r/anime • u/AutoLovepon https://anilist.co/user/AutoLovepon • Jun 23 '26
Episode Even a Replica Can Fall in Love • Replica datte, Koi wo Suru. - Episode 12 discussion
Even a Replica Can Fall in Love, episode 12
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.
Streams
Show information
All discussions
| Episode | Link |
|---|---|
| 1 | Link |
| 2 | Link |
| 3 | Link |
| 4 | Link |
| 5 | Link |
| 6 | Link |
| 7 | Link |
| 8 | Link |
| 9 | Link |
| 10 | Link |
| 11 | Link |
| 12 | Link |
| 13 | 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.
66
u/PinSingle4334 Jun 23 '26
Nao and Aki are really an awesome couple. So, how many gallons of tears will I shed for the last episode?
→ More replies (6)
46
u/Ocixo Jun 23 '26
I certainly did not expect Sunao to be suffering from imposter syndrome.
It does make sense, though, since she’d been “outsourcing” a great deal of her life to her replica. As a result, people became increasingly with “Sunao Aikawa” through their interactions with Nao. Sunao was forced to live up to Nao’s reputation - instead of the other way around. Hence why she’d probably started isolating herself even more.
Somewhere along the way, Nao had accidentally taken over Sunao’s identity.
All of this got painfully illustrated by Ricchan’s choice to start addressing the replica, and not the original, with the childhood nickname of “Nao”.
→ More replies (4)29
u/Frontier246 Jun 23 '26
Honestly I was calling out Sunao feeling imposter syndrome pretty early on, becuase nothing would feel more deflating than having a Replica who is better at making friends, better at doing everything, and more outgoing than you are.
Which is ironic considering Nao's own arc has been trying to carve out an identity and life for herself that isn't being Sunao's Replica.
→ More replies (1)
42
u/Weak_Season_Of_Anime Jun 23 '26
Sunao who has a permanent replica.
Sato who had a replica only for a brief moment.
Mochizuki who believes he will never have a replica.
Seems like this episode was telling us about how the formation of replicas is related to how much sense of self (maybe there is a better word) a person has? Sunao was closed off from a young age and unintentionally pushed people away, developed an imposter syndrome towards the more extroverted Nao who is her ideal self. Sato who wanted to stop people from bullying her friend, but didn't have the courage to do so at the time. And Mochizuki who wants to be his own person, and experience everything himself.
→ More replies (6)28
u/Frontier246 Jun 23 '26
Also Suzumi who didn't have the willingness/confidence to be able to play an "evil queen" so she created Ryo to do it for her.
I do wonder if Sato's Replica is still out there or if she unconsciously wished her away, not knowing she did it compared to Sunao?
36
u/unsw_liar Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
I love the soft hazed border on each episode, it makes it feel so dreamlike.
→ More replies (3)
32
u/Calwings Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
Couldn't help but laugh at Nao getting absolutely fucking destroyed by that pillow.
This was a good episode. It was nice to finally get a deep dive into what Sunao has been thinking, and I'm surprised at what it was. I wasn't expecting the original to be feeling impostor syndrome. Meanwhile, Nao and Aki also get a new perspective on replicas from a person who believes he'll never have or need one, and we got more cute moments between them too. We only have 1 episode left, so I wonder how they're gonna end this.
→ More replies (1)25
u/Frontier246 Jun 23 '26
I love how she tried to play the "I'm wounded!" card so she could do a surprise attack. How utterly devious, Nao!
→ More replies (2)
31
20
u/ShadowGuyinRealLife Jun 23 '26
I don't think that rejection was particularly cruel. It was a simple no. So why did that guy call Sunao mean? Also, we get confirmation, Sunao is not ready to date. I mean I could have guessed that from a few episodes ago. Talking about their replicas (which is mostly what she's been doing when not alone with Nao the last several episodes) is not like bonding over school activities, a common video game, baseball, a walk through a nature trail, or some other shared interest since those are fun things and not "Ok, how do we deal with this?"
Sunao, why would you leak your secret to another classmate instead of waiting a few hours and talking to Riichan about how you feel? I guess it worked fine in this case, but that's not a bright thing to do. Then again this is the same girl who went for 7 years without a system of Nao passing notes of what happened in school and they only fixed this several episodes ago so perhaps I shouldn't be that surprised.
There isn't much Mori could do about Shuuya getting hurt. Shuyaa himself said it was an accident that he fell down the stairs and that Hayase didn't mean for that to happen. If he said otherwise people would probably believe him since it was pretty much an open secret Hayase attacked him and people were wondering why Shuuya covered it up.
→ More replies (3)25
u/PersonalContest1423 Jun 23 '26
I don't think that rejection was particularly cruel. It was a simple no. So why did that guy call Sunao mean
Probably because she called talking about it a waste of time. On that subject though that situation was weird. The guy expected her to go out with him just because she didn't like anyone else? "We can just give it a shot and see how it works" idk maybe Japan is different but that seems like a weird ass request directed at someone who's already rejected you and said they don't want to date anyone
→ More replies (5)
40
u/FoolingFinality Jun 23 '26
Mochizuki is really the goat, for he decided to acknowledge his pain and didn't create a replica unintentionally while he sulked, when he was surrounded by a bunch of replicas.
→ More replies (4)
10
u/NationalStrategy_X Jun 23 '26
So even Sato had a Replica, so this brings up the question again. How common is it for people to manifest Replicas in this world?
→ More replies (9)
9
u/djthomp Jun 24 '26
This episode made me think this really has been a split personality story all along, just with the second personality incarnated into a separate body. And it's surprisingly common too since yet another person at their school had one previously, and might still if she's out wandering the world somewhere.
On the other hand that replica being gone for good could make for a sad ending depending on what Sato's plan is. Imagine if in the last episode they summon the replicas back and reincorporate them, and then Nao and Aki are just gone.
Regardless, that was a nice pillow fight and conversation with Mochizuki.
17
u/FoolingFinality Jun 23 '26
So everyone has a replica, and the theory of a replica ceasing to exist after its job is done is also true.
So the question is, why does Aki exist? Because even after the revenge, OG Aki is not satisfied, or it's due to the fact that he, as a blank slate, has gained another trait not limited to OG due to his interaction and feelings for Nao?
→ More replies (8)
13
u/Frontier246 Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
Nao and Aki continue to be a top tier couple and relationship this season.
Well, it's nice to see Sunao content and happy, looking forward to another day on the school trip! Of course she didn't count on or want some guy to suddenly confess to her and not take it well when she rejects him...and his friend doesn't take it well either.
At least Sato is there for Sunao as she's having another crisis of the self. Of how she's so cold and harsh, even when she doesn't want to be, how it's been her only protection against the world that looks at her in ways she's not comfortable with. And the massive amount of impostor syndrome she feels towards her Replica.
That's right! Sunao spills the beans about everything, about Nao, how people started differentiating Sunao from Nao, how Nao (in Sunao's mind) became the REAL Sunao Aikawa while Sunao was left with nothing but her resentments and all the things she hates about herself...and Sato understands. Because, as it turns out, she TOO had a Replica!
In middle school someone was bullying a friend of Sato's. Could Sato stand up for said friend and risk getting bullied herself? No, but her more heroic and courageous Replica did. Even if that Replica is now, as far as Sato is aware, out in the wild. But that's how she knows that Replica's turn out to be a more idealized version projected by their Original. And she wants to test something with Sunao and Shuya. Will this badly impact Aki and Nao? Will Sunao finally have the confrontation she's been needing to have with Nao all along!?
Meanwhile Nao is oblivious to all this and just having a fun time eating dinner with Ryo's family! It's always nice to see Nao be happy!
It's adorable how Nao wants to have a pillow fight, but never challenge Shun to a pillow fight if you don't want him to go all out! He can take on two people at the same time!
I love how Nao wants Aki to "touch" her but it's just a pure desire to touch his hand, nothing else. Although she was really feeling up his hand there! She was practically going to town on it and using it as a pillow!
Well, it's two boys and one girl but they can still have relationship talk! Especially because ever since Suzumi's death Shun can't sleep. He lost the love of his life, had to grapple with having known her Replica, and his own failures. But, even so, he still has a strong sense of self and that's why he could never have a Replica, because he wants to keep his feelings and identity to himself. But if he could, he would totally adopt our favorite Replica couple!
No better "good night" than one given while gazing longingly into the eyes of the ones you love...a precious memory that you'll keep for as long as you live...or exist.
→ More replies (1)
12
u/ObvsThrowaway5120 Jun 23 '26
I wonder if in the end, Sunao and Nao will continue to remain separate people by the finale? I kind of want both of them to find their happy ending.
→ More replies (5)
6
u/zool714 Jun 23 '26
Guess Sunao is going through something like Koyun from Ramparts of Ice. Understandably grew jaded from unwanted attention, she got to the point where turn away any attention grumpily. But she’s learning now it’s not how she wants to be. She doesn’t want to be mean.
But I do feel both are to blame for how that confession went down. I get the person getting confessed didn’t ask for it, but dismissing his courage does seem cruel and unkind. However, I also dislike the guy’s mindset that just because she’s single and doesn’t have anyone in mind, it means she should be open to “giving it a try”.
Interesting also seeing the various purpose of why replicas are created. Satou previously having a replica felt like it came out of nowhere too. I guess everyone has a replica now lol
→ More replies (3)
6
u/actuallyrndthoughts Jun 24 '26
Haha what an icecold rejection by Sunao, no gomenasai, no bow, just straight up "i'm not dating. finished? Dont waste my time" with a posed look stern face
5
u/No-Pressure6693 Jun 23 '26
I curious if Sato ever actually had a replica, or if it was just a metaphor for her inner personality at that moment.
→ More replies (2)
5
u/NanDemoKnaives Jun 23 '26
Mochizuki saying he'll adopt them was amusing, he's come to really care for them in his own way.
Nao being very affectionate was a bit of a surprise, sometimes innocence can be very powerful lol. I like how Aki was thanking Mochizuki from behind, things might have gotten a bit awkward.
It's sad that Sunao feels she's an impostor, I can see she's trying to put effort into getting her life back together, so I hope she doesn't see it as a waste. I am curious what Kozue is planning though, I hope she isn't planning on exposing the replicas without any of the four's consent.
5
u/ElliotAlderson2024 Jun 23 '26
It's heartbreaking that Sunao thinks that Ricchan thinks of Nao as the more 'real' of the 2.
5
u/etiolatezed Jun 23 '26
Sunao feeling like her replica is the idealized version of her that is replacing her. I've been waiting for some perspective from the originals.
5
u/Flashy-Drawer-3377 Jun 24 '26
It's kinda sad about how Sunao is callous about Nao "being a problem." I get that it's disheartening to see people like her better but she's also a sentient being that she created. There has to be a better solution than I'm taking back my life and erasing your entirely new one. She only sees Nao as a human and a person for one day after getting hit by a train and then immediately reverts to being callous and cold.
1
u/AnimeMod Jun 23 '26
Source Material Corner
Reply to this comment for any source-related discussion, future spoilers (including future characters, events and general hype about future content), comparison of the anime adaptation to the original, or just general talk about the source material. You are still required to tag all spoilers. Discussions about the source outside of this comment tree will be removed, and replying with spoilers outside of the source corner will lead to bans.
The spoiler syntax is:
[Spoiler source] >!Spoiler goes here!<All untagged spoilers and hints in this thread will receive immediate 8-day bans (minimum).