「気づかなかった幸せ」 (Kizuka Nakatta Shiawase)
“Happy You Did Not Notice”

Just like that, things can change in the blink of an eye. People say you don’t appreciate what you have until you lose it, and although it’s unlikely either Yuu or Ayumi are goners at this point, I’d wager that it isn’t a coincidence that this just happens to be the week Yuu also realizes how fortunate he is to have Ayumi by his side. It’s just a pity that this realization comes with a development that might change their lives forever, and things certainly didn’t come together in their favor this week.

Not only did Ayumi develop powers as anticipated, but her decision to sneak out of the house causes her to have a run in with the romance-obsessed Oikawa, who ultimately serves as the primary reason she has a run in with Konishi, whose box-cutter antics end up being the final trigger for Ayumi’s “collapse” ability. The perfect casting of Koiwai Kotori aside (she was fabulous in a similarly sinister role in M3: Sono Kuroki Hagane), this was an illustration of the “bad things come in threes” principle if I’ve ever seen one, and it’s a result notable in particular for the techniques used to both foreshadow it and amplify it’s impact.

Looking back to last week, Ayumi’s sickness was the first major clue that something was amiss, but the striking change in color usage from the mid-point of the episode onward (you’ll notice it after screenshot 21) ends up a key change that contrasts with the vibrant colors used during the previous episodes and amplifies subsequent scenes tas literal reminder that things were about to take a darker turn. Makoto Shinkai has been noted as someone in particular that uses this technique (his book, “A Sky Longing for Memories: The Art of Makoto Shinkai” is a must-read in this technical regard), and one wonders if it isn’t only but one of the many things being used here to make this a more complete experience. In this sense, the opening sequence seems to hold more than meets the eye given the events of this episode, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Ayumi’s “boom” gesture in the OP was subtle reference to her collapse ability.

That said, the other thing that caught my eye this week ends up being the actions of Oikawa and Konishi, and count me in as someone surprised to see middle schoolers acting the way they did. Granted, it’s far from the realm of impossibility—I’ve seen some pretty nasty interactions between kids of their age—but given the seemingly deliberate nature of everything, I can’t help but associate the events here with Ayumi’s ability. It could very well be that her ability isn’t limited to physical phenomenon, and it’d make a lot of sense if her ability also serves as a double-edged sword that “collapses” the relationships between her and those around her. It’d explain the unnatural obsession Oikawa has with her and the unnatural hate Konishi has against her, while fitting right in with the unnatural obstacles that stood in Yuu’s way of rescuing her.

Either way, it looks like we’ve suddenly reached Charlotte’s turning point, and we’re given our first significant cliffhanger to boot. Whether Yuu and/or Ayumi end up surviving (I predict they both will), it’s obvious that things will no longer be the same, and the fact that we have a yet to be revealed (?) character with knowledge of the situation promises to make Charlotte’s next episode worth the price of admission.

 

ED3 Sequence

103 Comments

      1. Maeda’s interview – G’s magazin – August 10 – official translation

        G’s magazine: We’re finally at episode 6. You’ve said that “The real story starts at episode 6”, can you summarize the important points of the episode?

        Maeda: It should be, the story is finally starting to develop from episode 6. But the production won’t say “The real story starts from episode 6” as if we’re only showing you guys the boring stuff as it will only make things more difficult from here on. I kind of regret saying it at the start.

        G’s magazine: Because of episode 6’s unexpected developments, much of the audience wants to know what comes next. Could you tell us a bit about that?

        Maeda: The MC’s development is what. Although his development started from the first episode, it’s not enough. But with someone’s death, things are going to change. I understand people are going to say “Not this shit again” but please bear with it for now.

        G’s magazine: Interview with production members tells us that Kumagami will be a key character. What will be his role later on in the story?

        Maeda: Kumagami is a very special character. He’s not only _____. As episode 2 tells us, he can track ability users as well as find out what their powers are. Behind the hair hides a handsome face, and that is when he reveals his true power. He is also _____’s helper, as well as a friend to Tomori’s group.

        G’s magazine: Tomori and Takajyo seems to be hiding something from Yuu. Is there a secret they know that he doesn’t?

        Maeda: Yes. Takajyo during episode 5 said that “You have ________’s power. Tomori and Takajyo both knows Yuu’s true power from Kumagami, but Yuu doesn’t know at this point.

        G’s magazine: Now that we’re at the second half, can you tell us a bit more about the second promotional artwork?

        Maeda: As of now, the show gives off the vibe of “The daily lives of ability users during adolescence.” The second promotional artwork is meant to break that atmosphere. It’s a bit similar to my part work “Moon”, and when I was writing the show I felt that it won’t be a good idea to go down that path.

        G’s magazine: There’s a lot of discussion within the fanbase about Yuu’s power. What is your opinion about their discussions?

        Maeda: I’m happy to see everyone worked up over it. But I think that those who know me knows that the story as of now doesn’t have all the cards on the table. There will be more unexpected developments coming up, and I hope you guys will look forward to it.

        G’s magazine: You saw the audience’s reaction online. How do you feel right now?

        Maeda: I think the success of the work depends on how well it is received online, so I do feel happy about that. But it isn’t enough as of yet. If the reaction from the audience isn’t strong enough, then I won’t be able to reach my own goals I’ve been praying every day for it to be more popular.

        G’s magazine: Anything you want to say to your fanbase?

        Maeda: I myself haven’t seen episode 13 yet, so I can’t say “This was a fine piece of work.” as of yet. But the production members are trying their hardest every day so I do believe that the day I can say this will come. It will make me very happy if people can stick with this show until the very last episode.

        TomoBoy
  1. Ok, maybe the “collapse” power affects other things than buildings and the ground, but I think that would be too convenient of an excuse to explain some cases of poor writing that aren’t unheard of in previous episodes (and that time there wasn’t any superpower to justify it).

    Still, it was a strong episode for once, especially since it foreshadows further complications. No, not the collapsed building, that will be taken care of in an episode, I’m sure. But those unnamed characters who were looking for the kid with special powers? Another party with their own agenda brings a necessary conflict.

    What I didn’t like is how they treated their poor version of Flash. Both Yuu and Nao just assumed he was going to be an annoying fanboy and she kicked him out of the building without even asking him first if he could stay at school. And for what? For Yuu’s sister not to be overwhelmed by having so many people in the house? Nice idea… except for the fact that in the end she got six visitors and nothing bad happened.

    Mistic
      1. Yeah, I know, but I found the comedy off-putting. That the guy seems to be made of rubber and disproportionate retribution being a staple of comedy didn’t work for me here because the guy hadn’t even done anything beforehand. They feared he may do so, so instead of punishing some stupidity in a funny way it was an unwarranted pre-emptive strike that made Nao and Yuu look like complete jerks.

        Mistic
      2. I see it like this:

        If I could push someone out of a 3-story high building and they wouldn’t be maimed or killed or rendered permanently disabled, I’d do it. And I’d do it for the lolz.

        Goodwill Wright
    1. I saw it more as they wanted him out of the way so he wouldn’t domineer all the attention to Yusa. Yusa was going to see Ayu, but Flash boy would sit there fangirling every possible moment.

      Kabble
    2. Takajou not being allowed to come instantly struck me as symbolic; notice how we don’t get Misa in this episode either. Both Takajou’s power and Misa have been sources for sudden, madcap comedy – Takajou being denied access to this episode’s drama felt like a warning that there wouldn’t be a place for laughs in what would come.

      In fact, it might be worth noticing that no-one but Ayumi used their powers this week at all.

    1. Good job stating the obvious?

      Guess you missed the part where they were pertinent to what we saw this episode. I’d ask you to contribute something relevant instead of wasting everyone’s time with your nonsense, but it doesn’t seem like that’s possible.

      Zephyr
      1. The use of cliches set up a broader point, of which I elaborate upon in the later paragraphs. Considering you never really address or add to those points and only say >this, >that, I wouldn’t exactly consider that so much criticism as it is borderline trolling.

        Zephyr
    1. Well, that wasn’t so hard to say, was it?
      I’d much rather you flat out say what’s on your mind than >cliche, >whatever.

      Either way, if you don’t see any points from above, then there’s not much to talk about. It doesn’t seem like you see things the way I do, which is fine. (Or did you just not bother to read it because you went “oh psh, cliche” and ignored the rest?)

      I’d like to say we can discuss some stuff you found interesting, but you don’t seem to want to share, so there’s not much else I can say here.

      Good day I guess.

      Zephyr
      1. The art of discussion seems to be a dying breed these days, Zephyr. People don’t know how to engage properly or know how to enact engagement anymore. Or they only know how to crap on something. I blame the internet!

        Impel Down Hippo
      2. Well some people think that their opinion is the only one that matters and everyone else, especially those who disagree with them are beneath them not realizing that by keeping an open mind you can learn so much more even if you agree to disagree at the end

        Juan
    2. “I’m just letting you know that it’s a chore to read such bad writing.”

      Not reading is also an option, after all, you’re clearly the superior blogger.
      If you were going for criticism, then I’d like to say that there are a plethora of different ways to go about it. Not including greentexting (or whatever 4channers call that) or beating on a writer without giving constructive feedback besides complaining about clichés. Which isn’t all that constructive if you ask me.

      Crook
  2. That girl went full Sekai at the end o.o
    And I suspect that Ayumi will be fine.

    Here’s how I expect the rest of this to pan out:
    Sekai Knife girl goes cray and starts saying Ayumi started all of this. Student body gets freaked out and wants to transfer schools. Rumor of a child collapsing an entire building gets out putting Ayu and the whole school in trouble.

    Kabble
  3. All the drama so far is not arriving to me, al the cientific experimentation stuff fells pretty forced, and the interactions with the other people with powers are so ephemeral that i can’t feel anything.
    Besides Ayumi is such an annoying character, the way her voice is, the way she talks, and the damn “Secret sauce” gag, wich was boring the first time they show it, and it wasn’t more fun the 10th time either.
    All that ends it my incapacity to feel something about what happened, is just meh, for me and for now, angel beats is better.

    And why when someone is chased, they end up in a no exit place…

    Micheleuno
    1. “All the drama so far is not arriving to me, al the cientific experimentation stuff fells pretty forced, and the interactions with the other people with powers are so ephemeral that i can’t feel anything.”

      I do admit that, so far, seeing them simply telling people “don’t use your powers anymore” seems a bit odd. I mean, why do that for all of them, yet force Yuu to change schools and join their group?

      “Besides Ayumi is such an annoying character, the way her voice is, the way she talks, and the damn “Secret sauce” gag, wich was boring the first time they show it, and it wasn’t more fun the 10th time either.”

      As mentioned, the sauce was most likely set-up for something rather than a gag. I wouldn’t be surprised if it contained something that was supposed to suppress Ayumi’s power from awakening or something since you notice that as soon as they go one night without it, she suddenly gets ill and awakens it soon after.

      “And why when someone is chased, they end up in a no exit place…”

      Aside from cliche to build up tension for an emotional trigger for Ayumi to awaken her power, it’s also because, when someone is being chased down by a clearly disturbed classmate out to kill them simply over a boy they like (who pretty obviously didn’t think romantically about them), or any sort of horror-icons (vampires, zombies, etc.), I doubt that person being chased would be thinking clearly or rationally about the best path to take to escape aside from them aside from “just get as far away as possible”.

      Also, IIRC, isn’t it usually prohibited for students to access the school rooftop, at least during classes in some cases?

      HalfDemonInuyasha
  4. I’m honestly expecting it to be Yuu that died instead and for it to turn out that he was a decoy protagonist all along. Mostly because the area with all the blood looks more like the area he was digging through when that part of the building fell towards him than it does where his sister fell from. It’s not even like killing him off would inconvenience the story either since Yusain can use her powers to let him take over her.

    Jason
  5. Talk about turning it up a notch. This week really did the standard Key transformation that we all expected to happen. Just when things are rosy they suddenly take a turn for the worst. The episode was nicely done taking the cues from the last one and building up from them. Another nice touch though is that while we knew this turn around would happen, they’ve left a lot in the bag in terms of questions left unanswered. Principal of which is the new characters coming in who seem to know too much as well as it would seem a deeper look at “helper-san”

    Juan
  6. I wonder why is Kumagami seen at the end and is it just me or does he look a lot like Yuu?, maybe the new girl comes from the future and this guy is an alternative version of Yuu 😛

    Mako
  7. Standard Maeda Jun plot twist, but a welcome one, and to be fair, there were a few things that I didn’t see coming.

    https://randomc.net/image/Charlotte/Charlotte%20-%2006%20-%2003.jpg

    Honestly, until I actually saw Ayumi bring the literal roof down, I was certain that ^ this one had the “collapse” ability, and its incompleteness was in that it could only make a person sick, not actually kill them.

    That aside, certainly the strongest and most engaging episode of Charlotte by far. And unfortunately for poor Ayumi, she has an ability that would have any military would give its proverbial right arm to possess. Perhaps she’ll have already been captured by the next episode?

    Bring it on, Charlotte. Let’s see how well you can tug at my heart strings.

    Ryan Ashfyre
    1. Yes good point about the military, I also thought that and that this is also a seismic event! A school collapse would create such an intense investigation there’s no way the black hat scientists could miss it. Seems the new girl had a clue about what might happen like Tomori seemed to worry about as well. I have to say though, I would rather have seen Ayumi use her power in a scenario where she would have seen her brother in danger during one of student councils missions. The unrequited love story was a little out of left field for me. How creepy for that guy to visit Ayumi in her bedroom. He’s WAY to pushy. What might Yuu have done to him had he seen that grab he made in the hallway? Our long haired friend at the end gives me some hope help is on the way toward a quick extraction.

      Breedo
  8. Now that’s what I called a “dark turn” though that happened during the last 10 minutes.

    And best cliffhanger always get you to remember the very last scene…T.T

    Hopefully I won’t get a literal heart attack watching the next episode.

  9. All I can say is that someone died from that scene. Be it Ayumi, Yuu, that teacher or Taka. Someone definitely just bit the bullet.

    As terrible as this sounds, Ayumi or Yuu would be the best choices for this. From the looks of the OP, it is likely Ayumi who died. I’d also guess that it will likely cost Yuu his existence (hurray time travel) to rescue her from her fate. I was originally thinking it would be Tomori.

    You know what? Theory time!

    What if the price you pay to return someone to life and change time is the cost of your own life? Better yet, what if these people who you deeply connected with still remember what you changed? The time you spent? The love you share? And you turn around and wipe it all away. Even worse. That to acquire everyone else’s happy end, that’s what you need to do.

    You’d definitely need to be a monster to decide that. Sacrifice everything else to give others happiness. My bet is that this is what the rest of the show builds up to.

    Dorian
    1. Next ability user: in the next episode or two

      Advantage: time travel

      Can only bring another one person with him/her back to the past/future, which involves holding hands while time traveling.

      Limit(s): Can only stay there in the past/future for 5 minutes.

      Is this what you want to expect for your own theory in upcoming episodes?

  10. A proper Charlotte episode, finally. This is one of the better episodes, because:

    a. The interaction between characters feels genuine for most of the part. Well, Yuu and Nao can now kiss. Kidding.
    b. Maeda pulled his trick card mood changer numerous times in this episode. One moment I am grinning with their antics and the next moment, I am feeling real uncomfortable because there is an ominous aura in certain scenes.

    I cannot say I am a fan of the last third of the episode. Until the moment Ayu’s ‘collapse’ ability is mentioned to also involve destroying one’s logic and reasoning, I count those scenes as a very sudden and random (but still necessary) plot twist. I am weak with imoutos so… poor Ayu.

    (For my super biased speculation)

    Well, I think Yuu will be saved just in time but I prefer not. My bias says I wish a Madoka moment here so as to leave everyone in shock.

    samui
  11. — Cliff hanger episodes like this makes my brain hurt so much on thinking how am I supposed to spend 6 days of waiting for episode 7… And no, fck real life 🙂

    Anyway, predictions… predictions… That event would definitely call the attention of the mad scientists unless the school being an affiliate of tomori’s school would impose media block or spread false info. But that would be futile specially if the effing yandere girl would talk about Ayu suddenly “shine” triggering the destruction of that part of school.

    As to who went critically injured from falling huge block, if we are to speak of tragedy, it would be yu… Percentage wise its 30%. Another 10% would go to takajou via teleport (manage to knock yu away) and 20% no one since takajou teleport doesnt stop until he hits a wall thus making him and yuu safe. 30% it could be tomori though since judging from the scene there’s enough time for her to run and push yuu… Anyway that blood probably is from ayu after rescue.

    And a hunch for the water guy who tells the gang what and where and why he is in the scene of accident? 1. He probably the one that grants ability. 2. Ayu’s ability is multiple (manifestation of her ability showing up in her nightmare? What’s with that?) and he is in the place to Verify. 3 his real ability is not point where and what but, PRECOGNITION aka the ability to see the future.

    TheSurvivalist
  12. You know what I would do for a plot twist at this point? In order to save himself, Otosaka ends up possessing someone else’s body and since their body is dead/crushed,he can’t go back to his body. Be even more funny (probably not) if he ends up possessing his sister…

    Or if maybe after being crushed, he is dying and urged by his fellow council members, he possesses someone to live on?

    Highly doubt Charlotte would do that but I’d certainly humor that idea.

    Goodwill Wright
    1. So you are hinting of a gender bender event? That would be fun. Possessing Ayu would be out of question though since he cant see the body. The only chance for that to happen is that intense stress (like the falling huge wall in that last part of this episode) in brain thought process would allow Yuu to possess bodies by just thinking of the person.

      Jeffers
  13. I feel this is just a pre-climax even. Aka the appetizer and that the real climax will come involving Tomori and Yuu (if OP is a hint or any indication of what may happen)

    But seriously oh wow. A middle school freak, cutter wielding yan, without the dere (there is no way a girl like her will go dere. Never with an eye like hers that completely hints her current irrational thinking) shoujo. I wont hesitate to give her instantly a free face surgery using my fist if I am faced with one.

    Jeffers
  14. Anyway has anyone noticed? Ayu got her ability activated TOO EARLY in her age. Yuu learned of his powers just before highschool. And Tomori seems to develop the invisibility just before highschool too. All targets in previous episodes are in highschool too. Ayu is special in short.

    Jeffers
    1. Now that you mention it, you’re right. So needless to say, she’d be an important player in the story and a most sort after “asset” by other factions I would assume.

      Goodwill Wright
  15. “Itsumo hitori de aruiteta–“ *record needle scratch*

    Wait, wrong series

    Hmm… Maybe this girl (the one standing up) is part of another student council who’s working for the scientists who want to experiment on teenagers with special abilities? If I recall correctly, she was let through by the guard at Ayumi’s school (after flashing her badge) and the guard even told her, “Thanks for the hard work.” Why would the guard allow her to enter the school grounds whereas Yuu, Nao, Joujirou and Yusa had to climb a fence to get in? (Fishy…)

    Incognito
  16. I think this episode just showed how appallingly bad and uninspired Charlotte’s writing is. It was bad before before but it has reached new lows.

    “I don’t want him to come… LET’S KICK HIM OUT OF A THIRD STORY WINDOW LOL!” Was this supposed to be funny?

    But of course the real masterpiece is “Random yandere middle-schooler comes out of nowhere and tries to stab imouto to death, in order to trigger the DRAMA-filled second half of the show.”

    Like, how much you wanna bet that she, the yandere, will cease to exist starting next week? Wonderful plot device, Maeda.

    Maybe the only good thing to come out of this will be that our MC will finally have sort of agency again, ever since he was emasculated at episode 1 he has only existed to complain about the pizza sauce.

    Archiepiscopus
      1. The gun has basically been the first half of the first episode, which was absolutely fantastic. It could have been a second Death Note and/or Code Geass. Then the second half happened and all the potential it had for having a selfish MC using his powers for his own self-interest and the antics that go with that, was thrown out the window just like Speedbro.

        Then he became generic VN MC who just goes along with the flow and complains about pizza sauce. That one bit of genius at the start of the show is what keeps me going, but so far it has been just extremely convoluted writing and tired Maeda cliches.

        Archiepiscopus
    1. Actually, the kicking someone out of a 3rd floor window is arguably one of the best parts I’ve liked about Charlotte so far. Guess that’s not saying much, but coming into Charlotte, I was expecting to see some more of that slapstick humor that was in other Key works.

      But the whole yandere thing was completely out of left-field. It only would have worked if the threat had loomed over multiple episodes before hitting this climax in my opinion.

      Goodwill Wright
    2. Couldn’t you see how this worked in perspective? In terms of Yuu, the guy we’ve been following, having all of Ayumi’s friends and social dramas spring up out of nowhere just goes to show how disconnected he is from his sister (which we’ve already seen from the pizza sauce complaining)in not having a clue about what’s going on in her life, and for Ayumi, whose perspective we took during all the drama, having that friend suddenly go full yandere put us right in her mind of ‘err… hey… this isn’t supposed to be happening…’. It’s meant to be unnatural. Ayumi collapses the relationships around her but is unaware of the dramatic effect she is. So are we, likewise, unaware of the problems she faces until they come at her with a box cutter.

      But yay, we’re going to have a load of people immediately equate unnatural drama with bad drama again.

      Of course the girl’s a plot device. Every character moves the story visibly forward in some way. We can’t say its bad because it’s unnatural, because that’s the point, so what are we complaining about? That we can tell that a story is being told? Why can’t a character come in, do their bit, and leave the spotlight when they’re no longer relevant?

      If you haven’t been connecting to the imouto yet though, the scene would obviously lack any immersion or excitement. But still, that’s no judgement against the yandere.

      1. “Why can’t a character come in, do their bit, and leave the spotlight when they’re no longer relevant?”

        Why can’t we have a god who, at the last second, comes out of nowhere without any foreshadowing and resolves the conflict because he wants to? Just like that. Oh wait, that’s a deus ex machina and a crappy plot device that should generally be avoided at all costs.

        That’s why the yandere is really terrible writing. The thing about MC being disconnected from her life only works if the audience also knew about the stuff going on in her school while MC doesn’t.

        Archiepiscopus
      2. ” The thing about MC being disconnected from her life only works if the audience also knew about the stuff going on in her school while MC doesn’t.”

        Do you even know what a limited narrative is? The ones that help us connect to a character by letting us know only what they know?

        As for Deus ex Machina, that’s unrelated – people hate that because it solves problems badly, with no relevance to the other characters, which is very different from how problems can start with an unexpected entrance, especially, in this case, since a new character can very much encapsulate a lot about a character we already know in the short time they appear for.

        Having a new character show up just to complicate things is a classic and well-loved technique. Were the assassins that murdered Lady MacDuff poor writing? Was Lady MacDuff herself poor writing? No; they served to draw the plot forward, and did that, and drew little other attention to themselves. Likewise with our yandere; she’s just there to cause and exemplify Ayumi’s ability.

        The focus is on the imouto, and now that her very life has seemed to collapse, it makes sense that we won’t be seeing any more of the yandere any more. So everything is strung together with causality and purpose, and there shouldn’t be anything to complain about, unless you just want to sound cynical on the internet. But even there, there’s so much more to be rightly cynical about in this show than this ‘masterpiece’ of error you talk about.

      3. “The ones that help us connect to a character by letting us know only what they know?”

        And don’t you think it would have been great to connect to yandere middle schooler? It’s obvious that what she did is a game-changing event, and to introduce a character at the last minute just for that, then discard them, is bad writing. Period.

        “As for Deus ex Machina, that’s unrelated”

        It’s entirely related and you know. The difference being that the deus ex solves the conflict, and the yandere created a new conflict in the middle of the narrative.

        “The focus is on the imouto, and now that her very life has seemed to collapse, it makes sense that we won’t be seeing any more of the yandere any more.”

        Yes, it makes sense that a plot device, once its purpose has been fulfilled, is discarded. Making sense does not mean that it’s a good use of the device. A character has be as rounded as possible, and while this is certainly not very possible for a minor character in a 13 episode show, it would have helped immensely to have some foreshadowing.

        Or alternatively just find a way to have some DRAMA without resorting to homicidal maniacs.

        Archiepiscopus
      4. No, no of course we’re not meant to connect with yandere middle-schooler. All throughout that scene the connection is with imouto, and we’re purposefully distanced from the freak who came out of nowhere. Why – just, why? – would the scene of a character’s potential death have the focus taken away from the character potentially dying?

        Oh, and we have the ‘character has to be rounded’ crap coming in too. The creator of that term, E M Forster, knew what a ‘flat’ character was. Since you don’t, stop using his words and pretending you understand them. It’s laughable.

        God I’m happy fans like you don’t write these shows.

      5. “and we’re purposefully distanced from the freak who came out of nowhere.”

        Is it really that outrageous to ask for characters to feel like characters and not cheap plot devices? Is it? Even if she got some foreshadowing and all her characterization amounted to “homicidal yandere”, it would have been nice to know something else about her. Even that one disposable guy who loved the idol’s dead sister was more “fleshed out” than her.

        The long-haired guy who’s always wet is certainly another plot device, but now it looks like he’s gonna break away from his usual role and do something different. Wow, how revolutionary. Is it that crazy to ask the same of other characters?

        “God I’m happy fans like you don’t write these shows.”

        You’re happy that you have incredibly low standards and that Maeda ran out of original ideas 15 years ago?

        Archiepiscopus
      6. “Is it really that outrageous to ask for characters to feel like characters and not cheap plot devices? ”

        She felt like a character to me, because my definition of character isn’t silly like yours.

        How many times do I have to spell it out? This is a LIMITED narrative – Google it if I’ve already lost you. What we know as viewers is limited to what certain characters know. The yandere wasn’t fleshed out for us because she wasn’t fleshed out for Ayumi – Ayumi didn’t know her well, and neither did we. The two are parallel and work together for effect.

        You don’t appreciate how a lack of information also contributes to art. It’s because of what we DON’T know about the yandere that we join with Ayumi’s confusion, wondering what Ayumi did or caused to happen, and not being able to see it or have it foreshadowed before puts us in the oblivious dark that Ayumi occupies in that scene. It also thus contributes to a mystery that the show can fill in later if that’s where the plot goes.

        We NEEDED to have known nothing about that yandere. Foreshadowing would have satisfied the stupid critics who think everything important needs foreshadowing, yes, but it would have informed the viewer ABOVE Ayumi’s insight, and that would have caused a disconnect between the viewer and her at the vital moment when they needed to be one, to be fully immersed in her fear and confusion as she came to her doom.

        It would be ‘nice’ to know more about her? Nice? What’s supposed to feel ‘nice’ about the end of this week’s episode? How can you claim that this show owes you some kind of satisfaction from a scene that is supposed to be the show’s most uncomfortable, most tragic, most disconcerting yet? The tragedy is heightened because neither Ayumi nor Yuu nor ourselves know anything more about this maniac after the perhaps fatal consequences of her actions – we’re allowed, even supposed, to be annoyed at that! But any irritation should go, if anywhere, to the cast, who knew nothing themselves – for this is a LIMITED narrative – and not to Maeda Jun or ‘the show’; you have to recognise that you not being satisfied in how much you know is part of the show’s purpose.

        You have silly, uninformed views about what constitutes quality in a character. What a shame it must be to have such an iron set of prejudices in a time when character is so expanded upon. You can’t even see how this simple girl needs to be presented an outline of herself – how on earth do you cope with something that’s actually complex?

      7. Your first defense was “but my Maeda-isms!” though you seem to have dropped that, for you know that if you use that argument, the same could be argued in favor of Michael Bay and his Bayformers crapfests.

        Now you’re using the “limited narrative” defense, which, quite frankly, coupled with no foreshadowing can be used to justify anything. What if in episode 8 there’s an alien invasion? That kind of shoddy writing would be okay because “limited narrative lol!”

        “but it would have informed the viewer ABOVE Ayumi’s insight, and that would have caused a disconnect between the viewer and her at the vital moment when they needed to be one, to be fully immersed in her fear and confusion as she came to her doom.”

        Is this your first Maeda work? Everyone and their mothers knew that something bad was gonna happen to imouto since the 1st episode because Maeda has proven once again how he’s a professional recycler. What we didn’t know is how it was gonna happen, but my God, I sure didn’t expect something so ridiculous as a random yandere middle-schooler shoehorned-in at the last second. The point is that there was always a disconnect between the audience and imouto because Maeda is painfully predictable.

        Archiepiscopus
    3. I don’t want him to come… LET’S KICK HIM OUT OF A THIRD STORY WINDOW LOL!” Was this supposed to be funny?

      I didn’t laugh either. I cringed at that moment. Angel Beats! did a better job with flying rocket chairs. Yet, by deducting the megane boy’s presence and the idol at some extent, this became a better Charlotte episode although far from perfect.

      But of course the real masterpiece is “Random yandere middle-schooler comes out of nowhere and tries to stab imouto to death, in order to trigger the DRAMA-filled second half of the show.

      I also agree here. While there’s a need to move the plot, this is totally random and why does she have to be a yandere? Why threaten stab Ayu? Then she became more of a plot device and a talking cardboard than a character. Well in any case, we need to know more from her.

      Oh… Charlotte’s habit of filing more questions than answers never gets old. Wahh. I hope she does not disappear in the next episode though and Charlotte has better do a good job of explaining that thing or else you’ll be totally right. As much as Maeda loves to do contrived dramas, it was never random and he explained it (although a bit clunky at times).

      samui
  17. Me thinks, that Ayumi’s Collapse Ability is wrong understood. Sure Collapse it a side effect. Because she can manipulate Gravity. Something like mini-Gravity Holes. Because she could see far away Stars in earlier episodes. So my guess is more Gravity manipulation, that as side effect is collapsing, yes. But i can be very offtrack

    WorldwideDepp
      1. Maeda’s interview. official translation

        G’s magazine: We’re finally at episode 6. You’ve said that “The real story starts at episode 6”, can you summarize the important points of the episode?

        Maeda: It should be, the story is finally starting to develop from episode 6. But the production won’t say “The real story starts from episode 6” as if we’re only showing you guys the boring stuff as it will only make things more difficult from here on. I kind of regret saying it at the start.

        G’s magazine: Because of episode 6’s unexpected developments, much of the audience wants to know what comes next. Could you tell us a bit about that?

        Maeda: The MC’s development is what. Although his development started from the first episode, it’s not enough. But with someone’s death, things are going to change. I understand people are going to say “Not this shit again” but please bear with it for now.

        G’s magazine: Interview with production members tells us that Kumagami will be a key character. What will be his role later on in the story?

        Maeda: Kumagami is a very special character. He’s not only _____. As episode 2 tells us, he can track ability users as well as find out what their powers are. Behind the hair hides a handsome face, and that is when he reveals his true power. He is also _____’s helper, as well as a friend to Tomori’s group.

        G’s magazine: Tomori and Takajyo seems to be hiding something from Yuu. Is there a secret they know that he doesn’t?

        Maeda :Yes. Takajyo during episode 5 said that “You have ________’s power. Tomori and Takajyo both knows Yuu’s true power from Kumagami, but Yuu doesn’t know at this point.

        G’s magazine: Now that we’re at the second half, can you tell us a bit more about the second promotional artwork?

        Maeda: As of now, the show gives off the vibe of “The daily lives of ability users during adolescence.” The second promotional artwork is meant to break that atmosphere. It’s a bit similar to my part work “Moon”, and when I was writing the show I felt that it won’t be a good idea to go down that path.

        G’s magazine: There’s a lot of discussion within the fanbase about Yuu’s power. What is your opinion about their discussions?

        Maeda: I’m happy to see everyone worked up over it. But I think that those who know me knows that the story as of now doesn’t have all the cards on the table. There will be more unexpected developments coming up, and I hope you guys will look forward to it.

        G’s magazine: You saw the audience’s reaction online. How do you feel right now?

        Maeda: I think the success of the work depends on how well it is received online, so I do feel happy about that. But it isn’t enough as of yet. If the reaction from the audience isn’t strong enough, then I won’t be able to reach my own goals I’ve been praying every day for it to be more popular.

        G’s magazine: Anything you want to say to your fanbase?

        Maeda: I myself haven’t seen episode 13 yet, so I can’t say “This was a fine piece of work.” as of yet. But the production members are trying their hardest every day so I do believe that the day I can say this will come. It will make me very happy if people can stick with this show until the very last episode.

        TomoBoy
    1. Wait.. maybe this is an anime produced by Musashino productions. Then the next episode will be spent on Aoi, Zuka and Diesel-chan talking about the idea they had so far and they named it Charlotte. Lol

      samui
  18. We can let Yuu die in Ayumi’s body right? That will solve things right? Riiight? Nooooooooo! All my tears for pizza sauce.

    I have to be honest, the show was boring until this. My taste, sue me.

    Tatlonghariken
    1. For me it’s been boring in fun ways, for others boring in less than fun ways. Either way, I’m certain we were meant to get tired of the norm before Maeda got to work on it – first eroding it last episode, and now having it completely collapse this week.

  19. As act of desperation, MC used his ability to mind swap with his little sister, then make the little sister’s body get out of there in 5seconds in some unexplained manner, leaving the MC fall down by the debris.

    QB
  20. With the Interview Translated, i do not know, if i stick along with this Show. Every time someone die, Clannad, Angel Beats…

    He is becoming the Writer, that let always someone important dying for the Drama

    WorldwideDepp
  21. I would guess that this is why the ability is “collapse” rather than “destroy.” All of the abilities are “incomplete” and this one is no different. It collapses the ground under your own feet.

    hjerry
  22. Just finished watching episode 6, I am willing to bet that the blood belongs to Yuu and his sister is safe. Yuu will be either dead (physically) or suffer injuries and coma in hospital but managed to transfer his soul to someone else before the collapse, hence perfected his soul transfer ability since he lost the body to return.

    Knowing Maeda Jun, this series will most probally end with graduation ceremony and Yuu will move on as the special ability disappeared.

    Kuma Kuma

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