True Tears - Episode 9 Discussion / Poll

[PhantomX]

Originally Posted by DanielSong39

Sigh... just as I feared. The writers are starting to run out of ideas and are starting to lean on plot devices and cheap tricks to move things along. I hoped this show would be above such things - but I suppose not.

But what's really killing this show for me is Hiromi's inherent ugliness and her pattern of destruction. Quite unbelievably, my sympathy for Shin's mother has only grown with each passing episode - and Hiromi's presence alone is enough to fill me with dread. Just what will she wreck next? Shin and Noe's relationship has to be the next item on the agenda.

I can only see a few reasons for the recent turn of events - and none of them are much cause for optimism:

(1) Hiromi will "overcome" her obstacles and end up with Shin, her true love.

This really sends a bad message on many fronts. Her relationship with Shin is not a healthy one and is built on jealousy, emotions, and deception. Their level of communication is poor and their actions are even poorer. And just look at them when they're on the screen together; they're miserable half the time! Just contrast that with Shin and Noe's relationship, which is so much more open, refreshing, and productive. Is it merely a coincidence that Shin's efforts at drawing hit a wall when based on Hiromi, but developed and grew with Noe's encouragement?

(2) Hiromi is intended to be the antagonist, which will only increase the level of euphoria when Noe wins.

This actually makes more sense, but the way they're doing it is rather cheap. Such a turn of events is more satisfying when the writers build upon the positive, instead of pushing the negative. For that reason episode 8 was more productive to the final outcome than 9. In addition, episode 9 seemed to run as a series of plot devices instead of a natural evolution of the personalities, which also weakens the story. On the plus side Noe once again demonstrated her superiority over Hiromi, which strengthens her position.

(3) This is the start of a downward spiral, the precursor to "Nice Boat".

Possible, but not probable. School Days was a true pioneer in this area and it will be a very tough act to follow. Constructing such an implosion will be a difficult task and it will undoubtedly result in mixed reactions. How will they pull it off? Here's one idea:

A. Hiromi self-destructs. Not a hard thing to imagine, considering her general pattern.
B. Noe gets struck with a deadly illness. Hey, why not? It looks like the writers have exhausted every common plot device except for this one.
C. Shin, Jun, and Hiromi reenact KGNE. One can imagine plenty of back-stabbing in this circle, if not the infidelities.
D. In a subplot, Miyokichi and Ai find creative ways to achieve new lows in their relationship.
E. Show ends with Noe dead and everyone else miserable - but her death inspires others to look forward to a brighter future...

I hope this show can surprise me and really redeem itself. But even as I enjoyed the last few episodes, I couldn't shake the troubling signs - and it looks like they may be confirmed.

You've hit every note that I have heard... the only thing I dislike is that Aiko is lying to both herself and Nobuse every day she's with him... I can understand her agreeing to date Nobuse out of pity b/c she sees that he's a nice guy/good boy or whatever... but sticking w/ him when she feels so strongly for someone else is just wrong...

[tun]

Does anyone know what Noe says in the next episode preview?

[serenade_beta]

Originally Posted by tun

Does anyone know what Noe says in the next episode preview?

If I heard right (omoreteku):

"It gets heavier... and heavier... and heavier."

[OmniZeroAlpha]

Originally Posted by tun

Does anyone know what Noe says in the next episode preview?

If I'm hearing it correctly...どんどんおもれてく。。。どんどん。。。どんどん (dondon omoreteku...dondon...dondon), which would translate to "steadily and continuously getting serious, steadily, steadily" <--translated literally

Makes sense given the direction of events...

haha, beat me to it. Same meaning I suppose

[tun]

Ha, I see I'm not the only one with confusion. What are you guys using as the root word? Usually it's easy to figure out with context, but since it's a preview, it could mean anything. >_<

do you guys think it could possibly be umoreteku? Something like being buried (root word umoreru). Based on series context, it seems more plausible. But then again, I don't think it really sounds like umoreteku

[Xess]

Am I the only who thinks she's saying (hanareteku)

As in, noe and shin are drifting apart?

[OmniZeroAlpha]

The only root I can find would be "omoru," which means "getting serious or heavy." I think it fits with the direction of the story.

[Xess]

But won't that be from the potential form, omoreru?

"Can be getting heavier and heavier" is just plain odd...

[Hypernova]

Those two seem way too calm about the crash. If I was Jun I would be freaking out about the bike (he said he hasn't finished the loan on it yet). Plus I would never have swivelled for a damn rabbit, I'm the type who would just roll over it.

So sad for Noe, the best girl always loses.

[EDIT]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pQxxvY7X4U True tears 300 <-absofucking brilliant!!!

[Supah Em]

^ fscking awesome!!!

[Seravy]

great episode. too bad about jun's bike +rep to shin's dad for the back hand, and shin's mom for lightening up. although it looks bad for noe now, i would not count her out. pure love ftw.

[Pellissier]

Originally Posted by Hypernova

[EDIT]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pQxxvY7X4U True tears 300 <-absofucking brilliant!!!

Originally Posted by supahem

^ fscking awesome!!!

That was already posted in the True Tears Music Videos thread (also valid for MADs and such) thus its discussion belong there. Do not drag the discussion off topic by commenting it here. Thanks

[Hypernova]

heh didn't notice the MAD thread until I posted that.

[ZODDGUTS]

Originally Posted by cloudninja

Spoiler for above:

The scene between Hiromi and Shin's mother near the end of episode 8 showed that Shin's mother realized how much she was hurting Hiromi. Watch her reaction to Hiromi's outburst before running away. In episode 7 there was a more subtle clue that she was starting to feel sorry for what she did when she was going to talk to Hiromi but Shin came back home so she was interrupted. The episode 6 confrontation between Hiromi and Shin's mom was when she first thought about how her words were affecting Hiromi and that led to the episode 7 scene where she seemed apologetic but could'nt really say anything before being interrupted by Shin. So for the past year Shin's mother never took Hiromi's feelings into account (at least not in a good way) and never thought about how much it was hurting her until recent episodes. Hiromi's outbursts made Shin's mom realize that she went too far by transferring her hate to Hiromi. The fact that Hiromi ran away made it more clear to her that it was wrong to have done what she did, that's why she was so worried in episode 9. She was worried about both Shin and Hiromi being gone so long. As for why she told the lie, there are a few good theories if you're willing to look into the speculations threads. Or just wait until it's revealed in an upcoming episode.

Yup there definitely was a lead up to Shin's mom realization of her harsh treatment to Hiromi and as to how her negative effects has been affecting Hiromi. In this episode she freak out as to what Hiromi might end up doing that's why she went to look for her very worryingly.

Anyways about the episode really laughed at the part where Shin's dad bitch slap him lol the look Shin gave to his dad "omg whyyyy?" shock look was priceless.

Also think that Hiromi fear of the crash didn't set in until Shin hugged her, explains why she was acting a bit odd or should I say too normal after the crash happend. I mean if your in a bike accident you wouldn't act that way I guess she was still in "shock" and it didn't sunk in till Shin hugged her.

Shin will probably still convince himself that he likes Noe but Noe will slap some sense into him and make him realsize that he really can't give up Hiromi after all. It's pretty clear that's what is going to be happening in the next episode. Jun still doesn't seem to be giving up on Hiromi but it seems like Hiromi doesn't want to be with him anymore.

[Deathkillz]

Originally Posted by DanielSong39

(1) Hiromi will "overcome" her obstacles and end up with Shin, her true love.

This really sends a bad message on many fronts. Her relationship with Shin is not a healthy one and is built on jealousy, emotions, and deception. Their level of communication is poor and their actions are even poorer. And just look at them when they're on the screen together; they're miserable half the time! Just contrast that with Shin and Noe's relationship, which is so much more open, refreshing, and productive. Is it merely a coincidence that Shin's efforts at drawing hit a wall when based on Hiromi, but developed and grew with Noe's encouragement?

Haha...sounds like a perfect match.

I see that shin's personality is a much closer match to hiromi than noe so they should be "happier" together. Those chickens can remain grounded whereas noe flies off into the sky

As much as I dislike how noe was just blown off like that seen as they could have had something special, I think it is for the best that she doesn't stay with a person who can't fly ^^

[usagijen]

Spoiler for episode 9...:

'tis a sad episode for Noe x Shin fans... sigh =/

like hashihime, I found Nakagami-kaasan's thawing and acceptance a little too fast... I can't help but think she's still keeping some secrets, especially when she clenched her bag when Hiromi asked if all that she said was a lie. hmmm... or am I just being paranoid? XD

[Ascaloth]

Watched Episode 9.

Erm....it was pretty weird for a True Tears episode. Just like that, poof, Aiko just completely disappeared. Just like that, poof, the angst between Shinichiro and Hiromi just disappeared. Just like that, poof, Noe's carefree attitude just disappeared. Just like that, poof, everything that had been characterizing what True Tears was all about, just disappeared.

Right weird. I'm still trying to digest what I've just been given. 7/10, because all this episode managed to do was to leave me at a bit of a loss. 3 more episodes, what's left?

[Grimkill7]

Lol at everyone about to throw in the towel because of a HiromixShin ending.
1. There are still 4 episodes to go, so Hiromi's chances definitely went down, not up. Way down.
2. No one cares about Shin anyways. Like I said in another thread, Nobuse should have been the main character. As long as he and Aiko are in this show, I'll watch it to the end.

[golthin]

Originally Posted by Grimkill7

2. No one cares about Shin anyways. Like I said in another thread, Nobuse should have been the main character. As long as he and Aiko are in this show, I'll watch it to the end.

I agree to a point, I am only watching the show because of Aiko. I am glad next week she gets some love. I want at least one thing, and that is for Aiko to break up with Nobuse, I don't care if later at episode 13 they ge back together. She need the break up so they can actually grow a real relationship. Nobuse needs to win Aiko on his own merits, If i am reading the writer right, she wanted us to know that Nobuse never got with Aiko for his merits and that is a shame because I kind of saw for the first time Nobuse's good qualities in episode 9.

[ZODDGUTS]

Lots of bitter tears in this thread lol, I myself prefer Shin with Noe but oh well just gotta accept the fact that ShinXHiromi is gonna happen.