(L) Saraiya Goyou

[White Manju Bun]

Originally Posted by karice67

Er...the family obviously covered up Seinoshin's kidnapping by releasing the story that he died, and I have no doubt that they actually interred nothing. However, because it was a cover-up, everyone else (Yagi included) would assume they did inter Seinoshin's remains at the family grave, and thus, that's where they'd go to pay their respects to him.

Ah duh I didnt think of it that way

Also since the Landlady commented that Yaichi's been acting odd since Masa showed up, you really have to wonder why Yaichi had him join to begin with?

[orion]

Originally Posted by White Manju Bun

Ah duh I didnt think of it that way

Also since the Landlady commented that Yaichi's been acting odd since Masa showed up, you really have to wonder why Yaichi had him join to begin with?

Because Yaichi wants a friend. Masa is the closest thing to a friend that Yaichi has other than the brothel owner.

[White Manju Bun]

I dont think I can form words that describe what I just saw...

Spoiler for but I will try...epi 11:

The kidnapping, the ransom, the aftermath...just amazing. Masa finally figures out why Yaichi does what he does. Also the giggle by TakaSaku was memorizing (to me). Yaichi smacking Masa!! At first I thought he just threw it but then you slowly see blood drip down Masa's cheek, wonderfully done.

The Elder's flashback was great, gave much more insight into Yaichi's past.

Epi 12 looks unbelievable!! Also I like the Masa's cat did the voice over for 12 and admitted it was fat

[wandering-dreamer]

Spoiler for episode 11:

I love how we've been able to see Masa grow as a character through what, only 11 episodes? Even though he's still pretty blunt and I wonder if he's even doing it on purpose now. And he mentions that he passed on something to his brother (think it was the head of household or something like that) but not why yet, it sounds like it was at the urging of his uncle but I've got the feeling that will remain a mystery.
And I laughed at the cat at the end, I hadn't even realized that the voice-overs had been someone different each time. Makes me wonder who'll do 12's.

[Shiroth]

Originally Posted by wandering-dreamer

Spoiler for episode 11:

Makes me wonder who'll do 12's.

Spoiler for Episode 11:

Isn't episode 12 the last episode? So we won't be seeing another preview.

Seriously good episode this week. As mentioned the growth of Masa was fully demonstrated here, and is seriously impressive. Especially loved the elders flashback where we see the past Yaichi 'Sei'. Surprised BunBun didn't say anything about his long hair.

[Haak]

This is really getting intense. I was absolutely gobsmacked to see Yaichi actually lose his temper like that.

[Kanon]

Spoiler for 11:

Wonderful episode.

Once again, Masa's insight impresses me. He figured out most of Yaichi's past and the true purpose behind the kidnappings. It didn't occur to me that Yaichi was doing it because he wanted to find someone like him. And I agree Masa has grown a lot as a character, he would have never had the guts to talk to Yaichi like that at the beginning of the show.

The flashback was quite shocking. I didn't expect Yaichi to behead that guy! He was pretty creepy back then. I personally think long hair doesn't suit him at all.

I can't wait for the next episode! The preview looked amazing.

[White Manju Bun]

Originally Posted by wandering-dreamer

Spoiler for episode 11:

I love how we've been able to see Masa grow as a character through what, only 11 episodes? Even though he's still pretty blunt and I wonder if he's even doing it on purpose now.

I think Masa is doing it on purpose now since before when he said something and either Yaichi or the gang pointed it out he'd get all nervous, blush and look away. He didnt do any of that in this epi. I think he's simply one of those people who has to state the obvious but now he's comfortable enough with the Leaves that it doesnt bother him when they say he's being blunt.

@Shiro, Im with Kanon, I wasnt a big fan of the long hair which is why I didnt comment on it

I think Yaichi's boss knew thats how Yaichi would handle the situation so thats why he had him do it. He knew the others would be too "gentle" I guess.

Spoiler for speculation on 12:

The grave Yaichi is laying at, his own or Servant Yaichi?? Im saying servant but he seemed generally shocked when Masa said he knew where his grave was.

[Kanon]

Originally Posted by White Manju Bun

I think Yaichi's boss knew thats how Yaichi would handle the situation so thats why he had him do it. He knew the others would be too "gentle" I guess.

Spoiler for speculation on 12:

The grave Yaichi is laying at, his own or Servant Yaichi?? Im saying servant but he seemed generally shocked when Masa said he knew where his grave was.

Yeah, that's probably the reason the Boss asked him to do it, but it was still shocking to see.

Spoiler for speculation on 12:

I'm sure that's servant Yaichi's grave. It'd be weird for Seinoshin to kneel down and cry over his own grave

[White Manju Bun]

Originally Posted by Kanon

Yeah, that's probably the reason the Boss asked him to do it, but it was still shocking to see.

Spoiler for speculation on 12:

I'm sure that's servant Yaichi's grave. It'd be weird for Seinoshin to kneel down and cry over his own grave

Spoiler for speculation:

I agree but the look of shock on his face when Masa told him makes me think he never thought his family would give him a grave but yeah Im sure the one he's at is Yaichi's.

[Guardian Enzo]

So, so bloody brilliant, this show:

This series really is a wonder. Rarely have a seen a world so richly realized in a one-cour series - characters so deeply complex, so unhurried and patient a storytelling style. Tomomi Mochizuki is established as a genius in my book - and this series' connections to the first arc of Zettai Shounen are more clear than ever.

[karice67]

@Kanon and WhiteManjuBun
Yaichi still has long hair - it's just that he has it in a topknot.

Originally Posted by White Manju Bun

Spoiler for speculation:

I agree but the look of shock on his face when Masa told him makes me think he never thought his family would give him a grave but yeah Im sure the one he's at is Yaichi's.

If you go back to episode 7 (?), you can quite clearly see the difference. The servant's grave is a lot simpler - I suppose it was something that Yagi had to pay for himself?

Spoiler for speculation:

Whilst Masa's dialogue is somewhat ambiguous, I think that Yaichi/Sei would know where the grave of his "family" is, so I'm leaning to the idea that Masa purposely meant the servant. Which would mean that Yaichi, understanding it as such, was probably shocked that Masa knows so much about his past.

This was definitely the best anime episode this week, at least amongst the series I'm watching. Can't wait to see how they wrap this arc up, though the way it's heading makes me wonder about the manga, because they surely can't have covered all the material that's out right? Not to mention that it's ongoing...

[White Manju Bun]

Originally Posted by karice67

@Kanon and WhiteManjuBun
Yaichi still has long hair - it's just that he has it in a topknot.

I know but I think it looks better in the topnot

[orion]

Originally Posted by karice67

This was definitely the best anime episode this week, at least amongst the series I'm watching. Can't wait to see how they wrap this arc up, though the way it's heading makes me wonder about the manga, because they surely can't have covered all the material that's out right? Not to mention that it's ongoing...

The manga is ending in the July 24th issue of IKKI.

[karice67]

Originally Posted by orion

The manga is ending in the July 24th issue of IKKI.

Wah! already? So I'm guessing 8 volumes total. Ep 7 seems to correspond to the end of volume 2...which would mean they'll only have covered half of it?

[Kaoru Chujo]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

...This series really is a wonder. Rarely have a seen a world so richly realized in a one-cour series - characters so deeply complex, so unhurried and patient a storytelling style. Tomomi Mochizuki is established as a genius in my book....

Well put. Nothing I've seen in a long while has this combination of a thoroughly adult and complex story with a presentation that keeps it vividly interesting at every moment.

The story may be told "patiently," but it never loses its sharpness of focus. This show is a good argument in favor of 12-episode series, it seems to me. That's comparing it with Mochizuki's Zettai Shounen and Touka Gettan (which he wrote). I loved both of those shows, but they could both have been tighter.

[Guardian Enzo]

In my view, Zettai Shounen would have been a better series overall if it had ended after 13 episodes (i.e., the "Tama Arc"). I didn't dislike the second half but the exposition really didn't add anything vital to the story for me. In hindsight I'd have been happier if it had ended after the taut, wonderfully mystery-shrouded first arc.

[Joojoobees]

The connection to Zettai Shounen was one of the reasons I picked this series up to begin with. The atmosphere that permeates both shows is so rich, it really gives me a feeling of these being real places. Plot-wise I would have to agree that Five Leaves has more impact by going straight for this drama then wrapping up.

Another show that made a big impression on me because it managed to suck me into its world, then delivered a powerful story, all in only 13 episodes, was Haibane Renmei (my all-time favorite).

[White Manju Bun]

Originally Posted by Joojoobees

Another show that made a big impression on me because it managed to suck me into its world, then delivered a powerful story, all in only 13 episodes, was Haibane Renmei (my all-time favorite).

Thats how I felt about Bokurano though it was longer, if I had to go with a shorter anime Id say Mononoke. Both and Haibane Renmei used excellent storyline to suck me in Five Leaves get the point across with story and character development which is hard to do most of the time.

[Shiroth]

I'd thought we'd have plenty of people talking about the last episode.

Spoiler for Episode 12:

Ending does a good job of finishing Yaichi's story, so there's really nothing i can complain about. Scar face is killed by him after finding that the real Yaichi had nothing to do with the kidnapping, which leads our Yaichi to his grave, and tears begin (you'll be happy Bun~). Must say, the scene with Yaichi on Masa's knee was truly something else.

& to end it. Yaichi eats a dango that Masa gives him. What a perfect way to end such a series.

Personally i'd say this show was the best of the spring season. It's not everyday you get a show with solid character development and a slow paced slice of life feel at the same time, and they both work so damn well together.