sola - Episode 6 Discussion / Poll

[felix]

I believe in your first theory =) but seriously don't want to see that happen =(

[FreedomMS]

well.. all we can make is wait for the next episode and hopefully some "mystery" are reveal if not all of us gona come out with crazy twisted theory again >.<

[Skane]

After so much time, I finally managed to allocate some time to sit down and watch Ep06 of sola properly. The following is based on [Doremi]'s fansub.

Random Thoughts on Ep06:
---- ----

• I ended up eating my earlier words within the first minute when it was finally revealed to us who the hooded man is. Hmm... *munch, munch* sola has been making me *munch, munch* eat a lot of my words lately... *munch, munch* I haven't been this terrible with speculation since... *munch, munch* since ever.
  
  In short, my speculation hit-rate has been woeful (abysmal even). The icing on the cake would be if Mana did turn out to be psycho. If that does happen, I wouldn't just need to eat my words, I would need to chew on my foot as well!
  .
• It was rather... convenient that Mana was so accepting of Matsuri's non-human status... Character trait or plot necessity? For now, I hold my judgement on this, and see how Mana plays out in the rest of the series.
  .
• Yes, yes... it has been said multiple times already, but it bears repeating.
  
  "Iron Claw!"
  .
• I was surprised to see Aono hand-chop Koyori. What happened? Isn't she on Koyori's side or something? Or does she share Mana's obsession with having their younger siblings call them onee-chan?
  
  Aono: "Koyori, be a good younger sibling and call Mana, "Onee-chan", just like my obedient little brother."
  
  
  .
• Mana seems Hellbent on matchmaking Yorito and Matsuri.
  .
• Matsuri is a very forward lass. Of course, she has had several centuries to shed her inhibitions, but her messing with Yorito's mind is just so naughty!
  .
• Aono's scowl as she brought the origami-frog to life is just Grade-A. I love that type of facial expression. So scowl-ly... and yet so cute.
  .
• Ah Yorito... still so naive. How could you actually believe that Matsuri would fall asleep that fast?
  
  That said, Matsuri is really, really forward and mischievous. I was laughing at Yorito's "must-grab" hand, because it made him look like he was trying to prey on Matsuri, only he was the toy all along in this scene.
  .
• Like Matsuri, Aono also ended up pretending to sleep in the hospital. I wonder if there is any hidden "deep symbolic" meaning behind it?
  .
• Yes! I got one speculation right. Yorito and Mana did get acquainted in the hospital.
  .
• Hearing Aono repeatedly say, "~ my little brother." made me think that she needed therapy, and lots of it, now.
  .
• After hearing Aono's explanation for coming out of the hospital, I wonder if she has the power to manipulate minds? It would certainly explain her hospital stay and exit. It will also lend credence to the theory that Yorito is Aono's "puppet".
  .
• Strange that Yorito would so willingly allow Matsuri to walk alone home... Slight plothole there. They could have at least made Mana walk with her, THEN have Matsuri ditch Mana when Yorito is not around to complain about her safety.
  .
• Cute.
  
  Koyori: "I'm truly sorry, but I'm going to have to change my image of Yorito-san!"
  .
• Matsuri's speech about not being alone in school lends further weight to the alternative meaning of sola.
  .
• They made Takeshi do an old-man joke in 'preview'.
  
  ORZ
  
  I was also taken aback when Mayuko's reply was so... rough, like she just smoked 50 packs of cigars or something.

One of the things that drives me crazy is the lack of previews. On one hand, they get to keep their cards close to their hearts and maximise the surprise potential, but on the other hand, it limits the speculation. Then again, it helps to keep the speculation focused on current events.

This series is genuinely confounding me, in a good way. I just hope the wrap-up does justice to what we have experienced so far. At this point, sola has greatly exceeded all my prior expectations, and the mystery is one that has eluded me the most.

I give a 09/10 for this episode. Flaws include the plotholes that I mentioned above, and some questionable plot-movement.

Cheers.

[andiyar]

Originally Posted by Skyfall

Hm? I think it is pretty obvious those scenes were "cut short" because the writer didn't want to reveal any of the bigger secrets behind them. Continuing either of the scenes and the dialogue would lead to knowledge we are not intended to have just yet

Such is indeed my assumption. But that said, the flashback still felt very uneven because of it - and as such I personally took 'points' off my episode score because of it. I'm not saying it's not done by everyone, as it often is. I just think that it could have been executed less abruptly.

Oh, and @ telliamed

That was a highly entertaining speculation. I like the way it all dovetails in nicely, at least in a possible sense, which is encouraging. Although I think in a sense, the esper-sidekick and android theory is as likely at this point!

Well. Maybe not quite. ^^


-Andiyar

[Skyfall]

Originally Posted by Skane

---- ----[list][*]I ended up eating my earlier words within the first minute when it was finally revealed to us who the hooded man is. Hmm... *munch, munch* sola has been making me *munch, munch* eat a lot of my words lately... *munch, munch* I haven't been this terrible with speculation since... *munch, munch* since ever.

In short, my speculation hit-rate has been woeful (abysmal even). The icing on the cake would be if Mana did turn out to be psycho. If that does happen, I wouldn't just need to eat my words, I would need to chew on my foot as well!

I can relate to that The show is doing well at keeping its cards hidden, revealing enough to start speculating, but not nearly enough to raise these speculations noticeably above guesswork. We don't eve know what kind of powers Aono might have, and whether Matsuri has the as well.

That said - i highly believe your foot is safe, because i don't know what would it take at this point for Mana to go psycho mode. If anything, she seems genuinely supportive of Yorito x Matsuri

[Deathkillz]

Originally Posted by Telliamed

I don't think the church is that significant. And I don't follow how you think there's a European connection.

The church represents safety. Holy ground is generally considered a place of sanctuary. Takeshi chasing Matsuri away from that safe place forebodes the eventual meeting of Matsuri and Aono, and facing the unresolved conflict between them.

It also looked pretty cool with those high-intensity lights blazing through stained-glass windows.

Since everyone is sharing their crazy theories, I've got one that'll really twist your mind around...

Spoiler for insane speculation:

17 years ago, Aono learns that Yorito has just been reincarnated. 200 years of obsessing over her lost love drives her to track-down the infant Yorito and murder his family, taking the child with her. Childhood friend of Yorito's real older sister Mayuko goes to the house and discovers the corpses ... except one of them isn't a corpse. Mayuko, despite the obviously fatal wounds, appears to be alive. That's when Takeshi sees someone fleeing the house: a woman with long, dark hair wearing a purple dress. Matsuri, who has kept an eye on Aono since she's responsible for her being "alive", revived Mayuko out of pity. Takeshi and his family eventually realize that this was the act of a yaka, and that Mayuko is now cursed. They were going to kill her right away, but Takeshi vows to find Matsuri so Mayuko's curse can be lifted, and also to avenge the murder of her parents. (He doesn't know about Aono, of course.) Aono, meanwhile, has raised Yorito while occasionally moving to another town or manipulating someone's memories to avoid suspicion. Matsuri would try to follow her, but until now was always too far behind.

What did Yorito discover that would allow Matsuri to walk in daylight? The title of this episode is "Blood Sacrifice", which means someone had to die. We saw Aono cut her own throat, but what she said indicates that Yorito had already died. The sacrifice that had to be made is for a mortal who loves a yaka to die. When he is reincarnated, his soul must lead him to the yaka again. If they reunite and he remembers his promise from the previous life, the yaka's soul will be purified and she will become human. (I haven't been reading the spoilers for future episodes, so I don't know what the speculation about episode 9 is.)

Aono wants Yorito to remember her so she'll become mortal again. Matsuri isn't that selfish and hasn't thought about Yorito in a long time. So even if she remembers what Yorito looked like in the past, she might not have recognized him right away. After a couple hundred years, you're likely to see a lot of people who bear a resemblance to someone else. Then she heard his name and remembered, but didn't think it was really him until she heard Aono's name. It may even be that she doesn't know about how becoming human.

... I haven't gotten as far as what's going to happen in the future.

you need a cookie if that turns out to be the case O.o very well put together even if the "turning back into a human" part seems a bit off ~ but it can work as ive had a similar thought as well as to were yorito's parents are

[octoberasian]

I finally got around to watching the subbed version of Ep.6 to fill in the parts that I didn't understand (since my knowledge of Japanese is pretty limited).

With all the speculations and theories being posted, I got to thinking...

Spoiler:

This is going back to the resurrection/reincarnation theory. Here are more assumptions now that I have a somewhat better understanding of this episode.

Spoiler for 200 to 400 years ago:

- Aono and Yorito discover Matsuri; find out she's a Yaka who can't stand in direct sunlight.

- Aono and Yorito keep this a secret from everyone else in the village.

- Given the different styles of clothing of Aono and Yorito, Aono seems to be, as one mentioned before, from an upper class. Yorito, given his clothing style is of lower class. Therefore, Aono and Yorito are not blood-related. This is later proven in this episode in the dialog between Matsuri and Aono in the train car:

Spoiler:

Matsuri: Yorito's your--
Aono: My brother.

Thus, I think now that Aono and Yorito were a boyfriend-girlfriend during that time period, and as such, would probably be keeping it a secret from their families due to their different classes.

- Matsuri is later discovered by the villagers and is considered a demon or monster. Given that, she is hunted down and therefore goes into hiding.

- The past-Yorito discovers a way to bring her out under the sky and promises to do so.

- That never happens, I would assume that the village discovered about Yorito helping the Yaka, Matsuri, and is therefore killed.

- Aono learns about it and knowing she can't live without him, kills herself, ala Romeo and Juliet-style, at night.

- Matsuri having pity for Aono, revives her the next day, and thus turns her into a Yaka.

Given the two above, Matsuri described near the end of the episode what a Yaka is and how it is created:

Spoiler:

Yakas are such existences created by the pain and the anxiety people throw away at night... another side of themselves that they hate the most.

That brings up a new question: What or who made Matsuri in the first place? If the pain that Aono had that night over losing Yorito, did Matsuri suffer from something similar?

Spoiler for 17 years ago:

- Mayuko gets killed. Matsuri discovers her body and revives her, only to have Takeshi find out.

- Takeshi realizes later that Mayuko is a Yaka, and considers it a curse. He thinks that by killing whoever turned her into one, here being Matsuri, he goes after her.

- Takeshi defends Mayuko from the humiliation and accusations from their family and those around them that she's a vampire since she can't stand in the sunlight.

Spoiler for 3 months ago:

- Since there is no way to prove or disprove that Yorito was born or re-born 17 years ago, one can assume that looking at the anime, Yakas have the ability to revive the dead just as Matsuri did to Aono. Therefore, seeing that the past-Yorito and the present-Yorito are of the same age and height, I would assume that Yorito was either revived or... re-created.

- It took almost all of Aono's power to do so, since she can't live without him. The side-effect, however, is no memory of his past life, thus I think Aono gave him false memories.

- This goes back to my other theory that Yorito is completely human. He lives, grows up and dies. Aono has a somewhat undying love for him, thus she recreates him in every time period, and memories are re-created.

It would explain why Aono stated she used a lot of her powers 3 months ago. If Yakas can deteriorate inanimate objects and biological life, they can do the opposite as well-- revive life or give life. Aono gave "life" to an inanimate origami frog. But, to revive or even give life would take a greater amount of power than trying to destroy or deteriorate it.

Therefore, Yorito is re-created at the same age, 17 years, grows up, and dies like any human. Aono eventually disappears from his life and recreates him again. It becomes an endless, perpetual cycle just like the Yaka. Aono will eventually disappear from Yorito's life when he gets older and suspicious that Aono never aged at all.

Spoiler for Present day:

- Fast forward to the present day, present-Yorito subconsciously makes the same promise to Matsuri as he has done in his past life.

- Takeshi catches up to Matsuri to kill her, thus hopefully reversing the effects of what Mayuko has.

- Aono and Matsuri meet up again after having been separated and in hiding for so long.

- Aono insists on being Yorito's sister, knowing full well that she and Yorito were something else entirely centuries beforehand. Even Matsuri knows about this. Why? If going by the theory that Yorito was re-created by Aono, she has to be involved in his life where it will cause the least amount of suspicion and heartache-- either a neighbor, a classmate, or a sister. Sister would be the most obvious seeing that she can be with Yorito for a precious few moments in his life until Yorito gets older and before he grows suspicious of Aono's growth, or lack thereof.

- The one factor that Aono didn't realize or probably has realized, is that Matsuri developed or remembered her feelings for Yorito, evident by the last scene's kiss on the school's rooftop. She tells Yorito that Yakas must live alone. This goes back to the meaning of the title, other than play-on-words with "sora" for sky. Sola is a latin word, female gender, for one living alone. If it was a male gender, it would be "solo." Seeing that Aono is back, Matsuri has to leave, though as painful as it is to her own heart. She knows Aono's true relationship with Yorito, and does not want to selfishly intrude or interrupt it. Thus, she does so out of respect for Aono.

This then comes to Telliamed's awesome speculation. But, I was more particular with one part of that theory:

Originally Posted by Telliamed

Aono wants Yorito to remember her so she'll become mortal again. Matsuri isn't that selfish and hasn't thought about Yorito in a long time. So even if she remembers what Yorito looked like in the past, she might not have recognized him right away. After a couple hundred years, you're likely to see a lot of people who bear a resemblance to someone else. Then she heard his name and remembered, but didn't think it was really him until she heard Aono's name. It may even be that she doesn't know about how becoming human.

It sounds pretty true, especially if you listen to the ending lyrics:
Close your eyes and
Fading pages of memories will be revived.
This is a prayer of an innocent girl -
To fly up towards the skies of hope.
The moment you sigh, time flies by right away.
While you stand idle by yourself.

Sing to yourself the melody that protects dreams
When people have fallen asleep.
This wish that we may meet again,
Will this yarn of love be spun?

This fairytale that invites gentleness;
You were the one that taught me about it.
Let us return, quietly,
To our memories of those times.

Is this talking about Aono and Yorito or Yorito and Matsuri? It could be both. Probably the one reason that Yorito is recreated, revived, or resurrected by Aono would have to be that she hopes that in one of the recreations Yorito remembers her. I think Telliamed is pretty much right on that. For Matsuri, I think she remembers the promise both versions of Yorito made to her, and she remembers how she felt for Yorito in the past and the present. It seems that the factor of one's memories is the key in this story at making one mortal again. It wouldn't have been possible for Matsuri centuries ago because she and Yorito most likely never met before that time. Now that centuries have past and Yorito has met up with Matsuri again, it's most likely she'll be able to turn human again-- if Yorito remembers her. But, will it work for more than one person, or even for Mayuko? Unless there is another factor other than memories that can reverse the effects of a Yaka...

There's got to be something else here that'll probably be explained in upcoming episodes.

[Nemesis2124]

Neat, I really like that last paragraph about the whole memories thing. It also integrates well with my own speculation, so I may have to adopt the idea. =)

[aorta]

I think Mana is hiding some dark secrets. She's just too nice.

[Nemesis2124]

Well, not everyone needs to have a dark secret you know? We'd probably have seen at least some sign by now if she did. So far she seems relegated to a supporting role to the major players and I'm kinda hoping she stays that way. The show kinda has it's plate full enough as it is. That said though, my gut tells me that she'll have at least one pivotal supportive action in the plot.

[wontaek]

Does anyone have any information regarding the children's song in ep. 1 and 2(?)? Not only does the melody sound very familiar, the text may contain big spoilers.

[Telliamed]

Originally Posted by Nemesis2124

Well, not everyone needs to have a dark secret you know? We'd probably have seen at least some sign by now if she did.

Being friends with Yorito isn't suspicious enough?

[4Tran]

Now that I think about it, I really like the way that Matsuri teased Yorito throughout this episode. The dinner table scene, in particular, was very well done. I really wish that we'd get more abuse of this nature than the physical abuse that we see all too much of in shounen romance shows. It really shows off the kind of difference good writing makes to an otherwise stock scene.

[Ascaloth]

@ 4Tran,

You might want to choose your words carefully, pal. Those who didn't know better would assume that you just like to see characters being abused in general. J/K

[Kaoru Chujo]

Great speculations from octoberasian and telliamed. I think we're getting somewhere -- just in time for Friday's broadcast. You guys covered so much that I'm sure some bits are wrong, but there seems to be a lot that could be right.

Originally Posted by 4Tran

Now that I think about it, I really like the way that Matsuri teased Yorito throughout this episode. The dinner table scene, in particular, was very well done. I really wish that we'd get more abuse of this nature than the physical abuse that we see all too much of in shounen romance shows. It really shows off the kind of difference good writing makes to an otherwise stock scene.

I agree. I hate the physical abuse, which for me is usually either silly or distasteful. I like the edge of affection this teasing has, too. I'll give Mamiko Noto some credit, along with the writers.

[Telliamed]

Originally Posted by 4Tran

Now that I think about it, I really like the way that Matsuri teased Yorito throughout this episode. The dinner table scene, in particular, was very well done. I really wish that we'd get more abuse of this nature than the physical abuse that we see all too much of in shounen romance shows. It really shows off the kind of difference good writing makes to an otherwise stock scene.

I just realised what they did with this scene, and why Mana and Koyori reacted the way they did.

In other anime like this that are based on a game, doesn't it always seem that the writers just follow the best path? You never see the main character make the "wrong" choice. Well that's what Yorito did. Matsuri teases him and he can either (a) play along, "Hah-hah. Yeah, I guess we won't be sharing a bed then." (b) deny it, "I didn't do anything wrong. You were asking me to touch you!" (c) appeal to decency, "She's just teasing me, Mana. You know I'd never do anything like that." (d) change the subject, "Oh, uh... Koyori, do you want more carrots?"

So he goes with (b) and the girls get mad at him. Whoops, guess he shouldn't have said that. He's probably wishing he had made a save point before dinner. Too late now.

[4Tran]

Originally Posted by Ascaloth

@ 4Tran,

You might want to choose your words carefully, pal. Those who didn't know better would assume that you just like to see characters being abused in general. J/K

Hah! The joke's on you. I do like seeing characters get abused . But only when it's A) funny, B) fun, or C) leads to interesting character development. Seeing yet another anime girl overreact doesn't do much for any of the three, but the dinner table scene satisfies both A and B.

Telliamed, that's a great observation about making the wrong choice. It's definitely a more refreshing approach.

[Ascaloth]

Originally Posted by 4Tran

Hah! The joke's on you. I do like seeing characters get abused . But only when it's A) funny, B) fun, or C) leads to interesting character development. Seeing yet another anime girl overreact doesn't do much for any of the three, but the dinner table scene satisfies both A and B.

Telliamed, that's a great observation about making the wrong choice. It's definitely a more refreshing approach.

Remind me to stay FAR away from you.

[felix]

Originally Posted by aorta

I think Mana is hiding some dark secrets. She's just too nice.

I think, that if she was, then that would be a very VERY bad move by the writer. Mana should stay the respectful non-realistic character that she is, otherwise we won't have something to compare the supernatural drama with. (like in most romance shows)

I suspect you're pointing to the Mana-Matsuri scene where the Yaka discussion took place. It's been bugging me, but honestly there really wasn't a better way to approach the issue, even if it's soo~ suspect. The alternative would be one of those scenes where Mana would go: OMFG Your Ya-- yaka! WTF iz that OMG LOL...... you get the picture.

On little question still remains, could it be Mana knows more about Aono then she lets us believe. =/ Mmm..
I mean to so quickly find stuff like Yaka, and to speak sooo... easily about it.

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

I agree. I hate the physical abuse, which for me is usually either silly or distasteful. I like the edge of affection this teasing has, too. I'll give Mamiko Noto some credit, along with the writers.

Me too... I'm all for the story to be on the edge, as far as feelings are concern, but not like that.

[Skyfall]

Originally Posted by Cats

On little question still remains, could it be Mana knows more about Aono then she lets us believe. =/ Mmm..
I mean to so quickly find stuff like Yaka, and to speak sooo... easily about it.

Yorito knows Mana for only 3 months, so i don't think she is anything else than a normal girl. Granted, she did accept the truth about Matsuri far too easily... and i still can't decide whether the writers decided to be a bit lazy, or is it something more... though i am leaning towards the former.