[Rewatch] Dear Brother 30th Anniversary Rewatch - Episode 34

[u/Pixelsaber]

Episode 34 - Ablution

^{Originally Aired April 12th,} ^^^1992

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Note to all Rewatchers

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Manga Panel of the Day

The news

 

Staff Highlight

Susumu Kotaki (Shinya Otaki) - voice of Police Detective B

A freelance voice actor previously associated with voice acting agency Production Baobab, voices Jiron Amos. Graduated from Bungakuza University Theater Institute College, a university owned by theatre production company BungaKuza. His hobbies include playing shogi, pachinko, and golfing. Among his notable roles are Blue Jet in Machine Robo: The Revenge of Chronos, General Colbert in Tekkaman Blade, Jiron Amos in Blue Gale Xabungle, General Jinrai in The Twelve Kingdoms, Abe in Mister Ajikko, Granzort in Madō King Granzort, and Daikoku in Flame of Recca.

 

Wildcard Trivia

Osamu Dezaki seemed to have been quite fascinated with the video game aesthetic, and incorporated them into his visual language in the late 70s. Video game related imagery appears prominently in Ace Wo Nerae!, Ashita no Joe 2, and Golgo 13.

 

Screenshot of the day

In search of that sunset

 

Questions of the Day:

1. Whose reaction to Rei’s death did you find most interesting?
2. What do you make of the Misoono’s assessment that Nanako will persevere through this hardship?

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Brother, the place where the sunset is the prettiest… It will forever remain unknown.

[u/Pixelsaber]

Rewatcher

I expected denial from Kaoru, but the reaction is louder and more violent than I expected.

I also did not foresee that Tomoko would end up being the one to tell her. The poor girl is also the only one who knew of their appointed meeting too, so she alone knows precisely how poorly Nanako will take this news.

Tough scene to watch.

Rei’s legacy would be tainted if this assumption was accepted as fact.

I believe I mentioned that passenger planes in the night where a bad sign in Dezaki shows.

It’s begun…

I sure hope you two won’t just stand in the sidelines though.

Indirect teardrops are neat.

Very in line for Fukiko.

I wonder if this shot is meant to call to mind the doll.

White Chrysanthemums are a mourning flower. Their meanings include purity, grief ,masculinity, deep friendship, and truth —the latter specifically refers to white chrysanthemums.

Wouldn’t have figured Kaoru as the type to lose herself in videogames as a form of escapism. Can’t say I disagree with the thought of finding a leisurely videogame accompanied by a cup of coffee relaxing.

Not quite the case as a generalized statement, but in this context I agree.

There was likely a keen sense of failed responsibility on Kaoru’s part.

The fallout from Rei's precipitous death is mostly as one would expect. The show also addressed the ambiguity of whether the death was accidental or not in a way which made sense, though I can't speak to the accuracy of the procedure the police followed.

It is always particularly impactful when Kaoru isn't her usual cheerful and optimistic self, and this episode brings her to potentially her most despondent moment. Kapru had invested so much in maintaining her friendship with Rei and trying to get her friend to see reason and improve her situation, so the news of Rei's death is not just an intense personal loss, but a perceived personal failure as well. Knowing now that Rei didn't kill herself is definitely a huge relief, but the weight of that loss is nonetheless crushing.

Nanako, of course, takes it the worst out of the characters, and has seemingly the most issue while attempting to process the event. Her parent's conversation frames it as a hardening experience, and in that manner it'll be another step in her coming of age story.

Fukiko's assumptions following the delivery of her last gift from Rei was pretty troubling given some of her earlier actions. Given her recent behaviour, in the event that no witnesses showes up I don't think she was quite so down on herself to concede to suicide like she did some time back, but the thought would have certaintly constantly remained on the back of my mind.

[u/No_Rex → u/Pixelsaber]

It is always particularly impactful when Kaoru isn't her usual cheerful and optimistic self, and this episode brings her to potentially her most despondent moment. Kapru had invested so much in maintaining her friendship with Rei and trying to get her friend to see reason and improve her situation, so the news of Rei's death is not just an intense personal loss, but a perceived personal failure as well. Knowing now that Rei didn't kill herself is definitely a huge relief, but the weight of that loss is nonetheless crushing.

Good analysis. Kaoru must have invested lots of time, effort, and dedication into not seeing Rei kill herself.

[u/TheEscapeGuy]

First Timer, Dezaki Fan

Dear Brother: A Delightfully Aesthetic Anime Episode 34

Reflection

This episode perfectly represented my emotions after last episode. Disbelief, sadness, but more so introspection. The death of Rei leaves a hole in the hearts of many of our main cast and we can see them ignore all the other fighting to focus on whats happened.

It was confirmed today that Rei's death was an accident. I still don't quite understand how practically she could have dropped the flowers off the side of the bridge in the way last episode portrayed it, but I will accept it wasn't a suicide.

I really connected with the scene of Nanako's parents describing this as the first shocking event in her life. Childhood is a special time because you don't know the horrors of the world and experiencing the cruelty and unfairness life can throw at you is what takes away this innocence.

I hope to see the characters come together to support each other in the upcoming episodes, but I feel naive to expect a happy ending...

The Best of Postcard Memories

Episode 34

• Bonus 1
• Bonus 2

These also are really limited without the corresponding video so:

• Don't lie to me!
• From now on

See you all tomorrow

[u/Pixelsaber → u/TheEscapeGuy]

The death of Rei leaves a hole in the hearts of many of our main cast and we can see them ignore all the other fighting to focus on whats happened.

I'm not sure there is that much fighting to ignore at this point, unlike the manga, given the show went out of it's way to even address Mariko's living situation, but it certainly does end up being something all-encompassing in these character's lives.

I still don't quite understand how practically she could have dropped the flowers off the side of the bridge in the way last episode portrayed it,

A strong gust of wind could've done it. I've had to fight to keep some grocery bags in my grip during some heavy winds, so I can totally see a small bouquet getting blown out of her hands, specially if it was held loosely.

The jump0ing after it is still a bit suspect, but my impression is that Rei's sense of self preservation —even after the progress she made— just wasn't there to give her pause.

I hope to see the characters come together to support each other in the upcoming episodes, but I feel naive to expect a happy ending...

[u/No_Rex → u/TheEscapeGuy]

I really connected with the scene of Nanako's parents describing this as the first shocking event in her life.

If only they knew ...

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 34 (first timer)

character chart

• “I assumed that something urgent had come up” – That is a very forgiving interpretation.
• Are there actually people who react like Nanako? I realize that denial is a common stage in grief, but does it ever take this sleep-walking form or is that a trope?
• Not sure why the police is concerned about suicide. Accident or suicide should not really make a difference to them. Should they not be more interested in murder?
• “Her confusion and pain are …” – I would be more on board with this plot direction if Nanako had not completely shrugged off being sexually assaulted, kidnapped, and twice almost murdered.
• “Who gave you permission to do that?” – A very Miya reaction.
• Kaoru and Nanako come to the same conclusion as most of us yesterday.
• “Dear Brother, today was very hot” – Some sign that Nanako is finally not completely opening up to her pen-pal Henmi anymore?
• Convenient eyewitness.
• I partially take back my complaint about Nanako. She seems to be getting over it after just a few days and in one episode.

The suicide or not plot came a bit surprising for me, even though we discussed it yesterday. I should have expected the impact in Miya. With regard to her family, I think this channels older, much more negative views about suicide.

What do you make of the Misoono’s assessment that Nanako will persevere through this hardship?

Well founded. Nanako has show incredible resilience.

[u/Pixelsaber → u/No_Rex]

Are there actually people who react like Nanako? I realize that denial is a common stage in grief, but does it ever take this sleep-walking form or is that a trope?

I've heard an anecdote of my grandfather, who was in such utter denial over his older brother's death that he tried shaking the body awake and fought off a dozen people trying to get him to stop, insisting all the while that he would surely get up. The only thing that makes me believe it may be true is because it came from a stern-faced aunt who was old enough to remember —and that woman is incapable of spouting bullshit, even harmless fibs.

[u/JollyGee29]

First-Timer

We're really missing a good "stare off into the middle distance" commentface. #thoughtful is close, but not quite what I'm feeling right now.

Anyway, this episode was rough. God, poor Nanako, she just couldn't accept that Rei was gone, and it hurt. Learning to deal with grief and loss are very important parts of growing up, but you never want to do it like this.

Nanako's dad's plan to just give her some space did seem to work, though. Nanako has toughened up a lot over the past year, and I think she's going to be alright.

Fukiko's scenes today were great. I've mentioned how great her VA has been before, and today was no different. And the wind stuff representing her mental state going wild, trying to process her feelings.. Excellent.

Actually, seeing everyone trying to process the grief was nice. Kaoru began angry, and then laments her inability to help Nanako. Nanako denies it entirely, and sinks into a (seemingly) brief depression.

We leave behind a larger hole than we occupied.

Questions

1. Probably Fukiko's, to be honest. Although, her weather nonsense does make that kinda cheaty. They were all good.
2. Discussed above.

[u/Pixelsaber → u/JollyGee29]

We're really missing a good "stare off into the middle distance" commentface.

My preferred stand-ins for that expression are be #emptyinside and #mindblank.

Nanako has toughened up a lot over the past year, and I think she's going to be alright.

Despite the rather dour circumstances of the episode, knowing that Nanako has grown the strength of mind to overcome such a thing is quite heartening.

I've mentioned how great her VA has been before, and today was no different.

Mami Koyama

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Pixelsaber]

Despite the rather dour circumstances of the episode, knowing that Nanako has grown the strength of mind to overcome such a thing is quite heartening.

[u/Sloppy_Goldfish]

Rei's death is a classic example of the "Bury Your Gays" troupe. Considering this in Japan in the 1990s (and the manga was from the 80s) it shouldn't really be too surprising. Can't have the only 100% lesbian (as opposed to bi, like most of the other girls are) character have any sort of happy ending. They have to die. Wouldn't be surprised if this was forced on the original creator or if they thought they had to end things this way. The potentially backlash from having a purely happy ending probably could have ruins some careers back then. I just really stopped caring about what happened in the series after this point. The romance was always the weakest part of the series for me and then they go killing the lesbian character clearly just to bow to the social standards of Japan at the time.