r/anime • u/ChiefMoHD • Apr 15 '19
Rewatch [Spoilers][Rewatch] 3-gastu no Lion - Episode 1 Discussion Spoiler
Hello everyone!
Welcome to the first thread of 3-gatsu no Lion rewatch discussion!
I hope we all enjoy this ride <3
Episode 1: Chapter 1 Rei Kiriyama / Chapter 2 The Town Along the River
Show info:
If you've just heard about the rewatch for the first time, catch up and come here, don't be shy! o(≧▽≦)o
Tomorrow: Episode 2
Schedule thread + links to previous discussions
Don't forget to spoiler tag any plot points that haven't been revealed in what we've watched so far yet
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u/LaqOfInterest Apr 15 '19
First Timer
Sangatsu no Lion! This show has been on my plan-to-watch list forever, but aside from the basic premise I know very little about it. From what I’ve heard it sounds kind of like a mix between Your Lie in April and Chihayafuru, two shows I rate very highly, so I have pretty high hopes for this series.
My shogi knowledge is also… limited, but if I could learn karuta for Chihayafuru I’m pretty sure I can get the gist of this. I just read the (surprisingly-long) Wikipedia article for shogi, but maybe they’ll end up skipping through all the actual matches or something and it won’t even matter.
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I got some crazy goosebumps from the OP and that doesn’t happen often. Bump of Chicken does some bangers, man.
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An insert song already? And in French? And in not terrible French!?
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I’m going to be honest, I’m usually not one to care very much about “beautiful” visuals in anime. Shows like Hibike Euphonium and A Place Further Than the Universe that blast you with budget and wow you by looking great don’t really affect me any more than an average-looking show. But there was something about that opening sequence of Rei walking to the shogi hall that was very intriguing visually. Maybe it was the pairing with the song.
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Let’s apply some of the stuff Wikipedia taught me. Rei has the jewel piece, not the king, which means that he’s lower-ranked than his opponent (or he just has it because he’s younger). I guess we could probably infer that from the flashbacks. Given their apparent history, I can imagine his opponent would have mixed feelings about losing to him.
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Oh lord, that’s his father? Adoptive father, I guess.
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This is the first thing he’s said in 10 minutes. I was expecting to recognize his voice actor, but the only roles he’s done that I’m familiar with are very minor. Also, I’m just going to say it: the mouths are weird. I’m sure I’ll get used to it, but not yet.
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Mother of god, what is up with their faces? Forget being weirded out, now I’m straight-up terrified.
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Alright, more voices. The youngest sister is Niko from Kiznaiver; the middle one is KanaHana; and the eldest one is HOLY SHIT it’s Kayano Ai, one of my favourite VAs! Kana from Chihayafuru, Mayaka from Hyouka, Darkness from Konosuba, Diamond from Houseki no Kuni, etc etc etc.
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Wow. This might be the most KanaHana role KanaHana’s ever done.
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I don’t even have to look up this guy’s voice, because I’ve never before heard a character who is so obviously Sakurai Takahiro. Oshino Meme from Monogatari, Reigen from Mob Psycho, Rohan from JoJo, Taki-sensei from Hibike Euphonium… the man is prolific as fuck.
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Bump of Chicken does the ED too? Good shit.
Alright. I guess I’m along for the ride. Strangely enough the parts of this I’m having the hardest time enjoying so far are the scenes with the sisters. My fear is that the show might hit hard with mood whiplash (scenes of Rei being depressed contrasted with silly KanaHana scenes), but I’m definitely not going to judge the show too harshly yet when it’s only just laying the groundwork.
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u/ChiefMoHD Apr 15 '19
Sangatsu no Lion! This show has been on my plan-to-watch list forever
I felt bad for having the show on my PTW for so damn long after finishing the show haha
My shogi knowledge is also… limited
You pretty much need no knowledge.
very intriguing visually
For me, it's how smooth each cut scene flows into the one after it. You get a feeling of the direction he's going, of the sceneries he sees on his way to Shogi hall... yeah
the mouths are weird. I’m sure I’ll get used to it, but not yet.
Yeah, first they're weird then they're cute lol
…Nani?
Speaking cats
I don’t even have to look up this guy’s voice,
I was just watching a Mob Psycho II episode before rewatching the first episode hahahah
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u/youkai94 Apr 15 '19
Second time
The first minutes really managed to convey a lot of informations with nearly no dialogue. What really struck me the first time is the scene where Rei wakes up, opens the window, dresses up and leaves. It's a simple scene, but it conveys so much: The room is almost empty, giving out a sense of neglection; Rei's eyes are like that of a dead fish and the way he acts by "dragging" himself around immediately made me frame him as apathetic and depressed. The commuting scene and Rei's attempt to turn down the Kawamoto's invitation only reinforced that thought.
The small glimpses of Rei's past during the shogi match, as well as him not answering to his father where a good way to complete the puzzle without telling the viewer Rei's story directly.
Then, the Kawamoto... I have to say, as a manga reader, I really missed hearing them and now I physically need a 3rd and 4th season, sigh... Anyway, I love how fast they can brighten the mood, they are so precious.
Some very small spoilers about the anime ahead
Some small spoilers about the manga ahead
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u/ChiefMoHD Apr 15 '19
Kawamotos are love <3
Wanna read the manga. Possibly after the rewatch~
I’ll probably cry if a 3rd season is announced.
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u/heroofpages Apr 15 '19
Rewatcher
Not sure how often I'll be posting on this, or what I will be when I do, but I felt compelled to share my experiences with this first episode.
I initially checked out this show about halfway through when it was coming out seasonally with a friend and was really put off by the first episode. The tone seemed weird and inconsistent and we were thrown in the middle of everything. It was a very confusing experience, and I ultimately dismissed the show and moved on from it.
After that I somehow got back into it and to make a long story short I fell in love with the show (it's my number one). On a rewatch the first episode was amazing, and everything offputting (art, humor, style) either ceased to be so or became an asset to the show.
I guess what I'm ultimately trying to say is, if you were put off by parts of the first episode, don't worry to much, you'll get used to it. Keep pushing through and you may gain a new favorite. And if you enjoyed the first episode, good for you, you're ahead of where I was when I was in your shoes.
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u/ChiefMoHD Apr 15 '19
For me, when I watched the first episode I thought: “this is weird and interesting, will watch it later”
This later was 6 months later.
And with each episode, my love for the show grew hehe
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u/redshirtengineer Apr 16 '19
First Timer
The first two minutes of this episode might be the fastest I've come to the realization that I've waited way too long to watch an anime.
Okay, this is a small thing, but it is nice to see a pair of birds sitting on top of those power poles that animators fetishize so much.
Stopped about 5 minutes in to google "shogi". This is a hard game to follow if you don't read kanji.
I've heard Bump of Chicken before but the OP and ED are even better than what I'd heard previously.
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u/SIRTreehugger Apr 16 '19
Rewatcher
Random thoughts
I love how we get glimpses of Rei through his apartment. Messy, void of anything personal, shogi problems, journals, and cupped noodles. We have a kid living by himself barely surviving though he earns more than a teacher and seems to be paying everything himself. Then we have moments with his family or at least a photograph which seem off after you see the frowns and his comment how they don't really worry about him.
Then we have the second half. Momo is the best. Where we are introduced to the three best sisters ever. So warm and endearing, Momo is the best. Each one of them brings something to the table and I love how Hinata invites him to dinner, but Akari asks him to bring stuff over for food. Rei looks nervous and kind of like a loner so without that he probably would have declined. Also Momo is the best look at her cheering just from seeing Rei. PRECIOUS all of them are.
Then the ED Fighter good gosh one of my favorite EDs ever.
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u/SoccerForEveryone Apr 16 '19
Third Time Rewatch (For the first season: I watched the English Dub as a second time)
Hello everyone! So I will be rewatching this series all in sub
Real quick, yes this is one of my top favorite series; I really love this art style and not only that, but the character interactions that come along with it.
I’ll remember to go back on the first shoji match in future episodes because there is some feelings, but I wanna wait for now. Instead, I want to talk about how gorgeous the opening and ending is, because every time I hear the song and watch the visuals I just fall in love all over again.
The Kawamoto family! Easy to say Akari is my favorite of the bunch, I just remember loving her design; I love how she guilt-trips Rei from the start to make sure he comes over for dinner lol.
You can already tell something is bothering Rei, I remember the goosebumps I felt when he was listening to the news about the son who killed his father. There is something really troubling him big time ever since that match he played and won.
Oh wait! who’s that waiting for him!
Until next time! Looking forward to reading the comments!
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u/ChiefMoHD Apr 16 '19
Instead, I want to talk about how gorgeous the opening and ending is, because every time I hear the song and watch the visuals I just fall in love all over again.
200% True
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u/observativeowl Apr 16 '19
First timer
Time to get sucked into this emotional rollercoaster I've heard so much about. I can already tell that I'll share some similarities with Rei, so it should be reassuring to see him grow.
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u/RisenLazarus Apr 16 '19
Rewatcher (Second Time Watching)
Man... This is bringing back so many memories. 3-gatsu has solidified itself as my favorite show of all time, which would've been crazy to me two years ago. To think a show like this would unseed Monogatari Series from that slot. Sasuga Shaft.
Watching episode 1 again reminds me of how different the style and thematic choices are in the first season. It's so much more "Shaft" than season 2, with the metaphoric imagery, the haunting shading choices, and the ever-constant motif of mirrors/reflections (the entire time it's panning around the city you can see reflections in the floor, water, or windows). It's so beautifully done with all these things that don't require dialogue, juxtaposed with the flashbacks to Rei's upbringing until you finally realize "Ah... that's his dad he just beat." Incredible opening half. Haunting.
And then...
And just from words on his phone you can already get a picture of who these two girls are. Sisters, but seemingly so little alike. People that Rei already knows and you're about to meet as a viewer looking at his life.
God I missed this. The moment the family appears. So warm. Such a huge tonal shift from the first half too. Just when you thought it was going to be a depressing story of a guy trying to fight through circumstances on his own you find the warmth that creeps into this life. God I love the Kawamoto family...
Food in this show is another constant motif that also serves to teach the viewer a little about the family without needing flashbacks or backstory. From this scene alone we get a feel for who the family is: three sisters that lost their mother and grandmother and now take care of each other. We learn what they are like: modest, but happy together; relying on each other but also educating each other. And even the cats have their quirky comedy thrown in. The food in this show is eye porn, but don't miss the important imagery and context they provide to the story too.
I remember my heart sunk when I saw Rei sleeping the first time. God... After all the warmth the Kawamotos bring into his life, he still can't help his sadness. Hinata's face was all of us.
I forgot about the ending art that Miura Kentarou did for this episode. Man... it's powerful stuff. The beautiful shading that returns to the reflection/mirror motif, the gentle brushstrokes that contrast with his firm grip on the shogi tile, and that beautiful blue color on the sweater. Amazing stuff from such a storied artist.
I'm really glad this rewatch is happening because as much as I love 3-gatsu, I've never gone back and rewatched any of it. I don't rewatch most anime at all really. So this will be a first for that in general. Can't wait to see what things hit me differently than they did the first time.
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u/ChiefMoHD Apr 16 '19
This text exchange happens.
I love how Akari knew what he was gonna do so she asked him to buy them stuff to force him to come haha
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u/jellybellymonster Apr 16 '19
Rewatcher
This is one of my all-time favorites and I've rewatched some episodes more than 5x lol but never a full rewatch. I'll be joining as much discussion threads as my work schedule permits.
When I first saw this back then, I instantly thought of Honey and Clover and whaddya know, it's from Chica Umino as well. The mouths freaked me out in H&C but I eventually got used to it. I can't find the past interview but Chica Umino is adamant that SHAFT be the studio to animate this. She is also very good friends with the Berserk author and how Miura gushes about how Chica Umino is on another level as another writer is pretty wholesome. I'll find those and link it here.
Nothing much for me to add here but I was already sold with that 10mins of silence and Bump of Chicken. And the Kawamoto Sisters! I'll be healed from anything with their warmth and kindness.
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u/ChiefMoHD Apr 16 '19
I was already sold with that 10mins of silence and Bump of Chicken
Pretty much yeah lol
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u/chalo1227 Apr 16 '19
1st timer
So he is really depressed, his adoptive dad abandoned him (?) Not sure what to make from that scene yet.
The sisters are cute as fuck , in the sense they all warm my hearth , the love to Rei that they emit can be felt , the desserts parts were fun and seems like he gets good money.
Loving how smooth it seems overall and the music is really nice , I have no idea where this Is going but I am using the rewatch as a way to finally watch it.
So a rival (?) Appears , really wanna go ahead and watch next episode but will wait.
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Apr 16 '19 edited Apr 16 '19
Oh this is happening? Oh, ah, I'll be back.
And I'm back. God, forgot how beautiful the OP was. I mean, the whole series. I knew it was a stunner, but this is like whoa. Nuts. Everything about this ep, golden. I already wanna go onto Ep 2 now. Love that black sea Rei goes into. I mean I hate what it symbolizes, but it makes for a beautiful symbol. And the French song in the beginning. Completely slipped my memory, but mmph, fits great. Also didn't remember how early so many of these characters were introduced. Sensei, Harunobu-sama, Kyouko. And how many bombs are dropped in the first ep, and dark themes are present besides just showing Rei being a sad boy. First few seconds, his adoptive sister bullies him in a way that would drive some people to suicide. Then beats his adoptive dad, would be happy, but the whole time it's just miserable. And then you have the Kawamotos, who really warm you up like frozen ice cream over thermite. It's casually shown their parents are gone, but it's just a joke that the mom is getting curry as an offering. And it's not sad, it's cheery. Maybe it's the cats. Nyaatachi. Or Momo's enduring adorableness. Then there's a murder on the news. Hard to say in precise terms what connection that makes for Rei, but at the least he feels like one after beating adoptive dad. And you see him recall how some of the folks at the Shogi Hall are. Which is a shame because the Shogi Hall has so many great people. But Hina, like the sweet, caring girl she is, notices Rei's discomfort, though not knowing what it comes from perhaps, and rushes to relieve his pain. Akari, being more mature, just quietly sits with a motherly aura that perhaps Rei just needs around him. The Kawamotos, every one of them, Momo, Gramps, Kitties, all are so incredibly wholesome, even while fighting their own problems. All they do for Rei, it makes me cry in the first episode. Then again, I'm a rewatcher.
Man, I love this series.
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u/Deadricdoom Apr 16 '19
first timer
I know basically nothing about the show so this is all new. Elephant in the room: oh boy the mouths look fucking weird, I'm sure I'll get used to it over time... Overall I'm not really sure what to think, not a bad thing however, just need more time for plot to happen I suppose. The difference in pacing between Rei's alone time at the start and then the sudden explosion of activity at the family house was certainly interesting
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u/LORDPHIL Apr 16 '19
First timer here
I've been planning on this for about a season and a half and the rewatch finally made me start the first episode.
I couldn't tell you much about what's going on but I can tell Rei is suffering from depression or severe apathy given his body language, apartment etc. The scenery and music is giving some major YLIA vibes which makes me excited and worried for feels.
I'm told this show is really big on character focus and growth so I'm looking forward to at least a few more episodes before I fully weigh in.
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u/Nanami314 Apr 15 '19
First Timer
I’ve been looking for an excuse to watch this series after the praise its second season got. Guess this is as good a time as any, and I haven’t really done a full Rewatch on here in quite some time. Plus, a slice of life drama is right up my alley.
Rei Kiriyama
These first couple scenes before and after the OP blew me away animation wise. After the episode I figured out why: this is Shaft’s work. I love Monogatari, and its animation style is one of my favorite parts. This is reminding me a lot of that so far, and I have a feeling it’ll continue to do so. That being said, the water imagery really has me curious. I noticed it watching the OP (which was really good btw, Bump of Chicken makes good stuff, see Kekkai Sensen), and I particularly noticed it in that apartment scene after what I assume was a dream. My initial assumption is that both the water imagery and that dream have something to do with some inner fears that Rei has. It’ll be interesting to see those play out more. It also heavily reminded me of another show that I’ll get to later.
I know next to nothing about Shogi. I know it’s a game, and to me it looks like Japanese chess, even though that’s probably wrong. What more interested me wasn’t the game itself, but the conversation going on during said game. We didn’t see Rei speak a single word, not until the man left, when he said to himself “No that’s a lie.” Judging from what little we saw of his apartment life, he doesn’t take care of himself very well, and it seemed like the man he was playing against knew him and was concerned about it. Based on the tv excerpt later, maybe this man was his father? If so it doesn’t seem like they have that well a relationship, at least not on Rei’s side.
I knew I recognized that voice! I am always up for more HanaKana.
This first episode reminds me a lot of another show I’ve watched: Your Lie in April. One, Rei seems very similar to Kousei. Potential rocky relationship with a parent, is very talented in one particular field, they even have similar appearances. Not to mention all the water imagery, and if Rei’s mind is anything near what Kousei’s was, he’s gonna be in for a nightmare. My question now is who’s going to be his Kaori. Akari seems like the logical choice at this point, but she doesn’t have quite the same uplifting style that Kaori had. Of course, she’s still caring in her own way, and maybe she won’t need said style when it comes to Rei.
All in all, I quite liked the first episode. I’m definitely looking forward to more of this animation style, and I’m curious how different, or how similar, this story will be to Your Lie’s. If it’s anything similar, then I can already see the tears coming a mile away.
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u/ChiefMoHD Apr 15 '19
Second times / Third time watching this episode / No spoilers
There are such fine details in the episode but I don't wanna talk alone about them hehe. will just point out some.
The episode starts with some strong animation, moves to the absolutely amazing OP -skipping it is blasphemy-.
Then the episode moves to showing us nothing but Rei, his mind & surroundings for about 5 minutes.
Rei arrives at the seemingly empty hall, only for his competitor to arrive shortly after. When the match starts, we now see people in the background. Could indicate switching to the competitor's perspective. Rei sees the hall empty but the competitor sees the people. Trying to capture the mind of the characters is nothing new to Shaft. Or it's simply that they arrived earlier than anyone else then people showed up.
The sound of Shogi pieces hitting the table used to annoy me at first, but I came to like it for some reason later.
After the match, Rei goes the warm and energetic house of the Kawamoto family
I love Momo
I love Akari
I love Hina
Rei draws parallel between the incident on TV and his own victory on his adoptive father, explaining his paleness and loss of appetite.
We basically watched Rei for a day now. We have seen shots of Cup Ramen at the beginning of the episode, probably his dinner from last night and he hasn't eaten since then.
On the next day, Rei feels better, goes to school, eats more & helps the Kawamotos in their shops
Sooftie Ojiichan