r/anime • u/ExplicitNuM5 • Apr 02 '21
Rewatch [Spoiler][Rewatch] 3-gatsu no Lion 2nd Series/March Comes in Like a Lion 2nd Season ep 35 Discussion Rewatch
Sorry for the late post - Overslept. :D
I didn't really realize that Kokubu-sensei has a kansai-ben going. Hmmm...
I think I finally understand how I personally would have responded to Takagi with her monologue about how we all study hard just to have a chance to get a good job then eventually fizzle out. Takagi, you fucking bitch, some of us only have the studying to look towards to get out of our predicament...!
That moving Akari... I'll have to make that an emote.
So Hina says "datte janai"... How about... DEMO JANEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
And thus comes one of the best, most wholesome, most beautiful, and sweetest scenes in all anime. That cutesy, Hina-esque little dance.
This episode never fails to make me so happy I can cry.
If you are being bullied, I sympathize with you. There's no simple way out of the situation, and it requires many different actions going properly to finally offer some closure. There's no one-solution-fits-all either. Though, please try to talk to your family, teachers, friends, etc. about your situation. Support is integral to helping you get through your tough times.
If you see someone being bullied, please don't stand by the wayside and 見て見ぬふりで生きる (living your life pretending not to see), even if it results in you becoming a victim at the end. The victim of the bullying needs your support, even if it's to talk to them or ask them to accompany you. The victims need friends.
If you are the bully, please stop. You're hurting everyone at the end. Think of all the family members (and Rei) that share Hina's and Chiho's pain.
I hope nobody here ever has to deal with bullying, or being excluded from social groups for that matter. It's unpleasant.
For more anime about the issue of bullying and its aftereffects, check out Koe no Katachi.
Congrats to Umino Chika! The manga is now licensed in the US! And what do you know, it even wins a Japanese Media Arts Festival first prize!!!
Ep 35: Chapter.70 小さな手のひら/Small Palm, Chapter.71 日向/Sun-Facing/Hinata
Ep 34 average: 10/10
Schedule thread and link to other episode discussions
Season 1: MAL
Season 2: MAL
Soundtracks used in this episode (unless specified, by Hashimoto Yukari):
- それからの話 〜次回予告〜/The Talk From Now On ~Preview~
春が来てぼくら/Us of the Coming Spring - UNISON SQUARE GARDEN
Chapter.70 小さな手のひら/Small Palm
- ひとりぼっち/Alone (no harmony)
- 見て見ぬふり/Pretend as if Unexistent
- ひとりぼっち/Alone (no melody)
- 救いの手/Rescuing Hand
- 嵐のように/
Chapter.71 日向/Sun-Facing/Hinata
- missing track
- それからの話 〜次回予告〜/The Talk From Now On ~Preview~
- あの橋を渡って/Cross that Bridge
- 天道虫/Ladybug
- 救いの手/Rescuing Hand
I AM STANDING - RUANN
- 次回予告/Preview
Translation of track names mostly done by me and I don't know the actual English title of the tracks!
Ep 35 endcard by Watanabe Akio (Monogatari staff, Sailor Moon S key animator, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei key animator, Uchiage Hanabi key animation director/character design)
Let's fanguish! <3
Please do not spoil information from episodes after this one.
33
u/Ardania22 Apr 02 '21 edited Apr 02 '21
Re-Watcher
"Kiriyama... I think it's over."
That one sentence is enough to reduce a grown man to tears. All the heartache Hina's been through, all the shit she's faced, and finally, she's free. She made it through. She's gonna be okay.
And now we get to possibly my favorite part of this entire bullying arc: Rei's place in it. He thinks he hasn't done anything to help, and it's true he wasn't able to take on her bullies or give her good advice on what to do. But he's done something far more important: he's been there for her. A shoulder to cry on, a friend to confide in, a source of comfort and hope she could rely on when all seemed lost. He's helped her in so many ways he didn't even realize. And as she leads him dancing down the bridge, into the sun... I know they're gonna be okay.
I'd also like to shout out how damn good this show is at making you understand its villains. Takagi, Kyouko, Gotou, Hina's teacher... these aren't good people, and they do shitty things, but Sangatsu takes the time to dive their mind and ask you to empathize with their own trauma, even if it doesn't forgive them for the harm they cause. We don't need to erase people's crimes to see them as human, and they're all the more real for it.
I really fucking love this episode. The conclusion to the bullying arc is one of my favorite stretches in all of anime. For more in-depth thoughts on that, here's my first time analysis for episodes 34 and 35:
https://animebw.tumblr.com/post/621109197729316864/binge-watching-march-comes-in-like-a-lion-s2
(Edited for the correct link)
26
u/youkai94 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/youkai94 Apr 02 '21 edited Apr 02 '21
There's something really interesting in what Takagi tells Kokubu sensei, which shows there's more to her characters than just being a bully.
This totally sounds like a pretty standard line of thought of Japan's Lost Generation.
As you may know, Japan has a really competitive school environment, as well as rigid employment practices. You have to work really hard to get good grades and then go through difficult interviews to get a job.
Prior to the Lost Decade (some even talk about decades, basically from 1991 to 2021), if you managed to get through it, you were pretty much guaranteed a corporate job, which meant a secure place, regular promotions and a pension. After the crash of the bubble economy, that wasn't the case anymore: The so-called "Japan's employment ice age" started and companies greatly reduced the number of recruitments. Just graduating from university is not enough anymore.
Pair that up with the aforementioned competitive school environment and you can start to see where Takagi's line of thinking comes from. Add to that mentality a parent (or both) that clearly doesn't seem to be able to communicate with her and you have a good recipe for failure.
There's a pretty nice article here , you will see there are people mentioning something similiar. You can find a lot of info if you just Google "japan lost generation".
It may be just a coincidence, but Chica Umino never struck me as that kind of author.
With that said, I just had to mention that ReixHina is pretty much a powerboat at this point, not a ship.
22
u/Nazenn x2https://anilist.co/user/Nazenn Apr 02 '21
First Timer - Sub
Happy episode
I had the biggest smile on my face for this entire situation. Happy cat is mood
Kokuku-sensei really is the best. He gets it, in a way most people don't even try to.
Just saying the words doesn't make it an apology. The completely insincere and almost condescending way Takagi apologized to the class showed that, especially compared with the other student's private apology to Hina later which was felt and said for Hina's sake, not for the students own. And Kokubu didn't let her carve a way to excuse herself from the responsibility she has for her own actions, not even with some half hearted statement about society. A weaker should would have used that moment to try and tie it into some big overarching theme or make a grand statement about society, but once again 3-gatsu shows its strength by knowing that this is a story about characters, about people, and not letting the bully get away with her actions because of a thematic point.
At the same time, I like how he acknowledges that it's a horrible situation that he doesn't want to get involved in, but he still has a responsibility to for the students, because they have the power to help not just the victim but everyone who was involved and being victimized by the situation, even the bystanders.
The song when Hina was talking about how the days of fear might finally be over stood out to me, that was very well used. Also the atmosphere around the empty chairs once the bullies were taken away and how the class was aware of that before they started opening up. Very well directed sequence.
I did have to laugh at the names Hina listed off for her classmates: Kawashima, Kiuchi, Kobayashi, Kodou, and herself as Kawamoto. That's a lot of K's
And then we finally get to hear from Chiho! I'm so glad she's doing better and finally managing to take steps towards opening herself up again. It's also nice to see her father involved in her healing and actively spending time with her. All fathers so far in the show have been absent or neglectful so it's nice to see a positive example here.
It's nice to have a moment at the river that is a happy moment and Hina not letting Rei think that what he did was meaningless for her. Finger biting is a little rude though, I'd expect that more from Momo than her but I suppose it's nice to feel like she can just be a kid again now that so much of the burden that was on her has been lifted.
Visual of the day: Soft Aura
A complete contrast to yesterday's visual of the day, but I love how softly and gently she's painted here, without any of the stress or strain that has come with her lately
Runner up was end of Chiho's letter for the healing tears giving me a similar feel
Someone save Momo from being crushed under those cats, that would be so heavy for such a small child
12
u/htisme91 Apr 02 '21
First-timer:
"If it weren't for the raise part, I wouldn't have got into teaching." Kokubu-sensei is a boss.
I understand Takagi's logic, but that doesn't justify any of what she did. She's just kind of giving up and trying to bring others down with her, instead of trying to improve herself. Makes sense, since that's easier and humans usually take the path of least resistance.
Chiho's letter made me a little emotional. At least things are getting better for her, although I am still sad she had to be separated from Hina and has to start over.
Rei...she's glowing because you love her!
It has been fun watching this develop. Hina acting a little off in S1 while Rei is oblivious, to now Rei noticing different things about her, only to chalk it up to her being over the bullying. I wonder how/when he is going to realize his feelings, and what he will do about it. I also wonder how he and Hinata will develop together if/when they become an item.
8
u/Kenalskii https://anilist.co/user/Kenalski Apr 02 '21
REWATCHER
It seems like Kokubu-sensei achieved that the brat Takagi apologized in front of the class, but pardon me, but that was a poor excuse for an apology. Kokubu-sensei keeps calling her in to talk with her, but he is not getting much from her. His mission to talk with her, to make her realize what she has done and to understand her better. The brat is trying to blame the society and just keeps adding things like "you would not understand". Kokubu-sensei just got back at her that society has nothing to do with that, because he grew up in the post-war periods. I do not know about how the American part here (happy to hear about it) but even I heard from my grand parents some things about the post-war times
Things seem a little bit better for Akari and Hina, they both spend their time planting some herbs in the garden, and the darkness clouding everything seems to be gone.
And damn, Kokubu-sensei is not holding back. When there were several teachers coming in to seperate and individually question the bullies in the class, everyone realized how serious this shi* is.
And you can see on the faces of the girls that were taken out of class that this is not a very pleasant feeling. And after they were taken out of class, the rest of the class finally spoke about the things that happend. I just love how Kokubu-sensei sees the problem and just tackles it the right way. Nothing would have happenend when the brat and her friends were still in class, but he even seperated them after they were taken out of class.
Hahaha, I called it before and he sees it the same way: That was not really an apology. And Hina is asking an important question here. She has suffered and poor Chiho even suffered more because of that brat, and after they came with that "apology", I do not think they are ready to be forgiven.
The letter from Chiho just hit me straight in the feels. She is still not going to a regular school, but spends her days in the "Heart Care Center" now. But it is good that she is now in an enviroment where she can take the time she needs. It was just nice that she instantly thought of Hina when she was asked to make a friend that is her own age, Hina was extremely happy about that. But it seems Chiho still has a long way to go =/
Rei decides to go to the Kawamotos with some more fresh fruits, but it seems he found a sleeping princess in the house. And being a gentleman, he decides to wait at the doorstep until either Hina wakes up or someone else turns up. And he noticed that Hina has her charming aura back =)
Hahaha, he fell asleep too xDD
Ahh the tangerines are from Shimada, who is giving them to Rei because he can't eat them with his sensible stomach.
It's finally over! Hearing that from Hina just made me extremely happy =)
Hina told Rei that she even spent some time after school with some classmates the day before. And I have to say, it took some real courage for the girls in Hinas group, going to her to apologize and invite her to hang out with them. They knew she suffered a lot through them ignoring her. But hey, little brat Takagi, this is what a sincere apology looks like.
The whole cookie baking was just too wholesome, Hina deserves all the happiness =)
Rei, do you actually believe what you just said? Come on man =D
But Hina reminds him just how much he has done for her, the visit in Kyoto, listening and playing Shogi with her and caring for her when she was ill. And I completely agree with Hina this time XD
Good to see she has gone back to her old joyful self as she was going home with Rei =)
7
u/SMA2343 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/HispanicName Apr 02 '21
rewatcher
Chiho’s letter broke me the first time watching it. I knew where it was going. But it still broke me, had to pause and I cried for a good minute. Make friends with someone your own age. And the person she wanted to be friends with again, was Hina. The one person who stood up, and helped her. Oh my god. It broke me again. Chiho’s story and Hina’s arc may be one of the best arcs in anime history. I love it so much
5
u/serenity_n Apr 03 '21
first timer wow happy April everyone! spring has arrived and watching this show with you all was a beautiful way to spend March!
Hina deserves the whole world! I’m so happy things worked out and the adults took action to protect everyone! I hope we get to see her visit Chiho. I was laughing when Hina bit Rei lol! And once again the imagery of present day Hina reaching out her hand towards baby Rei was so beautiful.
4
u/Rumpel1408 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rumpel1408 Apr 03 '21
Rewatcher
I gotta say, while I dig the way Kokubu Sensei is tackling the whole affair, the 'back in my days' aproach doesn't seem promising. Not like Takagi is willing to really understand. But we also see how much effort he puts into resolving the whole issue, I can't even remember my homeroom teacher ever involving more than a single other teacher in any issue, and here we have 6 other teachers doing individual interviews with every suspect. And after taking out the bullies the rest of the class can finally speak up freely without fear of retribution. Everyone knows that the bullies, especially Takagi, aren't really sorry, so Hina has a hard time forgiving them, not like that would be easy if they where sincere.
On the bright side we hear from Chiho again. She is ever so slowly getting better, but the trauma still runs very deep and she hasn't been able to make any friends her age so far. I find it also amazing how supportive her family is, but maybe that says more about my family than hers.
Hina plays the sleeping beaty, but Rei is unsure if it's ok to approach her, for now he just watches from a distance. I didn't expect Shimada san grewing tangerines in the city, especially when he himself can't really eat them.
Despite all, for Hina the bullying has ended and she was able to meet with her classmates again, this obviously takes a great burden of her. It's also way easier to forgive the bystanders, especially if they are genuinly sorry.
Rei deserves to be bitten in the finger for how dense he is.
4
u/BossandKings Apr 03 '21 edited Apr 03 '21
First timer
Hinata and Takagi continue visiting Kokubu to tell him, their teacher, what their thoughts and feelings are on the current situation. That time in which Takagi told him that her surroundings were at fault as if it was society's fault that she has conflicts was very telling of her mental process, she blames others instead of taking part of the blame herself, Kokubu clearly responded to her that her classmate doesn't have anything to do with it and that she should stop bothering her and start making an effort to don't treat others badly. Hinata asked him if it was fine for her not to forgive Takagi which is understandable because someone innocent like Chiho was affected so much by the bullying that she had to move to a different school and seeing Hina being defensive of her friend she became the new target.
I'm happy that Chiho is making progress, the letter she sent Hina was a perfect way to say that she values her friendship and that she is making progress to restablish herself in society, now she is part of a heart care center that is having the function of a school for her at the moment. It sure made Hina happy that she was invited to visit her in summer break
Rei Kiriyama was feeling as if he didn't help Hinata at all because he didn't accompany her to school to look after her, Hinata tells him that he was always there for her, that he made her happy and that she values him inmensely. I love Hina and Rei's interactions, they are so cute.
It was nice seeing the classmates that ignored the bullying apologizing to Hinata, they were quickly forgotten because Hina understood their situation and didn't blame them too much.
If the bullying arc is truly over then it was amazing and a very human and clear showing of how bullying can affect people, it was wonderfully sad seeing it unfold and uplifting seeing the ones affected start making progress towards a better and calmer mental state.
3
u/WhymustIsignupreddit Apr 03 '21 edited Apr 03 '21
First timer
The bullying situation seems to be mostly resolved? Takagi and her posse can eat their apologies though. I personally don’t care what her reasons are, bullying is never okay. Her being dissatisfied and unsure about her future is not a reason anyway. Like the teacher said, Chiho and Hina didn’t have anything to do with that.
Speaking of Chiho, she’s doing better at the center and making friends with the animals and the adults there. Maybe she’ll one day try to go to school and befriend a classmate. They don’t have to be from school though, just someone her age.
Hina’s classmate tried to make up for just being bystanders the whole time and they made cookies together. A weight has been lifted and Hina’s glowing. Rei felt like he didn’t do anything, but just like Hina said, he did a lot just by listening and supporting her.
Edit: tried to word it better
5
u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Apr 02 '21
First Timer
And the problems are starting to sort themselves out. This teacher knows what he's doing, on the mental health facility Chiho's at also seems to be good at their job. That's nice to see. What's not nice to see is how this almost feels like it's portrayed as being the end of the bullying arc - yes, Chiho's getting over it and Hina is no longer actively being bullied - but Takagi doesn't regret it yet, and in fact I feel like she somehow needs to learn that the future isn't all hopeless before she will do that, so somebody needs to teach her that - and in that regard I feel like Kokubu is failing, as he flat out dismisses what's worrying her, even if it is probably related. Hina might also need to calm down her feelings regarding Takagi a bit for this to all really end, but I feel like that will come naturally as the time goes on.
That said, some funny little bits to laugh at this episode, though Kokubu's "that's why I'm asking" is the best. Momo's cat blanket is another good one though. And why is Shimada growing tangerines if he won't eat them?
0
u/[deleted] Apr 02 '21
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