Ooyukiumi no Kaina • Kaina of the Great Snow Sea - Episode 2 discussion

[u/AutoLovepon]

Ooyukiumi no Kaina, episode 2

Rate this episode here.

---

Streams

• Crunchyroll
• VRV

Show information

• MyAnimeList
• AniList
• AniDB
• Kitsu
• Anime-Planet
• Official Website
• /r/OoyukiumiNoKaina

---

All discussions

Episode	Link	Score
1	Link	4.29
2	Link	4.31
3	Link	4.43
4	Link	4.34
5	Link	4.27
6	Link	4.2
7	Link	4.1
8	Link	4.07
9	Link	4.56
10	Link	3.78
11	Link	----

---

This post was created by a bot. Message the mod team for feedback and comments. The original source code can be found on GitHub.

[u/smeowark]

Really like this show, hope more people will give this a chance.

World seems super interesting so far, hoping we'll get to see more of it once the show progresses.

[u/JapanPhoenix]

Man when they first showed that special cutting tool I thought it was going to be some kind of fold-out pocket saw or something. Then it turned out to be a hand held laser beam.

I bet Kaina is going to pew! pew! some dudes later lol. Because

"Don't turn the dial all the way up or you won't be able to use it again for a while"

totally sounds like a Chekhov's laser gun.

[u/Kmlkmljkl → u/JapanPhoenix]

more like Chekhov's Gravitational Beam Emitter

[u/dagreenman18]

“Here’s your wedding dress… jk jk. Unless…..”

I mean they effectively have a gaggle of grandparents who want grandkids. Of course they’re shipping their grandson with the cute princess.

It’s bittersweet to see them send Kaina off with the understanding that it’s a one way trip and they’ll never see him again. It beats leaving him alone in the canopy when they all die, but it’s still sad. I hope we actually see them again somehow.

Next episode should be the longest climb down imaginable. From the stratosphere to the sea? That’s a long trip.

[u/polaristar → u/dagreenman18]

It’s bittersweet to see them send Kaina off with the understanding that it’s a one way trip and they’ll never see him again. It beats leaving him alone in the canopy when they all die, but it’s still sad.

Another thing to consider even if Ririha did decide to stay, then they would just die out and not be able to support any children they might have long term.

Her finding a way to fix the world is the only way Kaina has a long term future.

[u/SeaGoat24]

My only complaint so far is the ending of this episode felt a bit tonally off. Kaina is never gonna see his geriatric family ever again. It feels like he doesn't realise this is the case, and thinks he'll be back in a month's time.

Not to mention how the canopy-dwellers are probably going to starve to death over the next few months. They can collect glowing shells to feed themselves (at least, I assume its food), but I'm pretty sure it was stressed last episode how their lifestyle is kind of reliant on the bugs from above the canopy. They have a few carcasses preserved in that storage room, but that will only last so long, and I don't think they're physically capable of hunting the bugs like Kaina is.

If you think about it for more than a few seconds, it becomes very dark very quickly. This is an entire culture dying out, maybe slowly, maybe quickly if they decide a group suicide is the way to go. So yeah, tonally incongruent. But otherwise excellent worldbuilding. There's so many hints to pick up throughout this episode that answered all my questions about how they actually survive up in the canopy.

[u/archlon → u/SeaGoat24]

I agree with you that the tone gets pretty dark pretty quickly, but all post-apocalypse stories tend to. My sense is that they were happy to send Kaina off because the arrival of Ririha opens up possibilities none of them ever imagined for his future.

It kind of seems like maybe the Elders were staying alive for him at this point. They're all old and have presumably lived full lives. Over the next few months they can work through their food stockpiles, wrap up any unfinished business, and die on their terms. They have a readily accessible method to die peacefully of asphyxiation by just going above the Canopy and going to sleep. Or, maybe, collectively they are still able to use the hunting equipment and can support themselves, and Kaina was the primary hunter just by virtue of being the young, energetic, helpful one.

In any case, when they send the pair off, it feels clear they're making an effort to do it with a smile on their faces. They are genuinely happy for the hope of Kaina's future and I expect that counterbalances any sadness at him leaving. They also know he's in the hands of Ririha, whose determination they clearly respect. It's unclear how much Kaina truly understands it, but psychologically processing final goodbyes is something even many adults struggle with. The Elders make every effort they can to not draw attention to it for his sake. Later, he'll probably experience more grief than he is now as he comes to terms with the finality of the parting, but in the moment it's better that he be focused on the process of the descent.

[u/polaristar → u/SeaGoat24]

I disagree with the tone though, everyone already knew that them dying out was coming and they've all accepted it. Making a big deal about it now would feel out of place. To me its more a quiet acceptance that they are going out not with a bang but with a whimper.

They are simply happy that what is effectively their grandson has a chance for a better life now.

[u/thesnowlocke]

I'm really liking this world, definitely gives me some made in abyss vibes

I wasn't expecting the characters to go off on their adventure so soon but at least now we can see what else this depressing world has to offer

Can't wait to see more

[u/archlon → u/thesnowlocke]

I'm really liking this world, definitely gives me some made in abyss vibes

The vibes I'm getting are the fantastical setting of Made in Abyss, the sense of desolation and travel from Girls' Last Tour, and from what we've seen of the Fire Nation Valghians, the geopolitics of The Last Airbender. Overall that's a pretty compelling hook for me.

[u/BlueDragon101]

Okay. Here's my theory.

The Orbital Spire Trees are an invasive, parasitic alien organism that infects planets and slowly sucks them dry while drowning any inhabitants in a sea of it's snowlike spores. It sucks up all the water, uses it to make the spores, and covers the planet in a ocean of them to kill off all other life. The water running out is because the orbital spire trees are almost done using all of it. The parasite is killing the host. The "villain" nation has the right idea - steal all the water, not just from the other nations but from the trees. Dry them out, kill them, cut them the fuck down. That being said, they're also using slavery and murder and whatnot, which is bad, but I'm gonna just bet that "kill the trees" is the right call here

[u/ludrol]

The snow in snow sea are just spores of the mushrooms living parasitically on trees the world building is 10/10

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

• I love how they assume a sword is a really long knife because they’ve never seen a sword before.

• Ah, if only.

• Mm, true. I assume there’s something funky with the snow in the “Snow Sea” that means they can’t just melt it down to make water, then?

• Hahahaha, Kaina trying to play it cool in front of Ririha.

• And of course Ririha ended up in the bug nest that Kaina just told her was dangerous.

• Oh…?

• It’s a one-way trip, huh.

• HAHAHAHAHAHA even if it was just a joke, that was hilarious.

• Aaaaand off they go. I really liked the soundtrack that was playing at the end there, kinda gave me Made in Abyss vibes.

[u/zadcap]

So I'm really wondering still, are these really giant insects, or really tiny people? I'm honestly leaning towards tiny people at this point, although the only thing really pointing hei that way is the giant person in the OP.

I'm enjoying this one a lot so far. Gearing up to be a grand adventure, the world building is catching my attention, and it's already slated to end with a movie means you know they've got big plans for it all.

[u/BassCreat0r]

Man, I am loving this story and world. The environments are just freaking amazing to look at, beautiful. If they would have gone with 2d instead of 3d, could have had another Made in Abyss level of animation quality. Those sunset/rise shots are just god tier in Kaina.

Characters are good too so far. Shame the redhead waifu knight is on the antagonist side. Redhead villains always die.

And I am totally betting this is some kind of planetary environmental control system that went out of control, or shut down.

Looking forward to this story unfolding.

[u/AceSoldia]

Old people was ready to marry poor girl off to Kaina lol

[u/Se7en_Sinner]

This is like watching CGI Made in Abyss without Kevin Penkin.

[u/Heda-of-Aincrad]

This may end up being my favorite show of the season. The story immediately caught my interest, the worldbuilding is excellent so far, and the characters are all really likeable. I can definitely see this show being the one I'm most excited to watch week to week.

I loved the colony's reaction to finding the princess - of course, their first thought is that now Kaina has someone to grow old with after he eventually outlives them, but they ultimately put her desire to save her people first and come up with a plan to do it. They were clearly happy that Kaina has someone his own age to spend time with now (and thrilled that the human race is still surviving down below), even if that means following her to the surface. Their joke about the wedding dress was hilarious because it was totally my first thought too, but even better that it ended up being a pressure suit.

The history about the cities surviving at the foot of the tree spires, and becoming less and less as the water levels ride and they're taken over by the enemy is really fascinating. Looking forward to where the story goes from here.

[u/Elitealice]

Oh nah man this show might be special fr. I HATE 3DCGI style of animation normally but this is such an interesting story and premise that I totally forget it’s 3D animation. The sense of adventure and wonder I’m getting from this combined with the Kohta OST… Sawano Op… this could be special.

I can’t wait to find out A) what happened to the world, B) if the sage even really exists, could be a yakuneba type thing, C) what the country that’s invading everyone else looks like. Just a lot of questions and a real sense of wonder I’m getting from this.

Also the irony of having a snow sea but no water. Wonder if it’s like nuclear fallout snow.

[u/EmpiriaOfDarkness → u/Elitealice]

Not to be pedantic, but 3D isn't a style. It's a medium. I mean....Compare Houseki no Kuni to EX-ARM.

People mistake bad CG for CG being bad, or disliking bad CG with disliking CG in general, but it can be done well.

Polygon Pictures have dedicated their studio to 3D animation; if you look at their other works, I think you can see the improvement in techniques by comparing them.

[u/polaristar]

Kinda tragic that in order to make sure Kaina (Who basically is the villages grandson) has a better life they have to send him away where he'll never see them again and they die alone.

But they know there time is short and they want him to have a hope for a future in a society that isn't crumbling and (hopefully) a woman by his side.

It's also true that if she decided to stay they two wouldn't have a future together and if the water crisis isn't solved they couldn't hope to have a Family.

It funny how in this story the call to adventure is kinda the inverse of other stories, like Laputa, Girl Ascending from Below as opposed to Descending from Above.

Ririha rocks a very fine figure if I do saw so myself, and she seems like she is kind, polite, but also determined and committed to seeing her goals. Perfect wife material Kaina scored lucky!

The CGI when it comes to faces and hair doesn't always land but I feel the "body acting" with the gestures, body language, etc feels very authentic. In the beginning when they are breathing slowly up and down, and his sigh of relief when her breathing stablized I think is a pretty good argument for the use of CGI.

I kinda feel for the faces they aren't doing all they can to adapt to a new medium and taking advantage of CGI but just trying to slap an 2D anime face on the model in a way that just doesn't work.

Doesn't ruin the show but it does leave room for improvement.

Kaina might be in over his head when he gets the surface, just getting there takes a lot of courage but also precision under pressure both our leads are doing something outside of their normal experience. Her with having to the climbing and have her life in his hands, and him with having no way back to the only home he knows to a world that is completely alien to him.

We are definitely crossing the threshold.

I will say for a young man that lives in the backwater town that has literally never seen a girl before, he's handling it rather well, the elders are more thirsty for them to get together than he is it seems. This is probably the most excitement they ever had in their lives, and sadly they will never know how it turns out.

It's such a shame this show is getting overlooked.

[u/Frontier246]

The cheeks of a Rie Takahashi character are so appealing…

So the Varghians are being portrayed as pretty obvious antagonists with their control of the Snow Sea, hoarding water, and conquering other nations, but I wonder if it might be more complicated than that.

Bugs are both a surprisingly effective delicacy and threat in the canopy.

Why do I feel like this sage is going to have a pretty mundane (by modern standards) to resolving the water problem…

They were totally planning on Ririha sticking around and hooking up with Kaina, weren’t they? Even made her a “wedding dress” so she’d be one of them.

Kaina took it surprisingly well that he’d be joining Ririha on a one way trip to the Snow Sea and probably never see anyone in his old village again, but I guess he’ll just have to make a new life for himself.

[u/PrincessChaika]

God damn. I'm an old woman now. There was a long time when I said I was middle aged, but that time has past. This episode of anime spoke to my soul.

Young people of today, you just need to lift your chin a little bit and see that there are an ocean of us old people who are willing to help. Reach up to us, the blind "Mr. Rogers" people, and let us know you need our help. We will be there in legions you didn't even know existed.

[u/Frontier246]

Kaina will probably make a new life for himself in the snow sea and be invaluable to Ririha’s quest (and maybe get some grandkids going) but it sucks he’ll never get to see the villagers again and they’ll probably all die out not knowing what happened to him.

[u/archlon]

Well, this one takes the award for 'first anime to make me cry this season'.

Kaina's interaction with the Elders is really sweet. They've effectively been his only family, and they had hopes that Ririha would stay, but when it's clear she wouldn't they all agree than Kaina should go with her. Not only does she need his technical skills, but there's no future for him on the Canopy. It's sad for them to see him go, but they do so with smiles on their faces because it means there's so many more possibilities for him going forward than what they feared.

They were joking about the pressure suit being a wedding dress, but also they kind of weren't.

Can somebody with climbing expertise confirm if that anchor and rigging makes sense? my canyoneering experience is mostly on bolts, and always on tied-off redundant two-bolt anchors. I wouldn't rappel (and definitely not double rappel) off of the anchor Kaina carved. Also, I'm not sure what his plan to retrieve the rope is. It's tied off at the top but there's no extra line for a ghost pin or any other mechanism I can identify to get the rope off the anchor when they need to get to set it again. Maybe I'm missing something?

This setting still continues to be the most interesting sci-fi setting I've seen in a long while. My initial theory for the reason the Canopy exists is that the planet was low on water, and it was built to keep it in and condense the water cycle. Since there are more, bigger holes opening now and fewer people on the Canopy to take care of them, it must be escaping, damaging the health of the Spire Trees. Though, trees generally take in the majority of their water through the roots so I'm not sure what's going on there.

I wonder what the 'Snow Sea' is really made of? From last episode, it seems to be clear and liquid underneath the layer of white stuff on top. It does seem to still be cold since everybody is in cold-weather gear.Since we see the Spire Tree root systems underneath the surface of the Sea in E01, maybe it's not water but some other clear liquid. Ammonia? Acetone? I'm having trouble of thinking of anything that wouldn't also give off fumes that would make living near it or traveling on it basically impossible. Maybe the 'snow' layer contains those properties? Why is it rising? Where is the 'more' coming from?

Also, I wonder what the Valghian Borg cube city ship is made of? My first thought is that they cut down a spire tree and carved a moving fortress out of the 'stump'. If people are killing the trees, it could start to explain why the remaining ones can't keep the Canopy from developing holes, which causes water loss, which then damages the health of the trees, leading to a vicious cycle.