sola - Episode 6 Discussion / Poll

[orion]

Originally Posted by Mueti

Spoiler:

That might also be...but like Skyfall said: It would be pretty tough, if not impossible, for Aono to live a life a life as a normal girl when she get's burned in sunlight. She seems to not have been human anymore for quite some time already and her hospitalization was only 3 months ago, so I find it hard to believe that she managed to avoid sunlight before without raising suspicion.

Spoiler:

But Aono only has to claim that she has xeroderma pigmentosum and she's covered imo. The only ones that would know for sure are the hunters. Plus, she just moves around a lot like Matsuri does.

Isn't blue an expensive pigment? Matsuri had a blue kimono on in that flashback.

How to simply rationalize Yorito is a mystery? Resurrection is too convenient imo. Reincarnation alone doesn't cover it either imo. Could he be an astral projection with the real body somewhere else?

Originally Posted by Icerack

Spoiler for sola:

So maybe rather than reincarnation, Yorito is some Yaka that lived up until now, but with his memories lost and somehow is able to go out in the sun. Can wait till next ep.

Now that would be interesting....

Spoiler:

Yorito is actually a daywalker. Yorito transferring that ability to his Yaka offspring or Matsuri would be a very good thing for Yakas.

That is the simplest solution yet. And Aono wiped his memories to protect him. That would mean that Yorito would be the most dangerous Yaka of them all.

That also ties in with his healing so fast in ep. 6.

Yep. I like this theory a lot Icerack.

[PastPrime]

Spoiler:

Yorito is dressed plainly in the flashbacks, likely a commoner. Aono is dressed well, probably from a noble family. Perhaps it was her family, not Yorito's death, that was going to force her to live without him. Just a thought since this episode destoyed most of my theories.

[wontaek]

Originally Posted by PastPrime

Spoiler:

Yorito is dressed plainly in the flashbacks, likely a commoner. Aono is dressed well, probably from a noble family. Perhaps it was her family, not Yorito's death, that was going to force her to live without him. Just a thought since this episode destoyed most of my theories.

I think this is a very plausible theory. Whenever you make theories about something, you should always start with ones that make most common sense and minimum disturbance to the people. Of course, people always want more fancy explanation, but any work of fiction would degrade into non-sense trash if they ignore simple, common sense explanation too much.

[Mueti]

Originally Posted by orion

Spoiler:

But Aono only has to claim that she has xeroderma pigmentosum and she's covered imo. The only ones that would know for sure are the hunters. Plus, she just moves around a lot like Matsuri does.

Spoiler:

That wouldn't quite match what Yorito said though. He told Matsuri and Mana that Aono was allright before her hospitalization.
But Aono seems to be special anyway; at least we haven't seen Matsuri bringing origami to life with her blood just yet.

[orion]

Originally Posted by Mueti

Spoiler:

That wouldn't quite match what Yorito said though. He told Matsuri and Mana that Aono was allright before her hospitalization.
But Aono seems to be special anyway; at least we haven't seen Matsuri bringing origami to life with her blood just yet.

Spoiler:

But, it does fit if his memories were messed with and/or he is also lying to protect Aono. Yorito as a daywalker with messed up memories makes this much simpler.

Also we don't know how long Aono and Yorito have been at their present location or anything about the "parents" or real owners of that house.

I also don't think that Matsuri hails from poor origins either with what she was wearing.

[Telliamed]

Originally Posted by Skyfall

Spoiler:

I don't know about Aono though... she might "hate" Matsuri, but if all she wants to do is die that badly, she can simply go take a stroll on a sunny day Makes me wonder how she has managed to conceal her inability to stand sunlight while living as a "normal" girl.

I've been thinking about how yaka are created.

Spoiler for yaka:

Matsuri describes yaka as a product of human fear, pain, and sadness. When Aono died, she was filled with grief. It could be a prerequisite to become yaka that a person's soul be disturbed at the time of death. May even be necessary that she take her own life.

But for the soul to reanimate the body as a yaka, the opportunity to enter the afterlife is denied. The soul's return to the mortal world is permanent. That's why yaka are almost immortal. But when the body is destroyed, the soul cannot enter the afterlife or be reincarnated.

After a period of misery, Aono eventually accepted her fate and decided to try and get Yorito back, no matter how long it took.

Originally Posted by Kaioshin_Sama

Seriously, never in my 22 years did I imagine this type of story paying attention to the mysteries surrounding a male character, normally its all about the girls and the male lead is a stand in for the viewer/gamer.

A poignant observation. I'm usually bored with the transparent nature of the player-character in most games. Obviously, the games are made to allow the player to overlay his own personality on the character in a vicarious (or is it voyeuristic?) way. But it makes the game artificial because all the responses, even the "bad" ones, have to be generic and uninspired.

I hope the game designers for Sola take advantage of this. It could add more of a role-playing aspect to the game. You're not just working with how the girls will react, but also what Yorito would do in a situation.

Originally Posted by wontaek

In episode 1, Koyori confessed that she felt uneasy calling Mana 'elder sister (= Onee-san)', to which Mana somewhat dejectedly answered 'Yes, I know', which seems to indicate that Mana herself isn't used to be called 'elder sister.' I don't think this is merely a matter of Koyori being cute.

I think it's just an aspect of her always speaking formally. The Ninth Commandment of Moe: Though shalt use proper names for all things.

[Deathkillz]

Originally Posted by orion

Spoiler:

Also we don't know how long Aono and Yorito have been at their present location or anything about the "parents" or real owners of that house.

Spoiler:

or if they even have any O.o if the theory of them both living X numbers of years together then something is seriously strange here ~

1) okey forget about the memories but wouldnt yorito realize that he isnt living in the same time period being alive for so many years and no get any older...or is it aono is resetting his memories? (highly unlikely)

2) parents...okey do they have any? what about yorito's memories of growing up? its not like hes a robot that has just been switched on (and i doubt it will get that complex)

still this proves that the theory of reincarnation is better...with that aono could have altered his mind to make him think that she is his onee chan while killing off the parents herself (as an added extra to her mystery )

[PastPrime]

Originally Posted by Deathkillz

Spoiler:

or if they even have any O.o if the theory of them both living X numbers of years together then something is seriously strange here ~

1) okey forget about the memories but wouldnt yorito realize that he isnt living in the same time period being alive for so many years and no get any older...or is it aono is resetting his memories? (highly unlikely)

2) parents...okey do they have any? what about yorito's memories of growing up? its not like hes a robot that has just been switched on (and i doubt it will get that complex)

still this proves that the theory of reincarnation is better...with that aono could have altered his mind to make him think that she is his onee chan while killing off the parents herself (as an added extra to her mystery )

Spoiler:

All the possibilities seem to have flaws. How many peoples memories would she have to reset. Unless Yorito was an orphened loner it could end up being quite a few. There are normaly a number of family friends and a number of neighbors who would know if you had an older sister or not. Plus them having a house and money.

[Icerack]

Spoiler for sola:

That wouldn't quite match what Yorito said though. He told Matsuri and Mana that Aono was allright before her hospitalization.
But Aono seems to be special anyway; at least we haven't seen Matsuri bringing origami to life with her blood just yet.

Yes, it would mean that Aono was alright with the sunshine before she was hospitalized. That means Yakas do have a mean to live in the sun? So maybe Yorito is that Yaka as my theory goes, but he has unrealized powers at the moment. When his powers come back, he'll remember everything and will like the rain much more than burning in the sun

In episode 1, Koyori confessed that she felt uneasy calling Mana 'elder sister (= Onee-san)', to which Mana somewhat dejectedly answered 'Yes, I know', which seems to indicate that Mana herself isn't used to be called 'elder sister.' I don't think this is merely a matter of Koyori being cute.

Koyori=adopted?
Let's not forget that Koyori is also hospitalized for having a weak body. Wonder if that point has any relation to any of this.

[orion]

Originally Posted by Deathkillz

Spoiler:

or if they even have any O.o if the theory of them both living X numbers of years together then something is seriously strange here ~

1) okey forget about the memories but wouldnt yorito realize that he isnt living in the same time period being alive for so many years and no get any older...or is it aono is resetting his memories? (highly unlikely)

2) parents...okey do they have any? what about yorito's memories of growing up? its not like hes a robot that has just been switched on (and i doubt it will get that complex)

still this proves that the theory of reincarnation is better...with that aono could have altered his mind to make him think that she is his onee chan while killing off the parents herself (as an added extra to her mystery )

But....

Spoiler:

You're assuming that he has family memories. He really hasn't verbalized a lot about his background so far.

For all we know, Aono could have had him in hibernation since he also could be a Yaka, recently woke him and reset his memories. However, a little bit of Matsuri remains in his subconscious and that's why he's obsessive about the sky. A reincarnation is only one of the many possible scenarios for Yorito.

[Skyfall]

After watching ep6 i can say it is a great episode indeed. Sola has officially positioned itself as my no1 pick of the season.

Most important event of the ep: omg, kissu!!! Now, lets move on to other, less important matters.

Matsuri's and Aono's bloody past... seems like Yorito indeed died, and Aono killed herself. Question is - who was Aono to Yorito and vice versa ? Were they siblings back then ?(I assume it happened a loong time ago).

Matsuri seems to think(and quite strongly) that Yorito is something more than just a brother to Aono. (Though who knows). Obviously, Matsuri has feelings for Yorito as well. Why did she leave at the end of the ep? Because she feels somewhat guilty about "stealing" Yorito away from Aono ? I think that might be the biggest reason... i think the speech she gave at the end was to simply conjure up some sort of a justification for her leave.

Aono and her powers... could it be that Yaka's have different types of powers? At least we haven't seen Matsuri bringing objects to life just yet. (Oh, wait - scratch that - she brought Aono back to life ).

Looks like Aono and Yorito moved here only 3 months ago ... wow, sure didn't take much time for him to turn Mana in to his personal cook >.<

As it is now, the biggest mystery is Yorito himself. Just what exactly is he? A reincarnation? A Yaka himself, who has gained the ability to live in daylight? Not, that at the beginning of the ep Yorito announces that he has found a way to bring Matsuri out in the sunlight.

Aono's suicide implied that Yorito died... so either he is a reincarnation, or Aono(or Matsuri) brought him back to life and applied the method he had found on to him, enabling him to live as a "normal" human.

Now, why doesn't he have memories of the past? (Aside from his attachment to the sky). He could be a reincarnation. But i would like to know how Aono managed to find him in that case, take him away from his family and set herself up living with him. Seems a bit far fetched, so i will go with the other possibility:

Him being a daywalker. It would also explain why the wound he got from Takashi seems utterly forgotten: If he is a Yaka, his healing rate would be high as well. Which brings us to his missing memories. Did Aono wipe them clean? If so, then why? To make him forget Matsuri ?

Perhaps to let him live as a normal human ?... but that doesn't really fit - he would notice sooner or later that he doesn't age. Maybe he was kept in some sort of a "hibernation" all this time, and revived recently: perhaps the cure he had found back the wasn't ready, and it took Aono all this time to complete it ?

Gah... i think my head starts to hurt >.< I have to commend Sola on a mystery well done - there are no obvious answers, and i can't come up with a theory that doesn't have some sort of a loophole.

Matsuri/Yorito interactions are as cute and funny as ever. She doesn't pass on the opportunity to tease him again, even in front of Aono. Can't believe Mana and Kuyori fell for it >.>

"Kuyori is deeply sorry, but Kuyori will be changing her opinion of Yorito-san!" < LOL

What happened to the inhabitants of the house Aono/Yorito moved in to ? *ponders if it has a cellar ...*

All that aside: what happens now? We are barely halfway with the series, so i wonder where the plot will go now. Obviously, Yorito won't be very happy about Matsuri's disappearance. Which leads me to the favor that Matsuri asked of Aono ... since we are speculating that Aono can manipulate thoughts, perhaps she asked Aono to erase all of Yorito's recent memories about her? (Which would obviously backfire at some point )

At any rate - i hope Matsuri won't disappear from screen for any amount of prolonged time: I have a feeling that the series needs her to maintain it's charm (and her interactions with Yorito)

Or not. Will Yorito go looking for Matsuri? Will Takashi's arm heal? Will Aono use her powers again? Will we ever get a normal preview ?

Gah... can't wait for the next ep >.<
If this kind of a quality storytelling keeps up, i think i will manage to find a spot for Sola in my top5.
*goes to rock back and forth in a corner while waiting for the next week*

[Sorrow-K]

Originally Posted by Kaioshin_Sama

Okay that's it, when the male lead of a story is approaching the status of most mysterious character you know something good is going on. Once the series has finished I'll probably marathon it or something.

Seriously, never in my 22 years did I imagine this type of story paying attention to the mysteries surrounding a male character, normally its all about the girls and the male lead is a stand in for the viewer/gamer. This series also has the advantage of not being based off a game and thus having to follow a rigid plot structure revolving around character arcs. Looks like a low-profile sleeper hit and that's the way I like these kinds of shows, no hype going into it, a small cult that discusses the merits and ideas presented by the show and best of all, no controversy every episode or two.

You must have missed Tsukihime then. And why should a series' followers have any influence over one's opinion of a show. At all. That's crazy, IMO.

Anyway, with that said, I'm not sure why everyone has gone head-over-heels for this show, since I don't think it's done anything all that special so far. It's mildly interesting and enjoyable, but hardly ranks among the better titles this season, or the better titles in this genre. Anyway, I'm seeing a whole heap of similarities between this and Tsukihime, and so far I'd say the latter has Sola beat in pretty much every department: more enigmatic characters, more engaging mystery, more dense, layered atmosphere, better execution and direction, etc, etc. I know I'm going to offend people with this comment, but, as much as I hate to say it, it just feels like Sola is coming off as a poor man's Tsukihime to this stage.

With that said, I don't dislike this show, I just think people are getting a little over-enthusiastic about it, in my eyes.

Spoiler for ep 6:

The plot twist surrounding Aono doesn't especially surprise me, but the relation with Matsuri and the fact that Yorito somehow ties in with the Yaka's existence raises a whole heap of interesting questions. The other big unknown is Takeshi and Mayuko and exactly what and how they fit into the mystery. This ep really doesn't offer a great deal, except the suggestion that Mayuko isn't a Yaka... but I'm not sure how willing one would be to swallow that.

It's the mystery that keeps this show interesting. I wouldn't say the other components are obviously flawed, but they do feel tepid and underwhelming. I still somewhat suspect that, in the hands of a slightly better director, this could be a much better anime...

[Ascaloth]

The first time I finished watching this, the following picture visually represents my reaction at that time perfectly;

Spoiler for a word that is NSFW:

MINDFUCK!!!

I had to watch it a second time immediately to gather my thoughts, and I'll have to say one thing. The previous episode made me think that there was no way I could rate the Final Critique for Sola higher than Kanon 2006's Final Critique. This episode made me think otherwise.

All the critics who questioned the validity of Aono's presence in the whole shebang are going to eat their words. All the assumptions about Yorito that has been erstwhile taken for granted are now thrown out the window. Everything that has been comfortable about this series has now been replaced by thoroughly uncomfortable questions, with just enough clues to whet the appetite, yet not enough for anyone to make a solid deduction.

This is the perfect plot twist, no matter which way I look at it.

10/10. Anything less is a travesty.

Now, as everybody will no doubt be speculating their butts off, I shall refrain for the time being, as I'm really more interested in seeing everyone's speculations for now, rather than give my own for the time being. On the other hand, I'll give random thoughts for lack of anything better to say. I'm going to need some time to recover from this mind-.....well, you know.

All time frames are from the Lunar Sub:

1) I'm surprised that Yorito and Mana can take the fact of the previous day's events with a straight face. Then again, it's not like there wasn't precedent for it...

2) 03:39-03:51. "Iron Claw", Matsuri? Whatever happened to your theory that a good, simple kick can fix anything?

3) Whatever Mayuko is, we can be reasonably sure she's not a Yaka, or at least not in the same vein as Matsuri

Spoiler:

and Aono

are. She wouldn't be able to accompany Takeshi to the hospital otherwise in broad daylight.

4) 04:43-04:44. The animation of the Mayuko-Koyori collision is way too rough. They didn't even look like they touched each other. Another example of Nomad's animators being lazy again.

5) 05:29-05:37. So not only is Mana stacked, she also packs a nice trunk area, too.

6) 16:07-16:53. Getting rid of the competition, are we, Matsuri-san?

7) Does anyone else think that Koyori's speech pattern is eeriely similar to that of AIR (TV)'s Uraha?

8)

Spoiler:

Aono and Matsuri seems to look recognizably younger in the past, younger than past-Yorito, while their present selfs look to be around present-Yorito's age. Anyone care to elaborate on what that could possibly mean?

9) Somehow, I don't think the last scene is Matsuri's bye-bye. Don't ask me why, I just have this feeling Yorito will return home next episode to find her sitting pretty somewhere within his house.

[DragoonKain3]

One thing is for sure; no one will ever call Mana and Yorito Osana-Najimi anymore. That really annoyed the heck out of me, because though Mana and Yorito might be close friends, they haven't exhibited the regular symptoms of being childhood friends.

And I guess I was right; Yorito and Mana did get to know each other (or at least, got as close to each other as they are right now) because both their respective siblings had been hospitalized.

Originally Posted by Sorrow-K

You must have missed Tsukihime then. And why should a series' followers have any influence over one's opinion of a show. At all. That's crazy, IMO.

Quoted (and bolded) for truth. Going against the bandwagon just for the sake of going against the bandwagon? That's not crazy... that's just plain stupid (and for that matter, prejudiced as well). If one avoided every show that exhibits even the least bit amount of popularity, then one would be missing most of the great shows. While one might not like every popular show (tastes differ, I hear), there IS a good reason why a show is popular. As such, don't knock it till you try it.

And that is not limited to shows, but fansubs as well. I though that Kaoishin was complimenting afk before when he said they had a 'cult' following, but I guess I was wrong. Sure, go with the subbing group that you like the most (everyone has their favorites, I hear), but ruling out a particular group because a lot of people prefer their subs? That's a pretty shallow reason. Go see the subs and find actual reasons before passing judgement whether or not to follow their subs.

You really don't know what you're missing, but then again ignorance is bliss for some people, I guess. >_>

[Anacone]

Originally Posted by Sorrow-K

You must have missed Tsukihime then. And why should a series' followers have any influence over one's opinion of a show. At all. That's crazy, IMO.

Anyway, with that said, I'm not sure why everyone has gone head-over-heels for this show, since I don't think it's done anything all that special so far. It's mildly interesting and enjoyable, but hardly ranks among the better titles this season, or the better titles in this genre. Anyway, I'm seeing a whole heap of similarities between this and Tsukihime, and so far I'd say the latter has Sola beat in pretty much every department: more enigmatic characters, more engaging mystery, more dense, layered atmosphere, better execution and direction, etc, etc. I know I'm going to offend people with this comment, but, as much as I hate to say it, it just feels like Sola is coming off as a poor man's Tsukihime to this stage.

With that said, I don't dislike this show, I just think people are getting a little over-enthusiastic about it, in my eyes.

Not all have seen Tsukihime, as being one I can't say if everything is shown already there or "better", but I'm thinking what then if Tsukihime has presented similarities before. Sure there's room for another one and I also believe this is not last time. Maybe I check it some day, but untill then I'm enjoying Sola fully.

[Areguzanda]

OK....
that was absolutely the best episode so far
and somehow I just new when I saaw the trailer that Sola was gonna be a great Anime.
I don't know how but just got that feeling.
and yet again my head is hurting trying to understand the future plot and the connection between the characters...
but I tell you, if Matsuri is gonne ba gone for long (more then 5 minutes out in the next episode) I'm filing in a complaint!
the emotions shown between Matsuri and Yorito makes me feel they are right for eachother and they should be together, but sure that is not easy to happen.
man..kiss and leave? matsuri!!!

( onegai, give me the next episode as fast as humanly.....no heavenly possible!! GOD help the anime makers of Sola!!! need more NOW! )

[PastPrime]

Originally Posted by Ascaloth

3) Whatever Mayuko is, we can be reasonably sure she's not a Yaka, or at least not in the same vein as Matsuri

Spoiler:

and Aono

are. She wouldn't be able to accompany Takeshi to the hospital otherwise in broad daylight.

Actually, I got the impression that it was late and the sun had already set. I think that she is the same as them, it's just that she has been told differently and considers herself to be different.

I also had a thought on where Yorito and Aono get their money.

Spoiler:

If Aono was indead from a wealthy family, maybe she is still being supported by them. The family secret, the "Skeleton in the closet", so, while she can never go home, she can move every few years before the neighbors get suspecious. But I have no real theories on Yorito now.

[Proto]

Hmm... everyone is talking about how Yorito could be a reincarnation of the past Yorito, and waiting for an explanation to fill in the hole of how a normal human could do that but...

Spoiler for speculation:

Isn't it easier to think that the present Yorito is just a look-a-like whose personality and/or memories were overriden by Aono (hence she using up a lot of her powers), and him just being an innocent standy? It would stand in for the angst of living another person's life

With this I'm not saying that my speculation is true, but that as of yet we still have too little information to make any definite claims

[Barbka]

His obsession with sky is really strange. I think that is really connected with the past, but I still don't know in which way. Maybe Aono really did erase his memories.

And maybe maybe Aono was in love with him but he loved Matsuri - even in the past... (that would be nice hehehehe - a love that trespasses time and loss of memory )

[Skyfall]

Originally Posted by Barbka

And maybe maybe Aono was in love with him but he loved Matsuri - even in the past... (that would be nice hehehehe - a love that trespasses time and loss of memory )

Most likely that is the case here if you ask me. But how it all will end (My money is still on a tragedy) and what role each character is going to play is beyond my speculations range >.>