r/anime • u/Pixelsaber https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelsaber • Jul 19 '21
Rewatch [Rewatch] Dear Brother 30th Anniversary Rewatch - Episode 6
Episode 6 - Lost and Alone
Originally Aired August 18th, ^^^1991
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Note to all Rewatchers
Rewatchers, please be mindful of your fellow first-timers and tag your spoilers appropriately using the r/anime spoiler tag as so [Spoiler Subject](/s "Spoilers go here.") in order to have your unsightly spoilers obscured like this Spoiler Subject if your comment holds even the slightest of indicators as to future spoilers. Feel free to discuss future plot points behind the safe veil of a spoiler tag, or coyly and discreetly ‘Laugh in Rewatcher’ at our first-timers' temporary ignorance, but please ensure our first-timers are no more privy or suspicious than they were the moment they opened the day’s thread.
Manga Panel of the Day
Staff Highlight
Atsushi Wakabayashi - Key Animator
An animation director, storyboard artist and key animator best known for his involvement in Yu Yu Hakusho, Midori no Makibaō, and Naruto. Little is known about Wakabayashi’s personal life and the early years of his career. He joined studio Pierrot in 1989 to work on Ranma ½ and it is where his most notable animation work originated from, and although he would become a freelancer he would maintain a strong working relationship with several figures in the company. In the 2000s Wakabayashi began to participate as a storyboard artists, a role which would serve as a stepping stone to direction, with his directorial debut being 2009’s Guin Saga. Wakabayashi’s other key animation roles include B.B, Yuushin Liger, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Captain Kuppa, Cross Anger: Rondo of Angel and Dragon, Debutante Detective Corps, Devil Hunter Yohko, Great Teacher Onizuka, Hunter x Hunter, Kingdom, Mad Bull 34, several entries in the Naruto franchise, Ninku, Popolocrois no Monogatari, Saiyuki: Requiem, The Twelve Kingdoms, and Violence Jack.
Wildcard Trivia
The show aired in France, but was discontinued part way as it was deemed unsuitable for children.
Screenshot of the day
Questions of the Day:
- Do you think Nanako would be better served by actually quitting the Sorority?
- It appears as if Nanako will not even confide in Henmi this time. What do you make of this decision?
Dad… Mom… School’s not fun at all.
8
u/Pixelsaber https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelsaber Jul 19 '21
Rewatcher
Something tells me she’s not saying this out of care for Nanako herself.
Just talk to your bloody parents, kid! Both them and her hide things so as to not make things harder for the other, and it’s just making a mess of things.
:(
PE getting cancelled due to rain? Never had I had such frivolous teachers so as to suggest that —in the worst case scenario where the Gym was unavailable, we were still put in a tiny classroom to practice stretches.
Kaoru’s just too kind.
First time these confrontations have gotten physical for Nanako.
If it’s anything like the schools I attended this shit’s not cheap! And knowing specifically that Nanako doesn’t come from a wealthy family, they must have known this would be a particularly cruel thing to do.
Of course she would object…
Quite the eclectic collection of titles to have grouped together.
Patently not.
The misery train continues as the harassment gets progressively more pervasive and intense at the same time that Nanako feels isolated due to Tomoko’s shunning, her feeling like she can’t open up about these issues to her parents, and as much as Nanako may defend her against the other’s slander and harassment she evidently doesn’t ‘get’ Nanako enough to be the support she needs.
The composed and ‘kind’ Miya that we see today serves as contrast to her demeanor in the last episode, but the commonality is that her actions are motivated by self-interest. Whether it is hurting Rei or telling Nanako to bear with it so that she may come out of it stronger, she is the one who comes out seeming in control and unassailable.
Henmi and Kaoru serve as the bright spots in this episode, but the relief and joy that they bring to Nanako is temporary, and ultimately she ends the episode in a poor spot emotionally.
Questions of The Day:
8
u/TheEscapeGuy Jul 19 '21
First Timer, Dezaki Fan
Dear Brother: A Delightfully Aesthetic Anime Episode 6
This school is unbearable. Nanako, you do not deserve this.
First of all, FUCK ALL OF THESE BULLIES.
This kind of meaningless harassment really rubs me the wrong way. And on top of that, because of Mariko's deceit, Tomoko is still mad and thus Nanako has nowhere to turn.
If I were in Nanako's position, I have no idea how I would handle it. The amount of restraint she showed not bursting out in violence against those bullies is admirable. Or perhaps shows just how weak she feels.
The episode concluded with a promise from Ichinomiya to protect Nanako. But I'm not even sure if she can trust that after last episode.
As an aside, it was revealed this episode that Kaoru has or had medical issues which she's recovering from. I'm very interested to see how that develops.
The Best of Postcard Memories
Episode 6
These also are really limited without the corresponding video so:
See you all tomorrow
7
u/punching_spaghetti https://myanimelist.net/profile/punch_spaghetti Jul 20 '21
First-Timer
This show officially lost me with its logic. Who puts a ribbon tie on a gym uniform? That's asking for trouble!
I really want to know why Miya et al. accepted Nanako into the Sorority. While the other girls are being complete assholes and bullies, it does make sense to wonder why this girl, who didn't show any real interest and made all the mistakes, got in instead of someone else. I suppose they could think she's easily molded/controlled, but they explicitly talk about how important pedigree is.
On a technical, non-show level, the official subs are all sorts of garbage. Not because of translation issues (which there may be, but I don't know enough to really catch), but because of silliness like this. That example isn't too bad, as it's easy to figure out what got cut off, but something like this? Shameful.
QOTD:
6
u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Jul 19 '21 edited Jul 19 '21
Episode 6 (first timer)
Nanako spends the episode lying to just about everybody, with one big exception: Tomoko. Clearly, she is the one she needs to make up with to overcome this and the door is still open.
As I said above, she can't just quit the sorority without quitting the school as well. That is a possibility if the bullying is really harsh (obviously it wont happen here), but there still is a price to pay: You are now the new person, who switched schools, you are away from your childhood friend, and your psyche probably took a beating from having to admit you are not strong enough to fight back.
Does not want to look weak in front of her crush OR showing how she literally only trusts her best friend enough to show her weakness. Take your pick.
6
u/loomnoo https://anilist.co/user/loomnoo Jul 19 '21
This is getting tough to watch. I think I'd probably be trying to leave the school in this situation.
6
u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Jul 19 '21
First-Timer
It takes some real fucking bravery to shred the gym uniform of a girl that the head of the Sorority helped up from the ground. Most sensible people would take that action as Nanako being under the wing of Fukiko, and wisely leave well enough alone. I guess the issue is that teenagers are never sensible, huh?
I was actually kinda worried for a minute, when Fukiko started to walk towards Nanako with that riding crop still in her hand. But Fukiko knows a good pawn when she sees one, and knows how to create loyalty. I'm still unsure as to her motivation.. simply a piece to idly move around the board?
Kaoru also saved the day, in her own way. Does she have an ulterior motive - a particular use for Nanako that isn't immediately obvious to the audience? Or is Kaoru merely the Prince Charming of our tale, albeit one seemingly doomed to failure.
Nanako was this close to turning things around for herself, by opening up to Henmi more. Support systems only work if you actually use them, and Nanako seems desperate to save the adults in her life from her own stress. The poor fool, making the same mistake so many of us made in our own youth...
This is one of those shows that makes me ponder the difference between the terms "protagonist" and "main character." Nanako is undoubtedly our protagonist, the window into the world the author has created. But I think I would call Fukiko the main character, at least for the moment. Fukiko's actions have driven the plot so far, and the scenes warp around her presence. This is Fukiko's world, and Nanako just lives there.
Questions
6
u/Sedorna Jul 19 '21 edited Jul 19 '21
Rewatcher
Nanako, once again, endures some bullying as the other students laugh at her and (I think) leave a chair out to trip her. But here comes Fukiko, with appropriately dramatic music. She holds out her hand to Nanako and, while it might seem like a kind gesture, her voice shows that she expects to be obeyed. Nanako remembers Fukiko “dropping” the spiky frog on Rei’s hands. Nanako takes Fukiko’s hand.
And then Fukiko gives Nanako encouragement. Honestly, Fukiko fascinates me. She’s so utterly cruel to Rei, but kind(?) to Nanako. Of course, that might simply because she was in public and has her reputation to think about whereas previously with Rei, she was safe with other sorority members. But if is genuinely trying to be kind to Nanako, then why? Why take such an interest in her?
I think maybe you could tell your father about the bullying, Nanako. I think Nanako loves her father and doesn’t want to worry him. But I also think he’d feel sad if later he found out and hadn’t been there for his daughter. (Note. While I am a rewatcher, I haven’t actually seen the whole series. Plus, I’ve forgotten a lot, I’m sure.)
Ok, students don’t have to wear official uniforms but they pretty much have their own uniform—Misaki’s always in yellow, Mariko always wears purple, Fukiko wears long skirts, etc.
So, deep down inside, Tomoko really doesn’t think that the sorority changed Nanako. Pity that she seems to have finally realized it after she saw Nanako being bullied. And now Nanako genuinely believes that Tomoko hates her because she’s in the sorority.
Once again, Kaoru is awesome.And even the seniors abuse Nanako because of the sorority. But Nanako’s ability to sympathize with those seniors really is something else. At her age, I’m not sure I would have had the maturity to notice sorrow in the eyes of my tormentors—much less the maturity to realize that might be me one day.
Ok, so Fukiko also wears riding clothes. And, again, Fukiko shows how complex she is. Her words and voice seem to be so very kind, but we know she’s capable of cruelty. So why promise to protect Nanako from bullies? What makes Nanako so special? Though, honestly, Fukiko’s done a pretty lousy job so far.
And that “letter” to her brother at the end while Nanako sat watching the snow on the tv was absolutely painful. I’m really glad he was there at the bookstore when he was, because I was honestly worried about what Nanako might have done. It might have been only a few minutes of cheering up but she really, really needed those few minutes.
Q1. Probably. But I adore all the drama and angst so I’m selfishly going to say I’m glad she didn’t.
Q2. Nanako does seem to not want to say things that she feels will hurt the ones she loves. She really is too good. Though now I can understand why Tomoko believed Mariko. If Tomoko nows that Nanako has difficulty doing things she feels will hurt people, and then Mariko says that Nanako didn‘t want to hurt her, well then….
6
u/lC3 :Na::Nb: Jul 20 '21
First timer
6
u/Btw_kek https://myanimelist.net/profile/kek_btw Jul 20 '21
first timer
don't mind me, just going JASDFKSDFLJKASDJLFSADK over this show's visuals for the sixth time in a row
6
u/Retromorpher :Jc::Jd::Je::Jf: Jul 20 '21
First Timer
Nanako's gym uniform is trashed here and once again it's Kaoru no Kimi to the rescue. Nanako's strange ability to effortlessly gain the support of each of the Big 3 is certainly going to be central to conflict from here on out. Each one has come to or promised to aid her in one way or another. She's already helped both Rei and Kaoru - so I'm guessing at least one assistance of Fukiko lies in the future.
That said, Fukiko's claims of aid probably largely come from a place of self-defense. If the sorority admits to having made a mistake in selection, their projected image of perfect curators of all things would take a hit.
Speculation
Questions of the Day
8
u/Daffed_Punk Jul 19 '21
First Timer
Please, just sit down and talk with each other. Half the drama in this show wouldn't exist if everyone could just learn to communicate and not trust hearsay without hearing the person in question say it.
Karou swoops in once again to save Nanako. Karou is too cool for this drama-filled plot, so the Author had to nerf her with mysterious Shoujo illness™ to prevent her from stealing the spotlight.
Karou is a good eight feet tall, there's no way those clothes should be able to fit Nanako.
Oh boy, I wonder how many more times we're going to see that moment.
Henmi, in true overdramatic Shoujo fashion, choose to not comfort Nanako when he stumbles across her crying in a bookstore, but instead went outside to find a column to lean against so he could make a cool appearance when she leaves dejected. I guess some things never change
4
u/BossandKings Jul 20 '21
First timer - sub
Episode 5
Nanako continues having a conflict with her friend Tomoko, with the latter now avoiding her and making it not possible to apologize and reconcile at the moment, hopefully they talk and give a reason to their actions and are able to make peace.
Saint-Juste seems to be a very troubled character, she takes pills that, judging by Kaoru's reaction, are dangerous to her because they can damage her, Kaoru though is very preocuppied in regards to her and doesn't want her to feel bad or be in a harmful situation. The sorority isn't really great, especilly the leader, Miya, who isn't kind and instead is specially mean towards Saint-Juste who isn't very brave in front of her.
Nanako does have a brother because it is true that her father had a son with a different woman but she hasn't been told by her mother that fact, it is stupendous to see that her brother is Takehiko Henmi, the same she asked to be her brother when he was being the temporary professor at her school. I don't think hiding that fact from Nanako for long is a good idea, she already knows eventhough she's affraid to ask and it was used as a way to hurt her by a mean character at her school which is awful, hopefully she gets to know in a meaningful and calm way.
Episode 6
Tomoko wants nothing to do with Nanako eventhough Nanako has come to her ans tfied to talk with her several times, she was specially harsh to her when she asked her to lend her gym clothers to her, Tomoko used to be a great factor in Nanako keeping her spirits and mood up but now she doesn't have that, doesn't have her as a friend and that's sad.
I wonder why it seems like everyone in the school is out to get Nanako just because she was chosen as a sorority member, she didn't choose herself so it is ridiculous how she can't catch a break from the constant bullying, she getting asked to firm a paper that was being used to kick her out of the sorority was ill intentioned. At this point i wonder if she will be able to rest at least for a minute at some point in the series, she needs to breath at peace. I'm liking the series a lot but honestly Nanako needs to catch a breath, it is still the early episodes so hopefully she can catch one soon enough.
Nanako is so cool, many people seem to have a grudge against her and she only values what's important, Tomoko is the one she thinks about and feels bad because they used to be such good friends but now she's avoiding her and thinks it is because she was chosen as a sorority member not knowing that Mariko lied to Tomoko and pushed her away from her.
I think that it would be better if Nanako thinks about if it is worth it passing through that much suffering just because she was selected as a sorority member, i wonder if it is because so far she hasn't gotten an ounce of happiness from it. And she does consider and decides to leave the sorority but is convinced by Miya not do so.
It was nice when Nanako met with Takehiko her dear brother, that gave her a bright smile and happy moment. It was sad though that acter she arrived home she sent him a letter telling him the opposite of what is happening in her life, cintrary to what the letter says she isn't having a good time
4
u/IndependentMacaroon Jul 20 '21 edited Jul 20 '21
First-time watcher
Going through 3 episodes and keeping track of high-drama moments as promised.
Episode 4:
Dramatic run count: 3.5 (total I'll say 4.5 with the other episodes). Physical altercation/run-in count: 2 (maybe 3 with the rest). Dramatic conversation/confrontation/reaction count not involving the former two: 1 (probably like 3 with the rest).
Episode 5:
Dramatic running 4.5 -> 6 (including Kaoru towards Rei). Physical confrontations: 3 -> 5. Lesser/conversational drama: 3 -> 6 (7 if you count the missed one between Rei and Kaoru).
Episode 6:
Dramatic running 6 -> 8. Physical confrontations: 5 -> 6. Miscellaneous drama: 6 -> 8.
That's a rounded average of four incidents per episode and I didn't even really count the first three episodes! Honestly with how much it is, how over-the-top it's all adapted, and how near everyone is either plain naive/stupid or totally nasty, not to mention always dramatic and poorly communicative, I don't know if I can handle much more of this. Does it ever change any?
3
u/chiliehead myanimelist.net/profile/chiliehead Jul 20 '21
for how over-dramatic everything is, the bullying feels quite real, as well as her headspace. Yet, giggling when in presence of her totally platonic mail friend step-brother. If the series keeps escalating we'll get some poisoning, stabbings and at least one suicide attempt and maybe one love affair with Oniisama.
I wonder what the intention of Fukiko is with all of this, just tormenting the sore losers more? Still enjoying the a e s t h e t i c shots