This being the first episode of a two-parter, it's slightly difficult to predict where things are going, and therefore hard to say how well the plot is being set up. As a result, I only have a few general comments to make.
First off, like
Kaoru Chujo, I really enjoyed the
artwork in this episode. I especially liked the colour palette used for the bamboo forest and the bookstore — it makes a nice break from the eccentric animation used in earlier episodes.
Secondly, Senjougahara's birthday, July 7, falls on
Tanabata, the Japanese festival derived from the Chinese folk tale about the cowherd and the celestial maiden, adapted in Japanese into the tale of how Orihime meets Hikoboshi. I don't think I need to remind you guys how this ties in very closely with
Bakemonogatari's ED, which is essentially a love song from Senjougahara (Vega) to Araragi (Altair).
Thirdly:
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Originally Posted by Sinestra
Im assuming that Senjougahara is ok with Araragi spending time with Kanbaru because she trust him and her and she knows that Araragi knows that he screws up he will face a fate where he wishes he would have died. Still watching them together is funny its a like a comedy duo act. I still wonder what Kanbaru gets out of being all touchy freely with Araragi.
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Actually, Hanekawa very perceptively explained the situation at the bookstore (Kudos to the class rep! For once, she stole the show, with her kiss that was not).
Araragi is being tested by Senjougahara, without his knowing. As Hanekawa explained, Senjougahara wants Araragi to get along with Kanbaru, because she is as dear to her as Araragi. But, at the same time, she's taking a great risk at doing so, because there's a chance that Araragi may end up liking Kanbaru more than her. Rather than speaking up about her fears, Senjougahara tasks Kanbaru to be "friendly" with Araragi, to play proxy. Kanbaru is probably aware of the role she's playing, but she goes through with it anyway, for the sake of her beloved senpai.
That's why Hanekawa chided Araragi for not being more thoughtful about Kanbaru's difficult position.
And that's great advice she gave Araragi too, about the danger of being kind to everyone because, by doing so, he'd end up hurting more people than he intended. I know a certain stupidly indecisive male lead from a
certain tragic romance who could have used this advice.
Fourthly:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Raiga
Anyone know any snake-related myths offhand that could possibly pop up?
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One very obvious myth pops immediately to my mind, especially given the name of the spooky shrine:
Kitashirahebi-jinja, aka, the shrine of the northern white snake. It's very possibly a reference to the famous Chinese tale,
The Legend of the White Snake.
Quote:
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At its most basic, the story tells of a young scholar who falls in love with a beautiful woman, unaware that she is a white snake who has taken on human form. A monk intervenes in order to save the scholar's soul and casts the white snake into a deep well at the Leifeng Pagoda.
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Of course, the novel readers would know better whether that classical tale has any relevance to this arc, but I ask them to indulge in my speculations for now. Even if there is no direct relation, it'll be interesting to think of the possible influences it may have had on the conception of this story.
Artist
I'm impressed that Araragi was so thoughtful about Senjougahara and everyone also supported them.
Moderator
... automatic 9/10 from me.
