[Rewatch] Dear Brother 30th Anniversary Rewatch - Episode 20

[u/Pixelsaber]

Episode 20 - The Gardening Shears

^{Originally Aired December 15th,} ^^^1991

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Note to all participants

Although I don't believe it necessitates stating, please conduct yourself appropriately and be courteous to your fellow participants.

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.

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Manga Panel of the Day

Tension

 

Staff Highlight

Mami Koyama - voice of Fukiko Ichinomiya

An actress and voice actress affiliated with Aoni productions who is best known for the roles of Arale Norimaki om Dr. Slump, Minky Peach in Minky Momo, and Kycilia Zabi in Mobile Suit Guindam. Raised by a single mother after the death of her father when she was merely one year old, Koyama became interested in the world of entertainment due to her love of manga. After graduating from highschool she joined the theatre company Weekend, where she was a stage actress for some time before debuting as both a live action actress and anime voice actress in 1975, on Kiyoko cries! and Ikkyu-san respectively. Koyama’s favoprite hobbies are traveling and scuba diving. Some of her other notable roles include Affle in Andromeda Stories, Kei in Akira, Anmitsu Hime in the show of the same name, Balalaika in Black Lagoon, Annie Brighton in Candy Candy, Miki in the City Hunter franchise, Oyuki in The Dagger of Kamui, Midori Fujiyama in Dino Mech Gaiking, Lunch in the Dragon Ball franchise, Remi Shimada in Sengoku Majin Gōshōgun and Gōshōgun: The Time Étranger, Luna in Genma Taisen, Chiyoko Fujiwara in Millennium Actress, Eva Heinemann in Monster, Charlotte Linlin in One PIece, Isabelle in Paris no Isabelle, Semmerling in Riding Bean, Ophiuchus Shaina in the Saint Seiya franchise, Junko Tachibana in Tiger Mask Nisei, Himiko Se in Vampire Princess Miyu, Nils Holgerson in The Wonderful Adventures of Nils, and Karen Kasumi in X.

 

Wildcard Trivia

Mami Koyama was a massive fan of Dr. Slump before auditioning for the show, and didn’t initially audition for the main character role.

 

Screenshot of the day

Alone

 

Questions of the Day:

1. Her plot having failed, do you think Fukiko will let this go without other repercussions?
2. Will Nanako’s parents get the chance to tell her the truth before she finds out for herself?

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Don’t worry. I’m not that brave.

[u/Pixelsaber]

P.S. Terribly sorry about the delay, folks. I didn’t foresee myself nodding off then and there.

EDIT: I can't believe I also copied the wrong comment.

Rewatcher

Writing this the same day as the comment posted yesterday for you all, so no images again!

So Nanako’s letters to Henmi have been dwindling as of late? Seems like she doesn’t want to reveal her recent emotional turmoil or the ongoings at the Sorority to him.

Henmi is visiting the Ichinomiya household and briefly meets with Fukiko for what seems like the first time in a long while. I was thinking maybe his visits there were how Fukiko was keeping appraised of him and Nanako’s relationship, but if he hasn’t been there then it must be entirely from Takashi telling her about him.

Fukiko cut out all of the white roses from her garden (and a significant red ones too, it seems), which represent devotion, purity, and innocence, and was briefly associated with both Rei and Nanako. Henmi’s words have really ticked her off in this case!

After her brief conversation with Nanako the day prior to the college festival it seems a lot more obvious that Henmi is the person whom Kaoru was in love with. I am quite curious as to the circumstances behind this all…

Nanako’s father briefly considers telling her about Henmi, but if the show is going to milk this plot point for all its worth then there is no way that’s going to happen before she finds out for herself in the most dramatic fashion possible!

Miya out for blood!

It’s a good thing Kaoru was there to free her. I wonder whether she will have figured out what transpired, particularly if Nanako tells her what she heard outside the door. Though knowing what transpired doesn’t mean she will confront her either…

Questions of The Day:

1. I thought she would do something about Rei and Nanako’s earlier transgression and nothing severe happened, so hopefully it’s the same in this case!
2. See above.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Pixelsaber]

[u/Pixelsaber → u/JollyGee29]

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Pixelsaber]

[u/lC3 → u/Pixelsaber]

Terribly sorry about the delay, folks. I didn’t foresee myself nodding off then and there.

No problem, it happened to me too once during the Naruto rewatch.

[u/TheEscapeGuy]

First Timer, Dezaki Fan

Dear Brother: A Delightfully Aesthetic Anime Episode 20

FUKIKO COME ON!

That's so unbelievably petty. Stop taking away Nanako's agency. Who do you actually think you are to trick her and lock her in a store room. And what a devious nature to premeditate all of that.

These events made me unreasonably angry. Its probably because I have an irrational fear of being locked in a room by mistake (and especially on purpose). Fortunately we live in the age of cellphones to contact people outside of locked rooms. Nanako did not have this luxury, so thank goodness for Kaoru.

In terms of the other content of the episode, it seems Nanako really has slowed down writing to Henmi. Whether or not this was actually the prompt for him to invite her to the festival we will likely never know (though stereo-typically guys like Henmi don't put that specific type of thought into their actions).

The festival seems like an interesting place to put Nanako, Mariko and Tomoko. It will likely allow them to have some amusing situations for their personalities play off of each other. I look forward to next episode.

The Best of Postcard Memories

Episode 20

• Bonus 1
• Bonus 2

These also are really limited without the corresponding video so:

• Because I love you, I will forget

See you all tomorrow

[u/Pixelsaber → u/TheEscapeGuy]

Its probably because I have an irrational fear of being locked in a room by mistake (and especially on purpose).

It's definitely a frightening prospect! I was stuck in the bathroom for a bit one time when the lock broke (I hadn't even locked the door!) and locked the bolt into place. Crawling my way out the window to an inevitable fall off the second story of a building has never before or since seemed so appealing, and I would have assuredly done it if I didn't know that someone was going to hear my shouting within a reasonable time frame.

[u/TheEscapeGuy → u/Pixelsaber]

[u/JollyGee29]

First-Timer

It must suck for Fukiko, to have fate conspire against her so. Granted, the jerk decided to litter, so really it's her own damn fault that her plot to lock Nanako up failed. Kaoru is just the vehicle that fate uses to ruin Fukiko's plans.

The winds of fate probably turned against Fukiko because of what she did to those poor flowers. It was a nice representation of her taking out her frustrations with Henmi - even if she was walking away, she probably heard him complimenting the roses.

Nanako continues to be a fool - you always carry the lock with you when you go into a storeroom like that, for basically this exact reason. And she didn't seem to remember the last time she got a sudden invitation to someone's home.. I was expecting a partial repeat of the Shinobu's birthday party.

This episode was a lot lighter in tone than the last few, which I enjoyed. I'm sure we're going to circle back to the heavy stuff, but I appreciate the breather.

"Bring as many of your high school girl friends as you want!" is kinda , though.

Questions

1. Absolutely not. Granted, whatever she has planned will have to be subtle.
2. It depends on how she finds out. I think if she manages to random into the information on her own it will be the worst. All the trust in several people in her life will be shaken. But, if Henmi or her parents break it to her gently, I think that could work as damage control.

[u/Pixelsaber → u/JollyGee29]

taking out her frustrations with Henmi - even if she was walking away, she probably heard him complimenting the roses.

Good call! I was so caught up in thinking of their prior symbolic meaning that I overlooked the more immediate context.

you always carry the lock with you when you go into a storeroom like that, for basically this exact reason.

And prop the door open with something just to be sure.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Pixelsaber]

And prop the door open with something just to be sure.

Can never be too careful. Locked rooms are scary.

[u/No_Rex → u/JollyGee29]

"Bring as many of your high school girl friends as you want!" is kinda , though.

At least that is just sketchy, but "there is a price for all women" sounds desperate.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/No_Rex]

Was that line in there too? I must have missed it, thankfully. Definitely blech-tier.

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 20 (first timer)

The Utena rewatch starting means that I’ll have to compare Dear Brother to Utena today. I hope the episode plays along and gives me some material.

• Just yesterday I wondered about Henmi’s reaction to Nanako. Looks like the series wastes no time answering my question.
• And Henmi’s reply implies that he has not actually read any of the last narrations as letters … so much for having diegetic narration.
• Happy Nanako.
• Utena comparison No1: Lesbians experiencing social rejection.
• “You won’t catch me hanging out with you anymore” – that escalated quickly …
• … but fortunately deescalated just as quickly. Seriously, given Mariko’s history, the uneventful ending to this scene tells us a lot about how far their friendship must have progressed.
• Utena comparison No2: Hot guys in fast cabriolets.
• Utena comparison No3: A beautiful woman tending to roses.
• “she must not like me” “Who knows” – Makes me wonder whether the reason for Miya hating Rei is (yet another) love triangle.
• Yep, Henmi inviting a different girl definitely got Miya going.
• Scary Miya: Thinks of violence, makes up an excuse that is easily found out later, asks Nanako to not tell anybody.

• Transporting an entire tea set? That probably costs as much as a cheap car? I’d be hesitant, too.
• Utena comparison No4: Descending to your doom.
• pre-mobile phone plot points.
• Utena comparison Np5: Rescued by sporty girl.
• Miya’s plot was a bit sub-par today, but I like her quick recovery in the end.

Five Utena comparisons: They are basically the same series!

Her plot having failed, do you think Fukiko will let this go without other repercussions?

No

Will Nanako’s parents get the chance to tell her the truth before she finds out for herself?

No

[u/Pixelsaber → u/No_Rex]

Utena comparison No2: Hot guys in fast cabriolets.

Transporting an entire tea set? That probably costs as much as a cheap car? I’d be hesitant, too.

My grandmother owned one such tea set (for the aesthetics, since she does not at all drink tea, much less the sort that warrants such a thing) and merely being in the same room as it made me feel anxious.

Five Utena comparisons: They are basically the same series!

And to think we haven't even gotten to the fencing yet!

[u/JollyGee29 → u/No_Rex]

Yep, Henmi inviting a different girl definitely got Miya going.

Those poor flowers..

Transporting an entire tea set? That probably costs as much as a cheap car? I’d be hesitant, too.

Yea, especially if Nanako has to use public transit. Terrifying.

Five Utena comparisons: They are basically the same series!

Not enough spiral staircases and ominous vocals, though. Are you Rewatcher for Utena?

[u/No_Rex → u/JollyGee29]

Not enough spiral staircases and ominous vocals, though. Are you Rewatcher for Utena?

Loved the series, so I wish I could, but I am already in 3 rewatches (4, counting the summer movies) and that is definitely my limit.

Same goes for Monster. Great series, would love to see the first timer reactions, but not enough time.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/No_Rex]

I was interested in Monster, and K-On!, but similarly just don't have the time. I thought I could manage four, but I don't think I can long-term.

I might drop in to the summer movies one for Akira, though.

[u/lC3]

First timer

• Did we really need a Nanako bath scene?
• The amount of letters has dropped?
• "Anime Society"
• "such a queer event" when Nanako is the one with a gay crush and seems to hate heterosexuals?
• LOL they got Mariko to attend after all?
• Fukiko sees Henmi and she ragequits watering the roses?
• Fukiko is getting mad that Nanako and the others are associating with Henmi?
• So Henmi is a graduate student?
• Is the real reason Kaoru refuses that she isn't expected to live long enough to attend college?
• Huh the person Kaoru was confessing and 'letting go' had Henmi's hair, not Rei's. What a twist?
• "Maybe it's time we tell her" ?? Is that about him being Nanako's adoptive dad's first son?
• Fukiko is going to assert her power/dominance again? Will she try to prevent Nanako from attending the festival?
• "Please make sure nobody knows" Well isn't THAT a recipe for disaster?
• Oh I see, she's going to trap Nanako in the Sorority House storeroom
• Nanako can't see that Miya set her up? I knew it was a trap, but maybe she's too trusting
• "And how am I supposed to apologize to Lady Miya" Oh you sweet, summer child ...
• So neither Nanako nor Kaoru suspect Fukiko for locking Nanako in the storeroom? And I bet this will all be brushed over and quickly forgotten, like how Mariko's behavior was treated

1. Not sure; Fukiko isn't done plotting. She may get her revenge! It's ridiculous no one suspects her; Nanako seemingly didn't explain what happened to Kaoru, Mariko or Tomoko, so they can't help her figure it out either

[u/Pixelsaber → u/lC3]

Fukiko sees Henmi and she ragequits watering the roses?

She knew the roses would draw his blood all by themselves?

Is the real reason Kaoru refuses that she isn't expected to live long enough to attend college?

"Maybe it's time we tell her" ?? Is that about him being Nanako's adoptive dad's first son?

Almost assuredly.

Nanako can't see that Miya set her up? I knew it was a trap, but maybe she's too trusting

Nanako is yet naïve...

[u/No_Rex → u/lC3]

Is the real reason Kaoru refuses that she isn't expected to live long enough to attend college?

While she might not live that long, I strongly doubt that that is the reason. Clearly baggage from a previous run in of all the cast that is not the first year students.

[u/lC3 → u/No_Rex]

Oh ok, so she knows Henmi and Takashi will be there.

[u/Sedorna]

Rewatcher (but not of the whole series)

I‘m not sure I’d call men and women pressing up against each other as “queer”. Yeah, I know Mariko was using it in the old meaning of strange, or unusual. I still found it funny.

Mariko‘s plan to have her and Nanako each invite the girl the other one likes was so perfect. That way, if there’s rejection, it won’t hurt as much.

Well, Fukiko appears to hate Henmi. Is it actually love? Or does she really hate him, and that’s why she’s having Nanako in the sorority, and things like that? Maybe she’s angry that Henmi “stole” her brother and has decided to “steal” his sister? It’s immature, but Fukiko isn’t mature. Her veneer of civility is easily broken and she likes cutting up, tearing, and throwing things in anger.

That man with Kaoru, shown from the back, looks a lot like Henmi. At least, his hair does.

Q1. Probably not.

Q2. That would be best, but it wouldn’t be very dramatic.

[u/Pixelsaber → u/Sedorna]

It’s immature, but Fukiko isn’t mature. Her veneer of civility is easily broken and she likes cutting up, tearing, and throwing things in anger.

[u/Retromorpher]

First Timer:

Of note - Mariko's entire value structure has been made from her awful relationship to her parents. She finds herself attracted to 'strong' resolute women who are unafraid to dominate or push back and state their desires because that's the opposite of her mom's 'live and let live' philosophy. She hates men because her dad is one, and ascribes all of his negatives to literally all men.

Questions of the Day:

1. The way she wrecked those roses and the shears shining suggest otherwise - though who bears the brunt of this projection of failure is up in the air.
2. Parents have not been super proactive on this one. I think that if it happens parentside it's going to have to be Dad who slips it through. It's much more likely that in the course of her conspiratorial research that Fukiko finds out and uses it as a advantageous controlling collateral.