Asatte no Houkou ep.06

November 11, 2006 | 8 Comments

I recently purchased the manga for this series and realise how different the two versions of the series have been thus far. The basic premise remains the same but the execution and the way the story unfolds is quite different in the manga. This episode is a good example of this. In both the manga and this episode, Tetsumasa ends up meeting adult Karada. However, whether or not he'll find out that this adult version of Karada is actually the Karada he's been looking for ends up being quite different. One thing that surprised me is the fact that the manga is actually quite good too and does not contain any trace of fanservice. It treats the transformation case seriously and I think that's why the anime follows suit. Another thing that surprised me is the revelation towards the end of the second volume. After reading this, I feel much better because I don't think what I was dreading is going to happen in the anime.

The episode opens with Hiro, Karada, and Shouko having breakfast together before Hiro heading off to work. A few hours later, Shouko also left the house to do some shopping. Much to Karada's surprise, a few minutes later someone knocks on the door. She immediately assumes it's Shouko but as it turns out, the person is none other than Amino Tetsumasa, her classmate. Tetsu is surprised to see adult Karada and wonders who she could possibly be since he thinks this is Iokawa's house. Karada panics when Hiro asks her where 'Karada' could be and tells him that she's in a relative's home. Upon finding out about this, Tetsu insists that Karada tells him there whereabouts of this relative home. Unfortunately, Karada can't answer that question. A few minutes later, a dejected Tetsu left the apartment complex while Karada decides to follow him from behind. As she does this, she realises that Hiro has been asking people if they've seen chibi Karada.

Karada's stalking eventually leads her to a park where Tetsu can be seen asking a few kids if they've seen Karada. Karada, however, loses track of Tetsu when she tries to hide herself from him. She eventually given up the idea of following Tetsu and decides to sit underneath the tree. Much to her surprise, Tetsu appears from behind her, wondering what she is doing. In a panic, Karada asks Tetsu what he is doing but Tetsu coldly tells her that he told her this before. In retaliation, Karada tells him that she just told him that Karada (chibi) is in her relative's home. Tetsu becomes embarassed upon hearing this and admits that for some reason he feels that Karada is still in this town. Karada smiles upon hearing this and decides to continue tailing Tetsu much to the guy's annoyance. When Tetsu asks her why she's following him, Karada claims him that she's just acting as his guardian. Tetsu doesn't like this but allows Karada to tag along regardless.

In the other part of the town, Shouko has just finished grocery shopping when a girl calls for her. As it turns out, the girl is none other than Kotomi, who wants Shouko to show her the whereabouts of postal box. She explains to Shouko that she always write letter to her father. Shouko is surprise to hear this and wonders why Kotomi doesn't just call him up. Kotomi claims that the reason is because letter is so much better. She then changes the topic and asks Shouko if she managed to get some friends. Inside the cofee shop, Touko is surprised when she sees Kotomi walking side by side with chibi Shouko but she ignores them when a customer makes an order. At the same time, Tetsu is showing adult Karada his class and tells her that this is his and chibi Karada's class. He then points out at a table and tells Karada that the table in question is chibi Karada's table. Because she's short, however, she often had difficulty seeing what's written on the blackboard.

Karada then opens a shoebox to see what's inside but Tetsu tells her that there is no way that chibi Karada can hide in such place since she's not that small. Karada laughs nervously and agrees with Tetsu. As they pass a room, Karada starts to laugh because she remembers what happened in that room when she and Tetsu had a cooking class. Back then, Karada managed to crack an egg easily while Tetsu couldn't do it well. As a result, parts of the eggshells ended up getting mixed in the eggs. Ever since that incident, Tetsu is known as "Crispy Amino" by his classmates. When the two reach the bridge over the river, Tetsu asks Karada if she knew that in this area, there is a firework display happening every year. Tetsu is surprised when Karada admits that she knew about this so he asks her if she's from this town. When Karada doesn't answer him, Tetsu tells her that during this year's firework display, he was looking for chibi Karada around this area.

He thought that because many people will come, maybe Karada would come as well. Unfortunately, he didn't have any luck back then. After the bridge, Tetsu decides to check out a local temple. Karada seems to be overwhelmed by the amount of stairs that she must climb to reach the temple, which is located on a hill. Eventually, however, Karada manages to reach the area. Because she is thirsty, she immediately goes to the cleansing area and drinks the water provided in it. Upon seeing this, Tetsu remembers how chibi Karada used to do the same thing as well. Out of interest, Tetsu asks Karada is she's Hiro's girlfriend since she lives together with him. Karada is confused how to answer this so she admits that she does live with Hiro. She also wants to know why Tetsu worries so much about Karada and wonders if he thinks she is not independent enough. Tetsu denies this and tells Karada that although Karada is small, she is more reliable than him.

Upon hearing this, Karada wonders why Tetsu continues to look for Karada so he admits that it's because he can't leave her on her own. Although he tries to be strong, he admits that he misses her a lot. When Hiro notices that the sunlight is starting to set, he asks Karada to follow him into the forest. Karada is not comfortable having to go through the dark forest but she can't help but wonder if she's been here before. Tetsu who overhears her word is shocked to hear this but Karada quickly covers it up by asking him if he's taken Karada to this area before. Tetsu doesn't answer her question and decides to continue his walk. When Karada has problem climbing through an area, Tetsu offers to help her and called her "Iokawa". Karada reaches out with her hand and suddenly remembers how Tetsu once tried to help her as well. The two freezes on the spot. Tetsu is probably weirded out that this woman responded when he called her "Iokawa".

Tetsu immediately withdraws his hand, reminding Karada that back then she refused his help. The two eventually arrived in front of a cave which has been blocked but Tetsu destroys the wooden planks and enters the cave. The two eventually arrive in a freshwater spring. He explains that the water in the temple came from this creek and tells her that Karada actually never came here because she was too afraid to go all the way. Upon hearing this, Karada tells him that once chibi Karada returns, he should take her again to this place. That night Karada asks Shouko what is the best thing to do if 2 people who had a fight want to make up but can't call or see each other. Shouko, who remembers what Kotomi said earlier, suggests that Karada writes a letter. A few days later, Tetsu receives a postcard from Karada, telling him that she's staying at her relative house. Touko wonders why Tetsu looks so happy and orders him to go back to his house.

Impression:

This episode basically shows how much Tetsu cares for Karada and gets a bit weirded out because adult Karada reminds him a little bit of chibi Karada. I don't think Tetsu knows that Karada has turned into an adult but there are times in this episode where he thinks that this woman looks and acts like Karada. The biggest mistake that Karada made in this episode was her responding to Tetsu when he calls her "Iokawa" (Karada's last name). In the end, however, Tetsu seems to believe that Karada is away at her relative's house. This is quite different from the manga where Tetsu actually suspected that adult Karada is really Karada. Eventually he finds out the truth and in volume 2, he's already used to the idea that Karada is now a grown up woman. There is no other plot here apart from the fact that Kotomi likes to write letter instead of calling her father. This is exactly what Karada needs when she wants to contact Tetsu but can't see or call him.

Although nothing much happens in this episode, it's hard not to be charmed by the simple and laidback lifestyle of the characters. I think this is partly why I like the series. It's easy to get immersed in the wonderful background paintings created for the series. It feels as if you're actually in Kanouchou as well, looking around the temple and the waterspring. When I went to Japan last year, I lived in this small town called Okazaki. I think that was one of the best times in my life. I really wish I could do it all over again. There is nothing more fulfilling than biking around a quiet neighbourhood where there are still many trees and vegetations. Speaking of laidback lifestyle, I must once again commend the soundtrack that is composed by Mitsumune Shinkichi. Most of them do a very good job in conveying the feel of laidback lifestyle. The first one that appeared in this episode also reminds me of farming RPG like Harvest Moon for some reason.

Preview

On next week's episode: Happy 28th Birthday to Hiro.

© memento 2003