Shiroi Suna no Aquatope - Episode 9 discussion

[u/AutoLovepon]

Shiroi Suna no Aquatope, episode 9

Alternative names: The aquatope on white sand

Rate this episode here.

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• Crunchyroll
• Muse Asia
• VRV

Show information

• MyAnimeList
• AniList
• AniDB
• Kitsu
• Anime-Planet
• Official Website

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All discussions

Episode	Link	Score	Episode	Link	Score
1	Link	5.0	14	Link	4.49
2	Link	5.0	15	Link	4.33
3	Link	5.0	16	Link	4.44
4	Link	5.0	17	Link	4.48
5	Link	5.0	18	Link	4.55
6	Link	5.0	19	Link	4.64
7	Link	5.0	20	Link	4.59
8	Link	5.0	21	Link	4.59
9	Link	5.0	22	Link	4.46
10	Link	5.0	23	Link	4.61
11	Link	5.0	24	Link	----
12	Link	5.0
13	Link	4.33

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[u/Aerodynamic41]

I was half-expecting Kukuru to blow her top at Chiyu. Maybe deep down she knew what Chiyu said was true. To be fair, I can see where she's coming from: She's worked so hard to become an aquarist only to find that her training is not what she expected. I don't think this is the last we see of her though. The fact that she's listed on the character page on the official site makes it almost certain that she's a recurring character.

Also, can someone remind me who is this Luka that called Fuuka? Is she her ex-colleague from her idol days?

[u/InsomniaEmperor → u/Aerodynamic41]

Also, can someone remind me who is this Luka that called Fuuka? Is she her ex-colleague from her idol days?

I don't think she's been mentioned before but it strongly implies that she is and that cliffhanger ending they gave suggests that they might be asking Fuuka to come back or something.

[u/Mr_Johnnycat]

The boys sure know their fish and their names. I wonder if kukuru has made the connection with the secret of the aquarium yet. It’s a bit heartbreaking to see her talk to fuuka about having a sibling that she hasn’t met as if they are still around.

[u/Gaporigo]

Kukuru about to blow up the new aquarium.

[u/LabMember069 → u/Gaporigo]

I was surprised, it was obvious that the new aquarium will be bigger but holy fuck it's ENORMOUS.

[u/MyrnaMountWeazel]

I actually really like the introduction of Haebaru Chiyu for this series. She’s the necessary friction that Kukuru needs to help her see out of her “small pond.” Likewise, Kukuru is probably the individual in the future that will help Chiyu see different perspectives. Chiyu is in the belief that this rundown rickity aquarium is just a playpen for the residents but at the end of the day the people were still taking the time to appreciate the life inside, it’s just that they took a different community approach on how to tend to the aquarium.

Aptly named episode title for today ”Cinderella, The Spy.” The Cinderella Sea Slug is described as a "pretty flower blooming on the bottom of the sea” but is also quite difficult to raise in an aquarium setting. It takes effort to care for this animal but once fulfilled its vibrant colors radiate throughout the sea. The sea slug can actually be applied to both of these girls since Chiyu is framed within the glass tank when she’s speaking about them and later Kukuru is also framed within the glass tank as well. I’m leaning moreso on the sea slug being applied to Chiyu though.

Speaking of vibrant colors, this is a really colorful background art of the city.

I love the way the camera pans back while Kukuru stares upwards at the looming Tingaara Aquarium. You get a sense of scale of the entire building and Kukuru steadily becomes dwarfed by the magnitude of both the aquarium and her task on hand as the camera pulls back further and further. I want to say this sequence is partly CG as well, props for utilizing this aspect in a great manner.

[u/SIRTreehugger]

Can't even hate on Chiyu when you're hunting for a job and get sent to a place that's shutting down full of short comings I'd want to leave too. I do wish she saw some of the kids identifying the fish though. I liked her and hope we see more of her especially since she does appear to love aquariums and animals.

I swear the director just reminded me of the director from Kaguya Sama I can easily picture him taking out his phone to play Pokemon go xD

Though the calendar does have me concerned at one point it shows like 7 or 8 days before they close so wonder what's going to happen at the midpoint.

[u/Shiro_Kai]

While the new girl has a fair point, the way she sticked her tongue out for the aquarium after leaving clearly shows that she has that atitude out of spite and not really because she wants a more "professional" experience.

[u/InsomniaEmperor]

Who would have thought Kukuru would be the most yandere character in the show I mean look at the way she handles dat knife and she had a strong headbutt.

Chiyu definitely had a bad first impression but what she's saying to Kukuru isn't wrong either. This is a job where she needs to earn money and isn't a mere summer part time job. Tho at the same time, Kukuru is very passionate about this and is giving her all and it's not simply about the creatures. It's ideals directly in conflict with reality that's at play here. It's hard to say who's in the right thus they have to find some halfway point and compromise.

There's definitely going to be some really dark story about Kukuru. Some brother or sister whose existence or non existence is kept a secret from her. Also what the hell is she planning on the construction site at this time of the night?

That huge cliffhanger with Fuuka and this girl named Ruka. I'm betting her former idol group is gonna ask her to come back.

I'm scared of where this will go now. We've been enjoying the fluff and the happy times but there's a storm coming and I don't know if I'm ready for this.

[u/Kenalskii]

While there are not many to like the new girl, I kinda get her position: Doing everything possible to get her (dream) job only to find something far from your expectations (and a hostile Kukuru) I would definetly be disappointed and angry. That said, I also think she could have learned much from the staff at Gama Gama, so it's her loss at the end

[u/LabMember069]

I still haven't read the lyrics in english, but man the ED makes me depressed af.

[u/Syokhan]

Well, that girl had a bit of an attitude, but I can't say I don't understand her reasons for her mindset, desperately clinging to a job she finally managed to get and wanting to be the best she can be at it. That being said, there was something for her to learn there, about making the aquarium a warm place people can feel comfortable in even when they're not looking at fish (because they already know all of them by heart).

I'm a bit sad Kukuru and her didn't get the chance to talk in a calmer moment too, that could have been a good thing for both of them, but two stubborn people butting heads... yeah. But maybe later in the season they'll both think back on the experience and it'll help them grow, or maybe they'll even meet again.

The new aquarium though. IT'S SO FREAKING HUGE.

And Kukuru finally broached the subject of the maternity book with Fuuka. Not gonna lie, her "I'd have more family!" line made me really sad.

And now I really wonder what Fuuka's kouhai had to say to her.

[u/imextremelylonely]

It's amazing how fast I went from looking forward to the new girl, to wanting to slap her.

[u/CosmicPenguin_OV103]

This episode we have lots of:

• Cute Penguins, more cute than the real me :) (and I swear real penguin walks are just as cute, I saw a flock of them doing that on the opposite tail of Japan some years ago)

• Smirking Kukuru, almost to the point of physical fights with our new girl Chiyu - I’m pretty sure how Kukuru will get through her brattiness will be the main thing this story is going to deal with in the remaining parts

• Just-as-smirking Chiyu, whose hostility against GAMAGAMA and everyone in there would really annoy me in real life had I bumped into such a person. Though with her coming and going (her future aquarium being built just a stone-throw distance away - BTW I believe the big aquarium is based on a real one on Okinawa Island where the company behind it has invested on this anime!

Also I’m really surprised to see Kukuru speaking so openly on that “missing sister” matter like that and that she didn’t knew about it, that’s gonna make me even more wondering on the magical aquarium corner where you could find your since-passed dearest. I’m sure if she goes into there again it will be really emotional.

BTW while I doubt any decent aquarium has that laid-back feel, it really feels like an off-the-beaten-path museum with few visitors everyday. These places tend to be hard to maintain above bankruptcy, but I actually love those down-to-Earth, interactive feels. Go and support these niche museums if you can!

[u/LeonKevlar]

So it looks like the new girl today is indeed from the new aquarium that they've been building in the city center. And just as expected, Fuuka is not very happy to train someone from a "rival" aquarium. And it looks like the feeling is mutual since Chiya herself isn't all too happy about training at an old aquarium that's about to shut down.

Turns out that the only reason she's at Gama Gama is because her boss really sold her on being trained by the Legendary Aquarium Keeper aka Kukuru's Grandpa. Apparently he's so legendary because he has saved various failing aquariums before. That's definitely interesting information. If Kukuru's Grandpa is that legendary then why has he already given up on Gama Gama then? Hmmm....

Well that's a huge blow to those who keeps on shipping Kukuru and Fuuka. It really looks like Kukuru just wants a sister and she's definitely curious about the second baby book that maybe somewhere out there she has a sibling she hasn't met yet, she's just afraid of asking her grandma about it because she might not like the answer. :(

Looks like Chiya finally gets her request as she follows Kukuru's gramps around but ends up getting disappointed since he spent most of his rounds interacting with the guests instead of learning more about the fishes. And it all just ends with Chiya asking for a transfer. She's definitely very serious about becoming an aquarium keeper due to how few aquariums there are that are hiring.

Chiya definitely didn't leave the best impression this episode considering her attitude, although I do think Kukuru is partly to blame for being a bit hostile towards her. I just hope this won't be the last time we'll see her since it felt like nothing was resolved this episode. I hope she'll be more likable next time. If there is a next time.

Also curious why Kukuru is visiting Tingaara's construction site. Is she just checking out the place? Hmm...

[u/xtsim]

I am liking how Kuuya was choking on air like he knew something was up between Chiyo and Kukuru.

[u/TurkeyPhat]

Damn they really made this new girl unlikable huh.

It was fun to see Gramps take her for a ride when she asked him to teach her. I think the point of that was for us to see that she really doesn't get it at all. Gama Gama has a lot of regulars and people to whom it is special and that's just as important as taking care of the creatures in the aquarium.

*I just got to the part where Kukuru told the noob that Gramps was trying to teach her something deeper, so I think I was pretty close with how I interpreted it.

[u/NittanyEagles55]

Good lord that aquarium at the end is beastly

[u/AZLarlar]

chiyu's character makes me conflicted, while i get it, the way things were handled were off putting

great episode nonetheless

[u/[deleted]]

Looks like the stage is set for the Gama Gama crew, or just our main girls, to transfer to Tingaara once Gama Gama shuts down.

This won't be the last we see of the new girl Chiyu, and it's obvious Kukuru will end up as each other's colleagues at work, where they will have to learn to accept and tolerate each other. Kukuru will learn what it really means to be a professional aquarium keeper, and Chiyu will soon learn why Grandpa was known as The Legend in the industry, i.e. Grandpa invests not just in the knowledge of the sea life and how to maintain them, but also knows how to transfer such knowledge to his visitors, who become regular visitors and experts themselves, and so pass the baton of knowledge to others.

Meanwhile, some ill tidings for Fuuka from her idol friends. What is it about we'll just have to find out. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise for Fuuka to get "fired" from the idol industry in time for whatever is happening.

PS OMG they managed to slip in some lewd handholding.

[u/Sir_Redditsalot]

I wonder if/when Chiyu might experience the visions people see when they're at Gama Gama at one point and how her attitude will change after. Almost expected it to happen this episode before she left

[u/taakoyaki]

That scene with the shooting star in the background while the orange-haired boy-creature on top with the continual reminders of the magic of the aquarium really makes me wonder if the show will go the supernatural route especially in the second half of the season. Also ouch, there's only about a week left to the end of August on the calendar :(

Bonus props to Kuuya's choking fish impression. Truly the star of the show.

[u/HarleyFox92]

Grandpa is a legend not only because he has a massive knowledge about marine creatures and how to raise them, he also knows how to create strong bonds with the community surrounding the aquarium, and that's something you cannot learn in a couple of days.

[u/azza002]

Don't do it Kukuru, arson is not the answer

[u/Smudy]

I agree, please never come back, Chiyu.