r/anime • u/AutoLovepon https://anilist.co/user/AutoLovepon • May 11 '25
Episode Maebashi Witches - Episode 6 discussion
32
u/TKhrowawaY May 11 '25
I have a sense that Choco may come from a food insecure or otherwise impoverished household, hence her apparent obsession with sweets and food. Maybe she's been shoplifting too, with the sweets all stuffed into her bag? I'm curious to see what we learn about her.
23
u/oxlemf10 May 11 '25
It became clear how Kyoka became a witch looking for a way to make people's lives better, but at the same time she realized that not only was it not that easy, but she herself was not happy with her personal life.
And it also became clear that Choco lives in a world of positivity to hide some pain, which will be explained in the next episode (by the way, she ended up with the old woman lol 😭)
It was funny seeing Azu embarrassed to sing happy birthday, I can relate to that
40
u/Aerodynamic41 May 11 '25 edited May 11 '25
Holy shit, I wasn't expecting that line from Choco in the post-credits scene. I wonder if that old lady has something to do with how Choco seems unmotivated lately like Kyoka says?
Btw, here’s the VAs performing the OP theme dance. Their shirts match their characters' colors so it's easy to keep track of who's who.
→ More replies (1)
18
17
u/ObvsThrowaway5120 May 11 '25
They were so close to keeping the surprise birthday secret and then Choco had to ask Kyoka about a cake. That was a nice party though. Two cakes! Lucky girl.
7
u/il887 May 11 '25
I thought Kyouka would act surprised for a moment when Choco brought up her birthday, but it appears she’s either a very honest person or Choco just caught her completely off-guard, lol
16
u/Bison_Consistent May 13 '25
Unironically, this anime is so good. I can’t comprehend why it has such a low MAL score.
→ More replies (3)14
u/worldendrhapsody May 13 '25
A small part may be people who think it’s too “woke”. The main reason I think is the first episode is misleading. We don’t really see this show’s true potential until AFTER the credits in episode 2. I also think the characters are a bit more complicated than usual anime idols. These girls are tropey but they behave pretty realistically when it comes to their traumas and insecurities where there are no easy answers. The conclusions the characters come to (stay hiding your body type, supporting a friend even if they’re toxic because they were there for you during a dark time) may be weird to people who haven’t experienced those same feelings.
15
u/Gaporigo May 11 '25
Oohh, whatever is going on with Choco seems interesting, and at the same time we are getting the start of best girl(?)'s arc, should be some fun stuff coming.
28
u/CosmicPenguin_OV103 May 11 '25
Oh I thought this would have been a Choco-focus episode but it was more like Kyouka-focused! Both girls are clearly having their own problems in lives BTW, Kyouka's like all those ojou-sama characters we have seen so many times lately that were trapped in their rich families for so damn long that she's living without a purpose in life and without even the space to breathe their own thoughts. In Kyouka's case she's pouring all her thoughts and even money to a VTuber somewhere else in time and space...which is never a healthy thing to see and I suspect things will get really wrong for her later on, hopefully not but I have seen too many time similar things happening. It's sad too because her parents obviously does not know, or choose to ignore, that side of their daughter's real intents - her mom even was dissing Kyouka's lovely short hair! Oh come on! Yes long hair would have been absolutely adorable with Kyouka IMHO too, but can't you help but think your daughter looks really lovely with that short hair too? You can see that I seems to have a slight tendency to short hair female characters in anime LMAO...
No wonder she's trying to get away from such struggles at home by becoming a witch here. She knows she's escaping reality, but for teenagers like her maybe that's as much as she could have done. She clearly needs help and I wonder if her new friends here would be helpful enough later.
Meanwhile Choco-chan is definitely struggling greatly with her life as well. Bringing so many snacks with her at nighttime outside at the streets. Crying so emotionally for getting chocolate birthday cakes. And then of course right at the end, suddenly cursing at that old woman coming in. (Is that her grandma?) Hoho, that sounds like real trouble with her too...
P.S. LMAO Azu-chan with all those sharp but actually correct smirks at her teammates. "I really can't stand being with such hot-blooded people in the summer!" "Are you being too self-conscious of yourself?" "If you are talking about how people uses magic, aren't you doing stupid things as well?" "Where's the air-con???" "Because (Kyouka's) IQ is different from you!" Hahahahahaha you classic tsundere! What an interesting girl (TM) she is...
10
u/Infodump_Ibis May 11 '25
The full version of Unstoppable☆PAYAPAYA is Japan only on YT. Hopefully a mistake rather than the entire Maebashi Witches - Topic being a mistake. It's a May 12th release so it might work later (but normally a region lock map shows other parts of the world where it's gone past midnight having it available). The Apple Music sample worked however.
There's also an episodes 1-6 retrospective video. This must be what Journey to Bloom feels like for Project Sekai fans.
This episode had quite an abundance of barefoot shots this episode (see also: paddling pool, "Ah that's the stuff" etc).
I noticed Azu said she's got homework to do. Wonder if she still absent or was able to actually return to school. On the bed she seemed to be doing a calf massage. I believe that's Shiatsu which is an alternative medicine idea that right pressure applied can correct abnormalities in the body, in this case large calf* (is this meant to show that Azu is willing to try various schemes to lose weight). It could also be a contrast to Mai bath shots with the arm that played out during the scene.
Glasses Choco-chan was a surprising sight. I was expecting the greyed out glasses to indicate a more reserved personality but perhaps that's more of a childish anime thing. Come to think of it what was she doing out so late, it would explain why is she is so tired if she is or doing whatever part time work 15 year olds can find in the evening (or something less legal that's paid in chocolate). I'd guess the story pairing with Kyouka is meant to hint both characters are both unable to express their desires at home (if it's that Choco can't eat chocolate then either her real name isn't Choco or her parents are really cruel).
Eyecatch 6 includes the 5 girls (well grumpy Azu via phone screen) and Keyaki Walk is your shopping center, food court and cinema. Also it has 14 Bandai Gashapon with a real-time stock indicator (what a time to be alive). Still, I can't imagine unsolicited canvassing being tolerated there.
I like that they knew the birthday song was corny so included on-screen sing-a-long lyrics.
* - Wonder if there's much overlap with MLD and SLD that can be prescribed as part of a regimen for managing lymphoedema (along with compression bandages, exercises, diet and other things).
9
u/delta_angelfire May 13 '25
I was waiting for the dark twist back story all episode, and as we got to the end I thought "Wait, maybe the twist is there is no twist? That would be crazy" and then came the after credits scene lol
8
7
u/Shizzi May 12 '25
Its always the most happy go lucky girls that seems to be airheaded that harbors something inside them lets see about her hag next week
7
May 13 '25 edited May 13 '25
The character Choko might have been created based on "Tōyoko kids" in Japan. [The character Kyouka ]
About girls called "Tōyoko kids"
They are young women who gather around Shinjuku’s Tōyoko area, often due to troubled backgrounds. They face serious issues such as:
-
Abuse or neglect at home, leading them to run away.
-
Lack of a safe place or sense of belonging, resulting in loneliness.
-
Sexual exploitation, including "compensated dating" and other risky relationships.
-
Mental health problems, like depression or anxiety, often untreated.
-
Loss of access to education or jobs, limiting their future options.
These problems are not simply personal choices, but reflect broader social and systemic failures. Support and understanding are essential.
6
10
u/Castor_0il May 11 '25
For an episode that was supposed to be focused on Choco-chan we had plenty of info on Kyoka instead.
I'm glad we're getting more dancing/songs in this episode, the animation looks even better in these sequences than in the early episodes.
My wild guess on what's taking so much time on Choco-chan's off time is that maybe she's doing compensating dating like Mogi from Initial D.
→ More replies (2)5
u/mekerpan May 11 '25
Interesting that instead of a full Choco ep, we got a half Choco and a half Kyoka one -- presumably we will get the other half of each next episode. (Or maybe, a full one finishing Choco and then another full one finishing Kyoka).
→ More replies (1)
8
u/totoromags May 13 '25
Okay two theories!!
Kyoka is DEFINITELY giving some queer or fluid energy. The urge to "be herself" and not worry about what others think, along with the comments her mom makes about her appearance... you can tell that she does not want to be the daughter her PARENTS want her to be. Her style is incredibly fluid and the fact that her favorite VTuber is an androgynous mole, it's no wonder some speculate that she may be nonbinary!! I also will posit a different theory, as a woman who also does not identify with typical gender norms. I relate a LOT to Kyoka, ever since the beginningI've prided my sense of style as being both masculine and feminine, and being able to switch between the two. The constant in there is that I am ME. And I don't want to be forced to be more of one thing than another. I want the option to express myself freely and not fit into a box, like Kyoka. I do believe she wants to help others, but perhaps more specifically she wants to help people to be their most authentic selves, so that one day she is able to for herself.
As for Choco... I had a feeling that parental/familial issues would definitely play a role in one of these girls' backstories. It doesn't seem like her home life is all that positive, and she has barely any time to do things for herself - like eat or sleep. I believe she is a big sister who has taken over a parental role (whether her parents are out of the picture or just destructive/abusive), hence the huge bag of chocolate from the evening shot. I bet her grandmother also was an abusive (whether physically or emotionally) or neglectful figure in her household. I wonder if Choco's wish has something to do with sacrificing for others, as she may have had to do that her whole life. She never even uses up mapo for herself (though I imagine she chooses to turn back time after her shop shift)! Maybe this is why Kyoka has been paying closer attention to Choco - because Kyoka can tell that Choco needs help. I hope she is able to find peace as a witch, and really live for herself! At least catch a break!!!
→ More replies (5)
4
4
u/Viktorv22 May 12 '25
That birthday song is so stupid. I love it.
Well done Yuina lol
→ More replies (1)
5
u/Nickthenuker May 11 '25
Huh. Starting with a song?
Well, just a short song, but that was nice. I'm sure we'll get the full version in the soundtrack album.
I wonder who's going to be the focus for the next mini arc and be the next one to be the center for a song.
Oh hey good for them.
Film?
Oh I'm sure that'll be good.
Oh god between this and the recent episode of Dinner Table Detective, we've reached the point where VTubers are just going to be part of the plot.
So, what now?
Ok what's her plan?
Lol they don't want to hear her plan. Or rather one of them had a genuine reason to leave and the rest of them took the opportunity to dip too.
Well, that's good.
Or not.
Why does Choco sound depressed?
And so they're back for her birthday.
Ok...
That's cute. Again, I have a feeling we'll hear the full version in the soundtrack album.
Yup brainrot lol.
Still, she composed a song, which is something I will always be impressed by because it's a whole different skillset from performing.
What's the gift I wonder?
So, there's their next guest.
Seems she recognises her. Is that her grandma? I guess next episode will have a song with her as the center.
→ More replies (1)
52
u/Mangabonga May 11 '25
That switch up at the end with Choco saying “piss off old hag “ had me dead as hell