I have to say, I enjoyed watching this set of episodes, but it felt somewhat airy, or sparse. Welcome to the N.H,K. still confuses me with its story, but I suppose the ultimate goal is to really see if Misaki can “save” Tatsuhiro from the hiki-life (not that its a bad thing, but can’t go on forever, imo). In lue of this outlook, where does this set of episodes take the plot? Mainly, episodes 11-14, the “Suicide Arc” takes up quite a bit more time than I would have suspected, but why? Does there really need to be 3+minutes of screen time showing Satou testing Misaki’s defensive behavior when he raises a fist at her? What I’m seeing will be either some decent foreshadowing and linkage for a fitting end, or just random non-sense that will not be addressed at all. The latter is worst cast, because I don’t recall this in the manga at all, so it better be taken care of in the anime. Some short notes on the episodes (very random).
fantasy is great
ragin over thoughts
can’t control it
lol, you do that
do not try this at home
kawaiii
more fantasy
very suspicious
she loves that thing
conspiracy SOL
pff, lightweight
you’re man’s been taken
vacation vacation
oh shii~ the deep end
i’d live there
BIRU
not gonna work
mmm, warm
someone’s gonna die
suicide is bad
uhh, wtf
this guy rocks
gomenasai~aww
now that we’ve made up…09> For some reason, I liked seeing Yamazaki smashed. It was quite a funny site, but the real meat of 09 is the romance line. NHK uses a much more apparent love-dovey plotline than the manga, but it compliments well. The big question that came up in my mind was ‘Will they be dating?’ Something about it feels strange, but seeing MisakiXTatsuhiro in the end wouldn’t be bad.
10> The comedy of Misaki’s invasion into Satou’s mind is a spectacle to be delighted with. Satou’s uncontrollable thoughts about Misaki can be seen a bit in the manga, but not to this extent (its all for the love). I did think it a cute that the scenario Satou was writing ended up being filled with Misaki’s name; predictable be still funny. Somehow I felt that this episode was the previous epiosde in reverse, I’m not sure if that makes sense, but I’m not going back to rewatch the two, so I’ll let it ride. When the stalking of Misaki began I knew not much would be discovered, but seeing Misaki in her daily life was a bit depressing; she didn’t look enthused at all. I guess it just brings in more speculation about what in the hell happened to her in the past (abortion or something)?
11> Wow, we actually see Hitomi’s backstory and the pressures of her daily life. It really made more sense to see these scene, where in the manga it happened very quickly that Hitomi wanted to do go on a suicide trip. For sentiment, Misaki chasing with the trip-n-fall added more to that ‘I’m concerned for Satou the Hiki’, awww.
12> I thought the suicide story would be simple and have finished by the end of this episode, but damn they just filled it up with all kinds of stuff. Does the suicide story really need to be more than 3 episodes?
13> First thing I noticed about the 3 part of the suicide story was the gasoline. Umm, has anyone ever poured gasoline and lit it on fire *directed at the producers who don’t read this*? Way too much gasoline, they would have all experienced extreme burns and/or died when they lit the bonfire. I can take unrealistic occurrences in fiction, but come on, canisters of gasoline? DANGEROUS. Still, the suicide story hasn’t ended, and WTF about all the crying in the end of this episode, Satou crying was funny, but Misaki crying was a bit painful (why was she crying again).
14> Finally, an end to the suicide story. Though it took a few episodes, I can understand its delivery of details between Satou and Misaki, and Satou and his life in general. Depending on the ending, some of these details will be needed; like Misaki’s fear of being beaten. I’ll assume she’s been battered, not good, no no no.
I’m not sure if my slight annoyance with the suicide arc came through, but I really hope it was purposeful and goes without direction. The biggest details had to have been about Misaki, but she’s still a mystery. Oh well, more to look forward to how GONZO is going to end this, will it be brilliant, make sense, or just mmm ok.
Ryan A
Misaki is really more screwed up than she really looks. Do watch out for the little things that indicate her insecurities.
I shall ^^ She has some emotional trauma, but is her ‘project’ the way she is healing? probably, that would make sense.
The point about the gasoline is clarified in the manga. That can was in fact all the remaining fuel of the boat and by poring it all there is none for the return trip!!
Well, I understood the reasoning behind using the gasoline, that it would be wasted otherwise. I just found it irritating that they used so much, I know its not really supposed to be realistic, but I like when small details fit the real world. Not a big deal though.
One experience with gasoline fires:
I was at a party and the hosts were making a bonfire and used less than 4 liters to start it, but when they lit the gas, the flames shot up 10m into the treetops. Kinda scary, but fun to watch, like the tail end of a rocket going into the ground. ^_^;