Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo - General Discussion

[0utf0xZer0]

Originally Posted by Reckoner

Well sure about the hyper-detached part, but I don't know about brilliant (If we're talking holistically speaking) . We're talking about a girl who certainly can draw really well, but does not seem to really understand basic human social norms and what not. It's no wonder her stories suck according to her editor. That scene displayed her social ineptitude to the extreme, and why she her work as an artist is not quite on the level it should be.

One thing I should mention here: I’m far enough into training for my career at this point to be starting to develop an ability to forcefully detach myself from the situations I need to deal with. Seeing Mashiro do something similar really resonates with me.

Well what the episode did seem to indicate is that HE isn't absolutely needed for nurturing and protecting Shiina. I am not sure it said anything about whether or not she can get by on our own. There are clear deficiencies she has. And no, she isn't THAT helpless about life. But like I said above, much of the story seems setup in a way that she's essentially Sorata's and the audiences' toy, and that is what irked me a bit about her use in the story thus far.

And this is probably where our disagreement will ultimately lie in, I do not think this title has subverted anything near to the degree that you seem to think. For that matter I am not sure if Ore no Imouto does either (But I won't derail the thread with that as this pertains to novel spoilers I read).

Clarification: I think OreImo starts subversive and then backslides. A lot.

This is because of how obviously sexualized Shiina is throughout the show. If the fanservice is not present, I'd think any case for subversion would be strengthened, but right now I can't see it.

To quote Kaoru:

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

A big part of the appeal of the show is the fact that Mashiro is so amazingly cute and innocently sensual. Looked at from an ideological point of view, maybe this is somehow wrong. But I'm just enjoying the sexy cuteness, and enjoying the fact that we are learning, episode by episode, that she is so much more than just some "pet."

As a hardcore moe fan, I’m all for a bit of “cute and innocent sensuality” (assuming we don’t go overboard into full on loli territory), but also think that seeing such a character as a mere toy or pet violates a “moe fan code” of sorts. I get annoyed when works write characters that way, which is part of the reason I find Key’s stuff hit and miss (though based on my modest VNing experience I suspect there’s some “lost in adaptation” going on there, even in the KyoAni versions). I don’t feel that at all here, and in fact feel the author just drove that kind of thinking out of his protagonist in no uncertain terms.

I don’t know how many moe fans share this sort of philosophy, but I’ve always been highly annoyed with the lack of recognition of opinions like mine by critics of moe and the moe fandom.

Originally Posted by Reckoner

No it doesn't, but a path to relationship has to be laid out in a manner that I feel reflects well on the characters themselves. As it stands right now, I don't think Shiina quite "understands" the concept of love at all. Her getting into a relationship of her own volition seems like a dubious proposition which I am not sure I could buy. As the series progresses and she gets more humanized (I would hope so), then perhaps the path to such an option would open up.

I get the impression she's an intuitive type and that's going to help a lot in this regard - like garbage said, her emotional intelligence seems much higher than Sorata's.

Of course time will tell on how they will handle this. What I can say though at this time is that because of her personality, I find the nature of the fanservice to be crude. I would not have cared if this series didn't take itself seriously, but I felt that changed with the latest episode in my eyes.

To the true moe fan, “cute and innocent sensuality” is like, the polar opposite of crude.

[Salt]

For those of you complaining about the "treatment" of Mashiro-chan, you do realise the show is literally called "The Pet Girl of Sakura Hall" right?

I didn't read the novels, so I don't know if they will ever develop her out of her ineptitude - she is more or less an "idiot savant", she excels are reproducing imagery but is nearly a complete zero is every other way.

It might not be necessary though, just because she has trouble grasping "social norms" doesn't mean she is incapable of falling in love.

[Chaos2Frozen]

Originally Posted by Salt

I didn't read the novels, so I don't know if they will ever develop her out of her ineptitude - she is more or less an "idiot savant", she excels are reproducing imagery but is nearly a complete zero is every other way.

I don't know if you've seen up episode 3 before commenting that, but it pretty much showed that there's more to Mashiro than just painting.


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EDIT:

Ah, also.... The Preview for Episode 4 is up...


"Baka."

第4話の本編映像をチェックされた宣伝担当ミスティ様は、胸がいっぱいになりすぎて会社のデスクで号泣され たそうで…涙もろいですね（笑）しかし、この話数はきっと皆様の心にも何かを感じてもらえるお話かと思われ ます。ぜひ見ていただきたい4話です。 #さくら荘

[DragoonKain3]

Bah, Mashiro should just take a hint from her namesake in Bakuman. Obviously her art is gonna be top notch (heck the manga should get attention just because it's drawn by an internationally renowned artist), but she should just tag team with someone who can actually write the story.

[totoum]

From that preview I thought we were just gonna have a fun festival episode to relax a little but from what I can tell from the poor google translation of the tweet posted it mentions tears and moving scenes,so I guess we're in for more drama.

[tsunade666]

google translate doesn't help but I'm sure Mashiro looks cute on Kimono and what happen to Sorata moving out of Sakurasou?

[Wezlao]

Seriously doubting he's ever going to leave Sakurasou, can't see that happening. Either that or he moves out, *cue epiphany about life without Sakurasou* and moves back in.
I would also post a spoiler, but can't figure out how to... (newbie)

[Salt]

Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen

I don't know if you've seen up episode 3 before commenting that, but it pretty much showed that there's more to Mashiro than just painting.

Yes, I have watched it.

She does have "moments of insight" - actually "weird" characters like her (in addition to smart ones) are normally the ones to deliver them because of their "outsider" perspective.

And just because a person is a "idiot savant" doesn't mean they are completely incapable of reasoning BTW.

The main traits of "idiot savants" are their exceptional talent in a very specific area but are "severely impaired" when it comes to other parts of life.

[Kyuu]

Originally Posted by Wezlao

Seriously doubting he's ever going to leave Sakurasou, can't see that happening.

The series itself ends - if that happens. Unless, the story is willing to follow him beyond Sakurasou.

[garbage]

ah nice preview... cute girls in kimono never fails

and that "baka" at the end wonder what that is about , sounds interesting. seemswe'll ne getting more depth for our characters again next episode.

[tsunade666]

Originally Posted by Kyuu

The series itself ends - if that happens. Unless, the story is willing to follow him beyond Sakurasou.

if he decides to leave then after leaving he either comes back or continue the story from his pov but chances are he will come back and realize what he is missing.

[pudding321]

Spoiler for reason:

Isn't it obvious that the series is called "Sakurasou"?

[FlareKnight]

Of course Sorata can't actually leave or the series will be done. Either he'll figure out why he can't leave while preparing to do it or he'll leave and in no time at all be right back in there.

Originally Posted by garbage

ah nice preview... cute girls in kimono never fails

and that "baka" at the end wonder what that is about , sounds interesting. seemswe'll ne getting more depth for our characters again next episode.

I'm going to assume the issue was him not laying out a compliment about Mashiro in a kimono and more just being confused as to why she's in one .

Of course now I'm just looking forward to this .

[Ray]

I just watched episode 2 and 3 back to back. Great stuff.

I loved the ending bit where it showed Jin, Misaki, Shiina and Sorata (her putting on a blanket on him again, and again, and again until she took the one that was covering her to put it on him was adorable) all alone and in pain.

[thundrakkon]

Wow, I'm really enjoying this series. It has a really nice, slice of life feel to it. I'm wondering what Sorata will decide to do with his life? Be Mashiro's life-long manager?

[~Yami~]

catching up with the series...

I like anime with inferiority theme because it pictured myself very well... I guess I'll learn a lot from Sorata Kanda (and Aoyama, maybe?)

well, I'm expecting little romance in future episode because episode 3 is little painful for the watcher... involving too much emotion is very bad for my heart...

looking forward for this series... hopefully they will do a good adaptation from the novel

[GDiddy]

A five year old can see that something will keep Sora to the school, despite the fact that he says he's hellbent on leaving.

[MisaoFan]

Spoiler for Episode 4:

As the summer hits its point with Tanabata (Japanese star festival), Sorata wants to express his feelings towards Mashiro about what's happened during her date with Jin. However, as she's somewhat upset about it, this leaves Sorata in depression. The next day, he's invited by Mashiro's editor to talk about her shoujo manga, and once he decides to confesses the plan towards Mashiro, Misaki and Jin are surprised. A really good episode that somewhat resolves about the dating issues and manga plan, and it looks like the next episode will move into Aoyama's character.

[tsunade666]

just finished episode 4 and its fantastic.

Spoiler:

the emotional trainwreck didn't stop and Mashiro shows that she can understand others affection and feelings but she can't show it on her own but her works reflects it and Sorata is annoying is more strongly than pity for the fool to look at. His inferiority complex and the gave up before doing a thing was at least fix and the real start of his journey is finally kicking in and he stays at the sakurasou dorm.

Ah I just love this series. Will comment more after a sub will be released and more people finally watch it. This is one good series and it needs more loving.

[Kirayuki]

I was pretty awed by this scene.

Spoiler:

Images

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Overall, nice episode. And the journey begins, gonna be following this show.