(CR) Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju

[aakun4]

Well.. this episode left me speechless. It was one the most powerful episodes with some of the best direction I've seen in a while. Undoubtedly best of this season at the very least.

Just as the episode started it was already blatantly obvious that the production quality was way higher than in any of the other episodes so far (in fact I watch anime in 720p and I thought I was watching in 1080p for a second lol). The backgrounds were even more detailed than usual, the effects, the transitions... well, everything. And on top of that we are close to the climax of the story, so the actual content of the episode was also incredible.

This episode gets 100000/10 from me. A real piece of art.

[Benigmatica]

Episode 9:
Well, it's a foregone conclusion that Kikuhiko will inherit the Yakumo name. I guess the world of rakugo isn't ready with the current times as they prefer tradition over progression.

Meanwhile, seeing Sukeroku getting expelled after getting a fight with his master is very heart-wrenching. Man, he and Miyokichi needs a hug...

In any case, this episode was the best one I've ever seen!

[Kanon]

Originally Posted by Dop

That scene of Miyokichi standing in the window with the wind blowing her clothes and the cherry blossom, saying she was going to come back to haunt Kiko, was chilling considering we know where the story's going...
Fantastic episode.

That scene definitely sent chills down my spine. They say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and I believe Kiku is eventually going to find that out the hard way.

Sukeroku and Miyo's relationship can't be heading anywhere good. The two of them are just licking their wounds. Now there's even a baby into the mix. No way they can be good parents when both of them are miserable. It's a shame the first episode of the series has more or less already spoiled us their fate. We still need to find out how exactly they died, I'm starting to think double suicide (hence the title) even if it's out of character for Sukeroku.

[Alf]

Miyokichi is developing her hatred for rakugo. It takes Kiku away from her, and if Sukeroku isn't going to give up then it could be a problem for her in future - and her approach to Sukeroku may be partly for revenge to Kiku and rakugo.

Given that there are records of his performance for Yotaro to listen to, I'm pretty sure Sukeroku will return.

[revive4563]

Episode 9 was surprisingly good. I was thinking from the start that Sukeroku x Miyokichi is best pairing. And Miyokichi is so much better character than I was thinking.
I only realized Konatsu is her daughter and I'm getting to like Konatsu more.
Supposing this is male author, I think he couldn't portray that scene of the burning passion of a woman which was colored by the falling cherry blossom in night breeze.
That was a biggest moment of her life like wedding, if she was living normal life.

Oh, and what a waste Kappei...

[HandofFate]

Pretty intense.
The last scene was good.
All this time, we been looking from Kiku's PoV and his inferiority complex when comparing him to Sukeroku.
And here we see all this time as well Sukeroku had an inferiority complex of being the stray compared to Kiku.

Feel bad for Miyokichi, times are changing, and she doesn't want to. She's set in her ways and its hard for her trying to find her spot.

[AC-Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Alf

Miyokichi is developing her hatred for rakugo. It takes Kiku away from her, and if Sukeroku isn't going to give up then it could be a problem for her in future - and her approach to Sukeroku may be partly for revenge to Kiku and rakugo.

Given that there are records of his performance for Yotaro to listen to, I'm pretty sure Sukeroku will return.

Could be Pre- Expulsion records.
----------

Ironically we have no idea whose kid Miyo is carring btw.
We were told its Sukeroku's but from what we have been told is daugther could be adopted and actually belong to a random stranger or even Kiku.

[karice67]

Originally Posted by AC-Phoenix

Ironically we have no idea whose kid Miyo is carring btw.
We were told its Sukeroku's but from what we have been told is daugther could be adopted and actually belong to a random stranger or even Kiku.

Don't think there's any chance it's Kiku's. He broke up with her in spring, and it's winter by the time we find out about the "little one." (It also sounds as if they didn't actually have any kind of sexual intimacy whilst they were going out.)

[Nachtwandler]

Originally Posted by AC-Phoenix

Could be Pre- Expulsion records.
----------

Ironically we have no idea whose kid Miyo is carring btw.
We were told its Sukeroku's but from what we have been told is daugther could be adopted and actually belong to a random stranger or even Kiku.

Konatsu has the look and personality quite similar to Sukeroku. So I'm 99% sure she is his child.

Also I don't see Miyokichi baring someone else child in that period and as of Kiku see comment above.

[gdpetti]

Originally Posted by Benigmatica

Episode 9:
Well, it's a foregone conclusion that Kikuhiko will inherit the Yakumo name. I guess the world of rakugo isn't ready with the current times as they prefer tradition over progression.

Meanwhile, seeing Sukeroku getting expelled after getting a fight with his master is very heart-wrenching. Man, he and Miyokichi needs a hug...

In any case, this episode was the best one I've ever seen!

I thought that part, given Japanese culture, was excellent, and is to be expected, it's almost stupid for Sukeroku to think he wouldn't be, given his antics in craft guild type of culture, add on the group consensus aspect and the usual old generation vs young generation, and he really should have seen it coming... which points up his lack of concern of anyone or anything until it hits him in the face. Kiku pointed it out we assume, probably quite often, but given Su's character, he simply continued to ignore it and ended up using that lack of acceptance as confirmation of how his sensei and association felt towards him all along.. he never learned to play the game to out manuever them like he did earlier on when putting on that show by themselves with Kiku at that theatre... very successful, but everyone has to play by the rules until they obtain the ability to change them, and for rakugo to survive, he's right in seeing that need to update the routine... same with Shakespeare and all other old art forms, if not updated, they become museum pieces that get ever harder to appreciate... becoming collector items... but without retaining that connection to the old, which he's already proven he's good at, he loses connection to anything and is shunned by the establishment like Donald Trump, who himself is making some softer notes towards the Republican establishment... 'when in Rome...' applies, but then this is typical given the character type of Su's... so it's a given.

Miyo's charcter is interesting, but one I assume Kiku saw through and didn't trust much... 'love' her? perhaps in the usual way, but growing up in such an establishment, he most likely saw this kind of 'love' put on display for all the paying customers, and given Kiku's personality, we really didn't expect him to just let go like Su would do for a night or weekend... but even Su only leaves with her because of his situation of being expelled, broke and downhearted... not knowing what to do... having been forced to deal with his reality suddenly... I think this potential situation was implied from the beginning when he first showed up and forced himself upon the rakugo master and later, of course, in ignoring all the warnings to behave... even a little bit... dress and manner... just a little more lip service... but he wouldn't do it, perhaps not thinking he'd have to... which is stupid.

I get the impression Miyo really didn't 'love' Kiku, but was enamored of parts of his type... which she said herself... she's attracted to a certain type that always ends up hurting her... until she moves on to the next attraction/addiction... and Kiku isn't the addict type, so he takes the advice of others and moves on... a little cold, but that has always been his nature, he's still closed up within.

So, no one has seen those OVAs? I haven't seen any sub on them yet. I guess they'll incorporate them into this series later on?

[MCAL]

Damn, these last two episodes feel like they went by in five minutes. What a fantastic show this has become.

[Stark700]

Episode 10:

Nice episode, Yakumo's death seems to have inspired Kiku to create his own rakugo this episode. Not only that but I think his performance was rather unique, especially in terms of body language and literal words. I think the rakugo he made had quite a of emotions poured into it. Pure raw emotions.

That Konatsu kid at the end is kinda funny, especially considering how much potential she showed.

I kinda like how the show ties in fate together for certain events in this story.

[Kanon]

Kiku's performance as the shinigami was breathtaking. I can understand why it's going to influence Yotaro so much years later.

The master is dead, but Kiku still refuses to inherit his name, thinking Sukeroku is more worthy. By the look of the end of the episode and the preview, he's going to be disappointed. Looks like Sukeroku has turned into a bum making his daughter earn money. Of course, a miraculous return is always possible, but given what we know of the future, it's unlikely. I'm starting to wish the anime had skipped the Yotaro chapter. That way, we wouldn't have gotten spoiled about Sukeroku's death and many other things.

[revive4563]

The 7th Yakumo (and his seiyuu) was really great by-player. R.I.P.

btw seiyuu of Konatsu is Yuu Kobayashi. And her special gag is the thing that she suddenly turns into a crazy kid. (in fact she is...psycho)
Of course, kid version of Konatsu reminds me of that...

Anyway, this story about rakugo is really sober and neat. Some soft BL factors are no matter.
No wonder certain one-time rakugo-ka (radio personality) said that
"normally any professionals hard to admit the story about their job but when I read SGRS, I really thought it's interesting"

If anything, I hope they omit opening instead of Ending. (I prefer Ending)

[HandofFate]

solemn episode.
the old generation getting old, and passing the reins on to the next, with Kiku finding the people that he grew up with all gone.

[Benigmatica]

Episode 10:
"Long live the 7th Generation Yakumo Yurakutei!"

I have to say that he had it coming, but what's interesting is that the 7th Generation was in the same predicament as Kikuhiko, only this he's up against the first generation Sukeroku. Still, the 7th Generation felt regretful about Sukeroku and Hatsutaro.

Meanwhile, Konatsu sure learned how to perform like Sukeroku. Then again, Kiku's meeting with his friend will be a bleak one on the next episode!

[Last Sinner]

Wow....Episode 10....Things are really coming full circle now. The connect to Episode 1's crew and to the past events is now being formed. Two episodes left and I think there's just enough time to do cover enough.

I suppose 11 will detail what happened to Sukeroku and Miyokichi. We know Konatsu ends up with Kikuhiko through the coming episode since that's what Episode 1 blatantly showed. I suppose 12 will return to the time of Episode 1 and give Yotaro and Konatsu their chance to make an impact on Kikuhiko before this is all over?

Just about convinced this is the best normal-length series of the January season after this week. No weak episodes, a proper connection of both time periods, a tragic yet enthralling story and a fascinating cultural insight. After some of the adaptation issues I've seen this season, it's nice to know one series got it so right. Even if this won't be much of a seller in anime form. I hope the manga gets a significant increase in sales as a result of this adaptation.

[AC-Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Nachtwandler

Konatsu has the look and personality quite similar to Sukeroku. So I'm 99% sure she is his child.

Also I don't see Miyokichi baring someone else child in that period and as of Kiku see comment above.

Imho she looks a lot like Miyo and very little to nothing like her 'father'.

Having someones personality says nothing about blood relations btw, especially considering how she grew up with him as her father, foster or real.

[Psyco Diver]

I get the feeling judging by Miyo's personality and the preview she is either addicted to opium or already dead because of such.

[Alf]

But Konatsu have been asking about her mother for the "accident" in ep1 so it's more likely that Miyo died together with Sukeroku in that "accident".