Midori no Hibi - Episode 13 Discussion

[Yebyosh]

Originally Posted by K_R

I think you need to rewatch the series. It is Takako and not Midori who is utterly infatuated with Seiji. Does Midori write pages and pages of exam notes with colourful illustration for someone who's not her boyfriend? Does Midori knit a scarf for someone that she's not already with? (Just think about this situation, if some girl went up to you and gave you a /hand-made/ scarf, wouldn't you be somewhat weirded out?) Does Midori parade herself in front of Seiji wearing only swimsuits?

Takako is more likely to debauch herself to get Seiji's attention. Almost all her actions are centred around "make Seiji my boyfriend!". At least she had the good sense to give up on Seiji after he flat out rejected her, otherwise she probably would have turned into one of those utterly obsessed people who progress to becoming stalkers.

Takako is a tease. Don't most girl try to tease boys (in one sexual way or another) to get attention from them? Takako intends only to catch Seiji's attention. The antics of Takako was carried to extreme in the anime. But in no ways did she wanted to get Seiji into bed with her. She only wanted to attract his attention. Her romantic fantasies culminates in a "I love you! You love me!" not "Let's bonk our brains out!"

Midori is the one likely to bow under pressure from competition (as evident many times in the manga) to debauch herself. Midori is insecure in both forms (SD & normal) that she will do anything to try to secure something that never existed and it is this desperation that appeals to the guys who like her in the form of "oooo... she'll do anything for me no matter what I do".

Question: So Midori pining away and dominating and attempting to control Seiji's life whilst ignoring his wishes is more mature than a so-called 13 year old way of thinking? You have not answered this but started attacking Takako yet again...

[Itlandm]

I agree with Kool Dudy to a point. The girls appeal to different kind of boys. I am just surprised that Midori should appeal to Seiji, as he does not seem that type. I personally think it all comes down to the fact that Midori confessed first. It's a bit late to come confessing to people who are already in love.

Of course we are all colored by our own perceptions. We boys tend to put ourselves in Seiji's place (well some may identify with Kouta, but I don't think they will write about it here...) And let me be honest, a girl such as Midori, I would not have noticed her ever. And neither would Seiji without divine intervention. Girls have to talk to me to be noticed at all, and dragging me to cinema (LoTR, not Titanic!) or shopping clothes is a definite plus. I have no idea what kind of boy would notice a girl just looking at him, even if she stands there every day. There must be such boys somewhere since the shy genes are passed on to the next generation, but it is a mystery to me.

I think the story is made to also appeal to girls, and I think many girls sympathize with Midori. She has a miracle happen so that the boy has no choice but to notice her, and let her have a chance to prove herself.

[nil]

Originally Posted by Itlandm

I think the story is made to also appeal to girls, and I think many girls sympathize with Midori. She has a miracle happen so that the boy has no choice but to notice her, and let her have a chance to prove herself.

Judging from the response of some anime fans, I don't think this story is made to appeal to girls. But if you think so, the fact that whole story's scriptwriter is a women may have to do with..

[Yuun]

Studio Pierrot u gotta make the 2nd season for this series i tell ya....... (Holding a C4 infront of Studio Pierrot Main production office) "I DEMAND FOR 2ND SEASON OR I"LL BLOW UP THIS OFFICE!!!!!!"

Damn...y must it end at ep13?? It could be longer.... sigh~ Why nowadays anime titles especially new series ends so fast?? >_<

[K_R]

If Takako is a tease, then she would be last person I would ever want to date. Would you really want anything to do with a girl who would lure you into her home, then lure you into her bathroom (complete with her naked) only to have her say, "sorry, just teasing!"?

Also, we can't forget what Midori asks Seiji when Takako invites him to her house:
「正治君、女の子の家に本当思えないんですか。」
Midori knows what's up, and I don't think it's a tease...

Question: So Midori pining away and dominating and attempting to control Seiji's life whilst ignoring his wishes is more mature than a so-called 13 year old way of thinking? You have not answered this but started attacking Takako yet again...

You didn't state this as a question originally, rather it read like an introduction to your argument.

And this is anime Midori we're discussing here. We should not talk about the other versions of the characters that appear in the manga. Post in the manga thread if you want to do that.

--

I think the show appeals to both sexes. Both my Japanese friends liked it and were sad it ended. 紀子 said she really liked the ending, and I swear it looked like she was teary eyed when we watched it.

[Yogo_Pogo]

Originally Posted by Yebyosh

Midori = Absolute slave to pander to one's desires. You don't have to do anything at all to deserve her attention (You're the ONE in her mind). She will debauch herself to make you 'like' her. Her innocence comes into play here. A perfect combination of sex slave, devoted servant and innocence of a lolita. With her, you will never fear rejection because she is 10000% blindly devoted to you. Just do whatever you want and she will come tagging along, licking your heels as you go (as long as you keep saying "You're the only one for me. I love you" every once in a blue moon).

Reading this, i realise more clearly what i don't like about Midori. I don't like girls who think that they have to be the slave of the guy she loves.

And for Seiji:
Why go for a girl that got self-esteem if you can go for the easy way, the girl wich think that you are her everything, the one that can't live without you. Looks like Seiji is taking a safe bet.

[Rotweiler]

Originally Posted by Yebyosh

Takako is a tease. Don't most girl try to tease boys (in one sexual way or another) to get attention from them?

Wow! This is just getting better and better. Thank you so much for that generalisation about most girls.

Takako intends only to catch Seiji's attention. The antics of Takako was carried to extreme in the anime. But in no ways did she wanted to get Seiji into bed with her. She only wanted to attract his attention.

Well then she should now better than resorting to sexual tease when she doesn't really mean them. Do you even know how dangerous that is for a girl to do? The guy could think that the girl tries to lead him on. "No" means "No". But it doesn't help when the girl acts as if she wants to throw herself at the guy when all she wants is just to attract his attention.

she will do anything to try to secure something that never existed and it is this desperation that appeals to the guys who like her in the form of "oooo... she'll do anything for me no matter what I do".

Something that never existed? Are you referring to the manga or the anime? Never mind, since both versions have shown times when Seiji agonising at the possibility of being sepearated from Midori. So much for something that never existed.

Desperation that appeals to guys who like her? Takamizawa likes her. Why did then she refuses his offer to give her beautiful clothes and pampering?

Question: So Midori pining away and dominating and attempting to control Seiji's life whilst ignoring his wishes is more mature than a so-called 13 year old way of thinking?

They share a body. A compromised has to be reached. Midori doesn't like looking at porn magazine, Seiji likes it. At first Midori tried to prevent him but eventually, she sometimes compromise and allow him to read it. Will you want it if you get grafted into a girl's right hand and then that girl leisurely watch Yaoi videotape that you may not have the desire to see?

You have not answered this but started attacking Takako yet again...

And you have not given even an example to support your argument and yet you continue to attack Midori and to top it off act as if you know about girls in general.

[Rhia]

Originally Posted by Sai

I just watched it and i'm like yay and wahhh at the same time

Yea i sorta felt like that too..

[Tatay]

Damn, she was cuter when she was so small

[ZhanDVG]

Yeah, the ending really got me choked up... but then again, that's not really all too difficult, but either way, I liked it...

I personally find Takako to be far less attractive (personality-wise) than Midori, (Never been a fan of the pretensious overacheiver girls, nope) and I personally would have chosen Midori were I in a similar situation, so the show ended exactly as I'd hoped it would...

I agree with whomever said that it's kinda disappointing that we never got to hear Seiji say he loved Midori (and also during that ending part I was so hoping to see a kiss, but.. c'est la vie..)

[SajberToent]

Hmm, must say I wasn't really satisfied with the final ep.. It was good.. but come on...

Spoiler:

He didn't even say he loved her.. lol

Hmm, one good thing though is that the final episode does give the possibility of a 2nd season ..... I'm just hoping that there will be one lol..

[Kurz]

He has a huge front so its hard
I perfectly understand since i am the same way.

[Itlandm]

I really don't see how there could be a second season now that they have completely waved goodbye to the manga. They would then have to enlist the writer who holds the copyright to the character, to make a completely different story. The story was always about Seiji and Midori, and the people who loved them. This is hard to do when they are going steady with each other.

Ayase, of course, will no doubt fall in love with someone else eventually and start again her crazy plots. The doll guy will no doubt get in more trouble. And Kouta has his own little problem that has barely been touched in the anime. So yes, you could get another 13 episodes, but ... it would not be Midori no Hibi.

[Hao Asakura]

Personally, I'd rather see Ayase ends up with Seiji than Midori. Why??? Simply Ayase puts so much effort into it and Ayase is way much sexier than Midori.
Anyway, anyone realize that video quality of Seichi's MnH ep13 is really crap??? Flickers everywhere during the whole episode. Hurt my eyes so much
Wish they could encode it better

[arias]

Wonderful series, I was apprehensive at the start when I heard about this crazy concept of a girl on a guy's hand. Thought it would be lame; but heard some great reviews and decided to try the first episode. And then I was hooked.

The animation is very economic. Mucho stuffo like background art is repeated, but the animation for the characters are fluid, although the base art is not anything to scream about. Very presentable, and certainly none of the factors are particularly outstanding, but as a whole the anime is pretty damn good. Very well put-together, I must say. The ED song and sequencing is.. The OP sequence also has one of my favorite scenes; Seiji running with Midori outstretched, like she's flying. I don't know, but to me that scene makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

I supported Midori very much; not that I don't like "spicy" girls and such, but the fact that I thought she was being very sincere. But she was very different as the hand as compared to her full sized self; she was way more active I don't know why so many people thought she was irritating or annoying, I thought nothing was overdone. I also thought her voice actor did a wonderful, wonderful job. Ayase didn't appeal much to me, she was mostly used as a platform for humor and was humanized in the last two episodes as a competing love interest.

As a whole, I thought the series did incredibly good. I'm not saying it's a masterpiece or anything, but at 13 episodes, it's short, sweet and effective. Nothing drags on or gets boring (like how it sometimes does in longer series, like Escaflowne), the pacing is a little quick but it's a -tight- anime, that's for sure. I liked the ending, thought it could use a little more work, but was satisfied with it. It musn't have cost much to produce, because it's so simple, but nevertheless, overall, I seriously think that this is one of the best compact series I've ever watched. I feel happy.

Will proceed on to manga now.

[Yebyosh]

Well now... this is downright confusing. One (K_R) insists on using anime only to fight over Midori. Another (Rotweiler) keeps using anime & manga interchangeably to do so. When someone answer to one of them using their method, he/she gets criticised by the other in their method. Interesting.

Sticking with the anime, Midori
- never cares one bit for her grieving family for the entire 13 episodes except for one diary writing except where she writes "Don't cry mother, otherwise I would cry too". Shed one crocodile tear and then she's all "OH Seiji this, Seiji that, haha hee hee I'm so happy to be stuck on your hand forever Seiji just cause then we'll never be apart."
- in efforts to prevent others from having the chance to date Seiji, screams and drags Seiji away.
- no character development, still the same ole "I luv Seiji" schtick.
- Why does she love Seiji? Nothing, unless you count the green-tinted flashbacks where she just stood there with downcast head as Seiji walks past. That's it, she's in love with his feet!!! Downright lovely feet I bet.
- The only saving grace: She's willing to defend Seiji against attacks. But isn't that a minimum requirement of love?

Ayase
- never blocked anyone trying to date Seiji (there's simply no one else. Who is this Lucy here? I see no Lucy in the anime)
- while trying to entice Seiji with overdone sexiness, does not have the intention to seduce Seiji into bed. Her objective was to catch Seiji's attention.
- was in the mass of "Seiji is a ruffian" thinkers. Even when she was saved by him, she might be thankful but she did not start to go after him then. She only decided he could be her prince after she witnessed how Seiji handled the abduction of Miyahara (She learns that Seiji is more than a simple ruffian).
- She dares to try to win Seiji's heart and not stand there looking like a lamppost, hoping he'll come and say "Hi, wanna go out?!". Even Midori acknowledge that.

Now for the manga,
Midori
- more selfish than ever. Everytime she goes back to her body, she looks at the relieved faces of her family and decided "No I do not want to stay here, I'm missing something." Even Seiji's queries of her situation with her mother are conveniently postphoned.
- countless times of "Waaaaaa", dragging Seiji around whenever Seiji could have a possible date.
- seeks to make Seiji dependent on her (Seiji getting used to using his left hand issue) on the thinking that being in love means being dependent hand and foot on the other person.
- Refresh my memory, where did she see Seiji's kindness to make her stalk him, before they entered into high school (She already was obsessed with Seiji before high school). I'm not truly doubting this part since most Shounen manga had the lead female having a 'flashback to the first true moment of male's character' but I can't remember if MnH had one.
- At least she has some character development for the final chapters (realisation that she's not alone, etc)

Ayase
- She's not a sexpot. Of course she's wearing a swimsuit. She's at the beach. Seems like someone expects her to wear a full body gown to the beach. Did she over flaunt sexiness as what the anime crew depicted her to do? Nope.
- Block Lucy? Where? She races with Lucy to try to prove (to herself and to Seiji) that she is not Lucy's inferior in anyway. Or do you mean when she barged into Seiji's room in Lucy's departure? Geesh, my parents and sister would have barged into my room then at that age if they heard sounds of that nature coming out of it. Have you taken into account the natural actions of different cultures in that situation?
- Her ideals of love though are in the old ways. She's a hopeless romantic.
- She dares to try all means (though in naiveness for quite a lot of ways) to win Seiji's attention.

Originally Posted by Itlandm

I agree with Kool Dudy to a point. The girls appeal to different kind of boys. I am just surprised that Midori should appeal to Seiji, as he does not seem that type. I personally think it all comes down to the fact that Midori confessed first. It's a bit late to come confessing to people who are already in love.

Of course we are all colored by our own perceptions. We boys tend to put ourselves in Seiji's place (well some may identify with Kouta, but I don't think they will write about it here...) And let me be honest, a girl such as Midori, I would not have noticed her ever. And neither would Seiji without divine intervention. Girls have to talk to me to be noticed at all, and dragging me to cinema (LoTR, not Titanic!) or shopping clothes is a definite plus. I have no idea what kind of boy would notice a girl just looking at him, even if she stands there every day. There must be such boys somewhere since the shy genes are passed on to the next generation, but it is a mystery to me.

I think the story is made to also appeal to girls, and I think many girls sympathize with Midori. She has a miracle happen so that the boy has no choice but to notice her, and let her have a chance to prove herself.

Yes, Itlandm. But I would not say that Takako appeals to the majority of boys (or Midori for girls). What appeals mainly is how the audience feels is suitable for them (guys) or would like to be in that situation (girls). There are guys who like Midori (quite obvious) and there are girls who like Takako (e.g. Hao Asakura). This story is made to appeal to girls who are like Midori and wish to be fallen in love with and to guys who wants a Midori sticking to them.

I think Snoopy said it best on why Seiji chose Midori at the end.

[babyblues512]

Yoz, jz wanna ask if any of u stil haf the downloaded midori no hibi ep 13? i was away on a holiday and when i came back today, i discovered tat it had been licensed!!!! feelin so upset man tat i dunno how the endin is like.... so for those who haf the anime, pls pls plsssssssssssss get back to mi.... my email addy is babyblues512@hotmail.com..... thx a million

[BTime]

Wouldn't the sequel be "Ayase no Hibi"? Where Ayase becomes Seiji's left hand during a series while he's trying to date Midori :P

[MikoKikyo]

Originally Posted by SajberToent

Hmm, must say I wasn't really satisfied with the final ep.. It was good.. but come on...

Spoiler:

He didn't even say he loved her.. lol

I'm so glad I wasn't the only one who felt that way. I was really hoping for *more* out of that moment...I understand this isn't a hollywood movie-type but still, the ending was quite lacking imo. Certainly didn't live up to my expectations.

I enjoyed this series more for its humorous moments than for its romance.

Hmm, one good thing though is that the final episode does give the possibility of a 2nd season ..... I'm just hoping that there will be one lol..

Yes it kinda leaves you hanging but I don't think there will, or there should be a second season; I simply feel that the plot has exhausted its possibilities, given how the basic story goes. I can't really imagine what original plot elements could exist in a 2nd season without being ripped off 1st season parts and still being wholly new and interesting.

[krusher]

Originally Posted by Muir Woods

Who hoo...another Rin fan! I'm relieved to see that I'm not the only Rin lover here. Anyways, I finally DLed and saw the last episode (I've been playing too much UT 2004)..., and I'll just spill my mind. I have to agree with some posters here that the season could be extended for reasons already posted. The ending was...whatever. Seiji really should of got with Ayase, so that Kouta could get with Midori. Come on, Kouta needs some (heterosexual) love too. But really, I don't care much about the romantic plot of the series. I watch the series for its comedic value, for its ability to amuse me. And I'd rather see a dragged out 52 episodes of Midori no Hibi with weak plot but amusing, than this. But that's just me. All in all, needs more Rin! She has become one of my favorite anime characters...damn I love her.

Now I finally understand what that fat cat is all about...the cat symbolizes Seiji! The cat is horribly unlucky with females, just like Seiji. Ahh...how did I miss that?

Apparently Anime Empire is "selling" fanart (by an artist in A-E) of Midori. I want to see Rin artwork instead...

Exactly, rin is the best...all the other girls in this show are total losers compared to her.