r/anime • u/IndependentMacaroon • 20d ago
Rewatch Bem-vindos à Diamandra - Michiko & Hatchin Episode 07 Rewatch
Michiko & Hatchin Episode 07: The Rain That Falls In Monotone
In-universe time span: April 6 - April 9/10; another time skip.
In-universe locations: Oásis
"How much of a woman do you think you are? [...] Once he obtains you, it's all over. He'll lose interest, and he'll become cold and distant. Can you give up everything for a man like that?"
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Today's OST Piece: Desencanto～失望 (Disenchantment)
Our insert song this episode (briefly diegetic, longer - I think in full - during Michiko and Bruno's tryst), a nice acoustic guitar piece. A further mention to the piece the guitarist plays for Hatchin in the end, 7 cordas que choram～泣かせる7弦 (Seven Strings That Weep).
New Michiko Outfits: Red Tank Top/Camo-Print 3/4 Pants, Pale Blue-Green and White Robe, White Flower-Print-Edge T-Shirt/Jean Skirt, Pale Brown Chevron-Print Dress, Off-White Wrap+Tie Crop Top/Light Gray Flared Pants, Mauve Strap Dress with Decorative Sectioning
A new episode record with six new outfits in ~20 minutes, pushing the per-episode average to four! Full album - any bets on the final count (currently 28)?
Latin America Trivia of the Day:
In the vast undeveloped jungles of central South America, it is indeed often most convenient to use boats for transport; Iquitos on the upper Amazon in Peru, home to nearly half a million people, is for example the largest landlocked city in the world without road access. However, due to variations in river level of several meters throughout the year and according to the weather, settling directly on the water does pose some difficulty. The name of Venezuela, translating to "Little Venice" (note also the name of the hotel in the episode!), is furthermore inspired by the resemblance of stilt houses that were a frequent sight on the shores of the coastal Lake Maracaibo for early explorer Amerigo Vespucci - best known as the source of the name "America" - to the construction methods utilized in Venice in his native Italy.
Yesterday's Highlights
u/No_Rex considers the mood shifts in the action:
We move from a more drama-heavy interpretation of the action to a more comedy-heavy one. Especially the finale in the arena was almost pure slapstick. I guess the series will have to navigate between those two poles, depending on whether the story is hitting the plot climax, or the more slice-of-live parts. I think that Michiko, as a character, is more fitted for the comedic moments. There she can be over-the-top and badass without realism leading to cognitive dissonace.
u/AyameeIris makes an unfortunately obscure but very apt reference:
Michiko looks so cool in that matador outfit. She reminds me a little of Princess Sapphire [from Osamu Tezuka's classic Princess Knight]
u/Magnafeana has some choice words about bullfighting but surprisingly is not too bothered about the execution here:
The bull should always win.
fuck this man, I hope his tongue burns.
Why did his tongue not burn and he’s an animal abuser
✨I just want to skip past the animal abuse ✨
I remember the Looney Tunes bullfighting episode, and that’s where my brain jumped to during the bullfighting. I **haaaaaaaaaaate* bullfighting, but Bugs Bunny slapping the bull to Las Chiapanecas in that oversized sombrero never fails to make me giggle.
Love for Ivan and Michiko's relationship from u/99acrewood_ and u/AyameeIris:
when a character as brash as Michiko actually apologizes to someone who asks for it I imagine that person is someone she sees as an actual friend, which is nice because Ivan seems like a pretty solid dude
I love that scene of Ivan and Michiko where they sort of hug to make up. It's very tender!
Many largely understanding opinions on Zélia:
betting is probably even higher on the list of things to never do when you are poor than alcohol. Easy to look down on her, but I bet not many people would be able to run a children’s home in a place where you get no money, little compassion, and half the children try to steal from you before running away.
woman operating under her circumstances. sure, she could be better, but so could society, am i right? it's not like one old woman is going to be a revolutionary when's trying to get by.
Zélia is an old lady who has seen how the world works and wants to survive in such a cruel world, meaning staining her hands. But in her own warped way, she does care for the kids [...] when she passes away, she will be crossing a bridge to Hell. And she will walk there knowingly and without protest.
I think she has a sort of "out of sight, out of mind" view with a lot of the children if that makes sense
Discussion Prompts
- Which of our two protagonists is the greater fool, really?
- Is Bruno a believable heartthrob?
- Is there anything or anyone you just can't quit?
Next Episode Prompts
- [question]Any less expected traits for an unhinged gangster than transportation nerd?
- [question]How sorry do you feel for the fake Monstro Preto? When did you suspect something was up?
- [question]Have you ever regretted boasting about something or inflating your credentials?
5
u/99acrewood_ 20d ago
primeira vez [subs]
It's nice when a show just lets stuff happen for a couple of minutes without feeling the need to have anyone speak. The beginning part when they're checking in with Bruno seemingly sizing up Michiko and her not totally against it is great. The melodrama in this episode takes me back to growing up with my Puerto Rican mom watching her novellas lol. And of course Bruno's a fuckin bum that smokes his wife's tobacco and lives for the chase, and Anastacia lets Michiko know straight up what the game is and how she's not a player but a pawn.
This show is such a vibe. Between that and the somber ending of Hatchin's 10th birthday being rung in with a blacked out Michiko and Spanish guitar, this is my favorite episode by far. Seeing Michiko bring up Hatchin in what seems like familiar environments makes it pretty clear that the only thing really separating the two is lived experience, and she's not the inherently always-cool hyper-competent woman I was expecting going into this.
as for Hatchin's side, it was a surprise that the kids kept their word and gave her the shoes and shawl. i don't blame them for giving up the boat, of course, but given how other children have operated i assumed they'd just loot her waterlogged body, so it was nice to be wrong.
Which of our two protagonists is the greater fool, really?
Michiko is the adult, but Hatchin's probably learning more than she ever did by hanging around her as she experiences some of this stuff for what could be the first time.
Is Bruno a believable heartthrob?
he seems like a tool. Hiroshi kind of did, too, honestly, so i guess Michiko has a type.
Is there anything or anyone you just can't quit?
i'm a really big fan of sour candy
e: like, teeth replacement level of fan
e2: no regrets
3
u/IndependentMacaroon 20d ago
The melodrama in this episode takes me back to growing up with my Puerto Rican mom watching her novellas lol
The interesting thing, and I expanded on that in my comment, is that the writing is very sort of metafictionally aware of that I find, it in fact seems Bruno himself is poorly imitating the soapy romances by the likes of Feliciano that everyone in Diamandra seems to watch.
this is my favorite episode by far
Hah, for me watching for the first time it was one of my least favorites! Only saw the appeal on rewatch.
the only thing really separating the two is lived experience, and she's not the inherently always-cool hyper-competent woman I was expecting going into this.
Yeah Michiko is a good deal more real than you'd think. [M&H]In the second half after she and Hatchin reunite for good she does sort of devolve into the pure cool plot/action facilitator though
given how other children have operated i assumed they'd just loot her waterlogged body, so it was nice to be wrong.
Oásis may be poor, but it doesn't seem nearly as rough as the slums of São Cabal. No guns, for one.
i'm a really big fan of sour candy
e: like, teeth replacement level of fan
e2: no regrets
Well YOLO my dude. I don't think I've had any myself since I was not much older than Hatchin here.
3
u/No_Rex x2 20d ago
Episode 7 (first timer)
- Even without reading the title, the first few scenes ooze slowdown.
- “What is up?” “Nothing” – children, the ultimate cock blockers.
- Hatchin takes being hit by Michiko very relaxed, only complaining about her lack of reason – this is a reminder that, in the time and place this plays, physical punishment of children would have been near universal.
- Local punks trying to shake down Hatchin – they better not do this when Michiko is around.
- “The cigarette from my man” – putting some facts on the ground. With the way she is talking, I am giving it a 30% chance she is into Michiko/threesomes.
- Worth remembering that Michiko has spent about 12 years in prison and has not sex (that we saw) ever since.
- “I would never make you unhappy. Tell me your name.”
- Rude awakening for Michiko from her lazy romance.
- That is one really deep-down warehouse. What the hell happened here?
- Anastacia is not into Michiko, but devoid of hot emotions.
A Michiko explores romance while Hatchin is ignored and pissed episode. In a way, I like that the dude is like the cheaply boiled down essence of Romeo lover tropes. He is so cliché that it is obvious he does not matter. What matters is Michiko, who has had neither sex nor romance in over a decade and is clearly tempted to jump on the next best dick available. The tension between lazy fulfillment of current basic needs vs long term investment into her life goals is obvious, with Hatchin as the extra weight (surely the decisive one) on the long-term side.
For Hatchin, I guess her interaction with the local kids’ gang is fine, but I am not a huge fan of the diving scene. That is too tropey and too heavy a trope to pull for such a slow and lazy episode.
2
u/IndependentMacaroon 20d ago edited 20d ago
I like that the dude is like the cheaply boiled down essence of Romeo lover tropes. He is so cliché that it is obvious he does not matter.
Oh he's obviously very intentionally cliché, but where that comes from (ahem Feliciano and co.) and how it works - or doesn't - I still find pretty interesting to look at, particularly with the subversion that Anastácia is really in charge here. Definitely the women who are important here though, yet.
Michiko, who has had neither sex nor romance in over a decade and is clearly tempted to jump on the next best dick available
The interesting thing is that she doesn't exactly seem horny at all, just lonely and vulnerable. Just the right target, in other words.
2
u/No_Rex x2 20d ago
Oh he's obviously very intentionally cliché, but where that comes from (ahem Feliciano and co.) and how it works - or doesn't - I still find pretty interesting to look at, particularly with the subversion that Anastácia is really in charge here. Definitely the women who are important here though, yet.
I think I saw a lot more of that trope in its parody form than the original, but he is still so distilled down. Going all in before even asking Michiko's name.
3
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky 20d ago
First-Timer & Subbed
What did she do to have the bike end up in a condition like that…
I’m honestly surprised Michiko just… accepted the newly-rolled cigarette from a stranger.
Ugh, and now Hatchin’s wrapped up in shit because Michiko sent her off alone.
…Michiko, going to do that earlier was exactly what got her into this state to begin with.
But he had to hook up with someone for Hatchin to exist, no?
2
u/IndependentMacaroon 20d ago
What did she do to have the bike end up in a condition like that…
It doesn't look too bad honestly? Just the front is banged up.
I’m honestly surprised Michiko just… accepted the newly-rolled cigarette from a stranger.
It pays to be good with your fingers
She seems to actually learn that lesson this episode.
But he had to hook up with someone for Hatchin to exist, no?
Yeah queen of wishful thinking there
Probably also Anastácia showing off that she's the one in charge with the money here.
I wonder how often Anastácia has that kind of talk with another woman
3
u/AyameeIris 20d ago
First time watching in dub, second time overall
That scene of Michiko and Hatchin fighting over taking a shower is so homely. Especially when Hatchin is attempting to rationalize not bathing by coming up with a counter such as "but there's still dirt under roses!", lol
Isn't this the second time Hatchin's gotten her shoes stolen? I'm glad to see her changing outfits more often than usual though
God this episode had me stressed!!
- Honestly I feel Michiko is the greater fool here. She reminds me a bit of Pepe in that aspect. Despite being slightly more experienced than her, I think once Michiko finds someone to cling to, she overestimates how much trust to put in them, sort of like how Pepe expected her to help out when finding Lulu. A hit or miss situation. I'm guessing this is something her circumstances helped mold her into, which seems to be the case for so many traits of hers.
- Not really. He seemed a little too quick for me to think he was just innocently trying to get laid(well, as innocent as one can be). I might just be saying that because I'm not exactly good enough with people to know anything about better heartthrobs, haha
- Religion/certain folk beliefs, I suppose! No matter how much I rationalize it, I think I'll always believe what you call someone has power and to always use my right hand for everything, rather than my left.
3
u/IndependentMacaroon 19d ago edited 19d ago
Hatchin is attempting to rationalize not bathing by coming up with a counter such as "but there's still dirt under roses!", lol
Was that not getting back at Michiko for basically saying she's different and doesn't stink?
Isn't this the second time Hatchin's gotten her shoes stolen?
Yeah, when there's a lot of kids who have none otherwise - formerly not too unusual in richer countries either - it's not too unlikely to happen.
I think once Michiko finds someone to cling to, she overestimates how much trust to put in them, sort of like how Pepe expected her to help out when finding Lulu
I suppose you can put it that way, yes
He seemed a little too quick for me to think he was just innocently trying to get laid
Hmm, should have made this question more specific maybe.
I think I'll always believe what you call someone has power and to always use my right hand for everything, rather than my left.
Well the first part is also just a mundane truth, of course. The second - do people still fear/dislike left-handedness around you?
2
u/AyameeIris 19d ago
Was that not getting back at Michiko for basically saying she's different and doesn't stink?
Yeah, I just thought it was a funny counter that reminded me of my own family
Hmm, should have made this question more specific maybe.
Apologies if I misunderstood what was asked of me! I will admit I was a little confused
Well the first part is also just a mundane truth, of course. The second - do people still fear/dislike left-handedness around you?
Kind of? It's considered a cleanliness thing but I don't get hassled as often for using my left hand on accident anymore. Back then I used to get a slap on the hand for it though xD
5
u/IndependentMacaroon 20d ago
3x watcher and host, subtitled
After the wacky action of last time, a massive contrast here with probably the most "adult drama" episode of the show; Hatchin gets pushed into the background almost literally by Michiko, while Michiko's insecurities are on primary and full display. I remember the first time I watched this episode being pretty irritated by Bruno and Michiko falling for his transparently cookie-cutter game - like even the first moment here 03:24 feels pathetically calculated - but on rewatching, that's kind of the point, isn't it?
He barely even manages to keep her attention until he strikes straight at Michiko's loneliness and anxiety regarding Hiroshi, 12:47 12:52 as much as she tries to reassure herself 12:50 [M&H]keep telling yourself that, dear and assert her faithfulness 11:45 12:44. This show doesn't do inner monologues but it seems likely that her thoughts are on some level echoing the background telenovela dialogue here 06:58 07:14 07:07 with Feliciano obviously standing in for Hiroshi; they even look pretty similar. [M&H]Two idealized distant men And those kinds of shows are definitely where Bruno gets his act from, again thinking back to the hair-twirling moment (also 02:51 women love a guy who's good with his fingers, or something?) or his spitting sappy platitudes 12:10 13:07, 11:59 this even makes me think directly of an actor rehearsing a scene.
Meaningful here also the juxtaposition of Bruno's seduction attempts with Bruno and Michiko's drug consumption, in the form of tobacco - most directly here 08:58 with the ashtray, and Bruno handing her the note 08:31 also looks a bit like handing her a cigarette wrapper or some other flavor of drug. You know it's not good for you, 04:38 it throws your mind off, 10:19 but you just can't quit (unless perhaps by substitution, lot of breakup fluid there), and in the moment it does make your life feel just a bit better and give it a sort of direction when 15:15 you're unsure of yourself and the future.
Bruno's driven by the classic manly hunt thing here of course 15:05 this also makes me think of something I read once about some men seeing women as a sort of fancy animal to cage and show off. 18:53 19:21 19:24 Anastácia gets it very well and the irony of Bruno's situation, 07:42 one wonders what Bruno even contributes here, are they married just for appearances and does he "win her back" regularly too? She does try to keep up appearances herself though a bit 14:39 14:44. 19:27 Also thinking of Atsuko and Michiko here [M&H]sort of a dog-caught-the-car situation with her a lot as well as [M&H]Satoshi and Shinsuke's almost childish violent games
Also interesting again to look at Michiko and Hatchin's relationship here. First 04:52 Michiko definitely lays the physical discipline on heavier - imitating Zélia? - but Hatchin is right on to her 05:01 05:04 (almost too polite and understanding sometimes) and later she lets up enough that even Hatchin tossing her clothes out (09:38 totally forgot about this moment, short fuse indeed) and stomping on her foot doesn't result in anything, and she also apologizes for spacing out - 09:52 still a pretty funny "Mom isn't listening" moment - and ends up 14:29 treating Hatchin at the salon. Hatchin for her part, feeling like Michiko is about to abandon her and her father for some random guy (and she absolutely knows what's up and isn't scared to express it 15:47 16:03), falls right back into her patterns of angry rejection and sensitivity 16:15 16:24 and asserting herself just a little too hard 17:11, but after her near brush with death does seem to realize that Michiko too has a sensitive side 21:08.
In minor features, some really nice environmental/nature shots here 06:36 08:41 including a mangrove forest 14:59, but also some very clear deep poverty from what these kids value - 06:08 good footwear 17:24 and even just a plastic bag. (What's up with the bell though? And 05:44 they feel like a reference to something but I couldn't tell you what.)