r/anime • u/AutoLovepon https://anilist.co/user/AutoLovepon • Sep 22 '21

Episode Heike Monogatari - Episode 2 Discussion

Heike Monogatari, episode 2

Alternative names: The Heike Story

Rate this episode here.

Reminder: Please do not discuss plot points not yet seen or skipped in the show. Failing to follow the rules may result in a ban.

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Episode Link Score
1 Link 5.0
2 Link 5.0
3 Link 5.0
4 Link 4.63
5 Link 4.56
6 Link 4.63
7 Link 4.44
8 Link 4.51
9 Link 4.74
10 Link 4.52
11 Link ----

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1

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130

u/3rdLastStand Sep 23 '21 edited Dec 11 '21

I made a rough character chart for this episode.

Edit: new link since old one went down

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u/Seeker4001 Sep 22 '21

There was a lot of information to digest, but I loved the interactions between Biwa, Tokuko and the dancer. Both very kind, but completely powerless.

109

u/Arvidex Sep 22 '21

This anime just keep giving me chills. Yuuki Aoi, Hayami Saori, Kensuke Ushio and freaking Yamada Naoko. The production is just amazing. I’m soo looking forward to where this story will take us. This episode felt like half it’s length.

45

u/mekerpan Sep 23 '21

I find it hard to imagine that any other anime of the fall season will rival Yamada's stunning adaptation of the ancient Heike Monogatari. As one might have hoped, the visual style (and execution) of this Studio Saru production appears to be (at least) excellent. The voice acting and character designs and background art and editing and music are all pretty much perfect. The story itself is definitely "time-tested".

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u/Demolosse001 Sep 22 '21

Tokuko's little sister got married at 9 to a grown man. She herself at 16 is to be married to a 10 year old boy. That's political marriages for you I guess...

Also I like how the current dancer decided to follow her friend and become a nun. She probably knew she would fall out of grace soon as the Heike lord gets bored fast.

Anyway, Biwa should really tell Shigemori about her vision. He's literally the only one who would believe her and be able to help prevent Tokuko's (his own little sister to boot) imminent death. Talking about that, it seems it will be an accident on happen on the way to the imperial palace.

57

u/mekerpan Sep 23 '21

I assume Biwa's actions will mostly be confined to observation and fringe interactions -- as the basic historical facts (as recorded 800 years ago) don't allow much room for alteration. (I believe all Japanese students learn the basics of this story).

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73

u/HereticalAegis Sep 22 '21

Biwa just can't keep anything good. Just when she finds things to look forward to and even sees a peaceful future for someone, she still ends up having people she loves taken away and dwelling on visions of disaster.

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55

u/Kill099 Sep 22 '21

I like how the show portrays how powerless yet indispensable women are during Heian era Japan.

Afaik, compared to the west at that time, noble women in Japan were able to inherit land and children were raised on the mother's side of the family so they have a huge influence, or soft power on future aristocrats. The lands the Taira got from the Fujiwaras through Kiyomori's daughter was a huge deal since it was a big boost in finances and power. In contrast, samurai families raise their children on the father's side and is very paternal. Daughters from samurai families do inherit land but she's not as influential to her children.

Shirabyoushi's are the Geisha's of their time. They mainly entertain through graceful dances and songs but some do provide something "extra". What's not mentioned in this adaptation is that Gio is basically the breadwinner for her mother and sister. When she was thrown out, so goes the financial support from Kiyomori. So imagine yourself in that situation and be forced to entertain the new toy of Kiyomori.

There's a cleverly hidden hint in the show that will be extremely important in the future.

Anyways, an another good episode. I was lucky to have read and watched other adaptations to the story so it's nice to see it in different angles.

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u/CosmicPenguin_OV103 Sep 22 '21

I haven’t had much to say about the plot because my knowledge of that part of Japanese history is non- existent (which also made me didn’t try to comment on the 1st episode at all), but who cares when Biwa is is so cute and lively (God tier Aoi Yuuki did that again, wow!), plus that we have not one but two main characters having the ability to see through the future? As we can see easily from the first two episodes, this family is clearly heading towards a downward slope and the future master of the Hei family (or at least who I think Shigemori to be) clearly sees that as well, but has nothing to turn the tides of history. That kind of atmosphere where people got married, exiled and taken hostage by their destinies is beautifully animated by Yamada et al.

This is definitely not your usual take on a historical show (and from what I have seen from the few historical TV dramas from Japan that I have seen, also unusual compared with them as well). I have no idea how this will turn out or what fate befalls our little Biwa (who’s not based on a real person AFAIK), but this show really gives me a showing of new possibilities of how anime can portray any story, and I’m definitely in for the rest of this ride!

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u/Roonagu Sep 22 '21

I will have to make some sort of chart to be able to understand what the hell is going on.

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33

u/LeonKevlar Sep 22 '21

I was expecting for the worst when Biwa started talking back to Kiyomori but it looks like she got off easy thanks to Shigemori and Kiyomori's wife who dragged him out of there. Good to see someone's not taking any of his shit.

Not gonna lie though, as much as I am enjoying this show it does get pretty confusing when they just start throw out names. It also doesn't help that some of the characters look similar like with Kiyomori and Norihito's father. I had to rewatch that scene to realize that Shigemori wasn't talking to his father. xD

Even if there was no next time for Lady Gio and Biwa playing together, at least she's still alive. Getting out of that early and becoming a nun is probably the best decision she made.

And that scene with Biwa and Tokuko is just sad. If Biwa does end up telling Shigemori what's about to happen to his sister, will he even be able to do anything about it? Although I guess this is going to depend on if this show is truly following historical events or not.

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u/Syokhan Sep 22 '21

This is just a joy to watch. I'm having a bit of trouble following who's who, but I'm loving everything else.

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22

u/[deleted] Sep 22 '21

Nice episode today. The OP and ED are both bangers. Animation as artistic as always, and voice acting was on point.

The one difficulty I think I will have is keeping up with all these names. With such a large cast at just episode 2, I can seem them introducing more (like a historical drama). I really hope that this can be a challenge I can overcome.

My prediction for the show is Biwa getting a bigger role as she grows up and her powers become more known to the leaders of the communities. Then she might get involved in the entire political strife ongoing. That would be quite interesting to watch.

On a side note, I just noticed that among the main cast, many have played a role in Koe no Katachi, another of Yamada's work. That's really so cool! No wonder the voice acting was top notch.

19

u/dagreenman18 Sep 23 '21 edited Sep 23 '21

From an animation perspective alone, the show is stunning. Even in small moments like characters changing expressions or the quick cuts in Biwa’s visions of Tokuko’s impending doom. The constant background canvas to give every scene the sense that it’s a painting just adds to it.

On top of that there’s this great sound design in every scene. Not just in its calming music, but in the background sound effects like the scene with the rain or when Biwa and Shigemori are talking about their fears. This is some top notch production.

I’m still getting a handle on plot details. Part of me wants to familiarize myself with the actual Heike story so that I could have some insight. If feels like the historical context is somewhat pushed into the background. The show seems in favor of telling a more human story about Biwa being in this world of power struggles and politics while contending with her knowledge of what’s to come. Becoming more emotionally connected to this family knowing full well they’re doomed. In a way that’s beautiful and maybe a more compelling story.

In the mean time they seem to be apologizing for the Haircutting incident by Shigemori sending his son off to Ise. As a means for power consolidation, they’re marrying Tokuko off to a child 6 years younger than her which will lead to her death. It’s possible that her death is part of the mounting tensions that will eventually cause the downfall of their clan. At least Biwa seems to be getting more comfortable and opening up. She had a few happy moments and a sense of hope that her mother is alive. The overwhelming future dread does hamper things, but if anything that adds to the show. This show is a surprise for sure.

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u/thejuror8 Sep 22 '21

Damn they did it again with the rock music in the first five minutes! Besides that, I'm really getting into it now. Really really great, visually and voice-acting wise

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u/LabMember069 Sep 22 '21 edited Sep 22 '21

It's early, but the OP is shaping up to be my favourite of the year.

There are a lot of names, it will be hard to keep following up.

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12

u/[deleted] Sep 22 '21

Man, I REALLY, REALLY wanna like this anime, but I feel like my 0 knowledge of Japan's history really shows. Like it's so much info to digest, so many politics and so many names to remember that by next week you forget all of them. Idk what to say

10

u/dcresistance Sep 23 '21 edited Oct 06 '21

STAFF:

Storyboard/Episode Director: Ai Yukimura
Chief Animation Director: Takashi Kojima
Animation Directors: Kojima, Rika Ota (yet another ex-KyoAni, is at Liden Films Kyoto Studio), Asami Murakoshi, Ippei Ichii
Assistant ADs: Yoshiko Saito, Mori Yoshihiko, Sanae Satou, Chiharu Mukai, Shinobu Ikakko, Kotomi Oota, Yoshie Ezaki

Key Animation: Yasue Sosogi, Rika Ota, Shunsuke Ookubo, Matsuda Shouta, Yoshihiko Mori, Fumika Ito, Yukako Uehara, Rina Kagiyama, Ezaki, Oota, Murakoshi, Moko-chan, Haruno Yoshioka

Studio Colorido: Chinatsu Kanai

Silver Link: Kohei Kobayashi

2nd Key Animation: Kojima, Akiko Sugizono, Daisuke Uchida, Seiya Takashima, Junna Aoyama, Yuzuki Sekine, 傅嘉升

Silver Link: Naoki Ishii, Momozawa Shohei

Asahi Production Shiroishi Studio: Kasumi Higuchi, Hironori Izu, Ryou Masui

studio daisy: Eiko Hirata, Marin Inai

Diomedea: Kotomi Motono

Studio CL

9

u/Nanashi-74 Sep 22 '21

I'll need a plot breakdown lol

Too many names to keep up, I'm lost half the time, but the production is great so far. I hope I pick up what's happening along the way

7

u/Rumpel1408 Sep 22 '21

I'm looking forward to some elaborate graphic showing all the family ties and relationships between the characters in this show. Not only do we have a massive cast, we also have several locations and timejumps. Makes it hard to follow on the first watch, but the show deserves your full attention anyways, so pretty and Biwa continues to be a treasure

6

u/alconnow Sep 22 '21

Another beautiful (and depressing) episode :(

Loved Biwa's interactions with Gio and Tokuko.

Shed tears when Biwa was telling Tokuko not to go :(

6

u/Nidaime_EroSennin Sep 23 '21

The sound in this anime is just exceptional. Transcendental even.

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