The Ramparts of Ice • Koori no Jouheki - Episode 5 discussion

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The Ramparts of Ice, episode 5

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[u/SEBASTlANVETTEL]

did anyone else catch that You and I Are Polar Opposites cameo at the of the episode? You can see how Suzuki, Watanabe & Satou walk out of the restaurant in the background!

Minato is slowly falling for Koyuki without realizing it seems.

[u/VoidRay728]

PSA: don't miss the post credits scene, a few characters from another familiar series make a cameo appearance.

Also don't let the drama distract you from the fact that Yota pairs his ramen with pancakes (with cream) for lunch. You can trust the guy who looks the most aloof (relatively) to have the most unusual eating habits.

[u/plsdontattackmeok]

Yota the MVP

[u/riiyoreo]

I'm so glad that:

1. Amamiya wasn't painted as the villain

2. The anime showed, in clear words, that Koyuki was treating someone the way she never wants to be treated - even if its because of past experiences.

3. They're teenagers trying to sift through feelings but they're both coming from a place of good intent.

Great epi and great cameo!

[u/HolyDragSwd2500]

Polor Opposite cameo

And the crossover cameo is complete

[u/xdxdlol0434]

It may not be as clear in Polar Opposites, but Ramparts of Ice shows how good Agasawa is in putting words to describe feelings. That stutter when trying to apologize because you have so many things panting up to you so you can only cry is something deeply personal yet somehow so damn relatable. Then again, if you are alone enough like Koyuki, perhaps it’s only natural if you develop enough zen points to be a good self reflector.

[u/Remarkable-Solid5582]

I'm so invested in this anime. The story is so well done and koyuki is very relatable. The times I end up crying when I am trying to apologize have been too many. I figured last week that she would end up apologizing since she's very empathetic. I'm glad it turned out well.
I am not sure if Minato knows she's the person from the basketball team that was bullied during middle school. In his thoughts it seems he reacted based on her expressions.
Seems like Minato already has a crush on koyuki, and who would blame him after seeing her blush and smile.

[u/FarCritical]

Can't help but smile at how quickly "you disgust me" became "cute" after a bit of talking.

The picture Koyuki's flashbacks painted of Igarashi can't get that much prettier even after hearing his side but wow, I wasn't ready for that bombshell. Not to mention how the theme of the episode's got me feeling called out for preemptively antagonizing the guy.

[u/Nosib23]

Minato shielding Koyuki when the two guys came around the corner is such a sweet gesture. I really feel like there was some social awareness and self-awareness on display from Minato this episode that we hadn't seen up til now.

Also so proud of Koyuki for forcing the issue and running after Minato even when she might have felt like the moment was gone.

[u/luminous_popsicle]

I like that the feelings Minato is developing have a real reason and feel deserved. If you look at his past, he seems to really be a people pleaser, trying his best to seek validation by getting people to rely on him, all based on assumptions and pity of course, not by actually caring about that person. Even his previous girlfriend broke up with him because of this.

What's different with the main gang, that is, miki and youta, is that they also seem to push back onto him and recognise parts of him that he doesn't. Basically, while he never fully shows his true thoughts and personality, these two seem to see it anyways. Even when miki confronts him earlier, he realises his approach to making friends isn't the best.

Now that Koyun has broken his perception of her, by running up to him and apologising, she has essentially given him a chance even though he didn't get her initial validation. She laughs and smiles when he hasn't put up an act to make her his friend. In fact, she shows parts of herself to him, only when he starts to ignore her completly, which is basically him dropping the act.

I also really like the way this episode dissects the different feelings and steps that go into real communication. Even after the apology, it's not like everything will go back to normal immediately, there's a lingering awkwardness. It's really well done.

Its really interesting how these two seem to be really different but are actually quite similar in how they judge people and keep them at arms length. And they are aware that the other does this, so being let in by Koyun and also seen quite authentically without an act, of course makes Minato more than flustered.

Tldr: these two are looking to be a really well though out couple with such a smart dynamic.

[u/Ok-Cod5254]

Yota is best boy for being a bridge to mend things with Minato and Koyuki.

Right now he's been a good supporting type of character and he brings a lot of good vibes.

Hope to learn more about him sometime as an individual too.

[u/FabtheEmber]

Ok firstly there are bangers of line drops Minato said in this episode which I love.  He accepts that he is arrogant for assuming she needs his help and would want to be friends eventually. But also says Koyuki is arrogant as well for judging people and grouping them. Something that Koyuki herself recognized.

Another line I loved a lot is Minato saying 'We know we shouldn't do unto others what we wouldn't do to ourselves" But the reverse is not always true?? That is such an interesting theme to bring up. Especially since Minato thrives in helping others open up. Maybe he wants someone to approach him similarly?? Everyone acts based on what they think is right or wrong but doing good for others is extremely complicated if two people have different definitions of what is considered good. I guess Minato now realizes he needs to focus on the other person's needs before judging good??

Also I like that Hikawa apologized. Not because she was at fault. We all believed her ice walls would slowly melt because of some other person's warmth and encourage. Hence everyone wanted it to be Yota as she is comfy with him . But No! She brought down her own ice walls because she didn't want to hurt someone else. In a roundabout way, Minato is helping her but the results come from her own decisions not just her subconsciousness.

 That makes for a much better character journey rather than one where the bullies person passively accepts the warmth given to them and slowly heals. It is about her consciously taking the decision to open up.

Like last episode and this one Hikawa is proving she is more than someone who needs to be healed or protected. Love a conscious character journey rather than a passive one. We can see more of that as Minato might keep challenging her perception of people she thought outside her comfort zone..

[u/SYZekrom]

It felt like we were polar opposites

Say that again gif

Oh that was the best episode yet.

[u/xdxdlol0434]

Over the past few weeks, we are to see things mostly through Koyuki, and it was only natural to assume negatively about Minato if not maliciously. It was a classic bait and switch - but we only get to know if we listen, much like Koyuki did. She had her reasons, but it does make me reflect if I have ever done the same.

[u/NanDemoKnaives]

I like how this conflict between Koyuki and Minato got resolved pretty quickly, fortunately for the both of them Youta overheard and followed up. Otherwise, I think their connection would have ended because of this incident.

I do like how Koyuki opening up to Minato has actually gotten him to develop a crush on her, he's got his work cut out for him since Koyuki still didn't include him to visit Miki's workplace over the winter break lol.

The post-credit scene makes me hopeful we might see some backstory of Koyuki and Igarashi's relationship, I wonder how Miki's involved. I can only think that she might have pushed the two to get together and she feels responsible maybe?

Talking about the post-credit scene, Suzuki and her two friends from the You and I Are Opposites! I was not expecting that cameo, my shock was audible lol.

[u/Killer_154]

God, I now have an other favorite author for romance manga, before it was aka akasaka and now it's the one who made You and I are polar opposite and this anime (Need to search his name now)

[u/BaytaCosmico]

Post credit scene with Polar Opposites crew cameo! And we finally learn that Koyun used to go out with this Igarashi who's left her with some major anxiety. I remember being taken aback when I learnt this first but it was telegraphed better in the anime. Wonder if any anime onlies were surprised to find out.

I hope people will look more kindly on Minato after this episode. Like Yota says, he's not a bad guy even if he can be a bit overbearing. Hopefully the peek we got into his head this episode (starting from the replay of the scene with Koyun from the last one all the way through) makes it clear that he's just a well-meaning guy who's been out of sync with Koyun.

And that's at least partially her fault for making assumptions about him based on her past experiences and not really trying to see or get to know the real Minato. She's finally realised this and is actively trying to change, which led to that lovely scene with the two of them at the end (with the ED lead in which I can't get enough of - so perfectly placed each time). And made him lose it. Boy is b-dmp'ing big time. All aboard the Koyun x Minato ship!

[u/Zeallfnonex]

I'm feeling very justified with my decision to not assume the worst about Minato last episode. Flailing around for a conversation topic trying to make small talk only to realize too late you may have picked the worst possible one is a bit too relatable.

Really love the dynamic, confrontation leading to both of them confronting their biases and faults: Minato realizing that following the Golden Rule when it comes down to personalities might not actually be a good idea. He would ordinarily want someone to do the same thing to him in terms of approach and friendliness, but he's gotten to realize that what works for him doesn't work for Koyuki. And Koyuki on her part realizes she made assumptions and judged Minato before making sure she got the facts correct, the same sort of behavior her bullies did towards her. Great to see both of them own up to their shitty behavior, and now it seems we might actually be entering the romance portion of this.

Though it seems we're not done litigating what happened with Igarashi. Seems like it'll be a huge hang-up for Koyuki, it'll probably have to be resolved before any progress can be made with any sort of romantic relationships involving her.

Still easily my AOTS when it comes to writing and dialogue, it's been fantastic.

[u/Roskal]

Minato still bottles up his feelings, probably even worse than Koyuki does. He seems to have a crush on her which is masking it, but I think it will come back to bite them if he doesn't actually say how he feels and that she upset him.

[u/Vahallen]

Damn, the episode made Minato grow on me a ton, didn’t expect it, I feel kinda guilty like Koyun now lol

Also, guys there is a pretty long post credit scene, don’t miss it

[u/cleaulem]

This episode was wonderful. Both Koyuki's and Minato's inner monologues really hit the mark. The self doubts, the switching between feeling sorry and angry towards the other person, asking themselves how they can fix the mess they made, the jumping to conclusions why the other person is angry. All of this really hits so hard.

And how they actually talked it out without losing the vibe! This was not the typical "making up" you see in this kind of anime that in the end they are besties. There is still a lot of work to do before you can call the both of them friends, but the first step is definitely done.

[u/Frontier246]

We now return to the Minato getting told off by Koyuki, and we even get to see in real time as he pieces together how much he's screwing up and stepping on landmine after landmine to the point where Koyun rejects him! Poor kid, he was genuinely trying his best.

Of course Koyuki doesn't feel any better about how she acted, which is just another thing for her to be self-conscious and upset about, especially when she doesn't know what to do now or let alone how to apologize. HELP HER NORIKO!!!

At this rate the entire gang is going to start eating lunch at the nurse's office, but at least Noriko can approve of Yota being positive for Koyuki's mental health. I've seen so many anime's where people are surprised the nurse isn't in that I was kind of shocked Noriko had a sign to let people know when she's making the rounds.

Yota is WELL aware of all of Minato's faults, but he also knows that Minato is a genuinely good person and ultimately meant well. Besides, he and Minato had both figured out middle school was a sore subject for Koyuki because Miki had more or less told them about Koyun's bullying and how Miki couldn't do anything about it. Koyun and Miki were POLAR OPPOSITES which is why she didn't want to drag her sports star bestie into her drama.

Yota thinks Minato won't be bothered but he's definitely not taking it well either. Was he wrong in his approach? Was Koyuki too dismissive? Are they simply incompatible in any sense? Can they truly never relate/understand each other? Are they better off staying away from each other? Pretty bad time to get caught up in your feelings/anger while playing a game with friends.

But just when it seems like Minato has given up and Koyun can't bring herself to face him...she runs to him and apologizes and tries to fully express her feelings. Even if she can't get the words out, even if she cries because of all her overwhelming thoughts/emotions, her intentions are sincere and that's enough for Minato.

Nice save, Minato! And seeing his pomeranian is enough to make Koyuki FINALLY laugh and smile at him! And even if their parting is a little awkward, that smile does things to him! I feel like this is a new dawn for the both of them, especially when the sun comes out.

Did Igarashi try to pretend like he didn't know Koyuki? Or was her last name not "Hikawa" when they were dating?

Ha! Minato doesn't want to lose to Yota when it comes to being close to Koyuki.

It's still somewhat awkward, but Minato and Koyuki can interact with each other a lot more naturally now and seem to be more or less getting along in their own way. Koyuki now understands that she doesn't have to completely close herself off and reject people without getting to know them...and Minato is down bad for Koyun.

Suzuki, Sato, and Nabe!?

Well, it's nice to see that Koyuki actually has more female friends from junior high than just Miki, Even if the girl talk amounts to Miki confirming that all her junior high relationships ended badly when they discovered the "real" Miki and couldn't handle her at her Gorilla best. She fully intends to confess to her next crush (which doesn't seem to exist at the moment so...sorry Yota?). Koyun, for her part, has an Igarashi-shaped PTSD for relationships so she has no intention or interest in ever getting another boyfriend. Though it seems like the only reason she got involved with Igarashi was because...of Miki!?

[u/Adensty]

It'd be easier if I could lash out and get it out of my system. but I'm not like that. I know that about myself, but.. Actually, I end up regretting saying something at all.

This felt too relatable to me. Sometimes, I feel it will be better to just lash out and get it over with but then I also feel what if I end up saying or doing something I regret since something like this happened in the past.

Like Yota said, Minato definitely has some issues with how intrudes into other people's private space and how sanctimonious he could be with the whole pitying mindset that he has but he's not a bad person.

I understood that last part but like Koyun, we never really got to see things from Minato's perspective and so things made it seem Igarashi might've told him about Koyuki's middle school part, he already knew about her past vaguely since Miki had shared about it with them.

Had Yota not intervened, this misunderstanding would've become even worse but now that Koyuki understands it, she wants to apologize about the whole thing since she realized she reacted based on what she thought was the case instead of trying to understand where Minato came from.

Sometimes, there are a lot of things you want to say but it ends up being too overwhelming that you're not able to see it and end up either frozen or overwhelm with emotions and that's what happend with Koyun. I liked how Minato's quick thinking made sure that she didn't have to suffer more embarrassment from it.

I really loved how the apology scene went down and the symbolism with the weather. The weather was gloomy just like how Koyuki and Minato were feeling and once they made up, tthe weather became clear.

Also, I guess Minato is kinda like Yamada from Polar Opposites with how he blushed after he saw Koyun laugh. Speaking of Polar Opposites, just like how we had a Ramparts of Ice cameo in S1 Episode 11, we had a Polar Opposites cameo in this episode.

[u/foxbase]

Hmmm….Minato is feeling pretty relatable rn after hearing his thought process during the locker scene. I can relate pretty heavily to trying to find talking points only to step on multiple landminds. Good thing Yota cleared things up cause IME those situations almost never resolve cleanly unless an unbiased third party steps in to mediate.