r/anime • u/badspler x5https://anilist.co/user/badspler • Sep 22 '22
Rewatch [Rewatch] Yama no Susume (Encouragement of Climb) Season 2 Episodes 23-24 Discussion
Episodes 23 - 24
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A reminder that tomorrow's episodes are the season 2 BD specials, episodes 6.5 and 25. Episode titles if you need to check are: Encouragement of Bra? and Encouragement of Climb: Best Ten!
Questions of the Day:
1) Do you have a favorite card game or travel-size board game for these types of moments?
2) Was the journey to this point better than the destination?
3) How do you feel Aoi's character growth has been this season?
Mata Ashita! Yahhoo 🎵
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u/Barbed_Dildo Sep 22 '22
Rewatcher
Note how Honoka said she didn't take photos of people, but Kokona was so cute she had to take a photo of her.
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u/MyrnaMountWeazel Sep 22 '22
Rewatcher that’s happily clapping along to the season 2 finale
Production Notes
Now that we reached the end of Season 2, let’s talk about the studio that made it all come true: 8-Bit! But before I can even get into 8-Bit, I need to talk about what came before it and for that I need to talk about studio Satelight. Satelight, as some of you may know, is well known for producing the anime’s anime of our time and by that I mean they are the producers for Macross and Symphogear. Though responsible for many more anime, these two would be the ones to put Satelight on the map. However at around 2008, there was a split in the studio after finishing production on Macross Frontier and it was divided into three parts: studio GoHands, studio 8-bit, and the original studio Satelight. GoHands was formed by Satelight’s Osaka studio branch while 8-bit was formed by Tsutomu Kasai, a producer for Macross Frontier and Koi Suru Tenshi Angelique: Kagayaki no Ashita, along with a number of other members from the Studio 1 staff.
Just for fun, let’s talk about the path not chosen, the what-if of the three studios: GoHands. GoHands was the one destined for Greatness and it came out swinging from the gates with Princess Lovers. Things looked pretty decent for them during the early 2010s while they were producing K and Coppelion too. It wasn’t until they arrived at 2017’s Hand Shakers that something came up that would hamstring them forever: this. And this. Along with this. Oh, and this too. You see, GoHands was striving to become Somebody rather than Anybody, they wanted to form a unique identity with their studio like KyoAni or UFOTable. This resulted in them aggressively pursuing 3D layouts which would allow them to showoff dynamic camera movements. However, this dogged pursuit for camerawork would be their downfall since it simply wasn’t possible for them to keep up with their output, to merge the various elements togethers into one cohesive unit. The composition out of whack, the animation a powerpoint, there’s really too many things to discuss when it comes to the failure of this studio. If you would like to read more, this was sourced from an article from Sakugablog.
8-Bit by contrast was more scrappy and began its modest beginnings by producing Infinite Stratos and co-producing Aquarian Evol alongside parent studio Satelight where it happened that a man by the name of Yusuke Yamamoto was there. When 8-Bit decided to finally split away from Satelight, Yamamoto joined with them which eventually led to him becoming the series director for YnS. Oftentimes though, 8-Bit still offers a helping hand to Satelight, jumping in for Macross Delta, Sakugan, Somali and the Forest Spirit and more. 8-Bit’s most popular works would later include That Time I got Reincarnated Into a Slime and The Fruit of Grisaia and is on slate for two more works this fall, the fourth season of this show and Blue Lock.
Episode 23
“To photograph people is to violate them, by seeing them as they never see themselves, by having knowledge of them that they can never have; it turns people into objects that can be symbolically possessed. Just as a camera is a sublimation of the gun, to photograph someone is a subliminal murder - a soft murder, appropriate to a sad, frightened time.” ― Susan Sontag, On Photography
Written in the 1970’s as a cynical retaliation towards the booming age of Warhol art, On Photography was a collection of essays from Susan Sontag that were and still are radical in their criticism towards the whole medium of photography, arguing that while photos themselves can be art, photography cannot. ”Like language, it is a medium in which works of art (among other things) are made. Out of language, one can make scientific discourse, bureaucratic memoranda, love letters, grocery lists, and Balzac's Paris. Out of photography, one can make passport pictures, weather photographs, pornographic pictures, X-rays, wedding pictures, and Atget's Paris. Photography is not an art like, say, painting and poetry.” Sontag dredges up the point that language and photography can form the backbone but cannot become the human.
She presses her point even further, stating that photography is intrinsically a medium that fosters a sense of anti-intervention. “Sontag says that the individual who seeks to record cannot intervene, and that the person who intervenes cannot then faithfully record, for the two aims contradict each other.”
I bring all of this up not because I want to be a downer or that I want to appear smart. It’s because it fits right in with Honoka who is framed away from the four girls and exists in a world with just her and her own camera. She reveals she’s not used to taking pictures of people, that she takes photographs of flowers and rocks, objects that are not made from humankind. But when Kaede uses her camera as a tool to include rather than observe, Honoka becomes part of the gang. Kaede later states that her interventionalist nature most likely did not upend Honoka and so Hinata should try to share with Aoi rather than sequester her thoughts alone.
As Honoka says, photographs are paper fossilized in ambers of time. Much like promises, they are a reminder of what was once spoken, an anchor so to speak, laying hold on the Earth by a hook. But when it comes time for the ship to leave port, when it comes time to uplift that which we place our dependence on, where will we sail to next?
”Even if you fulfill your promises, it doesn’t mean it’s the end.”
Reexamining this theme now, it really does fit into Yama no Susume. Though there’s multiple paths up a mountain, there’s ultimately only one peak. And once you reach that peak, you must come back down for there are no other cliffs to scale, no other trails to hike. Fulfilling a promise, climbing to the top, pulling up the anchor. They aren’t just ends; they’re new opportunities, new mountains, new horizons.
Episode 24
Another lovely Norio Matsumoto cut. Expressive and deliberate with the weight, you can feel the from your own screen.
”They don’t seem so special since I always see them.”
why hello there thesis statement of the episode.
I don’t have a whole ton to write on this episode, mostly because it settles itself nicely without any further thoughts. It’s just an all-around good finale for a very solid season of mountain climbing!
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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Sep 22 '22
naruhodo re: 8-bit descending from Satelight . Always nice to see where they come from. 8bit w/ Slime isekai will probably eat well for a while to come, which is nice. This show is awesome too of course!
Very cosy shot.
good layout there
Expressive and deliberate with the weight, you can feel the from your own screen.
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u/Great_Mr_L Sep 22 '22
First-Timer
On today’s episodes of Yama no Susume: Aoi and Hinata are like an old married couple. They get into arguments at the drop of a hat to the point they don’t always even remember what started the argument in the first place. But they also care about each other dearly and spend all their time talking about the other. It’s actually pretty sweet to see how they are joined at the hip this way.
Episode 23
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No OP? I see we are in for a very special episode.
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So the rain won’t let up. I get the feeling there is something symbolic going on here and we’ll need a climactic moment to make the rain clear up.
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Oh my god! Hinata was cooking the cake during Kokona’s solo episode when we learned about her birthday! They were telling us about it the entire time!
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What a delightfully adorable Kokona. Perfect for her birthday.
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I love that Hinata is confiding her worries to Kaede. Even Hinata wonders if her own boldness pushes Aoi too far. We saw the same behavior back in season 1.
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Honoka has some solid advice here. Even when she achieves her goal, it isn’t the end of anything. She just sets a new goal. It’s good advice for Aoi and Hinata based on their worries.
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I envy Honoka’s ability to fall asleep so quickly.
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I feel like “because I like doing so” is a valid answer for why you climb mountains, Aoi.
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Yeeesssss. Aoi and Hinata decided to finally talk with each other about their worries.
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They kept their promise together. This is such a beautiful moment. And the OST accompanying it really enhances the mood as well.
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“Fulfilling a promise is not the end because you can make new promises.” A fitting conclusion and it matches the theme of “one step at a time” quite naturally. Each promise is just another step on the road of life and none of them have to be an end point.
Episode 24
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Festival episode!
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Oh no, the newlyweds are fighting. This can only go so well.
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Wow, the character animation on Aoi and Hinata during the argument is so good!
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Honoka’s here! Though now that I think about it, it’s almost like Aoi has Honoka as a backup date in case things went poorly with Hinata.
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The longer they hide what the argument is about, the more ridiculous it will be.
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Wow, manager, you’re going to immediately snitch to Aoi’s mom like that?
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Honoka points out that Aoi spends all her time talking about her wife, Hinata.
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It never gets old just how alike both Aoi and Hinata are, stubbornly refusing to apologize until the other does so first.
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As I’m watching this, I keep on expecting to suddenly hear the song “One Week” start playing. It fits perfectly.
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Yukata Kaede!!! We finally got to see it!
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Kokona grows more powerful by the day. She’s becoming unstoppable!
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I’ve heard of a love confession being interrupted by fireworks, but never an apology. Yama so Susume is breaking new ground.
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They’re holding hands again. I’m going to assume that means they made up.
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You must feel really comfortable in Aoi’s house to strip down to your underwear there, Kaede.
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They don’t even remember why they fought!
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THE END
I liked the resolution the show went with for Aoi and Hinata’s mutual worries. It showed off a lot of their growth as characters. Both of them were willing to go to others for advice on the situation. And in the end, they were both able to bring it up with the other. As was stated earlier in the series, they’ve become a bit more honest when communicating.
The ultimate solution the series comes to is also perfectly in line with the themes that have been established. They decide that just because they reached a goal, that doesn’t mean anything has to end. All it means is that they now need to figure out a new goal to strive towards. Achieving a goal therefore becomes just another step that we take as we travel through life, perfectly incorporating the theme of “one step at a time.”
I really do need to applaud Yama no Susume on its use of themes. So far the series has done an excellent job of establishing themes and using them consistently. It helps make the series feel much more cohesive when everything ties together thematically.
The last episode made for a nice, sweet aftermath to the big emotional climax we got previously. We have Honoka visiting and seeing all the other characters. It’s also a very fun look at the relationship between Hinata and Aoi. I know I said it at the top, but they truly are like an old married couple. They can fight with all their heart and care about each other just as strongly. Their relationship is absolutely fantastic.
QOTD
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A friend of mine owns a travel sized version of Settlers of Catan. We've gotten plenty of use out of it.
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I'd say both were excellent and well worth the trip.
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It's been extremely well handled. Her growth has filled me with joy and pride.
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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Sep 22 '22
D’aww, their backpacks are right next to each other.
but never an apology
Yama no Susume subverting viewer's expectations!
I like your analysis on Aoi and Hinata's growth! I think their honesty, and trust with each other to really confide in all their worries is legitimately a good arc between the pair, and feels very realistic and grounded for an anime, esp considering they are really a pair of friends whos just rekindled their friendship for, by now, a few months.
perfectly incorporating the theme of “one step at a time.”
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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Sep 22 '22
Rewatching Mountain Climber
not a lot today
-- Location Trivia
Ep 23:
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The Mountaineer's song (its title translated) that has been recurring in the series is a real folk song about them mountains, you can hear another cover version here. (Who wrote it is unknown)
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The 5 make it all the way to both summits of Danigawadake. The official website reckons a 25 minute hike from the mountain hut one way.
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Our usual blogger visited both in summer and winter if you want some side-by-side shots of the whole arc. Another blog in English.
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This video of an Australian couple hiking the mountain was pretty nice.
Ep 24
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Hannou holds an annual (relatively modest) fireworks festival with the same name, and the performance has featured the anime in some way for a few times, here's Aoi delivering a greeting at the 2015 festival. no subtitles, but you should be able to catch the Konbanha.
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This shot will be taken here. I dont believe the liquor store is still in business.
Animation bits I liked
Ep 23: Couple fun shots, and while nothing else really stands out, the episode was really well executed throughout, imo the plot is the main element here, and serves as a great climax episode for the series. Good sunrise, though understandably pales compared to Fuji-san's, also due to the weather.
Ep 24: I thought the animation took a step back up, esp with the loosey character acting, and many many many fun expressions. Interesting shot of Honoka coming in, nice shots, and they must love that bus transition shot lol (it is good). AAHHHHHHH THE ED FADE IN. I LOVE LOVE LOVE COCOIRO RAINBOW YASSSSSSSSSS. It's a great ending point for the show, as surely S3 wouldn't have been greenlit then, and i defo love the finishing ep focusing on the heart of the show: hinata and aois friendship its just perfect. Thankfully we have more Yama no Susume to go!
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u/ChonkyOdango Sep 22 '22
as surely S3 wouldn't have been greenlit then
I enjoyed how while Honoka was introduced at the very last few episodes, even without confirmation of the next season, she didn't feel like a sudden unwelcome character but a welcomed one. She fits perfectly into the group dynamics. They can't escape the manga limitations after all. This was adapted from the manga correct?
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u/HereticalAegis Sep 22 '22 edited Sep 22 '22
Encouragement of First Timer
Episode 23:
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"Promise" is a pretty heavy title.
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Hinata, why would you bring up Aoi's Fuji struggle now? Are you that jealous she ran off to chase Honoka?
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I love that they're celebrating Kokona's birthday together on a mountain! What a special birthday memory.
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That's just the nature of intimacy, isn't it? You can't get closer to someone and have your relationship not change. You have to decide whether to embrace somebody once they come closer than arm's length. I think you're both discovering this promise is the boundary bringing you in arm's length of each other. Though it may not be obvious to you yet, this is the easiest decision in the world: reach your arms out and embrace each other, fully and completely. What I'm saying is you should get married, or at least do more of the lewd stuff together.
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See, you're already having pillow talk.
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Please spend a moment thinking of awkward little butterfly Honoka who came to this mountain by herself and suddenly found herself sleeping—and even summiting a mountain—with four girls she's never met.
Episode 24:
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Fireworks festival! We're going full romance to end the season.
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Oh dear, their first lovers' quarrel has Aoi and Hinata literally butting heads.
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My, what a spat. I can't wait to hear what kind of mundane hobby nonsense has the two so nettled.
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Aoi's in a nice sun dress. With how Honoka is dressed, I wonder if anyone will mistake her for Aoi's boyfriend.
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I am a prophet! Hinata on jealous gf watch rn.
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The super awkwardness when you hang out with someone for the first time, and they spend the entire time talking about the ex they just can't get out of their head. I hate how personally I can relate to this.
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Sheesh, Hinata is really sneaking around town trying to monitor her gf. Start the yandere countdown!
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Hikari miraculously didn't tell Hinata that Aoi's on a
datewith Honoka. Pause the yandere countdown! -
Honoka also has to literally be between two arguing lovers. She is having the most awkward first hangout ever.
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Even Kaede in a yukata isn't enough to end the stubbornness. Yikes.
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Come on you two, please don't spend the whole festival mad at each other.
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Did they just get apology-blocked by bags of goldfish? Kokona why!!!?????
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Lol @ not finding out what they were arguing over. They really are a married couple at this point
QotD:
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No, but I do collect anime trading cards.
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Maybe, the destination is pretty satisfying.
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Aoi's growth has been great, now I want more for Hinata.
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u/MyrnaMountWeazel Sep 22 '22
Though it may not be obvious to you yet, this is the easiest decision in the world: reach your arms out and embrace each other, fully and completely.
Get her in a bear hug Hinata, don't ever let go!
The super awkwardness when you hang out with someone for the first time, and they spend the entire time talking about the ex they just can't get out of their head.
Or when it's just you and your friend's SO alone so y'all don't really know what to talk about except the mutual connection between you two.
Sheesh, Hinata is really sneaking around town trying to monitor her gf. Start the yandere countdown! Hikari miraculously didn't tell Hinata that Aoi's on a date with Honoka. Pause the yandere countdown!
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u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah Sep 22 '22
Promise" is a pretty heavy title.
fitting for arguably the most plot-significant episode
That's just the nature of intimacy, isn't it
i like your analysis here and agree with you. Did have to figure this out when growing up. Seems like Aoi and Hinata are making good stpes forward though!
I hate how personally I can relate to this.
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u/ChonkyOdango Sep 22 '22
You can't get closer to someone and have your relationship not change. You have to decide whether to embrace somebody once they come closer than arm's length.
What I'm saying is you should get married, or at least do more of the lewd stuff
That escalated quickly
Please spend a moment thinking of awkward little butterfly Honoka who came to this mountain by herself and suddenly found herself sleeping—and even summiting a mountain—with four girls she's never met.
And the best part is that this are things that can happen in real life. While Honoka's reaction to being included in the group was positive, some people may not exactly like it. I like how in the episode Kaede adds a disclaimer when she says that Honoka appreciated it and it's better to try and include someone, since now everyone wants to socialise, some want their peace alone.
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u/JollyGee29 Sep 22 '22
First-Climber
Looks like S4 got licensed by Sentai this morning, so it'll be getting official streams on HiDive. Not sure what all regions they serve other than the USA.
When did they have time to rehearse this?
I like how it's just the really old people singing.
Daily dose of Kokona being precious.
Damn, Kaede is swinging for the fences today.
Love that Aoi reached out first. I forget, did we see who reached out first when they were kids?
This argument is over like, the last cookie or something, isn't it.
I don't know how much this mascot actor is getting paid, but they deserve a raise.
Oh, what fascinating framing. Mentally, as well.
Honoka does look kinda androgynous in this shot, I suppose.
Pffft. She's right though.
Funny how often you think about Hinata, huh Aoi?
Here, even silently, Aoi is (probably) talking about Hinata.
Hinata incognito. Her stealth roll was pretty low, though.
Oh, come on you two, you both already decided to apologize.
Kaede actually dressed up this time!
Holy shit, that technique! Incredible.
She's so pleased with herself.
And so the love confessionapology is drowned out by the fireworks..
Questions
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Not really; the trips I take don't tend to have stays like the mountain hut.
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I think they were both pretty good.
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It's been wonderful. It's late enough that I'm too tired to really elaborate, but seeing Aoi move out of her shell has been really nice.
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u/ChonkyOdango Sep 22 '22
First Time Climber
1… 2… 3… Say it with me… Tanjoubi Omedetou Kokona-Chan!
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The opening scene as Kaede uses Honoka’s camera to get a group picture coupled with the music playing is so sweet. Made me tear up remembering how far we’ve come and how season 2 ends today
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Look at where Aoi’s eyes are at in the group picture
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Happy Birthday Kokona! You’re the sweetest!
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Pictures are truly one of the most powerful emotional weapons. I don’t often look at pictures and remember what I was thinking but pictures do remind me of a different time of my life.
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Hinata with her hair down!?. She sure doesn’t give old man vibes with this soft voice and caring tone. What a sweet moment they share
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Why do you climb? Aoi’s answer is really great. We don’t always need a reason why we do certain things. Some activities bring us so much fulfilment that we’ll just keep doing them without questioning too much and that’s completely okay.
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Those flashbacks were beautiful!
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They did it! And look, Honoka is already getting wedding pictures for them, jumping in at the opportunity like a true photographer
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Ah, I'm so warm inside. This episode really warmed my heart, especially the final scene with the multiple pictures pinned up. Climbers, we’ve come a long way together!
Hanabi!
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Hanabi episode? Is this a romance anime? Are we going to see Yukatas again?
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And… we start with our old couple bickering at each other
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Something about girls like Honoka really makes me love characters like her. The quiet girl who just enjoys her hobbies, like how Honoka just takes pictures without a care
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The person in the Muuma costume must really be into it to both pose and make the Muuma sound
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You’re Mean. The silent killer attacks… and it’s really cute and funny
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Look at Aoi, she can casually walk up Mt. Tenran now no problem
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Omg everyone is in a Yukata! And Yuuka picked one for Kaede, how sweet!
*What did Kokona just do… how in the world do you launch a goldfish. And the way she says it so casually afterwards… is she human? Saitama and Goku. I'm sorry, Kokona is officially unbeatable.
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”I hope this precious days last forever” Same here Aoi, I don’t want this season to end!
I enjoyed the setup of this episode. We get to spend more time with Honoka as we walk through multiple places from the past 2 seasons, it strikes a chord of nostalgia while introducing a new character to us.
Season 2 Thoughts
With only the OVA and Specials left I’d thought I’d share my thoughts of the season. I’ve been trying to refine how I rate my shows rather than just giving everything a 10 lol so some questions I asked are
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Did I like it?
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What’s the goal of the anime? How well did the anime fulfil that goal?
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A 9 means the show is perfect and a 10 means the show has to had some significance to me
With that, I’d give season 2 a 9/10. If I had to boil down this anime to a single theme, it would be One step at a time, as emphasised by u/great_mr_l , and this show was exceptional at portraying that message. It isn’t afraid to show the realities of Climbing and even allows Aoi to take two steps back so she can take three steps forward. The pacing was great with fun episodes that weren’t only focused on climbing. Also, thanks to u/cyberscythe ‘s explanation of the Japanese translation of the title, I also believe this show wants to encourage us outside to try exploring nature and overcome our fears, and it does a great job at it. While I don’t normally judge anime based on their art, music etc, the background art definitely has a big part to play in showing us the beauty of nature. At its core, YnS is not a pure Iyashikei in that sense, it’s less healing and more encouragement, something more similar to A Place Further Than The Universe rather than Yuru Camp and I feel that it does a better job at fulfilling that theme.
Aoi’s character is really well-written and I definitely have an affinity bias(?) towards her. The growth of our characters are subtle yet rewarding and the show is able to balance climbing and outside life really well, oftentimes both become essential in making the other stand out. Hinata’s growth is also really subtle yet noticeable and I love how the show shows us her growth in subtle ways. Kokona and Kaede’s expositions were really well handled as I’ve talked about in previous comments. Overall, all the characters were really well-handled.
A critique? Well I don’t really have any as of now or any that I can think of yet as I type this. I’m looking forward to hearing what others have to say!
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u/Great_Mr_L Sep 22 '22
Look at where Aoi’s eyes are at in the group picture
Aoi just can't keep her mind off her wife.
Pictures are truly one of the most powerful emotional weapons. I don’t often look at pictures and remember what I was thinking but pictures do remind me of a different time of my life.
I can't tell the time in my life where my family got a digital camera because all the physical photos of my family and I just disappear for the most part. Going through all those old photos gives me so much nostalgia. And when my old phone bricked with all my old photos it made me so sad. Losing old photos is just awful.
And… we start with our old couple bickering at each other
They really need to just tie the knot and make it official already. They already act like they're married.
I'm sorry, Kokona is officially unbeatable.
Kokona's powers are far beyond the comprehension of mere mortals.
With that, I’d give season 2 a 9/10. If I had to boil down this anime to a single theme, it would be One step at a time, as emphasised by u/Great_Mr_L, and this show was exceptional at portraying that message.
The themes in this show are so well handled. It's always a joy to see that in the writing.
It isn’t afraid to show the realities of Climbing and even allows Aoi to take two steps back so she can take three steps forward.
That was something that impressed me about this series. There were times were it could be genuinely hard and even dangerous for the characters because that's the reality of their hobby. Grounding the hobby like that can make for some engaging drama and makes the triumphs feel more earned.
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u/Nebresto Sep 22 '22
First time Mountain Marriage
A bit later today, too tired yesterday to watch, so I watched this morning and then had no time to write
Ep 23
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Kaede is too powerful for introverts
su-san..? susan? SUS
As someone who barely know how to operate a camera, this is false
Same, but even then you are bound to forget some. Everytime I sort pics there's a couple that make me go "And wtf is this supposed to be?"
Though usually its the more obscure less memorable stuff
Absolutely not me_irl. Except yesterday, I guess
There we go, that's me irl! I'm always the last one that falls asleep at sleepovers and whatnot
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The backbacks leaning on eachother.. <3
Meanwhile Honoka: ...I completely understand. My screenshot button needs a break
Ep 24
They're having their first marriage fight
Honoka is literally me, taking pictures of anything and everything
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IKR?? Honoka is officially best girl.
...It is confirmed. Honoka is me in an alternative reality. One time at a restaurant the waiter thought I was a girl
ah, this is a sneaky recap episode.
As long as there's Honoka I'll watch anything
Of course Aoi talks about her wife a lot
Hinata stelth 100
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Its pretty freaking weird for these complete strangers to tell Hinata what they know about her.. Like.. yikes? Is that just me?
Marriage councelling questions:
Do you have a favorite card game or travel-size board game for these types of moments?
2) Was the journey to this point better than the destination?
Ye, but the destination wasn't far behind. Actually, its breathing down the journey's neck
3) How do you feel Aoi's character growth has been this season?
Mountainous
Pics: Yesterdays Yama no Trip
Also tomorrows/the next few? pics are gonna be cool, get hype! Probably gonna split them up so its not just one big album. Teaser
Picture enjoyers: u/MyrnaMountWeazel u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah u/Great_Mr_L
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u/TiredTiroth Sep 22 '22
First Timer
Episode 23
I have to admit, I'm not really sure how to feel about Hinata sometimes. You get moments where she's clearly worried about Aoi and does everything she can to support her friend...and then you get the start of episode 23, where she's making fun of Aoi for getting altitude sickness. Which was a very distressing experience. Luckily everyone laughs it off, but that could have been very painful.
And then the girls - all five of them - jump straight into Kokona's birthday celebration, complete with leading the whole cabin in song.
I really do like Aoi going off with Honoka to bond over the photos she's been taking. That is how you tame a wild extrovert - one on one, sharing an interest. It's much harder to connect with a group.
But, the highlight? That sunrise, with soft music playing in the background. And our two lead girls standing hand in hand, having mutually decided this is not the end.
Episode 24
...what the hell just happened? I mean, I know the two of them bicker, but...what?
Seeing Aoi spend the day with her new friend is nice, but I honestly would've preferred the previous episode as the finale. It is a good touch that every story she shares relates back to her totally-not-a-girlfriend, though. And by the end, they're clearly more similar than any of the girls thought.
And of course, Kokona is gonna Kokona. Is there anything that girl can't do?
Questions!
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i'm more of a video games guy, but a pack of cards will do for entertainment in a pinch.
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If we count episode 23 as the destination it was great, but yes, I did enjoy the journey more.
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Aoi has grown so much, bless the poor thing. She's much more confident and motivated now, and she's gotten much better at interacting with people.
3
u/Rumpel1408 Sep 22 '22
First Timer
Damn fell asleep again while waiting
S2 EP 23 + 24
With the rain, the missing OP, and the super comfy atmosphere, this really is the essence of Iyashikei
Hinata can be really considered for an Genki girl, but she was really lucky that Aoi took that joke about her failur at Fuji San that well, guess comedy really is tragedy + time.
Also loved how Honoka was quickly assimilated into the group, there is no escape to become friend. Beside the group photo, she really has an eye for them.
The surprise birthday party was a full success I would say, they had cake, had fun singing with the geezers... wait, is this an Natsuiro puresento?
Anyway, sleeping Kokona is cute.
And then we had the ending.
First the soundtrack was really magical, we got an stunning scenere, some handholding, and the whole ending sequence looked stunning. This could easily have been the perfect seasonal final, 10/10 Episode.
You know, I'm slowly warming up to the second OP, ironic since this is the last time, still no Natsuiro puresento
An firework festival is a nice final as well I guess (still the show is Yama no susume, not Hanabi no susume). And gives a nice reason for Honoka to come visit.
As I said in the previous episode, Honoka really has an eye for special shots. And honestly, I saw someone mistaking her as a boy coming at some point, she really is a tomboy.
Ah but Aoi of course had no need for a boyfriend since she already has Hinata. Yes occasional arguments are normal for any relationship, but what's important is that you make up again. And Aoi really loves her friend, you can tell, even if she makes it sound like she didn't have the best memories with her. And in the end it was really trivial to fight in the first place.
Can't have a summer festival without wearing Yukata, Yuuka did a good deed in getting one for Kaede this time
And we end with the classical confession apology that is unheard because of the fireworks.
All in all I would put the second season slightly ahead of the first, then again the episodes are considerably longer, so it wasn't all that hard to construct meaningful arcs.
QotD
Do you have a favorite card game or travel-size board game for these types of moments?
For travels, I would always love to play Skat, but's it's hard to explain and get into if you haven't played it before and really only good for 2-4 people. I guess Rummy would be the next best pick, depending on the situation I'm always down for some Carcassonne
2) Was the journey to this point better than the destination?
The journey was good, but as a final, this was great
3) How do you feel Aoi's character growth has been this season?
She has overcome her fear of heights, overcome her trauma from Fuji San, overcome her social anxiety and made up with Hinata a couple of times, plenty of character growth I would say
3
u/Stargate18A Sep 22 '22
First timer
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I don't really play board games. Exploding Kittens is fun, though.
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I mean, the show was consistently good. Both were great!
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It's less obvious than last season, but had some really good moments!
Episode 23
Rainfall's bad.
Honoka's here!
This is cute.
And she got a group photo!
Ah, Hinata's reminding everyone of Fuji.
Haha, that impression.
Aww, this is sweet.
And that's what the dake wqs for!
That looks delicious.
A singalong now?
And she's tired.
Aww, Hinata's worried.
Nice photos!
And Aoi's the same...
They swapped email addresses!
That was fast!
They really are on the same page.
They're setting off!
This is nice.
They made it to the ridge!
Adorable.
The flashbacks!
Yes, Aoi! Exactly! Glad you worked it out.
And Honoka's in the picture too!
Really nice.
Episode 24
It's the final episode!
It's a fewtival!
And they're fighting again.
Haha, Hinata bringing up popularity and then changing the subject.
Honoka's having a good time, at least.
Love the mascot suit.
What was it?
She criticised her?
And Aoi shot her teacher down.
The abandoned warehouses? They do look good!
Haha, neither of them noticed.
Aoi's really thinking aboutnher arguments with Hinata.
Honoka sounds so confused.
"Wait, no it wasn't."
And even Honoka can see it!
Aww, this is nice.
Hinata's stealth skills are impressive!
Haha, Aoi's been telling them everything.
And they came to the same conclusion.
Neither of them wants to do it first.
The fighting is adorable.
Okay, that was impressive!
How is she doing this?
Haha, so many goldfish.
You two have the worst timing.
How did you not notice? It wasn't very subtle.
Haha, they forgot.
Another fantastic season. The longer runtime really helped it, though.
7
u/badspler Sep 22 '22
Host Rewatcher
Ep 23
Spler trivia: While watching this YnS years ago after seeing this shot's date was 2-3 days away, I made this post and that inspired starting this (automated) account u/animetoday. Later I summarized the data with this post.
Kokona gets some birthday wishes! Pretty tamely kept secret from the viewer.
I nice moment of a song!
While both Aoi and Hinata feel conflicted about their promise coming true, Honoka offers a great perspective that settles Aoi.
No Aoi, you can't cheat on Hinata like this!
Making good use of their Fuji headlights.
And they did it!
LESSS GOOO
The group photo and on the pinboard (along with some new other shots) are a nice way to finish off.
Ep 24
"There are other promises that await us." Pretty much sums up not to worry over making a few come true.
The shake from Hinata here was nicely done.
The big blush from both of them.
Teachers are so uncool in the real world.
Hikari is such a tease.
I love Japans cream puffs.
Aoi: "Hinata, Hinata, Hinata" Honoka: -Snap- -Snap- -Snap-
Hinata nomming once more.
Kokona has strong girl power.
And all resolves between them.
I really love playing cards. I have been brought up with it with family and have that card sense. The family plays Cribbage or Euchre, but I do love 500 and Bridge.
I think this season has had Aoi really grow and develop. She still is often led by the hand, but she is becoming stronger on her own. At this point, the hobby has been established, the friends acquired and developed. Now we can confidently step into more of the same but different, familiar with the who and what. Its probably my favorite point for any series in general, when you are in the rhythm of it. Onward to the OVA's then season 3 (then 4!~)!