True Tears - Speculations & Theories

[X207]

just picked up this series yesterday an i think i know how it will end in eps +9. the only thing that im not too sure about is hiromi's father, the rest is the usual plot.

[relentlessflame]

Continued from the Episode 12 thread.

Originally Posted by golthin

I am going to play dumb, but care to elaborate on that.

Spoiler:

I am not much into OST ! I know where they played the first half of OST track 30, but where do you think they will play the second half.

Spoiler for Episode 13 speculation based on OST and Episode 12:

Well, to give the full explanation, it's the song associated with Hiromi and Shinichirou's festival encounter from the past where she got seperated from him and broke her sandal, and Shinichirou found her again, took off his own sandal, and led her around the festival. As you know, it's the scene that defines their relationship, and the reason she moved into his house. The ending of the current episode, as Shinichirou left Hiromi to go find Noe, she took off her left sandal and in her almost childlike voice started quietly crying "don't leave me!". The setup for a repeat of the past is complete. In terms of the song, Hiromi has now been seperated from Shinichirou and removed her sandle (first half of the song, as heard before), which leads to the transition (~1:30) and build up (~2:00) towards a final resolution. The song has been used so far basically as "Hiromi's Theme", and the second half of the song leading to the end is basically "Hiromi's Theme (Reprise)". (A Reprise, in a musical or play, is sort of like an "encore" -- it a recap of an earlier song, usually in a grander more "summary" like way.) Likewise, song 32 on the OST is the "True Tears Theme (reprise)/Epilogue". Music in anime is a case of theme and variation, and themes are tied to specific characters and events. A good OST essentially tells the entire story of the anime in music, and I would argue that this is one very good OST.

[golthin]

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

Continued from the Episode 12 thread.

Spoiler for Episode 13 speculation based on OST and Episode 12:

Well, to give the full explanation, it's the song associated with Hiromi and Shinichirou's festival encounter from the past where she got seperated from him and broke her sandal, and Shinichirou found her again, took off his own sandal, and led her around the festival. As you know, it's the scene that defines their relationship, and the reason she moved into his house. The ending of the current episode, as Shinichirou left Hiromi to go find Noe, she took off her left sandal and in her almost childlike voice started quietly crying "don't leave me!". The setup for a repeat of the past is complete. In terms of the song, Hiromi has now been seperated from Shinichirou and removed her sandle (first half of the song, as heard before), which leads to the transition (~1:30) and build up (~2:00) towards a final resolution. The song has been used so far basically as "Hiromi's Theme", and the second half of the song leading to the end is basically "Hiromi's Theme (Reprise)". (A Reprise, in a musical or play, is sort of like an "encore" -- it a recap of an earlier song, usually in a grander more "summary" like way.) Likewise, song 32 on the OST is the "True Tears Theme (reprise)/Epilogue". Music in anime is a case of theme and variation, and themes are tied to specific characters and events. A good OST essentially tells the entire story of the anime in music, and I would argue that this is one very good OST.

I see, thanks for the explanation! so basically having the OST is a big spoiler by itself!

[roan]

The name of the song btw is omoi wo oitekite - leave behind those feelings.
Big link with Hiromi's oiteikanaide.

[Joachim]

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

Continued from the Episode 12 thread.

Spoiler for Episode 13 speculation based on OST and Episode 12:

Well, to give the full explanation, it's the song associated with Hiromi and Shinichirou's festival encounter from the past where she got seperated from him and broke her sandal, and Shinichirou found her again, took off his own sandal, and led her around the festival. As you know, it's the scene that defines their relationship, and the reason she moved into his house. The ending of the current episode, as Shinichirou left Hiromi to go find Noe, she took off her left sandal and in her almost childlike voice started quietly crying "don't leave me!". The setup for a repeat of the past is complete. In terms of the song, Hiromi has now been seperated from Shinichirou and removed her sandle (first half of the song, as heard before), which leads to the transition (~1:30) and build up (~2:00) towards a final resolution. The song has been used so far basically as "Hiromi's Theme", and the second half of the song leading to the end is basically "Hiromi's Theme (Reprise)". (A Reprise, in a musical or play, is sort of like an "encore" -- it a recap of an earlier song, usually in a grander more "summary" like way.) Likewise, song 32 on the OST is the "True Tears Theme (reprise)/Epilogue". Music in anime is a case of theme and variation, and themes are tied to specific characters and events. A good OST essentially tells the entire story of the anime in music, and I would argue that this is one very good OST.

thats one hell of a good speculation, why i didn't think of that before damn, and yeah true tears OST is a very very good OST

[golthin]

Originally Posted by roan

The name of the song btw is omoi wo oitekite - leave behind those feelings.
Big link with Hiromi's oiteikanaide.

For relentlessflame

Spoiler:

So going by the title of the song, when they play the last part that mean that Shin will finally leave Hiromi's feelings and choose Noe instead. Though I am still resisting to believe that after episode 10, Shin will do such a reversal after he struggled for 10 episodes.

I am giving both girls equal chances it is a 50% Noe and 50% Hiromi! I don't mind any of the two girls, though I will feel sadder for Hiromi than for Noe! Hiromi has suffered way more than Noe!

Noe has her brother even though he has impure incestous thought for her, she also has her mother.
Hiromi is a complete orphan, she suffered for a whole year. We will see next saturday which girl the writers like better.

[relentlessflame]

Originally Posted by roan

The name of the song btw is omoi wo oitekite - leave behind those feelings.
Big link with Hiromi's oiteikanaide.

No no, that's the title for track 32, which is...

Spoiler:

...the True Tears theme reprise, which is a remix of the OP song, and tied more closely to Noe.

The title of track 30, the one I was referring to above, is...

Spoiler:

Afurederu, Kimochi -- "Overflowing feelings"

Careful not to jump to conclusions too quickly, golthin. (P.S. Your 50/50 is cowardly. )

[roan]

Spoiler:

Usually omoi when it's used by itself with no positive or negative adjectives doesn't have those connotations. It's more or less covering past, fond memories. My interpretation to that is saying byebye to her feelings for Shinichirou.

Edit: Ah. Whoops.

[relentlessflame]

Originally Posted by roan

Edit: Ah. Whoops.

Yeah, you almost had me there too, and then I'm like "wait a minute..." The point's still quite relevant, though, just that the connotation is opposite.

[Deathkillz]

Ahh...track 30 ~ one of the best track from the OST

Nice analysis on it relentless. The change heard from the second half of that track (or better known as Hiromi's theme) is more of a "resolution" type.

More reason to think that Hiromi and Shin will be getting together.

Sure enough, my bet is on Hiromi 70% to 30% (for Noe).

[Westlo]

Relentless pretty much nailed it exactly with the analysis of track 30, remember golthin I pm'd you after I heard it the day the ost got ripped! Also to second Relentless you're a coward with that 50/50 crap lol.

Spoiler:

I expect the first half to play while they "reenact their childhood scene" with the one sandal on a foot and one in their hand. With Shin telling Hiromi that the memory of the festival from when they were kids was also a precious memory to him. I expect the reprise section of the song to make its debut in the series as they confess their love, kiss and Shin wipes away Hiromi's tears.

Hiromi 90% Noe 10%.

[golthin]

Originally Posted by relentlessflame

Careful not to jump to conclusions too quickly, golthin. (P.S. Your 50/50 is cowardly. )

yeah, but unlike another show that recently ended, I really can't read Shin'ichiro true feelings.
his good boy antics are really hard to predict.

[Theowne]

The series has always had the stamp of "We are building to Hiromi + Shin is it too obvious", the only thing that makes me wonder is the kiss in episode 11. It's odd for the staple of most romance shows to take place a few episodes before the end, with a mild positive reaction but without much impact at all, especially when the other main female has not had that same event yet. If there's any small degree of possibility that the writers could surprise is, it's because of that.

[relentlessflame]

Originally Posted by Theowne

The series has always had the stamp of "We are building to Hiromi + Shin is it too obvious", the only thing that makes me wonder is the kiss in episode 11. It's odd for the staple of most romance shows to take place a few episodes before the end, with a mild positive reaction but without much impact at all, especially when the other main female has not had that same event yet. If there's any small degree of possibility that the writers could surprise is, it's because of that.

Well, I think there are a number of obvious storytelling reasons why they did that.

Spoiler for Up to Episode 12:

1. Obviously, they're trying to build up to a climax in the final episode, and their means of choice is to leave things on hold romantically until everything gets wrapped up.
2. The kiss was to remove any remaining doubt about Hiromi's feelings for Shinichirou and what they meant. In other words, it was to place the ball fully in his court. His "cheerful" reaction as he returned home was tempered by his realization that he still had things to resolve first.
3. Even though Shinichirou has loved Hiromi all this time, Noe is still a very important person to him. This is why, in episode 12, when Hiromi mentioned that she had told Noe about them, he wasn't mad, but worried for her. He can't just abandon her or leave her out to dry; he knows how she feels about him. As I commented once before, relationships have more degrees than just "love" or "hate" which is why, just as with Jibeta in the story, he couldn't just let her fall (yes, again, irony).

So even though the kiss happened "so early", it wasn't the same as the kisses in some other shows where it's supposed to represent the final culmination of a star-crossed relationship (although that'll still happen regardless). The scene at the end of episode 10 was the first part of that, and the final part will happen in the next episode. The kiss in that episode was simply a subtle confirmation of what we'd seen, and opened the door to Hiromi's continued insecurity (brought about by Shinichirou's continued apparent ambiguity) that we saw in action in episode 12 (she's seriously worried that Shinichirou will leave her).

Just as they couldn't resolve Hiromi's story without dealing with Noe, they can't resolve Noe's story without resolving Hiromi's, and there are only so many ways to resolve each while being true to the story they've been telling us all along. So the real question is, given the way episode 12 ended, how else could they resolve Hiromi's story, if not for a reprise of the flashback? Not saying that there isn't a way, but I honestly can't think of one that works.

So, in case it isn't obvious, I'm "all in". Not that I have anything to lose, but...

[Theowne]

I see the words "episode 12" in your post, which I haven't watched yet, so I'll get back to you after I see it

[takercena]

My Analysis = Shin x Hiromi
My Hope = Shin x Noe (plz )
Bad Ending = they kill each other

[DragoonKain3]

Originally Posted by Deathkillz

Sure enough, my bet is on Hiromi 70% to 30% (for Noe).

Lol. Good numbers, as it has statistical evidence for that chracter archetype.

Seriously speaking, I'm on those numbers as well, but not for the same reasons.

That is, I don't really buy the OST evidence even if I don't try to let factors outside of a story affect me. It's based on the assumption that for the song in the end, it has to be one of the OSTs. In particular, track 30, where it has only been played halfway in one of the episodes. But as we all know, there are anime in which a song doesn't get played fully throughout in its entire run, so there exists that possiblity.

But that's not all. In these type of anime, they usually play a song with lyrics in the very end, and not an instrumental piece. (Most recent example, KimiKiss) As such, I really don't think any of the songs in the OST will be played at all as the ending theme.

It's true though that one can argue that the current ED (which is really a rearranged track 30 with lyrics) is the most likely one to be played, like with a lot of romance anime that plays an extended version of their ED. However, it is also known that True Tears is not above using an insert song that hasn't been released yet nor is included in the OST, and so it gives a huge doubt to that arguement as new inserts in the final episode is commonplace enough from the anime I have seen.

So as much as I want to believe it being a die hard HiromiXShin shipper, I really don't buy that particular piece of evidence. While it might very well be the case that OST track 30 or Sekai no Namida will be played, there still exists a big possiblity they won't either. So IMO, basing predictions on the outcome of this series from its music is dodgy at best, but that's just me.


Still, the OST is damn amazing, but then again I'm very biased as the entire collection seems to belong to an RPG game. But this comment is in the wrong thread lol.


EDIT: Lol, forgot to state the reason why I think 70/30.

I thought that way in episode 11 because of the storybook (see episode 11 thread for details). And its still that way, as episode 12 is so chockful of Shin thinking about Noe, of which can be argued as with the story book in 11 that Noe is starting to seep in his heart.

However, in spite all that, he does all that thinking inside Hiromi's bare old room. Considering that that decision isn't a conscious act, that the room is devoid of any comfort, and most importantly it's out of habit (he does all his thinking before in his bed), we can look further into it as a clue to his character. The way I interpret it is that despite the topic on hand is about Noe, he's still thinking with Hiromi's best intentions in mind. After all, he said that he'll do EVERYTHING properly (a promise to Hiromi no less), and if we take that literally he has to do the storybook about Jibeta and Raigomaru properly as well. As such him thinking about Noe in this episode leans more against it being romantic rather than for it with all that in mind.

[ZODDGUTS]

I pretty much agree with relentlessflame I see it happening that way and the whole thing with Hiromi "saying don't leave me alone" and her taking of her slippers is a big indication of what's going to happen in the next episode between Shin and Hiromi.

[Westlo]

Originally Posted by DragoonKain3

But that's not all. In these type of anime, they usually play a song with lyrics in the very end, and not an instrumental piece. (Most recent example, KimiKiss) As such, I really don't think any of the songs in the OST will be played at all as the ending theme.

I'm actually hoping that the scene I envisioned happens more so at the 10-15 min mark than the end, sorta like the last episode of KGNE. Unlike Kimikiss this won't have a DVD episode so I'm hoping for a decent length epilogue at the end.

[Theowne]

Even though I personally prefer Noe's character, the series seems to me to be following the trend of certain other anime I have seen. There are still tidbits that may push the story in another direction, but I would still guess Hiromi just based on the traditional anime conventions. Here's what I think will happen in episode 13, just my prediction, no spoilers.

In the first half, Noe and Shin will have a discussion, Noe will see the picture book, she will be happy, there will be some sort of continuation of the "the place you can fly from isn't here" sentiment expressed by her. I can envision there will be some sort of "goodbye kiss" probably prompted by Noe just because they haven't done it so far, and then Noe will end it. I'm taking the opinion that Noe will be driving the "break-up" just because she has been controlled by the actions of Shin, Jun, and Hiromi in the past few episodes and I imagine the resolution will have her taking control of her own situation. It seems more likely that it will be a "sad but happy" moment if you know what I mean.

The second half will probably feature the reunion of Shin+Hiromi without any tension and the traditional anime romance ending, you know what to expect.

I have no idea what will happen with Jun. I highly doubt that there will be a Jun + Noe ending.

Well, that's my guess. But hey, writers, if you guys want to give me a surprise Shin+Noe ending I won't complain