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「ガールズ・スタイル」 (Gaaruzu Sutairu)
“Girls’ Style”
This week marks a shift in character development; Naru is still struggling yet cautiously dedicated, but the other characters take center stage as Naru works out the kinks in her dancing. Of particular interest this episode is the development of Yaya and Hana–Yaya for her changing attitude towards Hana, and Hana for the hints behind her mysterious backstory. While we got glimpses of the rest of the supporting cast that we’ll be seeing soon, the focus was definitely on the “Ya” and “Ha” of Hanayamata.
Last episode, I stated that I was not as satisfied with the pacing of Yaya’s development, stating it was too fast and resolved itself way too quickly. One commenter responded that her development was not over and boy, they were right. It’s good that Yaya still remains a key part of the dialogue; her tsundere nature works best when she’s not harboring negative feelings. She still had some hesitation around Hana going into the episode, but the episode did a better job of bonding the two together than last episode. Rather than disjoint scenes of switching between Yaya and HanaxNaru, a much smoother focus on just one group at a time did wonders for the flow of the show and developing Yaya’s character. This will be the same case for when our school president is up for development. She’s really unlikeable now, but once her cute characteristics start to show (as is inevitable), that strict nature of hers will give way to likeability.
In contrast, Hana received only small amounts of development this episode, but they were powerful ones for those connecting the dots. I predict Hana will be the last character to develop, as her backstory should explain much of the mystery surrounding this show. Why can she make leaps of faith not natural to humans? How did she quickly transfer into Hana’s school? How does this all connect to yosakoi? We have no information on the first two questions, but the third is slowly opening itself up. There was a specific scene mid-way where Hana, Yaya, and Naru are having lunch together. Naru aptly points out that Hana always has bread for lunch. This is followed by an awkward silence where Hana quickly switches to slipping her drink, away from her normal cheerful persona. Although a small hint, it speaks volumes about the mysteries that Hana is hiding from everyone. The clue either hints at a lack of food at home, which either implies that she doesn’t have a home (and hence is actually a fairy), or more realistically has home issues.
If we go along with the home issues, then it makes a lot of sense why Hana actively pursues yosakoi and–more importantly–connections with people. As Hana mentioned before, parkour was a lonely sport for her and she’d much prefer things you do with people. Yosakoi seems to have been this first switch for her, as an activity that’s both colorful and sociable. This probably hints at the loneliness she probably faces at home, which is apt, since apart from the school president, Hana is the only person of the group of 5 whose home we haven’t seen yet–Tami and Naru’s homes were portrayed in episode one, while Yaya’s restaurant and home revealed itself in episode 2. I could be going off on a wild theory here, but I hope that these clues aren’t just coincidental. The story becomes all the more intriguing when the clues are scarce, yet informative.
Bottom line though, when all the analysis is done, this show is all about the cuteness, and cuteness it is doing well. Sell us on yosakoi, Hanayamata!
Preview
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Good spot on the quiet things being touched on about Hana, btw. I was expecting more of a tussle to go on between Hana and Yaya for Naru’s attention in this ep, but instead we got Hana and Yaya getting to know one another a little, and best of all it came about in kind of a natural way.
We also go to see a bit more of Tami and Machi entering the picture (finally), though the latter’s appearances were rather … brusque, I guess.
Have decided to officially commit to blogging the series?
Oh yes, I forgot to announce, but it’s officiated in the schedule! I’ll cover this through with LOVE STAGE!!
Machi reminds me of Eli from Love Live. I am hoping that she does not have a complete 180-degree turn like Eli did.
And got to love all these yuri and OT3 teasing.
Wait, I think you confused Hana with Naru in the first sentence. Naru is the one struggling with her dancing.
Your comment about Hana eating bread (toast in the sub that I have) got me thinking about that. Later on in the Ep she packs away a bowl of soba, samples from all the vendors and then what looks like two Big Macs,a large drink, and a large fry and she says that’s normal and Japanese portions are too small. Curious.
Americans being big eaters is a Japanese stereotype, and Hana exercises a lot, so that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. I admit I hadn’t followed through on the idea of her always bringing bread to mean anything of significance, but then when I was in school my junches generally consisted of a sandwich and a bag of chips, so I may not be the best judge.
Sandwiches for School is normal here around, exception you have a School with a Mensa (cooking), then you have nearly the same what you know. You can buy there food and so on
But here are many family’s poor or no time, that the Kids dont have Sandwiches for school. Most dont know to make a knot in the shoes
shoelace not knot, sry
The important fact here isn’t the bread or the portions, but that it represents the first time we’ve seen a dent in Hana’s cheerful personality. I don’t know if it’s a fluke or if she’s just really sad about not being able to cook, but I want to hope it was a purposeful move, especially considering the seiyuu’s vocal mood during that moment.
@Zanibas
True, her reaction is the most important part, but the way she eats later implies it might not be poverty nor some eating problem, but possilby something related to home life. She may even be living by herself since the mentions loneliness a number of times or maybe she only has a single parent who’s busy and can’t cook for her.
dunno, if i would not already know through Animes, and Manga. I would be surprised that in Nippon there are bento’s at school. I only knowed Sandwiches in my Schooltime, then Mensa began to join the School life. Sure in Kindergarten you have Meals, but school? It was not my time
See, Watching Animes and read Manga, bring you Nippon’s culture in little pieces to you
@Bear, I said this in my post.
Given the context and the images associated, I think you meant Naru both times you said Hana.
Fixed~
the stuco pres. is a bit annoying… but its funny when you think that she will be part of the gang later on…
1st comes to my mind is Love Live when it comes to those scene XD
That 007 opening. lol
Hana’s harem continues to grow. This week she hangs out with Yaya so much that Yaya misses her “date” with poor Naru, who was naturally furious she got stood up. XD
It’s only a matter of time before she pulls down Machi from her bitchy facade and drags her into her harem. 😀
Because who could resist this? <3
https://31.media.tumblr.com/88cb945d1357a5a19d084384e00a96af/tumblr_n92s9ixxUJ1qcsnnso1_500.gif
After 3 episodes i think i can like this anime even if naru is a weak MC, she’ll improved right but i still can’t enjoy the SOL in this anime. Gochuumon wa usagi desu ka? Is much more relaxing for me
Yaya is too cute.
But Hana looks the best in anything.
Good catch on Hana not eating much. I hope there’s a good reason there, but it might just be something like ‘can’t cook’. =3
I think I’d actually really like it if Hana turned out to be a genuine fairy. It would be nice if the series really went for it with the fantastical elements. It has that magical look already so please make it happen, Hanayamata!
The real problem the episode poses though, is who to ship! I’m leaning Naru/Yaya but I know that’s a road destined for failure :'(
can it be in Nippon, it is not Lady like, to eat that much?
Like not to open the mouth to big, to bite the Hamburger, thats because they are smaller there? or Woman size Hamburgers?
Sorry, i dont mean it bad, i just poking in the dark, i really do not know
“There was a specific scene mid-way where Hana, Yaya, and Naru are having lunch together. Naru aptly points out that Hana always has bread for lunch. This is followed by an awkward silence where Hana quickly switches to slipping her drink, away from her normal cheerful persona. Although a small hint, it speaks volumes about the mysteries that Hana is hiding from everyone. The clue either hints at a lack of food at home, which either implies that she doesn’t have a home (and hence is actually a fairy), or more realistically has home issues.”
Time to prepare the tissues than. From what I see, this might end with a tear jerker just like K-ON
But seriously…. The only thing I got from this episode is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpUqv2Lwxyg
Not that I’m complaining…. I just need to gather back my senses
Well if we take into account that Hana is from New Jersey, a state that is currently struggling financially, it really wouldn’t be to hard to believe that there are financial issues at home. That is, of course, if the JAPANESE writers, are even aware of, or take into account, such a thing.