Maria-sama ga Miteru 4th - Episode 8 Discussion / Poll

[ZephyrLeanne]

Having to "cheong" [as my Taiwanese friends say - to rush thru] thru the Marimite series to where we are now, I'd say it's muchmore resposible than most yuri anime. For example this is where Kannazuki no Miko failed, because there was absolutely no planning as I see it, it was like just whack everything into one cour.

Marimite is different, it takes 4 cours to slowly develop the whole story, and I think it's a great series so far, though I'd rather leave my judgement for later. In any case, here's what I thought about this ep:

Sachiko: 祐巳、服を脱ぎなさい (Yumi, take off your clothes.)

mintyfresh: Σ(ﾟ△ﾟ　；)　！？

Being a yuri anime, I think this is normal... maybe you all don't?

WHAT?! Grand finale?! T.T Geez I hope not.

An OVA would be nice...

Oh, and is it just me or is Sachiko getting more and more in the "putting on the moves" zone on Yumi, or not? XD

It's about time anyway. 40 eps of normality... it's time to up the ante, no?

Is it wrong of me that I barely managed to resist the temptation to give this episode a 10 mostly for having Shimako in kimono?

No, you should just have gone ahead.

[inisipis]

Another good episode. Really have fun that Sachiko is getting more confident and relax, compared to the last New Years party.But, lol, she being aggressive on taking Yumi's clothes off, really hilarious. Very different from year ago Sachiko. I guess a little fan-service to the fans.

Shimako and Sachi always looks good on a Kimono, but Yumi looks absolutely adorable in one too. Funny that they're having traditional looking dinner of Sushi and Pizza.

Touko, seems to me, is imitating what Sachiko did on the next morning after Yumi reject Sachi. Greeting "Gokigenyou..." as if nothing happened.

Originally Posted by mintyfresh

I'm still confident I will enjoy the rest of the ride (and I've resigned to believe that this season also plans to end at 13 episodes), but given what needs to be covered and the pattern so far, it also makes me a little uneasy...

I would like to presume/hope that they would end the fourth season in 13 episodes for one story arc, then followed by another 13 eps. Fifth season soon after, were the show finally ends. Kinda like what they did for Season one and two in 2004.

Well that's just me hoping.

[karloring]

Is it wrong of me that I barely managed to resist the temptation to give this episode a 10 mostly for having Shimako in kimono?

LOL i would definitely have given it 10 lol
the story's kinda draggy on Yumi and Touko... especially i dun really favour the 2 of them lol
the part where Sachiko can't wait to undress Yumi was just funny lol
i've always wondered about something random...
tt is why is it tt the hair of the characters dun seem to get longer...
especially yumi's... lol it's been the same length like forever lol

[thundrakkon]

This was such a fun episode. Sachiko is just so awesome, with how she handles everything. From the student council to her plans for the party, she just knows how to do the right things.

Originally Posted by cynicalicious

Spoiler for I can't believe we're already on Episode 8!:

Of course, Yumi has to snap out of self-pity mode and pay more attention to what's going on with Touko if she wants to make any headway... doesn't look like she's ready to do that yet.

EDIT: Ah, maybe I'm a bit too tough on Yumi. She does make some progress after all... but from the way she talks at the end of the episode, it sounds as if she was the only person who was hurting. She should know by now that Touko is in Acting! mode at the very end and is trying to cover up her pain. Yumi may think Touko forgot what happened, but Touko most assuredly did not.

If Touko is acting emo and cold, then she deserves being misinterpreted. I understand she has her own problems, but the way she goes about it is wrong. She is being antagonistic, so she has no sympathy from me. She is hurting others with her actions (Yumi) instead of doing what she should be doing: Be neutral and not involve others if she doesn't want others involved.

Originally Posted by karloring

tt is why is it tt the hair of the characters dun seem to get longer...
especially yumi's... lol it's been the same length like forever lol

They must get haircuts twice a month, to keep it the same...

Sachiko and Yumi moments are just golden. I will be really depressed when Sachiko graduates and moves on. Then, we'll have an emo Touko trying pick a petite souer... and being emo about it...

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by thundrakkon

I will be really depressed when Sachiko graduates and moves on. Then, we'll have an emo Touko trying pick a petite souer... and being emo about it...

The story ended with Sachiko's graduation so there's no need to worry about that.

[Shigan]

Good episode, thou I think we need a little more Yoshino and Nana interaction to make them plausible.

And lol for Sachiko finally putting on the moves.

[agila61]

Originally Posted by inisipis

I would like to presume/hope that they would end the fourth season in 13 episodes for one story arc, then followed by another 13 eps. Fifth season soon after, were the show finally ends. Kinda like what they did for Season one and two in 2004.

Well that's just me hoping.

I was hoping the same way, but we are at New Year's already, and that means that Valentine's Day and graduation loom just around the corner.

Plus there is a lot of wandering about and flashbacks toward the end of the series of
light novels which the anime seems likely to skip, so they seem almost certain to be ending it at the end of this season.

I wouldn't mind an OVA that goes beyond the novels ... but only if the author is an adviser on the plot.

[shomai]

Originally Posted by cynicalicious

It's just you. Sachiko HATES to lose, and Yumi was being slower than she needed to be. Sachiko was just impatient. (If you're talking about that one particular scene.)

If you're talking in terms of generalities, Sachiko is very fond of Yumi, and sees her as part of her family. In Sachiko's eyes she really IS her little sister. She's said so a few times already. (It was even said again this episode.) It's the whole reason the evil snobby rich girls tried to take Yumi down in Vacation of the Lambs.

I was rewatching season 2, and I noticed how frequent Sachiko would hold Yumi's ribbon in her hand (I'll tell you the episodes later if you want to, 'cos I'm in the library right now lolz).

Originally Posted by ShimatheKat

Having to "cheong" [as my Taiwanese friends say - to rush thru] thru the Marimite series to where we are now, I'd say it's muchmore resposible than most yuri anime. For example this is where Kannazuki no Miko failed, because there was absolutely no planning as I see it, it was like just whack everything into one cour.

Marimite is different, it takes 4 cours to slowly develop the whole story, and I think it's a great series so far, though I'd rather leave my judgement for later. In any case, here's what I thought about this ep:


Being a yuri anime, I think this is normal... maybe you all don't?



An OVA would be nice...


It's about time anyway. 40 eps of normality... it's time to up the ante, no?


No, you should just have gone ahead.

In as much as I would love to, that would sound fan servicey. XD

[mintyfresh]

Originally Posted by agila61

Plus there is a lot of wandering about and flashbacks toward the end of the series of
light novels which the anime seems likely to skip, so they seem almost certain to be ending it at the end of this season.

Heh. If this season makes it to Sachiko and Rei's graduation, I will eat my mallet.

[sa547]

There's another thing I noticed.

Spoiler:

One Japanese blogger made comments on Volume 35 (and hence the final volume) of the novel and complained at the end that he/she at least wished for a hot spring scene. Yumi's bath at the tub was close enough but no Sachiko.

[ZephyrLeanne]

Originally Posted by shomai

In as much as I would love to, that would sound fan servicey. XD

How does that sound fan servicey??

D'ailleurs, je suis de plus en Sei.
Besides, I am more into Sei.

Originally Posted by sa547

There's another thing I noticed.

Spoiler:

One Japanese blogger made comments on Volume 35 (and hence the final volume) of the novel and complained at the end that he/she at least wished for a hot spring scene. Yumi's bath at the tub was close enough but no Sachiko.

LOLOLZ... what a pity.

[sa547]

^
@offtopic: Please add a spoiler warning before one ventures forth to see what you're talking about in that blog. Didn't like it when this kind of thing happens in real life, with half-brother spoiling all the details of a movie I'm watching on DVD.

[Thingle]

Originally Posted by sa547

^
@offtopic: Please add a spoiler warning before one ventures forth to see what you're talking about in that blog. Didn't like it when this kind of thing happens in real life, with half-brother spoiling all the details of a movie I'm watching on DVD.

lol man. 4th season aint even licensed so DVD's won't roll anytime soon.

[Molenir]

lol man. 4th season aint even licensed so DVD's won't roll anytime soon.

Umm, yes it is. Apparently you missed that news. Happened a few weeks ago.

[Thingle]

Originally Posted by Molenir

Umm, yes it is. Apparently you missed that news. Happened a few weeks ago.

Too bad then.

[Sinestra]

Another beautifully done episode and i enjoyed it very much. Maria-sama excels at emotionally pulling the viewer into the story the series character and emotionally drives which makes for a well rounded series.

First let me say i loved the title of the episode "The other side of the Clouded glass" as it gave us a hint as to what the episode would consist of. Starting off the episode just after where Touko refused Yumi's rosary was perfect as it got us back into a similar emotional state as where we left off in the last episode.

Sachiko was right in asking everyone not to meddle in the matter because we all know the more people involved the messier some situations can get and this was and is a matter between Touko and Yumi. The shock on everyone faces showed that no one expect Touko to turn down Yumi's rosary. That despair was somewhat broken by Shimako by encouraging Yumi not to give up. But of course and i guessed it would happen Sachiko in her own way just couldn't stay out of it and her excuse was perfect and more than acceptable. "Im your Onee-Sama and thats all i need to be" it was perfect once i heard that i understood her reasons for inviting Touko

The imagery of Yumi looking at clouded glass was beautifully done. Not only do we get the words "its cold" as in she a cold feeling in her heart. We get her reflection in the glass where she ran her finger through and a single drop of water rolling down the glass but from the reflection it looks like a single tear. Reminding us very much that Yumi is still hurting. A single tear sometimes can reflect more pain than a a whole series of them. Beautifully done you could really feel the emotion coming from Yumi.

Yoshino once again looks as elegant as heaven in her Kimono but this time she had competition as Sachikos mother looked refined and displayed a mature beauty in her Kimono the color and how she presented herself showed her to be a women of class and gentleness. The party was a great way for friends to get together and it was also a great way to get Yumi's spirits up and revitalize her even though she herself is finding it hard to do. Sometimes all we need is a good distraction. I laughed my ass off wit Sachiko assertive way of telling Yumi to strip if it would not have been Sachiko and knowing her personality i would have gotten a nose bleed lol. The scene itself was just very humorous and the end result was Yumi looking very cute in her Kimono.

The final 2 scenes at least for me were very emotional and not only set off the theme of the episode but also will be carrying us into the next episode salvating over what the outcome will be. Yumi's dream a perfect depiction and an extension of the cold window scene was profound as it showed it us exactly what Yumi fears at the moment. Thanks to the discussion with the others about having rooms in your heart for others and one of Yumi's room is empty i believe in part that triggered part of the dream. A glass between them but only Yumi can see Touko not the other way and even then the glass is clouded and even when wiped it comes right back. I don't think i need to explain what it meant its self explanatory and very emotionally powerful. If left unattended the glass would get so foggy that Touko and Yumi would never see each other and that glass could turn into a wall.

The final scene of Touko smiling and being polite shocked the living hell out of Yumi. But honestly i expected this because its such a Touko thing to do. To hide her true self and only show you what she wants. Do i think shes trying to forget that night yes do i think she is able too no but she only shows signs of this when alone. This kind of behavior confuses Yumi and has the potential to lead to more misunderstandings. I wouldn't doubt that Touko treats and speaks to Yumi like nothing happen. Treating her as senpai nothing more nothing less im looking forward to more juicy bits.

With this episode Maria-sama has secured its spot as my favorite series this season followed closely by Skip Beat.

10/10

[Sorrow-K]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: this is the best anime of the season. It's just so well crafted, and I'd say it's tighter and more focused than previous Marimite series.

Originally Posted by Sinestra

First let me say i loved the title of the episode "The other side of the Clouded glass" as it gave us a hint as to what the episode would consist of. Starting off the episode just after where Touko refused Yumi's rosary was perfect as it got us back into a similar emotional state as where we left off in the last episode.

Originally Posted by Sinestra

The imagery of Yumi looking at clouded glass was beautifully done. Not only do we get the words "its cold" as in she a cold feeling in her heart. We get her reflection in the glass where she ran her finger through and a single drop of water rolling down the glass but from the reflection it looks like a single tear. Reminding us very much that Yumi is still hurting. A single tear sometimes can reflect more pain than a a whole series of them. Beautifully done you could really feel the emotion coming from Yumi.

The way they made that analogy was so clever, I thought. I didn't realize that the episode title referred to it as well, which now makes it even more impressive. It was a very succinct and beautiful way to point out the state of Yumi and Touko's relationship, and how Touko is putting up a barrier between them (or, more accurately, not trying to take it down), which frustrates Yumi, because it makes it so hard to reach out to her. And it's so clear how that effects Yumi emotionally as well. The directing of that scene was incredible.

It's so clever when you also consider the fogged window as an extension of the idea of an "imouto" room in Yumi's heart that Yoshino talked about earlier (which also didn't occur to me until you mentioned it... I actually thought of them as two separate, but equally elegant allegories, but the fact that they're tied just makes it an even more impressive piece of writing). I'm still making up my mind whether this season of Marimite is brilliant or merely great, and I probably won't reach my final decision until the end of the last episode, but after this episode, I'm definitely starting to lean towards "brilliant".

[Man0warr]

It looks like they are skipping the non Rosa Chinesis storylines this season to get to Touko becoming Yumi's seour (which happens in vol 31? I think). Next episode will be vol 25, no way they can fit 10 volumes (to rosas graduation in vol 35) in 5 more episodes, but they might be able to get to volume 31.

Sad that all that stuff is being cut, I hope we get to see it animated one day, they obviously thought about it since some of the previews show stuff they are skipping.

[sa547]

Originally Posted by Man0warr

It looks like they are skipping the non Rosa Chinesis storylines this season to get to Touko becoming Yumi's seour (which happens in vol 31? I think). Next episode will be vol 25, no way they can fit 10 volumes (to rosas graduation in vol 35) in 5 more episodes, but they might be able to get to volume 31.

Sad that all that stuff is being cut, I hope we get to see it animated one day, they obviously thought about it since some of the previews show stuff they are skipping.

Again, the creative supervisor of this season is none other than the author herself: Oyuki Konno, which means she has authority to see which parts goes onscreen, what should be focused on and which ones are necessary to fit into a 13-episode season.

Otherwise I believe that it's possible that an OVA or a special edition may be made in the future to supply the remaining parts that were omitted from this season.

[Proto]

Either that or she's feeling a drawback similar to when Sir Arthur Conan Doyle killed Sherlock Holmes out of sheer hate for his own character.