2012-12-10, 21:10 | Link #521 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
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I know Haru has genuine issues. I know he had a hard past. I think Haru is ultimately a good person.
However while I don't think he would ever hurt Shizuku purposely, I can't say I am thrilled with the line about wanting to tear off her arms and legs and then because he can't do that to her he threatens Yamaken. Things like that bother me. Haru and Mitty certainly have sweet moments but its hard for me to get invested in their relationship because of Haru's behavior. It just doesn't work for me. I honestly don't see it as romantic at all but problematic. Yamaken of course is not perfect either. He's too arrogant for his own good, but I have a weakness for unrequited love stories. And well I don't know I kind of enjoy how his arrogance is being brought down a notch or two because of his attraction to Shizuku. Anyways manga readers could someone please tell me what chapter this latest episode corresponds to exactly? I am going to miss next week's episode and so I don't go through withdrawal (because despite my criticism I am still highly enjoying the series) I want to start reading the manga from where this episode left off.
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2012-12-10, 21:15 | Link #522 | ||
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Tennessee
Age: 36
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*answers Kim on her wall* |
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2012-12-10, 21:27 | Link #523 | |
Beyond the Fringe
Join Date: Jun 2011
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2012-12-10, 21:30 | Link #524 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Tennessee
Age: 36
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2012-12-10, 21:37 | Link #525 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Miami, FL
Age: 37
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At this point they're treating Haru's unintentional violence towards Shizuku as a running gag; apparently it's supposed to be funny. The show doesn't seem to be taking it seriously, so I would be surprised if someone really confronts him on the matter. I don't like it either, but I do like that it demonstrates how OP she is. That girl can take blows like a champ!
Also, I'm loving the hilarious expressions they gave Shizuku whenever she unknowingly messed up Yamaken's plans to go out and eat with her. |
2012-12-10, 21:41 | Link #526 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
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I hate to say it but this series is reminding me more and more of my feelings for Kare Kano. In that one too I loved the main female protagonist but ended up not really caring for the main male character. That being said I think Tonari's supporting cast is stronger then Kare Kano (although some may disagree) so that's what is keeping me really invested in this series so far.
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2012-12-10, 21:51 | Link #527 |
formerly ogon bat
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Mexico
Age: 53
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Shizuku must have a really thick skull, she bended the damn metal can Haru threw at Yamaken! No bumps either. If Shizuku were into karate instead of studying I think she would make mince meat of Haru without breaking a sweat.
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2012-12-10, 22:42 | Link #528 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Age: 35
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Anyway, as for the discussion about physical violence in this series. Or at least, the incidents where Shizuku has gotten harmed on account of Haru's rowdiness. First of all, yes, I agree/do believe that those instances are supposed to portray Shizuku as a strong/independent character. Shizuku's reactions to incidents like those are supposed to portray that despite not being as physically strong as Haru, she can stand up to him. And as for whether Shizuku really can stand up to Haru, not only in a physical sense, but emotionally, interpersonally, I believe that should not even be under question. Then as for the secondary issue that people keep raising that Haru is just too violent for them to like, or support in a relationship with Shizuku. I have to wonder what they really think the alternatives are. Haru is a broken individual, yes. However, he is not completely beyond conscience or rationality. Even within this episode you saw that although Haru has unhealthy impulses, he is aware that he has to restrain them. In particular, hasn't it been indicated that Haru admires/perceives Shizuku as his saviour/"hero" because she helps him restrain them? If Shizuku is a demonstrably positive influence on Haru, then what do you think would be achieved by taking her away from him? Shizuku herself is not acting out of charity or any misguided fantasy, so why not trust her to handle herself with her own judgement? To say that Haru should be wrested away from Shizuku, overriding the person in question's own decisions, when Haru's behaviour has been portrayed as understood to be negative and unhealthy even by Haru himself is to suggest that redemption is impossible even when people are willing or even desperate to try for it. And that is an even more troubling perspective for me than treating this series as cheap fantasy. |
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2012-12-10, 22:52 | Link #529 | |
Emperor of the Expected
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Florida
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2012-12-11, 01:35 | Link #530 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Age: 29
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Well, it's not an anime/manga about abusive boyfriends so you don't have to worry about that Also, like Haru said, he would never purposely hurt Shizuku. She holds all the power in their relationship, Haru is too scared to say or do anything wrong, because if he did, she would leave him. Holding so much power over him, I think, while Haru does unintentionally hurt her physically sometimes, she hurts him emotionally over and over, something Haru never did to her and I don't think she actually realises it. So, while on surface (I'm only talking about their relationship), it seems that what Haru is doing is a lot worse, both of them are at fault here.
I also think it's kind of unfair if this anime doesnt get a second season. After these 11 episodes most of you dislike Haru, and I admit I don't really like him like that either. But these are the last bits of Haru acting like that. Having read the manga, I know what an awesome character he's become. He has had so much character development and there are few people who dislike Haru at this stage in the manga. I love how they managed to change peoples' opinions of him so much. Generally, you either like the character, or dislike him and it stays that way. So it would be really sad if people only saw Haru acting like... that.
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Last edited by Lota; 2012-12-11 at 12:21. |
2012-12-11, 02:31 | Link #531 | |
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No wonder I'm not liking Haru either as there are some similarities.
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2012-12-11, 05:36 | Link #532 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Denver
Age: 34
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With that out of the way, having also read the manga, I agree, unless they skip/combine a lot of the intervening chapters (or have more episodes/a second season already lined up) they are going to end before the best part. There is a lot more development for many of the characters - not just Haru and Shizuku, but Natsume, Sasayan, and Oshima - that really shows, through events both happy and sad, their vulnerability, strength, and consideration (and occasionally lack thereof) for each other. |
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2012-12-11, 09:21 | Link #533 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
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I am just saying I am not enjoying the way this relationship is being written. The fact that Shizuku is basically a restraint for Haru and if she wasn't around he might revert back is not a well written romance for me. Perhaps Haru will have some amazing character development later on (as mentioned above) and that will change my feelings on this relationship but for now I am just not personally a fan.
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2012-12-11, 10:42 | Link #534 |
Seishu's Ace
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kobe, Japan
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One thing that’s become indisputable in my mind is this: Yamaken and Haru bring out the worst in each other. If that was ever in doubt it was amply proven this week. Yamaken sees Haru and he can’t help but tweak and provoke him, much as he did when they were children. And Haru can’t help but take the bait and be provoked – as smart as he is in school, he’s incredibly dumb in matters of emotion.
During their late-night chance meeting Haru asks Yamaken “Are you scared of me?” and of course, the unspoken answer is yes – and it isn’t without good reason, which cuts to the heart of the problem. Haru is a scary person sometimes – the angry boy who throws cans after petty provocation (this is the third time he’s inadvertently struck Shizuku) and makes shocking comments on the spur of the moment. I feel quite confident that Haru would never intentionally do anything to harm Shizuku, partly because I believe he means it when he says so (and that he loves her) and partly because at heart he’s simply not that kind of person. But there’s a problem in that he’d say such things in the first place, and that he’s clearly capable of harming those for whom he feels enmity rather than affection. We still don’t know all the ways in which those Haru has loved have hurt him – it’s very clear that Yuzan has done a considerable amount of damage himself – but it’s absolutely obvious than he’s just not capable of believing anyone can love him and not hurt him, which is at the heart both of his relationship issues with Mitty and his vulnerability to Yamaken. I think Mitty sums up this relationship best herself – “Why is it that we’re always out of sync?” Haru always finds her when he’s at his most emotionally desperate as if by fate, and reaches out to her in a completely vulnerable and loving manner than touches her at every level – then says the worst possible thing he can. When he says “I want you” and “I’ve been restraining myself” he doesn’t mean sexually – I think even Mitty realizes this after a moment – bur that he’s simply incapable of placing his trust in someone he loves without “proof” that they won’t burn him. What really needs to happen is for someone to explain to one or both of them just what’s so obvious to the viewer, but life usually doesn’t work that way, and they agonizingly continue to fumble around in the dark, missing each other every time. I don’t know if this is fixable, but I don’t join the chorus who dismiss Haru as a bad person or a bad character – in a universe full of uninteresting romantic leads, he’s utterly fascinating. And Tonari pulls no punches by trying to simplify him or turn him into a teddy bear – he’s more of a grizzly. Haru is a mess, and risky, and damaged – but for me, really fascinating both individually and as part of a relationship with Shizuku.
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2012-12-11, 12:45 | Link #535 |
formerly ogon bat
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Mexico
Age: 53
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I wonder who came with the translation "My little Monster", there is nothing "little" about him, he *is* a monster, that does not mean he is bad, but bringing him into your house will break a few things and if someone is so dumb as to trap him into a corner, the "it was a prank!" excuse will not save them from a world of hurt. I expect as time goes by that Haru will become a civilized savage (lifting his pinky finger as he drinks his cup of tea and all that), but that does not mean Shizuku will not have to pull his leash now and then as Kagome did with Inuyasha.
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2012-12-11, 14:44 | Link #538 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Tennessee
Age: 36
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I had a stroke whenever I was being born (My birth didn't go very smoothly, to say the least, there were a number of other problems too), and I certainly have a worse sense of direction than most people. One time at a restaurant, I got lost after going to the bathroom and it took me about ten minutes to relocate the table where my family was at, and it's not at all uncommon for me to go in the wrong direction down a hallway after leaving a room.
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2012-12-12, 15:30 | Link #540 |
Bittersweet Distractor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 32
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Honestly, while Haru has done a lot that is immature, it's Shizuku who is being the more annoying individual. She is the one who refuses to make any sacrifices to be in a relationship. She flat out said her studying is more important, and with that sort of attitude, they'll never be together regardless of Haru's attitude or not. Does she really have to be at the very top of her class? She can afford to live a little, it's not like her grades dropped to the point that she couldn't succeed in life.
Like Yamaken said, why does she have to have all or nothing? She's just as childish as Haru in someways, even if she isn't quite as dangerous. Again I must reiterate that I am starting to grow increasingly frustrated by the pussyfooting in this show to keep the two leads out of a relationship. They've been walking in circles.
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romantic comedy, shoujo |
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