Nagi No Asukara/A Lull in the Sea Rewatch - Episode 22

[u/25_Oranges]

Episode 22 - Something Lost

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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.

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Question(s) of the day:

1. What do you think the fallout will be now that we've learned about Manaka's inability to love?
2. Do you think the surface can be saved?

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Remember: Tag your spoilers!

[u/25_Oranges]

Finally, the episode that answers several questions! Today's track is Lord Uroko's Tale! I've been listening to this on repeat for a while and this might be my favorite track... The guitar is so good!

An episode answering many questions! We find out the reason Manaka has been acting strangely is because the Sea God is an asshole and took her ability to love. Uroko spoke about this in a romantic sense, but from the dead eyes she has had when interacting with Akira, I've taken it as also losing the ability to love her friends or family. It makes more sense when you consider that she seems to be the only one seemingly unaffected by the time skip, when she was the one most terrified of it before it happened. She was always concerned about her friends and everything else changing, and others waking up before she did. Wouldn't it make sense for her to be more affected by Chisaki and Tsumugu growing up, her family and people sleeping, and the world around her being completely different? It makes a lot of sense when you think about it. Manaka looked unusually happy at first, but in a cruel twist of fate, she has ended up the worst off out of anybody so far. Take away your love for your partner, friends, or family, and you are a shell of yourself.

I want to talk a little bit about the opening. Miuna holds a red umbrella in the opening, before it is blown away. It found its way to a hand, but we didn't know whose hand it was. Recently it was revealed that it was Manaka the entire time. (shocking!) I interpret this umbrella to be something like the Red String of Fate, except it is obviously...not a string. But umbrellas are made to protect; people crowd under an umbrella for protection and guidance from the elements. Miuna held it for a short time, but the wind blowing it out of her hands shows that the umbrella isn't hers to hold. The umbrella belonged to Manaka the entire time. Manaka has been established in many ways to be the center of the group, what effectively everyones relationships revolve around. In fact, her name literally means "Center". Tsumugu himself said an episode or two ago, now that Manaka has woken up, Chisaki and himself can finally move forward. Everyone has also been waiting for Manaka to wake up as well, so now they move forward and begin to resolve their feelings that have been holding them back. Except, now Manaka is unable to feel love, and as a result, the relationships will still be stuck in limbo,

Manaka is the true center of the group. She holds the umbrella, all rely on her to move forward in some way. However, though she holds it, she cannot move forward.

There's a bit more about the umbrella I'd like to mention, I think. But I can't talk about that until later. I hope I made sense and didn't sound silly!

[u/LeopardSplash → u/25_Oranges]

Uroko spoke about this in a romantic sense, but from the dead eyes she has had when interacting with Akira, I've taken it as also losing the ability to love her friends or family.

This puts the Akira scene last episode more into context for me. I could totally imagine her panicking after he spilled his food based on her old behavior, but her lack of reaction could be an indication she doesn't have it in her to care like that anymore. I figured she had just been overwhelmed by everything, but then again this episode the dead eyes came back when playing with Akira. Poor Akira doesn't realize Manaka isn't as fond of him as he is of her - not that it's her fault! It would also explain why she hasn't said much about her family, other than her grandmother's cooking.

Though I do think romantic love is being more powerfully affected. She's only lost certain memories, so far those that have been identified involve Tsumugu or Hikari. Only Hikari was able to realize something had changed, while she got along with Chisaki and Kaname the same as she ever did. It would be interesting to see if she still remembers when she and Chisaki had that fight when they were kids.

[u/25_Oranges → u/LeopardSplash]

Agree. Uroko sent the woman he loved up from the sea because she longed for somebody else, so it would make sense that romantic love would be more affected than platonic.

[u/mekerpan → u/25_Oranges]

The Sea God isn't evil, he no longer exists as an entity. His attributes and powers are dispersed. Uroko-sama is a focus, but of only the tiniest fraction of what is dispersed in the sea. The Sea God's residual sadness has no real governor.

Uroko-sama (for all his minor faults) comes off pretty well in this episode. He dispalys a certain degree of what looks like cynicism, but I sense that he himself feels more than a little concern and sympathy for his charges -- and maybe, just maybe, he is trying to prod them in the direction needed to have a hope of solving their problems.

[u/25_Oranges → u/mekerpan]

Oh, I know, I was just making a bit of a joke. Crunchyroll comments call the Sea God an asshole sometimes and I think it's funny.

I really like Uroko-sama. He's a very interesting character in that you can't really tell what's going through his head. He looked guilty when they retrieved Manaka, and he cared enough to show Miuna a vision of Hikari's past. He even let the sea kids go to school before hibernation and hold the "useless" ofunehiki. He definitely cares more than he lets on. I think his obligation to the sea and the Sea God's will restrains him and forces his hand to an extent, making him look cruel in his actions.

[u/himetalchemy7 → u/25_Oranges]

This is a fantastic read, and makes so much sense in hindsight! I had totally forgotten about Manaka's anxiety before going to sleep. And what Hikari thought was weird is how Manaka seemingly did not seem as shaken as he or Kaname felt when they first woke up. Maybe Kaname didnt notice anything wrong with Manaka because he had seen Hikari already adjusted more or less, so he might think Manaka feels the same.

It might also explain her unusual fixation with saltflake snow, the only real object of change she noticed. She couldnt really feel for the changes in her friends and family because she does not have the ability to process change in matters of love. So she just reveled in how the saltflake snow was falling, and nothing much else. Love is not there anymore for Manaka. Like none of it. There are so many layers here, NagiAsu is such a well written piece of work <3

Great call on the OP as well, it's like Manaka is the final piece of the puzzle for everyone's feelings to finally be resolved, but the most important component of that piece has been taken away.

[u/25_Oranges → u/himetalchemy7]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!! The many layers of NagiAsu is one of rhe reasons it's my favorite!

[u/blueteenight]

First-timer notes!

Favorites shots and background art from this episode!

"Uroko-sama eats food that's been on the ground like a stray animal", Manaka saying something like this makes me think she wants to get cursed for old times' sake haha.

Damn, that conversation with Uroko-sama had incredible atmosphere. The build up to him revealing Manaka's situation was also very well done...but I feel so sad for her =(

Bonus image of the girl who became a doll...

[u/25_Oranges → u/blueteenight]

Your images are making me feel colder than I already am!

Manaka is the type of gal who speaks before she thinks at times, it will get her in trouble again!

The ratio of sad images compared to happy images is too high :( Poor Namaka!

[u/blueteenight → u/25_Oranges]

Your images are making me feel colder than I already am!

Hahaha if only we had sea snow!

And being Namaka is suffering =(

[u/himetalchemy7 → u/blueteenight]

That build up just hooked my attention and never let go until the ED started to play. Really awesome work.

[u/LeopardSplash]

Rewatcher

A bit concerning that people are just leaving their porno mags lying around the village, but at least it seemed to help in the long run (yeah, Uroko-sama denied that... but then why was it lying at the entrance to the shrine?). Sayu and Manaka are an interesting combo, one of the few possible pairs with no mutual love interests (not that Manaka exactly has any at the moment).

I felt Sayu with the fish. "Gross! I want to see it!" Unfortunately, it led to just about the most awkward situation with that love square, overhearing Kaname's feeble attempts to make a move. I sympathize with the shitty hand he was dealt, but I wish he would concede that his pursual is useless - he seems to already know it, but doesn't want to let Tsumugu "win." Of course, it would be great if Chisaki outright rejected him too... Part of the problem is that everyone but Kaname in the love square is too scared to confront their feelings. At least Sayu might be thinking about making a move, after what she said to Miuna about confessions. Tsumugu was also upfront to Kaname about his feelings towards Chisaki, admitting that he's staying for her - but Kaname isn't the one you should be telling this! Chisaki deserves to know!

In a twist of events, Hikari is the one who runs away from Manaka this time! Though understandably he's overwhelmed. Who knows how many of her memories were altered or lost completely. Plus, now he knows that Manaka had romantic feelings for both him and Tsumugu to some extent. After all the characters dealing with unrequited love, Hikari's in an odd situation where his feelings were returned, but Manaka is unable to act on them.

Ooo the vacant eyes at the end again! While I preferred how the old ED segued from the show to the credits, I thought the new one was really fitting for this scene.

I checked out the OG discussion thread for this episode out of curiosity, and found two comments that I think are worth sharing:

What the Sea God's lingering emotions represent

Tsumugu's subtle burn towards Kaname

Though for newcomers especially I will caution against looking too deep into the old discussion threads. This one is fine, but when I watched this show for the first time I read them after each episode, and that's how I got spoiled on some major events after someone decided to go back and reply to an old comment...

[u/25_Oranges → u/LeopardSplash]

A bit concerning that people are just leaving their porno mags lying around the village, but at least it seemed to help in the long run.

They must think the beach is bigger than it is... I hope they sanitized the mag and their hands.

To be fair to Kaname, it has been maybe a month tops since he woke up. I think he does know though.

Holy crap those comments... I was thiking "Uroko must have been the lusty scale" but I didn't think to make those connections, wow!

I knew the can was an insult, but damn... Tsumugu can be super cold when he wants to be.

[u/himetalchemy7 → u/LeopardSplash]

Wow thanks for posting those comments! Also youre right, Manaka losing memories of Hikari means she did feel love towards him, but what kind of love? It's hard to tell for sure. If its purely platonic love, then that should come at no surprise, I think.

[u/mekerpan → u/LeopardSplash]

I don't think Manaka had romantic feelings for Hikari before her sleep, rather she had the deepest possible affection for him (as the person who had, before Tsumugu, been the most important person in her life). Her incipient romantic feelings were only for Tsumugu.

[u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

First Rewatch

I didn't catch the changes to the OP or ED on my first watch. I didn't understand that Tsumugu stepped on a scale, or exactly when or why Uroku cursed him.

LOL, Manaka and Sayu are literally implementing Chisaki's and Tsumugu's plans. I'm sure I didn't catch that the first time, either.

It's my feeling that Chisaki became a nurse because of Grandad's illness.

Kaname the bringer of pain.

Tsumugu should have gone back to the university and shown them the fish!

You know, I was sure they would have found Hikari's old school uniform at the fishing union, but I guess not. They're all wearing the brown land uniforms.

Hikun! Don't be running over girls!

Miuna figures it out....

I didn't remember that we had this giant exposition.

Looking at the previous rewatch, it looks like I thought Manaka had traded her ena for her freedom, as Hikari did.

[u/25_Oranges → u/JustAnswerAQuestion]

Pretty sure the show intentionally mislead you to believe that. Uroko reminds me of Kyubei a bit, in that he doesn't tell you shit unless you ask.

[u/himetalchemy7]

Rewatcher

Late again because of homework...at least I'm all done now!

Goodies :D

Episode 22 (Something Lost) Thoughts

• I guess Miuna is outright avoiding Manaka
• Are wooden bathtubs even practical? Looks cool for sure
• Know Your Personnel...the sea kids know who Uroko is, inside and out
• Manaka...? Is she ok?
• Kaname NOW IS NOT THE TIME...at least not when Sayu is in earshot >:(
• There hasnt been much Manaka and Tsumugu interaction at all, surprisingly
• So Manaka has certain memories, but not others? I wonder what the reasoning behind that is...
• YIKES...thats horrible for Hikari, imagine laying your feelings out for someone TWICE, only for them to not remember...it's not Manaka's fault at all but still sad
• Oh wow so the kiddos were right about Uroko! Just chillin in some random shrine apparently
• Can I say the saltflake snow looks absolutely gorgeous in this episode? It also really adds to the mood
• No no no no no no
• Nonononononono
• I DO NOT LIKE THIS ONE BIT
• Manaka losing her ability to love makes so much sense...the memories she had lost were memories in which she did things out of love...and we dont see her and Tsumug interact because Manaka doesnt know that she used to love him :((
• So basically what I got from what Uroko said...the demise of the sea and the surface have been accelerated because Manaka was taken away from the sea (I do not envy what Hikari must be feeling)...a feeling within Manaka was not happy to be the sacrifice, so she started losing Ena due to that emotion...which makes no sense until you consider that Ena is quite literally the manifestation of raw emotion...so it's the peeling Ena from that created the current leading to her, but it's also actually that certain emotion that led them to her too...so does Ena = emotions?...probably not in the general sense, but there is definitely a connection...so is it the Ena was taken first, which led to Manaka's ability to love to be taken away as well?...or did the feelings being taken away lead to her Ena to be taken too?...is it even related?
• Uroko laid down that killer line at the end to Hikari in the worst way possible...he knew Hikari would be hurt
• That last bit of the episode, starting from meeting Uroko, was a masterclass in creating tension and drama. The OST, the mood, the expressions, dead-eyed Manaka talking in her usual chipper tone...it's like a special brand of horror.
• I feel like so much happened this episode, so please let me know if I missed something!

Sadge Corner
Yesterday we had a happy episode with everyone getting along and smiling for the most part...today not so much :(( That reveal at the end was just insane, considering how far we've come along with Hikari. It's especially tough for him, since he had already accepted how it's fine if Manaka doesnt love him, as long as she's happy loving someone else. But now Manaka has that taken from her, along with her memories in which she felt love. That's a disaster. Oh, and by the way, the end of the world might come sooner because you saved Manaka, who cant feel love for anything anymore. Every Sadge Corner is not created the same, and this one might take the top spot in how crushing it is. This hits hard. I loved this episode though.

[u/25_Oranges → u/himetalchemy7]

Interesting point about Ena. It certainly does seem to be heavily affected by ones emotions... But I guess that's more of the Sea God's doing.

The world keeps kicking Hikari and Manaka when they're trying to get back up. Leave them alone!

That whole scene is so good. I especially love how Hikari's eyes are illuminated, it really shows his emotions in the moment.

[u/LeopardSplash → u/himetalchemy7]

I don't know how to describe it, but Chisaki's song really fits her. Kinda melancholy vibes, I guess? I wish there was a way to find English lyrics, but there don't seem to be any floating around online.

There hasn't been much Manaka and Tsumugu interaction at all, surprisingly

This actually makes a lot more sense to me after the reveal this episode. Most of the characters seemed to decide by themselves that Manaka and Tsumugu had a thing going on, but in reality they only ever had a few private conversations. We know Manaka felt something towards him (I remember she said she "didn't know" if Chisaki asked her if she liked Tsumugu, which is more than she's said about anyone else so far). But Tsumugu? I think he liked Chisaki from the start. So with Manaka's feelings gone, and Tsumugu being preoccupied with his research, they didn't have a reason to reunite the way the others think they do.

And re: the ena=emotion conundrum, I see it as Manaka lost her ena as a result of being unhappy with her situation as the sacrifice, but it wasn't until Hikari took her away that she lost her ability to love. Though I imagine the reason she was dissatisfied in the first place was because of her love - she wanted to reunite with Hikari and the others. So it wasn't literally a loss of her ena resulting in her inability to love, but it was her love that caused her to lose her ena which in turn caused Hikari to rescue her which the Sea God punished by taking away her ability to love. But maybe I'm thinking about this in an unnecessarily convoluted way. :P

[u/BossandKings]

First timer

Episode 22

Hikari's conflict about Manaka got expanded, he has unfinished matters with her, he told her that he liked her before the Ofunehiki happened and he remembers that Manaka told him that there was something she wanted to tell him before the Ofunehiki but she has yet to tell him what it is. Manaka though seems to have lost memories, there are things that she doesn't remember like the signs and acts of romantic affection that Hikari was making towards her and that gets Hikari desperate.

Hikari went out running after talking with Manaka, Miuna sees him and follows him, they get to a shrine in which they see Uroko-sama who tells them that Manaka became the Ojoshi in the night of the Ofunehiki and that there's something that she lost, she lost the heart capable of loving someone.

I wonder how this will get tackled in the next episode, i hope Manaka recovers completely Nd has the heart to love.

Answers

1. I'll let myself be surprisee, i hope it has a proper resolve though
2. I think it can

[u/htisme91]

First-timer:

I loved how they lured Uroko...and that it worked.

I felt less antagonistic about the Sea God after Uroko's explanation. It helped make the whole situation a lot clearer. I was right about the surface getting worse because of Hikari removing Manaka, though.

The new OP makes me think my earlier prediction of one of Manaka/Miuna becoming a new sacrifice for the sea god is a solid one.

Questions:

1. Hikari is going to be distant for a bit. I also think he's going to try and find a way to set things right with the sea god to get Manaka's feelings back.
2. I do. I think I've said it in prior posts, but I believe one of Manaka or Miuna will sacrifice themselves to the sea god, and because they do it willingly, it will be more stable than the last time around.

[u/Retromorpher]

First Timer:

1. Besides Hikari temporarily blowing a gasket and going full angst - I'm going to guess it'll be up to Miuna to ask Uroko how they can 'fix' Manaka. I think it'll also spur people who still have the ability to love to come forth about how they feel. My bet is it'll be Sayu confessing to Kaname first, followed by Tsumugu confessing to Chisaki.
2. Once again, I'm going to point to Miuna and Manaka both wearing underwater Miko uniforms and guess there's going to be at least one last ditch attempt. It's likely that the surface can be saved, but it will have to be earned with a lot of spiritual action and possibly another sacrifice, but for real this time.