I’m really liking this, and this was arguably the best episode yet…
I originally expected this to be an iyashikei, but (starting with the oddly dissonant OP) it sort of shifted from what I expected, and started to feel more threatening and somber than that. And this episode started out the most threatening yet. But then there was such a complete and rewarding shift in tone from start to finish that it made it ultimately just that much more warm and uplifting. And to the degree that this has a central theme, that seems to be it.
This is essentially an iyashikei - it’s just that it’s not naturally or automatically that way. It’s made that way by Yachiyo’s kindness and courtesy that’s tempered by quiet determination and a sharp sense of right and wrong. She’s unstintingly kind and courteous, right up until the moment that someone steps beyond acceptable behavior, at which point she immediately shifts to brutally honest and unreserved condemnation, which lasts exactly long enough to clearly convey her opinion of things, at which point she just as quickly and easily shifts back to unstinting kindness and courtesy. And it works. It’s made clear, even to someone like Harmy, that she bears no ill will at all - that her kindness is entirely sincere. It’s just that she’s also entirely honest and fair-minded and fearless, and when somebody deserves a figurative smack upside the head, she will deliver it. And they all come to respect and even admire that.
Absolutely. Such a great, self-contained story this episode was. We got lots of worldbuilding this episode between the tour around the planet as well as the questions about how long since the humans left. We got some great animation with the random sentai group that showed up. Then finally, a really touching gesture between two very non-emotional creatures to end it on. I was really confused about the ending until that hot spring burst forth and it all clicked into my brain, just like the tanuki dancing around in the water.
We got some great animation with the random sentai group that showed up.
That was especially awesome, and it impressed me that they manged to be appropriately stereotypical without matching specific recognizable individuals/franchises.
Then finally, a really touching gesture between two very non-emotional creatures to end it on.
And with Ponko enthusiatically shipping them the whole way.
I’m really liking this, and this was arguably the best episode yet…
I originally expected this to be an iyashikei, but (starting with the oddly dissonant OP) it sort of shifted from what I expected, and started to feel more threatening and somber than that. And this episode started out the most threatening yet. But then there was such a complete and rewarding shift in tone from start to finish that it made it ultimately just that much more warm and uplifting. And to the degree that this has a central theme, that seems to be it.
This is essentially an iyashikei - it’s just that it’s not naturally or automatically that way. It’s made that way by Yachiyo’s kindness and courtesy that’s tempered by quiet determination and a sharp sense of right and wrong. She’s unstintingly kind and courteous, right up until the moment that someone steps beyond acceptable behavior, at which point she immediately shifts to brutally honest and unreserved condemnation, which lasts exactly long enough to clearly convey her opinion of things, at which point she just as quickly and easily shifts back to unstinting kindness and courtesy. And it works. It’s made clear, even to someone like Harmy, that she bears no ill will at all - that her kindness is entirely sincere. It’s just that she’s also entirely honest and fair-minded and fearless, and when somebody deserves a figurative smack upside the head, she will deliver it. And they all come to respect and even admire that.
As do I.
Absolutely. Such a great, self-contained story this episode was. We got lots of worldbuilding this episode between the tour around the planet as well as the questions about how long since the humans left. We got some great animation with the random sentai group that showed up. Then finally, a really touching gesture between two very non-emotional creatures to end it on. I was really confused about the ending until that hot spring burst forth and it all clicked into my brain, just like the tanuki dancing around in the water.
That was especially awesome, and it impressed me that they manged to be appropriately stereotypical without matching specific recognizable individuals/franchises.
And with Ponko enthusiatically shipping them the whole way.