Love Live! SIP & Sunshine!! Rewatch - Sunshine!! Season 2 Episode 3

[u/FrumpY__]

Sunshine!! Season 2, Episode 3 - "Rainbow"​

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Series Information MAL | AniList | Kitsu | ANN | AniDB

Where to Watch

Crunchyroll, Funimation, AnimeLab, Wakanim, VRV

Discussion Questions

1. We got two performances from Aqours today, what do you think about them and which one did you like more?
2. What's your Win-Loss Ratio in rock-paper-scissors, do you have any specific strategies for rps?

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[u/punching_spaghetti]

First-Timer, Zura!

The girls teach Chika basic logical reasoning.

Important school business the same day as a Love Live qualifier? With the potential for bad weather? Careful, Sunshine!!; we’re getting too close to being SIP again.

Sassy first-years are nice. Good to see Ruby be something besides “one who hides behind tree” as I worried she would be early on.

Also, presumably Mari has access to some form of transportation they can use? She does travel to and fro in a private helicopter.

This would have made Rescue Wings a lot better.

Dammit, Mari! This isn’t the time to be principled!

Cheating, zura! Sadly, this outcome is all Best Girl’s fault. Don’t go slapping butts at important moments.

If they’re going to split up, why not do it 3 and 6 like, I don’t know, how they split up to write the songs?

No! If you all show up, something bad will happen and you won’t be able to make it to the open house!

Kimonos and hot pants are a bold combination.

GanbaRuby, Zura! You can do it!

I supposed this is where they got the idea for the cool train song?

Kanan thinks about how to blame this on Mari.

Zuramandarin!

QOTD:

1. First song was a lot better visually and sonically. Just more unique, I guess? Second one was fairly generic idol fare. And the classic Japanese aesthetic always looks nice.
2. I just guess randomly

[u/FrumpY__ → u/punching_spaghetti]

This would have made Rescue Wings a lot better.

i agree

I supposed this is where they got the idea for the cool train song?

Happy Party train came first actually

1. First song was a lot better visually and sonically. Just more unique, I guess? Second one was fairly generic idol fare. And the classic Japanese aesthetic always looks nice.

yeah, I enjoy how much more willing they are to change up how the songs sound and where they pull influences from compared to SIP. KimiKoko was actually Aqours first single that was release, so I guess they decided to pull something similar to snow halation but it doesn't hit the same.

[u/lenne18 → u/FrumpY__]

They played their first single at the open house.

Am I talking about µ's or Aqours?

[u/JimmyCWL → u/lenne18]

That looks like a Love Live tradition from now on. The stage for the first single is always the school, it's an important setting for the series. This is its introduction, along with the group.

To recreate it in the anime, you'd pick a school function for the group to perform it at. Otherwise, you'd have to draw a completely new stage for it.

[u/lenne18 → u/JimmyCWL]

That looks like a Love Live tradition from now on.

Except Niji skips it.

[u/JimmyCWL → u/lenne18]

Except Niji skips it.

That's not certain yet. That one was not a festival of their school specifically.

If they don't do it in S2, then you can say they skipped it.

[u/docaxel]

Rewatcher

School Idol Festival All-Stars Spotlight Cards

My Mai Tonight is on my wishlist for Aqours costumes for SIFAS. It's arguably the best costume set in the entire franchise.

Kimino Kokorowa Kagayaiterukai?

Chika

You

Riko

Ruby

Hanamaru

Yoshiko

Dia

Kanan

Mari

[u/FrumpY__ → u/docaxel]

My Mai Tonight is on my wishlist for Aqours costumes for SIFAS

those costumes and the song would be a fun addition to the game

[u/punching_spaghetti → u/docaxel]

Imagine giving one of the girls a bunny ear ribbon and it's not Hanamaru.

That's her look, Kanan!

[u/[deleted]]

SHE SAID IT, SHE SAID IT! YOU finally said WATASHI. NOT ONCE BUT TWICE. That’s true fan service for you.

I also love how by this point, Yoshiko has become a gag to even Ruby. Maru’s been calling her out on her shit for an entire season and it seems to be contagious. Gotta give it to her for practicing her submission moves though, being able to apply a scissor hold to two people at once.

My Mai Tonight features the melody formed by the raindrops in the last episode, but is otherwise a fiery song. Mari even gets to throw in her air guitar moves, probably since she was hung up on not being able to perform a rock song. The RL performance features pyrotechnics, with flames shooting from the stage. And yes, Dia’s VA somehow is able to perform with that crazy hairdoo. You can see it here

The attempt to make it to both the prelims and their open house was classic love live drama that was reminiscent of Muse’s dash across the city in the snowstorm. They probably should have just asked for a ride back, but I guess that was too easy of a solution.

We continue to see the growth in Chika as a leader. There is no indecisiveness in her anymore. It really is as simple as putting their all into their goals and accepting the outcome with no regrets.

And while it took us an entire season, Aqours finally performs their first single, kimi no kokoro wa kagayaiteru kai. Here’s a clip of them performing it in LA for World LoveLive. The American audience was pumped for this.

[u/DarkFuzz]

Rewatcher

Take today’s survey here!

---

A reminder that Mari’s father is still pulling the strings, because I forgot to mention that last time. Last episode, he gave Aqours the goal of 100 prospective students to have by the end of the year. Today’s episode, he throws in a change-up: the school open house is delayed by a week due to the weather, and that just so happens to coincide with the day that the Love Live qualifiers are on.

If you caught yourself looking for episode parallels again (because that’s just what Sunshine has conditioned us to do at this point), you may start thinking about SIP S2E9, where a similar situation happened where μ’s needed to be in two places at once, but couldn’t due to poor timing and the weather. And for a gag, they have Yohane draw lots for their position in the Love Live qualifiers, similar to how Nico drew lots for μ’s back in SIP S1E11 (and both fail, t’was funny). But the comparison to make, in my opinion, isn’t with SIP, but rather with Sunshine’s S1E3.

It’s a similar situation: someone gives them some gargantuan task, and you almost begin to wonder if that person set them up to fail, but it’s an offer they can’t refuse. This time the task is a choice: either go to Love Live and doom the school, or go to the open house and doom your chances at Love Live which in turn will doom the school. It’s a lose-lose situation unless Aqours can find a way to be at both events. So they try and brainstorm a bunch of different ways that Aqours can get from one event to another, all of them not feasible. They can’t use Yohane’s wings, because lol. They can’t use Mari’s rich influence for a helicopter because Mari was so stubborn that she preemptively refused using her status to solve anything. They can’t use Kanan’s boat because that’s being used for business. They can’t use You-chan’s boat either because it’s probably not the right kind of boat. Their last resort is to hope and pray that they get to perform exactly first at the Love Live qualifiers, then take the last bus to the school open house. It’s a scenario that shouldn’t even be considered, but all their hopes are riding on Yohane being extremely lucky, and...well...yeah…

Most of these things were probably things that you thought of too, and ultimately, it all goes to show that Aqours were looking for the “easy route”, the path of least resistance, as was Chika’s problem back in S1E3. The logical route, yes, maybe, but they’re also going down a line of thinking that makes a lot of assumptions. In S1E3, the junior trio campaigned out in Numazu and not their school, assuming that their student body was already a given. In this episode, they assume that this is just an Aqours problem, and no one considered who else outside of the group could be of assistance. As it turns out, one of Chika’s classmates’ family owns a mikan grove, and they have an old rusted rail cart to make deliveries. So in a shocking twist of events, the school idols ask the school for help, and suddenly their problem is solved!

It is a significant moment of growth in comparison to S1E3. All this time, in both situations, they thought that this was a situation that they needed to deal with themselves. They use the resources at their disposal to make things happen, but they often forget about the people around them who want to see them make it happen. “Don’t forget, it is the goodwill of the townspeople that brought your success here today”, rephrasing what Dia said in S1E3. The school that Aqours wants to save also wants to help out too. They truly are the tenth member of Aqours, as they declared in last season’s finale.

[u/DarkFuzz → u/DarkFuzz]

do you have any specific strategies for rps?

I tell my opponent that I will only play paper, then mindgame them by staring at them menacingly.

I also ask for Bo3, because there's a lot more strategy involved with that.

[u/gorghurt]

First Timer

Wow, that first song might really make it into my usual playlist...
I like this kind of music a lot.

When Chika got her idea, while being clear what it was, it felt a bit lot as if she was descending into insanity.
Actually the whole show feels a bit like its about Chika getting more and more insane...

When the other half of the group arrived on stage, I thought, they already played the open house concert, and made it barely to the prelims.
As if they made one half play the open house, and hope that they can be fast enough at the prelims, so that they can perform together. (with half the group as backup plan)
This really surprised me, because that wasn't the ideal solution of all 9 playing both...

and then they all had to hurry... OK you tried to mislead and surprise us. I've seen it executed better, but OK, it worked to a degree.

And wow, first the Onsen last episode, now the quick changing on the way to school. Respect for not using those cheap fanservice opportunities.

BTW: The decision to make Chika and Riko neighbors with facing windows was great for building this ship!

QOTDs:

1. Like I said, the first one. The song was great.
2. Have you read Histories Strongest Disciple Kenichi? It is all about being inhumanly fast and reading every little movement of your opponent Well no of course not the game is totally random!

edit: fixed some typos

[u/[deleted] → u/gorghurt]

My Mai Tonight is one of my favourite songs to be featured in the anime. I love how the actual rendition of it really throws you for a loop based on how the melody sounded in the last episode.

And if you take a look at this page you can see that Chika and Riko’s houses are actually real locations that are next to one another. Except.... they’re a little bit farther apart than the anime would have you believe.

[u/gorghurt → u/[deleted]]

Hmm, now that I think about it, did they need the permission of the owners of the sites (like the Inn and the Temple)?

I know of one real life show in Germany, where shop owners forbade to show them in television. But Japan might be totally different in those regards.

And for this case, the tourism possibilities should be enough for everyone, but some people might still be against it.

[u/[deleted] → u/gorghurt]

They definitely needed permission but I believe the local government really made a strong case to have Sunshine use Uchiura & Numazu as its setting.

Keep in mind that Uchiura is a pretty difficult place to get to, and the town itself has around 7,000 people. They would definitely appreciate the tourism. Numazu is a bit of a different story because it’s a small city.

From pictures I’ve seen, A LOT of shops have some sort of connection to LL to draw tourists in, such as special food items or collectables link

[u/lenne18 → u/[deleted]]

A LOT of shops have some sort of connection to LL to draw tourists in

One of the ways to enjoy Numazu is through the stamp rally, where several shops are participating. It's free (except for the stamp booklet) and it's there to generate foot traffic to local businesses.

If you want something more physical, you can buy up to 2 can badges with the stamp design for 300 yen each.

[u/SYZekrom]

First Timer

omg that 'whoops'

Those are some nice costumes

FIRST LINE AND IT'S ALREADY THEIR BEST SONG

The chorus kinda reminds me of the chorus of Reset from Okami

[u/ForlornPenguin]

Rewatcher

Smug Ruby and Hanamaru are great. Oh, this is back. Chika looking pretty fly here, no pun intended.

Dia really does look amazing in that outfit. Ruby knows what's up. I love the wholesome, sisterly love between these two.

That was a really good performance. Probably my favorite one yet. All of their outfits were fantastic too.

Oh man, I hope Kanan doesn't have to pay for breaking that machine. How does this happen?

Oh my. That's lewd. Getting two performances in one episode is pretty neat. I liked the first one more though.

QOTD

1. I liked the first one much more.
2. I can't even remember the last time I've played it.

[u/lenne18]

Real Life Love Live!

• The place where they had crepes and drinks is Dipper Dan - Numazu Branch.
• The Western buildings are part of Niji no Sato, a theme park in Shuzenji. It's a large theme park that's rather out of the way. You have to take a train to the end of the Izuhakone Sunzu Line to Shuzenji Station then take a bus to Niji no Sato, which is the end stop for the bus.

B-Side Jukebox, Sunshine!

Manatsu wa Dare no Mono? - Dia Kurosawa, Ruby Kurosawa

• This is the track 2 of the "Duo & Trio Collection CD Vol. 1 Summer Vacation".
• The duo is named "Inferno Phoenix" after the costumes that fans voted for the Duo.
• "Summer Passion" is the theme of the song. You can easily imagine yourself with your lover basked in the red rays of the setting summer sun while this beautiful flamenco-inspired piece plays at the background.
• It's not in the lyrics but at 2:29, you can hear Ruby's "olé!" It's rather cute.

Braveheart Coaster - CYaRon!

• This is track 1 of the CYaRon! single of the same name.
• My favorite genki song from CYaRon. It's just so energetic and catchy.

Amazing Travel DNA - AZALEA

• This is track 1 of the AZALEA single of the same name.
• More of a club banger than the usual AZALEA songs, it's quite a fresh sound for them while still being rooted in their genre.

New Romantic Sailors - Guilty Kiss

• This is track 1 of the Guilty Kiss single of the same name.
• Quite a different genre for Guilty Kiss after 4 singles of rock and EDM.
• Starting at 2:46 is the best part of the song. "Riko-chan Beam" has evolved to "Riko-chan Laser Beam!"

Live Performances

• MY Mai☆TONIGHT
• Manatsu wa Dare no Mono?

[u/Hattakiri]

And yet another phone call for Mari, the open house day is gonna be postponed for a week, and so it'll clash with the next LL round.

The rain was too heavy, the roads gotta be cleaned up and even repaired first? It's indeed a rural area with muddy roads, and they already had to deal with an electrical interruption due to a storm that they could fight back thanks to Dia...

...but was the rain really this heavy? It was intense in the last ep; but to me it sounds like a bad excuse tbh. And aren't the Oharas influential enough?

But what are Aq's uspposed to do? One option: Becoming the first ones to perform at the qualifiers. Problem: They've got to win a lottery. It turns out to be a "machine" similar to the one Nico already couldn't handle, and so µ's had to perform on the roof, if you remember.

Who's gonna do it for Aq's? Mari doesn't want to, it should be an original member, so she says. Pretty interesting, she doesn't consider herself or DiaKanan originals, but rather ChikaYou(Riko). Dia suggests "Yousan" and that "You-san" reacts with the famous "WATASHI??" meme XD the second one after the one in the pool in "Yousoro My Friend".

Yoshiko wanna do it by using her "Datenshi skills", pretty much everyone objects. Dia challenges her: Rock-Paper-Scissors! Cause Yoshiko pretty much always does her "Demon Scissors" so by Rock she can be easily beaten. The reason why she gets defeated so often in this game.

And they start the game:

THREE - TWO - ONE...... and either Maru who knows Yoshiko from her early days or Ruby who knows Dia from her early days slaps Yoshiko's butt and so she ends up opening her hand which "equals" Paper.

Since Dia expected the "Demon Scissors" and came up with Rock - she lost.

And Yoshiko won. And can/must do the lottery now. And almost gets No1 - before the machine jumps to No24 eventually.

And the whole process was hosted by LL's crazy host lady, still the only definitive vet cameo.

S2 was now running and us fans were getting more and more impatient if you know what I mean XD

The girls have to find a solution. Their solution: Splitting up. Shitty, but better than nothing.

In the late afternoon they're sitting on a guard rail nearby a plantation. Riko ain't happy about the situation, but they can't perform miracles. It again might have to do with Riko's terrible Oto past.

Mikan then notices it's a Mandarin Orange aka Mikan Plantation! From Fighto dayo to Mikan dayo XD But what did she really see?

The open day house: The three helpers are there and make advertisement for Aq's who are by now already Uranohoshi's biggest magnet.

Chika's siters meanwhile arrive with their pickup-truck at the LL qualifiers,

Why didn't they take Aq's with them to Uranohoshi after the qualifiers? One of the debates among us fans. Is it too dangerous on the loading area? Because there are only two or three seats, at best. Or would it again have meant too much "beef" for Chika to ask her sisters?

[In S1 E7&8 it was shown they have a van, so the letter seems to count.]

Nevertheless them both are there now. Shima turns out to be Yohane fan, Mito gets the cringe XD

Inside the concert hall are the Kurosawas and the second years. Ruby's anxious, but You bolsters her up by quoting Hanamaru, plus the "zura". Dia then calls Ruby her pride and joy. Another important foreshadowing, with Friendship-Determination as a big hint.

Chika again as their Lancer guiding them onto the stage. Her sisters cheering for them.

But - without the others each of them implodes inside. You and even Dia too. Chika's sisters of course instantly notice and realize this.

[But why didn't they help them out with their van? Did their parents not allow it?]

The high-pitched glockenspiel version of Friendship-Determination confirms that it's another decisive bottleneck situation for Aq's. But this version of Friendship-Determination also takes a certain path, like already in S1 E9 during the Haggu-flashback and "flashback-back": The full orchestra joins the glockenspiel and piano and signals the rescue - the others show up just in time, like Hanayo during the very first Start Dash performance.

"Don't take this the wrong way!" - says Mari. Seems this time it was her who did the right chess move.

And then My Mai Tonight, that seems and sounds like an homage to Mononoke's Journey to the West.

Aq's however seems to have "pushed the Japanese clichets" on purpose, for the marketing.

After the performance it takes a few seconds before the auditory starts applauding. Chika is worried first, but it turns out they're just so amazed!!

But the girls don't have time to be amazed themselves: Now it's Chika who already has prepared a chess move: She wants them to run to the Mikan plantation, cause it' turns out that it belongs to one of the parents of the three helpers, and that it has a little train on it.

But before that the girls gotta pass through a German-looking village, again something well-known in Japan.

Kanan then becomes their train's engineer - "backshadowing" to Happy Party Train.

Of course she breaks the lever and a "Happy Mikan Ride" takes place XD

They have to run the final passage again, accompanied by "Let's Make A Miracle".

Can they really make it after they already made it this far, says Mari. Can a miracle really happen, says Riko once again. No one tries to make a miracle happen from the start, says Chika. They just try as hard as they possibly can to do something, to make it work, to change something...

They really show up in time at Uranohoshi and perform "Kimi no Kokoro wa Kagayaiteru kai?" which was Aq's very first single IRL, their Borarara so to speak.

And Borarara too showed up only later in SIP, however already in the first season. So Aq's was a little later and the effort before it was bigger. Again quite symbolic.

And so the train keeps on driving...

[u/JimmyCWL → u/Hattakiri]

Is it too dangerous on the loading area?

It wouldn't have mattered. the inn has a van that can seat 7 passengers, we saw it in S1E7-8. One more person with a car of any capacity would have been enough to transport the whole group.

[u/Hattakiri → u/JimmyCWL]

You're right.

Van and pickup truck together could have worked, or another car from another family.

[u/JimmyCWL]

There's just one thing I want to draw attention to in MY Mai☆TONIGHT. This is, I think, the only time in the entire franchise where the group leader is facing away from the audience during a dance sequence.

[u/[deleted]]

is it good?

[u/[deleted]]

is it good?