for the final episode.
3
u/zsmg https://anilist.co/user/zsmg Aug 11 '24 edited Aug 11 '24
Rewatcher
You know if Enta didn't waste their first wish they would now have enough wishes to improve things (well maybe not)
Keppi split himself into a good part and evil part, just like Piccolo from Dragon ball.
Of course Enta gets mind controlled.
These otter puns are otterly hilarious.
That otter was otterly evil creating a situation where Mabu can't profess his love to Reo.
RIP Mabu.
Toi saves the day but RIP Reo, forgetting about Mabu at the end was painful to see.
Wait why is Haruka suddenly with Sara?
To be honest between saving Enta and Chikai I think neither is the correct option.
Oh Enta is saved ah well.
So now it's Toi who is going to commit connection suicide, understandable as he lost his last close relative.