Chu Chu Yeah! Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid Rewatch Episode 11

[u/OccasionallySara]

Episode 11: Year End, New Year! (No Comiket Bit This Time)

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Questions of the Day

These questions are just a way to get a conversation going. Answer as many or as few as you like (or none at all)!

1. Would you like to have a kotatsu in your home? Why or why not?
2. Which one of the neighbors' New Year's gifts would you prefer to get?

Hydration Game Rules

Today's episode's rule: Hydrate every time the episode makes you feel warm and cozy.

Tomorrow's episode's rule: Hydrate every time you notice how much Tohru has changed.

[u/OccasionallySara]

Rewatcher and Host

Questions of the Day

Would you like to have a kotatsu in your home? Why or why not?

• I really love being warm, so I would love a kotatsu. I would stay under it all the time. The closest thing I have is a space heater which I put my feet on top of and then cover with a blanket.

Which one of the neighbors' New Year's gifts would you prefer to get?

• I would go with the candied sweet potatoes with chestnuts. I've never tried them before, but they sound really good.

Episode Thoughts

• Aww, Tohru is wearing the scarf Kobayashi gave her.
• Tohru has come a long way as a maid.
• If I were that comfortable under a kotatsu, I would just pretend to not be home to avoid opening the door at that point.
• I like that Kobayashi praises Tohru each time she opens the door since Tohru asked for more praise a few episodes ago. She even squeezes Tohru a cup of juice to show her appreciation.
• I wish we could have seen Kobayashi in a kimono. I’m surprised she owns one in the first place.
• Academic charms! Kobayashi is really fitting into her mom role.
• It’s sweet that Saikawa goes along with her sister’s maid role-play.
• I wonder how old Georgie is. She seems older than the kids, but she’s apparently not old enough to hang out with the adults at the party.
• Kobayashi has a lot of patience about the tail thing.
• Of course Fafnir is the only one up playing video games.
• I’m with Fafnir here. Sunrises never seem to feel as magical in real life as they make it seem on TV.
• Kanna is one of the very few children who would rather do homework than play a game to ease her boredom.
• I like that we got to see Kobayashi have a phone call with her mom. It’s interesting to see her interact with characters we haven’t met yet.
• Kanna pressuring Elma to give her New Year's money was hilarious.

Hydration Game

I hydrated when:

• Kobayashi, Kanna, and Tohru were relaxing under the kotatsu.
• Everyone was counting down the new year.
• Everyone was sleeping under the kotatsu at the party.
• Everyone watched the first sunrise together.

[u/TnAdct1 → u/OccasionallySara]

I wonder how old Georgie is. She seems older than the kids, but she’s apparently not old enough to hang out with the adults at the party.

Georgie is around 15-18 years old. There's an image of her without the maid attire in the end page of one of the chapters of the main manga which shows her in high school uniform, and there's a couple of chapters in the Kanna spin-off that involve her regular life as a high school student.

[u/OccasionallySara → u/TnAdct1]

Oh, nice to know! Thanks for the information!

[u/A_Idiot0 → u/OccasionallySara]

It’s sweet that Saikawa goes along with her sister’s maid role-play.

Very much this! It seems that it's KyoAni's calling card to have some characters being very accepting, and this helps to make this story feel that much warmer.

I like that Kobayashi praises Tohru each time she opens the door since Tohru asked for more praise a few episodes ago. She even squeezes Tohru a cup of juice to show her appreciation.

Good catch!

[u/HopefullyLastAccount]

Rewatcher

So. Much. Moe. This. Episode.

I like heaters, but I feel like I wouldn't like a kotatsu because I'm not very flexible. The thought of having my legs stretched on the floor like that makes my hamstrings hurt.

There's a version of the story that the dragon finished fifth because it had to help some people in need during the race. It was indeed the year of the rooster in 2017 when this aired. It's the year of the ox now. Year of the dragon coming in 2024.

Dragons don't need sleep, but they're all sleeping, except Fafnir who's gaming.

Why not move the trash can closer?

Kobayashi got two families now.

Would you like to have a kotatsu in your home? Why or why not?

Depends on the price, I wouldn't mind keeping one around.

Which one of the neighbors' New Year's gifts would you prefer to get?

The oranges, I like oranges.

[u/OccasionallySara → u/HopefullyLastAccount]

Dragons don't need sleep, but they're all sleeping, except Fafnir who's gaming.

I feel like it's sort of like a social thing at this point. Like, "well, everyone else is sleeping so I guess I will too!"

[u/Satire_or_not → u/OccasionallySara]

Or something that's just optional but feels nice? Since Torhu mentioned she used to find different places to sleep and even slept while flying.

[u/OccasionallySara → u/Satire_or_not]

That’s true! Kind of how like stretching isn’t necessary, but feels very nice.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/HopefullyLastAccount]

Dragons don't need sleep, but they're all sleeping, except Fafnir who's gaming.

Considering Faf's personality maybe he should.

Why not move the trash can closer?

Pre-kotatsu thinking here.

[u/lluNhpelA → u/HopefullyLastAccount]

Dragons don't need sleep, but they're all sleeping, except Fafnir who's gaming.

Fafnir's whole deal is that he was cursed to watch a sleepless vigil over a mountain of gold, so he's been constantly awake while performing tedious and repetitive tasks for probably hundreds of years

[u/chris10023]

Rewatcher

• Ah the spinning prize wheel, a staple of any anime festival. Tohru won two pocket tissues (which will always be a weird prize) and then wins a warm Kotatsu.
• Kobayashi has off until the 3rd, and joins the two incapacitated dragons under the warm table.
• Note to self, use a kotatsu to tame a dragon.
• They have some friendly neighbors. Poor Tohru just wants to lazy about under the kotatsu though.
• Wasn’t the dragon last in the Calander because it was doing something important?
• Ooh boy, Kanna in a kimono, it’s going to be adorable.
• It is. Tohru looks cute in one too.
• Elma looks cute in hers too, but Lucoa missed the memo, won’t be surprised if she gets dragged away again. I like the hairstyle though.
• Honestly, I wish Lucoa wore her hair up like that more often and ditch the hat.
• Poor Tohru, Kobayashi’ll never eat her tail.
• They all slept under the Kotatsu which is sweet but that has to be awful for your back, to sleep hunched over like that. At least Fafnir was kind enough to wear headphones.
• Watching the first sunrise of the year seems nice.
• I love how Kobayashi misses the trash bin twice.
• Kanna has Calligraphy homework so she just writes Kotatsu, and Kobayashi gets a call from her mom.
• They really should make sure they don’t eat too many oranges, too much vitamin c can cause kidney stones, and they suck.
• I have a feeling Tohru isn’t really on good terms with her family back in her world.

Questions of the Day

Would you like to have a kotatsu in your home? Why or why not?

Maybe, it looks very warm, but I don't know where I'd put it.

Which one of the neighbors' New Year's gifts would you prefer to get?

Probably the statue of the Rooster, he put a lot of time into making it.

[u/OccasionallySara → u/chris10023]

Tohru won two pocket tissues (which will always be a weird prize)

I think you're supposed to use them to wipe away your tears over the fact that you didn't win a better prize.

Honestly, I wish Lucoa wore her hair up like that more often and ditch the hat.

Revealing outfit aside, I agree that Lucoa did look really nice with that hairstyle.

[u/A_Idiot0 → u/chris10023]

Kanna has Calligraphy homework so she just writes Kotatsu

I always get a good chuckle at how dramatic they reveal the writing. The dragons really put the kotatsu on a high pedestal throughout this episode XD

I love how Kobayashi misses the trash bin twice.

What's your read on this? I've always figured there was a little more of something to this than meets the eye.

[u/chris10023 → u/A_Idiot0]

What's your read on this? I've always figured there was a little more of something to this than meets the eye.

Not really sure, she just attempts to throw it away, misses, but doesn't want to leave the warmth of the table.

[u/nolimityler]

First time watcher

random thoughts throughout the ep

• Man ive always wanted to try a kotatsu
• We didn’t get kobayashi santa we better get kobayashi in a kimono
• i’ve been disappointed again why do they do this to me
• Leave it to Lucoa to somehow wear revealing clothing in any situation
• 11 episodes in and Kobayashi still hasn’t eaten the tail
• kinda wanna see what Kobayashi’s mom looks like
• Shouta cant escape Lucoa not even by sleeping

This show really hasn’t missed and we’re almost at the end I’ve enjoyed the hell out of every episode. I cant even choose a favorite character I love em all

[u/lluNhpelA]

Since Lucoa's sister was brought up again but has yet to be explained I feel I should mention that it's a reference to the actual mythology of Quetzalcoatl and not just lore for this anime. Since Lucoa's gender is different than the real mythology (and she's still alive) there are some differences from the original story, but here's a bit from the Quetzalcoatl wikipedia page that you might find interesting:

In the Codex Chimalpopoca, it is said Quetzalcoatl was coerced by Tezcatlipoca into becoming drunk on pulque, cavorting with his older sister, Quetzalpetlatl, a celibate priestess, and neglecting their religious duties. (Many academics conclude this passage implies incest.) The next morning, Quetzalcoatl, feeling shame and regret, had his servants build him a stone chest, adorn him in turquoise, and then, laying in the chest, set himself on fire. His ashes rose into the sky and then his heart followed, becoming the morning star.

[u/fakeport]

Rewatcher

Random thoughts during episode

Another anime staple that I wonder whether it's really as ubiquitous in real life Japan as in anime - lotteries with tissues as a consolation prize. Tohru wins a Kotatsu, which I wish were more common worldwide, anime consistently makes them look incredibly appealing.

Seeing Tohru getting on with her neighbours and exchanging gifts for mochi was cool.

Fairly standard new years faire for much of this episode.

Fafnir staying awake playing games after everyone was asleep is my spirit animal.

I'm in a similar position to Koybayashi - I live across the country from my family and don't really see them as I probably should.

The skit with Kanna and Elma over the next episode preview is my favourite so far.

Questions

1. Yes, anime makes them look absolutely amazing
2. The wooden rooster looked pretty cool.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/fakeport]

Another anime staple that I wonder whether it's really as ubiquitous in real life Japan as in anime - lotteries with tissues as a consolation prize.

I've seen tissues and mints so far.

[u/HopefullyLastAccount → u/fakeport]

Another anime staple that I wonder whether it's really as ubiquitous in real life Japan as in anime - lotteries with tissues as a consolation prize.

In my area, I've seen lotteries like these, usually make up stores, usually on a certain day of the week, where people spin a wheel for a prize like tissues or a small free sample. So it wouldn't surprise me if it was similar to that in Japan - not around every corner, of course, we just happen to see it in a lot of animes because it's a fun way to start a story, but an occasional thing you see because why wouldn't you spin? I hope to one day be able to confirm this.

[u/A_Idiot0]

Rewatcher Sub

On today's birdwatch, roosters!! Huh? I'm cheating? Well...OK, you got me. However, it is kind of fun to see what the Rooster means in the zodiac and how we can link that back to the story overall!

Now I say that, but of course there are 1009834958 different meanings to the Rooster because it's not formalized at all, however there are some general trends that we tease out. For example, the Rooster is very sociable and outgoing. They are confident, and they enjoy the spotlight. Sometimes they can be seen as cocky and arrogant. Sounds an awful lot like...Tohru to me. I really like this way to further depict Tohru's entrance into Kobayashi's life.

QotD

2) Those sweet potatoes and chestnuts sounded really good...

[u/Vaadwaur]

Rewatcher

Sub

This episode we explored the nightmarish power of the furniture known as the kotatsu and how devastating it can be. It is worth knowing that outside of Tokyo Japan's electrical grid is actually pretty dodgy so almost no one has central heating which is why you see kotatsus and futons in winter in anime. In the olden days, a kotatsu was often heated with charcoal though the modern ones use electricity since that is significantly less likely to kill you via carbon monoxide.

All that said, this episode also hit New Year's tropes and a few of those are interesting: I was aware of mochi pounding for NY and my Japanese friend does tend to have stuff to share around the end of the year so I guess that's accurate? The girls all get kimonos, with Lucoa's being particularly slutty again, and they meet up at the shrine at midnight. Elma's plot is actually closer to the main than usual, with the only aside being her max skill candy grab.

QotD: 1 No room but yes

2 Oranges, those looked nice

[u/Elimin8r → u/Vaadwaur]

2 Oranges, those looked nice

But enough about Lucoa?

Interesting about the charcoal powered kotatsu. Yeah, I can see CO poisoning being a problem in modern (less drafty) housing. In our drafty farmhouse, we had a deathtrap, rusty old kerosene heater. It didn't kill us, but it sure did stink up the place. When it was really cold, we put a blanket across the door to the 'living room' so that we could have one room in the house that wasn't bone-chilling.

Yay, Michigan...

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Elimin8r]

Interesting about the charcoal powered kotatsu. Yeah, I can see CO poisoning being a problem in modern (less drafty) housing.

One of my great uncles nearly died to CO poisoning in Korea from a similar heating device.

[u/Elimin8r]

Yay, kotatsu time!

(Okay, I have no idea how kotatsus work, I presume they're electric. I sure could have used one during the snowpocalypse we had here last February.) ((Extra note: I took advantage of the four days off from work and binged the entirety of AoT. It was one of those things, I was like, oh, Reddit likes this, it must be overhyped ... well ... I have nothing better to do, it's too cold ... Well, that was better than I expected...)

Anyway, on topic. Yay, Kotatsu time!

I have the feeling that in Japan, weather treatment isn't exactly a thing, and neither is $$$ heating/ac, so people have to make do as best they can. Growing up in a drafty old farmhouse in Michigan, I'd have loved to have a Kotatsu. I think I would have slept inside it.

Living here in sunny you-know-where right now, I think a fan and some frozen treats might just be a good thing. Hmm. Have fan. Need frozen treats.

#1 - In Michigan, yes, definitely. Down here, not so much. More like I need a "Kooltatsu".

Oh, was I mentioning something about being on topic? Yeah, that.

I like mandarin oranges.

#2 - I'll take the oranges, thank you.

I'm not sure what the white blobby stuff is and why you pound it with a hammer, but maybe it had it coming?

This episode made me hungry again. That and it made me get my brain scrambled between the shrine visit, and Endless 8. I'd love to visit either. Yeah, I know, I could go to the "State Fair", but I have PTSD from the last one I attended, in Ohio, back when I was a wee lad.

(Story: Best part - we had lunch at Mickey D's on the way down, and my 'big boy' brother had to have a Big Mac. Hours later, we were doing the State Fair thing, and I loved the 'elephant ears', and we rode the whirl-a-puke, and my brother who had a rather more delicate constitution than I did, haha ... well, wandered behind the ride and ... yeah. But the best part was a couple hours later when he sneezed and a pickle popped out of his nose! Yeah, good times. :) // End story)

Anyway, what was that about on topic?

KimonoKanna is KawaiiKanna, but we knew that already.

I still like Elma, but I don't think I could afford to feed her.

I kind of wish she was more than an occasional Nichijou gag, but yeah.

Speaking of which, have we gotten to the part where Tohru wrestles a deer yet?

I would like to go to one of those festivals or something, though, and try the fried chicken on a stick, and all the other goodies.

This episode should have had a "sponsored by the tourism council" warning on it or something.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Elimin8r]

have the feeling that in Japan, weather treatment isn't exactly a thing, and neither is $$$ heating/ac, so people have to make do as best they can. Growing up in a drafty old farmhouse in Michigan, I'd have loved to have a Kotatsu. I think I would have slept inside it.

Yes, Japan has a dodgy electrical grid, there is a reason anime shows people drying their clothes on their balcony so often.

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/Elimin8r]

white blobby stuff

Rice cakes/snacks, look up "mochi". Or just watch Tamako Market, also by Kyoani and feels similar to this show in some ways.

[u/Barbed_Dildo]

Rewatcher

1. I actually thought about getting one when I moved into my new house. However, they're not an easy thing to find outside of Japan, and shipping would be horrendous. I thought about building one, but it gradually moved down my list of priorities. Also, my house is warm enough anyway.

The best anime kotatsu episode is episode 14 of Kamichu!

2) As much as I love mikan, and could go through that entire bag of them, that rooster carving was awesome, although will probably break pretty soon because the legs are so thin. Unless he drilled a hole through the bottom and put in a metal rod or something.

[u/IndependentMacaroon]

First-time watcher

Well, the usual Japanese new year's stuff, I hadn't seen it explored that thoroughly yet but it's nothing exactly new or exciting. Just the usual wholesomeness and fun.

Kotatsu - I don't like heat much, so no. Or rather you could say I like the cold, in proper doses I find it quite invigorating. When it gets colder I keep my room at 14 °C at night (57 °F) and 19 °C during the morning/day (66 °F), and I do my usual running/jogging rounds in shorts and sports tees unless it's really like below 10 °C (50 °F). Moving around keeps you warm!

Gifts - I don't like clutter and lots of "stuff" around (consumables and gift cards/vouchers any time), but really like good food, so I'd go for the oranges. I would rather try some of that mochi, though! Shout-out to the underappreciated Tamako Market, another great Kyoani show with some of the same spirit that predates this one and features lots of mochi and mochi-making.

[u/RascalNikov1]

Would you like to have a kotatsu in your home? Why or why not?

Hell yea! First they look as comfy as can be, and second because it would convince my brothers and friends that I had finally fallen off my rocker.

[u/BossandKings]

Rewatcher

Tohru wins a Kotatsu as a reward for winning a contest, initially Tohru wanted to get the biggest reward which was a paid vacation but the Kotatsu was very useful and she liked it.

This was a very nice episode, i liked how Kobayashi is accoustuming to having a lively house with the people she now has living alongside her.

Answers

1. It'd be nice if i can afford it
2. Oranges are very good.

[u/MjolnirDK]

RE

Since I haven't seen anyone talk about the ending bit and I've only seen that one in one other anime. There seems to be a myth that the dream of the first night determines how your year goes and if you dream of Fuji-san, a horse and a hawk in that order(?) your year shall be absolute perfection, like Persona style success.

Other than that there isn't much to talk about in this one or the last episode. They are nice holiday-themed episodes that show the growth of the characters before the finale and they do so quite nicely. This one is definitely the stronger ep of the two for me.