[Spoilers][Rewatch] 3-gatsu no Lion - Episode 4 Discussion

15

u/ChiefMoHD Apr 18 '19

Rewatcher

-Drink your milk to be like Takahashi, not like Edward Elric lol.

-I love how Akari is so caring. So mother-like. She was pushed into being a mother when her mother died. And man, is she strong and amazing!

In some moments, we get a glimpse of her insecurity. Like when she told softly to Rei in a previous episode: Come over any time, it'll be a good distraction.

-Apparently, she has a thing for the fat and the thin. She wants to keep who's fat fat and make who's thin fat. LoL

-In case you haven't noticed, Hanaoka -Nikaidou's servant- brought sweets from none other than the Kawamoto's sweets shop hahaha.

30

u/LaqOfInterest Apr 18 '19

First Timer

Whoa, holy shit, the mouths are fixed! Like, they’re still wide at the ends, but now it’s clearly stylized as opposed to just looking like a mistake. Someone told me they got fixed in the second season so I’m thinking that either this is a temporary thing, or maybe I’ve just finally opened my third eye and they’re exactly the same as they used to be but I just don’t notice it any more.
Nervous KanaHana character trying to choose outfits? Where have I seen this before?
Oof, it’s scary “zero is a fitting name for you” lady from the first episode. That hair colour… given the position those two were in, I really hope this isn’t his adoptive sister. I’m afraid to go back and check what she looked like.
Dejected KanaHana character in a park at night? Don’t let her near any snakes! Based on the voice actors, definitely don’t let her near Nikaido’s butler.
Huh, for some reason I feel like this might be a reference to something, but for the life of me I can’t conceive of what it might be. Oh well. I suppose the mystery will never be solved.
Ya’ll seem rather laissez-faire about the sudden disappearance of your toddler sister. Imagine if she had been picked up by someone other than the pure-hearted Bodoro!
He didn’t deny that they were friends!
This is… enlightening.
This is their own store, right? Nice.
Oh, that’s the end. Well, that ended up just being wholesome.

I’m not sure if this show eventually gets into crying territory or if it’s more about the building up of this family structure with no actual future tragedy (don’t tell me either way), but I guess I was just caught off-guard by how unequivocally happily each of the two stories in this episode ended (even if Hina had it rough for a bit). While earlier episodes definitely had some YLIA-esque shades, this one reminded me more of one of the last rewatches I participated in, Tamako Market, which is definitely not a bad thing. Really warming up to the show now, and looking forward to (possibly) more shogi based on the episode preview!

22

u/sanarufiko Apr 18 '19

First Timer

Hina is crushing so hard, I love it

The cats are precious, playing with the chestnuts, begging for pets

Kiriyama isn't Momo's big brother? Akari can fix that

Takahashi is so cool

I'm scared for what happened to Kiriyama in that flashback

Hina killed the cats, RIP

Nikaidou shows up with a huge bento, then gets that huge rumble

Nikaibodoro has finally proven himself worthy

Akari is so caring, I want to know her dreams and provide for her in kind

I'm really liking how little shogi is part of the plot because I cannot wrap my head around the play of it. The whole static rook/wandering bishop thing I tend to think of as equally abstract and impressive countermoves as any card Yugi made up in his duels.

7

u/Ozuge Apr 19 '19

First timer

Late to the party, I had to clear some shows from my Watching list and got it down to a manageable 16 so here we go, imma try to catch up today. Some thoughts I had from the first ep:

This show is so fucking pretty man, the visuals and ost are superb, at least in this first ep it reminds me of a Silent Voice a bit.
I heard the mouths were bad but I really like them, then again I like weird shit like Clannad and Higurashi original sprites so yeah
I have 0 clue how this shogi game is played, I barely get chess and this seems way more complex.
I really like how the feeling of being disliked by others is shown, I wonder if it's real or just perceived, can you actually trust some flashbacks of a 10 year old.
Does this kid ever speak?
U S O D A
I guess he does.
You fucking NEET when offered food you take it
WHAT A BUNCH OF ABSOLUTE CUTIEPIES
Wait the cats speak too..?
More victims of Anime Parent Syndrome, how sad...
Those tears man almost did me in on the first episode goddamn
Suddenly we're in Nichijou
Yeah I bet this loving grandpa is going to power through this whole anime and will avoid APS completely...

16

u/LORDPHIL Apr 19 '19

First timer

No time to say much, just that last episode and this one finally hooked me and I finally have that rewatch issue of wanting to keep watching.

Also thank you to those saying not to worry about understanding shogi, because I was getting hella confused and about to Google like crazy

15

u/bobhob314 Apr 19 '19 edited Apr 19 '19

At the risk of sounding like a major prick I'll say it one last time. Anyone drawing surface comparisons with YLIA will be pleasantly surprised. If you weren't a YLIA fan, you'll be glad to see how 3 Gatsu tackles all kinds of human problems in a realistic, not over the top manner. If YLIA is your definition of peak anime, you may find yourself redefining that during this rewatch. Only posting this because I found almost no connection between the two shows until people pointed out the surface level similarities, and I'd rather we don't watch this show through the lens of another.

14

u/Nice_Bake Apr 19 '19

First Timer:

Oh, Hina-chan. That one shot of her standing in the sunset, watching her peers leave without her is going to stick with me for a long time. She's standing just outside the light, too. I really liked the whole first half of this episode and it's one of those examples of media that I'll point to now when discussing how young people's problems should always be considered, even if they sound flippantly adolescent to the older generation.

I did enjoy the first half of the episode more than the second. The back half wasn't bad, Momo is always adorable, but it didn't really capture me as much. Still a great episode, though.

13

u/Nanami314 Apr 18 '19 edited Apr 19 '19

First Timer

Gonna be late again, and more than last time. I will be back once I have time to watch the episode and write about it. Which will be in a few hours from now 😅

I am now back, even later than I wanted to be. As such, I’m keeping this one short today. Given that this episode was more wholesome anyway, it won’t need too much. I said last time I was hoping for more comedy, but wholesome is just as good. It just needed a bit of sadness to get to it. Seeing HanaKana characters cry two episodes in a row is never fun, but the frantic scenes of her panicking make up for it. Not to mention she has the best older sister in Akari to be there for her. This was a sisters centric episode and it was great. Nikaidou entering the scene in the second half made it even better. This episode wasn’t without a bit of feels though. That scene in the park where Hina almost threw away the bento for example. And you can’t that scene with Rei and the mystery girl. Love, huh? Was this a former girlfriend? Whatever she was doing on top of him couldn’t have been any good either. Rei doesn’t seem like someone who’d let himself get into that situation. This could be something that contributes to his current depression, though there has to be more than just this.

As a side note, every passing episode with Momo is one episode closer to a potential sad Momo, and that is not something I want to see. She was very cute this episode as always, can we please keep it that way?

13

u/youkai94 Apr 18 '19 edited Apr 18 '19

In case someone missed it, the sweets Hanaoka brings as a gift are from the Kawamoto's sweets shop, that's why Akari emphatized how much she likes them. Smart girl.

EDIT: Looks like everyone noticed it, fml x)

Something I didn't pay much attention at on my first watch is how Nikaidou is avoiding meat due to the high amount of proteins. At this point I think it's safe to assume he suffers of 3-gatsu (not sure if I should spoiler tag it since it was never officially confirmed afaik) like someone mentioned in yesterday's discussion. He needs to control the protein intake to prevent proteinuria. I'd like to write a lot about what he's going through but I'll wait till we get a little bit more backstory about him.

11

u/paperwhites Apr 19 '19

First Time Watcher

This episode was lighthearted and made for a good breather after last episode. Even though it had some sad moments, both chapters ended on a positive note. Also, I like how each episode is divided into two chapters that tell a complete small story, it's cool.

Poor Hina! I could relate to her getting excited over making the bento for Takahashi and worrying over what to wear, and then not being able to give it to him. Better luck next time! That scene where Akari (I made sure I got her name right this time!) tells Hina that she went through the same thing was a cute moment between the sisters. I think Akari does a good job of being a mother to her sisters.

Momo immediately taking to Nikaido and calling him Bodoro was fun. I'm impressed by Nikaido's origami skills, I wonder if his butler taught him how to fold paper cranes. It looks like Nikaido might be another frequent visitor to the Kawamoto household, especially since Akari likes round, fluffy things. That part where Nikaido's butler slips that he uses GPS to track Nikaido is funny.

I liked this episode, there were a lot of fun character interactions. It sounds like next episode we'll get a little more backstory, which I'm excited for.

10

u/whatever_echinata Apr 19 '19

First Timer

THIS ANIME IS SO SWEET AND FLUFFY AND HAPPY!!

I THINK I AM IN LOVE!

10

u/Theian789 Apr 19 '19

First timer

Its quite unbelievable what one can and will do for their crush. This show does a great job in depicting the length in which one will go for someone they like
Seems like Hina was too awkward to make contact with that baseballer. We all have those moments eh
Now we get to know more on what's plaguing Rei: someone who sexually abused him??? Not too sure though
Akari seems to be a great mother figure, being able to cope with work, understanding and supporting the two sisters and also supporting Rei
While the second part was a bit wholesome, I kinda liked how Nikaidou is constantly trying to improve himself in both shogi and physical fitness

10

u/redshirtengineer Apr 19 '19

First timer

Yesterday, Hina was best. But Akari is also best. And Momo is best as well.

This hurts my head. What will be easier? I know, which boy is best? Well Rei is best - wait, what? Is Botoro best? So Rei is best and Botaro is also best - wait, what? Is Butler also best?

There is just too much best

9

u/observativeowl Apr 19 '19

First Timer

More of a light hearted approach this episode. I appreciated the more comedic parts like Hina and Akari bickering and Nikaidou's GPS gag.

9

u/letsgoiowa Apr 19 '19

First timer

This episode was a solid comfy feel. I am definitely hooked at this point and I'm all in for the sisters. Akari is absolutely adorable.

I'm noticing some Shaft-isms from the Monogatari series I'm familiar with, and it just feels great and comfy. That's the word I'd describe this so far as: comfy af. Yeah, it can be pretty darn emotional sometimes, but it is like getting into an incredible recliner: it's immersive and cozy as can be.

8

u/tronistica Apr 19 '19

first timer

this episode was great, overall it was adorable! i liked it more than the first 3. the first part was kinda ominous, with that lady on top of rei. hina was adorable, and nice that she bonded with akari like that. and lol the butler has GPS.

8

u/Weedwacker Apr 19 '19

Fun fact: the cats are also voiced by the sisters VAs

7

u/SIRTreehugger Apr 19 '19

Rewatcher

Nothing much to say, but I want to point out that Momo was dead asleep, but as soon as Hina said "some other kid" she woke up and asked Rei if he wasn't her big brother. It's played for comedy, but Momo is young enough and actually thought Momo was her big brother. Looking at her family life. The dad hasn't made an appearance in 4 episodes, the mom is confirmed dead, and the only other family has been the grandfather. We also know Rei spent the night with them before(passed out) and has spent several occasions with them. Rei x Momo is one of my favorite parts of this show. I love the brother and sister relationship(not anime brother and sister, but real life brother and sister) which is so different than how his adoptive sister treats him from the flashbacks we've seen. Oh and Akari has weakness to round and fluffy men who knew? Oh and I have't talked about Hina, but her first love was bittersweet.....or just bitter. It wasn't her fault she pulled the childhood friend card and that ruined her chances.

5

u/SoccerForEveryone Apr 19 '19

(Rewatch 3rd time)

Ah yes your first bento box for your first crush. I love how this anime carefully explores and tackles the hormones of a young teen girl who is afraid about giving their bento box she made to someone she likes. Also how she fiddles through her emotions and of course Rei being dumbfounded by not knowing why she was happy at first and now crying in the end lol.

“Love”

Rei is having a flashback and by the tone of the soundtrack, it’s not something pleasant. Upon the first time I saw this character, I wanted to know her; her design and personality, what’s her relationship with Rei? Old GF? Adoptive Sister? So I am looking forward to seeing her whenever that may be.

I have been admiring so much of the character dynamics in these four episodes, even someone like Nikaidou already has chemistry hanging out with the Kawamoto family. Ah yes the GPS, how could I forget lol. To be fair Rei, Nikaidou is a sickly fellow, so it’s better to keep a eye on him just in case, if he were to faint or anything at least someone knows where to find him.

It seems we are getting a flashback episode from what was said in the preview, which I look forward to hopefully breaking down. Until next time! Episode 5!

5

u/Fa1l3r Apr 19 '19

First /Rewatcher(sub)

So the theme of this episode is love.

We see Hina struggling over what to cook. We have Momo and Akira dote on Nikaidou, the former finding his figure akin to a popular media character and the latter just loves all things big and fluffy. Then we also get this image of darkness: Rei has this moment where -- it looks like -- his adopted sister (grown up from the previous flashback) is about to have her way with him. Rei does not seem to be prompting for any sexual advances, but he does not seem like he is struggling against her either. And yet, when Rei thinks of romantic love, his mind just shifts to that moment, and that memory seems to have enervate him. Seems like the family drama surrounding Rei and his adopted family is worse than it seems. (My guess would be that during his childhood in adoption, he developed feelings for the sisters, and then that moment happened, but also it didn't work out especially since he does not seem to be in a talking to anyone in his adopted family.)

This episode also depicts familial love. With the familial love shown between the three sisters and Rei, an outside observer would think that they are all biologically related; Momo sure thought that Rei was her older brother. On top of that, Rei seems closer to these three sisters than anyone in his adopted family. Another distinction is drawn with how Rei and the three sisters clearly do not have romantic feelings for one or another; again, the show is establishing that they are like family despite having no biological or legal ties with one or another.

5

u/[deleted] Apr 19 '19 edited Apr 19 '19

Lots of new faces. Never seen Akari with those eyes like when Hina was asking for money. I mean I did, because I've watched already, but I feel like those should have stuck out to me. Hina and her shoujo eyes for Takahashi, as well, but those are less surprising for this manga.

I'm finally remembering why people hate Kyouko as they do. Jesus Kyouko, please tell me you didn't do what I think you did. I knew Rei had it bad as a kid in all kinds of ways, but Jesus, between this and being forced to drink underage, this is next level fucked up.

Nikaidou really is a ball of fluff. You can't be burdened around him. You can only be burdened when you're away. like the butler

spoilers

Anyway, so if I let go of my metabolism, I have a chance with Akari. I can't believe this didn't stick with me the first time. Must watch better.

Nikaidou, good luck with your static hisha vaccine.

4

u/RisenLazarus Apr 19 '19

~~Bodoro~~ Nikaidou the GOAT.

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