True Tears - Episode 5 Discussion / Poll

[Ascaloth]

Well, wow. First, we have Hiromi sharing a special little moment with Shinichiro by the beach. Then, we have Noe peeking around his house to see him dancing. Then, Shinichiro comes into Hiromi's room to speak his stuff, and it's almost as if Hiromi is saying so much more with her body language than she actually said. Finally, we have Aiko throwing her lot into the competition. Great stuff, this True Tears. There really isn't anything quite like it at the moment.

Guardian Enzo also perfectly nailed the thing about Shinichiro that I didn't like thus far, but couldn't put a description to. Indeed, he's the archetypical 'good boy'; fair enough, but male leads like Kyon and Yuuichi have unfortunately spoiled me for this type. Oh, well. :S

10/10, no doubt about it. Blog article coming soon.

[margafred]

Originally Posted by ZODDGUTS

Ding ding ding you are correct about this. Seriously why would people think that he should confess or think he has a chance with Hiromi when he heard from Hiromi herself that hes not the one she likes but the other kid (Jun), any chances of him thinking he had with her were wiped out.

Originally Posted by faust123

Don't know why you guys keep nagging on shin for being stupid. The girl he has liked FOREVER just a few days before confessed to her friend that she liked this other guy. Shin has probably been thinking about how/when to confess to hiromi for god knows how long. I think anyone who was in the same position would think this isn't the optimal time. Why would he want to put it all on the line now when it is completely reasonable to think that he will be rejected.

Because that's what forum are.To express everything that you wanna say about the anime in form of discussion.It doesn't matter if ppl accept it or not,at least you will feel better after writing down everything that you wanna tell.

I'm probably (or maybe i am) in the same group of ppl that think Shin has a chance to ended up with Hiromi.I just like Shin after all...after reading Guardian Enzo's post about how "good boy" he is Beside i like Hiromi too...she has a nice personality after all although in the beginning she probably annoyed us with her !@#$%^&*( attitude.But that change starting from episode 4...she realize that lying to herself won't get her to what she wanted.At least its good that finally she realize the mistake she made from ep 1-3.Unlike someone who're still trap in his own imagination..

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

Spoiler:

But you see, Shin is a "good boy". There are few things as humiliating for a teenage male to be, but it's not a matter of choice for a good boy - it's a compulsion. It all fits - the folk dancing, the conservative dress, the fairy tales with kawaii illustrations... He's a good step-brother, a good best friend, a good student, a good son. Like most GBs, what he longs for is to be a threat (and this drives much of the tension for his character) but he can't. He can no more let a girl stay stuck in a tree (even if he thinks she's nuts) than murder a puppy.

And as a good boy, what he did in Hiromi's bedroom was not a matter of choice. Of course he didn't want to tell her about Number 4 - he didn't want to talk at all. What he wanted to do was take her in his arms and kiss her, then throw her down on the bed and ravish her until they were both so weakened by thirst and hunger that they had to emerge for provisions. But he couldn't even tell her how he felt, so he did what he thought was the right thing to do - he told her the guy she said she liked thought she was cute. Because that's what a good boy would do.

Shin can't help himself - he's serially nice. Stop him before he helps again.

Hahahaha...

I like the way you describe him,although i don't think he gonna go to that extend to do that stuffs with Hiromi...at most i think,he only dare to ask Hiromi to be her model for his painting.

[Sinestra]

Well it sounds like things are becoming interesting indeed, Shin seems to have stuck his foot in his mouth yet once again and hopefully Aiko does what i have predicting she will do, not to mention the numerous misunderstandings and a certain male lead character deciding something on his own which is not his right i dont care if is about Hiromi. I will have to depend on spoilers until the dvd release since it has been licensed. With a series where the dialog is very important watching the RAWs just wont dont it justice especially with my japanese language skills at the moment

[Ascaloth]

Blog article is up:

[RIUVA] True Tears, Episode 5

Guardian Enzo, apologies for not asking your permission, but anyway I've quoted you on my article.

[Khaos]

This scene was just too cute

Spoiler for Screenshot:

[Var]

Originally Posted by golthin

That is the problem, it seems like he is "STILL" trying to sell himself to her instead of trying to "romance" her. HE is already going out with her, he doesn't need to prove himself. Unless if they are going out on provation, something like she told him that she doesn't like him that way, but she is going to give a try. That is the only way I can understand Nobuse always trying to sell his "good points".

You know, Nobuse and Aiko reminds me of Kai and Mao from Kimikiss!

People show their affection for someone in different ways. Nobuse's being that he constantly exclaims that he will eat anything/do anything/etc... with/from Ai. That's how he expresses himself, with boisterous words. Which is a problem, since words are nice and all but actions speak louder (ironic). The one time he did try to act he ends up startling Ai but I don't think he realizes why as she passes it off.

If he doesn't realize it soon there's not much hope for his dreams of being with her forever.

I don't know how much they are like Kai and Mao. Mao is just using Kai so that she doesn't have to think about her feelings for Kouichi. While Ai is simply stuck with Nobuse since she's clearly afraid of hurting him/being hurt.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Originally Posted by SuperKnuckles

As much as I love this show's quality, this ep gets a 7 from me. We don't see anything new that we haven't known before and it's just a continuation of everything from before. Sure, Aiko seems to be making a move and Hiromi got miffed by Shinichiro, but that was basically it. This is as close to a filler episode as it could get for this show.

I get what you're saying, but let's see: Shin actually goes to look for Noe. Noe has lunch with Hiromi. Hiromi goes for a semi-romantic walk with Shin. Noe comes and watches Shin dance, then licks his cheek. Shin ends up making Jun think he agrees to an arrangement whereby Shin goes out with Noe and Jun goes out with Hiromi. Hiromi invites Shin into her room and reveals (to us, anyway) that she wants him to say something romantic, while he tells her something romantic about another guy, which annoys her. Aiko starts to make her move on Shin. Cliffhanger.

I guess we don't see everybody changing their personalities and intentions entirely, but a plot has to be unified and coherent. As far as I'm concerned there was a lot new and exciting in this episode. Shin makes a move toward Noe for the first time, and Hiromi makes a move toward Shin for the first time. Ai starts her big move toward Shin, Noe actually just about kisses Shin, and Jun begins to move toward Hiromi.

Shin still finds Noe baffling and off-putting, but his going to look for her at the chicken cage was the first time he made the move. I think he's coming around.

[cloudninja]

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

Shin still finds Noe baffling and off-putting, but his going to look for her at the chicken cage was the first time he made the move. I think he's coming around.

Spoiler for episode 5 spoilers:

He's still unsure of his feelings towards Noe. Jun had asked him at the end of the previous episode to go out with his sister. During this scene with Noe at the start of episode 5 we don't know yet whether or not he accepted Jun's request. We find out later that he did not accept the first time since Jun visits Shin again and asks if he had made a decision. He only unwittingly accepted the second time because Jun accepted his ridiculous counter-proposal.

I don't think he was making a move. More like wondering if Jun had talked to Noe about asking Shin to go out with her but it looks like he did'nt. He was about to walk away but Noe is the one who makes a move on him. She asked if they could have lunch together but he says "It's strange for a boy and girl to eat together". When she asked "Why is it strange?" he whispers to himself "Because we're not even going out together" while telling her "You should eat lunch with your friends".

Noe then asks if he would like to go home together with her. He lies to her and says that he had dance practice that day. The thing is Noe later sees Shin walking home together with Hiromi. When they're at the beach Hiromi asks if he was supposed to have dance practice that day but he says he did'nt. They then go home together so Shin lied to Noe earlier that day about having dance practice because he did'nt want to walk home with her. By avoiding having lunch with her and not wanting to walk home with Noe, Shin was avoiding any appearance of going out with Noe. If he was making a move he would have gladly accepted both requests from Noe.

Noe is the one who makes the move by showing up the following day to his dance practice with food and then "the lick". With Jun accepting his silly counterproposal of dating Hiromi in return for going out with Noe and Shin still believing Hiromi's lie of liking Jun, events are pushing Shin towards Noe for the time being.

[Tiberium Wolf]

I am giving a 9 just because of the bedroom scene. It's so weird to have that scene repeated from different point of view.

[cloudninja]

Spoiler for Hiromi and Shin beach scene:

Too bad Hiromi shot herself in the foot again at a crucial point of the beach scene. Things were going along nicely and Shin was about to ask something important, saying "By the way, next time, would you like to...?" before getting interrupted by Hiromi who talks about Noe having lunch with her that day. Maybe Hiromi did'nt hear him since he wasn't talking that loud or she was too focused on her own train of thought but what he was about to ask could have been an important advancement in their relationship.

I think he was either going to invite her to watch his next dance practice or ask if she wanted to go someplace else next time after school. Another lost opportunity...and instead it is Noe who shows up at the next dance practice for "the lick".

[Kaoru Chujo]

Originally Posted by cloudninja

Spoiler for episode 5 spoilers:

...I don't think he was making a move. More like wondering if Jun had talked to Noe about asking Shin to go out with her but it looks like he didn't. He was about to walk away but Noe is the one who makes a move on him. She asked if they could have lunch together but he says "It's strange for a boy and girl to eat together". When she asked "Why is it strange?" he whispers to himself "Because we're not even going out together" while telling her "You should eat lunch with your friends". Noe then asks if he would like to go home together with her. He lies to her and says that he had dance practice that day.

The thing is Noe later sees Shin walking home together with Hiromi. When they're at the beach Hiromi asks if he was supposed to have dance practice that day but he says he didn't. They then go home together so Shin lied to Noe earlier that day about having dance practice because he did'nt want to walk home with her. By avoiding having lunch with her and not wanting to walk home with Noe, Shin was avoiding any appearance of going out with Noe. If he was making a move he would have gladly accepted both requests from Noe.

Noe is the one who makes the move by showing up the following day to his dance practice with food and then "the lick". With Jun accepting his silly counterproposal of dating Hiromi in return for going out with Noe and Shin still believing Hiromi's lie of liking Jun, events are pushing Shin towards Noe for the time being.

I think you're right. I got the days wrong. But I still think he's weakening. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, and maybe it's intuition. "She's not a bad kid," he tells Hiromi. But he is such a good boy that weird is hard to deal with. However, his drawing is now featuring Noe's dreams....

I really have no clue who he is going to end up with, if anyone. It would be Hiromi, according to form, but I sense something hard in the soft Hiromi, and something weak in the bold Noe. Aiko is the tomboy whom Shin is surprised to find doing something so "feminine" (?) as knitting. He wants to take away Hiromi's tears, but perhaps she is crying least of the three.

The lick and Noe's reaction to his shock are very interesting. Perhaps her interest in him is just as a friend. Otherwise, why would she be surprised that a lick on the cheek would discombobulate him so.

Good point about the beach scene. Is it possible that their various ineptitudes will being Shin and Hiromi happiness -- with Noe and Jun, respectively?

I've always loved the very Production IG dance scene in the OP (PA Works does work with Production IG). I guess that the festival will be a key point in the story. Noe's being so impressed with Shin's participation is a hint to me that she may "win." Of course, there are lots of hints on all sides.

[puretsundere]

Spoiler for Ep 5:

One of the things that confuses me in this episode is Tomoyo's text message to Hiromi's cell phone. She tells Hiromi to forget about Shinichiro and that she supports her to get #4. Wasn't it Tomoyo who has been (for a lack of the a better word) harassing Hiromi about whether she can accept giving up Shin to Noe or asking her straight up whether she liked Shinichiro? I mean, Hiromi got the text message BEFORE the conversation in her room. Also, it seemed up to that point that Hiromi and Shin were getting a little closer to one another. It seemed obvious to me that Tomoyo knew that Hiromi was lying in episode 3 when Hiromi told her she liked #4. It just seemed really weird to me for Tomoyo to all of a sudden just give up harassing her about Shin and just support her for to get #4.

[cloudninja]

Originally Posted by bmkharuhiism

Spoiler for Ep 5:

One of the things that confuses me in this episode is Tomoyo's text message to Hiromi's cell phone. She tells Hiromi to forget about Shinichiro and that she supports her to get #4. Wasn't it Tomoyo who has been (for a lack of the a better word) harassing Hiromi about whether she can accept giving up Shin to Noe or asking her straight up whether she liked Shinichiro? I mean, Hiromi got the text message BEFORE the conversation in her room. Also, it seemed up to that point that Hiromi and Shin were getting a little closer to one another. It seemed obvious to me that Tomoyo knew that Hiromi was lying in episode 3 when Hiromi told her she liked #4. It just seemed really weird to me for Tomoyo to all of a sudden just give up harassing her about Shin and just support her for to get #4.

Spoiler for above spoiler:

Tomoyo misunderstood when she saw Noe sitting and eating lunch with Hiromi. She did'nt believe Hiromi before when she said that she liked #4 (Jun) but now she began to doubt herself because Noe and Hiromi seemed friendly towards each other. She did'nt know that it was Noe herself who approached Hiromi this time and not the reverse. So she probably thought Hiromi really did want to become friends with Noe to get close to her brother, which is not true. Tomoyo started believing Hiromi's lie and later sent a text to show her support, basically saying that she would stop harassing her about Shinichiro and support Hiromi's efforts to get closer to Jun. Yet another misunderstanding to muddle things up because Tomoyo's instincts were right the first time. Tomoyo was originally right on about Hiromi liking Shinichiro and in not believing Hiromi's lie about liking #4. It does'nt help that Hiromi never admitted to liking Shinichiro despite Tomoyo's earlier suspicions.

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by Ascaloth

Blog article is up:

[RIUVA] Trial Run: True Tears, Episode 5

Guardian Enzo, apologies for not asking your permission, but anyway I've quoted you on my article.

Not at all - I'm flattered (as long as you aren't selling paid advertising!).

I would like to add that, in case my description gave the wrong impression, I really like Shin a lot. I think he's one of the most appealing Good Boys because while he follows all the rules and always does what's expected, he's extremely passionate about what he's actually feeling and this is always visible on his incredibly expressive face. This is a tribute to the animation team, because you always get a sense of the roiling emotion underneath the dialogue. I see Shin's puzzlement at the ways of the world - and girls especially - and can't help but feel for him. The poor kid just can't figure out why always doing the right thing never leads to the desired result. I suspect, before it's all said and done, he's going to go on some sort of a bender and let a bit of his inner wild child out (the fantasy of every Good Boy)....

[Shiroth]

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

Otherwise, why would she be surprised that a lick on the cheek would discombobulate him so.

She seems like the kind of girl that wouldn't expect a teacher to react like that if she licked their face. I don't think we can judge her feelings for Shin just because of that scene.

[Sinestra]

Disregarding my previous post i couldnt wait so i went ahead and watched the episode i had to give it a 10/10 all the way.

The level of misunderstandings has reached an all time high. I dont think there is single person who is truly being honest about their feelings at this point. Except for maybe Noe but shes so eccentric we dont even know what is what with her. I did notice that her full attention is now focused Shin. Even though he was a little wuss and lied to her about having dancing class on that day. But Noe forgave him just like that and with a little lick everything is fine. Noes face as she watches Shin dance was so cute.

Hiromi at this point i dont know what could help this poor girl. She has several situations none of which are favorable right now. The bed scene only pushed them future apart which is a shame after that nice walk to the beach they had. Next thing you know Shin douche of a mother is telling her not to walk with him. The misunderstandings are just out of control it hard to see whats what anymore.

Shin actually irritated me a bit in this episode but its normal because of the situation. But even if things are complicated you cant just trade a person for another to go out with their sister WTF. At least he realized that he was the one that opened his big mouth and said it. Now Noes brother is going to be putting the moves on Hiromi which equal more misunderstandings, with a friend like Shin who the hell needs enemies. SignI must be glutton for punishment because i live for this stuff Tomoyo sent that text message because she also misread the situation now we have a misunderstanding on her part too.

The episode ended with a nice cliffhanger Aiko saying dont open it which holding on to Shins back was powerful. I think she was knitting that sweater for Shin all along. Her feelings are about to burst she cant hold them in anymore and its going to be a shocker. Even if things didnt work out with Shin i dont think Aiko should stay with Nobouse. He has done nothing to earn the right to be in a relationship with her. He boast about knowing everything there is to know about her but oh how wrong he is. Honestly he does not really pay attention to her feelings it seems like hes just going through motions of what he thinks a relationship should be. Things are definitely heating up i want more damn it so much more

Next episode Possibilities
Aiko Confesses?
Shin is so shocked he thinks its a joke?
Hiromi and Shins mom have an altercation?
Noes brother hits on Hiromi? she didnt look happy about that.

This and more on the next True Tears please keep swearing to a minimum and a box of tissues handy at all times.

[cloudninja]

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

I guess that the festival will be a key point in the story. Noe's being so impressed with Shin's participation is a hint to me that she may "win." Of course, there are lots of hints on all sides.

Don't forget Hiromi's past connection with Shin at that same festival when they were younger. It's obviously a treasured memory of hers since she thought back to it in episodes 2 and 3 as she was wondering "what should I do?". I agree that the festival will play a big part in the story and look forward to it.

[Kaoru Chujo]

I guess I'm the only person in the world who still thinks there might be some truth in Hiromi's "lie" about being attracted to Jun. When she was talking about it to Shin in the previous episode, she sounded so convincing to me. And in this episode, on the beach, she made a point of mentioning to Shin that Noe had come to make friends with her, and was sort of thanking him, perhaps.

Is it possible that misunderstanding is an endemic condition of Japanese life, even more than of life elsewhere? When you're not supposed to say things directly but just hint at them, even Japanese must sometimes get the hints wrong. I wonder if that is one of the main themes of this show, in the minds of the director and the writer.

The more we think about this show, the more subtle and complex it becomes.

Another good point from cloudninja, about Hiromi and Shin's past experience at the festival.

[Irenicus]

I love your description, Guardian Enzo! If you haven't done so already, you should post that in the Shinichiro thread.

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

I guess I'm the only person in the world who still thinks there might be some truth in Hiromi's "lie" about being attracted to Jun. When she was talking about it to Shin in the previous episode, she sounded so convincing to me. And in this episode, on the beach, she made a point of mentioning to Shin that Noe had come to make friends with her, and was sort of thanking him, perhaps.

Remember though, this is shonen romance. Girls who really really like the main character (and there's no doubt anymore that Hiromi digs the Good Step-Brother*) aren't allowed to have pre-existing complicated love feelings involving another nice young man, no sir. That stuff only exists in shoujo romance, and don't let anyone tells you otherwise.

* The body language in Hiromi's room scene anyone? I have as much knowledge about girls' body language as I do the amazing mysteries of the Universe, but even I can recognize those...poses...as rather inviting signs. Not for him to jump in literally of course, but y'know.

######

I'm loving this show, really. It's kind of hard at the same time since all the girls are likable to various degrees, and they'll all going through a bunch of interesting developments. And LOL indeed at Shin's sarcasm backfiring on him big time.

Unlike the majority of people it seems, I don't find Aiko that special. She's a nice girl, a best friend, and someone in a big love trouble. But otherwise compare to the other two girls she's just kind of "normal." She finally makes her move though. Oh the drama! What will happen to the friendship between Nobuse and Shin as a result!?

Noe is awesome. At first she's just "moe" weird. Now we see that she really is a nice girl. It's amazing how quick she forgives Shin for his lie, and the way she tells him (I doubt he gets it though) is really cute. Her influence is now dominating the artistic creations of the Good Boy (I'll call him that from now on), quite a feat.

Hiromi is my favorite though. Cinderella! (lulz)

[golthin]

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

I guess I'm the only person in the world who still thinks there might be some truth in Hiromi's "lie" about being attracted to Jun. .

Pretty much you are on your own island. The funny thing is that someone on another forum said that there must not be anyone left in the world with your thinking and I said "oh yes there will be"