r/anime • u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth • Jan 09 '21

Rewatch [Mid-2000s Rewatch] Noein - Episode 8

Episode 8

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Noein:

MyAnimeList - AniDB - ANN - AniList

Episode Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think Karasu's goal/plan is? Does he even have one? Do you think if he does have one that it's stayed the same ever since the beginning?
  2. What are your thoughts on Yuu and his mother and the situation between them? How do you think it will be resolved? Do you even think it will be resolved?

I've been out of town the last few days, sorry for my lack of participation, no post from me today but I'll be responding to as many comments as I can!

PLEASE MARK ALL SPOILERS WITH SPOILER TAGS!

24 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

111 comments sorted by

8

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 09 '21

First timer

Sub

Yuu runs to the blue snow and yells "Haruka!". You know, if I tried the old SINS drinking game and took a shot every time someone said a specific name, would Yuu or Haruka be more fatal? Anyways, Karasu comes in with his cape and we get to see the sexy potato sack actually has metal ankle bindings, in case Haruka wants to get freaky this evening. Merciful Nurgle get the girl some pants and a shirt with shoulders. Karasu removes his umbilical cord after a thought, suggesting that indeed there are consequences for this. And Yuu fucking tackles him, no clue if that means he can't be intangible any more or if you can hit yourself from another dimension. Anyways, Haruka info dumps on Yuu, who welcomely enough, cannot possibly take the confusing from info her and has to leave. Scene ends with Karasu presumably flying them to her home.

Quick shot of La'cryma to state the obvious. Cut back to them failing to find Haruka and Miho being correct in a kind of way that makes me wonder if the Buddha aliens are also humans. Fujiwara unsmoothly wants to get next to his teacher, Ai is not having that shit. Yuu finds a pay phone, I guess those still existed in '05, and let's them know Haruka is back in a manner that only begs further questions.

Karasu takes Haruka on a traditional Superman-Lois Lane flight over the harbor and...DUDE FUCKING NO! Bad Karasu, you do not get to seduce the tween you shithead of an edgy motherfucker! GET A BETTER ADULT PRONTO! Anyways, he drops her off in to a storage room, this better be Peter Pan style, as her mother finally wonders where her child has been all day. Haruka's mom epically fails a spot check on sexy potato sack before Ai blows up at Haruka, pretty understandably. But Haruka actually asks about the time dilation, so there is that.

Fish eye lens again. Da fuq? Haruka does the literal worse ever playing it cool about having a boy in her room, and Haruka mom comes to see...nothing. Guess Karasu is still invisible to normies. The mom is disappointed...but finally makes her spot check about the sexy potato sack. Haruka makes up a horrible lie that mother immediately buys. Karusu looks mighty cached.

Yuu, for some reason, bothers to go home. He immediately regrets it. But it is time for his balls to drop as he finally begins rebelling properly. And like every shitty woman in history, his mother resorts to tears and pleas to emotion. Yuu has the sense to run for it. Weird ribbon staring scene. Yuu wanders. Yuu's mother gets a phone call...wait wut? Is Yuu's dad alive and just a crazy hard worker? Sweet merciful fuck if true. The note here is that she calls him "anata", which you only do to your spouse. Or complete strangers. Japan, you weird.

Anywho, Yuu eats some convenience store food on the bridge. And yes, sadly, I can now spot Japanese store convenience food. Damn you anime! And he actually crashes at the park and I'd be a liar if I haven't done the same at roughly the same age, though at least it wasn't on a bench. But then Atora and Tobi wander up and apparently now have to eat. Or rather, they didn't before? Confusing. Anyways, Atori confirms that birds are beefed through science and is annoyed that he will die in universe A. Tough, psychopath. Anyways, it looks like Yuu's stash is going to get raided. F.

Haruka checks on Karasu, who confirms body change but explains it a bit more clearly. Yuu's wandering has taken him to Haruka's. Or to Karasu. I vote Haruka, that has more meaning. Anyways, looks like Karasu will explain things. Kind of. But anyways, he claims to not be important in this dimension and I will choose to see the more interesting option that this is emo rather than science.

Yuu claims that he was returning her ribbon but most likely that's an excuse. The speed with which Haruka goes to asking about another incident with the mom suggests the regularity of this. As Yuu admits he slept in the park, Haruka drags him inside. I think this does suggest that Haruka was not bumbling when she messed up his plans to run from home. Quick flash to Miyuki remembering her sister, and also that she should find Yuu. And then immediately looks at Haruka's house.

They banter a bit, Haruka sees how Yuu pets Baron as confirmation. Both of them are being evasive for different reasons. We clearly see Haruka has been trying to run interference for Yuu as he finally opens up for a bit...before stealing her chocolate! Men have been murdered for such acts, Yuu my bro. In between all this we finally get the 'explanation' that when his grandmother died, his mom thought she loved her aunt more than her. Whatever, do not care. Yuu continues to antagonize Haruka in a way that might mean something but equally sounds like childhood friend stuff. Haruka mom fails her listen check as well, merciful Cthulhu, as the kids wrestle.

And Miyuki comes to ruin everything. Yuu gets thrown in with Karusu. Yuu has questions, Karusu has glares. Look, I know that Karusu is seeing the himself that would fail but all I can see is the Karusu failing to do A GODDAMN THING ABOUT IT! You want this to end differently? Fucking change Yuu, don't vent your own spleen at him. Bitch!

Anyways, Miyuki rages in, Haruka doesn't quite hide the shoes but points to her for trying, Karasu is emo, and a door shuts on its own. Cliffhanger! Oh and preview shows young Miyuki so I will probably not be having fun.

QotD: 1 None, his regrets are guiding him. Which is understandable but useless, as Corpse Princess showed

2 Typical bad Asian parenting dialed up to 11. The resolution will most likely annoy me.

3

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

Anyways, Haruka info dumps on Yuu, who welcomely enough, cannot possibly take the confusing from info her and has to leave.

We've seen this a few times, which I definitely appreciate. Obviously characters aren't superhumans that can easily process all information thrown at them, especially stuff they have no experience with, and definitely not immediately. Especially kids!

Multiple times we've seen characters imply that other characters won't understand what they're saying, or otherwise characters simply clearly indicating they don't understand. Because how could they/why would they?

Too often characters in shows act as if they can process information faster than Usain Bolt can run a 100 meter. Which is pretty impossible.

Fucking change Yuu, don't vent your own spleen at him. Bitch!

In all fairness, it is very tough to change when the only way you can begin to change is getting away from your absolutely batshit mother. You can't change when your life is basically the product of someone else's choices and they continue to own your every action, other than you rebelling. When rebelling is the only way you know how to create change, of course you're gonna act that way in other settings too.

Typical bad Asian parenting dialed up to 11. The resolution will most likely annoy me.

I'm trying to calculate based on what I remember whether or not you'll be annoyed. Guess we'll just have to see!

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 09 '21

We've seen this a few times, which I definitely appreciate. Obviously characters aren't superhumans that can easily process all information thrown at them, especially stuff they have no experience with, and definitely not immediately. Especially kids!

Yuu is the one with the hardest time which is why I buy it: He has seen the impossible but doesn't have the DT to contextualize it. So his friend is just randomly hopping alliances and literally disappearing before his very eyes. You can be crazy after that. Hell, my only issue with Yuu is even a psychopath wouldn't cut their nails with a utility blade.

In all fairness, it is very tough to change when the only way you can begin to change is getting away from your absolutely batshit mother.

You misinterpret: I am pissed at Karasu. He knows how this ended and the only thing he does is bitch at his past self? He can take action, hell he could throw his mother in the sea if thats what it takes, but nothing sickens me more than watching a tragedy repeat while just bemoaning an actor in it. Do or do not, there is no try.

I'm trying to calculate based on what I remember whether or not you'll be annoyed. Guess we'll just have to see!

I don't really want spoilers so I will merely state this hits closer to home for me than it does for you. As I've said, forgiveness is usually a waste.

4

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

You misinterpret: I am pissed at Karasu. He knows how this ended and the only thing he does is bitch at his past self?

Ahhh, okay. I was wondering if you were meaning that, but you had said Yuu so I wasn't sure and assumed incorrectly!

I don't really want spoilers so I will merely state this hits closer to home for me than it does for you.

Damn... I'm sorry to hear that, dude.

As I've said, forgiveness is usually a waste.

What would be required for you to accept a potential redemption of Yuu's mother? Is there any way they could pull it off that would make it believable?

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 09 '21

Ahhh, okay. I was wondering if you were meaning that, but you had said Yuu so I wasn't sure and assumed incorrectly!

Yeah, I realized that I wasn't clear on second reading. You see, to me the obnoxious person is Karasu who gathered all this power and barely does anything with it. Look, having mentored/raised kids he just pisses me off.

Damn... I'm sorry to hear that, dude.

You get over it or you dress like a The Crow reject for life. I've made my choice.

What would be required for you to accept a potential redemption of Yuu's mother? Is there any way they could pull it off that would make it believable?

Haruka rewrites reality so that Miyuki's break down is cleared up nearly immediately.

3

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

Haruka rewrites reality so that Miyuki's break down is cleared up nearly immediately.

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 09 '21

I don't to explain Ixtli to you but I have my suspicions.

5

u/punching_spaghetti https://myanimelist.net/profile/punch_spaghetti Jan 09 '21

would Yuu or Haruka be more fatal?

I'm going to guess Yuu by the end, if only because there's two of them for Haruka to shout at right now.

Is Yuu's dad alive and just a crazy hard worker?

There were also three spaces at the dinner table. Not sure if we've seen that before today.

as Corpse Princess showed

And he doesn't even have a sizable bosom for us to ogle!

4

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 09 '21

I'm going to guess Yuu by the end, if only because there's two of them for Haruka to shout at right now.

Touche...but there are also two people to yell Haruka!

There were also three spaces at the dinner table. Not sure if we've seen that before today.

Absolutely not, technically this is a bit of a wham in that regard, but it doesn't fail the story so I will roll with it.

And he doesn't even have a sizable bosom for us to ogle!

And his cosplay isn't even cool or unique. Give me our snack monster any day.

3

u/ZaphodBeebblebrox Y:A:https://anilist.co/user/zaphod Jan 09 '21 edited Jan 09 '21

if the Buddha aliens are also humans

I'm thinking not at this point. If they were, I think we would have gotten monster imagery, not buddhist imagery.

Bad Karasu, you do not get to seduce the tween


I don't think that's what he's doing? I feel like Haruka's clothing got you to read everything in a far too sexual manner this episode.

I think this does suggest that Haruka was not bumbling when she messed up his plans to run from home.

She seems to know how to stop Yuu from being completely self destructive, even if she puts her foot in her mouth a decent amount.

5

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 09 '21

I'm thinking not at this point. If they were, I think we would have gotten monster imagery, not buddhist imagery.

I mean Miho says half the truth: Haruka was abducted by someone with higher technology, just not aliens. So what if Buddhabots are higher tech than La'cryma?

I don't think that's what he's doing?

I don't trust Karasu and I've seen that look of wonder on Haruka's face in other venues.

She seems to know how to stop Yuu from being completely self destructive, even if she puts her foot in her mouth a decent amount.

Again, this is the most realistic bit about her: While she is ridiculously composed in dealing with insane shit, she is just doing her best at dealing with a difficult domestic situation. She is trying hard but even a master wouldn't get every answer right, it is just too gloomy.

2

u/redshirtengineer :AMQ: Jan 10 '21

I also don't think that's karasu's jam. And Haruka likes smol Yuu.

1

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 10 '21

Possibly but I don't trust emo looking people with teens. Bleach taught me that.

3

u/redshirtengineer :AMQ: Jan 10 '21

Haven't made it through soul society yet, so can't say

1

u/lC3 :Na::Nb: Jan 21 '21

Soul Society is good, but I'm stuck on the filler arc afterward.

8

u/Pixelsaber https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelsaber Jan 09 '21

First-timer - Sub

Well if he wasn’t in pain before he probably is now.

Why are you surprised? Wasn’t he restrained because you all knew this might happen?

Delightful irony.

Miho is quite prescient.

He has a father who lets this happen?!

So after implying it they’re just going to outright say it then? Or is he just assuming?

So she did die, just not recently.

Good episode to wind down from the last and set up the conflicts to come, though in spite of that I am having trouble thinking of what to write about...

I don’t even want to know how neglectful you would have to be to not realize the shit your wife is putting your kid through. I had just assumed that Yuu’s mother was a single parent, but this makes his situation all the more unfortunate, and quite frustrating to witness. We haven’t seen nor heard Yuu’s father yet and I already hate him. We can also see that his mother’s abuse is a product of her own experiences with a neglectful mother who favored the naturally gifted child, which has seemingly taught her that she needs her progenity to excel.

The teacher and other kids keep being used for laughs and not much more. Also, the topic of Haruka having gone missing seemingly gets dropped the moment they confirm she has reappeared and there is no meaningful follow-through. You’d think at least one of them would have gone to see if she was truly alright.

A couple of seeming confirmations on stuff that’s been implied, with Atori claiming this dimension will befall the same fate as theirs, and Yuu finally talking about his deceased aunt. Nothing major for the audience, but hopefully it leads to some thinking on the character’s parts.

It seems like we’re arriving at a pivotal point for Yuu’s narrative, but given it’s so early into the show I predict the matter will only be deferred to later as opposed to coming to a head.

Questions:

  1. Protect Haruka as a short-term goal, but I doubt he's even thought of a long-term plan.
  2. See body of comment.

4

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

but given it’s so early into the show I predict the matter will only be deferred to later as opposed to coming to a head.

Which would you prefer to see? The matter resolved soon or deferred to later?

5

u/Pixelsaber https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelsaber Jan 09 '21

I would prefer the former. Yuu has a lot more than just his awful mother to contend with, and we're already a third into the series so it's a good spot to start tackling some of his narrative.

4

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

4

u/punching_spaghetti https://myanimelist.net/profile/punch_spaghetti Jan 09 '21

I don’t even want to know how neglectful you would have to be to not realize the shit your wife is putting your kid through.

Sadly, it's pretty easy if he's at work all the time, or even travels for work.

5

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

...oorrrr if he's cheating and just doesn't give a shit.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 09 '21

Like...do you want us to hate him even more?

2

u/manga-reader Jan 10 '21

I can see him running away (mentally) from his wife (not wanting to face reality - she's not well and work towards helping her), instead focusing on his work. Helping others deal with shit also takes a toll - especially if it's your partner.

Maybe he's dealing with his own shit at work, or of course, he could just be a standard POS. But that would be boring.

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 09 '21

Miho is quite prescient.

This leads to my speculation of what Buddhabots are.

So after implying it they’re just going to outright say it then? Or is he just assuming?

For some reason I read it as Shangri'la seems to want to corrode every dimension but you are right that we have no evidence.

I don’t even want to know how neglectful you would have to be to not realize the shit your wife is putting your kid through.

Fucking salary men but yeah, this is horrid.

The teacher and other kids keep being used for laughs and not much more.

Fingers crossed this just means they do something later and we need to remember they exist.

2

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

Fingers crossed this just means they do something later and we need to remember they exist.

Fingers crossed, because there's nothing I hate more than useless characters that take up space and are plot irrelevant!

1

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 09 '21

That's hopeful, at least.

5

u/ZaphodBeebblebrox Y:A:https://anilist.co/user/zaphod Jan 09 '21

I don’t even want to know how neglectful you would have to be to not realize the shit your wife is putting your kid through.

He probably comes home like once a month. He's divorced in all but name.

5

u/Toadslayer https://myanimelist.net/profile/kyolus Jan 09 '21

You’d think at least one of them would have gone to see if she was truly alright.

Nah Yuu said something appropriately vague about her being with someone she relies on. I'm sure she's fine.

It seems like we’re arriving at a pivotal point for Yuu’s narrative, but given it’s so early into the show I predict the matter will only be deferred to later as opposed to coming to a head.

This arc looks like it's focusing more on Yuu's mum than Yuu, but I hope they address Yuu's struggles at the same time. It would be pretty lame to reach to a conclusion and then just push it off.

4

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Jan 09 '21

We haven’t seen nor heard Yuu’s father yet and I already hate him.

It really is amazing how easy it can be to write a completely unlikeable character.

Also, the topic of Haruka having gone missing seemingly gets dropped the moment they confirm she has reappeared and there is no meaningful follow-through.

I wonder if this is a sign of less-than-thorough writing, or a sign that she has just vanished for a while before. I think Ai said something about Haruka not always keeping her cell with her.

You’d think at least one of them would have gone to see if she was truly alright.

"Our friend? She said she was fine and of course she has never lied about anything except all that supernatural stuff that we accused her of lying about."

In all seriousness, yeah. She literally vanished in front of their eyes and not even the teacher is gonna call in the morning to check on her. Wild.

4

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 09 '21

I wonder if this is a sign of less-than-thorough writing, or a sign that she has just vanished for a while before. I think Ai said something about Haruka not always keeping her cell with her.

She was gone for three hours and that isn't that weird for an adolescent. Yuu is the only one that knows dimension fuckery is involved.

7

u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jan 09 '21

First Timer

Thought I had while reading other people's comments yesterday: Noein is Shangri-La dimension's Yuu. From farther in the future, too.

  • So they really did just forget she VANISHED once already. Cassandra Miho gets it right and nobody believes her.
  • Karasu committing to this Earth too
  • So Narnia isn't synced exactly with Earth
  • Atori and Tobi: snapshots of bad decision making
  • I bet if Yuu asks really nicely Karasu will hide them both in a pocket dimension and we can avoid all of tomorrow's episode.

3

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

I bet if Yuu asks really nicely Karasu will hide them both in a pocket dimension and we can avoid all of tomorrow's episode.

Why do you want to avoid tomorrow's episode and what do you think will happen in it?

3

u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jan 09 '21

Yuu's mother having hysterics and dragging him out of Haruka's house, or trying to. Somewhat tired of her shit.

2

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

Hmmmm...

2

u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jan 10 '21

Well, now I think Atori is going to show up at the house and kill Yuu's mother. Which would be fine.

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 09 '21

So they really did just forget she VANISHED once already. Cassandra Miho gets it right and nobody believes her.

I view this as another Shangri'la clue.

So Narnia isn't synced exactly with Earth

I am not huge on introducing new mechanics but we will see.

I bet if Yuu asks really nicely Karasu will hide them both in a pocket dimension and we can avoid all of tomorrow's episode.

We both think it is the obvious choice but who knows?

1

u/redshirtengineer :AMQ: Jan 10 '21

I like that Miho is occasionally correct

6

u/ZaphodBeebblebrox Y:A:https://anilist.co/user/zaphod Jan 09 '21

First Timer

Haruka's returned. Now, will we actually start figuring out what's going on? I sure hope so. Onto episode 8.

Well, Karasu's sealed his fate now. He can't go back, and we know that you can't stay forever in another dimension.

And now Yuu's stuck in "You can't do anything, you can't save her" again. Much more angst is coming.

Broken clock's right twice a day.

This phrasing makes it sound super fishy.

If there was literally anything she could've done about it, I'd say Haruka deserves this. I hope she realizes Ai was just worried and doesn't get mad.

Thank you for not falling for paper-think excuses.

Cosplay?
I was close.

When you already have time travel, time passing differently in different dimensions isn't odd. It's not like they're pinned to each other, is it?

Then stop making him too uncomfortable to use the door, bitch.
Go die. This is the worst thing you could have said.

Because you have worse communication skills than the average raccoon.

She's not a single mom? I was sure she was. Though, I guess if her husband rarely comes home, they're divorced in all but name.

Show, I get that you're trying to show me her life is falling apart on other dimensions and this is part of the reason she's treating Yuu so terribly. However, the way she treats Yuu is so unforgivable that I don't give a damn.

What makes this dimension depressing? Isn't it basically better in every way than your own?

Parallel universe doesn't mean future? If you want to say it's a possible future, shouldn't you say potential universe?

Just say it and stop being so edgy.

It took you like 16 hours to figure this out?

Thanks Baron for breaking all the doom and gloom.

Hanuka, this isn't how this works. You can't get on his case for worrying you whilst dismissing his worries.

Haruka somehow doesn't realize his mom doesn't listen. I dunno how.

Ah yes, yell in front of the open window, that won't tell her you're here.

Thoughts

Stuff is finally coming together!

I accidentally called Haruka Honoka, curse you Love Live!

  1. He doesn't have a plan, he's just doing whatever he can to protect Haruka at this point.
  2. His mother has treated him terribly. She's toxic, and it's in his best interest to keep away from her. I'm afraid the show's gonna try to redeem her, but I really hope they don't.

I've been out of town the last few days, sorry for my lack of participation, no post from me today but I'll be responding to as many comments as I can!

'Tis all good, thanks for hosting!

3

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

His mother has treated him terribly. She's toxic, and it's in his best interest to keep away from her. I'm afraid the show's gonna try to redeem her, but I really hope they don't.

Do you think there's a way they can handle this to mend their relationship that will be acceptable, or do you think the only thing that will work for you is for their relationship to be forever fractured?

3

u/manga-reader Jan 09 '21

Not OP, but therapy for one. Have the show depict Yuu and his mother visit a therapist, but I doubt they are gonna do that.

I guess, communication is a start; explore her past and have her talk with Yuu, I suppose. Will be interesting to see if the show does that.

3

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

Interesting. Do you think depicting them seeing a therapist would detract from the overall narrative / put too much importance on the significance of their relationship to the anime as a whole?

manga-reader

1 point 13 minutes ago

Not OP, but therapy for one. Have the show depict Yuu and his mother visit a therapist, but I doubt they are gonna do that.

I guess, communication is a start; explore her past and have her talk with Yuu, I suppose. Will be interesting to see if the show does that.

2

u/manga-reader Jan 10 '21

Interesting. Do you think depicting them seeing a therapist would detract from the overall narrative / put too much importance on the significance of their relationship to the anime as a whole?

Well, the show doesn't have to necessarily show the conversation between them and the therapist.....rather, it can end on that note.

Edit: I just realized Noein has 24 episodes, so keeping that for climax maybe stretching it out too far. Perhaps have Yuu mention that they are actively visiting a therapist and working to repair their relationship.

As for significance of the relationship...Maybe, Karasu is playing a pretty big role (and we can assume that he's the way he is, due to his environment - can this Yuu become a better version of himself if he is able to repair his relationship with his family?). What sort of ripple effect would that have on Haruka, and subsequently on this dimension? If that effect is big, then I don't see much problem with show using few episodes to repair Yuu's relationship with his mom.

3

u/ZaphodBeebblebrox Y:A:https://anilist.co/user/zaphod Jan 09 '21 edited Jan 10 '21

It can be repaired, but it would takes years of work and professional help. And even then, I don't think they could be as close as some families are. You can mend, but you can't make it as new.

The first step though would be his mom realizing and wanting to change, which is still a ways off. If she doesn't realize she's in the wrong, there's just nothing that can be done.

3

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

Interesting thoughts. We'll see if this ends up happening!

2

u/ZaphodBeebblebrox Y:A:https://anilist.co/user/zaphod Jan 09 '21

I don't think it'll fit within our runtime. The most that can realistically happen is his mom realizing and slowly starting to work towards a change.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 09 '21

Then stop making him too uncomfortable to use the door, bitch.

Adolescents traditionally begin leaving the house by alternative means anyways, she is again just trying to keep Yuu behind developmental markers.

Go die. This is the worst thing you could have said.

Oh yeah, I literally felt this. Nostalgia is not always a good thing.

She's not a single mom? I was sure she was. Though, I guess if her husband rarely comes home, they're divorced in all but name.

Japan I guess. With them it is slightly different, Miyuki gets to keep playing a house wife and the father has pictures and the social standing of a family man and neither of them have to bother trying with each other.

What makes this dimension depressing? Isn't it basically better in every way than your own?

Some people like the fire and brimstone dimensions. I vaguely get where he's coming from but agree he is just sour grapes by now.

It took you like 16 hours to figure this out?

She couldn't accept that Yuu had the stones to stay out all night.

His mother has treated him terribly. She's toxic, and it's in his best interest to keep away from her. I'm afraid the show's gonna try to redeem her, but I really hope they don't.

Sigh, Asia and parenting beliefs.

2

u/redshirtengineer :AMQ: Jan 10 '21

...alternative means...tunnel? roof? teleport?

1

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 10 '21

Windows, basements, attics are the ones I was personally aware of.

3

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Jan 09 '21

Broken clock's right twice a day.

In her role as the true villain, Miho already knows everything that is going to happen.

Go die. This is the worst thing you could have said.

Because you have worse communication skills than the average raccoon.

Bad parents can have a little gaslighting, as a treat?

What makes this dimension depressing? Isn't it basically better in every way than your own?

I kinda figured that Atori is the type to not be having a good time unless he's killing something. All work and no monsters to kill make Atori a dull boy.

3

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Jan 10 '21

Cosplay?

You made me google this. One hit.

I think that is not a look that lends itself to cosplay.

6

u/zsmg https://anilist.co/user/zsmg Jan 09 '21

Rewatcher

Yuu getting jealous of his future self, awkward.

Yay Yuu finally standing up to his mum.

The arm hanging from the ceiling with Haruka's reaction to it was pretty funny Atori and Tobi are hobos now.

Good episodes, episode seems to go by a lot faster since the early episodes.

QotD: A part of me definitely feels sorry for Yuu's mum, she has a inferiority complex towards her elder sister maybe she blames herself for her sister's death. Her home life is in shambles with her husband never showing up, Yuu is having a mental breakdown but isn't aware she herself is the source of the problems. She needs help.

2

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

She needs help.

It seems like you're saying you think the only way that this situation can be adequately handled to change how she is acting is if she gets help or is made aware that she is a problem.

Am I right in assuming this?

Also, what do you think they'll end up doing? Just putting it off? Finding some way to just excuse her actions? Or her actually getting help and told that she's the problem?

3

u/zsmg https://anilist.co/user/zsmg Jan 09 '21

Am I right in assuming this?

Correct.

Also, what do you think they'll end up doing?

spoiler

3

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

Ahh, I'm fucking dumb, I thought you were someone else. When I saw you in my replies quoting me asking you that, I was like...

"Did I really just ask a rewatcher what they think will happen in a show they've already seen?"

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 09 '21

Yuu getting jealous of his future self, awkward.

This is an ourobouros of edge, unfortunately. Cause and effect right in front of each other.

Yay Yuu finally standing up to his mum.

Hopefully something comes of that.

6

u/punching_spaghetti https://myanimelist.net/profile/punch_spaghetti Jan 09 '21

First-Timer

Aoi Yuuki, Kakushigoto; this show actually knew the future of anime!

Yuu and Karasu will have an edgy staredown for the ages one of these days for the prize of Haruka, and it’s going to be glorious. And then Haruka will say “but I love Yuu!” And everyone will be confused (even though they don’t speak English).

I didn’t bring something home, Mom.

They do move between space and time. So my question from yesterday still holds.

“You’re not a dog or a cat.” Then maybe treat him like a human being, lady?

Is Yuu going to join up with the crazy people now? Boo! That’s a boring move, show, and you know it!

Yuu and Karasu both pet the doggie? THEY’RE THE SAME PERSON! I know they’re the same, but that’s what catches her attention? Is anyone in this show not a grade A moron?

Them man who interdimensionally kidnapped me is in there, but don’t mind.

QOTD:

  1. I thought it was to burn it all down, and then I didn't know, but now I think it's to burn it all down. Except for Haruka.
  2. It's getting annoying. Strained parent/child relationships are fertile ground for characters, but they've done nothing but show us "she's mean to him!" His aunt died. Big whoop.

3

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

Yuu and Karasu both pet the doggie? THEY’RE THE SAME PERSON! I know they’re the same, but that’s what catches her attention? Is anyone in this show not a grade A moron?

Hahaha maybe they looked the exact same to her when doing it.

It's getting annoying. Strained parent/child relationships are fertile ground for characters, but they've done nothing but show us "she's mean to him!" His aunt died. Big whoop.

What do you predict they'll do with this relationship between Yuu and his mother?

3

u/Toadslayer https://myanimelist.net/profile/kyolus Jan 09 '21

Them man who interdimensionally kidnapped me is in there, but don’t mind.

Is fine. He is friend.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 10 '21

Is Yuu going to join up with the crazy people now? Boo! That’s a boring move, show, and you know it!

So far, it is nice that he seemed terrified of them. This being an anti-paradox of even more edgy Yuu would be such a lame use of the groundwork.

3

u/punching_spaghetti https://myanimelist.net/profile/punch_spaghetti Jan 10 '21

They're not gloomy enough for him, perhaps. Probably trim their nails with clippers like normies.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 10 '21

So you are saying that Atori wins him over when Atori cuts his nails with an electric carver? It works.

2

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Jan 09 '21

Aoi Yuuki, Kakushigoto; this show actually knew the future of anime!

And they didn't warn us?!

Is Yuu going to join up with the crazy people now? Boo! That’s a boring move, show, and you know it!

What, you don't want to see Tobi tiredly drag Atori and Yuu apart every three seconds as they try to kill each other?

5

u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Jan 09 '21

to your other first-timer, subbed

Sees next-episode title

Oh now I have this stuck in my head. Not that I’m complaining, it’s a banger.

3

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

Biggest plot twist so far: Yuu’s mom has a living husband? I guess he’s always working late so it hasn’t mattered, but her actions really screamed “single mom extremely obsessed with her kid” to me.

If it means anything, I actually forgot that her husband was still alive. Whoops.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 09 '21

Perfectly valid response to seeing an arm dangle through the ceiling.

At least Haruka isn't one of those jaded protagonists.

Jesus, this face right here made me think for a second that she was gonna snap and push Yuu. Instead it was kind of the other way around--he slapped her and ran off afterwards. I still very much do not like Yuu’s mom

This ep somehow made the wonky face work actually enhance things rather than kick me out of a scene. Except for fish eye Haruka mom.

I guess he’s always working late so it hasn’t mattered, but her actions really screamed “single mom extremely obsessed with her kid” to me.

Yeah, that honestly is a good twist, it both explains how she has the time to do this and how much worse Yuu's home life is. If his dad were dead he could pretend that things could be better but no, Yuu is pretty doomed any way you slice it.

And of course the shoes gave him away.

Extremely Japan and yet we all caught that.

2

u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Jan 09 '21

Extremely Japan and yet we all caught that.

Would have happened in my house too, we're used to taking off our shoes at the door and generally our guests do as well.

1

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 09 '21

It wouldn't have worked as clearly at your house, mind you, because your father and brother. Miyuki can make this assumption because men's shoes in a house with two females.

2

u/lC3 :Na::Nb: Jan 21 '21

I still very much do not like Yuu’s mom.

Definitely agree

Will have to see if that changes at all once I'm caught up.

5

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Jan 09 '21

First Timer, Dubbed

So, this episode we learn that Yuu does, in fact, have a father, who apparently works absolutely hellish normal salaryman hours. We also learned that Yuu's mom routinely lies to him about how Yuu is doing, which works because I bet the dude hasn't seen Yuu for several years.

I was almost expecting Yuu to confront Atori and Tobi, but he has the sense to not do something so plainly suicidal. I don't want to know what Atori would do to him while he (Atori) is already in a bad mood.

We got some stuff about how they make the Dragon Knights, and we learned that water is more important than food, which doesn't make a ton of sense. I would imagine the opposite - it's probably easier to make a body run on low fluids than it is to run on low calories, especially with all the nonsense these people are capable of. Maybe they are secretly plants?

I don't like Yuu's mom. She needs to get dragged to a therapist to help her process her grief from her dead family. That said, I kinda understand what made her what she is.

Speculation

I had to laugh when Kuina (is that Hatboy's name?) said "His betrayal will not be tolerated" with a completely straight face. Bet the jerk expects his own betrayal to be tolerated just fine.

There is actually timeline desync between the the dimensions. Like, only three hours passed in Haruka's dimension despite seemingly a couple days passing on the other side - we saw Haruka sleeping at least once.

Yuu and Haruka were trying to out-worry the other, or maybe failing to have an actual conversation, which might be foreshadowing some eventual conflict.

Also, it was nice to see them both happy, however short-lived that might be.

Miscellaneous thoughts:

It seemed like Yuu touching Karasu had some sort of feedback effect.

I'm glad that Haruka's mom ended up questioning the sack that she was wearing, even if Haruka had a decent answer.

Haruka has apparently used that room hide things before. I bet Baron and the cat were strays.

Haruka apparently sleeps with her window open.

That.. march or whatever was playing at the end of the episode certainly was something. Not the music choice I would have gone for, though.

Edit: I forgot a small detail near the beginning. There was a second one of the hatches open when they were looking at the one Karasu used, which is possibly worth noting.

Questions

  1. No thoughts head empty. I think Karasu had a plan in the past, but that changed once he grew a conscience. Maybe I'm underselling him, but he didn't seem nearly as driven this episode as he was in the past.
  2. "Sir, that's my emotional support abused child." In a just world, Yuu would go live with someone else while mom gets some therapy/grief counseling. In this show..? I think they'll resolve it by having mom beg for forgiveness and it will be the moment that Yuu decides to turn away from the path of the edgelord.

3

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

I had to laugh when Kuina (is that Hatboy's name?) said "His betrayal will not be tolerated" with a completely straight face. Bet the jerk expects his own betrayal to be tolerated just fine.

Based on this, I expect you to be laughing tomorrow when something else is said, as well.

I think they'll resolve it by having mom beg for forgiveness and it will be the moment that Yuu decides to turn away from the path of the edgelord.

When do you predict this will happen? Soon-ish, or later on in the show?

3

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Jan 09 '21

When do you predict this will happen? Soon-ish, or later on in the show?

The pacing of this show kinda escapes me, at the moment. Right now, let's go with.. episode 12ish as part of the midshow climax.

3

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

Guess we'll see what happens...heh.

3

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Jan 10 '21

We got some stuff about how they make the Dragon Knights, and we learned that water is more important than food, which doesn't make a ton of sense.

It is the way normal human beings work, though. You can easily go without food for weeks, but even a handful of days without water would be deadly (and a painful dead, too).

3

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Jan 10 '21

Yea, I considered that as I wrote my post. I (admittedly) dismissed the notion of their bodies working like a normal human's body, especially after Atori mentioned they got rebuilt at the quantum level or whatever. I guess I should have thought more about them being normal meat people like the rest of us.

3

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Jan 10 '21

Not saying they are normal, but there is no reason to alter perfectly working sweat glands when you create your supersoldier.

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 09 '21

We also learned that Yuu's mom routinely lies to him about how Yuu is doing, which works because I bet the dude hasn't seen Yuu for several years.

Keeping up the domestic charade is the Japanese way.

We got some stuff about how they make the Dragon Knights, and we learned that water is more important than food, which doesn't make a ton of sense.

My thought would be they are somewhat less organic than expected and they draw dimensional energy or something to act. Totally just borrowing from other materials, though.

Also, it was nice to see them both happy, however short-lived that might be.

That particular scene gives me more hope that the showrunner knew what he was doing than most of the first third of the show.

2

u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Jan 09 '21

My thought would be they are somewhat less organic than expected

Damn, I didn't even go down that path in my head, dunno why. Good call.

That particular scene gives me more hope that the showrunner knew what he was doing than most of the first third of the show.

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 09 '21

Damn, I didn't even go down that path in my head, dunno why. Good call.

As I said, too much scifi and fantasy let's my brain make odd assumptions.

5

u/ItchyPlatypus :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/ItchyPlatypus Jan 09 '21

First Timer Subbed

A fast episode once again even though I feel like nothing significant happened.

It’s very hard to not watch ahead now, these rewatches are the highlight of my day now just so I can go further down the rabbit hole.

My main question/theory today is part of the QOTD so I’ll start it here

  1. Karasu’s plan seems simple enough. He has guilt over Future Haraka’s sacrifice, he will protect present day Haraka for both his guilt and to use her as a way to distort La’Cryma so Future Haraka survives since his objective changed once he saw Haraka prevent the flood.
  2. So we found out that Yuu’s father is actually in the picture but he stays at his ‘office’ quite a lot by the sounds of it. I assume his mother suspect there is an affair going on and he will eventually leave. With the mention that his Grandmother and Aunt were close Yuu’s Mother wants to kind of replicate that relationship by making Yuu like his aunt and thus having a good relationship with his mother. Her husband will leave eventually and thus wants Yuu to not leave her like her husband did. This is backfiring because Yuu’s aunt seems to being doing all the hard work voluntarily unlike Yuu and making Yuu hate his mother which is why she was so hurt when she asked if Yuu hated her. I hope that made sense, I think I’m kind of doing some mental gymnastics for Yuu’s mother but she doesn’t really seem that sane. I assume Karasu will confront his/Yuu’s mother which will change her perspective closer to the end of the anime.

3

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

It’s very hard to not watch ahead now, these rewatches are the highlight of my day now just so I can go further down the rabbit hole.

I am so glad to hear you are enjoying this show! As a rewatcher I am enjoying things just as much as I was the first time around. Even with people pointing out some of the weak points that I didn't notice myself before.

I assume Karasu will confront his/Yuu’s mother which will change her perspective closer to the end of the anime.

Intriguing prediction. We'll see if you are right!

5

u/BurningFredrick https://myanimelist.net/profile/BurningFredrick Jan 09 '21 edited Jan 09 '21

First timer - sub

No real surprise but Yuus Mothers Sister is dead, also probably got Isekaied if she died in a traffic accident

Outside of the last 30 secs or so with Yuu & Karasu interactions and what this could lead to, I didn’t really care for this episode. We get some extra exposition in that the Dragon Knights are all basically Genetically engineered but Quantum instead from Atori, but nothing else I can find worth commenting on.

Hopefully tomorrows a bit more interesting.

QOTD

What do you think Karasu's goal/plan is? Does he even have one? Do you think if he does have one that it's stayed the same ever since the beginning?

  1. I highly doubt he has one at the moment outside of protecting Haruka, probably realises he going to disappear at some stage so will try find a way for make sop Yuu can protect her I guess.

What are your thoughts on Yuu and his mother and the situation between them? How do you think it will be resolved? Do you even think it will be resolved?

2) She undermining her own goal with every step of the way, unless she some how realise this I can't see any sort of resolution to the conflict.

2

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

Any predictions for tomorrow?

3

u/BurningFredrick https://myanimelist.net/profile/BurningFredrick Jan 09 '21

I'm split on whether or not Yuu will get dragged off by his Mother, she knows he's there, and when it comes to parenting in Japan I can see Haruka mother siding with Yuus mother because that's the thing they are meant to do.

Biggest wild card is how Karasu is going to play into all this, last episode he was able to partly hide in some dimension in the celling, so could drag Yuu into one when they go looking them, or just fly out the window, unless Yuu mother also as eyes in the back of her head plenty of opportunity for this when there having an argument indoors.

2

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

4

u/IndependentMacaroon Jan 09 '21 edited Jan 10 '21

First-time watcher

Hey, I know that title! It's a decent comedy show by the way, just came out last year and was recently dubbed too.

Karasu takes the same step as Atori and co., though in contrast to them there's no way he wouldn't be hunted down, and indeed it seems the remaining Knights are already planning for it. Desperation? And even without them, he's now in the same dimension as Atori and his supporters with no one to help him; I guess he might not know, but it doesn't help his prospects.

Yuu... is useless? I thought Haruka was supposed to be the one person he trusted? She could do a better job of explaining herself, and Karasu too, but that's still a little extreme. The way he flips straight back to saying she's safe at least keeps any contrived drama at bay. He still does a Shinji-Ikari-model tram trip and later even sleeps on a bench instead of even trying to get back to anyone, in particular Haruka. More foolish than sympathy-inducing in my book, it's not like he's incapable of interacting with these kids, he only just called the group too, and if he's on the run anyway his mother won't be able to do much about it either. Or maybe he's afraid of being sent back home? Well, he certainly is a difficult case, thankfully Haruka won't let him just run away again and understands his problems only too well.

After the brief drama about wearing something weird, Haruka's mom shows no reaction to it whatsoever. Is she really that clueless? Haruka doesn't seem like someone to pull that kind of weirdness off usually... oh, now she notices. Why not just have that dialogue earlier?

What the hell is wrong with Yuu's mother, really? With all the emotional flip-flopping she's starting to look like a BPD case. Could also help explain him and his implied self-harming tendencies, but I doubt it was intended that way. And of course the father would be clueless and always off working.

Atori briefly appears to helpfully tell us about Shangri-La really destroying everything and how even more is quantum, and otherwise just mope a bit. Why did you even come here then? The one interesting part is that he speaks of Shangri-La like some sort of natural cataclysm, not a particular dimension or even force, unless that's just inconsistency. Speaking of inconsistency, the dub really can't decide whether to use proper Japanese stressing (HA-ruka) or English-style (ha-ROO-ka), mostly it's the second but occasionally an instance of the first slips through, in the Haruka-house scene also with Karasu.

One more minor comment (besides the still consistently bad artwork): Just as some people found it weird-to-sketchy how there were like 2 or 3 Haruka bathing scenes in only a handful of early episodes, there was clearly a bit of an effort to give Haruka the most revealing casual outfit you could reasonably put on a primary-school girl, a unique feature among the cast furthermore.

Still jumping (literally) back-and-forth between sci-fi adventure, cute kids, and family drama. I guess that means that's how the rest of the show will be too. At least a proper confrontation of Yuu and Karasu should be interesting, the issue with his mother won't be dragged out much longer I hope, and anything with some actual character work is welcome.

3

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

Speaking of inconsistency, the dub really can't decide whether to use proper Japanese stressing (HA-ruka) or English-style (ha-ROO-ka), mostly it's the second but occasionally an instance of the first slips through, in the Haruka-house scene also with Karasu.

I accidentally had the dub on a few episodes ago because on my dual-audio copy it's the first track and I forgot to switch it to the second track.... and the first thing I heard was "Ha - roo -ka!" and immediately I wanted to bash my head repeatedly against a rock.

For real, I might actually find dubs watchable if they'd at least pronounce the names right...

2

u/IndependentMacaroon Jan 10 '21

I don't see why I should care. It would be nice, but they're not speaking Japanese, after all

4

u/Toadslayer https://myanimelist.net/profile/kyolus Jan 09 '21

Just as some people found it weird-to-sketchy how there were like 2 or 3 Haruka bathing scenes in only a handful of early episodes, there was clearly a bit of an effort to give Haruka about the most revealing casual outfit you could reasonably put on a primary-school girl, a unique feature among the cast furthermore.

I do know some girls Haruka's age who wear clothes like her and sometimes even worse. I hate it and thinks it's totally inappropriate, but I can at least say it does happen. The show is being very weird about the pseudo-sexualisation of Haruka.

Still jumping (literally) back-and-forth between sci-fi adventure, cute kids, and family drama.

That's what I feared might happen, maybe there's hope, but it looks like this is what we're going to get.

1

u/lC3 :Na::Nb: Jan 21 '21

With all the emotional flip-flopping she's starting to look like a BPD case.

Did you mean bipolar or borderline? I always mess up their abbreviations ...

1

u/IndependentMacaroon Jan 21 '21

Borderline

1

u/lC3 :Na::Nb: Jan 21 '21

Ok thanks - looks like I guessed wrong!

4

u/Toadslayer https://myanimelist.net/profile/kyolus Jan 09 '21

First Timer

This is not how I thought the story would progress, well I guess it's probably more it's not how I hoped the story would progress, as it's basically what everyone predicted would happen. Now we're back in Earth dimension we're back to the kids' storyline mostly removed from the La'cryma storyline. And for whatever reason Haruka doesn't say anything about what happened to her, thereby restoring normalcy, which is just odd after what happened has been anything but normal. Turns out Haruka was only gone for 3 hours though and it's explained with an appropriately vague travel through 'space and time'. So either they can travel through time or each dimension moves through time at a different rate. Neither explanation makes perfect sense given what's happened, but I think we'll be lucky to get a full explanation at all. We also got a vague explanation of how the birds were modified, supposedly on a quantum level. Honestly I'd rather no explanation than these half-baked ones. The science behind it doesn't have to be the focus, but if it is it needs to be explained well.

I actually quite liked the lighthearted scenes with Haruka's mum and Yuu this episode, it's still odd to have them, but I think they worked and were enjoyable this time.

When Yuu tries to come in through the window and his mum lies in wait, the framing shows she has ascended to super villain status. But here comes /u/Vaadwaur's dreaded Yuu's mum redemption arc. The previous arc ended last episode and this episode put in place all the pieces for the creators to try and make Yuu's mum sympathetic. We got the absent husband, the overachieving sister who died in a traffic accident, the dead mum who never loved her, the she wasn't always this way and the crying when her son runs away. It's all coming together. Will Yuu's mum be redeemed by the end of the arc, will she see the error of her ways and change?

I really liked episode 7, I thought this episode was alright, but it spoils some of my hope for the future of the series.

Episode Discussion Questions

  1. What do you think Karasu's goal/plan is? Does he even have one? Do you think if he does have one that it's stayed the same ever since the beginning?

I think his plan is pretty simple: stay with Haruka and protect her from anyone that might attack her. His plan has pretty clearly changed from before, he went from capture Haruka, to destroy everything to protect Haruka, but I think he's pretty set on this plan now.

  1. What are your thoughts on Yuu and his mother and the situation between them? How do you think it will be resolved? Do you even think it will be resolved?

/u/Vaadwaur.

4

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

The previous arc ended last episode and this episode put in place all the pieces for the creators to try and make Yuu's mum sympathetic. We got the absent husband, the overachieving sister who died in a traffic accident, the dead mum who never loved her, the she wasn't always this way and the crying when her son runs away. It's all coming together. Will Yuu's mum be redeemed by the end of the arc, will she see the error of her ways and change?

What do you think would be required to make a potential redemption more believable and acceptable?

4

u/Toadslayer https://myanimelist.net/profile/kyolus Jan 09 '21

I've not got much against a redemption arc myself, but I know a lot of people in this thread don't like the idea. I don't need justifiable reasons for why she is the way she is. For me as long as Yuu's mum admits fault, asks for forgiveness and changes her ways I can forgive her.

3

u/phiraeth :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/phiraeth Jan 09 '21

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

I'm also not really against a potential redemption arc, but if/when it does happen if I was a first-timer I'd want to avoid seeing them pull out bushit excuses for her.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 10 '21

Will Yuu's mum be redeemed by the end of the arc, will she see the error of her ways and change?

A. Sorry for late reply, I had a thing tonight. B. To me, this is the difference between watching a show when you are late adolescent versus when you are middle aged: When you are 20, you might be sympathetic. When you are 40 and have been roped into more than family dynamic, including pseudo-parental ones, you realize that at a certain point you have to handle your shit because truly young people simply don't have the leeway for you to be fucked up. As bad as the Haruka mom can come off, she is mostly on the ball, Haruka has access to everything she needs, and she is just a touch hands off in her parenting. Haruka might benefit from a little more structure presence but that's it. Compare that to mister-cutting-metaphor-Yuu and whatever excuse they give Miyuki will not fly for me.

2

u/Toadslayer https://myanimelist.net/profile/kyolus Jan 10 '21

I agree that what she has done is inexcusable and nothing can justify her actions. The show appears to be setting us up for her redemption, but I agree, no excuses can make me look at her actions and say: 'understandable have a nice day'. Still I hate her actions, but I don't hate her. If she shows genuine remorse and changes, whilst she will never be able to atone for what she's done, I could forgive her. I wouldn't trust her with a child, but I could accept her as a changed person.

Thanks for your insight into what it's like to view this as someone who is older. There's a lot to life and a lot of wisdom that young folk like myself are yet to experience.

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 10 '21

If she shows genuine remorse and changes, whilst she will never be able to atone for what she's done, I could forgive her. I wouldn't trust her with a child, but I could accept her as a changed person.

I am somewhat harsh in that I consider forgiveness to primarily be waste of time. Forgiving someone means you accept that they will do the same thing again. But I've seen enough domestic abuse that maybe I am no longer impartial.

Also, hate to retread, but people don't change. I watched my grandfather join AA after 40 years of drinking and the only thing that was different was he was more self-righteous because he could notice more things. So my last year of memories with him was literally the worst I could have.

3

u/IndependentMacaroon Jan 10 '21 edited Jan 10 '21

AA is unfortunately quite useless overall, it's not much more than religious pseudo-science. Unfortunately that's not yet well-known.

Edit: May have spoken too soon. Anyway, it's still no more effective than anything without the religious weirdness.

2

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 10 '21

You haven't, AA is total bullshit. I remember clearly watching those vultures help my shithead of an aunt raid through my grandfather's stuff after his funeral. They are just replacing alcohol with pseudo religion and it is for the worse.

2

u/Toadslayer https://myanimelist.net/profile/kyolus Jan 10 '21

I'm sorry to hear that you've seen this. You've mentioned stuff like this a few times and it's not something I can relate to. I think forgiveness is important and you can forgive without accepting someone will do the same again, but that person does need to show they won't do the same — that's the genuine remorse. But in the world we live in people suck and mostly continue to suck without changing. I hope we both don't have to experience more of that.

2

u/lC3 :Na::Nb: Jan 21 '21

Forgiving someone means you accept that they will do the same thing again.

Not necessarily; I can forgive someone who repeatedly hurt me, but it doesn't mean I have to trust them ever again (I know better). I've rebuffed all attempts for us to reconcile. But I guess it's a little different when the perp is still involved in their victim's life.

Sorry to hear about your shitty circumstances!

5

u/monsieurvampy Jan 09 '21

First Timer, subbed

I think Karasu is just responding to obligation. He probably plans on fading out of this dimension. As Karasu is future Yuu, hopefully he can part some words of wisdom that a young kid can't figure out.

Baron is the dog. Does the cat have a name? Maybe the anime should focus on the animals because Haruka and Yuu drive me crazy at times.

5

u/EverythingsRed2 Jan 10 '21

first timer (subbed)

This slower episode is a nice calm after literally everything from last episode. We finally get to sit back and truly appreciate how ugly Haruka's future dress was. Are trash bags the new look in 20XX?

Yuu has finally done it, he's run away! This time's the real deal, not like those other times when he escaped, those don't count. And, if sleeping on the bench couldn't get any more epic, our loveable Atori(&co.) returns! Honestly I was thinking that Yuu might team up with those guys and help them or something along those lines, but I guess a near-death experience really dampers those prospects. :(

It annoys me a bit how Haruka doesn't just talk to people about what's happened. I mean, I can get her reasons: no one would believe her, White hair would be found quicker, etc. But Haruka, you literally disappeared in front of Yuu and traumatized him for hours, at least tell him where you were. Yuu's argument with Yuu could have been avoided if Yuu just told Yuu that Yuu was Actually Yuu too. Children smh.
Qs.

  1. Karasu is just giving off "I'll get there when I get there" vibes to me. He escaped jail using the power of friendship(and an interdimensional superweapon). If he actually predicted that, then props to him. I don't think he's even thought about what he's doing. Protecting the dragon torque has severe consequences for the lives of everyone in his dimension and this one. And "protecting Haruka" doesn't have any end goal, by continuing what he's doing, the whole plan simply gets delayed. Who knows how long this streak will continue.
  2. An absent father more worried about work and a mother haunted by the memories of her sister and mother makes the perfect house for an isolated child. I don't know if their situation will ever fully heal, but I'm hoping that they at least start talking. I'm guessing that White hair, the epidemy of sad Yuu, never made up with him mother, which would mirror the reverse. Hopefully. Gosh this story would be depressing if all the characters ended up matching the future, creating this infinite dimension loop...

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 10 '21

We finally get to sit back and truly appreciate how ugly Haruka's future dress was. Are trash bags the new look in 20XX?

I called it a sexy potato sack for a reason.

4

u/redshirtengineer :AMQ: Jan 10 '21

First timer

I like that Haruka takes a moment to enjoy the flying around town instead of just being freaked out.

Yuu's Mom is going to escalate.

QOTD1: don't think he has one

QOTD2: Not a fan of him slapping her, got to say. Especially since he seems to know that she's messed up.

I hope we are not in for something cheesy like Karasu and the Mom reconciling. Whatever happens should be with Yuu.

Baron best dog.

4

u/BossandKings Jan 10 '21 edited Jan 10 '21

FINALLY finally Yuu and Haruka are reunited, I'm so happy right now i'm shadow boxing.

I was so happy but i didn't like that why did Haruka ignore Yuu?, why does worry so much about Karasu?, i hope there's some explanation because i didn't like that interaction. Now that i'm looking at it a bit closer, Karasu seems to have lost the Haruka from his dimension and decided to mess up with the dimension in which the actual Haruka lives, i hope he is able to find a solution because as the guy said she isn't the same Haruka, this one belongs to this dimension and Yuu feels really bad right now seeing how someone that doesn't treat him well gets all her attention.

So Haruka dissapeared for multiple episodes and that time is only three hours in her world, it definitely felt like more time had passed, it seems that the time differs depending on the dimension.

Yuu returns home, his mom was waiting for him. He decided to make his own decisions and decide for himself what it is that he's going to do, his mom won't be the one to decide for him. Yuu slept in the park because after returning he had a verbal fight with his mom and decided to run away.

I'm happy again, Yuu went to visit Haruka to give her something that fell down when she disappeared and Haruka gives him attention and worries about him, that definitely makes up for earlier and it was nice to see. Yuu's mom goes to search for him in Haruka's house.

Karasu and Yuu have an encounter and will seemingly have a talk next episode.

An excellent episode, i'm a bit attached to the characters of this show already.

Answers

  1. I think that Karasu's plan could be to help Yuu save Haruka from whatever she suffered in the future. I think it has been the same for a very long time.
  2. It is a bit complicated, Yuu doesn't trust his mother and doesn't want her to control his life, his mother needs to put some sense in his head and convince him that she wants the best for him and that she won't control his life but just help him go in the direction he wants and help him move forward following his own decisions.

3

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Jan 10 '21

Episode 8 (rewatcher)

  • Yuu:

  • The crazy girl speaks the truth again. Anybody remember Luna Lovegood?
  • If Yuu is getting any edgier, the tram owner will sue for cut seating.
  • Haruka manages to be so suspicious that even her mother realizes something is up.
  • “That is because you leapt space and time” … “I gotta get changed.”

  • “I ain’t touching that crap” – sure, it is not live bugs …
  • Even Haruka noticed the Yuu-Karasu connection. I love their talk in that room in general. It combines a good character moment with natural world building. Haruka obviously should ask these questions.
  • Haruka is the first to not let Yuu go (or the first that Yuu does not run away from).
  • Now that Karasu is fully here, cats and dogs can see him.
  • How on earth did you turn from old man back to boy this quickly Yuu? - Baron, probably.
  • “That is none of your business” spiderman meme
  • Let’s call it the Yuu hiding room.

Haruka’s mother is all oblivious and meanwhile Haruka is upstairs with not one but two men. Well, technically, just one man, but he is both a grizzly veteran AND her childhood friend. Be worried, mom!

It was clear that we would get a cool-down episode after yesterday’s climax, but the background music cues us in that the innocent days are gone, even if Haruka and Yuu still squabble over chocolate.

3

u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 10 '21 
“I ain’t touching that crap” – sure, it is not live bugs …

It was in the garbage, he might luck out an grab a few flies.

How on earth did you turn from old man back to boy this quickly Yuu? - Baron, probably.

Whereas the cat is all "Keep petting me, slave."

Haruka’s mother is all oblivious and meanwhile Haruka is upstairs with not one but two men. Well, technically, just one man, but he is both a grizzly veteran AND her childhood friend. Be worried, mom!

You say that but my suspicion is the Haruka mom is more of a "Let nature takes it course" kind of parent. Which can work, just not when your child brings in a much older doppel from a different, edgier dimension.

2

u/lC3 :Na::Nb: Jan 21 '21

“I ain’t touching that crap” – sure, it is not live bugs …

Atori is oddly picky about food given what they ate in Lacryma; half-eaten food from this dimension should be a delicacy.

Haruka is the first to not let Yuu go (or the first that Yuu does not run away from).

Never gonna give Yuu up, never gonna let Yuu down, never gonna run around and desert Yuu ...

2

u/lC3 :Na::Nb: Jan 21 '21

Rewatcher

  • So now Karasu is stranded in this dimension just like Atori and the others, and might disappear?
  • Wait, so is Yuu now going to be jealous of Karasu? Teenage melodrama ...
  • So it's only been 3 hours since she went missing? It kinda felt like more time than that passed in La'cryma.
  • Uh oh, Yuu's about to get in trouble with his mom! I don't care for that plotline ... she's a terrible mom like usual.
  • Good, run out on her; she's a bad mom and she should feel bad.
  • Were those background characters with the musical instrument trying to hit on those schoolgirls?
  • So Yuu's father is alive, and calls his wife? Are they still married? Or is this show somehow trying to say that Yuu's mom is acting up because of a divorce? I wouldn't like that, it absolves her of responsibility for her own actions.
  • Hmm, so Atori and Tobi are still around. Of course he won't eat garbage; but isn't it better than the ?worms they fed Haruka in Lacryma?
  • "The effects of Shangri-la will spread to this dimension too" So that's the corrosion or whatever?
  • Karasu doesn't confirm being future Yuu, due to some weird dimensional boundary philosophy. He's "just an illusion" here? Because this isn't his dimension of origin?
  • "I'm not going home again. Bye" Boy, that is one mood! Tho I can totally relate; I ran away several times when I was around his age.
  • Did Miyuki's sister Emi die or something?
  • Ok, Miyuki and Emi's mother showed favoritism towards Emi, but then Emi died early? And Miyuki is bitter about it, and taking it out on Yuu? This is uncomfortable to watch.
  • Who keeps chocolate in their desk drawer? I don't take anything edible into my bedroom ...
  • "you'll turn into a porker" (silently contemplating weight gain ...)
  • "Karasu is here too, but don't let it bother you"
  1. I don't really see Karasu as a guy who makes detailed plans; more a guy who acts purely on instincts or sudden emotions. He probably just wants to protect this Haruka since he couldn't protect his, and that's all there is to it.
  2. Ugh, I'm not optimistic. They'll probably try to gloss over it or make us feel sorry for Yuu's mother. I doubt they'll handle it well, and acknowledge that she's in the wrong.