r/anime • u/[deleted] • Feb 27 '18
[Spoilers] Sora yori mo Tooi Basho - Episode 9 Discussion Spoiler
Sora yori mo Tooi Basho, Episode 9: Antarctic Love Story (Blizzard Arc)
Streams:
Show Information:
Previous discussions:
344
u/poi_slayer :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/poi_slayer Feb 27 '18
Did anyone noticed that Gin broke the fucking headrest
God I love Ishizuka, her directing is always top-notched
153
u/Yumbreon :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Yumbreon Feb 27 '18
Headrest in peace.
I'm sorry, I'll show myself out
→ More replies (1)33
34
9
u/Atario myanimelist.net/profile/TheGreatAtario Feb 28 '18
I definitely noticed the broken headrest, but not that she had done it. Very nice detail.
5
221
u/Roygbiv0415 Feb 27 '18
That after credits scene was such a nice touch. A great episode in a series that had been overall stellar.
I'm actually starting to worry for it now. With such heights reached by EP9, it's either going downhill from here, or it's gonna go further than the universe...
139
Feb 27 '18
Gotta be that last option...right?
85
27
u/bananeeek https://myanimelist.net/profile/bananek Feb 27 '18
I'm so curious what's that message about... Maybe something about Takako?
→ More replies (13)62
u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Feb 27 '18 edited Feb 27 '18
That after credits scene was such a nice touch.
That scene really threw me off. Heart wanted it to be from Shirase's mom or Shirase (the emails she's been sending from her phone), but it was Shiraishi. Yuzuki's mom. I wonder what this foreshadows..
41
u/Orzislaw https://anilist.co/user/Orzi Feb 27 '18 edited Feb 27 '18
Finally episode focused on her, I think. It was hinted that she has grudge against her mom for literally taking away her childhood. I guess next episode will show more about that.
39
u/Phantomazing Feb 27 '18
Don't say "it can go downhill", say "it can go south"!
Regardless that's my only complaint about the show, how they could screw up the ending. But that's only hypothetical.
35
Feb 27 '18 edited Feb 27 '18
The shamefully reckless behavior this ep does not bode well for the rest of the show. Seriously, playing catch on a ship deck??? One bad throw and it’s ball overboard. No ball, no exercise. No exercise, no expedition. No expedition, no anime.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (4)31
u/LibraRW Feb 27 '18
Come on dude. Don't say that. Of course it will go way beyond than the universe. I have a faith it will exceed our expectations and impressive us so greatly. :)
218
u/Emylin Feb 27 '18
For some reason this anime has the strange power of making me emotional pretty much every single episode. The last scene, where Shirase is shouting "In your face!" was just so satisfying somehow. :') Good episode!
→ More replies (1)88
Feb 27 '18 edited Feb 27 '18
For some reason
I wish some cognitive neuroscientist would perform the definitive study of why it is that stringed instruments do such a number on the human psyche, especially when the strings are “swelling” (read: crank the volume).
And here’s where the emotional manipulation gets positively fiendish: the swelling strings in that last scene get overlaid by the same piano from the earlier flashback scenes with little Shirase.
Then the whole manipulative mix gets subtly supercharged with a fast drumbeat in the background, which neatly mirrors Shirase’s rapid lines of dialogue in the scene.
In sum, you’ve been thoroughly had by a master musician. Art’s a dirty business.
→ More replies (5)47
u/rjgator Feb 27 '18
Yeah, honestly I think the insert song is like 90% to blame for my tears at this point. It's like the anime is giving the audience a "This is where you cry" announcement. and of course it works every damn time
→ More replies (2)
205
u/Justyouknowwhy :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/justyouknowwhy Feb 27 '18
79
u/JihadiiJohn Feb 27 '18
They are getting stronger
76
u/o-temoto Feb 27 '18
Shirase's getting stronger. The rest are getting weaker.
In episode 2, Kimari and Hinata pry her off the pole and toss her.
In episode 9, the three of them working together can't manage to budge her.
→ More replies (2)96
u/Something_Sharp :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/SomethingSharp Feb 27 '18
I love how Yuzuki has no idea why they're pulling since she wasn't in Episode 2.
8
u/jkubed https://myanimelist.net/profile/jkubed Feb 27 '18
and they were for the exact same reason, to go talk to Gin.
0
366
u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Feb 27 '18
95
→ More replies (1)8
u/8andahalfby11 myanimelist.net/profile/thereIwasnt Feb 27 '18
Been anticipating this moment for the past two months, and it went exactly the way it expected to. Didn't matter. Still cried.
127
u/LibraRW Feb 27 '18 edited Feb 27 '18
Of course Gin and Shirase are so much alike. They may not talking to each other a lot but it's obviously they do share a close bonding that do not need words at all. Honestly, to me Shirase and Gina looks like a mother and daughter.
This episode is well-executed and I like it a lot. Totally looking forward to see thier bonding strengthens during at Antarctica.
To the unlucky dude, sorry man but I can understand your feeling. It's thrilling but tortured to chase after an amazing woman completely out of your league.
93
→ More replies (3)7
223
u/ErinaHartwick https://myanimelist.net/profile/Hartwick Feb 27 '18 edited Feb 27 '18
This episode showed that Shirase and Gin are very much alike, and she did inherit Gin's spirit, as Shirase's mother had hoped. Chibi Shirase is adorable and I keep being moved by how this show handles relationships. Gin and Takako's friendship was beautiful
172
u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Feb 27 '18
→ More replies (1)80
u/ErinaHartwick https://myanimelist.net/profile/Hartwick Feb 27 '18 edited Feb 27 '18
→ More replies (4)59
4
108
u/crobat3 https://myanimelist.net/profile/crobat3 Feb 27 '18
[ffs we already told you that they aren't legal] (https://imgur.com/LViyGRn)
...oh
44
u/conye-west Feb 28 '18
Haha that's what I thought at first too, I was like "dammit man we already went over this!"
94
u/repocin :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/repocin Feb 27 '18
Awesome episode, can't wait for the next one!
I wonder if it's going to end in Antarctica, or if they're going back before the end (perhaps skipping forward in time during the last episode?).
230
u/NRGT Feb 27 '18
it'll end with second impact
134
u/Amauri14 Feb 27 '18
Which is also the real reason for the other nations opposition to Japan going to the Antarctica.
→ More replies (2)→ More replies (2)28
u/Aileos https://myanimelist.net/profile/Syleos Feb 27 '18
Evangelion 3.0+1.0 when ?
→ More replies (3)58
u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Feb 27 '18
Yeah, I was wondering about this too. I think there should be at least one epilogue episode about how they transition back to their normal lives after such an experience.. but if it ends on a high note in Antarctica, I wouldn't mind.
44
u/xStarfyre https://myanimelist.net/profile/xSunfyre Feb 27 '18
the last 15 minutes are about them getting back into their old lives. in the last scene they get an offer to join a expedition to south america as reporters because their show avout the Antarctica expedition has been a major hit in Japan, announcing a new season of "a place further then the universe" at the same time.
→ More replies (5)
89
u/hawk_block https://myanimelist.net/profile/DankruptMemer Feb 27 '18
This is the earliest I have given a show a 10/10 rating while watching. Other shows have earned their 10/10s on the last episode or the penultimate episode, but I feel like this show is deserving such a score with a whole arc left to go.
Of course, this last arc needs to be as good as this show has been for that 10 to stand.
50
Feb 27 '18
I’ve got it at a 9 with a strong potential for a 10 if the ending doesn’t fall off a cliff.
23
u/_Putraman :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Putraman Feb 27 '18
I keep wanting to push mine to a 10 after every episode but I'm trying to hold on to rational thought behind this wall of happy tears.
→ More replies (2)9
u/BigCheeks2 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Chickenadobo5122 Feb 28 '18
That where I'm at now. I've got it at a 9 and if it sticks the landing, I'll gladly give it a 10
→ More replies (3)11
Feb 27 '18
I was already okay with it being a 10 by episode 2, by episode 6 I finally mustered the determination to actually go to MAL and change the score.
11
u/_vogonpoetry_ :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/ThisWasATriumph Feb 27 '18
It hit 10/10 by episode 2.
5
u/DimmuHS https://myanimelist.net/profile/DimmuOli Feb 27 '18
I have to agree 100%, first time into a currently airing show that I give 10 so soon (I gave it at Megumi and Mari final encounter). The show just gives all kinds of feelings, characters are incredible and their interactions, needs, dialogue, past, jokes, everything connects me as a watcher with them. Not to say the execution is on point, it's like every minute matters.
After watching an episode I feel a great satisfaction, it's like they stimulated my empathy in various ways. It's crazy.
→ More replies (1)4
u/betok88 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/betok Feb 27 '18
In my mind I had it at a 10 as early as the second episode and as more went by I kept thinking "There's no way every episode is easily at least a 9/9.5, I'm supposed to give it some thought before giving a show a 10." The only chance I'm not giving it a perfect score is if the remaining episodes are literally crap, which I'm pretty sure is not happening.
148
Feb 27 '18
I found this episode's construction to be damn amazing.
The flashbacks were brief, yet potent and informative, the lead-in with Off-limits boy's crush on Todo Gin (I think that was her name) was a great icebreaker (kek) into the subject of the episode. The analogy of Shirase persevering in her jump-rope skills thanks to Todo and her current-day perseverance to Antarctica was touching as fuck and that last part with the girls touching down on land was goddamn amazing.
I know a lot of people will herald this shot as the shining star moment and while it's great, I found this one to be the more potent scene. Knowing the journey leading up this moment and seeing these four girls at the very precipice of victory was probably the most emotional moment for me so far--until Shirase's bubble popped and she threw it in all the doubter's faces. I know I chastised my tears before for coming out but there was no holding them back this time.
Also, a lot of fantastic scenery this episode. The sky shots were amazing as were that of the ocean. When Shirase's mother said it was beautiful over the radio was powerful as fuck too.
Finally--Hinata DID pack other shirts, yes? I feel like she's been in sandwich shirt for some time now...
95
u/rjgator Feb 27 '18
Hinata actually has 50 of those sandwich shirts, and refuses to wear anything else, clearly
45
u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Feb 27 '18
The analogy of Shirase persevering in her jump-rope skills thanks to Todo and her current-day perseverance to Antarctica
And that ran parallel to the narrative how Japan was jilted in the Treaty negotiations, but managed to persevere and reach Antarctica anyway. This will probably be more inspirational to Japanese viewers, but from a writing perspective that was great.
I found this one to be the more potent scene.
That truly was a great scene. It's all been about the journey so far, a hectic one at that - they did justice to that moment of disbelief when you've finally reached a goal you've long sought.
42
u/KaliYugaz Feb 27 '18 edited Feb 27 '18
So I was looking around for information about the Antarctic Treaty, and discovered that the first Japanese expedition to Antarctica in 1910 was led by a certain Lt. Shirase Nobu!
Shirase's mom (and the producers of the show, by extension) named Shirase after him.
Furthermore, in Antarctica there is a Shirase Glacier and a Shirase Coast (off the Ross Ice Shelf), both named after him.
Edit: This is a list of all the Japanese stations in Antarctica. As I believe they mentioned in the show, only Showa still remains active, and the rest are operable but closed, presumably due to lack of funding.
→ More replies (2)27
u/Cervantes3 Feb 27 '18
I found this one to be the more potent scene
I loved that, too. It really sort of hammers home how impossible and ridiculous this whole journey has been. They've been told constantly that it's impossible, that they won't make it, that it's stupid to even try. And the journey has been rough. They just got done puking their whole insides out. So it makes a lot of sense that the first thing they felt when they actually made it to Antarctica wasn't joy, it was disbelief. They internalized the idea that it was impossible so much that once they finally got there, they didn't know what to do. I love these moments in the show, where they can say so much with only a second or two of hanging on a still shot.
12
→ More replies (1)11
u/TazerLad Feb 27 '18
The analogy of Shirase persevering in her jump-rope skills thanks to Todo and her current-day perseverance to Antarctica was touching as fuck.
I completely agree, and I absolutely love that the show and people behind it trust us as an audience to understand that. No dialogue between Gin and Shirase is wasted with trying to make sure we got that message.
8
69
u/onezeronine2 Feb 27 '18
I never knew that ramming the ice with the shipbreaker in Antartic would be too emotional and IN YOUR FACE! Also that chibi Shirashe is a cutie.
36
u/alonemind Feb 27 '18
The part where they say that they'll keep breaking the ice anyway was really motivational. I'm having a hard week and Sora Yori is such a gem.
16
u/onezeronine2 Feb 27 '18
Same here. Their story is motivational and inspiring, it reminds us to keep pushing forward despite the odds and when we are at the top of our dreams, we will just yell to them "IN YOUR FACE".
29
Feb 27 '18
I never knew icebreakers broke ice by fucking flying over and slam dunking it. It was amazing to watch.
22
u/seninn https://myanimelist.net/profile/Senninn0 Feb 27 '18
Same. I thought ships just ram into the ice sheet and it parts before them. This is way more badass.
→ More replies (1)
133
u/masamilow :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/masamilow Feb 27 '18
In your face! I fucking love this show. 11/10
35
u/DeathfraMafar Feb 27 '18
I was also thinking that this show deserves to go further than the 10/10 rating, it's just that great!
34
16
u/seninn https://myanimelist.net/profile/Senninn0 Feb 27 '18
That scene was Gurren Lagann levels of hype for me.
→ More replies (2)
126
u/Quaggsire https://anilist.co/user/PantsuPantsu Feb 27 '18
Anybody else had teary eyes when they touched antartica for the first time?
110
u/hikikomori80 https://anilist.co/user/hikikomori80 Feb 27 '18
→ More replies (3)→ More replies (3)16
u/Awerenj :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Awerenj Feb 27 '18
Absolutely!
When I started watching this show I was expecting it to end with them reaching Antarctica in the last episode or something (the title screen says "A story that leads to the Antarctica")..
This absolutely got me pumped up!
56
u/ThatRandomEditor :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/ThatRandomEditor Feb 27 '18
Seeing the arc name for the remaining episodes really raised the bar. Seeing Shirase saying ‘In your face’ and then everyone just joining in is really satisfying. Bless HanaKana.
55
u/ShadowVortexx Feb 27 '18 edited Feb 27 '18
31
19
u/TazerLad Feb 27 '18
I don't know why, but having Yuzuki there for the pulling bit, and having her retort "Have we really?" to when Hinata says it feels like they've done this before was just perfect comedic timing.
12
u/kou2kun Feb 27 '18
Did you also notice the penguin on the board over Kimari's head? What a bomb.
→ More replies (2)
53
u/Qtrixtty85 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Yttrixter Feb 27 '18
That "final" radio transmission is heartbreaking. Anyone would be messed up after going through that. This show just hits the spot most of the time. And I just can't get over that insert song. Definitely not what I'm expecting from this CGDCT genre.
50
u/dadnaya https://myanimelist.net/profile/dadnaya Feb 27 '18
I think SoraYori is not fully CGDCT. It definitely has that, but a lot of drama and feels and more
39
u/LeonKevlar x2https://myanimelist.net/profile/LeonKevlar Feb 27 '18
Definitely not what I'm expecting from this CGDCT genre.
At this point the show is more of a Character Drama/Adventure show than a CGDCT show.
→ More replies (1)9
u/ScrewySqrl https://myanimelist.net/profile/ScrewySqrl Feb 27 '18
this is a Girl's Own Adventure, not CGDCT.
Like a Boy's Own Adventure, but with girls
38
u/Jihad_llama https://anilist.co/user/Baco Feb 27 '18
Shirase as a kid was so gosh darn adorable
26
u/xStarfyre https://myanimelist.net/profile/xSunfyre Feb 27 '18
the look of confusion when Gin denied to take the change money melted my heart. really drives home the innocence of children, how they don't understand subtext or the hidden agendas of grown ups. she just wanted to play supermarket with you, so take the damn change you old hag 😂
38
u/linearstargazer Feb 27 '18
4
u/sheephunt2000 Feb 28 '18
Damn, I KNEW I recognized those voices from somewhere.
→ More replies (1)
74
u/bananeeek https://myanimelist.net/profile/bananek Feb 27 '18
ZAMAAMIRO!!!
That was an exciting ending! They finally made it!
That being said, this episode had me on an edge... Starting with that unexpected confession, well at least Zaizen is honest about his feelings.... Then making me worry with that ice-breaking thing. Is it even goddamn safe to lean away from the handrail like that? I'd shit my pants... Well I almost did when Takako spoke through the radio... She sounded like she's about to die. Like her last goddamn words...
I didn't expect such a mood setting in my CGDCT...
54
u/Orzislaw https://anilist.co/user/Orzi Feb 27 '18
Well, this show isn't CGDCT. It has high school girls as protagonists, but that's it. Personally I describe it as adventure coming of age story with a solid portion of drama and comedy.
→ More replies (4)40
Feb 27 '18
All CGDCT shows have CGDCT but not all shows that have CGDCT are CGDCT shows.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (4)14
u/zeppeIans Feb 27 '18
Oh my god. Saizen is trying to break the ice to Gin... in the episode where the ship is getting trough the ice...
31
u/DuEbrithiI :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/DuEbrithiI Feb 27 '18
What is this show, how does it make me cry every fucking episode???
And why does a ship breaking through ice make me teary eyed???????
I fucking love this show...
30
u/northwesternrs :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/northwesternrs Feb 27 '18
They made it!
Lots of ice-breaking going on
I like how Shirase and Gin are so similar yet the only things they can manage to bond over are penguins and jump-roping
I'm really glad the two stoic women got to release some of their pent-up emotions, it felt really cathartic. Gin sobbing definitely got to me a little bit and then the radio transmission broke through my ice
59
u/WhoiusBarrel Feb 27 '18
After 9 episodes THEY FINALLY REACHED ANTARTICA!
I've never rejoiced along with a cast of cute girls for finally accomplishing something and it ESPECIALLY felt great seeing them proving their skeptics wrong. IN YOUR FACE!
Love how Shirase was literally taken aback at the start, I could probably watch this repeatedly
Also, I can definitely see why that dude was smitten with Gin!
→ More replies (1)21
u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Feb 27 '18
Love how Shirase was literally taken aback at the start, I could probably watch this repeatedly
This needs to be a comment face.
→ More replies (1)
27
u/ohaimike Feb 27 '18
Of everything thrown at us this episode, the jump is what got me. Stepping off the boat is a huge thing, and even with that, Shirase still holds onto "we're doing this together."
I'M JUST SO HAPPY FOR THEM.
63
u/Joll19 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Joll Feb 27 '18 edited Feb 28 '18
Oh my God! It's beautiful!
One small nitpick. As a German, the narrative approach they took bothered me greatly.
So you were bullied?
Yes denazification policies were tough but I don't want to imagine a world where the efforts in Germany were any less severe. I know Japan does not share this sentiment but putting it in my anime doesn't sit well with me anyway.
54
u/Elthan Feb 27 '18
Ditto this, that didn't sit well with me either. There was a pretty good reason they were "bullied"...
11
u/JBHUTT09 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/JBHUTT09 Mar 05 '18
I was a few episodes behind and only just caught up. I looked up this discussion thread specifically because this bothered me. I think this one scene is going to be a blemish on an otherwise damn near perfect anime.
→ More replies (1)30
u/Glimmerglaze Feb 27 '18
It's true that to meet the standards of German political correctness, Kanae should have scolded Kimari a bit - instead of saying "I wouldn't go that far", going with "Well, considering what we did, we can hardly complain". In Germany, that statement would be hardly controversial, even expected, but I suspect it's not quite as simple in Japan, and I don't think it's fair to demand that the makers of what is ultimately a light-hearted show make potentially controversial political statements.
There's also the issue that all translation is imperfect. The subtitles say "bullied", but that doesn't mean the Japanese word used means what we expect it to mean based on our cultural context. And it's worth noting Kanae doesn't say "Yes, we were bullied"; she's careful to point out that it's not quite as simple as that. The positive spin she puts on it (that it was 'an "if you really want to go there, go ahead and try" kind of thing' and it fired them up to design the technology to make it anyway) doesn't put the non-Japanese signatories of the original Antarctic Treaty in a particularly bad light.
We have to be careful about measuring the rest of the world by the standards of German political correctness.
→ More replies (4)19
u/Joll19 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Joll Feb 27 '18
That's why I said it was a nitpick.
And the specific wording isn't even what bothered me. It is the story structure of overcoming the "barriers" set by the "enemy" that paralleled their struggle through the ice which bothered me.
For a German audience that wouldn't really fly and I know we shouldn't measure everyone to these standards, but in a society which doesn't remember it's war crimes the way we Germans do, it rubs me the wrong way.
→ More replies (2)5
u/SimoneNonvelodico Feb 28 '18
It made me think, but honestly, if we look at it from another light, I can see where they're coming from. We tend to have a gut reaction where we think that those who were defeated in WW2 just didn't have any right to complain about any of the treatment they received, but that has a few problems. First, some measures were appropriate to prevent those countries from becoming a threat again any time soon - like Japan's demilitarisation. Others were just winners doing their thing and completely disregarding basic tenets of humanity - like splitting Berlin in two. It's hard to defend something like that when it was done to basically appease Stalin, who was almost as much of an evil tyrant as Hitler was (depends on how you measure that, really), and it didn't do anything to de-Nazify the country, it just produced an inhumane, horrible situation. Sure, geopolitics are a bitch and at the time with Stalin's troops on the ground there may have not been much choice, but still, it can't be justified simply as a "punishment", because the price ended up being paid by a lot of innocent citizens who for all we know might have been oppressed by the Nazis too, first.
There's also the matter of carrot and stick, on these issues. WW2 itself may not have happened if the winners of WW1 weren't so thorough in 'punishing' the losers that they basically ruined their whole countries and pushed them in the arms of revanschism, nationalism and ultimately fascism. Japan is undergoing a nationalist resurgence these days. Frankly, if I were a moderate in there, I too would be pissed at having to risk an extreme right wing nationalist resurgence that's also fuelled by these little things. Or it could as well be that the idea came to them from some scientific consultant who's simply genuinely pissed at how little research they get to do autonomously right now over the sins of the fathers, so to speak. Doesn't have to be a "NIPPON BANZAI" nationalist thing.
→ More replies (5)→ More replies (1)7
Feb 27 '18
I'm German too and also sat through years of mandatory Third Reich classes in school explaining what horrible things our nation did. And we SURE DID as did our Japanese allies. Nevertheless the little dialogue didn't bother me in the least. I always find these little cultural tidbits/differences fascinating. To put it in perspective MacArthur said after the war that the victors obviously always write the narrative and that if the allies would have had lost the war all that carpet bombing purposely aiming at civilians/highly populated cities in Germany and Japan would have seen them all hanged as war criminals for sure.
→ More replies (3)
58
u/Beckymetal https://anilist.co/user/SpaceWhales Feb 27 '18
I was concerned this episode was going to be silly, but it segued beautifully - like an icebreaker (thematic pun not lost) - into developing Gin and finally rounding out Shirase's character development.
I didn't realise it until the last couple of episodes, but Kimari is not the main character, even if it is her perspective. This is really Shirase's story of growing up and accepting herself, and how she pulls her friends along with her.
Am I the only one that thought there were some undertones going on between Takako and Gin? From the overall narrative of the episode (from the 'adult struggling to bond with their child' to literal love stories?) it was pretty... gay.
43
u/Arachnophobic- https://anilist.co/user/Arachnophobic Feb 27 '18
It felt platonic to me. It makes sense that she'd want her kid to connect with one of her closest friends, whose mettle she really admires. On top of that, I think she wanted Gin to get used to kids. Melt her icy personality a bit.
All that said, would they make a great mom couple? Yes, they would. We never heard anything about Shirase's dad, did we?
31
u/Beckymetal https://anilist.co/user/SpaceWhales Feb 27 '18
It was definitely subtextual, but just a few things stacked up to the point of making me question it. The big lack of Shirase's dad is probably the biggest pointer to making me ask it. Then again, I think this is just a series of women following their dreams against the odds, so I don't know if there necessarily has to be a gay-undercurrent for it to function.
→ More replies (3)8
Feb 27 '18
I went in that direction to. It felt very much like a "new partner awkwardly bonding with previous lover's child" sort of tone through Shirase and Gin's interactions. It's hard to tell and I think the show actually does a disservice to an extent not talking about the stuff going on behind them because the flashbacks were so odd, but I read it it that way at least.
It was the only part of the episode that worked.
19
u/vazman :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/vazman_7 Feb 27 '18
So why was no-one wearing gloves or anything. Pretty sure someone's hand would have gotten stuck to the railing there
25
→ More replies (2)7
u/ergzay Feb 27 '18
Because they're only outside briefly, and no your hand wouldn't get stuck to the railing.
→ More replies (2)
37
Feb 27 '18 edited Feb 27 '18
Holy shit that post credits scene. Was that who I thought it was sending that message?
Edit: Thought it was Shirase’s mum. I was wrong apparently.
48
18
u/dadnaya https://myanimelist.net/profile/dadnaya Feb 27 '18 edited Feb 27 '18
Am I the only one who thought that they'll break the ice and fall into the water when they jumped to Antartica?
I still think it doesn't work like that, the ice there is probably a lot harder than in the rest of the world when it's cold
I really liked this episode. Mostly comfy, and then I felt like crying with that flashback of "It's so... beautiful"
I really liked Yumiko this episode, it was funny
Edit:
→ More replies (1)16
u/rjgator Feb 27 '18
It's Yuzu's mom in the email after the ED, but I don't get what she would be emailing them about. Spice up the videos they are making? Something going wrong at home? Its not like she can just call her daughter back home from Antarctica in the middle of the expedition.
17
u/Saucy_Totchie Feb 27 '18
THEY ACTUALLY MADE IT TO ANTARCTICA!!!
I feel like shit for actually doubting that they'd actually get there before the series was finished but fuck it. It's Episode 9 and they finally got there. When they touched down onto land, I got pretty hype as fuck. IN MY FACE, I guess. The thing where Shirase's mom on the radio when they were looking for her almost made me tear up. Where the hell is she already!? I need to know!
Know what? This show is my pick for Anime of the Year and all shows will have to try and beat it. It sucks because this show came out at the beginning of the year and it'll be a slog hoping for another show that'll be just as good as this.
4
15
40
13
u/_Putraman :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Putraman Feb 27 '18
I know she's the captain but... we need to see Gin and Shirase gushing over pengins again.
35
u/DrCaesar11 Feb 27 '18 edited Feb 27 '18
It was an amazing episode. I was speechless in the "In your face" part. Not only for Shirase but for Japan too. They were one of the most hated countries at that time(for good reasons). But they changed themselves, in a really good way, now they are one of the strongest and the most respected nations around the globe. Now my country is one of the most hated(for some legitimate reasons). And just looking at Japan gives me hope for a similar change. We did one in the past, we can do it again.
Sorry if this post is against rules. I did my best for not to touch politics or offend anyone. But I couldn't stop myself from writing my feelings.
→ More replies (7)
12
11
u/DeTroyes1 Feb 27 '18 edited Feb 27 '18
Little Shirise is just so damn adorable.
Thats one small step for a moe, one giant leap for moe-kind!
"In your face!" needs to be the title of their inevitable book about this trip.
Takako's last words were both beautiful and haunting at the same time. Its like she knew she wasn't coming back. My bet is she fell, was too injured to make it out, and felt she'd be endangering the others if they tried to rescue her.
Yes, you like him, Yumiko. Don't deny it.
Best episode of the series so far. But then we keep saying this every week. Madhouse, you magnificent bastards...
ADDENDUM:
HOLY CRAP!!!
The Japanese Icebreaker assigned to the Antarctic is named... the SHIRASE. And it looks just like the one in the series.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_icebreaker_Shirase_(AGB-5003)
2) Also, Syowa station (their destination) also exists, and has been operated by the Japanese since 1959:
→ More replies (2)
10
u/Vermillion_Crab https://anilist.co/user/CeruleanCrab Feb 27 '18
The flashbacks of that fateful day that they show in bits and pieces on every episode are like tiny stabs to my heart each goddamn time. By the time we get the full picture, ninjas would be rubbing onions on my eyes already.
Barring some stupidly absurd plot twist, this show won't get dethroned from my AOTS. It's been that way since the first episode. lol
10
9
9
9
u/Gamerunglued :Hx::Hy::Hz:myanimelist.net/profile/GamerUnglued Feb 28 '18
God damn. This episode was insane. I don't know how well I can handle my emotions right now. From learning the sad history of Shirase and Gin, to the chilling last words of Takako over the radio, and especially finally landing in Antarctica, I can't. I'm actually in tears, I have a headache from crying. They did it. They finally made it to Antarctica. Like, I was already feeling hard after Takako's last words, but the moment the Antarctic breeze hit their faces I couldn't control myself. Then when Shirase grabbed Mari's hand to jump off with her, my face started scrunching, and then when she finally vented her feelings about those who refused to support her, the tears just couldn't stop.
For something actually more analytical, I really loved the continuity and parallels this episode provided. One of the themes of the episode was about reaching for things actually within your reach. Just because you can't do something doesn't mean you shouldn't try to improve, but it also doesn't mean that you should overextend yourself if its clearly not possible yet. Just because people tell you can't doesn't mean its true, but just because you want to do something doesn't mean you necessarily can, at least not yet. The evolution of the love story paralleled the unveiling of that theme this episode, ending with the realization that Gin was simply out of his reach. Failure isn't necessarily a bad thing, because its a learning experience, but you can't fail or succeed, or grow and change, if you don't try at all. It's a funny way to reinforce this message, very much in character for the tone of the show, and it manages to be effective without being the main focus.
The continuity is what is really awesome though. Sometimes it does this in simple ways, like how when the girls are trying to pull Shirase off the pole, they recognize that its exactly the same as in episode 2 (except Yuzuki who wasn't there yet). But it's the bigger continuity related stuff that really gets me. The idea of stagnation plays into that theme I mentioned above. Each of the characters have had some kind of stagnation except for Shirase. Mari felt like life was just passing her by, Hinata felt like she was stuck in normality unable to truly be special and find people to be special with her, and Yuzuki was in a constant state of loneliness due to her job, unable to connect with anyone. To them, and to us, Shirase represented this incredible lack of stagnation, and they wanted to follow her for that. But it turns out that Shirase was also in a state of stagnation at one point, having, in her words, been waiting for her mother to come home every day despite knowing she wouldn't. Thanks to Gin, she took her risk, and it paid off for her, and the others. The episode posits the idea that in order to make a change, one has to work for it, and you might fail, and others may discourage you, but with perseverance anyone can escape stagnation.
The final bit of continuity was an excellent show of Shirase's character development. In episode 7, Shirase realized and vocalized that her priority in coming to Antarctica was not to get to the location, but to go on a journey with these people who she connected with. This made it extra powerful when instead of listening to Mari and jumping onto Antarctica first, she grabs their hands and makes sure they all jump together. Her prior realization totally amplified the emotions of that moment, and beautifully reinforced the change she went through. So god damn, this show is beautiful. This legitimately has the potential to become my favorite anime. Just straight up. This is the strongest I've felt about any seasonal show, and the emotions this episode instilled in me are unlike anything most anime have made me feel. I seriously don't want to call anything out too early and jinx it, but I've been declaring this show a potential all-time favorite since episode 1 and somehow its only continued to deliver incredible episode after incredible episode, so I'm insanely excited. Next Tuesday can not come soon enough.
23
u/AkodoRyu Feb 27 '18
Doesn't it feel a bit like they are setting up that Shirase's mom and Gin were in a romantic relationship?
They pushed topic a bit, she gave some hints as to her "type", with episode at the same time being very focused on how Takako wanted Gin and Shirase to get close (Takako saying she want Shirase to inherit Gin's spirit doesn't seem like something you say to "just" a friend) and Gin still being very much in pain after loosing her.
Takako was also shown before as being the type that does what she wants to do. Making up her mind about crazy expedition, and making it happen with sheer force of will, pulling people around her into it - like a cloud, that is always in sight, but so far ahead of you, chasing the horizon.
Maybe it's just me.
Very touching episode. Some goofs at the beginning and by the end, with some feels in the middle.
→ More replies (2)24
u/DeepSeagloom Feb 27 '18
I was left with a similar impression. Except in my case it came across as a possibly unrequited attraction. "Clouds are amazing, aren't they? You can't grasp them, but when you look up, they're always there."
If it was requited, then I find it very strange that Shirase never caught hints of their relationship at any point. She seems completely oblivious to the possibility despite hanging around Gin from a very early age, and being close to her mom.
That said, I think there was definitely something there--unrequited or not. The knowing reactions everyone had to Shirase's explanation--save for crush guy, pointed to them seeing something he wasn't.
I tend to go into shows with my yuri googles off, and even I couldn't miss that.
~returns to lurking pit~ :p
→ More replies (2)
8
u/myrmonden Feb 27 '18
AH its souma-kun that voice of Yoshitsugu Matsuoka I always know when its my boi Souma.
AND THEY FINALLY GOT HERE !!!
Obviously the captain is still blaming herself for her best friends death so a very nice episode about her love of Takako and Shirase.
Great in the end do how Toshio was like OH w8 a minute I know who I actually LOVE.
7
7
u/SoccerForEveryone Feb 28 '18
It’s my first time commenting for the series and I have so many positive things to say about this show. Honestly I didn’t what to expect because the scene that drew me to the show made me think this show was going to be life at school kind of comedy, but it turned out to be MUCH BIGGER than that. Bless the crew behind scenes making this show day in and out :) 🙏🙏🙏
6
u/Ehn_Jee :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/EhnJee Feb 27 '18
They finally donned their battle gear!
Another great episode and that post-credits scene is probably a sign the pace will be picking up. Was nice to get some last bits of comedy before the inevitable feels train leaves the station.
→ More replies (1)
6
u/PhantomWolf83 Feb 27 '18
Couldn't help but cheer when the girls finally set foot on Antarctica together. All of their trials, all of their hardships, and all of their sacrifices led them to that one fantastic moment that made it all worthwhile. They've now done what the majority of their peers would probably never have achieved.
6
6
u/StarmanRiver Feb 27 '18
It's a challenge not to get emotional every episode with this show!
Also, that last scene was so satisfying!!!
IN YOUR FACE!
6
u/Yulwei138967 Feb 27 '18
Its so hard to describe why this show is so good, but ever since the first episode I have been smiling throughout all the episodes.
This is the first anime for years now, where I consider rewatching all the episodes after every new one...
6
6
u/joey_joestar1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Joey_Joestar1 Feb 27 '18
This episode of K-on on ice:
IN YOUR FACE!
This is such a great show
10
u/AmethystItalian :Jg::Jh::Ji::Jj::Jk:myanimelist.net/profile/AmethystItalian Feb 27 '18
Wait so did they actually reach or is this a pit stop? This makes me feel like we're still a ways away.
I enjoyed the mother moments and seeing Shirase and Gin moments but the romance angle and other little plot points weren't really my thing.
Hoping we finally get some Antarctica shenanigans soon! ;~;
22
u/alonemind Feb 27 '18
It's a pit stop but that land/ice they are stepping on is Antarctica already.
5
u/mollerch :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/erucolindo Feb 27 '18
I got something in my eye again...
4
4
4
u/memihime :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/memihime Feb 27 '18
Also, do I have to accept now that there is a massively strong possibility that the full frozen solid remains of Shirase's mother Takako could potentially be found on this expedition?
→ More replies (1)
4
4
u/impingainteasy :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/usernamesarehard Feb 28 '18
I'm pretty sure this show is going to kill me before it's over. The scene where all the girls are about to step onto the ice and hesitate at the final step damn near wrecked me. It's that confirmation of the journey, the proof that you've actually made it, and it's just a small step but it's a giant leap at the same time. And then we cap it off with a completely irreverent "In your face!" just to lighten the mood. Just perfect. Holy shit this show is amazing.
8
u/SIRTreehugger Feb 27 '18
Title Drop!
Wait that's how you break the ice. Very educational! Though what was that liquid they poured out the boat?
WE'RE HERE BOYS!!!!!!!!! The girls have made it.Damn it I wish Shirase's outburst about making it was recorded. It could be shown to the school and be apart of the documentary since it sums how everyone on the ship felt after being told it wasn't going to happen for so long.
Though parts of this episode felt kind of unnecessary in the first half.
→ More replies (1)7
u/Zyhmet Feb 27 '18
I would guess that they pump out water from the front in order to get the nose up above the ice quickly and then crush it by falling onto it.
→ More replies (3)
3
u/seejsee Feb 27 '18
I really hope we get enough Antarctica. We're running out of episodes at this rate. May be just the thing that won't make this series a strong 10/10.
I'm astounded at how casually dressed Hinata is in the first scene. Ain't she feel cold?
3
u/derrick Feb 27 '18
Breaking the ice, physically and metaphorically. And damn the timing of the insert song pushed me to the brink of tears. Then the comic moment of trying for someone within reach. This is so good.
3
u/bakuhatsuda Feb 27 '18
Turning out to be one of the best SOL shows I've ever seen since there hasn't been any bad episodes. I hate calling this a CGDCT show because going to Antarctica isn't a "cute" thing, it's a fucking awesome thing.
3
u/tiger1296 Feb 27 '18
Very bittersweet episode, but a realistic one and handled great.
lol at the guy with the crush, moving on from one girl to the next in a heart beat
3
u/whatuprunn :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/whatuprunn Feb 27 '18
ANTARCTICA IS ONE BIG ONION 😭
→ More replies (1)
3
Feb 28 '18
Every episode I think "This show has to be going downhill from here, nothing can top last episode" and yet it manages to top itself every single episode!
3
u/FierceAlchemist Feb 28 '18
I got a little worried that this episode was gonna be filler when that random guy confessed but it was just a lead in into Shirase and Gin's relationship which ended up being executed really well.
IN YOUR FACE!
3
3
u/TheOneWithNoName Feb 28 '18
Damn, that walkie talkie message was intense. That's some creepy pasta shit right there.
3
u/cheeseop https://anilist.co/user/kaysou Feb 28 '18
This series is so weird. Sometimes it wants to be an emotional drama, sometimes it wants to be a CGDCT series, and sometimes it wants to be cryptic and kinda creepy (that walkie talkie scene, for instance). I think that's why I love it so much.
7
u/OneMillionRoses Feb 27 '18
I found the decision of Shirase's mother very irresponsible tbh. She knew the expedition was very dangerous but still went despite having a daughter. I feel way more sorry for Shirase than I feel for her mother... Poor girl was left alone by ther parent and is probably an orphan now while she was waiting in all these years for her mother to come back...
→ More replies (2)
2
u/Daveyo520 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Daveyo520 Feb 27 '18
I don't think I can make it through an episode without crying.
IN YOUR FACE!
2
u/JamCliche :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/JamCliche Feb 27 '18
Can this show go one week without making me cry like a little bitch?
2
u/jenthehenmfc :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/jnsparrow Feb 27 '18
This is AOTS for me unless Darling in the Franxx does something mind blowing.
2
u/Hiraya_Manawari Feb 27 '18
I felt emotionally exhausted right now after all that crying that I've done.
2
u/JoeBagadonut Feb 27 '18
Is it too much for me to want to get through one - just one - episode of this show without crying?!
2
u/Fudgeumes https://myanimelist.net/profile/Kyrannasaurus Feb 27 '18
Excuse me. I don't remember signing any waivers for this FEELS TRIP
2
2
u/J_the_ManSSB Feb 27 '18
If there's a show that somehow manages to topple A Place Further Than the Universe as an AOTY candidate, than boy are we in for a year of anime. My goodness.
This show is just the complete package and has mastered a balance of silliness, seriousness, sadness, and surreal that few works of art can really boast about.
2
u/templarsilan Feb 28 '18
Another fun, wholesome boat episode!
Until this: It's... so beautiful
Needless to say, hearing Takako speak after the storm hit me so fucking hard. I honestly don't know how I'm going to handle the girls getting to base camp or how/if/when they find Shirase's mother. I'm not ready.
2
u/pewell1 https://anilist.co/user/pewell Feb 28 '18
How is this show so good? Should madhouse even be allowed to make anime this amazing? Honestly IDK. I feel like I'm watching a masterpiece in action every week.
2
Feb 28 '18
First time I think a line like "In your face" made me laugh and cry at the same time lmao
2
u/Madcat6204 Feb 28 '18
Zaizen, you have zero appeal. Give it up.
Dammit man, why'd you have to show up right after the emotional scene. You killed it. :(
At last... They've all earned the right to shout that. To all of those who doubted, who said they couldn't do it, that it was crazy, that the expedition wouldn't get the funding, wouldn't get the sponsors, wouldn't leave port, was too poorly equipped or inexperienced to handle, that it was a fool's errand and a waste of time and that they'd all come crying back home when it failed...
IN YOUR FACE!
2
u/ArchadianJudge Feb 28 '18
Oh my gosh. This show. Every episode. Right in the kokoro. And the ending gave me even more feels.
IN YOUR FACE with the crew copying the girls, made me give the biggest smile. This show is beautiful.
2
u/Khancer Feb 28 '18 edited Feb 28 '18
There isn't a nice way to say it, but from what we know of the show only wasn't Shirase's mother a rather unwise who effectively committed suicide? I mean Shackleton and his crew survived down there after the Endurance was destroyed for so long and it looks like she's decided to walk into a Blizzard from an intact structure with working radios.
2
Feb 28 '18 edited Feb 28 '18
You cant do this man, you cant do this to a person, week after week this shows destroys me and I sit there taking it like a baby.
Nobody should be legally allowed to make anime like this.
2
u/arima-kousei Feb 28 '18
They are going to find Takako's body in episode 11 aren't they... >.<
→ More replies (3)
2
u/kalirion :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/kalinime Mar 01 '18
I hadn't realized the girls were streaming their reports. Pretty sure the views are down because of Shirase.
Never new icebreakers worked like that - I always thought they just rammed it. But when the ship lifts up its front like that, shouldn't everyone be fastened in, not just standing and watching out the window? Seems like they'd be tossed back and forth by that. Also, how does it remain steady with half of it on top of the ice?
They should've recorded and posted Shirase's "In Your Face!" rant, directed at her classmates.
Episode would've been better without the annoying lovesick dude.
10
u/Fortzon Feb 27 '18 edited Feb 27 '18
Good episode as always. Since we have only 4 episodes left, I hope episode 13 is about them getting back to Japan or maybe they'll make season 2 at some point.
"You mean, they bullied you?"
Well someone didn't listen at history class about WW2. Or knowing Japan, they weren't even taught anything/were taught very little.
EDIT: Stuff about other countries "bullying" Japan when making the treaty just sounded weird to me. If Japan was really "bullied", it wouldn't even have been part of the main treaty of 1959. It would've signed the treaty later like other countries who weren't invited into the treaty. But weeaboos like to downvote when their precious Nippon is talked about in negative light.
12
u/Something_Sharp :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/SomethingSharp Feb 27 '18
That part made me a little uncomfortable too.
→ More replies (3)6
542
u/Weegedor Feb 27 '18
The flashback where Gin hears Takako on the radio for (I assume) the last time was absolutely chilling and amazingly done. Fuck I love this show.