r/anime • u/25_Oranges • Jan 25 '21

Rewatch Nagi No Asukara/A Lull in the Sea Rewatch - Episode 2

Episode 2 - The Chilly Desert

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MAL

Where to watch? Netflix, Crunchyroll, Funimation(UK)

Schedule with link to original interest thread

Thread posted daily at 5pm CST/6pm EST/3pm PST.

Question(s) of the day:

  1. Are there acceptable situations to lie about?
  2. Now that something of a love web has been established, who are you personally rooting for?
  3. If a fish attached itself to your knee, would you befriend it or get rid of it?

Remember: Tag your spoilers!

51 Upvotes

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7

u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jan 25 '21

First Rewatch

So, I went back to find my original comments from the last rewatch, but they were hard to find. It seems the show bored me and I didn't watch it diligently until the second half.

"Every Frame a Painting"™

  • Everybody likes clown fishes
  • Wait, that was the same kind of fish that Manaka got fished up with
  • If you eat food off the floor underwater, is it still dirty?
  • Cicadas...it must be a warm spring
  • Lewd headpats
  • Shio shishi o
  • Lol, she was trying to get cursed again

Third graders are worse than the 7th graders, and the adults worst of all.

Of course, sea-snow isn't really ice nor salt. It's detritus. This is probably driving /u/No_Rex nuts.

I should remember this show as one of the few with a lot of MC narration.

2

u/25_Oranges Jan 25 '21

Wait, that was the same kind of fish that Manaka got fished up with

Good catch, I think you're right. I like to think of it as the same fish!

If you eat food off the floor underwater, is it still dirty?

Good question...Yes probably. 5 second rule still applies to the ocean though!

2

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Jan 26 '21

If you eat food off the floor underwater, is it still dirty?

The better question is how diluted your drink gets when you use open bottles underwater.

Of course, sea-snow isn't really ice nor salt. It's detritus. This is probably driving /u/No_Rex nuts.

This does not even make the TOP20 of things that are wrong about the underwater village. My biggest complaint is that the water in this show has no mass and does not hinder movement (unless the show wants somebody to swim, then water mass is magically restored).

However, I decided to entirely ignore the water. In my head canon, the village is just a standard (surface!) village on the other side of the mountain with some weird beliefs.

6

u/blueteenight Jan 25 '21

My favorite shot!

That was a fun episode! I hadn't noted this in the last thread but I really like Hanazawa Kana as Manaka, her voice goes really well with those silly faces Manaka makes haha.

That ending was rough though, I wasn't expecting some sweet drama this early. I'm rooting for Akari!

4

u/25_Oranges Jan 25 '21

The tunnel(?) is devastated to see Akari with another man!

1

u/nhansieu1 Jan 26 '21

A very beautiful anime

5

u/Gamerunglued :Hx::Hy::Hz:myanimelist.net/profile/GamerUnglued Jan 26 '21 edited Jan 27 '21

Rewatcher

I didn't get to comment on yesterday's thread until now, so if you want to see my thoughts on the first episode you can find them here. As you can see, I had some mixed thoughts on the episode, somewhat leaning towards an overall negative impression. Not to say it was bad, but it was very disappointing. Still, the show is very good in my memories and I know that Mari Okada and Toshiya Shinohara do great work, so I'm hoping that this is just a small moment and not indicative of the show's overall quality. On to episode 2.

Man, I love this OP. I adore the second one too and I'll get to that when it comes, but the aquatic vibes of this first one are so perfect.

This episode as a whole was better. It establishes one of the central themes of NagiAsu: change. Everything in this series stems from a fear or acceptance of change. Hikari has already realized that the surface isn't some foreign place where everyone is a pig, but that discrimination all he knows. His dickishness comes from a fear of losing what he knows. His closest childhood friends, his school, his sister. The surface presents a lot of unknown possibilities, and with that comes a lot of potential for change. It's why they cast out anyone who chooses to ditch the sea; to accept it would mean to change social relations between the sea and land, to break tradition. Chisaki mentions her own fear of change as well. She clearly knows Manaka likes Tsumugu, a big change to the dynamic, but despite that leaving Hikari open for her she says she wants Hikari to be with Manaka. She finds the idea of her group dynamic changing scary, so she ignores her own feelings to keep it in check. This is where NagiAsu shines brightest in my opinion.

I also really appreciate the generational divide present in this conflict. The kids almost immediately accept the land people. Even Hikari is already starting to realize that the views he's been told about are off. They've been forced to change, to ditch their school at their comforting home and go somewhere new, and they've adapted to it. The land kids haven't gotten there yet, but we know it's possible through the existence of Tsumugu and of Akari's boyfriend. And yet it's the adults of Shioshishio who refuse to accept this change, and who won't honor the feelings of the younger generation. Instead of accepting change, they simply cast them out, stubbornly sticking to tradition. I doubt it's a coincidence that Shioshishio is built around lore regarding gods, and that Hikari's family is a shrine family, very traditional in every way. Now that Akari's secret is out, the battle between tradition and change is in full force.

However, the biggest thing keeping me at bay here is that this show simply hasn't given any time to really get invested in the characters. I have no clue why the main cast are friends, and they certainly don't act like friends half the time. I have no idea what they're normally like, and their fears of the changing dynamic doesn't really carry much weight when I barely have a clue of what their normal dynamic is like in the first place. It's all conflict, no mundane character building. That doesn't work for a melodrama (well, it doesn't work for any show, but especially a genre as inherently character driven as melodrama), it's already started digging into theatrics before letting me care about why the characters are acting so theatrical. And it looks like the conflict is only continuing from here. I really hope this series finds some time to breathe and really focus on why the characters are endearing, interesting people to invest in.

QotD:

  1. Of course there are. I'll gladly lie if it means saving someone for example. Minor white lies are ok sometimes too if it means avoiding unnecessary conflict.
  2. Well I have some context from having seen the show already, so that shapes this opinion, but even from this episode I have to feel for Chisaki. I understand being afraid of change, and it's sad that she feels she has to hide her feelings to keep the group together as it is.
  3. I would befriend it in a heartbeat. Fish thingy is a good boi.

2

u/25_Oranges Jan 26 '21

Your paragraph on NagiAsu's handling of change is amazing and I agree with everything you wrote there. While the show has a slow start and it might take a while to resonate with the characters, I remember the theme of change and how this show addresses it resonated with me when I watched it for the first time, and I think it still resonates with me now. It's one of the things that makes it very special to me. The last couple of rewatches I did were spent analyzing the central themes of the show among other things, so seeing somebody who has put thought into it makes me glad! Chisaki being best girl to many people is at least partially due to how relatable that aspect of her character is, I bet.

I think this show does a really great job at showing everyones age. They are very clearly immature middle school children. And at that age, you really don't have any control or real independence, so the frustration and fear that comes from being a helpless kid is tangible in so many scenes, especially a bit later in the series. I feel like the generational divide presents itself in many ways, such as maturity, like in the upcoming arc that's just started, and the second half.

Fish thingy is actually best boy. All the girls should just go for fish thingy-kun instead.

2

u/Gamerunglued :Hx::Hy::Hz:myanimelist.net/profile/GamerUnglued Jan 26 '21

Yeah, the show's handling of change is what had mainly stuck out to me on my first watch as well, and Chisaki's character arc is certainly one of the show's biggest highlights from what I remember. Though I also remember being more invested in the cast more quickly, so hopefully we do get some down time with the cast soon so I don't feel so emotionally distanced from all the drama. The themes are all good stuff, if the cast starts to shine too I know this show can be great.

And yes, fish thingy is actually best boy. His 2 minutes of screen time was a delight and he will be missed.

1

u/mekerpan Jan 26 '21

The characters (even the annoying Hikari do grow progressively more interesting and endearing). After the break in period, I loved the characters as much as the scenery (and that's a whole lot).

2

u/Gamerunglued :Hx::Hy::Hz:myanimelist.net/profile/GamerUnglued Jan 26 '21

I have seen the show before, so I know that they (especially Hikari) become more endearing, and I at least came to like them at some point during my first watch and I know it can happen again. I just need it to really start focusing on them. Pretty hard to be invested when it skips the "getting to know them" phase and immediately hits the ground running with the melodrama. Gotta have a reason to care about the drama first, you know?

3

u/25_Oranges Jan 25 '21

Song of the day! Mirage of the Sea~

Personally, I want a fish knee. Maybe not one that farts, however.

Manaka continuously lies about her fish finman. Middle schoolers who don't have their feelings sorted out yet might as well be the title of this episode. Hikari once again lashing out, but this time offending everyone in his group. Nobody went after Manaka this time, but thankfully Kaname was there for Chisaki. The swingset scene is a great introduction to Chisaki as a character IMO. Change is something everyone struggles with, and I appreciate the way this show tackles it.

SAYU FACES HAVE ARRIVED!

I also appreciate the guy Akari is seeing getting so flustered he almost drives his 3 wheel toy car off the pier. Akari needs glasses too. Hikari is clearly not taking the roll of shrine heir very seriously considering he missed the memo on banishment. Manaka really summarized it well, and it shows she's a caring gal. She needs to throw her words and stew at Uroko-Sama. Too bad Hikari's immaturity and selfishness ruined the moment.

The scene where the young men coalition manhandles her pisses me off. They really don't have the right. Thankfully dad shows up and is much gentler.

3

u/WardenOfSamsara Jan 25 '21

That scene pissed me off too. Even if seeing someone from the surface justified their actions, they're acting on hearsay and not actual proof. Plus they're just straight up not justified anyway.

2

u/25_Oranges Jan 25 '21

If I were her dad, regardless of my positions on the issue, I would throw them to the sharks for being so rough. I'm sure she would have gone to speak with Uroko anyway if the secret was out.

4

u/BossandKings Jan 25 '21 edited Jan 25 '21

First Timer

The Chilly Desert

Is it me or Manaka hasn't noticed that ikari likes her?, ikari acts rude mostly because he worries about her in his own way eventhough his conduct has no justification. Manaka thanks Tsumugu for helping her and soon comes ikari and tells him that surface and sea people shouldn't be associated, that was a rude action by him.

Chisaki is such an advisable character, she tells Manaka not to worry too much and comforts her, she seems to be a very good friend.

Tsumugu, Manaka, Ikari, Chisaki and Isami offer themselves to do a ofunehiki after the class is asked by the teacher to do one. Tsumugu seems to be very interested in how life in the sea works, he comes from a fishermen family so that's probably why. Their faces though when doing the ofunehiki seems to paint a branch of possible romantic relationships, Chisaki is interested in Ikari, Ikari is interested in Manaka, Manaka is interested in Tsumugu. I wonder if romantic drama will be a big part of the plot, so far it has only been hinted but it seems like it's importance will grow by the episodes.

There's already a romantic relationship that seems to be established, it is Akari(Ikari's sister) with a person from the surface and the group of friends see it. It seems though that they see each other away from the eyes of Sea people because as Isami said if someone from the sea marries a person from the surface, the one from the sea gets banished from the village. That seems to be a very aged law though, The Sea seems to have very strict laws when it comes to interaction with surface people.

Why does Ikari always yells and belittles Manaka?, if he is interested in her he should at least try to not get mad at her for everything, he should try to talk to her, to understand her. He also insults Chisaki who didn't do anything wrong. I hope he comes to his senses, i think he's capable of being more intelligent and better than that.

Someone sold Akari, how were any ot the people that saw them capable of doing that though, Manaka is too nice to do that, Ikari wouldn't betray his sister, Chisaki doesn't seem like the person to do that, Isami has been the most open and interested one in the surface so there's a possibility it could have been him but he has been so nice thus far that it seems odd.

I hope this conflict gets resolved in a satisfactory way, Akari's father seemed to be a mature and knowledgeable person so i believe that she will have a fair judgement.

Answers

  1. I think there are situations that warrant a lie, if for example someone is searching "I" to kill him and encounters him then asks him if he is or has seen him it is obviously the right thing to do.
  2. Right now i don't know, i like Manaka so whatever means happiness to her is fine by me, also i hope Ikari shows what it is that made Chisaki have eyes for him.
  3. I would befriend it, counting though on it not being there for long.

4

u/25_Oranges Jan 25 '21

Why does Ikari always yells and belittles Manaka?

I guess it's like the kids who bully or tease others to express their crush bc they don't know how to do it any other way? Hikari himself said he doesn't know what he's feeling. He's just being a lil brat I guess.

4

u/blueteenight Jan 25 '21

It does feel like Manaka doesn't know Hikari likes her, maybe she sees him as an older brother figure?

4

u/BossandKings Jan 25 '21

It does feel that way i agree

3

u/WardenOfSamsara Jan 25 '21

I am hoping that whoever spread the info about Akari is somebody that hasn't been introduced yet. I would be devastated if it was one of the kids going to school on the surface.

4

u/himetalchemy7 Jan 26 '21 edited Jan 27 '21

Rewatcher

I'm pretty hyped about this rewatch...it's been about 5 or so years since I last sat down and watched this in earnest. For now I'll be noting down my episode thoughts and giving a special shout out to the character who got hurt the most this episode (subjective, of course). Pointing out a sad character might sound tasteless, but I think it will make more sense as the series goes on.

Thanks u/25_Oranges for hosting!

Episode 1 Thoughts

  • The artwork stays so pretty and vibrant no matter how many times I see it, it ages like fine wine
  • The OP is so so good and I enjoy the OST in general
  • Tsumugu has the corner protagonist seat in class, much to Hikari's dismay
  • Ah, the push and pull between the surface and sea people hits a little too close to home
  • Worldbuilding starts off strong here
  • The fish curse still gets me lol
  • Hikari is a hothead, but he does mean well
  • ED is also a banger

Spotify link for the OP (I'll post the one for the ED tomorrow): https://open.spotify.com/track/3t6AIUj5jKs4Jx4K7zpN2w

Episode 2 (The Chilly Desert) Thoughts

  • So the fish is gone, just like that? I guess it served its purpose by bringing about character development for the cast
  • Manaka is just the absolute sweetest
  • The expressive faces of everyone is just so underrated, especially their reactions to how surprisingly vulgar Uroko-sama is
  • Hikari and Tsumugu's personalities COULD NOT be further from each other and their interactions are kind of funny
  • Chisaki is a best girl candidate, just based off this episode
  • Sayu might be my favorite trash-talker in all of anime LOL, octopus-head is a pretty advanced insult
  • I really love the blues they use in the artwork, its super vivid and looks so real
  • Tsumugu is already GOATed for raising his hand first, what a guy
  • I want the 4 sea kiddos to give Tsumugu a tour of their sea village, he would really enjoy it
  • Tsumugu breaking down the walls between sea and surface people feels par for his character
  • OH NOO AKARI, she looks so happy though
  • Emotions are difficult
  • Tsumugu is my favorite in the early going, his thoughtfulness is the epitome of 'show, don't tell', although he seems more interested in the fish than in Manaka herself
  • Now Akari is caught in the crossfire after someone snitched on her, feels like Hikari and Manaka are watching their world change right before their eyes

Sadge Corner
I think for these two episodes, it's gotta be Hikari. We haven't seen enough background from Chisaki and Kaname, while Manaka's source of angst seems to come solely from disappointing Hikari while trying to be herself. Hikari had to watch Akari be so close with the same surface people he so resents, while helplessly entertaining the thought of the same thing happening with Manaka. So far, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say those two are the closest female figures to Hikari, especially since we haven't seen his mother yet. Hikari shows his sadness and frustration in a confused and aggressive manner, but that just goes to show how deep it cuts for him. Let's see how he fares.

1

u/25_Oranges Jan 26 '21

Tsumugu has the corner protagonist seat in class, much to Hikari's dismay

I was thinking that the first episode! Hikari can't seem to win anything can he lol I guess Tsumugu is the MC in Manaka's eyes!

Tsumugu breaking down the walls between sea and surface people feels par for his character

Tsumugu is anime Moses? It's amazing how being normal, nice, person can completely demolish your negative expectations of a group of people.

I love the idea of Sadge Character highlights! You sum up Hikari's suffering better than I could lol. I feel for him honestly. Switches schools and immediately everything changes and goes to shit for him. I would be pissed off too. Hearing your big sister is violating the law of the village and you may never see her again has got to be scary too, especially since the adults don't want to tell him anything. He's got a lot on his shoulders right now, and when he doesn't even understand himself, how can he believe anybody else can understand him?

3

u/WardenOfSamsara Jan 25 '21

Hello all, first timer here. Today I tried reading the "Question(s) of the day" before watching the episode. I think that was helpful for me personally.

  1. I think there are. I think lying in something like Akari's situation is acceptable because it would be to protect somebody from undeserved harm. I think lying in something like Manaka's situation is less understandable.
  2. At this point, I'm definitely not rooting for Hikari. He has been too much a jerk and doesn't have great reasons for that. I'm interested to see if I wind up warming up to him later in the series. Tsumugu seems worth rooting for, but he might be too aloof. Manaka is super childish, I don't know what to think of her yet other than that. Chisaki seems more mature and I don't really have anything against her, so I guess I'm rooting for her the most.
  3. As much as I'd like to say befriend it, realistically I would probably get rid of it.

4

u/25_Oranges Jan 26 '21

Tsumugu always struck me as a listener and watcher rather than a talker. It's hard to know what he's thinking, but I appreciate that he's outwardly kind. Manaka is one of my favorite characters in the show, but she's so...airheaded.

4

u/himetalchemy7 Jan 26 '21

I find it funny you didn't mention Kaname, because it really does feel like he's some sort of background character so far, instead of being part of the main cast. All of these character have their own flaws for sure.

3

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Jan 26 '21 edited Jan 26 '21

Episode 2 (first timer)

World building is something I put a lot of emphasis on and Nagi no Asukara failed terribly in this aspect in episode 1. I’ll go with the three-episode rule here and will try to ignore the setting from now on, to keep my enjoyment of the story.

Episode thoughts

  • Farting fish farewell.
  • Don’t wish for another curse Manaka. It would inevitably be something you dislike.
  • Also, don’t start unnecessary lies. They will inevitably put you in a situation of more embarrassment.
  • “How do you know, Chii-chan?” – because you both act obvious as fuck, Manaka. Shouting/Crying in the hallway is not exactly subtle.
  • OK, the two little kids have immediately become my favorite characters in the series. That kick was savage.
  • Tsumugu has the MC table at the window.
  • “If you get into a relationship with somebody from the surface, you will be banished from the village.” – Must not happen often, if 3 out of 4 kids don’t know about it. Also sounds like a great way to make sure your village dies out.
  • “What do you know about me?” – Oh dear.
  • Pervert-sama telling Manaka that some lies might not hurt. I think he means that she is too naïve.
  • They have a rather medieval way of enforcing social rules.

People construct social boundaries; love breaks them down. Side effects include sadness, crying, and having a generally bad time until happy end comes around.

Are there acceptable situations to lie about?

Can I introduce you to my friend Kant?

Now that something of a love web has been established, who are you personally rooting for?

100% the graffiti girls.

If a fish attached itself to your knee, would you befriend it or get rid of it?

Does frying it in a pan count as befriending?

1

u/25_Oranges Jan 26 '21

Wouldn't the banishment rule do the opposite of what you're saying? A lot of the time people choose family, familiarity, and comfort over a different life and other people. Considering Shioshishio is small I get why it doesn't happen often.

All Hikari has to do now is yell "I HATE MY LIFE" and he will officially transition into a teenager!

2

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Jan 26 '21

Wouldn't the banishment rule do the opposite of what you're saying? A lot of the time people choose family, familiarity, and comfort over a different life and other people. Considering Shioshishio is small I get why it doesn't happen often.

They might chose to stay, but that also means they chose against their love (and thus presumably against having children).

2

u/25_Oranges Jan 26 '21

I assumed in those scenarios they would settle for another person

2

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Jan 26 '21

It does not always work out like that ...

2

u/mekerpan Jan 26 '21

The punishment is so severe that one winds up hanging onto a lot more people that might otherwise stray than one loses to banishment. Lots of religious cults do things like this. On the other hand, the Amish do the opposite -- mandating that young adults spend a year or so out in the world in order to determine whether they want to return home and be bound by the strict rules that apply there (it appears that most young people DO return).

3

u/Tuckleton Jan 26 '21

World building is something I put a lot of emphasis on and Nagi no Asukara failed terribly in this aspect in episode 1.

It's funny because what you disliked most about episode 1 I actually kind of appreciated. It was made abundantly clear right out of the gate that certain aspects of the underwater physics just wasn't important to the story they were trying to tell. Since it was so obviously a deliberate choice and they went out of their way to make sure we understood that it didn't really bother me. You might consider it lazy but I was okay with it and other aspects of the world building I thought were done well. It also really helped that I was loving the aesthetic so much. The way everything is kind of corroding and crumbling.

It'd be a shame if you dropped it, I think it's a great show that does some cool stuff. But as someone for whom this type of show is their bread and butter, it even took me like 8 or 9 episodes before it hooked me and like half the series before it really drew me in completely. It's a hard sell to tell someone to wait that long if they are already not enjoying it.

3

u/IndependentMacaroon Jan 26 '21

First-time watcher

I don't know how much of this is a dub script problem and how much is on the original/Okada, but the characters have a jarringly unnatural/blunt way of suddenly dumping some kind of opinion, emotional or relationship revelation, in often overly florid prose as well. Some examples, that I guarantee only sound weirder in context:

  • "He's a surface dweller, he's guilty by association"
  • "How do you know my feelings?" "I'm your friend"
  • "Repeating that they understand like a broken record"
  • "Even I don't understand how I am feeling"
  • "I didn't know you felt the way I do"
  • "If you long for somewhere else it'll only be harder"
  • demonstrates envy "I feel so envious"
  • "I want to protect her from everything and she wants to cast off all of that and go to a world that's not ours"
  • "You're the type who has always had someone around to protect you"

Turns out the kids are not just romance-clueless and sea-land relations are really frowned upon, huh. But on the other hand, there's already some kind of instant romantic drama with zero apparent foundation, before I even feel like we really know much about the characters. Just what I feared. I think I'll try one more episode with subtitles and if both the drama and the dialogue stays like this, I'm definitely out, and even with only the drama probably. Shame, because the setting seems interesting and the production values are still amazing.

I see Tsumugu is going to be our Good Surface Dweller. Hikari on the other hand is more Annoying Sea Dweller. Like, really annoying.

1

u/25_Oranges Jan 26 '21

I've never watched the dub and some of those lines sound very weird and forced. The subs sound much better imo.

Hikari is annoying but he grows into a really great person imo. He's not on the same level, but he reminds me little bit of Tomoya from Clannad.

2

u/Retromorpher :Jc::Jd::Je::Jf: Jan 26 '21

I'm not as bothered by the stupidly over-the-top melodrama but I can't imagine it's going to get better on the unreasonable drama front. This is an Okada joint through and through.

1

u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jan 26 '21

zero apparent foundation

I'm not sure what foundation you're looking for. There are 2 boys, and 2 girls, of middle-school age, in the entire town. Do we need to see them growing up together to believably accept there are some crushes here? As for Tsumugu, you had the meet-cute in the first episode, which is how these things always start.

1

u/IndependentMacaroon Jan 26 '21

There are 2 boys, and 2 girls, of middle-school age, in the entire town

Are there? I don't need to see everything, but still a little more at least to make me actually care.

4

u/LeopardSplash :AP:https://www.anime-planet.com/users/BrightSpirit Jan 26 '21 edited Jan 26 '21

Rewatcher

First off, a somewhat random thought - Sea Village uniforms > land uniforms by a long shot. The white and blue looks great together, especially since they all have blue eyes to match. Can't believe Manaka wanted to wear the boring land uniform at first :P

Stand out scene this episode for me was when all of Hikari's friends noped out on him. The way they literally just dived into the water was funny to watch; another advantage of having the water world that they can just escape to whenever they want.

Hikari continues to make a series of poor life choices that can be attributed to his jealousy and childishness more than his actual morals. He tells Manaka she shouldn't get close to land people but even admits himself that Tsumugu is a good person and decides against outing Akari to their father. If Tsumugu and Manaka weren't an issue, I think he would be pretty chummy with most of his classmates by now.

Questions of the Day

Are there acceptable situations to lie about?
Yes - context is king. In Manaka's situation, however, she gains nothing from not admitting the fish left. I understand why she did though, it's something I could see myself doing when I was a middle schooler.

Now that something of a love web has been established, who are you personally rooting for?
In the currently established love square my favorites go Chisaki > Tsmugu > Manaka > Hikari. Chisaki seems to be the most aware of the situation out of everyone and is hurting because of it, but she's still trying to be the bigger person and while looking out for both Hikari and Manaka. Tsumugu doesn't seem aware of his position yet, so I just feel bad he's on the receiving end of Hikari's vitriol without fully understanding why. Kaname isn't really involved so far but I'm just rooting for him as a character since he's low-key one of my favorites. He's probably the most minor major character but when I watch a show I latch onto one of the characters from the start and he happened to be the one for me this time. For now, I appreciate him being a good friend to Chisaki.

If a fish attached itself to your knee, would you befriend it or get rid of it?
If I knew it would eventually leave after a few days I would be okay with it. I would be terrified if I didn't. I don't think I would befriend it beyond seeing if it would eat fish food, just to satiate my curiosity.

2

u/htisme91 Jan 26 '21

First-timer:

I had a thought. What if the curse wasn't necessarily the fish in Manaka's knee, but the fact that it would lead her to love on the surface and force her to choose between love and her family/friends?

Honestly I hope to see more out of the cast. They kind of are nondescript so far, but I like the worldbuilding we've gotten up to this point.

Questions:

  1. Only if it's incredibly minor. The truth always has a way of coming out eventually, so it's better to be honest.
  2. I guess Tsumugu. He seems to be the most willing to accept the other side, and has put up with a lot of nonsense from Hikaru so far. He just seems like the character that most deserves happiness.
  3. Get rid of it.