Penguin Drum - Spoilers & Speculation - Novel Penguins

[Kairin]

This thread is for the experienced Penguin Drum viewer (i.e. those of you who are familiar with potentially all the light novels / manga), its purpose is to allow free discussion of theories and speculation over the Penguin Drum anime series, it therefore will contain unmarked spoilers. If you are a light novel / manga virgin of Penguin Drum, then do not read this thread unless you want to be spoiled (use the Penguin Drum - Spoilers & Speculation thread).

Since posters are expected to be familiar with the light novel / manga, there is no real need for spoiler tags, but feel free to include them if you so wish.

Adding a Spoiler tag:
Just highlight your spoiler and click the button found on the "Quick Reply" and "Reply to Thread" forms.
Make sure that you include a title that clearly identifies the specific source of the spoiler!

Finally, please remain on-topic and do not use this thread if it's just discussion about the current or previous anime episodes. Also remember that this isn't a light novel / manga discussion thread, if you do want to discuss the light novel then please use the existing thread.

[Kirarakim]

I get really confused where to discuss the novel on here but since it is starting to be translated (by Good Haro) I figure this is the right spot.

And although the first post says no spoiler tags needed I will use them just in case

Spoiler for Novel 2 Be Warned:

So in the chapter that corresponds with episode 17 it seems Shouma realizes that Kanba must be doing something to get all that money. Again he reflects on his inability to do anything.

Kanba brings a sizable chunk of change home from time to time. I really want to ask him where it's coming from, but no matter how hard I press him I doubt he'd tell me. More over, we really need the money. If Kanba weren't coming up with the money somehow, we wouldn't be able to keep going like this. I musn't follow him, or look at his phone. I do want to ask him what he's doing, and if it's something dangerous I want him to stop. But, it might be worse if the truth came out and it was something awful and the three of us couldn't live together anymore. In the end, I'm just causing Kanba trouble. Of course, if Kanba asked me to help him, I'd try to help, but realistically if it was a burden we both shared, Kanba would end up shouldering most of the weight alone. Probably.

It seems Kanba also wants to "protect" Shouma saying something like

I'll figure it out somehow, just like I always have. So, you just keep on smiling. Especially in front of Himari. Got it?"

Reminds me of when he told Shouma to keep his innocence in episode 3.

Anyways I really hope the anime conveys this scene somehow. I think the anime hasn't done a good job (so far) of conveying that Shouma does feel useless & his fear if he did anything he would just cause trouble.

It is also nice to finally get a moment between Kanba & Shouma again. It feels like it's been awhile.

[YayPepsi]

All right so since this is from the novel I'll just post this here. >_> Some more translations from Good Haro, she posted them on 4chan.

Spoiler:

The atmosphere in the general ward was a little different from Dr. Sanetoshi's exam room and Himari's private room. For a place performing cutting-edge medical treatments, the decor was awfully antiquated––like something out of a fairytale. Kanba and I still weren't used to it. But, Himari seemed pleased that everything was to her tastes, and the two boys helping Dr. Sanetoshi seemed reliable and kind even though there was something off about them that I couldn't quite put my finger on.

We came up with a scheme to make Takoyaki in Himari's room so those two wouldn't notice.

"Isn't the smell gonna give us away?" I peered hesitantly out of the room and Kanba shot me a look. He'd already mixed the ingredients and started cooking the Takoyaki––he's better at this than I give him credit.

We had the Takoyaki cooker and ingredients spread about the floor and smoke was pouring out the window, let alone the smell. If someone saw it there's nothing we could say to cover it up.

"It really does smell wonderful!" Himari said admiringly

That's not really what I'd meant. But, I'm just glad that Himari's smiling. The penguins were all drooling as they stared at the takoyaki cooker.

"Shoma's dashi really makes it. You can use octopus or cheese even." Kanba quickly poked a takoyaki with a skewer.

"Ooh, they're coming along nicely." Himari's eyes glittered.

"Alright, behold!" Kanba made a stupid pose, rolling up his sleeves and then grabbing a skewer and quickly flipping a takoyaki, making it perfectly round.

"Wow Kan! You're really good at flipping them!" Himari clapped. Penguin Three copied her.

"It's nothing. This and Okonomiyaki are the only things I'm better at than Shoma." Kanba said with pride and then looked over at me. "Shoma, [you keep look out and] tell us if someone's coming. I don't want anyone to get mad at us."

"Man, who crowned you king of takoyaki-flipping. I'm pretty good at it too, you know." The hall outside Himari's room didn't even seem like it was part of the same building. It wasn't really very busy today, but I didn't think there was any way the smell and the smoke could go unnoticed.

"Himari, they're hot so be careful." The way Kanba deftly flipped the takoyaki out onto plates, he almost looked like a jolly food-stall keeper.

Himari put on sauce and aonori and then piled the plate high with bonito flakes. With a "let's eat!" she blew on them several times and then scarfed them.

"They're hot but delicious. Takoyaki really is best when eaten with family." Himari said as she started feeding the penguins takoyaki off her plate. The penguins waited in a line with their mouths open and stuffed their faces like plump little baby birds.

"We thought you were getting tired of hospital food, so eat up." Kanba smiled, satisfied.

"Hey, leave some for me." I said, just to be sure, turning back from the door where I was keeping watch on the hallway.

"Mmm, these are delicious." Kanba said like he couldn't hear me as he ate a takoyaki from my plate while preparing to make a second batch.

"Kanba!"{uh oh, eating Shoma's food=heads will roll}

[Kirarakim]

Really nice to see a moment of bonding like that between the 3 siblings.

Hope it will make it in the anime. I do think I read some scenes in the novel will be extended & might not be in the animated version.

[VictorVV]

Maybe the curve in the metro line means that the anime will diverge from the novel at that point. It would fit with the release date.

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by VictorVV

Maybe the curve in the metro line means that the anime will diverge from the novel at that point. It would fit with the release date.

No, Takahashi Kei already confirmed the novel won't diverge from the anime storyline.

[YayPepsi]

More from the novel! Thanks to Good Haro

Spoiler:

"Right Sho! You like lots of aonori on yours, don't you? It's hot so be careful." Himari said as she handed me a plate. Her completely unmalicious smile {I swear this phrase comes up at least 3 times every chapter}, made me unconsciously return a slovenly smile.

"Himari." Our little sister really is the nicest. I closed the door to the room for a bit as I took the plate and said "thank you." There's no chance someone would come by right now.

"Himari, you can just give Shoma the leftover crumbs of dough." Kanba said sarcastically.

"Yeah and just give Kanba some sauce to slurp up!"

I stuck my tongue out at Kanba as he glared at me.

Himari let out a little sigh and then burst into laughter.

"Come on Kan, Sho, don't fight over silly things! It's so childish."

Kanba's eyes met mine for a second. Himari seemed really happy. She was laughing cheerfully and eating takoyaki. What we wanted wasn't anything special at all. But this "normalcy" was very "special" to us.

"I'm so glad that you're well, Himari." I said softly, sitting on the floor.

"Yeah. I've been getting a lot better lately. Thanks to that medicine." Himari smiled as she pressed Number Three's cheeks together. "And you know what Dr. Sanetoshi said? After this next shot I can probably leave the hospital."

"Really!" I shouted with a mouth full of Takoyaki.

"Really. Since Dr. Sanetoshi said so I'm sure I'll be fine."

I looked at Kanba as if to say, "we did it," but for some reason he was frowning as he flipped the takoyaki.

"Oh, then next time we should make Sukiyaki for your coming home party!"

"Ooh, really? Yay!" Himari said, all smiles, not noticing Kanba's demeanor.

"We've gotta make sure you're getting enough nutrition, right!"

"Oh, that reminds me. I've got something I wanted to ask you two. Himari put down her plate and scrambled over to the bed and pulled some knitting out of a paper bag on the white side table.

"Ta-da!" She spread it out for us to see.

"Ooh, what is it this time?"

"It's a sweater."

"Quite a large challenge, this time." Most of Himari's crafting had been limited to cute little accessories and embroidery and applique.


At this rate, Himari would probably be able to make her own clothes.

That's how Himari told us she was determined to live.

"So, what do you think of the color?" She sounded a little anxious and awkward as she held the sweater up to her body.

It was a rather austere color for Himari to have picked––the yarn was grey with a hint of purple.

"It's nice. Yeah, but, it's a little too dull of a color for you, Himari." I answered gently.

"Oh, no, it's not for me." Himari averted her eyes just a little and her cheeks grew red. "Um, it's for a man. I want to thank him."

"Huh? A man?" I wasn't expecting that. But, since Himari said it was to "thank" him, whoever it was probably didn't have any ulterior motives. And anyway, Himari's world was restricted to our family home and the hospital. And it's not like Himari was likely to get to know Oginome much after this. I don't really understand the details, but I think even Himari needs more varied relationships and world [experiences].

"Kan, what do you think?"

"It's fine, I guess. It's not really my taste though. I dunno what that guy likes."

Kanba smiled bitterly as he spoke with a relatively calm tone, but it surprise me. "That guy"––does he know who she's giving it to? Himari looked puzzled.

"Hey Himari~ Who're you giving that to?" I tried asking cheerfully. {lol, Shoma} "Is it someone we know~?"

"Ehehe, that's confidential." Himari giggled softly, embarrassed.

"Could it be..." Kanba said "that guy" but, maybe it's for us. I smiled unconsciously and scratched my head, "Yeah, right~!"

"It's a secret! A secret!" Himari clutched the sweater to her chest and flopped onto the bed. She rummaged around and put it back in the paper bag.

"Himari's really energetic now, isn't she." I said quietly to Kanba.

"Yeah."

"The three of us will be able to live together again soon." I let out a big sigh. "Maybe things will finally return to normal again. Since we won't have to be ordered around by a freaky hat and chase some crazy diary around for who knows why."

"No, you still need to!"

The voice that cut in sounded familiar. Oh, right. Until recently, it was manipulating us.

When Kanba and I lifted our heads, upon the bed was Himari, wearing the penguin hat with sparkling red eyes.

"Survival Strategy!"

Someone's jealous.

Edit: Even more penguin fun:

Spoiler:

Before I could shout in surprise, a wave of tattered lace and frills
assailed me at once. The soft sensation of white light and a sweet
aroma. It seemed like it'd continue forever into this misty world, no
matter how far forward you tried to go.

Himari, wearing the penguin hat, looked as perfect as she always had.
She seemed to be blowing white frills with her lips and parting the
lace with a single finger.

The entire space vibrated with the clicks of her heels.

She came right up to us, still dumbfounded, and smiled broadly.

"Listen up you lowlifes who will never amount to anything!"

My eyes met Kanba's. Our mouths were both half open. The only thing we
were sure of was that we didn't understand what was going on at all.

"You're telling us to 'listen up' again?" Kanba mumbled as he picked
himself off the ground.

"We don't need you anymore!" Even if we didn't have the penguin hat, we
have Dr. Sanetoshi's medicine now. As long as we have that, we should
be able to save Himari. I believe Kanba when he says not to worry about
the money. And then we don't need to worry about "transferring fate"
with the diary.

We don't need anything to do with the Penguin Drum or the diary anymore.

"Knaves! Have you forgotten your duty! Obtain the Penguin Drum!" The
hat-queen seemed a bit annoyed and stomped on the floor twice with her
left foot. The floor shook an unreasonable amount. We were both tossed
in the air a bit. {bad phrasing, but the floor's shaking so much
they're, like, knocked off the floor a bit idk how the fuck you
describe this in English}.

"Is this some sort of grand exit or something?" I looked out over the
alternate dimension again as it turned back to normal. Everything was
dyed in a dull color, the aroma died away in an unbelievable fashion as
the penguin queen's elegant black penguin dress was pulled back, its
long hem dragging on the floor. "Is it because Himari is better? Is
that why?"

"So, was the Penguin Drum the diary after all?" Kanba asked like he
just wanted to check.

The penguin hat had a meek expression on her face and was silent for a
moment.

"That's confidential."

"We haven't seen you in such long time and you just tell us 'that's
confidential'?" Kanba and I couldn't help but be amazed. Further, even
though Himari's adorable mouth was saying those words, it wasn't cute
at all.

"But, I will give you one big hint as a bonus. If you ignore the
Penguin Drum like this, someone in your family will probably be
severely punished."

I straightened up unconsciously at the word "punish." I couldn't just
ignore it. And I didn't know what it'd be either. I still couldn't
relax. Because "punishment" is unfair. We didn't know when we would be
punished. I'd forgotten that.

"What do you mean?" Kanba stood up.

"Harm will befall what you two treasure most."

"Most? What are you going on about?" When Himari collapsed, I thought
she was being taken from us as punishment. But, we'd avoided it. What
we treasure -most-.

It's too abstract.

"What we treasure most." Kanba folded his arms, deep in thought.

The penguin hat hmph'd and glared at us in turn.

"What's wrong with you! We were just having fun, eating takoyaki with
our family and you come out of the blue and say this stuff and expect a
'oh yes, of course.'?!" After I'd said It I realized waht was coming.
I'm sure it'll happen next."Wait, wait, I'm not done!"

As I expected, the floor opened beneath my feet and I was plunged into
darkness. As I fell through the darkness, I felt completely anxious. I
guess we can't go back to normal so easily after all.
I guess just wanting to live a quiet life, the three of us together,
was asking for too much.

Our punishment wasn't over yet.

"Let's initiate the Survival Strategy!" I could hear a strong, low
voice say from far above me.

Maybe punishment is something that follows you around for your entire
life. Maybe we would never know peace again. In which case, why did we
have to do all this hurting and crying and shouting? Above all else, I
was tired of trying to sort my thoughts and feelings according to that
one little word: "fate."



"I guess it can't be me, right?" Kanba said to the penguin hat queen,
hanging his head. "Is it already too late for me to save Himari?"

The penguin hat softly took a breath, and walked in front of Kanba.

"You can do it. I know that." Himari narrowed her red eyes and leaned
over to touch Kanba's messy hair. "That is because, the Penguin Drum
is. It's your–"

"It's impossible for me!" Kanba cried out in a heartbreaking tone and
Himari hugged his head to her chest.

The penguin hat sweetly brushed his hair and, in a voice so quiet it
was barely a voice she whispered, "It's not impossible."

The aroma of the penguin hat's world became so strong it was
suffocating and a wave of soft frills enveloped Kanba. The force of it
made him close his eyes and he could feel Himari's pleasantly cool
fingers gently touching his eyelids.

"Don't be mislead."

By the way, when the translator gives these a more permanent home, I'll delete what I have pasted here and post the links. The only reason I'm copying and pasting is because they're on 4chan and threads get deleted quickly over there. For what it's worth though, here's a link to the archived thread: http://archive.foolz.us/a/thread/56665385#p56672339

[Narzia]

Originally Posted by YayPepsi

More from the novel! Thanks to Good Haro

Spoiler:

"So, was the Penguin Drum the diary after all?" Kanba asked like he
just wanted to check.

The penguin hat had a meek expression on her face and was silent for a
moment.

"That's confidential."

"We haven't seen you in such long time and you just tell us 'that's
confidential'?" Kanba and I couldn't help but be amazed. Further, even
though Himari's adorable mouth was saying those words, it wasn't cute
at all.

"But, I will give you one big hint as a bonus. If you ignore the
Penguin Drum like this, someone in your family will probably be
severely punished."

I straightened up unconsciously at the word "punish." I couldn't just
ignore it. And I didn't know what it'd be either. I still couldn't
relax. Because "punishment" is unfair. We didn't know when we would be
punished. I'd forgotten that.

"What do you mean?" Kanba stood up.

"Harm will befall what you two treasure most."

"Most? What are you going on about?" When Himari collapsed, I thought
she was being taken from us as punishment. But, we'd avoided it. What
we treasure -most-.

It's too abstract.

"What we treasure most." Kanba folded his arms, deep in thought.

The penguin hat hmph'd and glared at us in turn.

"What's wrong with you! We were just having fun, eating takoyaki with
our family and you come out of the blue and say this stuff and expect a
'oh yes, of course.'?!" After I'd said It I realized waht was coming.
I'm sure it'll happen next."Wait, wait, I'm not done!"

As I expected, the floor opened beneath my feet and I was plunged into
darkness. As I fell through the darkness, I felt completely anxious. I
guess we can't go back to normal so easily after all.
I guess just wanting to live a quiet life, the three of us together,
was asking for too much.

Our punishment wasn't over yet.

"Let's initiate the Survival Strategy!" I could hear a strong, low
voice say from far above me.

Maybe punishment is something that follows you around for your entire
life. Maybe we would never know peace again. In which case, why did we
have to do all this hurting and crying and shouting? Above all else, I
was tired of trying to sort my thoughts and feelings according to that
one little word: "fate."



"I guess it can't be me, right?" Kanba said to the penguin hat queen,
hanging his head. "Is it already too late for me to save Himari?"

The penguin hat softly took a breath, and walked in front of Kanba.

"You can do it. I know that." Himari narrowed her red eyes and leaned
over to touch Kanba's messy hair. "That is because, the Penguin Drum
is. It's your–"

"It's impossible for me!" Kanba cried out in a heartbreaking tone and
Himari hugged his head to her chest.

The penguin hat sweetly brushed his hair and, in a voice so quiet it
was barely a voice she whispered, "It's not impossible."

The aroma of the penguin hat's world became so strong it was
suffocating and a wave of soft frills enveloped Kanba. The force of it
made him close his eyes and he could feel Himari's pleasantly cool
fingers gently touching his eyelids.

"Don't be mislead."

Spoiler for huh:

This part is interesting. When asked about whether Penguindrum is the diary the Princess first tells them it's confidential, yet once Shouma is gone she was about to spill the beans, implying Shouma, for whatever reason, mustn't know.

"It's your-"
His what? Brother? Might it be Shouma? If it is, or indeed if it's anything but the diary we land at another question altogether: If it's not the diary, why send them (or rather Shouma, since Kanba hasn't really done anything to chase it in a long time) on a wild goose chase?

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by Narzia

Spoiler for huh:

If it's not the diary, why send them (or rather Shouma, since Kanba hasn't really done anything to chase it in a long time) on a wild goose chase?

I hope there will be a really good explanation for this. Otherwise it will ruin the plot for me.

[YayPepsi]

Well, it could be his anything. For all you know she might have been saying

Spoiler:

"it's your brother's friend's diary."

Wording it that way would have of course been a fake-out though.

I'm interested in the fact that Sanetoshi

Spoiler:

may have been misleading Kanba when he told him that he wasn't good enough. At least, PoC seems to think that he still has a shot. I hope he follows her advice.

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by YayPepsi

Well, it could be his anything. For all you know she might have been saying

Spoiler:

"it's your brother's friend's diary."

Wording it that way would have of course been a fake-out though.

Yeah, that would be a bit retarded IMO.

I think this is like what happened in Utena.

Spoiler for utena and penguin spoilers:

Akio was looking for the sword that would supposedly open the door to revolutionize the world. But when he actually got it, the sword couldn't open the door.

Utena ended up opening the door with her bare hands. So in the end, it wasn't the magic in the sword what did the trick, but rather Utena's will to save her friend.


I think Penguindrum may be heading to such an ending. Everyone and their mother are looking for the diary, but at the end I bet the diary won't work as they want to, and it will be something corny as hell like Kanba's heart/love (the real penguindrum) what will save the day.

Basically Utena 2.0. With this, Ikuhara is starting to look more and more like a one trick pony IMO.

[YayPepsi]

Utena's ending moved me to tears on more than one occasion. </sap> So if the ending's even a bit as good as Utena's I'll be happy, even if they do end up being similar.

[Kirarakim]

I also thought the Utena ending was wonderful and I actually had a lot of issues connecting with Utena as a series but I thought the ending was fantastic.

Anyways I don't really have any theories about this because unlike Shouma & Shouma/Ringo I don't feel like I can get my head around where Ikuhara wants to go with Kanba Kanba/Himari.

I still almost feel like letting go of Himari might be important but who knows.

However I don't think a storyteller using similar themes in more than one work is a bad thing. I actually like when there is a connection between a creators work because then you can truly see their creative stamp on it. Of course not that I had a problem seeing Ikuhara all over Penguindrum before this though.

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by YayPepsi

Utena's ending moved me to tears on more than one occasion. </sap> So if the ending's even a bit as good as Utena's I'll be happy, even if they do end up being similar.

I liked it too. It's just that after 10 years I can't help expecting something different... equally powerful, but different.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by Kirarakim

However I don't think a storyteller using similar themes in more than one work is a bad thing. I actually like when there is a connection between a creators work because then you can truly see their creative stamp on it. Of course not that I had a problem seeing Ikuhara all over Penguindrum before this though.

It's not about the themes really. It's cool if he wants to revisit the same themes he touched upon in Utena, as long as he does it in a different way. That's all I want.

[Kirarakim]

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

It's not about the themes really. It's cool is he wants to revisit the same themes he touched upon in Utena, as long as he do it in a different way. That's all I want.

Well I don't think it can be exactly the same because while in Utena: Anthy & Utena always came out as the main protagonists I think it's not so clear cut in Penguindrum:


We have Natsume trying to save Mario
Yuri trying to bring back Momoka

Spoiler for Novel 2:

And Tabuki

Kanba (& Shouma) trying to save Himari

And I do know in Utena all the supporting characters had something they wanted to do as well but I felt their stories were presented as their own stories. There is a larger connection between all the characters here.

And also while I feel Kanba will play a large part in all this I can't discount that Shouma will be important somehow too (and Ringo). It's pretty clear the story is trying to make it like he feels he can't do anything for a reason.

So really I don't think it is very easy to predict exactly where the story will go!

[YayPepsi]

So really I don't think it is very easy to predict exactly where the story will go!

Yeah, I agree! It's been quite a ride so far. I hadn't been able to predict half the things that happened in this show. It definitely went a different direction than what I expected after the first episode.

[YayPepsi]

The entire chapter is here: http://privatepaste.com/b1815dfea7

Spoiler:

I wonder what made Tabuki snap like that? Hopefully we get some explanation.

[faburosumakusu]

first chunk of episode 18/chapter 9:

http://privatepaste.com/15d5fb4f0f

Also, prologue of the 2nd novel:

http://penguindrum.livejournal.com/36747.html#cutid1

[YayPepsi]

Oh no, I said I wouldn't look. But...it's so tempting. D:

[Kirarakim]

I can't stay away from spoilers. But hey only one more ep will be spoiled. The final novel that corresponds to the last 6 eps won't be out until after the anime is finished.