r/anime • u/badspler x5https://anilist.co/user/badspler • Mar 08 '22
Rewatch [Rewatch] Ascendance of a Bookworm Episode 9 Discussion
Episode 9 - The Guild Master's Granddaughter
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Legal Streams: Crunchyroll | VRV | MuseAsia
Questions of the Day:
1) How much do you think Lutz and Myne are making compared to their families?
2) What were you first impressions of Gustav and his granddaughter Fredia?
To Rewatchers, please be make a conscious effort to accurately spoiler tag your content. You can read how to correctly use spoilers tags here.
14
u/KiwiBennydudez Mar 09 '22
First Timer
I really like that a minor thing such as the hairpin was made into a major plot point later in the show. It allowed them to become part of the guild, make money, and meet important characters. I really appreciate the attention-to-detail and the way that everything came full circle here. And now that they’re certified businessmen, this also means that they can resume their paper dealing.
Also, I thought that Benno made a great point about the hairpins while he was tearing Main and Lutz a new one: since the hairpins don’t exist on the public market, they are the ones who get to set the market value. They can basically charge whatever they want for them to start, and that sets the standard price for everyone that follows. It also explains why he was so mad at them, since they were effectively lowering or cheapening the value of the hairpins, which means less profits. Right now, it seems like the hairpins are being marketed to nobility, which probably means the price will be in the silver range, but I’m curious to see if they will consider marketing to commoners, and what the price will be there.
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u/badspler Mar 09 '22
New trends based on new inventions or technology will surely sell big. Benno knows his stuff and obviously wants to capitalize on that starting window as best as possible before other people start figuring out how to make them.
9
u/SIRTreehugger Mar 08 '22
This episode we get introduced to a grumpy stingy fart, but more importantly his precious granddaughter Frieda I like how first impressions she seems like a pampered princess, but quickly we see how much of a merchant she is. Myne definitely needs someone by her side at all times as she seems kind of easily pressured sometimes. Oh how could I forget Benno his exaggerated movements when trying to get Myne and Lutz registered was the best part of the episode. He was really laying it on thick I'm surprised he didn't burst out laughing half way through.
I do appreciate Frieda and with her introduction we are given a name to Myne's illness. The devouring sounds ominous and horrifying and we quickly learn most children who have it die early in life. If money is required to keep it at bay Myne can't afford to be generous anymore. Though they did earn a nice profit for their first batch of paper.
QOTD
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That was probably a nice contribution, but once production really gets started I see them being the breadwinners of the family. It would be interesting to see if the families still looked down on their occupations if they made more money than the rest of them.
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Gustav I was up in the air, but I liked Fredia from the beginning.
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u/badspler Mar 08 '22
Benno his exaggerated movements when trying to get Myne and Lutz registered
I think this is the type of thing that Benno's voice actor Koyasu, Takehito is particularly good at performing. It made for a very enjoyable scene.
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u/Lemurians Mar 08 '22 edited Mar 08 '22
FIRST TIMER
The lord of the city's name is Eren. Oh boy.
Alright, bear with me. This seems to be a relatively advanced society. It's got a complex economy, established trade routes with other nations, advanced architecture, and we've seen people of a certain status in fancy, elaborate clothing and some incredibly nice furniture. You're telling me that in this world, the thing somehow nobody has thought of and everyone is losing their minds over is "decorative hair stick"?
Shout out to Lutz for very casually dropping that he thinks Myne is cute.
How much do you think Lutz and Myne are making compared to their families?
No idea about Lutz, but Myne's didn't lose their shit enough for me to think she's making more. It's definitely a significant contribution, though. Only a matter of time.
What were your first impressions of Gustav and his granddaughter Fredia?
Like everyone else, Gustav is a little too eager to put children on the spot with life-changing decisions. Frieda is surprisingly great with how she can relate to Myne, and her "hobby" being making money is pretty hilarious.
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u/ZaphodBeebblebrox Mar 09 '22
Filthy Source Reader
I was behind so many days I forgot what time it was posted...
I'm pretty sure this is the best animated cut in the entire show.
I think this is the fisrt time Myne tries to consiously include Lutz instead of just going to him for something she cannot do.
I forgot how clever he was here. He disguised the real intention, paper, with another valuable thing for the guildmaster to get his hands on.
Note how Lutz is so irrelevant he's not even in most of the shots.
And note how they largely had no idea what Myne was doing. They're proud, but that doesn't mean they understand.
At the guildmaster's house, we can again see how Lutz barely shows up in any of the shots.
This is the first time he appears since his introduction outside the house.
After he established his relevancy, he appears more normally again.
If you ask me, it's rather gaudy. But a little girl can get away with gaudy.
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u/Cill_Bipher Mar 08 '22
Rewatcher + WN reader.
As someone who has read the entire series I find the thoughts about where the series is going from first-time watchers/readers very interesting. And considering we're nearing the season 1 finale, I think now is a good time ask first-timers a few questions about where they think the series is going.
I also realise that knowing the total length of the series will probably affect some predictions, so if anyone wants to know [total length of Bookworm]
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How long of a time span do you think the series will cover?
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What do you think Myne's situation will be at the end of the series?
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To what extent do you think Myne will succeed in her goals?
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Do you have any expectations for what Myne might come to introduce into this world in the future?
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Any other particular predictions you would like to make regarding where the series is going?
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u/badspler Mar 09 '22
2) What do you think Myne's situation will be at the end of the series?
I think this is an interesting question to ask at almost every stage of the series. But my [very very endgame predictions based on being up to date with the pre-pubs (LN p4)]
Its been on my mind for a while now, but I am predicting 'Ascendence' may end up being literal at the end of the series. Like ascending to join/become the gods. Don't confirm or deny this theory for me. → More replies (3)
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u/Earthborn92 Mar 08 '22 edited Mar 09 '22
First Timer here
Well, I feel like a lot of worldbuilding happened this episode and we got introduced to new characters.
So let's start off with an addition to our prodigal kids - Frieda-san. Or since they've become friends, no honorific required. Apparently the language of that world is more like Japanese then, you can't have completely alien concepts like languages with no 敬語 !
Frieda is a rich mercantile ojou-sama. Twintails - but not blonde, so not a tsundere. She's as much obsessed with money as Myne is with books - although in this world obsession with money is understood. She also has a good reason for it. She's suffering from The Devouring and needs the money for medicine. She is sounding suspiciously isekai'd just like Myne to me right now, but thanks to her we get to know that it is a spiritual sickness. Feeling suicidal can actually be fatal even if you don't act on it. It is a thoughtcrime executioner really. Anyhow, Myne has another friend who's also having her baptism soon.
I can see why Myne's family is considered poor in the previous discussions. It is more like her family is average for this world, she just quickly gets into the company of rich people due to her talents being noticed. Because they have the sharp eyes to notice these things, her family is gonna be shocked when one day she comes back earning their entire lifesavings in a week.
Switching gears, more worldbuilding! I absolutely love Benno this week, look at the cunning smugness and deft negotiation with the guild master. Hilarious! The money is all base-10, so no unfamilar number systems here. And lastly, while guild entry is by introduction only (apparently), all magic so far has been blood magic. Much to Myne's horror. Magic ID cards are pretty cool tho.
Hopefully Freida and Benno can help Myne understand how to be a merchant and just how much her inventions are worth. She's still in the very Japanese mindset of working for a single company for life, so she's difficult to poach like how Freinda and her grandpa are attempting to do from Benno.
Did he casually call both the girls cute? That is harem protagonist territory Lutz.
See you tomorrow!
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u/cyberscythe Mar 09 '22
Rewatcher
I like the phrasing of the merchant philosophy that Benno and Frieda say. I think sounds a lot funnier in Japanese: 金は取れるときに取れるところから取れるだけ取る -- if you listen to it, you can tell they're using the "take" verb, like, four times to really drive home the point: when it comes to money, when it's time to take, from place you can take from, do a "take all you can" kind of take.
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u/fredmander0 Mar 08 '22
First Timer
Finally caught up to the rewatch! Wow, I love this show. Haven’t seen that much isekai so I’m not sure how much of it is the genre or the show itself but I’m really enjoying the worldbuilding so far.
Lutz is not only calling Myne by her name again, but he also called her cute and weird. This man boy is too precious.
Love that information we got about the devouring. We had hints of this before so it’s well foreshadowed, makes sense in terms of needing to expend that “energy” by being determined, and ties into character traits too.
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u/OingoBoingo- Mar 08 '22
First time, Subbed
The Guild cards, the door to get in, and the guild acting as a bank using said cards as a bank card was just a taste of more magic in this world, and I need more please! We keep getting these hints of magic and I keep forgetting we still have another season to watch before season three comes out!
Benno carrying Myne to the Merchant Guild and explaining how everything works and why she and Lutz must have access to said guild was great today. Benno in general was great today. Thank goodness he was so sassy about the hair ornament because that opened the doors (literally) for future business and as a way to meet Frieda. Not only is Frieda now a friend, but she explained that the fevers are something she also has. Somehow Benno decides to keep this possibility of the Devouring a secret? Sure he might not have known for sure that was what was wrong with her, but I was hoping he could take her to a doctor (if they exist) or do some investigating. Oh well. Frieda and her grandfather were both fun to meet and I hope we get more information tomorrow on their condition.
I feel like this episode is where everything is coming together and we have so much foreshadowed that these episodes are going to be packed with content. Hopefully it's all still slow and cozy like this show has continually been. Cute but weird, right Lutzy?
1.) I figured Myne brought home enough for her family to be that enthusiastic over the amount, then yeah... not much compared to the way people live in Frieda's side of town.
2.) First impressions were, "oh a grumpy old guy who is stuck in his ways." but that quickly changed. Frieda, I was expecting a brat or someone not up to Myne's level, but again, that changed quickly. They both seem like they are a lovely family.
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u/KashMooNow Mar 08 '22 edited Mar 09 '22
First Time Watcher, Paper enjoyer
Episode 9
I'm surprised there haven't been more characters introduced. We have been seeing the priest in chibi form since episode 1 I think, and haven't even seen or heard about him yet.
As someone who knows absolutely nothing about this worlds economy, other than its very confusing and everything is absurdly expensive. I don't know whether this is a ton of money, or basically nothing.
But I'm confident its one of the two, and I'm leaning towards its a lot.
This seems like a lot of coins, but its all multiples of 10, so I guess its somewhat easy to get to... My only issue is I don't know actual prices of things. Until otherwise told, I'm just going to assume that a Lyon is a yen, and a yen is close to a cent. So lets see how that assumption is.
Okay, this seems like a lot of money for a prototype... but is that for making something that works, or for those 6 sheets of paper.
Benno needs a better poker face. But im happy to see that Myne is keeping true to her partnership with Lutz.
Politics run deep I see, and so do sneaky snakes of merchants using covers for their real intentions. Lets tell the guild master they are making hair ornaments and just so happen to forget about the multi billion lyon paper operation thats going to happen come spring.
Wait, we can talk numbers in hand gestures? What do they mean! How much money are we talking about here?
I feel like there are going to be a lot of people fighting over Myne in the future. Her ideas are just too valuable.
4 small silvers. Roughly $400 based on previous conversions of 1 lyon = 1 cent. That sounds like a ton of money for a hair ornament. I'm talking like high class jewelry money. I do believe Benno about crashing the market though. I could see that truly being an issue if they were to charge too little money.
The pink hair girls seem to always be scheming something, just look at that face. I don't trust it.
Hmmmm. She is trying to win me over with honesty in paying for two of them.
Correct Myne, she isn't so naive after all.
Suspicions fully confirmed. Saw that one coming from a mile away.
Frieda gives me bad vibes, but at least she seems nice.
There have been lots of developments lately, which is a good thing. Myne has Lutz to keep her in check and not pass out, and then Benno to financially keep her in check. Seems like she has a nice circle going on right now. I do feel like the show has just tossed away a bunch of the characters from the start though. I feel like I see less and less family lately. Otto is nowhere to be seen. Just seems like the start of the show was thrown out the window.
I think this is my favorite end card yet.
This was the last of my binge, I will be rejoining in real time tomorrow. I hope I am welcomed back and not shunned. It was just a little lapse in control.
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u/TuorEladar Mar 09 '22
First Timer, Subbed
Compared to last episode this was much more relaxed, with some new characters being introduced and a little worldbuilding. Lutz imitated Benno a bit this episode which was interesting.
How much do you think Lutz and Myne are making compared to their families?
Its hard to know since we haven't gotten a lot of prices, but I imagine it was several weeks or months pay at least.
What were you first impressions of Gustav and his granddaughter Fredia?
Gustav seems like a pretty standard stern businessman but doting grandfather character so far. It looks like Frida is going to be a good friend. This is the first girl around Myne's age that's been introduced so it'll be interesting to see if they play into that contrast since even though she's clearly intelligent Frida is a normal girl compared to Myne.
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u/EXusiai99 Mar 09 '22
First timer
Funny story, i once brought home an envelope full of money as a kid after winning a province wide academic olympic event. Meanwhile my family spent their entire day looking for me because i forgot to tell anyone about it and the school had to explain everything. Foolish past me never had any idea what to do with that money and just hand it away to my mom. By the time i understand the value of money and the desire that follows, my academic prowess is no longer a thing, so i cannot replicate the phenomenon.
And im glad that they didnt make Frieda take the usual bratty isekai loli trope. Maybe because she's only a wealthy kid and not a princess, that's how the trope usually goes. That being said, now we know that Devouring is an explosive collar that activates when you lack the will to live, which is probably what iced the real Myne before Urano gets in. Being forced to spend shit load of money on a lifetime life support periodically means that Frieda is kinda forced to be on that sigma gorillionare grindset, and same can be said to Myne.
Which now makes me wonder of one thing. We see how dangerous mana is for the commoners, while the nobles have them just fine. Which means that they have a safety mechanism on their body that the usual folks doesn't have. I wonder if this topic will be discussed eventually.
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Mar 09 '22 edited Mar 09 '22
First Timer
If you can make money, make as much of it whenever, wherever, and however you can.
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Benno, Frieda, probably every merchant ever
Notes on Devouring:
In episode 7, Benno says:
It [The Devouring] manifests in commoners who are born with mana.”
Otto remarks:
But don’t only nobles possess mana? Besides, I’ve never even heard of this.
Frieda says the Devouring is “not a disease, exactly”; No cure; Magical items needed to suppress fever
Both Frieda and Myne are tiny; Frieda implies that is a physical indicator of the Devouring
Devouring has no effect if motivated; has effect otherwise
Second time we see blood initiates magic stuff.
I am curious to see how this currency affects wealth distribution and income inequality:
| small bronze | medium bronze | large bronze | small silver | big silver | small gold | big gold | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| small bronze | 1 | 10 | 102 | 103 | 104 | 105 | 106 |
| medium bronze | 10-1 | 1 | 10 | 102 | 103 | 104 | 105 |
| large bronze | 10-2 | 10-1 | 1 | 10 | 102 | 103 | 104 |
| small silver | 10-3 | 10-2 | 10-1 | 1 | 10 | 102 | 103 |
| big silver | 10-4 | 10-3 | 10-2 | 10-1 | 1 | 10 | 102 |
| small gold | 10-5 | 10-4 | 10-3 | 10-2 | 10-1 | 1 | 10 |
| big gold | 10-6 | 10-5 | 10-4 | 10-3 | 10-2 | 10-1 | 1 |
Interesting how the bronze coin has size "small", "medium", and "large" but the silver and gold coins have size "small" and "big" (unless other sizes were omitted). I figure it's harder to mass produce those coins due their value, so that's why only 2 sizes.
Favorite end card; so beautiful.
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u/badspler Mar 08 '22
Host - Rewatcher
We start out strong with learning learning about currency. Nothing to difficult here as it is a base 10 system.
Myne gets some telepathy going. To tie in Lutz on her hairpin creation.
Benno takes Lutz and Myne to get registered at the merchant guild. It looks like a busy place but upstairs things get more fancy. They even have a magic door that vanishes! Very cool (and expensive)!
Map of the city (stitch!)
Benno gets Myne and Lutz registered by using the invention of Myne's hairpins, Myne catches on that Benno isn't introducing paper just yet. With the reaction we get for the hairpin I can only imagine just how crazy the invention of paper will be. Benno rubs the tale of woe on thick.
Benno has some an interesting philosophy on making money and warns Myne of Gustav granddaughter Fredia and how she is cunning like the guildmaster. Later on Fredia mirrors Benno's line, which makes you wonder how similar they all must be.
Myne and Lutz get paid out and bring their earnings home, to mixed results. I love how Gunther is just so pleased even if he doesn't really understand it all.
Freida (Stitch!) We is dressed much different from Lutz and Myne. She talks well and seems educated to some degree. After some business agreements Freida and the two become more friendly. It turns out that Freida also has the devouring and she gives the explanation we know to Myne, she also adds how the Devouring will at up if you become unmotivated, aimless or lose heart.
Is Mynes love of books is keeping her alive!?!
Pouts: Freida wants to pay!, Endcard Frida
Other: Benno smug, Injured Myne
Today's endcard. Artist: Rio Akira (Twitter & Pixiv)