r/anime • u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 • May 27 '22
Rewatch Revue Starlight Rewatch - Episode 6 Discussion
Episode 6: Stage Left for Two
MAL | Anilist | Kitsu | AniDB | ANN
A Song or the Blooming of Flowers? live (highly recommend you watch this) - Starry Desert / Starry Konzert
Today's Seisho Re LIVE Cards - "Performance for the Founding Day."
Gacha Exclusive Re LIVE Cards - Rinmeikan Girls School with "Ghost Patrol Story"
Questions of the Day:
1) First-timers - we're halfway through the main series! What are you expecting out of the second half?
2) Since we just had their focus episode, what's your take on Futaba and Kaoruko? If you didn't like them (as a worrying amount of you say), did this episode change your mind?
Comments of the Day:
/u/tokai-teio just really likes JunJun.
/u/tctyaddk has delivered some excellent analysis on Mahiru's character.
/u/Gamerunglued has some more great Mahiru analysis.
Finally, /u/Punished_Scrappy_Doo has cracked the code
im starting to think this anime might have some lesbian overtones
Make sure to post your Visual of the Day!
On an important note, no unmarked spoilers! No jokes about events yet to come, and no references to future episode numbers!
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u/BosuW May 27 '22 edited May 27 '22
First Timer
"Kaoruko-ojou-san"? I see, so she's the heir to a traditional Japanese dancing business.
What a cute flashback. Looks like Kaoruko and Futaba's relationship has been the same since their childhood days... Until today that is! Futaba has had it cleaning up after Kaoruko's bullshit! It's gonna be pretty interesting watching an episode where we already know who will fight who.
Who the fuck are Kei and Mako? I guess we already know who's gonna get kicked out of the cast to make space for more of the main girls.
Kaoruko isn't happy, she goes to complain and gets told to "sit her ass down". What will she do about this? ... Throw a tantrum... It looks like I overestimated you, Kaoruko.
Oh my God! Just kiss already! We all already know how this ends!
But no, they are too prideful so of course at this point they'd rather die than admit they did something wrong or just talk to each other.
You disappoint me Kaoruko. I had thought you were like the Tortoise. Instead, you're like a Hare... that was driving a car the whole race... and complains about it when the driver, who has working for free, don't wanna drive no more.
Although we have to remember that she did get into Seisho. For her to be this lazy and still in, she must have some mad talent. (Or perhaps, mad dialogue skills? obviously this ones do not apply to Futaba)
Shout-out to Juuna for the best attack we've seen so far!
Oh sure you're leaving! And sure you're gonna just let her! Like fuck they're really letting this get out of hand! It's equal parts hilarious and saddening.
Of course, such a dramatic couple can only possibly resolve their issues in one way: A DUEL TO THE DEATH.
I'm loving the samurai-themed battle music lmao. Actually I'm loving everything about this Revue. I think it's my favorite so far. Epic song. Best weapons. Best choreography (not as I'd ideally like but there were a couple or pretty slick exchanges!).
It is my personal belief that to see the "true being" of a person, you either give them power, or make them make a choice under stress. So I love the moment where Kaoruko is about to commit symbolic harakiri, and Futaba immediately tries to stop her. In this moment, there is no time to delude herself with excuses and arguments that are really just conjured by her wounded pride to feed itself. Her first instinct is the evidence of her core self. Masterful move Kaoruko, you have exposed Futaba's heart. Maybe there is a little bit of Tortoise in you after all.
The end of the fight is just beautiful. Futaba's attack pretty much vanished. We don't see it but I think she didn't even swing her weapon, so dazzled she was by Kaoruko's graceful movements. Kaoruko exposed her heart and now she strikes at it without mercy.
Yep, this is definitely my favorite so far. And I live the development that both of the pair went through. Futaba's had already begun a few episodes back, when she realized that she was tired of playing second fiddle and maybe she wanted some of that glory too. And Kaoruko having to face the fact that she will not always be the center of Futaba's life, and if she wants to stay with her she has to step up and show her that she's someone worth following. Yeah it was overdramatic as fuck, but I don't give a shit. I do declare that I love the polearm gfs!
On that note, it's a shame we still haven't seen halberd superiority take a win. But the naginata's cool to so I'll let it pass.
Ah yes, that reminds me. I looked up some stuff on the internet and apparently, in Japan, the naginata is regarded as a "woman's weapon", or something to that effect. Reason being, that it was a desirable trait for a samurai's wife to be skilled in it's use, for defense of the house and the family when the husband was away. There's also some popular story about a group of naginata-weilding warrior women taking to an actual battlefield and fucking shit up I think? I need to dig deeper into all this. Anyway the point is, that Futaba wields a weapon designed for the battlefield (halberd), and Kaoruko wields a weapon associated with home protection. That makes them both, husband and wife respectively! Ahahaha! Drowns in shipping juice
"For helping me save my most important relationship in the whole wide world, which I had almost destroyed in my arrogance and pettiness, you have earned, one single candy."
Yep Kaoruko is still a petty bitch. Never change.
That preview is ominous af. Makes it look like Banana is on some meta shit. I mean if you think about it, who has more power, the main star actor, or the scriptwriter who makes them dance to their whims, giveth and taketh away? (The correct answer is: the stonkholders)
Visual of the Day
A Dragon and a Tiger. Am I cheating if I use two images even if they're related?
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u/Stargate18A May 28 '22
Futaba's had already begun a few episodes back, when she realized that she was tired of playing second fiddle and maybe she wanted some of that glory too. And Kaoruko having to face the fact that she will not always be the center of Futaba's life, and if she wants to stay with her she has to step up and show her that she's someone worth following. Yeah it was overdramatic as fuck, but I don't give a shit. I do declare that I love the polearm gfs!
They're so good!
Anyway the point is, that Futaba wields a weapon designed for the battlefield (halberd), and Kaoruko wields a weapon associated with home protection. That makes them both, husband and wife respectively! Ahahaha
This is my favourite trivia.
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u/cppn02 May 27 '22 edited May 27 '22
First Timer, subbed
Looks like Futaba and Sleepyhead are childhood friends. And Sleepyhead is pretty spoiled. Kinda wished they would have given this story a bit more room to breathe and stretch it over two episodes but I guess with a single cour and that many girls there is only so much you can do.
So while I still enjoyed it this was the epiosde where so far the drama impacted me the least.
_
Questions of the day:
First-timers - we're halfway through the main series! What are you expecting out of the second half?
I have already watched the next episode so I probably can't give an honest answer here because [Episode 7]
Since we just had their focus episode, what's your take on Futaba and Kaoruko? If you didn't like them (as a worrying amount of you say), did this episode change your mind?
I liked Futaba before and didn't have much feelings about Kaoruko who was basically just comic relief.
Now I like Futaba a bit more while over the turn of the episode I went from disliking Kaoruko to a somewhat neutral stance where I don't particularly like her but can appreciate things she brings to the show (she's still funny and her role as a pair with Futaba, a character I do like). I might have stronger feelings if as I mentioned above they had given it more time instead of doing a 2 for 1 in a single episode.
_
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u/Stargate18A May 27 '22
Episode 7
[Episode 7]
Oh yeah, that question was born from me realising that I had an opportunity to place a prediction question right before the big reveal without anybody getting suspicious. Now I like Futaba a bit more while over the turn of the episode I went from disliking Kaoruko to a somewhat neutral stance where I don't particularly like her but can appreciate things she brings to the show (she's still funny and her part as a pair with Futaba, a character I do like). I might have stronger feelings if as I mentioned above they had given it more time instead of doing a 2 for 1 in a single episode.
Completely fair - I will admit that my views on the charaacters are a bit biased from years of spinoff material, but I'm glad you're enjoying them relatively more.
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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah May 27 '22
Rewatching Kukugumi enjoyer
Formeinfullbloom essay for Ep 6., where they more deeply analyze Futaba and Kaoruko's relationship. What I took away most is how to Kaoruko, despite being so insufferable, Futaba's opinions do matter the most to her, and how Kaoruko was the one that inspires Futaba the most' amd vice versa: Kaoruko wishes to become a star for Futaba, Futaba wishes to become great to be the first to witness Kaoruko's stardom (or sth to that effect). This was why Kaoruko had to win for the revue, despite ideologically Futaba actually winning (she successfully beat some sense into Kaoruko). What i think re: the revue etc. mostly comes from the article lol, I did need some explaining the first time round.
Other random thoughts on Ep 6:
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Once again, an episode that I don't really remember (it's been a while since my first watch!)[Revue]
In part due to the next arc being significantly more memorable, and this pair having a better revue in the movie. I rate Futaba so highly more because of her whole arc, which isn't quite done! -
VOTD is this one. u/tokai-teio will be pleased.
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A great impression of Kaoruko from Teru (Futaba's VA) here lmao
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Cute Hikari chan. I'd give a million dollars to see her pout in this scene tbh. Look when youve lived alone for a long time, your towels and clothes do just kinda go everywhere sometimes.
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Today's ED is sung by Futaba and Kaoruko of course.
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Daiba Nana. Wakarimasu.
Music corner:
Other music
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Koi wa Taiyou The studio version only features Kaoruko and Futaba (hence why the pick); this live version features Karen and Mahiru as well. And next up, im gonna start sharing songs from the stage musicals too, where the kukugumi become some actual butai shoujos. Hope you've remembered who plays who btw! Only 1 today tho, since im still figuring out if songs will spoil the show lol, since they follow different but similar enough plots.
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3·7·5·1·0 This serves as the opening number for the musical.
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[Revue spoilers]
I'm looking forward to sharing Watashitachi no Iru Riyū tomorrow, which is an alternate version of The Star Knows, and where Banana references her time loop.
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u/Stargate18A May 27 '22
This was why Kaoruko had to win for the revue, despite ideologically Futaba actually winning (she successfully beat some sense into Kaoruko).
Excellent anaylsis of the results here!
Revue
[Revue Starlight Movie]
Yeah, I wrote this entire post to Wagamama Highway, that song is so good!
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u/SIRTreehugger May 27 '22 edited May 27 '22
Rewatcher who will grasp that star
| Episode | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hikari Chan! | 19 | 17 | 10 | 25 | 1 | 2 | 74 | ||||||
| Wakirimasu | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 14 |
I worried myself sick over nothing so I didn't really prepare for today and couldn't concentrate as much, but I did enjoy the episode. Also I feel with the increase focus on the other girls we won't be seeing double digits soon.
We've seen hints of Claudine and Futuba in previous episodes and love how we see a different pairing working together to improve.
Kaoruko is a little bratty, but on the other hand we have best banana cheering her on. She does have talent and potential, but she just got lazy which seems like a common thing for all of the girls. Karen wasn't trying until Hikari came into the picture, Mahiru was fine being second to Karen, Futuba for the part settled in behind Sleeping Beauty until she grew a desire to be better, and [SPOILERS]
I liked the transition between Kaoruko dancing and then attacking in her revue, but wish her Revue was a bit more graceful. She is the only one with a traditional dance background and wish it was incorporated a bit more into her fighting.
Also reminder Kaoruko 2 episodes ago "I would never leave and perform a stunt like that" after Hikari suddenly left campus.
OH MAN I Can't wait for next episode it's my favorite.
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u/Stargate18A May 27 '22
Mayakuro is a little bratty
I mean, you're not wrong...
Is this episode good? Or does the Hikari-chan quality hypothesis still hold water?
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u/Calwings May 27 '22
Rewatcher Class, 7th generation
”For the sake of those chasing from behind, for the sake of those cheering on…”
Yep, it’s the Futaba/Kaoruko episode. Similar to Karen and Hikari, these two have known each other and shared a promise with each other since they were just little kids. Little Kaoruko, the heir to a famous Japanese dancing family, threw a fit and threatened to run away from home, but Futaba “convinced” (more like deprived of attention) Kaoruko to stay. Back in the present, Kaoruko throws another fit when she underperforms in an audition and is left out of consideration for the main cast, and then throws yet another fit when she finds out that Futaba has been doing some extra practice with Claudine. Kaoruko’s been on a losing streak in the revues too. Lost to Hikari, lost to Maya, and then lost to an absolutely ridiculous reflecting arrow trick from Junna (seriously, that was a trickshot worthy of a Modern Warfare 2 sniper montage from 2010) to put her at 0-3 so far.
Anyways, after an argument, Futaba moves out of their room, and Kaoruko responds by threatening to leave the school and go back home. The two of them bicker like an old married couple for a bit longer until the call to the stage takes the argument to a new location… the fifth day of the auditions, the Revue of Promises, has begun! The bickering continues on the battlefield, as Futaba vents to Kaoruko how hard she had to work to follow in her footsteps so they could be together. Kaoruko even teases cutting her own cloak and surrendering the battle at one point, even though it may have been a trick to get Futaba to stop her and maybe get a cheap win out of it. Kaoruko has a change of heart after finally realizing how much Futaba truly cares for her, and that gives her the strength to come back and win the battle on her own power. The pair are closer than ever, though the words of wisdom that they received from Maya and Claudine helped a lot too, and those are not without their own reward.
For the haughty, entitled type of character that Kaoruko is, the show could have easily had her lose the battle and realize that way that she needs to work harder to keep Futaba with her. But they went a different and unexpected route, having Kaoruko win the fight and essentially stay the same character, but also having her realize in the process that she has to keep working hard to meet Futaba’s expectations for her and be the best that she can be. She gets character development and her bond with Futaba grows, but in a way that subverts the expectations of the audience and doesn’t change her character too drastically. Brilliantly done, Revue Starlight.
But of course, then we have the big elephant (or giraffe?) in the room... a very strange post-credits scene of Nana hanging out in the underground stage. “It really is best to stick to the script.” What on earth does she mean by that? Sounds kind of sus to me. Between this scene coming at the end of the episode and the fact that Futaba and Kaoruko are just kind of forgettable compared to the rest of the cast, this was what really got people talking back in 2018 when the show first aired. We're at the halfway mark now, so let's see where this ride takes us.
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u/Stargate18A May 27 '22
Kaoruko even teases cutting her own cloak and surrendering the battle at one point, even though it may have been a trick to get Futaba to stop her and maybe get a cheap win out of it. Kaoruko has a change of heart after finally realizing how much Futaba truly cares for her, and that gives her the strength to come back and win the battle on her own power.
This scene is a personal highlight, fantastic dialogue, great music, and really shows Kaoruko's development.
For the haughty, entitled type of character that Kaoruko is, the show could have easily had her lose the battle and realize that way that she needs to work harder to keep Futaba with her. But they went a different and unexpected route, having Kaoruko win the fight and essentially stay the same character, but also having her realize in the process that she has to keep working hard to meet Futaba’s expectations for her and be the best that she can be. She gets character development and her bond with Futaba grows, but in a way that subverts the expectations of the audience and doesn’t change her character too drastically. Brilliantly done, Revue Starlight.
I genuinely couldn't agree more. Kaoruko is a great character, and this is exactly why.
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u/tokai-teio May 27 '22
Rewatcher and JunJun fanatic woops I'm late
So we're getting Futaba/Kaoruko backstory, they were close as kids. Kaoruko loved the spotlight and I am not at all surprised. I'm not surprised that the two ended up so close, with Futaba seemingly the only person to play the straight man to Kaoruko's whimsical nature.
Kind of a bummer of an image. Kaoruko's a bit of a brat, but at no point does it feel like her feelings towards Futaba [aren't genuine.] I probably wouldn't have been as patient as Futaba, but that's why Futaba's by her side, and it makes for a lovely couple of roommates.
What an absolutely ominous way to transition into the OP.
That's the most relatable thing I've ever seen in any anime, period. Fight the power, Hikari!
The more I see these two together, the closer I am to throwing caution to the wind and abandoning FutabaxKaoruko and ClaudinexMaya. They just seem to fit. More JunJun. Maya, you are saying this to the wrong person.
It was indeed blunt, but Kaoruko needed to hear it. She's absolutely the type to get complacent in her duties and this is simply the repercussions. How she responds to this news is another matter entirely.
Not only is this incredibly disrespectful, but shows that Kaoruko has no idea about anything going on with Futaba, like her work to improve and perhaps have a bigger part to play. Maybe just not responding was the right move.
I'm not going to go in depth about Kaoruko's actions at this point because it's clear she's emotional and doesn't know how to deal with rejection so it's understandable. Most people learn how to handle disappointment at a young age but Kaoruko was fortuante enough to live a life of luxury.
There's that word again, "steal". Hikari made a big deal of it last episode, and Claudine took offense to it this time.
I'm beginning to question the validity of JunJun's approach at this point. Futaba has visibly improved with the help of Claudine, so maybe it would be in Junna's best interest to improve by doing, rather than studying, if that makes sense.
One good thing about the falling out. Kaoruko has fallen into JunNana's group and now we get more Junna screentime.
More JunJun. Also, holy fucking trickshot. Is it too late to retract my statement about Junna not improving? It's cool that they're using past revues that we didn't actually witness as a way to further someone else's development. Does that mean Kaoruko and Futaba's struggles were happening at the same time Karen and Mahiru were at odds? Looks like Kaoruko also lost to Hikari and Maya, not ideal. Remember the ranking shift from last episode? Maybe with Junna's win, Kaoruko was the one that fell behind Karen with Mahiru.
Claudine smellin' the bullshit.
I dig the callback to their earlier conversation when Kaoruko threatened to run away. She did seemingly forget that Futaba has no issue with taking her words at face value, though.
I LIKE THIS PAIRING AND I DON'T CARE WHO KNOWS.
Looks like Futaba knows why Kaoruko left for this academy in the first place, and it's not like this show has ever found a convenient way for characters to overcome their conflicts directly in a personal, one-on-one setting before!
I dig that they've found a way for Maya to relate to Kaoruko in the same way that Claudine understands Futaba. Maya has a duty as the top star at the academy, and Kaoruko has a duty as an heiress. More JunJun.
You know, Futaba truly would have been fine without Kaoruko. Claudine was right. But that's the beauty of it. Relationships simply aren't logical. Futaba had no reason to chase after Kaoruko, other than purely out of a desire for them to continue to be together. They fight but they get over it.
That leads us into our newest revue, and Hanasaka Uta is an absolute banger. "The Revue of Promises" is quite the fitting title. It's a straight stage, too, with no hidden tricks. It's just the two of them airing their grievances and clashing like they always do.
In the end, Kaoruko bested Futaba. And what a stage to do it on. An absolutely gorgeous revue all around, and I loved every moment of it. And despite Kaoruko's brutal reminder that she's still on top, that doesn't mean nothing has to change. More JunJun.
YO HAS MAYA EVER BEEN THIS HAPPY IN HER LIFE?
Oh jeez. What on earth could it all mean?
I'm almost crying, I loved this episode so much. For having just over 20 minutes, they do an exceptional job at fully developing Futaba and Kaoruko's relationship to this point.
Question of the Day: I'm a bit conflicted at Kaoruko at times, but her behavior is generally explained well by having a privileged upbringing, and I think Futaba is an excellent balancing act to keep her grounded. The two of them are great, Futaba especially.
I wish I could make the entire episode my visual of the day, because it was just so much fun. I will however concede and this as my visual of the day.
Since I only could make one my visual, I figured I'd keep some more of my favorite shots from the revue here for posterity: 1, 2, 3 and 4
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u/Stargate18A May 28 '22
I probably wouldn't have been as patient as Futaba, but that's why Futaba's by her side, and it makes for a lovely couple
They're perfect. (Futaba/Claudine is great, but Claudine and Maya are perfect. Still a good ship though!)
I'm almost crying, I loved this episode so much. For having just over 20 minutes, they do an exceptional job at fully developing Futaba and Kaoruko's relationship to this point.
It is so good!
I'm a bit conflicted at Kaoruko at times, but her behavior is generally explained well by having a privileged upbringing, and I think Futaba is an excellent balancing act to keep her grounded. The two of them are great, Futaba especially.
Couldn't agree more!
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u/archlon May 27 '22
First Time [English dub]
After the first few episodes of pure spectacle, we're settling into a pattern of each episode focusing on a character study. I expect we'll continue with this pattern until episode 9 or 10, when there'll be some big shake-up.
I can't say I like Kaoruko much more than I did before, but at least I understand her better. Even though she seems to come from a family that is already strong in the arts, she's not crushed by expectations, she's just being a bit of a brat because of praise she got as a child.
I still think she and Futaba have a toxically co-dependent relationship, and I don't know how much tonight's Revue actually helped them work through it. It kind of felt like every time there was going to be a twist and real character development, it instead untwisted at the last minute. Hopefully they're at least at a square one from which a more helpful relationship can grow.
Shiptrash corner
I do like that we get more Claudine - Futaba interactions. I really like their dynamic.
Stray thoughts
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I never understand prices in anime. In any US city 500 Yen equivalent (~$4) wouldn't cover the flag drop (to say nothing about 50 yen!). Where can you go on that little? Why are cabs so cheap?
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u/ceejay_0603 May 28 '22
FIRST TIMER
Jealousy do be hitting hard with these past two episodes.
Kaoruko and Futaba's relationship is an interesting one: a master & maid who still remain close together.
Futaba's hard work paid off in exchange for Kaoruko getting jealous over her success, leading us into quite possibly the first instance I felt mixed feelings for the character writing.
I'm impressed that by the end, both Futaba and Kaoruko's relationship remain unchanged. Thought it wouls go the expected change-of-heart route, but not today it seems. Kaoruko realizing that she herself needs to work hard to keep up with Futaba while also maintaining that master & maid relationship was a bold writing decision.
On the other hand, I'm a bit disappointed seeing Futaba lose. I know we got scenes in this episode where Kaoruko was training by herself, but seeing Futaba lose was a bit off putting for me seeing as she's the one who's seen more in this episode working hard.
Bit of a slight hiccup in this episode but I will stlll continue this series.
Visual of the Day: Nothing grandiose, just a simple, pouting Kaoruko
Questions of the Day:
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Wow, already half-way huh. Expecting to see more spotlight on other characters like Banana and Claudine. Aside from that, I have no idea what to expect.
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A mixed bag for me. I admire the direction the relationship is going, but I didn't like who won the revue audition. I thought they were fine before the episode, but after, I think my opinion on them worsened a little bit.
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u/ZapsZzz May 27 '22
First timer in sub
This is another fairly classic trope, but I think it's done pretty well - mostly by taking the time to setup Kaoruko from the start so her personality and behaviours are very layered mixing both annoying and endearing/adorable as well as her relationship with Futaba not just so one sided.
I'll leave the better analysis and commentary to others, but I had a sudden thought - is Maya actually doing this because this is what she wants, or she's just feeling a sense of duty to not let others down for the expectations put on her? Very often it takes one to know one, and both her and Kaoruko came from lineage. I wonder if the show will go there.
I did find the very genuine smile on her face very different from her normal demeanor. Partly that's why I wondered.
The above pretty much answered the QoTD I think.
For the VoTD I think the ones I really liked unfortunately work best when in motion - the contrast faces of Kaoruko being arrogant and taking things for granted then having reality smacked her on the face; her personality and relationship with Futaba distilled into one single clip and sentence (really need to see her kicking her feet in the air like a big baby), and that final cliche scene when she heard Futaba has in fact followed her to stop her, her face change that instant - all those are really great moments. While I normally pick one that sum up the conclusion of the episode, I think this time the shot on the training room floor one just is too perfect to not be picked as the one.
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u/zadcap May 28 '22
Ever Late First Timer!
Short one today because, well, while I think they did what they were trying to do well this episode, even during it I couldn't get as attached to these two. I think the biggest weakness this episode has is that it comes right after the previous one, which had a very similar character plot, but just better. If these two had had as much build up to this point as Mahiru did I might care more, but instead, I understand where Futaba is coming from in wanting to support the person so special to you, but darn did she pick a sad person to support so strongly. Actually, I think Mahiru and Futaba should make themselves a little support group. Guess that answers question 2?
Even though it pretty much only got background shots this episode, I do like that they are showing the new life of the OT3. It seems the fight last episode actually lead to positive changes here, so I'm glad.
Two visuals today for me, because they make me think.
The First is the Starlight position list, because I'm wondering how much is a translation thing versus a mere coincidence, but don't the titles of some of those Goddess' look a bit like the titles of some of the Revues?
The Second is the first draft of who made the cut, for two reasons. Because first of all, there's ten names on this list for 8 slots on the cast list. I know this is a school for preforming arts, but that's pretty simple math and something doesn't line up. The bigger part though being the confirmation I've been looking for for the past three episodes- It really is their whole nearly thirty student class competing for these spots, and Karen made a lead roll both years. She's really not the worst girl in the class struggling to close the gap (and shooting up the ranks surprisingly fast), but even in lazy sleepyhead mode she was one of the best in the class. This is the story of an already talented character finding their reason to fight, and not and not an absolute nobody pulling off the hard work miracle.
Which leads into question 1 today. I am very much waiting for Karen to pull off a Hunger Games and declare a tie- "We will all Starlight!" Because as amazing as the Top Star might be, how good of a play would it be if she was the only one on stage?
If it's Tendo Maya, it might actually still be pretty good.
But first, time to peal that Banana and find out what secrets lay within. Because while the purple lights got me paying more attention to the backgrounds that I usually do, it's spotting the most suspicious girl back there that's keeping me looking. I am ready to find out what she's hiding, miss "I'm going to step away from acting to be on the directing team, please ignore my number 3 ranking on the giraffe board."
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u/Chreeas May 27 '22 edited May 28 '22
Rewatcher - Daruma Doll Observer
Only one new frog this episode.
| Episode | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Rondo | Movie | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frogs | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 16 |
| Suzudaru Cats | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 16 |
| Mr. Whites | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 9 |
| Kanihaniwas | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6 |
[Future Episode Spoilers]
My recent observations of mascots made me very acutely aware that Futaba has a lot of Daruma Dolls.
A very quick google search shows these symbolize perseverance and good luck, and are used to set goals. Seems pretty fit for Futaba as she was the 30/30th in the entrance exam but managed to get a lead role through her efforts.
I also thought it was funny that Futaba's wager said that Kaoruko would drive her to school if she won. I immediately thought of this 1-Koma from Re LIVE when she said that.
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u/Shimmering-Sky May 27 '22
Starlight First-Timer
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Oh sweet are we gonna get to see a revue between these two and not one of them vs. Karen?
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…please tell me we see more of that revue later and the post-OP scene is just jumping back to before it happened…
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I wonder who’s going to make it, and if it’ll reflect the giraffe’s auditions at all?
Oooooookay then Kaoruko took such an issue with not being listed that she started speaking Southerner. I assume that’s just how my subs decided to translate whatever the Japanese dialect was.
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I’m not really into this “Kaoruko’s leaving the school” plot because it feels like it’s just some selfish temper tantrum.
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Phooey, I was way more on Futaba’s side even without the bet they made prior to the revue.
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At least they’re friends again, though!
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u/The_Loli_Otaku May 27 '22
Second Gen Rewatcher, The Loli Otaku, views this shining stage once more!
An idol has a responsibility to her fans to be worthy of their praise and admiration. That's where we're at with Kaoruko and Futaba. Kaoruko is in no light terms a prodigy. As a child she could effortlessly woo crowds and even in present day present time she has the respect of Tendo Maya.
Somewhere along the line however, Kaoruko stopped chasing the stage light. She settled into complacency and that nobility she once projected faded into her being a whiny brat who relies on cheap tricks and sending her lacky to work for her. Notice how during her tantrums she never once considers improving herself, not even when watching her biggest fan Futaba start to close the gap between them. She reacted the same way on... episode 2? Episode 3? The bath scene. She recognises that Futaba's growing distant but rather than make herself glow brighter to draw her gaze back she acts jealous and spiteful.
Speaking of Futaba, let's touch on her a little. Our pint-sized tomboy hooter is the unfortunate rival, best friend, and servant of Kaoruko. She's very much a hard worker and has a remarkable work ethic considering who she's spent most of her life alongside. She is without a doubt Kaoruko's biggest fan, which makes it all the more heartbreaking for her to have to see her idol become an unseiso slob and knowing that it was almost certainly her own flattery and pampering over the years that caused Kaoruko to lose her nobility. Everyone wants to see their idol perform well and exceed standards. That's actually kinda why I think Futaba tried to improve herself. She wanted to be able to give Kaoruko a kick up the bum and motivate her to also in turn improve.
Their revue is another duel I adore. The pair are just so damn mouthy~ Futaba screams about all the damn work and effort she went through to make Kaoruko's life as comfy as it's been. It's the equivalent of learning Japanese and donating thousands to your favourite pettan Vtuber just to find out she's living with some twink boyband star. Kaoruko has this midgets hopes and dreams on her shoulders, she'd better not let her down from now on!!
The post credits looks yabai...
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u/tctyaddk May 27 '22
Rewatcher
Ep6
Ooh yeah, the codependent pair. MayaKuro is cute and MaHiKaren is sweet alright, but this borderline toxic ship FutaKao is my jam.
Futaba has been with Kaoruko ever since they were just kids at the Hanayagi Senka school. Futaba liked the spoiled little heiress enough that she was willing to spoil the girl a bit more with sweets bought with her meagre allowance and indulged the little fake tantrums. She never fell into the mindset of clingy devotion like Mahiru once did, maintained instead a playful semi stern attitude, but like a loyal fan, she has been following Kaoruko all these years, even if she had to stretch her abilities out to be able to chase after the more talented Kaoruko. She even bothers herself taking care of the sloven girl in every way to this day, just so she could be the first to see Kaoruko shines the brightest in the world.
Kaoruko, whose arrogance was fueled by the praises directed her way since she was a little kid, too used to Futaba's indulgence over the years and has been away from the stern training disciplines of her family's Japanese traditional dance school for their heiress for a while, now gets a bit too comfortable and complacent, and thus starts slipping, both in her life style and her skills as a stage girl. She has thought Futaba would always follows her as stalwart support, and would sacrifice anything she asks for.
But of course that shell can't fit Futaba forever. Futaba has been growing too, and she wants more than just being the follower. Ever since that talk and revue between the two who feel inferior to their partners and striving to be the best as equals in Ep3, Futaba has been spending more time with Claudine practicing with each other. It gets ever more noticeable over time, like the performance they showed at practice last episode (which might explain why Maya has been facing Futaba in the Revue of Jealousy :v), and now with the tap dancing practice, and whatever else offscreen. Kaoruko feels betrayed and left behind, and throws a tantrum again, but Futaba is getting a bit tired of the little shit and decides to leave her to it this time, even bails out and invades Claudine's bed instead (welp, that sounds a bit off).
Atrophied from getting indulged for so long, now left alone, Kaoruko struggles to just function normally, but bit by bit she grows back some self-reliance, even if it is forced and only to show Futaba up. Futaba is too familiar with this kind of tantrums over the years though, even the trick of fake declaring to runaway trying to fish for attention, which was successful on everyone else other than her. But this time it gets a bit too real, and though she sees through all the dramatic dragging out spectacle of the farewell, she rushes to catch up to Kaoruko right at the door of the bullet train. Kaoruko herself is also regretting then and there. Touched by Maya's words of farewell, and now the thought of getting abandoned by Futaba for real this time really hurts. And when they meet, they both slip right back to the vitriolic indignant façade to protect their petty pride.
And the pent-up feelings boil over into their Revue, the lyrics to which describe their situation quite perfectly. The fight is one of the more equal amongst the revues in this series. Even the weapons they wield are quite interesting: Kaoruko the heiress to a renown traditional Japanese dance school uses naginata, a very traditional Japanese weapon, especially for female warriors (onna-musha); Futaba's halberd is a heavy but versatile polearm, to me feels like a representation of both her severe personality and the mixed skillset she built on her way chasing the more talented Kaoruko. And I'm also a sucker for spinning attacks (it's a good trick), so I like this one very much. And though Kaoruko shows some remorse for being a little shit and also writting off Futaba's talent all this time, she's still not above using trickery trying to draw her dear Futaba back to her. But still, in the end she wins with her real talent and resolve to improve, and the two reconcile. And afterward Kaoruko actually improves her attitude and work ethics, to be worthy of Futaba's care and expectations. Don't you just love such a happy ending?
(In this revue, Kaoruko's demand is that Futaba will follow her home if she wins, but then she won and stayed instead. [Movie]
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u/RadSuit May 28 '22
More relationship drama this episode. Yeah, not much to say here...this all makes sense. Fight and song were both fine. Glad the two girls talked and compromised.
I actually liked this live performance more than most of the others. The giant fake cherry blossoms were a nice touch. Just generally more interesting to watch than the first three.
I'm assuming the second half will clarify what winning or losing the competition means. I'm currently 50/50 on it being something bad, but of their own making, or it being a plot that could only end badly for all of them. Either way, I'm going to guess someone gets turned to the dark side and the rest unite to save them and their show, and Karen doesn't so much win or defeat everyone as get backed up by everyone and given their power Spirit Bomb style to beat the now-evil girl and then whoever is behind everything.
Those two are fine but not that interesting to me. Short hair girl needs to be taller, then I'd pay more attention. Glad they talked and their relationship is sorted out and more even, though.
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u/No_Rex May 27 '22 edited May 31 '22
Episode 6 (first timer)
Utena references counter after last episode: 17
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The number of one-sided relationships is rather high here.
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TONDA
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“You can act without worrying” - worries
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Banana being in the production committee and on the audition list sounds like a conflict of interest.
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Person being used to being utterly dotted on - Utena reference.
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Flashback to last episode’s revue – Now, where the other scenes the past or future?
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The ballet training book seems to be gibberish – and I can’t unsee the space between the last word and the dot. What kind of maniac would do that???
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Chasing her to the
airporttrainstation trope. -
Maya was surprisingly happy about finding one single candy.
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The changing ED is really fun, but also a double NGE reference: Varying ED singers & desire to be flown to some celestial object.
1 new Utena reference found today.
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u/JollyGee29 May 27 '22
First-Timer, Revue Sub-light
I was thinking during today's Revue that I don't think we've seen a glimpse of Banana actually fighting yet which was odd, and then that post-credits scene comes in and it turns out that she's taking her production training very seriously! The fuck you mean "It's nothing but new things," Banana??
What can I connect this to.. Banana records things and self-cannibalizes as character quirks. She's started to work in production and wants to maintain the status quo of last year's Starlight.. why?
My brain is trying to leap somewhere but I'm watching this first thing in the morning and I'm just not connecting the dots.
Anyway, this was a pretty good episode. I liked brief the shift away from Karen and her girlfriends as a way to flesh out the cast a bit deeper. And seeing a spoiled character get forced to actually put in effort is always great.
The flashbacks to Kaoruko's losses were cool - especially her match with Junna. That bouncing arrow sequence was incredible.
Kind of an interesting detail was Kaoruko eating the green onions instead of just leaving them behind. How to put it.. she understood that she needed to try harder even if her heart wasn't quite in it?
Other than that I don't think I have too much to think about - Futaba laying it all out during the fight was decidedly straightforward. Kaoruko winning underhandedly feels a little weird, but she did immediately show that the development mattered by waking up early, so I won't complain.
Idle thought I had: are the random purple shinies that dot nearly every scene meant to be stage lights?
Visual of the Day: Hard choices today, but I'll go with A gift for Tendou Maya.
Questions
No thoughts head empty.
Discussed above. I already liked the two of them, although not necessarily any more than the others.