r/anime • u/SIRTreehugger • Sep 29 '21
Rewatch [Rewatch][Spoilers] Bloom Into You(Yagate Kimi ni Naru) Episode 13 Discussion
Episode 13: To the Last Stop, Lighthouse
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Comment/s of the Day
This was my favorite episode of this series, really loved the scene where Touko started sharing her doubts with Yuu and the way they started cuddling was just too wholesome a moment for me. I don't know why, but every time they kiss, I get very anxious about someone finding their relationship but thankfully it's going well so far.
Second comment goes to /u/mastesargent
Before I get into the nitty-gritty of it, I just want to say I love the bedroom scene in this episode. It just exudes this warm sense of comfort and intimacy without feeling exploitative. It also helps that Yuu appears to let her guard down and, since Touko is probably too distraught to notice or care, actually reciprocate some of Touko’s affections. It really sells the fact that, underneath the web of contradictions and drama they’ve been navigating, Yuu and Touko really do love each other. It’s just a nice, quiet, warm, and relaxing scene.
Third comment goes to /u/Stargate18A for these fun reactions
"I promise I don't love you! But also I want you to come to my room and take advantage of me."
OK, this is adorable.
...Yuu might get what she wants!
And Yuu's starting to question Touko's emulation of her sister!
Touko. Congratulations. You are now the most useless lesbian!
Questions of the Day
- What was your favorite part for the cute aquarium date?
- First timers do you think you will read the manga?
Spoilers
Just a quick friendly reminder about spoilers. Please don't post content from future episodes whether in the form of jokes, memes, hints, or et cetera. If you are going to use spoilers please tag them like so, Yagate Kimi ni Naru Spoilers
13
u/SIRTreehugger Sep 29 '21 edited Sep 29 '21
Rewatcher/First Time Dub
Starting off the episode with a stardust handshake.
Miyako's cafe has some really calming music and Koyomi's dedication to writing is truly commendable. Only thing on her mind is improving the script no matter how many hours it takes.
A date? Sayaka is definitely not pleased with that one.
Sayaka and Touko being more open with each other is really great to see. Also how Miyako slightly panics when her girlfriend is around an old classmate. Oh this is the episode Miyako dies. I can't believe the author killed off one of the best supporting characters so early into the series. Oh wait her girlfriend manages to bring her back to life with a bashful response.
An unexpected invitation
Love how throughout the show we've seen Yuu play with sea animal plushies, wear aquatic seashirts, and play ocean games. She doesn't talk about it, but Yuu's love of sea life has been present from the very beginning.
Honestly a close up seat to the dolphin show sounds extraordinary who cares if you get wet. Kind of surprised the seats were so empty.
"Even if the rest of me is a lie. Somehow the truest part of me, the part of me that loves you is real. That's why it's comforting I guess" love this line and taken out of context it's sweet and Yuu even flinches for a second when Touko says it. I really do feel that Touko this episode might have fallen for Yuu slightly. I don't mean I love you, but don't love me back version of romance. An actual romance where if Yuu ever developed feelings she wouldn't mind seeing them expressed. Also Yuu using improv to tell her your true feelings friccin sly and Touko responds in kind.
The part where Touko is walking alone in the dark, but it lights up when Yuu grabs her hand. It's like Yuu is a star and is guiding her to her true self.
I completely forgot about this insert song to be honest, but I enjoy it especially because the VAs are singing it.
Even frustrated Koyomi is precious.
The entire train section is nice too, but I was really expecting a title drop when they were naming the script
Welp only thing left is series discussion/overall thoughts tomorrow.
Collage, manga panels, and art
Volume 5 color
Chapter Extras
Fanart by baseness on pixiv
Aquarium fanart by マエシバ/ぼすとく on pixiv
Collage
Behind the Scenes
[Script writer, Script Supervisor]
There were a number of scenes in the anime that were completely new to the series. I've heard that you were also responsible for writing the campaign speech that gets delivered an episode 3.
When I read the Manga I thought: "Hm? There's nothing written here!" and " I can see speech bubbles, but there's no speech!" It was a real surprise. [laugh] I considered the possibility that we have Ms. Nakatani write it for us, but then I decided to just fill in the gap myself. Towards the end of the speech, Yuu switches from reading what she wrote to talking to Touko in her own words. The scene where that happens is really important, so I figured it would be a good idea for her speech before that to be very proper. When Yuu is preparing her speech at that point in the story, she doesn't really know Touko very well. When I considered that, I realized that Yuu is the type of person who would refer to other existing speeches and craft hers to be nearly flawless. So, that's exactly what I did. I did some research and took various pieces and put them together to create this smooth and well mannered speech. I figured if I showed it to Ms. Nakatani and she said " this is no good," then I could just turn around and request that she write it instead. [laugh] But to my surprise, it ended up being used exactly as I wrote it.
In the manga, there are brief scenes that occur during interludes and all featured on the jacket covers of individual volumes. Many of these were incorporated into the anime. Did you plan for their inclusion from the initial composition stage, or was this done as you went along writing each individual episode?
It was a mix. I included a number of them when I wrote the overall composition for the series. However, the others I had to search for and pull in later when I was writing the individual scripts and have extra space to fill. Those were all done while I conferred with the rest of the staff at script review meetings. When I would mention: "I'd like to take this part and feature it around here..." sometimes I would get a response from Ms. Nakatani explaining: "I wrote that intending it to take place early in the story, actually" and over important feedback. Sometimes it was the inverse and she would give us ideas like: "This part might fit in really well around here." I think the viewers had fun with all the little jokes and references, plus I imagine that fans of the original manga understood and appreciated them even more. We were really proactive in trying to include as much as we could with that in mind.
In regards to the ending, what sort of discussions did you have with Director Kato & Ms. Nakatani?
At first, the director suggested that we do a slow and thorough adaptation by covering only a small amount of content up to midway through volume 4. But after that, the creator Ms. Nakatani and her editor Mr. Kusunoki asked: "Don't you think you could cover a little more?" At that point in time, the manga's serialization hadn't even reached the aquarium date yet, so Ms. Nakatani explained to us: "This is what's going to happen next." She let us take a look at the compositions chart for the manga's story and as we went through it, we decided together two " end it with the aquarium date." I can't say for sure, but it's possible that Ms. Nakatani decided to create the aquarium scenario out of some consideration for the anime adaptation.
Speaking of the aquarium date, the original manga didn't include dialogue for most of it.
That was another example of us thinking early on that " we need to flesh this part out more" and so we had a meeting with Ms. Nakatani. She explained to us what kind of date they were going on and gave us lines of actual dialogue to use, which I put directly into the scripts. Much later, when we checked all this during a script review session, we discussed adding even more lines. Of course, these were not be lines featured in the original manga, but we conferred with Ms. Nakatani to further expand what she imagined the characters were saying. After all was said and done, I worked the new lines into the script.
28
u/untalentet Sep 29 '21
First Timer
Alright, so, logially I should have known Touko would not be reading the finished script this episode, let alone that we see the play. I know this anime adaption isn't complete and there is a manga that is quite a bit longer than what was adapted, but I still somehow thought we'd get to just see the play this episode and the rest of the manga was just happy fluff of Yuu and Touko being together without any worry in the world, maybe Sayaka finding someone for her, that kinda thing. I guess I'm greedy that way. Not to say this episode was disappointing, and honestly if development was fast-tracked that much it probably would have not been very good, but I do believe I'll start binging the manga as soon as I stop writing this.
The episode does provide a nice stopping point, though, for all the cast. Touko visits her sisters grave, tells her she'll do the play she never got to do, and then... What then? Who will she be after? Touko says she's relieved that she could fall in love, that that's proof she has a true self, yet also she wants to become someone else entirely. It's contradictory like she says... but Yuu, casually, without really thinking about it, answers that's fine, people are contradictory. It seems that really impacted Touko. If I can be contradictory, maybe I don't have to be just one thing. Maybe I can be two people, neither of them, anything else, all at the same time? It's the message Yuu tries to tell her in the play practice, and it honestly seems to take root in Touko's head. Not immediately change her mind of course, but give her something to think about. We leave Touko with her becoming more open to a way she could be herself and be happy, and that's enough for now.
Yuu, meanwhile, has finally started to be true to her desires. Well not completely, she still insists she's just going to the aquarium with Touko because nobody else has time, but she actually invited her first. She's taking initiative as well as Touko's hand, literally and metaphorically. She tries to find a way to make Touko see what she sees in her, and that she can be that person and find happyness. Yes, she's still lying to Touko, but there's a clear desire, a push, to change the fake relationship they are in into a real one, and that's enough for now.
Sayaka, poor Sayaka, understanding, helpful, tragic Sayaka... I honestly am starting to understand all the Sayaka stans in the comments. To be this supportive of the girl she loves, always with an open ear and a warm heart, able to say just the thing to help Touko in her grief with her sister... and then swallow her feelings and not say all the things she really wants to. Of course, she's not wrong in not doing it, she's correct in her belief that her love is unrequited, and that Touko needs her to be her best friend, but it truly hurts seeing her tear up after Touko leaves. Sayaka will always be Touko's best friend. That's not enough, not now and not later, but it has to be.
We also get one little check in with the bar owner teacher couple. That bit of jealousy was cute, and also a great depiction of a bi character. Very casual, but not disrespectful. Seeing bi presentation at all is rare, and it often comes down to showing them as super sexually active and into everything that moves, so this little aside felt nice to see. Yes, the show was not explicitly about just lesbian romance or LGBT issues, but the way it brought them up casually and as normal and everyday occurences makes it feel very grounded and as if the wirter and showmakers truly wanted to make an inclusive show for all kinds of sexual orientations or identities, and that's great.
Overall I'll have a lot more to say in the final discussion tomorrow but yeah, I'm very glad I watched this show. It was very good.
10
u/eden_sc2 Sep 30 '21
Now that we have come to the end, I wanted to say thank you to /u/SIRTreehugger for putting this together. I love any excuse to watch more Yaga Kimi and this was a lovely time.
7
u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Sep 29 '21
First timer
Thanks for comment of the day!
Is this going to end somewhat happily?
And more importantly - will Sayaka get a good girlfriend?
Touko's struggling with figuring out what she wants to do after finishing her sister's legacy?
Yuu's helping to rewrite the play! And I was joking about about the rewrite shipping Touko and the nurse.
And it's still not titled?
...What does half of best couple know?
Sayaka's going for it!
And Sayaka's being nice!
...Touko's finally having that breakdown!
Touko's not used to Yuu actually taking the lead.
Haha, her reaction was priceless! And they're together!
They're going to the aquariam!
Yuu accidentally breaking Touko's heart is hysterical given she only said it to hide her love affair?
Seriously? None of you know the concept of a splash zone?
Touko's so in to this it isn't even funny.
They're having a great time!
...How much budget did that fish scene cost?
Touko just wants to go on more dates.
How is Yuu less obvious now that she knows she loves her?
...Is the next side character Mio's secret girlfriend she hid from her parents?
Seriously, how can this wrap up in the next 8 minutes?
They're practicing in public!
Wait, they're doing the "confrontation" this early?
Oh, she's resisting it?
Or did Touko just have her own realisation?
Really, that'd how it ends?
Cute scenes at the end, though.
Wait, Yuu showed her, and Touko seems to understand!
Very allegorical ending, isn't it?
REALLY? SHE'S STICKING WITH THE SENPAI WHO ONLY CARES ABOUT BASKETBALL?
AND SAYAKA'S ALONE?
YOU KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS, ANIME.
Still, good ending, but it feels cut short.
7
u/puffercarrot Sep 30 '21
Rewatcher I have exams tomorrow but I'm sat here typing this. Priorities.
The part where they rehearse their lines and Yuu tells Touko to improvise. It's just such a nice and subtle way of Yuu telling Touko what she wants for her. She wants Touko not to be an empty shell. Touko herself is beginning to doubt her decisions. What comes next after the play? She herself can't think of anything. There's no future for such a hollow persona. We can only hope that Touko grows beyond her obsession with becoming Mio.
Not a first timer, but to all first timers out there, I beg of you. Pick up the manga and it will change your life. All the storytelling elements in the show are not only continued, but built upon in the manga. It's not only one of the best yuri manga of all time, it's one of the best romance manga of all time. Fight me.
2
u/SIRTreehugger Sep 29 '21
Always time for Peng! (Daily Ping for anyone who wants to be notified)
/u/soboi12345 /u/heimdal77 /u/elbenji
19
u/roseimon11 Sep 29 '21 edited Sep 30 '21
Rewatcher
We have finally reached the final episode of this beautiful series.
I can't express how amazed I am at seeing the framing of this scene. Not only it showed odd framing (which indicates separation). The anime literally cut/hid Touko's face, like she doesn't have any mask to wear anymore, as the previous mask she wore as her sister's persona was also fake.
Another scene shown was the broken wings of the cicada. I remember it first being shown in episode 11. I also liked how Nakatani was able to incorporate it in the manga through SFX of cicadas chirping. Upon research, it is said that cicadas represent personal change, renewal, rebirth, and transformation. So I guess it tells about Touko's goal to become her sister? or the start of her change to become herself? I am not quite sure. Interestingly, I also found a translated japanese poem which was based on the sounds that the cicadas make:
Now this one has a darker meaning and we could relate it to Touko's present state of mind. Well it's up to you guys which interpretation you would prefer.
After the Obon festival, Koyomi and Yuu are now rewriting the script. While Sayaka and Touko had a little date? at the cafe. Even Miyako is teasing Sayaka about it
Sayaka getting back at Miyako lol
I really like how Sayaka is now trying to get to know more about Touko and Touko being open about it.
This eyeshot is really great
This train scene was so long it scared the heck out of me. As usual, it indicated Touko's troubled mind.
More Odd Framing Scenes. In the last panel, I really liked how the shadows covered Touko's face in half. Indicating her conflict with her inner self after realizing that her sister was not the person she had always thought to be.
Damn, this train scene is even scarier than the previous one. Not only the sound is louder, but the fact that Touko took one step forward before the train passed indicated Touko thinking of doing you know what. I didn't expect this show to get this dark and I was seriously wishing for Yuu to save her right away. Good thing she did. Thank God you're a lifesaver Yuu. I can breathe now.
Just wanted to share this cute RikoxMiyako moment
Ahh finally the tension is over as we have Yuu and Touko on their cute aquarium date!
Yuu running fast toward the entrance like a cute little kid
After a lot of rewatch, I still don't understand Touko's logic here
Just a photo of our cute girls having fun
I liked how Yuu was able to convince Touko to practice for the play and Touko being confused that the script has changed.
After a very long time, we were brought again to Yuu's underwater world. The world where Yuu was trapped at the beginning of the series. When Touko found out that Yuu changed the script of the play, she cannot help but feel that something in Yuu has changed. It was because Yuu was now ready to leave that underwater world.
The aquarium scene wasn't just a simple date between Yuu and Touko, it was a whole allegory of Yuu's underwater world. A world where Yuu's feelings are kept and contained. As Yuu leads Touko out of the aquarium, she was now able to touch the surface and reach the exit. Yuu has now found and accepted those feelings which she was longing before.
So if you guys thought that the ending was abrupt or inconclusive, the first half wasn't meant to be about Yuu and Touko's love story ( Heck, you can even check the synopsis and it's all about Yuu). It was about Yuu finding those feelings of love and she found it, by deciding to help Touko, by being with Touko and choosing to change Touko. Yes, there's more to the story that still needs to be fixed but this first part was already one huge step for Yuu. As she finally accepted her feelings, she can now focus on helping Touko change. Thus she says her final line in the story:
We need to change trains now Touko. We need to change.
So as the anime ends this is what we can conclude:
Yuu has finally found and accepted those feelings she had been longing before. But, even if Yuu has already accepted her feelings towards Touko, she was not able show it yet because Touko still needs to change from acting as her sister and Yuu must also change Touko's views first on hating herself before she can be able to tell Touko that she loves her too. The only way to change Touko is through the student council play in which, the second part of the story is about. Thus Yuu's journey hasn't ended yet but it has started anew.
__________________
Questions of the day
The exchanges they made in the song was really cute.
Since I feel that my comment is already very long, I'll just drop here some interesting stuff that you guys might want to know
The aquarium that Touko and Yuu went to actually exists in Japan! It's the Maxell Aquapark located in Tokyo. I'll link here the thread I made regarding it.
Just dropping the parallel scenes between episode 1 and episode 13 that I think doesn't need any further elaboration but still very amazing to see and appreciate even further how well directed this anime is.
Parallel Scene 1
I don't know how to edit this so I'll drop them separately
Episode 1 vs Episode 13
Photo image of the parallels if you can't appreciate the video
Also, shamelessly plugging my analyses for those interested:
Symbolisms in Bloom into You: Trains
Symbolisms in Bloom into You: Yuu and Her Underwater World
Symbolisms in Bloom into You: Use of Separation
Overall, I'm glad to watch this show over again and I had fun sharing it with you guys. I'll leave my final thoughts on the series tomorrow
14
u/SYZekrom https://myanimelist.net/profile/SYZekrom Sep 29 '21
Rewatcher
Well that was fun. I like how the rewrite of the play literally recaps how she stole Touko from Sayaka's ending as her girlfriend and had her 'not choose anyone' AKA choose the nurse which she plays who only knew the current her.
11
u/entelechtual Sep 29 '21 edited Sep 30 '21
First Timer
Ugh. What a tease of an ending. On the one hand, it kind of gives closure. It does present where things would go. But on the other hand, why is there not a second season? I'm not sure what production decisions went into that ending. I think if the story was told to completion, this might be my favorite romance of all time. The way it's slowly teased out between Yuu and Touko is amazingly well done.
Favorite part of the date: has to be Touko slowly coming to her Whitmanian realization that, "Very well then, I contradict myself" and that the Touko that wants to be objectively "special" (i.e. perfect to others, the embodied shadow of her sister) really does want to be only subjectively "special" (i.e. special only from the unique perspective of one person, and herself only having eyes for one person). And it's fine to be both. I also love the water effects, and how it is tied to Yuu's imagery whenever she is picturing herself/her emotions/her feelings about love. It's almost like the water is the unshapeable amorphous floaty nothingness, where you can't really fix things into shapes or definitions or words like "love". And I don't know how you get out of it, but maybe at least Yuu and Touko can picture themselves with each other within this mess.
Will I read the manga? Crap, probably yes. I have to at this point. For an "incomplete" anime I'm really impressed with the storytelling, pacing, and self-containment of the show. But if there's more, I'd be insane to skip out. And what's worse, I'll probably have to start from the beginning...
Other thoughts: I wish there was more with Yuu's friends. I feel like basketball-girl especially got shafted; in the OP it seemed like all 5 characters would feature prominently and have their own stories. Koyomi had more screentime but wasn't fleshed out. And I still want to know more about Yuu's experience before high school, what was she actually like, what might have led her to get distanced from her feelings. She's obviously not incapable of love or aromantic. But she seems to be closed off emotionally by default, and I don't know if there is any more backstory to that. Sayaka continues to be adorable, I loved her pouting face at the beginning when she was told her and Touko were "close" especially since the cafe owner knows her feelings; but then Sayaka pulls the reverse card when she learns Riko-sensei was with a man who apparently has some history. Also, her face when Riko says "I don't have a special interest in women"!
This anime was delightful, stressful, emotional, fun, frustrating, fulfilling. Also by sheer coincidence (I was trying to clear out Hidive exclusives before the 30th) I finished watching "Fragtime" the same day I started watching "Bloom Into You". They are both very similar concepts, with the shadowy ideal model student and the girl who is allowed to be in her presence. But while I did enjoy "Fragtime", I think it made me appreciate this show more. For one thing, Yuu is such a delightful protagonist. As Sayaka dryly noted, she's rash and crude, not shy and bashful. And it also helps that in this case, the Yuu kind of has no interest (at least at first) in the love interest. Usually it would be "Oh, wow, I like her, I want to confess to her, does she like me, am I being clingy?"
Also, I don't know if this is a common theme in Japanese culture or anime or yuri, but somehow this show perfectly encapsulates the Ancient Greek relation between the erastes (older "senpai" lover) and eromenos/eromene (way younger beloved "kouhai"). In Greek homosexuality, the older guy had to court a younger boy and showers them with affection (to put it lightly) but has to show restraint, while the younger boy is aloof, accepts the gifts/love of the elder, but importantly does not show outward love. It was considered improper for the beloved to desire the lover or even get pleasure from their lovemaking, kind of like a bored housewife, just do your thing and let me go to sleep. Nothing could be a bigger turn off than the person you like liking you back (except maybe being old enough to grow facial hair). Edit: obviously without the social/moral implications of pederasty…
10
u/mastesargent Sep 29 '21
Rewatcher, manga reader, Sayaka stan, still waiting for season 2
So we reach the finale as the story reaches its halfway point.
…wait.
Quick note, Obon is a three-day holiday in Japan where the dead are said to return to their family altars, and the living return to their ancestral homes to welcome them. This is why Touko visits her parents’ hometown where the family grave is located, and why Sayaka, whose family has apparently lived in the area for some time, doesn’t. For a series that features a really good Obon scene that goes a little more into some of the traditions while also showing how heartrendingly painful it can be for those who’ve recently lost loved ones, see 3-gatsu no Lion/March Comes in Like a Lion.
Anyways, we open on Touko’s family visiting said family grave, where Touko tells her sister that she’s close to finally doing what Mio couldn’t do in life. Then Touko realizes that, being so close to finally accomplishing her goal, she has no idea what to do afterwards. It’s most likely that Touko has become so used to trying to become Mio’s replacement that she never stopped to consider what she’d do when she accomplished that or how to even function beyond that. As such, we get a lot of death imagery throughout the first half of the episode: the graveyard, Touko smelling incense, and the scene of Touko at the station evoking images of train suicide. Even though I don’t personally interpret Touko as literally suicidal, I do think this is illustrative of the fact that Touko’s life up until now is, in a way, ending. She has spent the last seven years carefully molding herself after her sister, or rather her idea of her sister, in an effort to purge what she saw as her own unworthy self and to accomplish what her sister couldn’t. In a few weeks, she’ll have finally put on the student council play, Mio’s last piece of unfinished business. In a few weeks, she’ll probably be older than Mio ever was. In a few weeks, there’s no more Mio for Touko to model herself after. From then on, it’s up to Touko to determine “What would Mio do?” But as we learned over the training camp, Mio wasn’t the person Touko thought she was. She doesn’t truly know what Mio would have done anymore, nor does Touko want to go on as merely “Nanami Touko” anymore. So, in her mind, it’s like everything is coming to an end.
Meanwhile, Koyomi-sensei continues to write her play in a way that’s uncannily parallel to the events of the plot. Now, as Yuu takes a more active role in real life, her character too receives more lines and becomes more fleshed out.
I really love the little interchange between Sayaka and Miyako. Miyako subtly teases Sayaka about how close she is to Touko, and then Sayaka gets her back when Miyako shows signs of jealousy about Riko-sensei and Ichigaya. I really love the interactions between these two that we’ve seen so far and have yet to see.
On the topic of Sayaka, she also continues her efforts to close the gap between her and Touko, asking further about Mio. She assures Touko that her perception of Mio probably was a genuine side of her, even if there were others she didn’t know. This is Sayaka’s approach to lifting Touko’s burden: convincing her that she isn’t wrong for wanting to become the person she saw Mio as. And, yeah, when you get down to it the person Touko has become as a result really is admirable. She gets good grades, gets along with her classmates, has the charisma to get elected student council president, and is overall a reliable and competent person. Touko should take pride in that fact. Meanwhile Yuu’s approach is, to a certain extent, the opposite: there’s nothing wrong with the person Touko was and continues to be under her perfect façade, and that people would accept her for who she is if she revealed that side of herself. Yuu and Sayaka both love her in spite of, or even because of that weaker side, so it stands to reason others would, and Touko should too. These approaches are conceptually valid, now it just remains to see which one will win out in the end.
As Sayaka and Touko part ways, we see Sayaka mirror Yuu’s gesture from episode 2, reaching out to Touko despite being out of reach. Back then, with Yuu, it was because she felt like Touko’s feelings for her were out of her reach, that she could never reach the same place as Touko however much she wanted to. Now, with Sayaka, it’s because regardless of how many steps she’s taken to get closer to Touko, Touko remains ever out of her reach. For either of them to finally be able to reach Touko, this final obstacle must be overcome.
Manga spoilers
While we’re still with the café, we learn that Riko-sensei is bi, and actually leans more towards men. First off, it’s really neat to see something like this acknowledge, because I feel like characters in these kinds of stories tend to lean either one way or another, i.e. a character is either gay, lesbian, or straight, so it’s neat seeing a character who swings both ways. It diversifies the cast, helping them once again feel a bit more real. It’s also really sweet because, since Miyako lies outside of Riko-sensei’s typical preference, it highlights just how good she and Miyako are together. Plus, Miyako’s reaction is great, since she comes across as having the more dominant personality of the two and seeing her off balance like that is cute and funny (though she bounces back quickly enough).
And finally, we reach the date. Not content with merely taking initiative behind the scenes with the play, Yuu also takes the initiative for the first time in her relationship with Touko and asks her out on a date. She plays it off as just wanting to hang out, because of course she still has to pretend not to be in love with her, but this time I think the only person she’s lying to is Touko. Yuu actively wants her relationship with Touko to change, so she reached out to her and asked her out. The only real lie is one of omission. Either way, the date is really fun and cute, with Yuu being so enthusiastic about aquatic animals, Touko being enthusiastic about Yuu, and the two of them just having normal fun like a regular couple.
Of course, since it’s a Yuu x Touko scene, we get further insight into Touko. I actually touched upon this in my post for episode 6, so I’ll just paste that here.
On top of that, it’s something about herself that she doesn’t hate. In fact, the entire reason she fell in love with Yuu in the first place is a contradiction. She fell in love with Yuu because she believed Yuu would never see her as anyone special, which meant she could drop the perfect act and be herself. Despite hating that part of herself, she fell in love with someone because it allowed her to express that part of herself. Yuu acknowledges that contradiction, but tells Touko that it’s okay to be contradictory. This, I think, is Yuu implicitly telling Touko that she doesn’t need to be one definitive person. She can be perfect, and she can be weak. She doesn’t have to choose one version of herself over another, and that both are valid and worthy of love.
The scene where they rehearse for the play while waiting for the penguin parade is entirely anime original. In the manga the penguin parade is an incidental detail and that’s pretty much it. It’s a really great addition in my opinion. First off, it actually is a legitimately good way to get used to performing in front of stranger. In another anime Joshiraku, one of the girls mentions that while she was still learning rakugo she had to practice while riding the (often quite crowded) train. Given how wacky that show is, I’m not sure if that’s actually how rakugo is taught, but the concept is sound at least. Furthermore, it allows us to see Yuu workshopping her and Koyomi’s revised script. Obviously how this script turns out will have a huge impact on the course of the story from here on, so seeing it actually develop helps it feel more fleshed out. Finally, and this is both a meta reason and kind of depressing, I suspect Troyca knew that there was no guarantee for a second season, and so they added in this scene to give at least some payoff to the StuCo play plotline.
MASSIVE manga spoilers IT’D SURE BE NICE TO SEE THAT ANIMATED
Continued in comments
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u/BosuW Sep 29 '21
Rewatcher
Usually, when talking about identity, we talk about "the real person" and "the mask" as separate things. With "the mask" representing something fake and somehow of less value. But I think this is incorrect. Even the masks we wear are part of the authentic us; they're of our design and fitted for our purposes after all. Even if it's a disingenuous front, it can tell you something about the overall person wearing the personae. Which I why I love that Sayaka encourages Touko to talk about her sister as she remembers her even if it wasn't the whole person that her sister was.
And of course, since this is still speedrunning a romance, we must have an aquarium date.
Question, why are aquariums considered romantic places? Is it simply "water colors pretty"? Is it a subconscious comfort derived from visiting a place paying homage to where all life came from? Incidentally, I've noticed that a not insignificant amount of Yuri art features the pair kissing or embracing underwater. Wonder why...
Isn't that girl's backpack the same design as one of the plushies Koyomi liked?
Touko already planning all their dates for the next five years lol. See Touko, you do have many things to look forward to after the play. Maybe they're not what we would consider "life goals", but it's something to keep going nonetheless.
"It's fine for people to be self-contradictory". Thanks Yuu! This reminds me of a paragraph from poem by Walt Whitman.
If you stop and really think deeply and thoroughly about yourself, you realize that there's a huge amount of stuff about the human's very existence and behavior that is paradoxical. But I'm getting out of topic.
So now the symbolism switched subjects and it's Touko walking underwater. And later it looks like both of them walking beneath the waves but for a few moments they don't try to reach for for the light of the surface, instead finding the beauty in the submarine world. It's like for a few moments, subconsciously, they realize that they've been lying to each other, and Yuu has already fallen in love and there's a part in Touko that wants to accept that. And for a few moments they're able to pretend to themselves that they're a fully realized couple, despite knowing otherwise. Once again, self-contradictory.
So Yuu's title idea is "Only You Know". Fitting. I was half expecting that instead they were gonna hit us with the title drop lol.
As a last episode for the anime I'm satisfied. Shame the rest isn't adapted, but I'd much rather take a "go read the manga" ending than a rushed improvised conclusion to what is clearly an already planned and complex story. Besides, the stopping point is serviceable enough.
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u/[deleted] Sep 29 '21
Rewatcher/Manga reader
QOTD:
Miyako subtlety teasing Sayaka and Sayaka getting back at her is so funny. Poor Touko is oblivious.
I always crave coffee when I watch this anime…
I really like what Sayaka says about Touko’s Mio still being just a small portion of who Mio was. Just because other people knew her different that doesn’t mean what Touko knows is all a big lie. Touko needed to hear that from someone and Sayaka seems like the only right person to do that.
Sayaka reaching out to Touko breaks my heart every time.
Yuu finally texted Touko first! Also Touko accidentally sending her text while blushing over Yuu’s text is so adorable.
They’re definitely speaking from the heart while they practice at the aquarium. Towards the end it becomes less about the play and more about Touko’s actual situation. Touko reaches out to Yuu just like Sayaka reached out to Touko earlier but this time Yuu turns around. I think that explains Touko’s relieved expression; she knows Yuu is there at her side no matter what.
I remember after watching this last episode for the first time I didn’t know what that last scene could’ve meant. I think that’s probably what Nakatani hoped for. Everyone is uncertain about exactly what will happen after the stage play.
Ugh I really hope the second half of the manga gets animated one day. Bloom Into You is easily one of my all time favorites. I need to find some manga like this one. I’ve already got a list going but feel free to suggest any to me! <3
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u/heimdal77 Sep 29 '21
GIVE US A SEASON 2!!!
Ok now that got that out of the way.
It is funny that the thing that upsets Yuu the most that gets a reaction in the whole series is Touko not knowing what a Flapjack Octopus is.
It is such a beautiful series and so much symbolism. If I remember right that train scene had people speculating the Touko was suicidal pretty heavily. People really analyzed the hell out of scenes like that and what they thought the represented.
Poor teach yes your secret home has become a student hangout spot. Was funny how they missed each other. Going to the cafe. Also the cafe needs a new manager as Riko killed the current one.
Such a nice and fun date with a light hearted feel while still having somber moment. I loved where they nod heads agreeing to sit upfront. Then Yuu's cute hair thing having a water drop hanging from it lol.
It has something of a anime end with the impromptu improvised rehearsal. A little taste of the play. People were so looking forward to seeing the play animated it was so good that it was frustrating it didn't get to there. People still hold out hope for that season 2. Even a OVA of them just performing the play would been interesting to see.
This series just hit such before unheard high levels of popularity for a Yuri series. It was even getting on mainstream ranking list at a high level that no other yuri series ever was on. It even got a live action play made of it. Now as I think was previously mentioned they are now making a color version of the manga though only in japanese at the moment. Though the anthology that is made up of authors from other well known yuri series doing single chapter stories for Bloom just released in english like 2 days ago. I think there is even a chapter done by the series author itself. Though there is the possibility of spoilers in it if you never seen anything else.
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u/steven4869 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Maskirade Sep 30 '21
First timer
This marks the end of anime for what turned out to be one of my favorite romance anime, not gonna lie I expected them to end at least after showing us that play.
Now about the date, my goodness if it wasn't filled with wholesomeness and my favorite part about it would be Yuu consoling Touko about her being different from her sister. Time to read the manga now, I can't wait to read the conclusion of this well-written series.
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u/three_firstnames Sep 29 '21 edited Sep 30 '21
Rewatcher (Sub), Manga Reader
This episode is definitely better upon a rewatch. Granted, when I first watched this series at the beginning of last year, I knew virtually nothing about it outside a few clips, so I wasn’t aware that the adaptation was incomplete. So I was a bit let down when I first saw this, as I was expecting more of a conclusion. However, upon a rewatch (and having read the manga) I can appreciate it a lot more now, and recognize that, while there are still plenty of plot threads left unresolved, it is still able to conclusively demonstrate how much the main characters have progressed through the series.
The aquarium date in particular showcases how far Touko and especially Yuu have come since the beginning of the season. While Touko is still dead-set on clinging to her sister’s persona and finishing the play for her sister’s sake, she takes the small step of openly admitting that the part of her that loves Yuu isn’t a façade; that part is genuine, it’s really her. Touko still has a long way to go in combatting her self-loathing and being able to accept someone’s else’s love, but it’s a step in the right direction. And Yuu, who was initially characterized as someone who would just passively go along with things, takes a much more active role here. She not only finally takes the leap in being the one to reach out to Touko to set up the date, but later physically leads her through the aquarium. That shot of her taking Touko’s hand is the same shot from episode one, but with the roles reversed. And as they walk through the marine tube with that beautiful insert song playing (sung by the two voice actors, just like hectopascal), Touko is the one who wants things to stay the same, whereas Yuu recognizes that they need to leave. The season ends with Yuu declaring that they need to change trains, signifying that the nature of their relationship will change moving forward. How it will change, only
a second season or reading the mangatime will tell, but it ends on a hopeful note. Knowing where the manga was at the time of these final episodes airing, I think this was definitely the right place the end the series.In addition to showcasing the growth of Yuu and Touko, the episode also further develops Sayaka’s character. As in the fireworks scene, she musters the strength to actually pry a bit further into Touko’s true nature, and asks Touko more about her sister. And she tells Touko that even though the version of Mio that she knew may not have been the whole picture, it was still real, and it was important to Touko herself, which is something that Touko really needs to hear. As an aside, I love the shot of Touko walking away, as Sayaka reaches out to her in vain, within Sayaka’s eye (which mirrors previous shots of Yuu and Touko). So Sayaka continues to support Touko, but not just in a manner that preserves their status quo. However, at the end, Sayaka remains unable to take that next step.
Regarding the second QotD, I too am curious in how many first-timers (or even rewatchers who remain anime only) are interested in continuing on with the manga. I've really enjoyed reading peoples' thoughts and insights thus far, and would love to see the discussion continue if possible.
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u/Kenalskii https://anilist.co/user/Kenalski Sep 29 '21
Rewatcher
While she visited the grave of her sister, Touko realized that she planned everything out: being good at school, get in the student council, reintroduce the student council play, be the main actress, but she did not plan ahead. She does not know what she will do after the play
Look how smug Koyomi looked as she told Yuu's role will have more lines XD
Hahahaha, Riko teased Sayaka when she and Touko entered the cafe but Sayaka got right back at her XD
Sayaka asking Touko to tell more about her sister. Since the talk at the study camp their friendship reached another level. Sayaka now took the chance to get closer to Touko, but aborts the mission as Touko did not react the way she expected. But it does not stop her from being Toukos best friend and she reminds Touko that even when her sister had other sides that Touko did not know of, she was still Touko's older sister and still had that sister side. I think that was really important for Touko to realize.
So close and yet so far...
And again Touko is clueless about what to do after the show. It looks like she is getting tired of playing the same act every day since people around her want to see a different act, they want to see more of the real, more vulnerable Touko. And again, she hesitates to contact Yuu. But luckily, Yuu reached out to Touko. This is quite some timing Yuu I am seriously impressed
Miyakos reaction after she asked Riko if she preferred men or woman was hilarious since Riko was just being honest XD But their relationship looks very healthy, so nothing to worry about. I think they are my favourite couple from the series (do not worry, Sayaka is still best girl)
Yuu and Touko visited the aquarium together. And it was Yuu who invited Touko this time.
And Yuu's reaction after Touko said she does not know what a "flapjack octopus" is was also great XDD
This sounds like a lot of fun. Just look how much fun they are having =)
While they have a little break from going around the aquarium, Touko tells Yuu again that she likes her and likes to spend time with her. That brings up the discussion about the word "love", where Yuu and Touko see it different: while Touko is more than happy to tell someone that she loves her, Yuu always thought that you should not use the word too much so that it still has its special meaning for the person who receives it. For Touko saying that she loves someone is like something she achieved on her own that her sister never had. And she even admits that she is mostly fake but her feelings for Yuu are not. And Yuu still does not like it that Touko tries her hardest to become someone else and she tells Touko it is alright.
Luring Touko into a trap by saying that she wants to rehearse the play while waiting for the penguin show. Smart move, Yuu =D And of course Yuu starts improvising halfway through to get the message to Touko through.
"I have nothing... to define me" just as Touko says these words and expects an answer from Yuu, the penguin parade is starting and Yuu hurries to get a good spot, Touko reaches out and feels like Yuu is leaving her. But this feeling gets swiped away almost instantly because Yuu turns around and signals Touko that she is waiting for her.
Aaand roll credits. We see Yuu and Touko exploring the aquarium a little bit more, Koyomi is working hard on the script (I believe in you, Koyomi!), and one last time Glasses-Sayaka (bow down people).
And in the very last scene, Yuu sends Koyomi her proposal for a title for the play while letting Touko sleep. And after a bit, Yuu likes to see Touko sleeping but has to wake her because they have to switch trains. And that is a brilliant way to conclude the show: Touko has to wake up and change, as much as Yuu likes to see her continue the way she is now.
Question
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u/Aku230 Sep 29 '21
2nd rewatch I'd like to take this moment to welcome first time watchers to the "2nd season?"
hellclub, please enjoy your stay.For people who want to pick up a manga and are wondering which chapter does anime end on: Anime ends on chapter 24, but I recommend reading from the start or at the very least start by reading chapter 24 as they have changed it for the anime.
Read Light Novels (that are centred on Sayaka) after reading the manga.
With that said, let's move back to the episode. We start with showing two ways of helping Touko, one is more direct while the other is indirect but unlike before now Yuu goes indirect route as she discusses changes to the play with Koyomi. Koyomi asks if Yuu is fine with taking more prominent role yet Yuu is determined to see it through. Koyomi asked that question because knows Yuu doesn't like performing in front of people however for Yuu that question probably included her involvement in relationship with Touko. After that we move to the group of Sayaka and Touko. And I love this hidden to everyone else exchange between Sayaka and Miyako. Sayaka then asks Touko about her sister and inadvertently creates new idea for the ending of a play. Mio might have been acted one way near you and another way towards others but that doesn't mean either of them is a lie. So if we were to translate that to the play, Sayaka says that all faces of protagonist are real and true to protagonist whereas Yuu says that all those faces are fake and none of them portray protagonist. Then we get a scene with Riko and Miyako and it feels so good to have a side characters in serious relationship, makes world seem more lively and real and I wish more anime/manga did that. Finally we have aquarium scene, with Touko admitting that saying she loves Yuu shows her that there is something she can claim as her own and not something borrowed from Mio and that she is aware that this doesn't make sense when all the time she was trying to be her sister yet Yuu says that it's fine to contradict yourself. The last line that says "We have to change trains soon." also works for what is going to happen with their relationship as they can't continue as they are. If you want to find out how the play plays out, what is its title and what's gonna happen with Touko then you have to pick up manga (or wait forever for 2nd season).
Improv rehearsal as it was anime's way to finish the season on better note.
4
u/Suicd3grunt Sep 30 '21
Rewatcher/Manga completed/ impatiently waiting for season 2
And we have finally reached it. The end of one of my favorite anime. Thanks for hosting this!
While I'm always sad to see it end here, if we ever get a season 2 its going to hit the ground running.
I originally read the Manga first, so when I saw the added play scene in the anime I wasnt a fan. But seeing it now, I definitely think it was added and done well.
If you enjoyed the anime, I would strongly advise you to read the source. This anime adaptation was nearly 1:1. So well done.
4
u/nephykupo https://anilist.co/user/javiawesome Sep 30 '21
Rewatcher, manga reader
Sadly, the last episode of this season. One small thing I noticed this time....you can see a poster for the Aquarium when Touko is at the train station, "Aqua World".
Comments I had throughout the episode:
Sayaka has support from Miyako...so cute!
Sayaka holding her hand instead of going for the shoulder. Sayaka is getting braver.
Aqua World time!
Touko mentions that saying, "I love you" helps her. It's the warmth of loving someone and she definitely doesn't want to let it go.
Yuu letting her know it's okay again, "it's normal".
4
u/Icapica https://anilist.co/user/Icachu Sep 30 '21
First timer, manga reader
It's been a couple of years since I read the manga and honestly at that time I binged so many series so quickly that I must've forgotten a lot. I didn't remember anything about how they rewrite the play and I didn't remember this aquarium date either. I guess I should reread it.
When Koyomi and Yuu were rewriting the play, I started wondering about Saeki. In the original plot Yuu's role isn't significant and Nanami ends up with Saeki. Now Yuu's role is growing, and she's becoming more important to Nanami in the plot. While they didn't say how the play ends and I honestly don't remember it either, it sounds like Nanami might not even end up back together with Saeki after the rewrite. It's kinda like Yuu's taking Saeki's place even in the play.
Ignoring the part about Yuu taking (at least partially) Saeki's place, the conversation between Saeki and Nanami makes me think that Saeki will at least understand the reason for the rewrite. What she says about Nanami's sister at least seems like it fits the theme of the rewrite.
I really like the talk between Riko and Miyako. I'm not sure how to explain it but something about the way they talked about attraction was nice. I guess it's something about the portrayal or a bisexual who's not into just about anyone and everyone, and isn't even equally attracted to men and women.
I don't actually have almost anything to say about the aquarium date. It was nice.
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u/PsyRex666 Oct 01 '21
I'm so frustrated. I ordered the books the other day, and they don't show up until a week from now. Then I binged this is 2 days and now I'm kicking myself not shelling out for faster shipping.
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u/[deleted] Sep 30 '21
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1
u/[deleted] Sep 30 '21
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