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「加減がねぇ」 (Kagen ga ne-)
“She Doesn’t Hold Back”
Due to the emphasis on character interactions in lieu of action in this series, I’m not surprised by the lack of discussion it’s generating; however, I personally enjoy watching Masa slowly unravel the mystery behind Yaichi’s past. This week we also learn how Matsu joined the House of Five Leaves after Yaichi and Otake helped hide him when he was a wounded thief on the run. While Matsu’s past was already revealed last time, this flashback did reiterate how Yaichi will go to some lengths to help complete strangers out of the blue and not even care to ask for an explanation afterward.
With no one really knowing about Yaichi’s situation, Masa’s addition to the group is interesting to watch, as he’s naturally curious and has already realized that the leader of the Five Leaves isn’t in this kidnapping scheme for the money. Seeing as Yaichi didn’t like how Masa picked up on that, nor seems to want anyone prying into his past, that was evidently a first step in trying to get him to talk about his own kidnapping when he was younger. Clearly, Yaichi still isn’t quite willing to talk about it though, plus Masa’s too scared to bluntly ask about it, so it’s looking more and more like that will be the focal point of this series. As such, it appears all the kidnappings we’ve seen and will continue to see only serve to raise more questions about Yaichi and the Five Leaves.
If that is indeed the case, it may feel unusual not having a clear antagonist nor a real conflict, but as with Ono Natsume’s other works, I find she likes to focus on the more subtle aspects of human interactions and the problems that may arise from them. Given the somewhat uneventful nature of that route, I take enjoyment from seeing Masa’s timid run-in with the girls at the Katsura brothel after he started working as its bodyguard, as well as him starving himself out of guilt over spending the money he deems tainted. From that, I gather Masa will never be completely okay with being an accomplice to kidnappings. The preview suggests as much too, with next week involving a kidnapping targeting a shogunate retainer’s household for mistreating Okinu and firing her as their servant.
Preview
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this episode was fun ;DDDDDDDDDDDDD
yaichi is scary as hell and masa is so innocent!
i didn’t realize he was starving himself~ thought it was just lack of zuke LOL
Or he only accepts foodies from otake! hahah
was fun love this anime. all the human interactions are so amusing to me!
hmm. The lady at the beginning isn’t Otake. It’s some brothel lady who later appears wearing the same dress – she’s the one who eats the sweet bun, or whatever. Most of the women look the same though. lol.
Anyway, enjoyed this episode. Looks like Yaichi did them all ~big favours~
Hmm, you’re right.
Without question, the best show this season (Yojou-Han Shinwa Taikei and Rainbow come 2nd and 3rd, respectively)
This was arguably the best episode so far. When it comes to plot-pacing, this series might just be the new benchmark.
…and You-tachi is correct. The lady in the beginning is not Otake-san
Thanks for blogging this one, Divine.
….de-gozaru 😀
I like how everybody in this series has a laid-back high look. Even the timid Masa has laid back look when he is depressed. The only open eyed people are Okinu and kids.lol!
Like it’s spiritual predecessor Ristorante Paradiso, I’m enjoying this series a lot so far. It’s a nice change of pace compared to most of the anime I usually watch.
Hey Divine, I think that the end scene was a flashback to when Yaichi first suggested kidnapping. I don’t think that’s the set up for next episode. Also, what do you think about Masa’s mysterious illness?
Which end scene are you referring to? I don’t recall seeing a flashback near the end of the episode.
As for the the sickness that Masa supposedly has, I’m not sure what to make of it yet other than it might be what caused his loss of appetite. Another way I understood it as is Yaichi’s way of saying it’s a perceived fatigue-like symptom people get while living in Edo (Tokyo). In other words, it’s just tiring to be around so many people. Either way, we should find out more next episode.
I really like this show, but the only thing I don’t like is how the flashbacks pop up. It’s hard to tell whether a scene is a flashback or present day sometimes.
Flags is refering to:
“The preview suggests as much too, with next week involving a kidnapping targeting a shogunate retainer’s household for mistreating Okinu and firing her as their servant.”
As the girl once said, they first started kidnapping to get even with the guy harassing her, and make some money by the way. I think they flashed back to that scene.
Ah, I see what you guys mean now.