Second Term Episode 6 Discussion

[Catgirls]

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Wait, does the Bloody Mary Faction mean what I think it means

...will get you this...

Wait, does the Bloody Mary Faction mean what I think it means :eyespin:

[hi no ken Jebus]

Pretty good episode, everything I wanted to see was well done. The fighting sequence in the play was funny and well animated. I was rolling when Yakumo smacked Sawachika:heh: and Tenma's screwups were great. Akira had a lot of more screentime in this one, I especially liked her mission impossible entrance to kiss Harima then trying to return the kiss to yakumo:heh:. A lot of the side characters like Imadori finally come out of the woodwork and gets some lines, lots of Ichijou:love: along with Lala, Bishie Harry, Asou, and that annoying yet loveable Tougou.

http://img324.imageshack.us/img324/6241/srep68rl.th.jpg (http://img324.imageshack.us/my.php?image=srep68rl.jpg)

[Rich]

best school rumble season 2 episode........ YAY for Yakumo and Harima......

edit// since this is a yakumo x harima epi, this one gets a 10 / 10 ~!

[Omniscient]

Episode 06 Screencaps and Summary (http://randomc.animeblogger.net/2006/05/07/school-rumble-ni-gakki-06/)

Yay for the Bloody Mary faction!
I found the funniest parts of the episode to be how 2-D's Tougou Masakazu showered praise onto the play while Lala slept lol. I agree with hiken in saying that the scene where Akira tried to pass on the kiss to Yakumo was pretty funny too.

[Sailor Enlil]

LOL I laughed till I threw up at the bed scene when
Eri made her romantic speech prior to the kiss (which kinda sounded like wanting to make a memory), then gets the drapes shut in her face followed by Harima's hilarious sounding remark ("Omai sa rin"?).

[Decagon]

Nice ep. Woulda been nicer if they didn't start off the band with the same lead in they've been using for the last two or three eps.I like how they did the play scene. It was great to see the dancing animated, but they seemed more floating than dancing... woulda been nicer if they put more movement into the Bloody Mary dance segment.

I wonder how the next ep will turn out.

[aliensporebomb]

Nice ep. Woulda been nicer if they didn't start off the band with the same lead in they've been using for the last two or three eps.I like how they did the play scene. It was great to see the dancing animated, but they seemed more floating than dancing... woulda been nicer if they put more movement into the Bloody Mary dance segment.

I wonder how the next ep will turn out.

You obviously haven't played in a band then. You'll play the stuff over and
over until you've got it down absolutely cold and you can play it in your sleep
backwards and forwards and you're ultimately sick to death of it but that's
the way it goes in the music world.

Or it was just faster to get the animation done.

[Aidan]

Another good episode, I'd just have to say that if Harima is king than Akira is god.

[ApathyEcstasy]

Another good episode, I'd just have to say that if Harima is king than Akira is god.

wrong..if harima is king..then akira is his queen *drool* i wish

[YakuMoFan~]

But any of you notice that Asou actually said i like you to Mikoto, That was pretty shocking to me, Even though i dont mind them pairing up

[Decagon]

You obviously haven't played in a band then. You'll play the stuff over and
over until you've got it down absolutely cold and you can play it in your sleep
backwards and forwards and you're ultimately sick to death of it but that's
the way it goes in the music world.

Or it was just faster to get the animation done.

Mm. My complaint was more about how they started off with the same song that we've heard the first twenty-thirty seconds for several times since ep 2 already. I like how they played more of the song in this ep than the last few ones, but I guess I was just getting annoyed with hearing the same small bit a few times before :eyespin: .

And yeah, I haven't played in a band. Sorry for being so obvious :heh: .

It's kinda fun seeing Rinko still being listed as "Rinko".

[TougeSil80]

Best ep so far IMO, how they butcher'd the sleeping princess story is great. But to me, the funniest part is at they end when Eri and Yakumo dance to the Eurobeat (Eurodance) version of the OP, that was pretty cool. I hope they do come out with an Eurobeat version of the whole song. :p

[Onizuka-GTO]

eurodance yeah! I wanna see Eri & Yakumo do para para!
:D :D

[DrewGSR]

Lmao that was hilarious. When they started the play and i saw that they had just girls playing the parts with Eri as the prince, I thought to myself it would be funny as hell if they had Harima as sleeping beauty and boom it happen. I was laughing so hard this episode. The part with the 2-D guy giving praises was funny too. Yakumo + Eri FTW!!

[mr.muffin]

Argh... I'm still not so patiently waiting for WF to release Ep 6.

[Shadowscar]

lol this episode rocked i like how it was so smooth to the crowd yet it was actually done on the spot and horribly at that lol

[friendshipz]

question here..

what did yakumo said to eri? (the part when yakumo speech was being cut off)

[Knavinusa]

If you're talking about the part when you don't hear her speak but you see her mouth move, it's rather difficult to say. My best guess would be that she told Eri about how she was with Harima the whole time before the play started. That's considering how she said "The princess and I...have been together for the 100 years that you were not aware of."

[Xinil]

Great episode. I swear though, this whole thing between Harima x Yakumo x Eri is really starting to get annoying.

At least Yakumo finally was able to tell Eri that there's nothing between Harima and her. So perhaps now Eri will be able to go back to her normal self around Harima (whatever that is).

I wanted Harima to accidently, somehow, end up dancing with Eri or Yakumo at the end. But noooo. :(

[Wandering_Youth]

Great episode for ending the school festival segment of the anime. Eri is such a cool beauty playing the prince, plus it was hilarious how Harima was rejecting her near the kissing scene. Ha!

The other funny scene was how Yakumo was parrying all of Eri's attacks and how she countered with a smack to the face on Eri. Telepathy ftw! I thought Yakumo was seriously going to get her butt kicked but it ended abruptly. :heh:

By the way, anyone know what Yakumo whispered to Eri near the sword lock?


Another good episode, I'd just have to say that if Harima is king than Akira is god.
What lead you to say this?

[Edaindil]

I want more story development!! :-p honestly, I was a bit bored through the 6th ep.

[ReinhartX]

very good episode kinda enjoying.....i like the songs at the end esp the techno which is also the same as the op song...kinda nice.....i couldnt stop laughing at the acting part where harima plays the princess haha......too i wish i can just pull off the mic when the stupid principal is talking then play a band performance...turning the hall into a disco dance party =D....he talks bores every1...

[Sorrow-K]

I'm not sure what I made of this episode. It seemed a bit disjointed.

I'm starting to speculate that the only reason Eri wants/wanted Harima is because she thought he was taken. I'll wait for the next few episodes to see if I'm right. The hints at MikotoxAsou seemed to come completely out of left field since I always thought his potential love interest was Sara. Although, if that gets him more screentime, then so be it. I always thought he was far too cool to get as little screentime as he does.

[Trax]

This episode was a bit slow. A bit too serious for its own good, with relatively little comedy. There was some nice development though, and it was good to see Yakumo clear things up about Harima with Eri. Ofcourse, Tenma still doesn't know and will keep pushing her, just like she did again in this episode. :P

[physics223]

I have a question: could I watch SR 2 without watching SR 1? I mean, I stopped watching SR 1 after episode one, I couldn't really get the jokes. I did like SR 2, so can I watch it all by itself?

[Muir Woods]

The other funny scene was how Yakumo was parrying all of Eri's attacks and how she countered with a smack to the face on Eri. Telepathy ftw! I thought Yakumo was seriously going to get her butt kicked but it ended abruptly. :heh:
Wait, isn't it that Yakumo can only read the minds of males? Or from the words the narrator I quote from episode 04 from the first season "...minds of only men who like her" (I just rewatched that episode). So I don't think she had a telepathic advantage there against Eri. Anyways, in episode 06, it was quite obvious that the battle between Yakumo and Eri over Harima under the guise of the play is a metaphor of the real competition for Harima. Oh Eri, you need to be honest to yourself. That little truce in the end, I wonder its durability.

I have a question: could I watch SR 2 without watching SR 1? I mean, I stopped watching SR 1 after episode one, I couldn't really get the jokes. I did like SR 2, so can I watch it all by itself?
Well, the first season presented some of the characters' backgrounds and their reasons behind their puppy loves (eg. Harima's first meeting with Tenma, and consequently his crush on her. Why Hanai is such a strong and forthright person...and so on). So if you want to know and understand more about SR's protagonists, go ahead and give the first season a view. But If you are content in simply enjoying the comedy produced by these distinct characters, then just watching SR2 is fine.

[Xinil]

I have a question: could I watch SR 2 without watching SR 1? I mean, I stopped watching SR 1 after episode one, I couldn't really get the jokes. I did like SR 2, so can I watch it all by itself?
I would highly recommend watching SR 1 before you get into SR 2. There's just so many things explained in the first season that you won't ever understand if you start at SR 2.

For one, as Muir stated, you understand why Harima is head over heels for a tard like Tenma. I mean, everyone should watch that episode, just so we understand his insanity.

[Incoan]

Wait, isn't it that Yakumo can only read the minds of males? Or from the words the narrator I quote from episode 04 from the first season "...minds of only men who like her" (I just rewatched that episode).

And apparently she can also see Tenma's thoughts.

2 physics223 : SR1 gets crazier and funnier at later episodes, so you should just be patient and endure the boring beginning ( tbh I also didn't like the first episode and I dropped the series after seeing it a year ago , but then gave the show a second chance , which I don't regret one bit) . And of course ,like people said, SR1 explains a lot about character's behaviours . For example , why Harima started drawing manga .

[Lanis]

Am I the only one that noticed the sad look that Yakumo had on her face when she told Eri that she wasn't dating Harima? Almost like she wished she was :)

[Trax]

Isn't that her regular facial expression?

[Vallen Chaos Valiant]

Am I the only one that noticed the sad look that Yakumo had on her face when she told Eri that she wasn't dating Harima? Almost like she wished she was :)
There is always something alluring about what you can't have; Yakumo knows as a fact that Harima doesn't have feelings for her right now.:heh:
Instead of rejecting guys, she might feel like going after a guy for a change. But it IS discuraging for her to know that the guy isn't interested ahead of time...

[Xinil]

And, it also might be discouraging for her because she probably knows that Eri likes Harima. Well, maybe not knows, but perhaps she has had the idea.

And yah, as Trax responded to Lanis, I agree that I just saw Yakumo's usual facial espression.

Perhaps my memory is failing me, but wasn't there a time in an earlier episode when Harima started to feel something for Yakumo? It was like a split second and Yakumo heard it. I seem to recall it happening during the manga-night at Harima's.

[Sorrow-K]

Perhaps my memory is failing me, but wasn't there a time in an earlier episode when Harima started to feel something for Yakumo? It was like a split second and Yakumo heard it. I seem to recall it happening during the manga-night at Harima's.In the second OVA. Can't remember exactly what happened, but I think he momentarily thought she looked like Tenma.

[Trax]

Also don't remember specifics, I thought that he was thinking of Tenma, but in terms of "Tsukamoto-san" which can also refer to Yakumo, and she misunderstood that.

[physics223]

ONIGIRI FACTION! HARIMAxYAKUMO ...

I don't like 'tards. Harima = kind rebel. Yakumo = kind soul. HarimaxYakumo = win. imo ... YAKUMO YAKUMO YAKUMO YAKUMO ...

Okay, I seem to have gotten more and more besotted over Yakumo. I *seriously* *seriously* hope for some clear-up about their loves this season. SOMEONE MUST BE WITH SOMEONE ELSE. SOMEONE MUST GET HURT ...

<I am seriously contemplating of watching Honey and Clover ... >

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more intellectual comments, look under that line ^^

I'm still at four - I will watch five and six later, but honestly speaking, I'd rather have some character development. From what I can observe, the antics are unique and wonderful - especially witty and comedic as well. However, twenty-six episodes is enough for fun and games. Let's get back to 'life.'

I'm all for Yakumo and Harima because Harima seems to be the only person that Yakumo could like. One could retort that it's because Harima's brain is fogged by his love for Tenma that Yakumo could have a normal friendly relationship with him.
However, I believe that Harima is just blinded (more or less) as people are when it comes to 'puppy' love. Yakumo is definitely the better choice, and from what I can glean from different SR forums, Yakumo has said that the only personality she could like was that of Harima's.

It's not her fault; Harima is amidst the idiocy a terribly nice guy. I want them to end up together. Harima could be intelligent when he wants to; Tenma is a 'tard all the way. With Yakumo, he COULD mature.

[SirBob]

Did anyone else think that Eri had her hair put up in a ponytail because of what Harima said in the baths in the the 4th episode, or was it purely co-incidental?

(okay, I thought it happened in the 5th episode, but when I actually checked it wasn't to be still...)

[thundrakkon]

Great episode. Eri looks like she finally acknowledges Yakumo as her true rival.

Anyone else notice how Harima did not adamantly reject Yakumo when she was attempting to fake kiss him, like he did when Eri tried?

As for Eri's ponytail, I think it more had to do with the play, since she looked more like a prince that way. I can't imagine taking a prince seriously with hair tied on both side.

As for Yakumo facial expression when she was talking to Eri, yes, it was the usual facial expression. However, I noticed that she was looking "down" and her tone of voice was a notch lower, as if she is reconsidering what she is saying. I feel she is beginning to question herself, if she does have feelings for Harima in any other way besides a friend.

Eri was very jealous. I think she was a little out of line when she was scolding Yakumo, although some of it was legitimate. However, most of her language and tone was out of jealously, but she still denied it.

For Harima:

w/ Eri = continuous fighting and bickering, occasional tender moments, a lot money due to inheritance.

w/ Yakumo = real appreciation for each other, a lot of tender moments, money and wealth will be earned by both members.

So if you look at it this way, it is a lot more fun for the viewers to see the Eri and Harima interactions, but it would be a potentially better match up with Harima and Yakumo.

[physics223]

Fanboy nature aside, and looking deeper than just the pictures, I sincerely think Yakumo is more or less in denial. It's because she didn't feel towards any man of the opposite sex before, or maybe she's just the stoic. I don't know how I can get a hold of this topic, but the fact that Yakumo adamantly protects Harima from being disturbed shows something more than admiration, and in the least it shows great respect.

If anything, I like Yakumo because of the mystery she enshrouds herself in. I don't know if anyone else looks at this similarly, but the fact that she had the guts to sleep beside Harima has something more to simple admiration. It bounds already on great respect and knowing how the other person will feel. Defending Harima, if only to be considerate means a lot more than simply taking a stand. It's more or less taking a stand by him.

However, because I think Yakumo knows that Harima has interest in Tenma, this stifles her from expressing even part of her true feelings that she, even without feelings for him, cannot adequately express herself.

Next, Harima may be besotted with Tenma, and I know that's been a long crush already, but I also know men's minds are flexible and inconstant. How Yakumo will pull it off or how Harima will realize it is up to the writers. Now I think there's going to still be hilarity - the show will just drag on and hang teasers for me to grovel and drool upon. However, I really, really hope that the show can be more than that.

I really hope the show digs deeper than comedy and really build-up on the romance it already has. I mean, after twenty-six episodes of fun, I'd die to have the final episodes of the second season be filled with serious, romantic tension. I'd definitely like to see Harima and Yakumo end up together. If that will happen, I would probably smile all day. I already did that today after discovering the masterpiece that is SR, so I know I can do it again.

I think the problem for Yakumo is how to go beyond that limitation of the self and simply give herself away for love. It sounds cheesy, but I really think that Yakumo has feelings for Harima. And I don't think I'm dreaming despite being a fanboy - the reasons above are legitimate, hopefully.

[Js2756]

Also don't remember specifics, I thought that he was thinking of Tenma, but in terms of "Tsukamoto-san" which can also refer to Yakumo, and she misunderstood that.

It occured on the night before the Rookie deadline for the manga contest when they were acting out Harima's manga. He was definitely thinking along the lines of Tenma, not Tsukamoto, but Yakumo couldn't see all of the word Tenma. She could see "cute", but only part of the name.

I still think that Yakumo is the best choice for Harima, as she is currently the one person that he really trusts (she is the only person who knows about the manga). She has also been very good at keeping the manga a secret, even though it has caused her a lot of embarassment. She has also told Harima that the kind of person that Harima is, is the kind of person that she likes. Harima seems to be able to act more natural around her than Eri (see their conversation the night before the rookie deadline). When him and Eri get together, more often than not they are antagonizing one another (despite Eri's comment that she acts naturally around Harima).

Anyone else notice how Harima did not adamantly reject Yakumo when she was attempting to fake kiss him, like he did when Eri tried?

Don't forget that Harima was awake when Yakumo was in the bed with him.

[physics223]

Who's with me in HarimaxYakumo? Yeah. Harima was awake. That kind of trust = reserved for lovers.

[Swampstorm]

Who's with me in HarimaxYakumo? Yeah. Harima was awake. That kind of trust = reserved for lovers.
She convinced him that she would fake it with her hat. Until then, he was sweating bullets. Harima chose Yakumo as a confidant for the manga because she wasn't a classmate, and she was available. It could have just as easily been Sara or anyone else. He still doesn't trust her with his deepest secret - his interest for Tenma.

What you're seeing here is Riceball starting to wind down. The misunderstanding is over, and Eri realizes that Yakumo isn't in the way of a relationship with Harima. Flag hasn't even gotten started yet - you've only really seen comedy to this point. You won't be able to form a proper judgement on that pairing, at this point.

[KaneDragon]

http://img271.imageshack.us/img271/4150/term206seriousharima0ye.jpg
Onigiri Faction is serious business.

[Swampstorm]

Onigiri Faction is serious business.
Onigiri faction was serious business.

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8620/aw5un.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[physics223]

It's time for the story to do a 180. Now's the time. lol

[Trax]

I like HarimaxYakumo, and I believe Yakumo was the first to be interested in Harima in the first season. Yes, not for romance, but because she couldn't read him, and later because of his way with animals. The fact that she could read people was driving her nuts at times, which is why she's not that comfortable around other guys. That's why I like that pairing, Harima is one of the few guys she can be comfortable around. Eventhough it has been dispelled for now, I'm sure it will pick up again at some point since the interest is still there. Unfortunately it's not mutual, unless Harima wisens up for a change. Seems I remembered wrong about that one time that Yakumo could read a bit of his thoughts (I had a look at the OVA #2), it was indeed "Cute" while he was thinking of Tenma but she didn't see that part.

I also like HarimaxEri, but for Yakumo it seems to me Harima is the only option at the moment because she usually can't read him. Which is exactly what she needs.

[physics223]

I could have killed myself on that ending of episode five. That just showed me how human she could be ... my gosh, I would have cried, I really would.

[melange]

Right now I support Onigiri for the mere reason that Harima is the only guy that doesn't think of Yakumo in terms of "I like/want her/being together with her will make me the luckiest guy on earth!" All the other guys (including Hanai unfortunately) love her for what I would consider more 'selfish' reasons, in terms of what 'they want'; the Perfect Oriental Woman (http://www.riuva.com/?p=42). Yakumo's selflessness and psychic power actually reminds me painfully of a short story written by female writer Ohba Minako called "The Smile of a Mountain Witch". In that story the protaganist is born with the ability to read minds and thus knowing the desires of the people around her (husband/children) she does everything to fulfill those desires to complete disregard for any possible personal desires she may have herself and ends up living an unfulfilled and misunderstood life. That is a direction I fear Yakumo may end up in if she falls in love with any of those more 'usual' guys who love her; she will sacrifice herself selflessly for the more 'selfish' reasons of her man. Harima is the only one who she can't read, but the unfortunate side is that is caused by Harima being so fixated on Tenma that he doesn't love Yakumo in the way that she deserves. What Yakumo needs is a guy who when she reads his mind is thinking, "I love Yakumo but what does Yakumo want?"; a person who will place Yakumo first and himself second just like how Yakumo places others first and herself second. That way the selflessness of the two will balance out and become an actual mutually supportive relationship instead of one giving and the other taking.

[KaneDragon]

Right now I support Onigiri for the mere reason that Harima is the only guy that doesn't think of Yakumo in terms of "I like/want her/being together with her will make me the luckiest guy on earth!"
Does that apply to how Harima views Tenma? Yakumo is comfortable with Harima because he doesn't view her at all as a love interest... Judging by Harima's thoughts regarding Tenma, if his attention switched to her, I wonder if the situation might be no better than it is hearing Hanai's thoughts. It's sad, and they still make a good pair, but maybe things are better this way for Yakumo... I'd like to see them at least become better friends, either way.

[melange]

Does that apply to how Harima views Tenma? Yakumo is comfortable with Harima because he doesn't view her at all as a love interest... Judging by Harima's thoughts regarding Tenma, if his attention switched to her, I wonder if the situation might be no better than it is hearing Hanai's thoughts. It's sad, and they still make a good pair, but maybe things are better this way for Yakumo... I'd like to see them at least become better friends, either way.THAT is precisely the problem with HarimaXYakumo; it only 'works' because it 'doesn't work' :heh: Sigh...

[KaneDragon]

And that is why I must cry. ;_;

But I have not given up yet. ^_^ Yakumo really needs a hug. =/

[physics223]

This is the funniest show that has deeply impressed sadness upon me. I feel Kobayashi Jin to be the most evil person in the world for not letting my favorite character right now even have a prospective to a happy ending.

I want to cry. Really. This is a damn evil show. :(

I agree. Harima could be as selfless as Yakumo, so if he ever develops something for her I hope it would be putting himself second, and putting Yakumo first. I really think she deserves someone good. Eri's selfish. Harima CAN not be selfish.

Oh, I wish. But in the end, it's only going to be one.

[thundrakkon]

Does that apply to how Harima views Tenma? Yakumo is comfortable with Harima because he doesn't view her at all as a love interest... Judging by Harima's thoughts regarding Tenma, if his attention switched to her, I wonder if the situation might be no better than it is hearing Hanai's thoughts.

I believe that if Harima and Yakumo do hook up, Harima will develop a deeper relationship... one that has true meaning, true caring, and true love. The reason that Harima "likes" Tenma was a very spontaneous and superficial reason (can't recall what it was exactly, just I remember it feeling that way), so it does not have much substance to it. Therefore, he goes all wild concerning Tenma. Hanai is the same way towards Yakumo... it's all superficial...

I do not believe Harima will react the same way towards Yakumo. I really do believe that he will put her first, above all else, if a relationship were to develop... If it does happen, it will probably in the form of an epiphany or a realization of all his past errors. The bond that is shown between Harima and Yakumo has a lot of substance.

As for Eri, I like her, too, but I feel that the relationship between her and Harima is just a headache, with them continually fighting, which will probably end up in a nasty divorce if they ever get married.

Oh well, the story will probably focus more on the Eri x Harima relationship soon, considering what just happened, but I still have hope that things will turn around for Yakumo. She is just too good natured a person to not get what she wants and deserves.

[physics223]

My point and stance exactly. She deserves Harima, and Harima ought to know better who he really wants. Let Karasuma and Tenma live in their relationship of funnies.

[otacu]

Episode 06 pretty much settled it and put Onigiri and Yakumo out of the picture. This arc was a further development for the Eri-Harima relationship. First it was Mikoto who made Eri jealous, then Tae and finally Yakumo.

Yakumo has clearly said in episode 05 that she doesn't love anybody. In episode 06 she reassured Eri that she isn't dating Harima. Yakumo is just admiring Harima and supporting him like a co-worker assistant. A sempai-kohai relationship. She admires his work and he appreciate her support but there was nothing more than that. When he is around Yakumo Harima is acting like she is just a normal girl (like Mikoto or Akira) or a friend.
He is just kind to every girl. Do not forget that the very first girl that Harima treated kindly was Eri in ep06 of season 01 when they were walking in the rain. Harima is acting in a "polite" way with Harima not in a "relaxed" or "natural" way. He is very formal with Yakumo.

He acts natural when he is with people who are close to him and when he don't need to have "social restrictions": namely Itoko-sensei (and her friend Sasakura-sensei) and Eri. It's interesting that Harima can be himself only with his only family and around Eri. ;)

[physics223]

I, as any other Riceballer, can hope. Hope springs eternal.

[Trax]

The fact that he acts natural around Eri is also an indication of the fact he has no real interest in her though... ;) But at least, it is clear that Eri is interested, even if she won't admit it.

One thing about Yakumo I am wondering about though... I had another look at the episode where her powers were explained, and it was said she could hear the thoughts of guys that are interested in her. That would mean that once Harima gets interested in her, it'd be the same situation unless there's something more to him other than the fact that he was not interested in her. She was surprised when she noticed though (I'll have to look up that episode too), but perhaps she's used to just about every guy being interested. That, or did her powers evolve a bit so that she can read more than just people that are interested in her?

[KaneDragon]

Yes, she hears the thoughts of any guys who are interested in her, plus her sister, plus her cat (who only goes meow meow, though). For the brief moment in the OVA when Harima was fantasizing about Tenma and juxtaposed her image over Yakumo, Yakumo was able to hear his thoughts. Other than that, "This person is silent." She's just used to everyone recognizing her beauty. :p

Now I don't know if that would apply to females... *cough*bloodymary*cough* ;) I'm thinking not.

[Swampstorm]

Eri's selfish. Harima CAN not be selfish.
This misconception seems to be a big one for most people at this point in the story. We're quite clearly shown in the start of the series that Eri is spoilt and selfish - which becomes a bit of an obstacle when it comes to empathizing with her. When you look past the facade that she puts on to protect herself, Eri is genuinely nice to the people around her. In fact, I have even more respect for her than the so called 'nice' characters in the series because she does most of her good deeds privately, rather than flaunting them in public. We see this as early as S1 Ep.5, where Eri anonymously encourages Karasuma to cheer up Tenma. She becomes embarrassed when it's revealed that she was the culprit. A more recent event was this season's Ep. 4, where Eri encourages Akira by writing an anonymous story for her. The story is riddled with little anonymous kind deeds like these. As for Harima - the vast majority of his motivation comes from the desire to win Tenma over - even if it means getting in the way of Tenma's desires to be with Karasuma. If anyone in the series deserves happiness for the deeds they've done, it's definitely Eri.

The fact that he acts natural around Eri is also an indication of the fact he has no real interest in her though...
I'll take it a step further. Harima doesn't understand Eri at all, and for the most part, he despises her. Like many viewers, he's still stuck on the image that Eri presents to the public - that she's a snob, and that she's spoilt. There is a powerful underlying chemistry between the two, though, and she consistantly manages to catch him off guard whenever she does something to break the stereotype. It's at moments like that where we have scenes like the sports festival dance, and a few of the secret moments to come. ;)


That, or did her powers evolve a bit so that she can read more than just people that are interested in her?
This one is a bit strange. I don't think that Yakumo's abilities are just limited to people who are in love with her, although she can definitely read the minds of people who are. For example, in season 1, Yakumo shows that she can often read Tenma's mind. She also manages to read Iori's mind at around Ep.3 of last season, as well.
I don't think that Harima is the only guy who's mind Yakumo cannot read. I've never seen her read Asou's mind for that matter, either. When you look at it, Hanai has the same essential character that Harima does. He's serious and obsessively focuses on whatever task is at hand, and relentlessly pursues the girl that he falls in love with, while ignoring all others. If Harima ever fell for Yakumo, he would be a clone of Hanai. Yakumo does have another option (unlike Eri) - she just hasn't fully learned to deal with him, yet.
S2 Ep.5 suggests that Yakumo's learning to handle Hanai's passion, however. I thought that her distractions through that 'inspector routine' was very shrewd. At the very least, she understands how his mind works. :D

[thundrakkon]

Episode 06 pretty much settled it and put Onigiri and Yakumo out of the picture....

Unless you are a manga reader and know what is coming ahead, then I would not rule out Yakumo yet. After all, she is the second person in the intro that is introduced after Tenma, followed by Eri. Hopefully, that has some significance.


Yakumo has clearly said in episode 05 that she doesn't love anybody. In episode 06 she reassured Eri that she isn't dating Harima.... When he is around Yakumo Harima is acting like she is just a normal girl (like Mikoto or Akira) or a friend.

I think he is a bit closer to Yakumo than any other girl his age at the moment. As for Yakumo, although I do admit that she says she doesn't love anyone, I do think she is just not sure of her own feelings yet. Saying that she isn't dating Harima is just stating a fact, not conveying how she truly feels. She was concerned for Eri's feelings, as the kind person she is, and just reassured Eri of the current situation. She did not tell Eri that she has no interest in Harima. Remember, Eri acknowledged her as a rival this episode, meaning she truly does view Yakumo as a threat.

Harima is acting in a "polite" way with Harima not in a "relaxed" or "natural" way. He is very formal with Yakumo.

He acts natural when he is with people who are close to him and when he don't need to have "social restrictions": namely Itoko-sensei (and her friend Sasakura-sensei) and Eri. It's interesting that Harima can be himself only with his only family and around Eri. ;)

If he acts the same way towards Eri like he does with Sasakura-sensei, that would pretty much spell impeding doom for Eri, so I definitely agree with Trax here.

As for Harima acting polite towards Yakumo, with her kind personality, how else should a guy act towards her? Say if Harima suddenly realizes that he likes her, how do you imagine he would act? Probably somewhat shy and still very "formal." All the other guys who "want" her will never truly have a chance with the way they are acting.

Anyway, as I have stated before, the story will probably move in an Eri x Harima direction for now, since they are the more interesting and funny couple to focus on. Hopefully, in the end, Harima and Yakumo will end up, which would be a more ideal and long lasting relationship.

That would mean that once Harima gets interested in her, it'd be the same situation...

As I stated on my previous post, I believe Harima will be different. What Yakuma will read in him is something a lot more pure and loving... that is what I would believe for that relationship to work out.


Oh and umm... Yakumo and Hanai just doesn't seem to work. Hanai is better off with Mikoto. ;)

Edit:
If Harima ever fell for Yakumo, he would be a clone of Hanai.

I don't think that will be the case. If Harima fell for Yakumo, I don't think it will be much of a pursuit, since I am pretty sure Yakumo will agree to go out with him; therefore, no need for obsessive focus.

[physics223]

If the OVAs were to be a hint - the little person featured was Harima, and his background was Yakumo. He was the only guy to have a background of Yakumo, so it's up to you.

I'm sorry if I'm not a manga reader, but as I've heard (read) Harima x Eri's going to be stronger. Good for the Flaggies. I still hope for an Onigiri.

Wonderful post, thundrakkon.

[Swampstorm]

Unless you are a manga reader and know what is coming ahead, then I would not rule out Yakumo yet. After all, she is the second person in the intro that is introduced after Tenma, followed by Eri. Hopefully, that has some significance.
The ordering in the intro is a convension that started in the manga volumes. Tenma was on the cover of the first volume, Yakumo on the second, and Eri on the third. You see the same ordering in the 1/8 PVC model releases as well. If it's worth anything, though, Harima is on the back cover of Eri's volume, and comes in a figurine pair with Eri as a package with one of the Special Edition versions of the manga (Tenma comes along with Karasuma). But we're reading too much into this, now. :heh:

On another note... otacu does read the manga. :p
If you step back and look at the anime as a whole, however, you can reach the exact same conclusion. Take a look at Eri vs. Mikoto and Eri vs. Tae. Now, compare this latest story arc involving Yakumo with the previous two. Every single one of them starts with a misunderstanding and a "rival" who is believed to be romantically interested in Harima. Eri then has to cope with some sort of character weakness (ie. her fear of rejection, her pride, her need to preserve her "image", her feelings of inadequacy and loneliness, etc.) which leads up to some sort of climax - things start to go terribly wrong for Flag, causing Eri to give up. Finally, we have a catharsis, where the "rival" reveals that she doesn't actually has feelings for Harima - the path is clear for Eri to continue onwards.

This isn't to suggest that Harima and Yakumo won't interact, of course. They are friends on some level, after all. The main point here is that the Eri vs. Yakumo conflict has been blown out of proportion a bit, mainly due to Yakumo's popularity. There's really no reason to put Eri vs. Yakumo on a pedestal over Eri vs. Tae or Eri vs. Mikoto - the conflict only embodies part of the series, rather than the series as a whole.


I think he is a bit closer to Yakumo than any other girl his age at the moment. As for Yakumo, although I do admit that she says she doesn't love anyone, I do think she is just not sure of her own feelings yet. Saying that she isn't dating Harima is just stating a fact, not conveying how she truly feels. She was concerned for Eri's feelings, as the kind person she is, and just reassured Eri of the current situation. She did not tell Eri that she has no interest in Harima. Remember, Eri acknowledged her as a rival this episode, meaning she truly does view Yakumo as a threat.
Ep.5 and 6 both take place in the Cultural Festival. They happen very close together. Yakumo is quite confident of the fact that she doesn't love anyone in Ep.5, so I'm skeptical that she's undergone a radical change mere hours later in Ep.6. Why project feelings on the character before we know that they're really there? There were signs to suggest that Eri fell for Harima in Ep.14, Season 1 - but Flaggers set the point where Eri falls for Harima at around Ep.24, when she actually acknowledges the fact to herself (incidently, manga equivilent for that Ep.24 scene was called "The Turning Point.")
In the dance, Yakumo isn't just acting out of compassion for Eri - she's also fixing a misunderstanding that she created in Ep.24 when she mistakenly ruined Eri's gift to Harima. With the dance scene, the rift between Eri and Yakumo is healed. Notice how Eri is willing to compliment Yakumo on her dancing? She wouldn't be able to do that if she felt threatened by Yakumo. Think back to the previous "rivals" that Eri faced over Harima, namely Mikoto and Tae, in Season 1. This event is directly parallel to the fireworks scene and the nurse's office scene from Season 1 - it marks the end of a conflict.


If he acts the same way towards Eri like he does with Sasakura-sensei, that would pretty much spell impeding doom for Eri, so I definitely agree with Trax here.
The point is that Harima shows his real personality in the presence of three females - Itoko, Tenma, and Eri. Around everyone else, he sticks to his usual "classroom" personality - Yakumo included.


As for Harima acting polite towards Yakumo, with her kind personality, how else should a guy act towards her? Say if Harima suddenly realizes that he likes her, how do you imagine he would act? Probably somewhat shy and still very "formal." All the other guys who "want" her will never truly have a chance with the way they are acting.
The point is that Harima has his guard up when Yakumo is around. Remember that he's viewed as a delinquent, and he often is misunderstood by the people around him. When he's in class, he plays up that role - you see him calm and aloof. How is this any different from his relationship with Yakumo? On the other hand, when you see him around Tenma, his emotions are on his sleeve. When he's fighting with Itoko, his only known family, his cool and his reserve are gone - he's acting naturally. When you see him around Eri, you see his emotions come out to the surface again - he's a passionate, driven person. That's the very reason why Yuuki and Sagano comment that Eri and Harima look natural together in Ep.4. That's the Harima that we first saw in the first episode Season 1 - and that personality is what sets him apart from most male protagonists. You simply don't get that with the Onigiri, Marker, or Pencil factions.


Anyway, as I have stated before, the story will probably move in an Eri x Harima direction for now, since they are the more interesting and funny couple to focus on. Hopefully, in the end, Harima and Yakumo will end up, which would be a more ideal and long lasting relationship.
Some people seem to be assuming that a couple that fights cannot have a long lasting relationship. Everyone has disagreements from time to time. What makes a relationship work is conflict resolution skills. Eri and Harima may fight a lot, but when it counts the most, they stand up for each other. Do you remember Ep.22? During the kibasen match, the two were constantly quarrelling - but woe to anyone who tried to sneak up on them while they were fighting. The two were perfectly coordinated. Similar things can be seen in Ep.23 - they may know how to fight, but they definitely know how to make up - and that's the most important thing, in the long run.
From a story writing perspective, stories are built around tension and conflict. The climax-catharsis structure of stories reflects this - conflict leads to character growth, and catharsis brings about its resolution and a release of the emotions that have built up to this point. You may see Harima and Eri constantly fighting on the surface, but every story arc brings them closer and closer together - bringing each character fresh insights into the other's personality. Flag is all about growth.


Oh and umm... Yakumo and Hanai just doesn't seem to work. Hanai is better off with Mikoto. ;)
Hanai and Mikoto is another fine example of a friendship that doesn't have to evolve into romance. I'm sure that Mikoto's dance with Asou on Hanai's urging at the end of this episode didn't escape your notice...


I don't think that will be the case. If Harima fell for Yakumo, I don't think it will be much of a pursuit, since I am pretty sure Yakumo will agree to go out with him; therefore, no need for obsessive focus.
Harima loves Tenma with intensity. That's the way that he approaches everything in his life - manga, competitions, sports - once he's in, he goes all out.
Yakumo's difficulties with Hanai have to do with the fact that she can't deal with those intense emotions. Harima represents an escape from Yakumo's character conflict - but growth comes when you meet your challenges head on, not when you run away from them.


If the OVAs were to be a hint - the little person featured was Harima, and his background was Yakumo. He was the only guy to have a background of Yakumo, so it's up to you.
You mean the reverse, I believe. Keep in mind that the person who writes the story (ie. the manga) is not the same person who animates and directs the anime.

There's nothing wrong with cheering for Onigiri. I'm just cautioning against jumping to conclusions, especially regarding characters' feelings.

[thundrakkon]

Oh well. As a anime only fan, I can only speculate on what may happen. I can still hope for Yakumo.. Eri is still my second favorite match-up, so it's not too bad.

Although, I still disagree with Hanai ever hooking up with Yakumo. His personality is just too overbearing for poor Yakumo. It's on par with the mismatch Harima x Tenma.

[physics223]

We can't look as much into the story as SS because we are only anime people. I do know that the anime follows the manga, but I really hope it does an FMA where it's different from the manga itself and hopefully dovetails Yakumo and Harima.

I really feel my heart torn out if the characters that I love do not get what I feel they need. That's true for Nemu, and that's true for Yakumo. I really like silent characters, though it's up to you to qualify them as complex, but I for one do.

I sometimes know how people speak inadequately of their feelings, and for one I perceive Yakumo to have this communication complex, where it is hard for her to do so. That's the same with Nemu, IMO. Sometimes one speaks wrongly of himself, sometimes one isn't too sure, but there is always that limit of language to be unable to portray what you truly feel. It becomes more of a barrier when it is hard for one to communicate. (See Quentin chapter, The Sound and the Fury)

This is what I'm banking with Yakumo. If her feelings are untrue, or if SS says that she vehemently denied to possess any feelings for Harima, granted - it was what was seen. I'm not jumping to conclusions, but I'm trying to find a probable solution. I can always say I hate this girl, that I don't have feelings for her but then realize in a snap that I always did like her - more like what Eri does.

So far, I could see Harima x Eri being built up. Again, that's a good thing for flaggers. But I hope that I could experience a Maupassant by Kobayashi Jin so that the game is not only merely between Harima x Eri but between Harima x Yakumo (which I love).

To voice one's awakening is simply not awakening in one's own head. For all we know, Yakumo really does like Harima - and it's both her skill and curse that she is silent and having a hard time saying things.

I believe in the power of self-denial. I believe in the power of self-obfuscation. I hope in the end, Harima and Yakumo will end up together.

[Trax]

The point is that Harima has his guard up when Yakumo is around. Remember that he's viewed as a delinquent, and he often is misunderstood by the people around him. When he's in class, he plays up that role - you see him calm and aloof. How is this any different from his relationship with Yakumo? On the other hand, when you see him around Tenma, his emotions are on his sleeve. When he's fighting with Itoko, his only known family, his cool and his reserve are gone - he's acting naturally. When you see him around Eri, you see his emotions come out to the surface again - he's a passionate, driven person. That's the very reason why Yuuki and Sagano comment that Eri and Harima look natural together in Ep.4. That's the Harima that we first saw in the first episode Season 1 - and that personality is what sets him apart from most male protagonists. You simply don't get that with the Onigiri, Marker, or Pencil factions.

I think that's overthinking it just a little... There's no need for him to get riled up around Yakumo because she's so easygoing to begin with, unlike Eri who usually butts heads with him. I see it more as him being quite comfortable around Yakumo, partly because he's not actually interested in her at this point. If he was he'd probably clam up like around Tenma. Also, didn't he show his passionate side during some of those sessions? (at least in OVA #2)

Anyway, as things stand at the moment, he's not interested in either Yakumo or Eri romantically because of his Tenma obsession. He's comfortable and friendly around Yakumo, while he acts more natural yet confronting around Eri. Yakumo is interested in him, just not romantically, while Eri has a love/hate interest towards him.

I still like both matchups, and anything could happen imo.

[Swampstorm]

Oh well. As a anime only fan, I can only speculate on what may happen. I can still hope for Yakumo.. Eri is still my second favorite match-up, so it's not too bad.
Well, there's Oudou to be reckoned with, as well. Tenma has always had an edge out of all of the pairings. That's the faction that worries me the most. :heh:


I really feel my heart torn out if the characters that I love do not get what I feel they need. That's true for Nemu, and that's true for Yakumo. I really like silent characters, though it's up to you to qualify them as complex, but I for one do.
Which do you feel is more important - what a character needs, or what a character wants? Flag and Onigiri are mutually exclusive. On one hand, we have Eri, who has a clear romantic interest in Harima and who has gone through endless difficulties with him to get to where she is now. On the other, we have Yakumo, who is remarkably well adjusted, doesn't experience any real hardship in the series, and who develops a friendship with Harima late in the series. From the standpoint of poetic justice, what do you feel is the happiest outcome? Should Harima end up with Yakumo, who has alternatives and who hasn't shown any real interest or effort towards having a relationship with Harima, or Eri, who has undergone countless trials to express her feelings for him?

Yakumo is always portrayed as having the advantage over Eri - she's supposed to be the ideal girl, after all. Any time you see Yakumo pitted against Eri, Yakumo always comes up on top. The sewing incident where Yakumo undoes Eri's sewing work and the fight during the play are two good examples of this. Even when Eri puts her heart and soul into what she's doing, Yakumo casually manages to out do her - which is what brings out Eri's insecurities.

The reason why people root for the underdog is because it shows us that passion can overcome innate talent. A flawless character cannot grow. Eri is a character with many weaknesses - moreso, in fact, than any other character in the series. Eri really shines when she overcomes these flaws out of her love for her friends and for Harima - and these struggles are central to many of the dramatic moments that we've seen so far. If Yakumo ousts Eri and ends up with Harima, what would be special about that? We know that Yakumo always has an advantage over Eri. However, when Eri struggles against her weaknesses and overcomes them to grow closer to Harima - then we have a story. Flag is always an underdog to Oudou and Onigiri, which is why it's always heartwarming to see it succeed, against all odds.


I think that's overthinking it just a little... There's no need for him to get riled up around Yakumo because she's so easygoing to begin with, unlike Eri who usually butts heads with him. I see it more as him being quite comfortable around Yakumo, partly because he's not actually interested in her at this point. If he was he'd probably clam up like around Tenma. Also, didn't he show his passionate side during some of those sessions? (at least in OVA #2)
You can run the argument either way, if you really want. I wanted to show a different angle on Onigiri - it's not necessarily a match made in heaven, as some people seem to believe.
The big draw for Onigiri is the implied romance. You see plenty of what seem to be intimate moments between the two - which makes the imaginations of some fans go wild. I'm talking about cases where people say things like "Yakumo has feelings for Harima, but she just doesn't realize it yet." That may be true, but what's the harm in waiting to see an unambiguous manifestation of those feelings first, before determining that she "wants" a relationship? ;)

[KaneDragon]

Yakumo [...] doesn't experience any real hardship in the series [...] has alternatives
What about all the trouble she has interacting with other people, boys in particular? Remember the OVA ep where she becomes friends with Sara, where she emo's about the voices, and no one else helps her with the dog?

And it isn't like Eri started developing her relationship way longer than Yakumo.

Yakumo is comfortable around Harima because he doesn't drool over her like everyone else (LOUD VOICES! IN MY HEAD! :eyespin: :p ). Granted, she would hear him, too, if he started taking in interest in her (as pondered above), but surely it says something about Harima that she hasn't heard a peep from him (that OVA moment doesn't count). Even Hanai clammed up for a moment (the flute episode), though come to think of it maybe that just means he's more fanatical... :eyespin:

Eri has more passion, but this love/hate relationship... meh. Maybe if she were more honest with her feelings. In any case, Flag Faction seems to be far ahead of Origiri, and I really wouldn't mind seeing progression down this path, either. It would certainly make for more interesting interactions.

[Swampstorm]

What about all the trouble she has interacting with other people, boys in particular? Remember the OVA ep where she becomes friends with Sara, where she emo's about the voices, and no one else helps her with the dog?
Every character has some conflict that they deal with - even Karasuma, with the difficulty that he struggles to overcome regarding emotional expression (S2 Ep.3). That's what makes the characters dynamic - they're constantly growing and developing. You're comparing two things of completely different magnitudes, however. Eri is tied to the crisis-catharsis flow of the story - she never gets a break. That's the reason why she gets so much character development - every story arc explores a fresh weakness that she has to overcome. Yakumo, by contrast, is a relatively stable character. She's not subjected to the emotional rollercoaster ride that Eri is subjected to by the misunderstandings surrounding Harima.


And it isn't like Eri started developing her relationship way longer than Yakumo.
Relationship, no. Love, definitely yes - and that's ultimately what we're talking about here. Yakumo hasn't even shown any interest in entering the race - why win something without any invested effort?


Yakumo is comfortable around Harima because he doesn't drool over her like everyone else (LOUD VOICES! IN MY HEAD! :eyespin: :p ). Granted, she would hear him, too, if he started taking in interest in her (as pondered above), but surely it says something about Harima that she hasn't heard a peep from him (that OVA moment doesn't count). Even Hanai clammed up for a moment (the flute episode), though come to think of it maybe that just means he's more fanatical... :eyespin:
I'd say that their fanatical pursuit of their crushes was intentionally designed to be parallel. Harima and Hanai are really very similar characters at their core - which is why, despite their rivalry, both have respect and understanding for each other - Ep.23 is a good example of this. To reject one is to reject them both.


Eri has more passion, but this love/hate relationship... meh. Maybe if she were more honest with her feelings. In any case, Flag Faction seems to be far ahead of Origiri, and I really wouldn't mind seeing progression down this path, either. It would certainly make for more interesting interactions.
You're getting ahead of things. :heh:
The reason why we have a story is because Eri and Harima still have unresolved internal conflicts. If Eri was more honest with her feelings, then we wouldn't have much of a story here, would we? The character flaw is what creates the conflict, and overcoming that flaw creates the catharsis. Expect to be tantalized by more of this sort of thing in the future - the story is built around this idea. It's that "almost, but not quite" feeling that builds up your anticipation - something that is used in almost every romcom. Enjoy the journey and the tension that comes with it. If that perfect moment ever comes when everything works out - it will be just that much sweeter, for all this. ;)

[Potatochobit]

i think hanai will end up in a romance with mikoto. from watching episode 7 you could see that he clearly has started to notice mikoto's needs as a woman. but of course, thats if sara doesnt get asou first who might put the moves on mikoto.

[Shredder]

Just finished; that rave scene was tight. I <3 Eri!! Omg and the onigiri eating was hilarious--can't remember if that was this ep or ep 5

[mog08]

so what exactly did Yakumo say to Eri during the play in silent?