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「こらえた涙があふれそうなの」 (Koraeta Namida ga Afuresou na no)
“The Held-back Tears are About to Overflow”
Nope, the school counselor isn’t suspicious at all — no more suspicious than if she wore a shirt that says “Hi, I’m Black Gold Saw and I’m Evil” anyway. This episode sure wasn’t subtle about getting that point across on numerous occasions, starting with her mockery of Yomi and continuing on to her insistence on trying to crack Arata after the latter’s love letter was childishly put on display by a spineless guy whom she confessed to. Forget flags; these signs were huge billboards.
Granted, the question still remains on why Saya will take the time to hear students out when she doesn’t really care about their problems. Judging from what happened in the other world, it’s almost as if she wants to be adored and relied upon by helpless individuals — kind of in a self-satisfaction way. A more plausible explanation — based on what she said about how there’s “somebody” out there to shoulder one’s pain — is that she injects feelings of doubt and insecurity within the students in order to use them as “emotional meat shields” for her own heart. If they’re suffering, then she doesn’t have to, sort of like a zero-sum game. If they’re freed from her “grasp”, much like BRS did here by blowing them away, then all the painful emotions that she’s offloaded to the students — to the point that they’re nothing but former shells of themselves — come rushing back to her.
Assuming that’s the case, it would explain why she suddenly teared up and quickly preyed on Arata as a replacement. It would also explain why she teared up uncontrollably again at the end, after BRS didn’t hesitate to lop off Arata’s head in the other world, effectively freeing her with a “scream of death” like Kagari last time. I presume Arata will be feeling a lot better once she comes to, considering how mellow Kagari was afterward, though the preview does make me wonder if the vicious cycle is fated to repeat itself. Whatever the case, that’s my best interpretation on what might be going on in the figurative alternate world, especially since the episode title seems to refer to Saya more than anyone else.
As for Yomi, it looks like she’s headed down the same path as the OVA where she becomes extremely jealous of Yuu. Compared to Saya, Yomi’s inner turmoil is a lot more subtle, but anyone who’s seen the OVA will be quick to pick up on where this will lead. The preview already hints at Deadmaster taking out her “frustration” on BRS, so we might be in store for a gruesome 2v1 next time after this relatively quiet episode on the action front.
* Full-length image: 02.
Preview
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Watch the Preview!: Streaming ▼
ThankGod a show with consistency. After Guilty Crown shell shocks me with the train wreck plot, this always rebounds me like a good “girl friend”. Consistent, well paced, AWESOME… A very cathartic show and really, that’s what it is all about. As for that girl… I don’t know if Black Rock should have killed her. I dunno BRS just does what she wants… Hopefully it’s for the best.
o wow…excessive emotional turmoil just by READING THE SUMMARY, my heart’s cringing just by looking @ this page (pics and all).
I just can’t imagine watching this series now (OVA might have been just a small sample now, on this post reflection)
In some ways, this show is even creepier than Another. This entire episode was just incredibly disturbing.
OH HAY KAGARI HOW YA DOIN’? OMGWTF
Which? The little-girl-decapitating-other-little-girls part or that every girl seems to be a nutcase?
If by disturbing you mean awesomely-creepy in all the right ways, then I agree XD
Kagari going to school… now that’ll be awesome! Looks like she’s just a touch nervous about it 😛
Sure Kagari(Chariot) is creepy, but the most terrifying part is your school councellor is planting evil emotion in the students. And being another nutcase.
https://randomc.net/image/Black%20Rock%20Shooter/Black%20Rock%20Shooter%20-%2003%20-%20Large%20Preview%2003.jpg
I’m loving her already. Chariot, that is.
That’s an interesting way to look at what’s been going on in the alternate world. Schadenfreude is not cool!
An evil school counselor and Yomi who’s getting increasingly insecure would mean there’s more sadistic fun to come. Can’t wait for next week 😉
Now we all know who Black Gold Saw is. But what is her agenda? And why does it feel it will eventually lead to yuri again?
As for this preview, I love how her look suggest something’s still not right with her. Cute Yandere is cute after all.
it seems like teacher knows the existence of the other world & wants to spread dark feelings around.
Oh dang, and Kuroi was soooo close to freeing Deadmaster last time. I wonder if Saya has conscious control of Black Gold Saw in the otherworld, because it seems like Kuroi doesn’t really have complete consciousness of BRS. Maybe she’ll develop it.
I can’t believe that Mamiko Noto is now voicing/playing an evil “Final Boss” character. She’s too pure for this world. XD
So Saya clearly is Black★GoldSaw. Once Kagari becomes strong enough to walk, I hope we can see this montage https://randomc.net/image/Black%20Rock%20Shooter/Black%20Rock%20Shooter%20-%20OP1.5%20-%20Large%2008.jpg with the real world counterparts wielding weapons on each other’s necks. Can’t wait for Kagura to do her creepy “Kaere! Kaere! Kaere!”-thing again. Yandere Love is the PUREST LOVE. XD
When is Yuu/Strength going to come out? And how do you type the “star” symbol in Black★Rock Shooter? *I just copy-pasted the star symbol from google XD*
If you have a Japanese IME, you just type “hoshi” 「ほし」 for “star” and it comes up as an option.
★… hunh, it totally does. I never knew. Works on my Mac, here’s hoping it works just as well on my PC o3o.
Too pure? Good sir, you severely underestimate Mamiko Noto’s incredible voice range.
Fuck yeah Suzuka-hime!
Your taste, it is excellent.
With so few episodes, I wouldn’t be surprised if Strength jumps in in the middle of the DM battle, like DM did with Chariot. Either way, it’ll be soon.
Mamiko Noto… I don’t care what she voices, she can read the Japanese phone book and I’d listen to every word. That voice is just the perfect combo of sweet and comforting with a touch of sexy, which makes it a dangerous draw for an evil guidance counselor XD
@Aex i agree. No matter what she says/read or anything the voice of hers is a gold mine of joy, compassion, and everything in between.
Though its a rarity for her to voice “evil/bad” characters but when she does she surely do it like a bad ass ^_^
on a random side note. Mamiko’s birthday was on February 6(Monday of last week) and shes a good ole 32 yers and still going strong. ^_^ Happy Belated Birthday Noto-san
What?! She looks 20 or something! The Japanese must’ve found the fountain of youth or whatnot. :/
Believe me I seen the effect of make up with my own eye. It can does tht.
Oh I believe you on the make-up part, but I’ve socialized with 30+ years old Japanese women and I tell you they don’t look 30+ at all. It boggles my mind!
i bet without makeup she wouldnt look any different than she does with makeup, but yeah her being 32 years old she does look like she’s still in her 20’s ^_^
I agree with you, the woman sounds like the most beautiful agel in the Heavens, but you must see his performance in the Kara no Kyokai movies, Se was the most awsome twisted murderest girl I´ve ever seen, It was a delight to watch.
I did find it cute to see those two girls crying for the sake of a friend. I am questioning what is going to happen next episode, and if Yomi’s coffee contains some sort of poison or drug.
https://randomc.net/image/Black%20Rock%20Shooter/Black%20Rock%20Shooter%20-%2003%20-%20Large%2024.jpg
FEEEED MEEEEEEEEEEEE.
https://randomc.net/image/Black%20Rock%20Shooter/Black%20Rock%20Shooter%20-%2003%20-%20Large%2017.jpg
Yuu has hit the nail right on the head, Mato doesn’t need a boyfriend, she already has “Kotori Asobi”. lol
Sadly Yomi seems to have taken Mato’s relationship with Yuu the wrong way, and felt short changed by Mato’s heartfelt confession last week. The yuri undertones continues…
My feelings exactly, specially on the Yuri. :/
Think we’re a step past undertones 😛 Yomi’s kinda cute when she’s jealous though. Hope we get further into that relationship after DM is taken care of.
Hell, if that’s who I think it is in the preview Mato might’ve triggered a love-triangle route… or maybe a harem one O.o
If Mato were a boy, would you be discussing “het undertones”, or would you admit that yes, “he” is in love with Yomi, and vice versa?
Sadly Yomi seems to have taken Mato’s relationship with Yuu the wrong way, and felt short changed by Mato’s heartfelt confession last week. The yuri undertones continues…
Which is it? Yuri or just yuri undertones?
Can we label this anime as action adventure, slice of life yuri series?
Yuru Yuri OVA then?
Slice-of-Life? Maybe. But can we really call BRS a Slice-of-Life when a girl beheads a frightened little girl mercilessly? Or when she uses a gatling gun against Chariot’s spider tank?
LOL then it would LITERALLY be a “slice-of-life” xD
higurashi was slice-of-life, and they had people beaten to death by a bat, nails pulled out of their roots, needles in food, blood scratches, etc.
this is all pretty tame, really. macaroons ammo and all.
Divine why isn’t InuXBoku SS covered?
It’s a great show (love Ririchiyo), but I already have 3 Thursday shows. Work/life/blog balance would be completely thrown out of whack if I tried to cover 4.
Yeah you’re right, Thursdays are really busy this season.. Oh well it’s a great show anyway – I urge anybody who isn’t already watching it to WATCH IT! 😀
Divine is secretly Denpa Kyoushi.
If you had taken up four series and cover Inu x Boku SS, then Divine…*dramatic pause and posing*…
You must be a masochist!
I feel like I’m enjoying this show for the wrong reasons. The drama is over-the-top that I find it entertaining. Especially with jealous Yomi and Mato crying for Arata. Still if their emotions are tied to the Other World it might explain all the drama, so I’m enjoying the slow reveal. This episode needed some more awesome action scenes though.
On other news, I just s*** my pants.
What, you didn’t think she was gone for good, did you? 😛 She looks nervous as hell O.o Suppose that’s understandable though.
wait…she was a teacher?
She’s the school counselor.
I meant the girl with the pigtails.
You mean Arata, in the red jersey? The girls’ basketball team’s captain?
Oh, I was not aware they called student captains sensei as well. thx for clearing that up.
I’ve uh… got to say, the transitions in BRS are awful, while the drama is way too unbelievable to be… believable. Also, there’s been zero explanation about the Other World, although the most logical reasoning behind it is that it represents the real world events taking place. Yet, I’m still enjoying it, a lot. For me at least, BRS is like a Michael Bay film: you roll your eyes, you get nauseous at the drama, but you just can’t look away. It’s just fun. Pure, unadulterated fun.
Just wait for it, I think they’re getting there (hopefully). Cause Mato says about seeing BRS on a dream. For me the other world is the turmoils that they have in their inner selves.
Haha. I like that comparison for a Micheal Bay film. For me as well, I just try to ignore all the prepubescent draaama and have fun with the action scenes.
Somehow, these first few episodes give me Urobuchi Gen vibes. Something like these kids will never be happy.
Wonder wht will happen if the scripwriting 4 tis anime is given to ButchGen???
*cue Mami headrollin*
Did somebody… say… Coffee?
https://randomc.net/image/BLOOD-C/BLOOD-C%20-%2011%20-%2036.jpg
i sense a disturbance in the force and this episode strongly suggests who’s the one behind it! also divine… did you catch the scene where she appeared to talk to someone? just before she took a look at the school register?
cant wait for the next episode and the new kagari is EXPONENTIALLY CREEPIER than the old one.
btw, any guess who’d be the final boss? BGS or DM?
My money’s definitely on BGS. Can’t see BRS taking her on before DM and Strength are dealt with, especially since Yomi and Yuu matter more to Mato than Saya does.
Too early to say cuz it might as well be DM or B★GS. So far, the bet is on B★GS.
im quite split btwn the 2 as well but i have a feelin it might be DM
Oh man those little hooded shadow people in BRS’s world are about as creepy as it gets. Did anyone else instantly think of the game “Limbo” when they saw those guys too? Excellent game if you havent, check it out.
Excellent episode though – this show is easily in the top 3 this season.
Finally Mamiko Noto in a psychotic role! Guess this show is now jealousy anime of the season.
Mamiko Noto had a suicidal role in the anime Shadow Star Narutaru(manga was better). The character she plays: Akira Sakura is by far the only role that i didnt like her playing. Akira was weak and to me thats not what i see when i see/listen to other characters that Noto voices on any other series that she either star in or as a support character. Though i own Shadow Star Narutaru the reason being because im a huge fan of hers ^_^
The psychotic roles that she voiced in Freezing and Kara no Kyoukai 3 are more memorable to me though. Especially Asagami Fujino.
Kara no Kyoukai was a good Movie/Ova series its a shame that it wasnt blogged on here, but anyway back to Mamiko Noto’s character Fujino i believed that Show Spoiler ▼
and that traumatized her and that led her to being psychotic, am i right or am i wrong? and on Jigoku Shoujo when they revealed about her past on the series didnt she go a little psychotic were she killed everyone in her village.
About Fujino, that isn’t exactly the case. Show Spoiler ▼
And yeah, Jigoku Shoujo went batshit too. In summary, batshit insane Noto-sama is best Noto-sama. XD
Yes!!! i agree with you. On Kara no Kyoukai i vaguely remember what happened since it been a real good while since i seen it but yeah i think thats what happened to Fujino. i need to watch it again
I’m starting to suspect Saya has Munchausen syndrome by proxy, given that she seems to be deliberately trying to cause psychological issues in the students under her care to 1) feel better about herself and b) gain some sort of satisfaction at being a “savior” of sorts if the Otherworld depiction is anything to go by.
With all the grimdark-ness the season has so far, I am expecting gg fansubs to put this in their fansub of BRS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD-_oLjmCGY XD
*In The Otherworld*
Black★Rock Shooter, Black★Gold Saw, Chariot, Strength, Chariot, and Deadmaster are fighting in the desolate, chessboard landscape.
Morning_Rescue!Man: *drops down from rappel rope* “Rescue Kaishi!”
*Morning Rescue music starts and orange jumpsuit-wearing men hand bottles of Morning Rescue to everyone else in the Otherworld*
“Morning Rescue! *guitar riff* Morning Rescue!-2x whoah-oh-oh!”
Black★Rock Shooter, Black★Gold Saw, Chariot, Strength, Chariot, and DeadMaster: “Umai!!!” XD
You use GG? When their subs are the size of a dino?
If it’s softsubs you can change them you know. I use 14 and Dejavu Sans mono.
No, I’m speculating what gg fansubs would do if they were to sub this anime. XD
*I noticed I included Chariot twice. Sorry, guys.*
I thought they were subbing this already…
I took a look at their website. They haven’t done the subbing of the anime, just the OVA.
I have been watching Anime a long time. Only now do I feel as frustrated as those who couldn’t understand Blood-C! I am totally frustrated by this episode. I couldn’t grasp anything! I needed this post so bad in order to get it, cause I could understand BRS killing the children in the dream world was actually freeing them! I knew the counselor was Black Gold Saw but I got confused with BRS’s motivations. Your write-up put me right. Thanks!
I agree with the interpretation that BGS is literally cultivating unfortunate souls for her own purpose, just like how Saya is dragging students down and preying upon their insecurity.
Not sure if she is insecure herself, or if she is just enjoying tormenting souls, judging by her psychotic smirk. She was also looking at the class roster, as if indicating which of her “toys” she likes best.
Yes Mato, listen to Yuu; feel the yuri inside you, let it grow! It shall give you power!!
I like your theories Divine, kinda works into my own: the girls in the other world might be a shield for Saya, but also for their real-world counterparts, like a way of running from their problems. This could explain why Kagari got better so fast after Chariot bought it; Kagari had to face all her problems and feelings herself instead of Chariot gobbling them up. When Arata’s other self was “grown” she was in a state of real emotional flux, then started sweeping how she really felt under the rug. Now that BRS took out her other self, I’d bet we’re gonna see Arata put the fear of gods into that spineless tool she confessed and his idiot friends… or at least have a really good cry over it on Mato’s shoulder.
Why is BGS/Saya doing this? Could be anything from needing other girl’s emotions for strength to just doing it because she can to needing the feeling of superiority. The fact that BRS killed Arata’s other self instead of taking her under her wing seems to indicate that nothing good can come from them though, which raises the question: is BRS any different, and how?
the ways of the yuri side is far stronger and more powerful young mato
Let me check:
Yomi is obviously gay for Mato. She even went stark yandere when Mato started talking about Yuu over the phone. We still haven’t seen her lose it yet but I guess Yuu will grow jealous of Yomi once BRS beats Dead Master(Mato saves Yomi). If Yomi wasn’t gay, why would she be jealous and complain being “just” a friend?
Saya might be interested in Mato and Yomi, given how she marked Mato and Yomi’s names on the list. I dunno why she did her imitation of Yomi turning her invitation down though.
Kagari(or is it Cagalli?) was(or maybe still is) possessive of Yomi.
I just thought Saya was making fun of Yomi, mocking her innocent and shyness. This episode really made it seem like Saya/BGS were leaning more towards the evil side of the spectrum. Especially Saya, that manipulative coffee-weilder!
I’ve got it! It’s all a conspiracy to increase Saya’s funding as a school psychologist. By purposely making the student feel more emotional distress, Saya can reveal to the PTA and the principle that her job is actually worth funding. (Because, honestly why would middle-schoolers need a psyche. Middle school’s the best time of your life.)
In all seriousness, I think BGS/Saya is just a troll. Something probably happened during her junior high life that made her emotionally damaged, so she wants to find the most happy-go-lucky kids and make them suffer as well as a form of revenge.
Wow, I’m definitely enjoying this series so far. It’s really taking the time to flesh out everything so far. =D
I think this show has been far better in consistency compared to the mega train wreck GC
Ths show is too good to last too. 8 EPISODES.
If they made it more then 8 episodes they need to introduce us more characters/girls for the main character to get jealous with. And then viewers going to get bored because the plot going to be in the same format. Girl get A jealous because of girl B or something. Do you want to see this kind of plot all the way until 20+ episodes? Not me.
there are actually quite a lot of other characters that could be squeezed in.
black★devil girl
black★matagi
insane black★ rock shooter
white rock shooter
death scythe
demon cannon user
dragon slayer
geshumaru
great black sword
maid gunner
ninja zero two
underworld vulcan
probably more but those were all I found in tv tropes. the anime though is limited due to how they set it up. they can have several characters, but by adding the human world would mean too many characters(2x the otherworld characters) so I can sort of understand…
but look at all those characters! it would be interesting and possible to just cut off the human world aspect and focus on these characters in the otherworld. there’s a maid, a gunner, etc. enough to have a blast!
There even more charac to add too… lk those apostle frm BRS:The Game, Innocent Soul manga, and who know wht.
Oh yeah, speaking of this, does any1 notice tht Chariot look lk one of the yellow apostle frm the game?
With that roster of characters, I’d love to see a BRS fighting game.
If there is one anime that really really REALLY captivate me this season it will be no other than this series…Black Rock Shooter…What can I say? It has gorgeous animation, beautiful music, great characters, and best of all a story that is really engaging that makes me pay a great deal of attention to what is happening on the screen.
Seriously, I have to give credit to Ryo for composing the BRS theme as well as using the vocals of Miku which I think is the right choice making him a very famous composer within the Vocaloid community (and eventually a very famous composer outside that community), and Huke for making BRS characters, and to all others who contributed to making the song famous enough that an anime series was made out of it.
I can’t wait for the next episode! I want to see the conflict between Yomi and Mato and how cute Kagari is with that ponyail.
Also, this would make a great wallpaper
https://randomc.net/image/Black%20Rock%20Shooter/Black%20Rock%20Shooter%20-%2003%20-%20Large%2007.jpg
Im sorry but is this yuri or just super obsessive girl friends?
Can’t it be both? 😀
I think we all knew what Yuu meant when she told Mato that Arata would have to straighten her out.
I agree,like whenever Yomi is mentioned by Mato as “kotori Asobi”,Mato blushes and makes weird
faces,well main cast is all female so its obvious its yuri,most of yuri anime out there share almost the same plot so its no surprise and there is Kagari who is extremely possessive of Yomi,Yomi is jealous of Yuu cause she wants to keep Mato all to herself and I am guessing Yuu is somehow interested in Saya aka BGS as she was buying something for her mentioning it to mato at the shop,its prooved yuri.end of statement.
Frankly I think this show is a bit too confusing now… not because of the story itself, but because of how the plot from OVA is influencing my train of thought.
Mato get jealous with Kagari because of Yomi —> BRS fight to death
Yomi get jealous with Yuu because of Mato —> BRS fight to death
Yuu get jealous with Yomi because of Mato —> BRS fight to death
Yuri much? And are they all that simple minded? Can’t someone have more than one friend? lol
Dangit Mato, remember yourself that went to an all girls school in another dimension where your friend merged with her dreams because of your obliviousness! ;A;
On another note I forgot to mention,
that scene was where Saya was doing her best to convince her how terrible she felt.. oh my goosh, that sent chills down my spine mainly because I could relate to it since I used to have to go to a therapist just like that. >A<
That’s no therapist!
I want to give the show the benefit of doubt and assume its more deeper and complicated than it looks(or, alternately, your views on this, Divine):
BGS is actually a good and well-intentioned character. she’s just trying to coax out the characters personalities from that water-sprinkling moment in order to make them accept it. sayo also tried to coax out arata from her shell, they just exaggerated the moment to make her look like the bad guy.
BRS is also a good person who wants to help out. however, her ways of doing it goes a bit too far like with this. notice how she didnt fight back at chariot until after mato talked with sayo since she wasnt used to having a person who hated her. she’s just “forceful” and/or doesnt know how to properly handle it and thus results with last ep and with this.
of course, it could be as simple as your thoughts, Divine. but I dont want BGS to be a bad guy, so I decided to go with this theory for the moment.
like with my other comment above, I would prefer if this one didnt have the real world mirroring. I want to see BGS be a friend/rival to BRS rather than a villain/evil person to be defeated. they have plenty of similarities & opposites that I cant help ship them and assume they have a deeper relationship one way(friend) or another(rival), than just “a bad guy to be defeated”.
then there is also the story of the “little bird that met several colors”(forgot the title of that book in here). the ending line of how “the little bird got painted with too many colors that she became dull” makes it seem like mato/BRS might go too far with their intentions.
or it could also be about sayo/BGS and how they “cultivate” the characters.
*shrug*
Gotta say I’m quite curious/excited to see what happens with Kagari.
Well, I didnt see the OVA, so can’t compare and dont know much of the characters and their connections, but loved the subtle jellies from Yomi and cheerful genki face Arata showed to the world against her misfortune… IDK about the counsellor, but she seems to be somehow feeding off the others people misfortunes?
Meanwhile BRS in the another world is something between adorable badass and creepy one, which lends itself to far too many interpretations (especially since she doesnt say anything).
Yep, Saya-sensei came off as a tremendous b*tch, emotionally manipulating the girls into feeling worse than they did before. I’m sad we didn’t get to see more of Kohata’s Other Self, but given the OSs left to be shown, I’m okay with her comdensed screentime.
I still like the charsacter designs and art style of the OVA a bit more than the cell-shading here, but the plot is really interesting – even if it’s hardly subtle. At least Yomi’s case is a bit moreso, as you said.
So this episode kind of really openly hint at Saya being BGS.
Me like everyone else wonders what is her motive.
Wonderful theory about it there, Divine 🙂
So far what BRS brings across to me is “life sucks”.
I hope they will explain the ‘Dream World’ (kind of like an ’emotional internet’ with everyone’s heads linked).
Is it black magic or alien technology?
What are those ‘lower beings’ planted by BGS?
Will they grow to ‘upper beings’ like BRS, DM, BGS etc?
I want to know the world view, character caste etc.
Or perhaps it will be left unexplained, a ‘beautiful’ metaphor left to one’s interpretation?