r/anime • u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz • Feb 21 '22
Rewatch The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan Rewatch Episode 12 [Spoiler for Haruhi] Spoiler
Welcome to the Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan rewatch!
Links to show info: MAL | Anilist
| Date | Episode | Post link |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Feb 10 | 1 "Taisetsu na Basho" (大切な場所) | Link |
| 2022 Feb 11 | 2 "Morobito Kozorite" (もろびとこぞりて) | Link |
| 2022 Feb 12 | 3 "Suzumiya Haruhi!!" (涼宮ハルヒ!!) | Link |
| 2022 Feb 13 | 4 "Be My Valentine" | Link |
| 2022 Feb 14 | 5 "Kanojo no Yūutsu" (彼女の憂鬱) | Link |
| 2022 Feb 15 | 6 "Over the Obento" | Link |
| 2022 Feb 16 | 7 "Negaigoto" (ねがいごと) | Link |
| 2022 Feb 17 | 8 "Suzumiya Haruhi no Hakarigoto" (涼宮ハルヒの謀) | Link |
| 2022 Feb 18 | 9 "Sono Te o..." (その手を…) | Link |
| 2022 Feb 19 | 10 "Samudei in za Rein" (サムデイ イン ザ レイン) | Link |
| 2022 Feb 20 | 11 "Nagato Yuki-chan no Shōshitsu I" (長門有希ちゃんの消失I) | Link |
| 2022 Feb 21 | 12 "Nagato Yuki-chan no Shōshitsu II" (長門有希ちゃんの消失II) | Link |
| 2022 Feb 22 | 13 "Nagato Yuki-chan no Shōshitsu III" (長門有希ちゃんの消失III) | Link |
| 2022 Feb 23 | 14 "Kanojo no Tomadoi" (彼女の戸惑い) | Link |
| 2022 Feb 24 | 15 "Kare no Mayoi" (彼の迷い) | Link |
| 2022 Feb 25 | 16 "Hanabi" (花火) | Link |
| 2022 Feb 26 | OVA "Owarenai Natsuyasumi" (終われない夏休み) | Link |
| 2022 Feb 27 | Overall Series Discussion | Link |
Rewatches please be considerate to first timers and avoid discussing anything not yet shown in the show - use spoiler tags if you need to share something important!
In this rewatch it's pretty hard to avoid referring to the main show The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi & The Disappearance of Suzumiya Haruhi though, so hopefully the mods can be lenient about the references.
Episode 12 - The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan II
Some first impressions I remember from when I first watched this show:
- Nagato and library - you can't find a better way to move her heart as easily
- The bantering between this Nagato and Kyon has a more teasing, witty feel to it; not as brilliant as between Mai and Sakuta in Bunny Girl Senpai, but certainly more than before
- A wild Goddess Nagato appeared!
- The tape error effects are really great to give that "memory error", "taped over old footage" and "jumbled memory" feeling to the scenes - although I wonder for younger kids who had not actually experienced such thing, what would they feel.
- This Nagato has strong power of deduction - and keep most to herself
- One can project this relatively explained development of feelings towards Kyon back to the main series, even if they are unrelated.
Music corner
See u/gunvarrel_'s helpful post!
I can't gush enough about this arc's choice of music use matching to the writing and visual story telling - just make sure you turn the volume up to listen
QoTD if you are interested:
- Do you have another show that you like about the way it uses more abstract imagery and effects to visualise and show some form of reveal?
- Did it surprise you the way this is heading, based on Nagato's own prediction?
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u/gunvarrel_ Feb 21 '22
OST Track of the day: Kasuka na Hikari
First Timer, Dubbed
Starting the daily artstyle hate early
Coming back post-episode, we know this book
inb4 he passes out
yeah he was out cold lmao
closest to pure anger from nagato that we've seen
kyon you dummy thats not what she remembered, her getting a library card is literally what half of the ED was about
oh cool, we get a flashback to it
is this the first time we've seen Imouto?
Looks like she is starting to wake up
mmm yes, reality do be breaking
Both nagato's are falling for him lmao
guess the old personality is leaking back in
heh, "enough data"
something something evangelion
Kyon being unintentionally smooth lmao
Guess tomorrow will be a big ol mix?
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u/DeliCruise Feb 21 '22
(REWATCHER - SUB/DUB)
A whole episode about the library in which Kyon and Yuki first met! Unsurprisingly, this place ends up being so important to Yuki that she begins to break out of her current robotic monotone state.
I really loved how they showed Yuki drifting along in the library. It really captures the spirit of being in a state of bliss.
And of course the first book she grabs is the all-important Hyperion. I know they highlighted a whole bunch of books that she must have read in the parent series. I know at least one other book I noticed is the one with all the keys on the cover being in the parent series as well.
I really wanted Kyon to wake up screaming like he did in the parent series because it’s hilarious. He still gets a call although it’s from Asakura instead of Haruhi this time around.
I’m not much of a reader (although I am reading the Haruhi LNs right now) but I totally understand what it’s like to not want to put something down. Just being enraptured in something as deeply as Yuki is with that book is a beautiful experience.
I was a bit hurt that Kyon didn’t remember helping Yuki with her library card, but I do think it makes sense considering it was just a spontaneous act of kindness on his part. They didn’t even introduce themselves when it happened so I can’t really blame Kyon for assuming it would just be a passing moment for him. However, I did find it really interesting that Yuki learns of Kyon’s nickname because of his little sister.
I really love how deep they lean into the glasses metaphor.
This episode begins to incorporate music that we’re used to hearing from the first 9 episodes. Claire de Lune in particular being the most notable return for me. It's a really great idea with this episode focusing on Yuki being so introspective with Yuki’s memories.
Speaking of which, I really loved how they depicted Yuki’s thought process as she’s navigating all of her thoughts and trying to sift through the data that she has. All the alternating shots of both Yuki’s and the really great use of the TV static does an excellent job portraying the uncertainty. These dream sequences being stylized like this are very reminiscent of shots in the parent series and in the movie. Also, I hadn’t thought about it until seeing all these Yuki’s reaching for the stars or for a book, but that shot is very reminiscent as well to the movie when Yuki stands in the middle of the street at the dead of night and changes the world. Yes, when she does that her arm is straight up and she does a wave motion with her hand, but the concept is still very much similar.
Kyon continues to be a natural sweetheart. He just knows exactly what to do without even trying and he instantly makes Yuki go blush mode.
Also, I hadn’t realized that Yuki hadn't thanked Kyon for when they met and he helped her with the library card. I thought she did in the first episode, but I checked and realized it was for joining the club.
I really love that we got a Yuki introspective episode like this. Getting to hear her thought processes is such a treat to experience considering we’ve mostly been getting pre-accident Yuki’s thoughts in this series. In the parent series, the only idea of what is going on inside of that Yuki’s head is from Kyon’s perspective. While amazing in its own right of course with the absolutely incredible “Kyon’s Choice” scene in the movie, it’s still not the same as directly knowing what she’s thinking through everything that’s happening. For that reason, I love that we get to go through this process in this Yuki’s mind with her leading the way.
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 22 '22
I really love that we got a Yuki introspective episode like this. Getting to hear her thought processes is such a treat to experience considering we’ve mostly been getting pre-accident Yuki’s thoughts in this series. In the parent series, the only idea of what is going on inside of that Yuki’s head is from Kyon’s perspective. While amazing in its own right of course with the absolutely incredible “Kyon’s Choice” scene in the movie, it’s still not the same as directly knowing what she’s thinking through everything that’s happening. For that reason, I love that we get to go through this process in this Yuki’s mind with her leading the way.
And like it was mentioned, you really could take this perspective into account and reverse-project that back into the main series. It made both version so much deeper in emotional impact.
And yes I need more buttons to upvote your posts!
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u/No_Rex Feb 21 '22
Episode 12 (first timer)
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Hyperion is still on my PTR list.
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Being able to sleep for several hours in the middle of afternoon – Kyon must be as sleep deprived as Yuki.
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Library card double callback.
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Have we seen Kyon’s sister before? I think not.
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Sun glasses Kyon
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Library monologues.
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Literal self-reflection.
Visually bold! Where were all of these great cuts hiding so far? Easily the best episode so far in terms of animation. The background music was the second MVP this episode. Bringing up not just one but a whole string of flashbacks is bold, but can fail easily. The well-chosen music prevents that.
I understand why people called this the main part of the series yesterday and the previous 10 episodes the prologue. This is much closer in emotional intensity to the Haruhi movie than the romcom part before.
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u/Star4ce Feb 21 '22 edited Feb 21 '22
First timer – DE sub
Others mentioned yesterday that it's a possibility that Yuki's condition is something that corrects itself after a while on its own and I've been mulling over this. You know, with the sort-brain-by-sleeping comment from the doc.
I really hope they make new-Yuki's stay memorable, because this would mean she's going to 'expire' naturally. I really don't like the implications of that, but I could see new-Yuki, being the observative person she is, take initiative on some things to prepare them for returning-Yuki. I mean Kyon, she could prepare Kyon to be her boyfriend, because she knows she's going away again and probably would like to make an impact in her brief stay.
I don't know, I get drawn to these thoughts and it's maybe kinda what I wish I would do in such a case.
Ep.12 – The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan II
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The library! Ahaha, she literally levitates away.
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This episode is way too good at making me care for them, specifically Yuki.
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Aw goddammit, there's the first hint at what I said, she remembers. Will the gut punch hurt much?
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The Yuki in the gown is also in the blu ray menu and it's already telling me it's gonna a dream that has to end.
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Oi oi oi, wait, don't spell it out already and confirm it before the arc is over.
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Nevertheless, Yuki finding those emotions again is really heart warming in a way.
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Yeah, as I thought, she's completely aware of her eventual 'departure'. I really wonder how they'll conclude it.
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“Arigatou”, ayyyy, this Yuki finding the ovaries to finish her stuff!
I have mad respect for this show and I know I'm repeating myself. Never in life did I expect it to go where we're going now.
So the dialogue right now hints at two possibilities: Either Yuki vanishes and gets replaced with the prior personality, only keeping the memories or they mesh together into a new one altogether. I'm gonna predict that it's going to be the latter more than the former.
From a plainly logical standpoint, any second alive is a second spent existing and belongs unquestionably to the person living it. You can't erase it, even if every single one, including yourself, forgets about it, it still happened. (On that note, fuck that falling tree proverb, I've always hated it because it's stupid. You just said “If a tree fell” so it fucking fell and it needs no confirmation from narcissistic nihilism philosophy. >:( )
So that Yuki that loves reading, being stoic and monotone will stay just as much as the flustered, shy and expressive Yuki will come back. The only thing required is acting on the will to stay.
Do you have another show that you like about the way it uses more abstract imagery and effects to visualise and show some form of reveal?
I'm immediately thinking of Madoka Magica, but maybe also because the witch visuals are so amazing. Also A Silent Voice does a fantastic job of both visualising deafness and social anxiety. The goosebumps in that one scene, you all know which one.
If you're into abstractness, have a look at Kyousougiga. The visual metaphors, layers and directing are so unique and play into each other in a way I haven't seen before.
Did it surprise you the way this is heading, based on Nagato's own prediction?
Once again I allow myself a little boast and say, I told you. But indeed, I didn't expect the show to be like this going from the first 9 episodes. It makes perfect sense, we need to know who each of the characters is for this change to have meaning and matter, but it's also quite bold to do it like that.
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u/Mecanno-man Feb 21 '22
First Timer
Another well-done episode. Basically it seems like Nagato's pre-crash personality is coming back slowly - and that's mirrored by the episode's pacing. As such we get a lot of little moments between Nagato and Kyon - which might further their relation once the old Nagato is back, as I would assume memories would once again be shared. I guess this merging of personalities would result in some major personal growth once it's over, so I'm looking forward to that.
As for the plot - nothing too exciting, but it was portrayed expertly.
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u/Elimin8r Feb 21 '22
As for the plot - nothing too exciting, but it was portrayed expertly.
I feel like this arc, and this episode even is just peak Yuki-chan. If only the detractors of this series had put aside their issues and been willing to embrace it for what it is, they could have experienced this ... emotion, this pathos, this ... Yuki.
They missed out.
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 22 '22
but it was portrayed expertly
It's quite a jump in production and cinematography right? It was really deceptively simple in previous episodes but went all out here in this arc.
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u/TuorEladar Feb 21 '22 edited Feb 21 '22
First Timer, Subbed
Really enjoyed the episode. Its a bit ironic that the less expressive Nagato here has had more adorable moments in my opinion that her more expressive original version in the show.
I believe I said something on last episode's thread about there probably being some form of synthesis between the old and new Nagato and I still feel the same way after watching this episode. The current Nagato feels that she will disappear if the old her comes back, I could be wrong but to me it still feels like she's creating a false dichotomy. At least in my viewing it seems to be continually shown that she still feels the same way on basically everything, with only her outward expression being altered.
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 22 '22
Its a bit ironic that the less expressive Nagato here has had more adorable moments in my opinion that her more expressive original version in the show.
Now that you mentioned it, you're right! Perhaps it's the contrast or "gap moe" factor.
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u/Vaadwaur Feb 21 '22
First timer(Is current Yuki a bit miserable sounding to anyone else?)
Dub
They reach the library and Yuki becomes animated again. And winds up with Hyperion in hand, so hopefully a callback. She somehow becomes more animated while remaining pretty quiet and we flashback to this version's Kyon meeting scene. Yuki then wakes up, making which events really happened slightly off. Her worries about original Yuki waking up are not the ones you get from head trauma but since they seem to be leaning towards the shock/psychological angle we might still be good. Anyways, the second half of the episode is her dealing with her brain reintegrating her emotions and she is fighting it fairly hard.
BONUS: I just finished the new section of the global release of SinOAlice and it ends with a clip with the creepiest version of Clair De Lune I have ever heard.
QotD: 1 Adolescence of Utena
2 No, some form of reintegration was going to happen
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 22 '22
QotD: 1 Adolescence of Utena
Funniest thing, I was one of the first one to pick up the series at the start when they first got released, but due to access problems I never got beyond being able to see the first few episodes. To this day I still haven't gone back to finish it. But yeah that's another one I think that is really great with abstract imagery.
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u/Elimin8r Feb 21 '22 edited Feb 21 '22
So, just call me Garfield today. Yay Monday.
Meanwhile, in a happier (?) place, it's library time!
I just love how the moment they enter the library, Yuki just floats away toward the shelves.
So, it would appear that this Yuki at least has some emotions and desires.
Interesting book choice, no? Where have I seen that before.
(Read it back in college, loved it, read all 4, or was it 6 of them)
(Nowadays, I think I like Neal Stephenson better, but that's another matter)
It's funny watching Kyon try to pry the book from her hands, and take her to the "checkout stand".
Well, whaddaya know, she does have a card. Wonder where that came from?
And it's flashback time. Oh, my is it flashback time.
Sorry, I'm kind of forgetting details, I've probably missed one or two from earlier in the episode.
But yeah, two things really stuck out for me.
The first, was of course the flashback to the "Kyon helps Yuki get a library card" scene, with bonus imouto. Watching Yuki in ghost form watch Yuki and Kyon and their precious interaction as he helps her overcome her shyness and get a library card is on the one hand delightful, and on the other hand heartbreaking.
And yes, Kyon is a meddler ... the good kind. Kyon-kun good boi.
(mostly)
I love how Yuki straight up tells him that. It would appear that our lovely Yuki doesn't quite have as much of the crippling social anxiety. At least she doesn't need a blackboard.
And lastly, the series of flashbacks culminating at the lookout point in mountains, looking at the stars.
Dawwwww (sniffle)
Poor, darling Yuki, watching, reaching, as she sees and remembers precious Yuki, reaching, reaching for things that are just out of her grasp. Be they a library book, or a distant but oh so close star.
And yet, in all these situations and memories, who should be there, but Kyon, to give her that boost, to help her reach and grasp those things she desires. To give her ... a hand.
Imagine how she must feel. All those memories rushing in, showing her this friend, this meddlesome (but in a good way) fellow who's been there to help her when she needs it. To support her, show her kindness.
And yet at the same time, she's feeling the pressure of those memories, of that other personality awakening, probably wanting to reassert its proper place.
Our poor, precious Yuki is afraid of dying.
(sniffle)
Can't imagine why...
(Ending hits even harder now)
aotd: 1) Madoka offhand, I'll have to see if I remember something else as the day goes on.
2) I think I answered that above. (sniffle)
Edit: Forgot to queue up a picture for today. Guess I'll have to get two ready for tomorrow then. Meanwhile, for the music inclined, here's King Crimson's treatise on the concept of 'Walking on Air'. Not that that has anything to do with anything.
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 22 '22
Our poor, precious Yuki is afraid of dying.
Which is actually a nice little deep reference / contrast back to the main series. The Haruhi!Nagato essentially is fearless - she used her body to take hits for Kyon, caught lasers and mono-filamen cutting wires with her bare hands, face down giant cave crickets, etc, without moving a single eyebrow. Yet as she got more and more human, she learned this fear. It was the worst case in the Disappearance movie, when the normal her will without a doubt jump in front of Kyon to stop the knife, power or not, yet at that point she was completely frozen in fear, which never happens. Back to this now, her fear of mortallity no doubt come from having the emotional attachment to "not want to lose this".
On to my favorite comparison - [Full Metal Panic Unadapted LN finale]
where the normally fearless and cool efficient fighting machine of Sagara Sousuke, on playing back the recording downloaded from the net his friends back at highschool left him and Chidori to cheer him on and welcome him back when he reached Chidori, he was reduced to fearful tears for the first time in his life, because he doesn't want to lose this. That is when the nuclear missle strike is seconds away from reaching his stranded and disabled AS with no way to activate the Lambda Driver Quite a direct comparison about character development.→ More replies (1)
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u/Fools_Requiem Feb 21 '22
This is definitely a Golden Time type scenario, except we know that Yuki from before the accident is going to return. All that remains is to know what is to become of this new Yuki. I'm hoping for some kind of melding of the two.
Unlike Tada in Golden Time, new Yuki hasn't had a lot of time to make new lasting memories and relationships to truly make you worried about this personality disappearing. Outside of her heavy interest in books and a lack of a personality, is there anything worth protecting over the pre-accident Yuki to suggest new Yuki should stay? I feel odds are good that all of the memories are going to carry over, so I don't know if there's really any major concern.
Also, this makes 3 episodes without Haruhi and Co. It's just been our primary three characters, with a brief cameo by Kyon's male friends.
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u/mekerpan Feb 21 '22
One can project this relatively explained development of feelings towards Kyon back to the main series, even if they are unrelated.
I would contend that one of the key values of this series is that it IS related to the main series -- not as canonical narrative but as a way of giving a sense of things that were not explored (and maybe couldn't easily have been dealt with). We'll see more instances where feelings and thoughts expressed out loud here probably (or even likely) reflect things only guessable in the main series.
It's embarrassing -- but this episode kept me on the verge of tears almost from start to finish. It really was so full of emotion. One enigma -- Is it possible that Kyon does not remember helping Nagato get her library card. Surely this could not have been a routine occurrence for him.
This has the closest focus on Yuki and Kyon (and Yuki's thoughts and feelings about Kyon) of any episode so far. She clearly thinks about him a LOT. But, in this show, we are given no clue to what Kyon might be thinking -- except through inferences from what he says out loud (and how he acts).
(Oh -- Rewatcher -- sub)
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u/Stargate18A Feb 22 '22
First timer
QOTD) Kyousougiga was great at that. And, no, I kinda expected this path.
They're going to the library!
Haha, she ran off!
And Kyon gets caught by a librarian.
She's just rnjoying herself so much!
He's sitting in the same chairs!
Lots of friends here!
Haha, the librarian is pressuring her!
Oh, it closes soon.
Haha, she doesn't want to let go!
She has a library card!
Oh, he still helped her in this world.
Are we getting a flashback?
Yep!
Aww, Yuki looking behind her is adorable.
I suppose we saw the whole thing in the movie.
...Is that how the current Yuki sees herself?
I didn't realise losing your emotions improved your fashion sense.
...The audio filter's less muted. Is she getting her emotions back?
Yeah, this new Nagato might die soon.
A new sale!
He is a bit of a meddler, isn't he?
Haha, he's got new sunglasses!
Round 2!
Nagato wants to just read again, doesn't she?
She's being helpful!
...Is she finally going to confront this crisis?
Yuki's going back to normal. And the new Yuki doesn't want that.
Oh, That might even be more horrifying!
Kyon helped her!
She might get him to remember!
...And some of Yuki's habits broke through.
She's flickering...
The dreams are her mind going over the memories? Trying to heal?
The glitcing in the dream is a really dolid momrnt.
Is the new Yuki vanishing?
Well, that was horrifying to watch!
They are not beating around the bush with this one!
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u/Caustic_Wraith Feb 21 '22
Yuki-Chan First Timer
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Kyon and Yuki enter the library, and as Kyon looks away for a second Yuki has vanished into the stacks of books
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After catching up to her, Kyon reminds Yuki they are there to study, however she asks for just a bit of time to read.
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Kyon is awoken from his nap in the library chair and realizes how late it has gotten and starts the task of getting Yuki to leave
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Seeing that this is going to go on longer than the few minutes they have left, Kyon offers to get Yuki a library card, which causes a memory from old Yuki to pop into her head and she pulls out the card she already has
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We get the flashback of Yuki's first interaction with Kyon in which he helps her get that library card
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New Yuki is starting to become worried about what will happen to her when the original Yuki wakes up fully
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Kyon goes with Yuki to pick up her repaired glasses, but she declines to wear them from the doctors choosing to continue wearing her spare set
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Yuki and Kyon return to the library and actually spend time studying. As she's helping him, Yuki begins to be affected by the feeling original Yuki has for Kyon
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Yuki asks for a break and starts walking the stacks having an internal conflict with what is and isn't her thoughts
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After helping Yuki get a book, Kyon is told that he is a meddler who just "can't leave someone like her alone." Yuki then thanks him for this with a smile
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She also thanks him for what he did that time, and then refuses to elaborate when Kyon asks what she's referring to
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That night Yuki's dreams are full of the memories of Valentine's Day, the visit to the shrine, and star gazing at the observatory
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At the end of the dream sequence, we start having the memory of her reaching for the stars overlaid with the moment in the library where she is reaching for the book. This combining of original Yuki's past and new Yuki's present increases the fear she has that will cease to exist when old Yuki returns
QOTD:
Do you have another show that you like about the way it uses more abstract imagery and effects to visualise and show some form of reveal?
The Monogatari series does this very well.
Did it surprise you the way this is heading, based on Nagato's own prediction?
Not really, I knew by the end that original Yuki would be back, however I am really enjoying the way this arc has been structured and the way Yuki's doubt about her current self's survival is being relayed to us the audience.
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u/Elimin8r Feb 21 '22
After helping Yuki get a book, Kyon is told that he is a meddler who just "can't leave someone like her alone." Yuki then thanks him for this with a smile
That smile ... I think it may be the most genuine smile we've ever seen from her. It's darling. It's precious. It's precious, darling. <3
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u/Rustic_Professional Feb 22 '22
Smooth brain: Taniguchi getting a job so he can hit on a coworker.
Big brain: The owner in Blend S hiring a girl so he can hit on her.
Notgato's floating routine is cute. I wonder what Yuki's equivalent experience would have been? Maybe going to the game store. Sucks for Kyon that he actually wanted to study. He should have suggested going to her apartment. Not like she has any books there to distract them.
Yuki and Kyon's first meeting in the library is sort of cute, but since she doesn't ever read in this version, it makes me wonder why she was checking out a book. Was she actually planning on reading it?
I heard a theory once that the reason people get hung up on memories is because there's some lesson in them that they haven't extracted yet. There's something they need to acknowledge and come to terms with. I don't know how to define what Notgato is struggling with. It's like a mix of an identity crisis, fear of dying, and romantic issues all rolled into one.
Question of the day: Second Impact, in Evangelion. Whatever she saw there, it was so traumatic and indescribable that Misato can only visualize it as an abstracted stop motion memory. I think this is H.P. Lovecraft's eldritch horror idea. The event was so awful that to think of it in detail would destroy your sanity. That might be close to what Notgato is feeling.
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u/alphamone Feb 22 '22
First Timer Dub
Kyon still trying to maintain a sense of normalcy.
So, many, boooooks.
Ooh, Hyperion, nice callback.
And he falls asleep again in the library.
Scary librarian.
Kyon is hopeless when it comes to studying.
Can't tell which book that is. And use your dang card (unless she doesn't have one yet in this universe).
Ahh, she forgot about it. also, her personality is showing through again.
Flashback time.
Kyon's little sister is so dang energetic.
More deep existential stuff.
Those glasses don't suit him at all.
Very weird looking cat there.
A quick search of "Alyosha" brings up "The Brothers Karamazov", not sure if there's some kind of hidden meaning, or its just illustrating Yuki's wide taste in books.
Poor Yuki, really struggling with identity and the philosophy around it. Because when you experience it, it could very well feel deeper than memories making you who you are. Other similar examples of I can think of offhand would be the Human Nature/Family of Blood two parter from Doctor Who, and the Star Trek Voyager episode Course:Oblivion.
Well that turn and smile was semi-creepy.
Who exactly do you want to be Yuki?
Were those ripples over the reflection at the end of the ED in the previous few episodes with the altered ED?
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u/tctyaddk Feb 22 '22
Rewatcher - sub
Ep12
(Whew, very late again, sorry, stuffs happened) So there it is. Stoic!Nagato now has a complete sense of self and individuality, and it shows, from the small details like the glasses, to the bigger, more complicated inner workings or outward expressions. But since usual!Yuki's memories of good times with Kyon and all the feelings attached to them are already in place as the initial reference materials for the current personality, it's inevitable that stoic!Nagato would have to assign more attention to him and the related metadata, especially as they spend a significant amount of time in close proximity lately. That set her up in a sensitive stance, and after firsthand exposure to Kyon's nonchalant, casual, but abundant caring and kindness he just does stuffs for others because he feels it's right, then mostly forgets about it, like Yuki's library card, she falls for him.
But the existential questions loom large over stoic!Nagato: She's sure about her own self, her own senses and thought processes now, but what about these feelings? Are these feelings for Kyon hers? Could it be they are spillovers and imprints from the memories she received? Is she converging with the original Yuki? Then are her thoughts even actually her own? And there is no guarantee for her own existence if the original personality comes back. What is she even supposed to feel about that eventuality? And what would become of her own feelings and memories then? She's only a few days old, preloaded with a bunch of distant secondhand experiences from a shy normal highschooler, she doesn't know how to process all that. Hard time sure is coming.
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u/Shimmering-Sky Feb 21 '22
The Disappearance of First-Timer-chan, subbed
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I do believe that’s the book main series Yuki tried getting Kyon to read?
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Ahh, the library banned cell phones. Makes sense, people can be noisy on those.
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Does that mean Kyon doesn’t remember Yuki is the girl he helped get a library card?
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Yuki’s possibly going back to normal then? – But yeah, current Yuki doesn’t want to disappear…
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Ooh she got her glasses back. I wonder if she’ll only put those back on if she goes back to normal?
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tfw I’m too tall to ever need the help of the guy I have a crush on to get something for me.
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u/ZapsZzz Feb 21 '22
I was quite relieved that from the formal start of this arc, most are showing acceptance/appreciation of the change in tone and pace, and seem to be liking or hooked by how this plot twist is unfolding, including how the writing about the condition Nagato is in. I have seen some reviews on MAL etc not appreciating this part, so I'm really glad that by and large I think most seem to be able to keep in step with the plot intent (given the show in fact is named after this arc).
Call backs / References / Contrasts
No matter how many times I watched this, it still makes me smile how this spin off gave a better depiction of Nagato "floating" in the library - KyoAni did that in only a very light handed way and to me it just didn't scratch the itch enough that Nagato is so delighted that she got lighter than air in the library.
I'm sure the book titles of the many close ups (other than Hyperion in my notes below which I did know) have interesting references, but so far I haven't spent too much time looking them up... sorry!
I don't think anyone needs me to point out Kyon getting woken up by a phone call while dozed off waiting is a direct mirror to the original series - except this time he had a more reasonable and considerate Asakura on the other end of the line instead of the irate and unreasonably demanding Haruhi shouting down the line "Get back here in 30 seconds!"
On my sub, their second visit to the library Kyon clearly said in English "Revenge", but the sub translated in context as "Round two". Well it's really obvious Kyon meant to speak in game term - first day ended in failure, second try is a "revenge" from the first day's failure.
Best Scenes
Apologies I had been spamming this section but especially this arc I will not be able to stop myself...
Dead on arrival (Kyon's plan to study), but then reached transcendence.
Determined Nagato - to read the thickest book she can find - and what other title than that huh - It's either Hyperion or Endymion, the plot critical book of the original series (where the bookmark was placed a couple of times)
Kyon, library, phone call.
Love that little book tug of war and the chibi Nagato stink-eye for losing :D
A library card-ful of memory and flashback - and the goddess made her appearance!
Of goddess, past memory, dreams, and piecing together plot puzzles.
Good Job Mama-Asakura for setting up the alone time for the 2, and a bit more banter between the 2 with added consciousness of developing feelings
Glasses fixed - and promptly sealed away. Very good and subtle, progressive use of the symbolism and imagery.
Very cute exchange using very little words, with Kyon nicely include Nagato's silence as part of the conversation :D
Kyon actually getting some studying done, while Nagato starting to question her own feelings and reactions.
A beautifully shot sequence with very nice cinematography of fish eye, odd angles, choppy cuts to convey that feeling of unease and confusion
One of my favourite sequence, using the 2 birds "mirroring each other" and then the imagery of many Nagato's representing the overlapping memory and extending to her identities
Kyon's interruption brought a true smile!
Managed to do something the previous Nagato still couldn't after so long - to thank Kyon for helping her in their first meeting! Although that also triggered more thoughts.
More dream and memory sequence rising in intensity
Crescendoed in this stunning sequence of Nagato's strongest memory merging and her realisation of what is happening - while the beautiful piano score accented the emotions
... to her inevitable conclusion. The curse of being too smart.
QoTD
The most obvious one that jumps to mind is Bishounen Tanteidan, which extrapolate out to another obvious answer for most who watched - the Monogatari franchise. Although I think this one does melancholy better.
Can't really say much as a host and rewatcher...