Kure-nai

[Dop]

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

In a word, yes. Her combination of carefree and intense is just wonderful.

But your post reminds me: when are we going to get that Yotsuba anime that has been talked about for a couple of years? I just skimmed the list of upcoming shows on Moonphase, and I don't even see it there.

What we need to do is hunt down the people who made Azumanga Daioh and lock them in a room with a bunch of equipment and tell them they're not coming out until they make a Yotsuba anime.

[HayashiTakara]

Originally Posted by Deathkillz

Still I don't believe that he would beat up the punks in front of everyone if you just shove a wedge of cash under his nose...

Despite what he looks like, he does think about the children

Stole it from the gym most likely

He just doesn't give off the vibe of someone who believes in justice. Maybe its just me though. If it has nothing to do with him or his work, he'll ignore it, thats just the feeling I get from him.

[ApostleOfGod]

All this talk about Shinkurou, morals, Murasaki and other is great. But is it just me, or is no one curious about the background information and development of characters in the story?

I'm still too boggled up with who the Kuhouins are, what Yuuno's family is, who Beniko is, who that long haired Beniko henchman is, who Yuuno is, and who Ginko (assuming it's that girl with glasses always telling Kurenai that he is indecent).

I'm so confused, and I can't wait to find out more about these things. But the show still excels and keeps me with its weekly clues and such mature heavy themes that it covers..

But I want to know... Even if the ED tells me to not try to know everything so quick in the first line...

[Reckoner]

Well my brother actually pointed out something to me, why wouldn't he or someone else on the subway at least offer a seat to the old lady? This kind of reminds me of the scene in the beginning of Gantz with the bum falling down, although not as extreme.

I personally felt that what Kurenai did was very human.

[SuperKnuckles]

Originally Posted by Reckoner

I personally felt that what Kurenai did was very human.

Yes. Unfortunately.

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

Doesn't have to be an argument, just a discussion, I agree. And going to another car makes some sense. He might have just been able to snatch her away and go to another car. But I disagree about the morality part. I think he probably did the most moral thing available, short of changing cars. Giving his seat to the lady might or might not be safe. If the whole car could be depended upon to join in, confrontation might make sense, but that was clearly not the case.

Morality and "pride" often do not mix, in my opinion. I think that the vendettas in Kenya, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc., or murders of daughters-in-law in South Asia, all seem to the participants to be forced on them by a mixture of morality and pride.

Well, if it's not about waging entire wars or a full blown out battle, there's always a way to do it with a clear head and not bowing down to your own ideals. IF that does lead to an actual full blown fight, no doubt it'd be bad, but I simply don't think that's the automatic like some people think it is. The thing with personal pride is that you either project it or you don't. Really, I don't get much of any feelings of ego in Shinkurou's part, and yes, that is a knock on him because he is a bit too objective minded and that blinds him to certain things (the more innocent and straightforward things, like the stuff Murasaki associates with as a kid).

I think injustice has to be really stood up against as much as humanely and safely if possible. I've seen how punks do things and if they're confronted it usually does not lead to a fight as long as you don't make it a point to be more provocative than you need be. I think it tends to get worse in another sense if you let it go, but then again, a little incident didn't need a full blown intervention. But to me, that does not mean you show too much leeway either.

Originally Posted by Deathkillz

I think it isn't just money (or something to gain) that was on his mind. Looking at the situation he just won't want to cause trouble. Even for money he would have taken them into a dark alley first before beating them into a pulp. I especially think that he wouldn't want to show Murasaki his violent side.

Murasaki obviously complicates things, but I do think he was truly a hitman robot before and still may be even on missions. Really, this kind of thing ought to catch up with him soon. There's no way it can't. Especially when his traumas in childhood led him here. Maybe that is the reason why he closes his emotions so he doesn't have to deal with it on a personal level.

[qtipbrit]

Originally Posted by ApostleOfGod

All this talk about Shinkurou, morals, Murasaki and other is great. But is it just me, or is no one curious about the background information and development of characters in the story?

I'm still too boggled up with who the Kuhouins are, what Yuuno's family is, who Beniko is, who that long haired Beniko henchman is, who Yuuno is, and who Ginko (assuming it's that girl with glasses always telling Kurenai that he is indecent).

That's actually what interests me the most in this series: the Kuhouins, Yuuno's connection, the problem with Kurenai (there's something, right?), and why Beniko is so infamous.
The story about Murasaki's mother and the other woman is what interests me most though. It seems to have left some sort of emotion scar on her, seen after the train incident.

Originally Posted by ricardox

I'm so confused, and I can't wait to find out more about these things. But the show still excels and keeps me with its weekly clues and such mature heavy themes that it covers..

I agree. Honestly, this is one of the few series this season I'm following avidly, even moreso than Code Geass R2.

Originally Posted by Reckoner

Well my brother actually pointed out something to me, why wouldn't he or someone else on the subway at least offer a seat to the old lady? This kind of reminds me of the scene in the beginning of Gantz with the bum falling down, although not as extreme.

I personally felt that what Kurenai did was very human.

I think that's one of the themes of the series too. Morality and humanity and ethics and such.

EDIT: Murasaki in episode three was so freaking cute it's scary.

[mikesince83]

This series has been a pleasure to watch. The realistic approach to interpersonal relationships so far removed from the anime standard, is incredibly refreshing. The best example of this is the dialogue scripting where characters have real arguments sometimes with multiple conversations at once as in episode 3.

Regarding Shinkurou's actions on the train, he was right to avoid conflict, but at the very least he should have given up his seat. The lesson is more effective if solved without violence.

On another note I'm torn about Murasaki's character. She's portrayed as a child perfectly for the most part, but at times she seems to have far to much insight on the situation for a seven year old. Perhaps I just don't give her enough credit....

[Kaoru Chujo]

Spoiler for ep4:

We begin to learn a bit more of the background ApostleOfGod was talking about. A less involving ep for me than previous ones, but still very good. And more good voice-acting from Sawashiro Miyuki, Yuuki Aoi, and Ishige Sawa (Benika). However, the drawing quality takes a nose-dive.

[t3ck]

At first I couldn't stand Murasaki's voice. A 7years old with such a mature voice? No way! Well, at first that is. Now I was smitten by her voice. The acting is really good, with so much emotion in it. Although sometimes it still feel awkward. Kudos to the VA for a marvellous job.

[Deathkillz]

Well, I never really thought that Murasaki had a mature voice, or that I did but now I am used to it. But yes, the emotions put behind it is what is so captivating for me as well. The new seiyuu is doing a great job

ep 4

Spoiler:

Well, I expected the worse would have come from the situation set up at the end of episode 3 but surprisingly they didn't turn out as I expect. Not that it affected my enjoyment however, this series is still by far the best newcomer of this season. But definitely, this week there hasn't been that much development between Shinkurou and Murasaki though the bond between them is still growing strong.

The job this time turns out to be negotiations with a yakuza boss and Murasaki so happens to have entered a world where she shouldn't have been.

Well, the deal was practically done quicker than expected since Murasaki's arrival but you should know by now to never trust on the word of the yakuza. The boss is a liar and Murasaki (with her liar detector of awesomeness ~ must be her child-like innocence which gives her this ability) points it out. Though Shinkurou objects to Murasaki's claims, it is understandable when she starts screaming out such things in front of the boss.

But yea, the following scenes were quite painful to watch as the guys come out to beat on Shinkurou. Shinkurou could easily handle the mobs but because of Murasaki being there as well, I guess he held back. But when Murasaki decided to help Shinkurou (she is soo brave), the mobs turned to beat on her as well. NEVER HIT A GIRL! T_T

Even I felt the blows upon Murasaki. The first one just made me cringe and when she was threatened with a knife, that was the last straw...for me and for shinkurou. He ofcourse completely went into "killer" mode and released his elbow knife of epix wtf-ness. Basically his elbow bone became a weapon (but even that looked so painful).

Yayoi on the other hand was completely shocked at the whole incident. Blaming Shinkurou for everything, it just shows how much she also cares for Murasaki. Abit, Shinkurou was wrong to put Murasaki in danger, but I can see that it wasn't all her fault. But Yayoi doesn't know the full picture, where it was then explined to her by Benika (I am also surprised the Benika didn't scold Shinkurou, but that just shows that she is willing to understand the situation).

Yea, about Shinkurou and his arm, and his past. This has already been shown in the manga but I suppose some of you readers haven't picked it up yet. Whilst the elbow scythe hasn't been explained yet, it is being linked to the training Shinkurou had when he was younger, in Yuno's household surprisingly. And Yuno happens to be his sparring partner since then and from that you can fill in the picture how Yuno came to liking Shinkurou or why she invites him to return to her come. They are fairly well acquainted as you would expect.

But the main reason why he is training in the first place was because of Benika. It appears that he (and Ginko) were amongst a group of captured kids. It was Benika who saved Shinkurou at the time even though he was ready to die. I guess he became attached to Benika and her line of work since then. Ginko also experienced a drastic change from then to now since we see how she was fighting so hard to save shinkurou's life. Now she is just Tsun.

Well, that was the main jest of the episode. But it wouldn't be a complete episode without some development at least. Murasaki felt that she was the cause of Shinkurou's injured arm and tried her best to be helpful. It was heartwarming to see her trying to clean the room for Shinkurou's health sakes. She also tried to become more self independent by washing her own hair ~ cute ^_^

But most significant of all is that Shinkurou also revealed his past to Murasaki in parallel to Benika. I feel that through this, they have gained yet another new understanding to each other, and whilst it may be normal to feel that a 7 year old can't do anything even knowing the truth, I can only see Murasaki growing because of it.

[D a m i e n]

meh, isnt benika supposed to be wielding a gun and kill people without a second though :/

anyway murasaki is too cute. i wish i could have a daughter like her

[Tri-ring]

Episode four was different from the original novel.
Murasaki didn't shadow Shinkuro, she demanded that she is allowed to accompany him. Shinkuro also listened to Murasaki's advice, in doing so he also got shot protecting Murasaki in which provoked an emotional change within Murasaki. Shinkuro was able to make his way to a doctor and Murasaki showed her earnest feelings towards Shinkuro waiting for him in the waiting room.

[usagijen]

Originally Posted by Tri-ring

Episode four was different from the original novel.
Murasaki didn't shadow Shinkuro, she demanded that she is allowed to accompany him. Shinkuro also listened to Murasaki's advice, in doing so he also got shot protecting Murasaki in which provoked an emotional change within Murasaki. Shinkuro was able to make his way to a doctor and Murasaki showed her earnest feelings towards Shinkuro waiting for him in the waiting room.

The anime is diverting quite a whole lot compared to the original novel, but I really like what I'm seeing. I haven't watched episode 4, but I do think that despite the changes made (as Tri-ing pointed out), the anime reigns superior than the novel. If we're talking about emotional change within Murasaki, the anime showed us plenty of that way back episode 1, so I don't really think it's necessary to stick to what happened in the novel for this... I will look into this more once I get to watch the fourth episode.

In the meantime, those who are curious as to what changes have been made in the past three episodes can go read this comparison I did. As early as now, I'd say the director (who's also in charge with the series composition and storyboard of eps 1-3), is a real genius.

[Sparrow1770]

Spoiler for ep. 4:

Still loving this show, but a few things stood out to me:

* Shinkurou didn't fight back against the thugs until after Murasaki got hit. Why not? Surely he could have seen things were escalating. He waited way too long to enter emotionless-killer-mode and Murasaki got hurt as a result.

Because of the way it played out, Murasaki never got to see his special arm. So I kind of suspect this whole "not fighting back" thing was a plot device to make sure Murasaki is kept in the dark about his fighting form.

It kinda just feels like they're fudging things a bit when trying to follow the novel.

* I can totally accept the knife coming out of Shinkurou's arm. I can even accept that he can block bullets with it. But if the guy had just shot a barrage at him (like any normal punk would do) he couldn't have blocked them all. I just don't see Shinkurou getting out of that situation unscathed. (And from reading previous posts, it sounds like he does get shot in the novel.)

Also, in the manga, when Benika saves Shinkurou in the flashback, she comes in with guns blazing. This time she just beats up the kidnappers. Seems like they're falling back on the "nobody dies" cliche.

Seems like they're afraid to show anything too violent.

----

Anyway it's nice to get to finally see Shinkurou's arm in its glory.

This show treads a fine line between realism and fantasy. I think so far they've done a good job integrating the two to come up with a satisfying whole.

[ThoHell]

I thought the characters would grow on me after awhile, especially the main hero, but I just seem to dislike them more after each episode. Show is still pretty damn good, just some of the characters. People like Shin piss me off, totally dislike him, and Beni's character setup is another one of those dislikes. Murasaki is like the only main highlight of this whole series, well established character. Yayoi is an amusing character too and definitely a realistic type. I bet nothing Yayoi said sunk into Shin's head and Beni is way too half ass. AHHHHHHHHHHH...I'm just getting more frustrated thinking about the character, going to watch something that makes me laugh!

[FlareKnight]

Spoiler for Ep4:

Well have to admit the episode went differently from how I had predicted. Had thought Murasaki would show up while Shinkurou was in the middle of beating down those guys, but instead was a little early. Her supreme powers to detect lies are still sharp. Of course even if Shinkurou knew the guy was lying he would still want to get Murasaki out of that place asap.

Was a very ugly situation soon after that. I know they are the scum of the earth, but knocking around a little girl pushes it over the edge. She did try to help Shinkurou out, but instead got some injuries. Is possible Shinkurou was holding back since he didn't want her to see him when he's in that kill all in my way mode. Agree with Deathkillz and Shinkurou, the knife was one step way over the line. At that point you just knew those guys were going to pay dearly.

Then you got the elbow-blade coming out to do some damage. Thing can deflect bullets which is just cool in itself. At least we finally got the explanation about what was going on with that arm. Though the fact something like that happened still raises more questions about Shinkurou.

Nice to get some background on Shinkurou though and his relationship to the girls at his school. They really are more than just classmates to be sure. Ginko was one of the kids kidnapped along with Shinkurou. Then you have Yuno who he stayed with for some time and sparred with him. Certainly isn't any love lost between the two girls that's for sure. But anyways revealing his past I think is a big thing in strengthening the bond between Murasaki and Shinkurou.

That little girls' maturity continues to amaze me. Wasn't sure how she would react after all that happened the night before. But instead she was truly apologetic for any trouble she caused and wanted to help Shinkurou with the breakfast and cleaning up. Of course Shinkurou isn't one to let her take the blame since he did leave her alone and couldn't stop those guys before she got hurt.

Can't see why Yayoi can blame Shinkurou too much. Wasn't he sent off on another job by Benika a couple episodes ago that involved leaving Murasaki all alone? Yes this time she followed and got hurt, which is worth people freaking out. But don't send him out to do these mediations and then suddenly say going out like that was a bad thing.

This really was a great episode though. Lot of information coming out and Murasaki is still a great character.

[Tri-ring]

@flareknight

You'll find more about the relationship between Yuuno, the Hozuki family and Shinkuro in the next episode.
By the way in the novel the airport bombing and the kidnapping were two different events.
The bomb killed Shinkuro's family and Shinkuro turned suicidal. Ginko is Shinkuro's childhood friend and they were kindnapped visiting a community child center.
In the warehouse Shinkuro stepped between Ginko and one of the kidnapper like in the show but his true motive was to get killed.

[Matrim]

Well, I didn't like ep.4 as much as the previous three but I am "disappointed" along the lines of someone winning "just" 10 million from the lottery instead of 12 million.

Can't see why Yayoi can blame Shinkurou too much.

I suspect she, subcounciously or not, blames herself for not stopping Murasaki from venturing outside in the first place or at least entering that building and her exaggerated outrage at Shinkurou's behaviour comes partly from an attempt to shift the blame to him.

I want to know what's the deal with this elbow blade...anyway stopping bullets was a bit too much for my taste. I wonder how much of a fantastical element we will have or this will all be just some arcane martial art which bends a little the laws of science without breaking them completely.

Brilliant voice acting by Yayoi's seiyuu, once again the big quarrel (in the car) sounded so real, yet intensely dramatic. Kind of makes me wish the characters would quarrel a lot over the course of the series...

[faust123]

Murasaki counting in the bath was ridiculously cute.

I like the direction the anime is taking a lot except for, as a previous poster pointed out, the "nobody dies" cliche.

There really isn't a series this season that has me craving the next episode like I did last season with True Tears, but this show comes pretty close :b

[Tri-ring]

Originally Posted by Matrim

I want to know what's the deal with this elbow blade...anyway stopping bullets was a bit too much for my taste. I wonder how much of a fantastical element we will have or this will all be just some arcane martial art which bends a little the laws of science without breaking them completely.

Spoiler for Shinkuro's blade:

It's actually called the tusk of Hozuki(Hozuki no Tsuno) and was transplanted to him from his master, Yuuno's grandfather Hozuki Hosen. The Hozuki family was counted as one of the thirteen familes that controlled the underground society while Kuhoin is one of the three families that controls upperclass society.
During his 8 years stay at the Hozuki residence, Shinkuro was accepted as an apprentice redeveloping his physical abilities through insane training so he can control the severe pain and massive power the tusk provides(It is discribed in the novel like a biological turbo, accelerating physical abilities beyond it's limit but the reaction in using it is also large).
His proper title is Hozuki-ryu Ko Isshu Dai-ni Senki (Hozuki-ryu Ko first grade second class Fighting demon)
Hozuki Yuuno, under her very graceful posture lies the same ferocious blood being a direct decendent of the Hozuki family and Shinkuro is thrown around left and right during training by her. In the novel her proper title is not disclosed but Shinkuro believes that it is much higher than his. Also not disclosed by I guess she also possesses the tusk as all Hozuki family members. Activation of the tusk is through emotional out burst of anger so I am also guessing that is the reason for Yuuno's graceful posture all the time which the family inherited in gaining control of the tusk.