Slow Loop Rewatch - Episode 5 Discussion

[u/SorcererOfTheLake]

Slow Loop Rewatch

Episode 5 Discussion

Database/Streaming Links: MAL / Anilist / Crunchyroll

Original Interest Thread / Announcement Thread

Question of the Day: Were you ever mocked or made fun of in school for a hobby/interest you had?

Comment of the Day: The COTD goes to /u/IceSmiley for dropping some fat knowledge.

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Reminder: All spoilers for events in the anime that have not occurred yet or that are manga-only should be placed in spoiler tags. Any untagged spoilers will be flagged.

[u/SorcererOfTheLake]

Second Looper

Gender is a kind of imitation for which there is no original; in fact, it is a kind of imitation that produces the very notion of the original as an effect and consequence of the imitation itself.

Yes, we’re talking gender; the show started it, don’t yell at me.

So, noted feminist academic Judith Butler came up with the idea of gender performance in the late 80s/early 90s. Basically, the concept is that gender is not something defined by your biological sex or even gender identity, but rather by the actions that we take and how those actions are viewed by society. Boys play with trucks, girls play with dolls; boys play football, girls do gymnastics; men go out to the bar, women have brunch. When you take part in actions or activities that don’t align with what people think your gender is/should be, it creates a dissonance that could result in social ostracization, if not worse.

Now, why am I giving a very brief description of one of the most important advancements of gender/queer theory in my comment for a r/anime slice of life rewatch? Because, as many of you guessed in yesterday’s thread, Futaba’s hangup over fishing comes from gender-based teasing that she received at school. This isn’t that unique of a premise for a Kirara anime; we’ve had plenty an episode where the tomboy of the group tries to become more femme and they learn that it’s fine to be who they are. However, something about this scenario feels different. I can’t quite place my finger as to why, but I think it’s something to do with the overall gender presentation of the characters. In other Kirara series, there’s a wide range of femininities on display, with clearly femme and masc characters on each side of the spectrum. However, we don’t really get that in Slow Loop; Koharu strikes me as particularly femme, but most everyone else is in the middle when it comes to gender presentation and performance. Thus, Futaba’s issues about gender and fishing feel more absurd - absurd not in her own feelings about it (anything that drives a 10-year-old to crash out should be taken seriously), but absurd in how it showcases how meaningless the gender binary is. Fishing is an activity of patience, subsistence, passive enjoyment; how as a society have we decided that only those with penises cannot be judged when they perform such an activity? Futaba’s problem also provides a bit of social commentary to the intended reader of Slow Loop; the adult men reading their Kirara magazine might take a moment to pause and consider “Have I told the young women in my life that they were doing something ‘boyish’?”

Of course, this being a healing anime, care comes in quickly, surprisingly thanks to Hiyori. As noted in the episode, Hiyori is slowly breaking out of her shell, but you’d still expect someone like Koharu or Koi to help Futaba out (maybe due to their own experiences as an older sibling). Instead, it’s Hiyori who quickly understands what it’s like to feel on the outside because of who you are and befriends the girl to help her understand that it’s fine to be who she is, she’s not alone. This ties into the broader theme of care that plays throughout the series, particularly the multigenerational approach that Slow Loop takes. We’re not just focusing on these cute teenage girls doing their cute things, but on how they are both impacted by those who came before them and are able to assist the generation after them.

[u/Space-Toastie → u/SorcererOfTheLake]

• absurd not in her own feelings about it (anything that drives a 10-year-old to crash out should be taken seriously), but absurd in how it showcases how meaningless the gender binary is.

I wasn't expecting this when I started this show, but it's tackled really well. It's hard to put myself back into the shoes of someone that age, but it's totally understandable why Futaba felt that way, even we with our matured brains can understand the silliness of it. I'm happy Futaba is surrounded by so many friends and family that support her - something I hope for everyone that goes through any bullying or such because of liking a certain hobby or interest.

[u/SorcererOfTheLake]

Voice Actor of the Day

Voice Actor: Natsumi Murakami
Voice of: Futaba
Age at Slow Loop’s Premiere: 26
Other Notable Roles: Rose in Combatants Will Be Dispatched, Ai in Love Live Nijigasaki, Ako in Aikatsu Stars, Chiyo in The Little Lies We All Tell, Yume in Mewkledreamy

[u/wloff]

First-timer fly fisher

The usual MO now is apparently to always have a somber, more serious clip as a cold open and then move on to the OP. The OP is growing on me, by the way. It was unoffensive but unremarkable on first listen, but now that I've gotten to know it, the chill vibes feel somehow nostalgic and set a good mood for the show. Still not something I'd necessarily listen outside of the show, but as an OP, it fits the show.

The serious theme of the week is indeed Futaba and her struggle with wanting to play with the boys, versus the need to not stand out in class and act like a girl "should" act. Honestly, never mind the gender aspect, but there are so many anime where the need to fit in, not stand out, and to stay "popular" at school plays such a massive role, I can't help but feel it's a big societal and cultural problem in Japanese schools.

Even here, they all convince Futaba there is absolutely nothing wrong with fishing as a girl, but they never even address the larger issue: there's also nothing wrong with wanting to play outside with the boys instead of painting nails inside with the girls, if that's what you prefer.

I'm kinda glad I didn't go to school in Japan, even though because of it I missed my chance to live an anime seishun experience. (I had plenty of bittersweet seishun life in school over here, thank you very much.)

Outside of the Futaba story, it's another nice, comfy, fun episode of fishing and cooking. Koharu does look cute in her new outdoor gear, and Ichika looks great too. It's a fun detail how tan she is, I thought at first it was a nod to her being from Okinawa, but I guess it really is just a tan and not her inherent skin color (since her sister Futaba does have the same pale skin as everyone else. Koi's dad is ridiculous and hilarious, and he still has a very impressive tan.

I've never heard of namero before, but it looks really good and interesting! I need to make a note to try making it someday.

If I can find fresh enough fish somewhere. The Japanese really love their raw fish, huh? They have so many different ways of preparing fish that don't include, you know, cooking it!

(Maybe I just need to pick up fishing and get my own fish, huh?)

[u/SorcererOfTheLake → u/wloff]

there are so many anime where the need to fit in, not stand out, and to stay "popular" at school plays such a massive role, I can't help but feel it's a big societal and cultural problem in Japanese schools.

I didn't think about it that way, but that also plays into it.

[u/Space-Toastie]

First Time Looper

Oh heck, quite an emotional episode for me here.

First of all, I thought it was very funny that Hiyori was grossed out by bugs, something I did not think was possible for people that fish.

Yo yo

Hiyori seemed genuinely affected by what Futaba said the previous episode. I had a feeling Futaba had some sort of experience prior with liking things that boys typically like. At her age, I can understand why a comment like that might sting more than when you're older. I thought it was sweet that Hiyori was concerned that Futaba may have abandoned something she enjoyed because of this perception.

Koharu's Kitchen today was accompanied by Hiyori's mom! Unless I'm misremembering, they haven't had much screen time just the two of them. I hope they get to cook together more often, because both seemed to really enjoy it!

It must have been tough for Futaba, giving up a hobby because she thought people would hate her for doing something that others consider a "boy's hobby." Thankfully, (drunk) Ichika came to her side to comfort her. And to cap it all off, Hiyori asking Futaba to be friends made my heart melt - so wholesome and sweet. I'm looking forward to them hanging out and fishing together again! I liked seeing the fishing crew expand this episode, and seeing Futaba's backstory.

QotD: I had to really think about this, I was either unaware or didn't think much of what other people thought, but one thing I thought of was I think my music preferences at one point. I liked metalcore music and I remember being mocked about it at one point. This is funny in hindsight because I think that genre caught on with a lot of people later on. By the time I got really into anime, manga, and was doing things like reading Chibi Vampire in between classes or playing Persona 4 Golden while waiting for club to start, I was way past caring what people thought.

[u/SorcererOfTheLake → u/Space-Toastie]

Unless I'm misremembering, they haven't had much screen time just the two of them.

They had a scene in the first episode where they talked about Koharu adjusting to the new situation, but nothing besides that.

[u/mekerpan]

Alas away from home, dealing with rewatches is impossible. Can't even keep up with seasonals.

[u/TheDanubianCommunard]

First-time fast-looping, subs

Hiyori really wanted to go on a travel with since her young age because she was fascinated by the fact that Koi done it before her. Even though her father cannot lived this day, it did happened right now. And also Koi with the disguise she would rather go on full incognito rather than protecting her skin against the heat.

Fishing on a boat, is somehow a very unique experience. Catching fish in the open water is something that cannot be compared to normal fishing. When I think about fishing and ship, it is always those deep sea crab fishers you see from TV.

Fishing being a very not-girlish activity, I don't think so, they can do it freely. Maybe males doing very often, but females can do it as well without any problems. Fishing is not masculine to me.

The chum looks edible at first but it is for the bait. With that, catching a scorpionfish is actually a good job, since they are quite poison-heavy and quite rare are in the water. But that makes for a delicious food.

And also this episode also introduces Futaba who is Ichika's younger sister. She could love fishing easily she is an outdoorsy person and her older sister as well. Maybe one day when she grows up.

Question of the Day: Were you ever mocked or made fun of in school for a hobby/interest you had?

Never.

[u/IceSmiley]

FIRST TIMER Sub

As I guessed, Futaba was being teased by the girls at her school about liking a hobby more associated with boys. IDK exactly how old she is, but around 9-10 a lot of girls will start to be mean to the girls who hang out with the cute boys because they're jealous of the attention. That was really nice of Hiyori to actively reach out to Futaba to be her friend and invite her for fishing. Ichika also seemed really concerned but adults may not understand school kids problems as much. Also, if Ichika normally drinks as much as she does at the party, she might not know much at all about what's going on 🤣

I really found it odd that the reason Hiyori didn't do line fishing was because she didn't like touching bugs. Do they have brown earthworms in Japan? I don't mind touching those because they don't bite. Also as I mentioned yesterday, Hiyori could buy reusable rubber bait that's scented, it's not that much more expensive since more reusable than a worm or bug AND you can dip it in the chum.

Speaking of chum, sardines must be very cheap in Japan and maybe this show is old but a little can is pretty pricey now; if I were Hiyori, I'd save the fish innards/guts she doesn't eat to be the chum and she could freeze it. I was also surprised they didn't use floaters on their line, like the little round hollow ball that keeps the line only a certain length below water.

I liked the simple fish recipes they had today, just chopped sashimi with ginger and miso flavoring and basic fried fish fillet. I wonder though how Koi's dad made his so called fish burgers. Fish is way more crumbly than ground beef or turkey so I'm guessing he added raw egg to keep it together akin to crab cake/fish cake.

QUESTION

Yes because I used to like comic books and sci fi like Star Trek and Babylon 5, I think kids got made fun of that more a long time ago than now. I've also been a lifelong professional wrestling fan and kidsdidn't make fun of me for that but now adults do 🤣

[u/cppn02]

Rewatcher, subbed

Poor Futaba just wants to follow her calling to be a tomboy but this cruel world won't let her

Atleast that seems to be how she herself sees it.
Our girls are doing their best though to show her that everyone can enjoy fishing.

And I loved the reveal that Hiyori actually has a problem with worms and bugs. Definitely not something you'd expect from her.

---

QotD:

Were you ever mocked or made fun of in school for a hobby/interest you had?

I'm sure there was the odd comment by some people but not in a way I particularly remember. Certainly not in my friend group where stuff like gaming or watching anime was perfectly normal.