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ローゼンメイデン 
This episode is terrific and pretty much made up for last week's recap episode. First thing first, the animation is unbelievably good. At times, Yamada actually looks a lot like the actress who will play her in the live action adaptation of the series. I'm also glad to know that even now the series is still capable of presenting stories which is both funny and touching. I am also starting to like Split now especially since in this episode the song plays just as the camera zooms in on Yamada's face. Speaking of soundtrack, this week's insert song is SPITZ' Pool. The biggest question here though, how do you normally get rid of hiccup? In my experience, all you have to do is to hold your breath and count to 10 slowly. As a side note, the large images are now available to view.
Hachikuro CM - Aozora Pedal (1.4MB, Quicktime format)
This is the song that was written by Suga Shikao and performed by Arashi.
Hagu has a hiccup and it ruins her artwork. Shuuji thinks that if she drinks water by stretching her neck the hiccup will disappear. But apparently he learned this from Harada, so maybe it's not such a good idea. Morita then appears and scare Hagu off by saying that if a hiccup doesn't stop after 100 count, the person will die. Hagu freaks out upon hearing this and even more so because Morita is chasing after her while counting her hiccup. Thankfully for Hagu, Takemoto is around and he manages to tackle Morita down using his hand. Takemoto then asks Hagu what happens and she explains how she has a hiccup and Morita told her that she'll die after 100 times. Upon hearing this Takemoto smiles at her and gives her a glass with 2 chopsticks lined up like a cross on top of it. He then asks her to drink from all 4 sides of the glass. Takemoto tells Hagu that he learned this method from his deceased father and he believes it will work for sure.
True enough, Hagu suddenly finds her hiccup disappear. She, however, becomes embarassed so she thanks Takemoto before running away from him. After Hagu left, Takemoto thinks to himself how lately Hagu has not been able to stay near him. He, however, does not regret confessing to her. Unknown to Takemoto, Hagu is now crying inside Shuuji's office. Meanwhile, across the town, Yamada's pottery is being praised by one of Rika's client. Because of this, Rika decides to treat Yamada to parfait. While in the cafe, Yamada wonders what kind of figure is reflected in Mayama's eyes when he looks at Rika. She wonders if Mayama wants to touch Rika's pale face and what kind of sound does his heart made. What did he feel back then when he spent time with Rika alone in that office? Later on when the two return to the office, Yamada gives them towel to dry themselves off from the rain and hot tea. Yamada makes a light comment about how Mayama sounds like a mom. Mayama immediately tells Yamada that hearing this doesn't make him happy.
Mayama then tells Rika that she better take a rest after drinking the tea because she has an appointment with a client at 11 am tomorrow. Rika tries to refuse but Mayama insist that she takes a rest now since she didn't take a rest the night before. He points out that he knew Rika was working until morning since he could hear the sound of computer and chair. Rika eventually relents and agrees to take rest. After Rika goes to rest, Mayama asks Yamada what she wants to eat for dinner and Yamada chooses Pizza. Yamada then uses the opportunity to ask Mayama what he normally talks to Rika. Mayama realises in most cases, the only conversation he has with Rika are either weather or work related such as "I wonder if the typhoon will come this way" or which notebook they will use. Mayama is depressed upon realising this especially after Yamada, who now spots devil horns and wings, points out that Mayama has work for Rika for almost 4 years now.
Morita is seen relaxing against a tree when he senses someone approaching. That person is Kaoru and he wants to know how the work went. Because of this Morita gives Kaoru a thick wad of money that he earned from his job. Kaoru starts to make a small talk and tells Morita that he can't afford to become like the people in this university. He believes that there is no human like their father, one who has that kind of talent. He thinks even Morita should understand this. Morita wonders if there is something disagreeable that Kaoru would like to say but Kaoru denies this. He then changes the topic by telling Morita that 'the fund' is getting close to its intended target. Morita's mind is actually on Hagu and Takemoto but he assures his brother that he understands what Kaoru means. At the same time, Yamada is in the middle of asking Shuuji what kind of things he normally talks to Rika about. Shuuji tells her that it's usually about the book that he's read.
It could be a historical background of a painter or talking about anatomy. Since Shouji likes a book, he's glad to be able to find someone to talk about them. Having said that he wonders why Yamada wants to know. Yamada quickly tells Shuuji that she's just wondering about what to talk to Rika when they are alone. Shuuji tells her not to worry because Rika doesn't talk much when she's with someone that she likes. Yamada immediately becomes upset as she remembers Shuuji's words on her way home and connecting it with what Mayama said before. The next day, Mayama and Yamada are in the middle of discussing Yamada's handy work when Rika suddenly suffers from a hiccup as well. Rika immediately runs to the kitchen and tries to perform the trick that Harada thought her. Unfortunately, the trick doesn't seem to work and Rika continues to hiccup her way. Because of this, Mayama comes to the kitchen and starts mixing sugar into a glass of water.
He then asks Rika to drink the mixture. Rika immediately loses her hiccup and starts to see Mayama in almost similar manner to Harada. Unknown to the two, Yamada is looking at the two with sadness in her eyes. She's reminded of the time when Morita found out that she's working with Rika and Yamada. Back then Morital scolds him but he thinks if this means she will give up her feelings then it's a good idea for her to go there. In the present time, Yamada becomes sad and decides to overcome her sadness by ordering 3 extra large servings of Katsudon. Mayama freaks out to see this since it's 11.30 at night and yet they're going to eat large portions of Katsudon. Yamada, however, pretends that she needs the energy to do her best plus the weather has slowly been getting cold. On her way home Yamada tries to convince herself that she won't be heartbroken even if Mayama does care for Rika but she starts crying uncontrollably upon remembering what Morita said.
Impression:
I think the realism in this episode is something that most people could relate. Although Takemoto did his best to confess his feeling for Hagu, it seems Hagu didn't exactly return his feeling right away. At the moment I'm not sure about her feelings. On the one hand, the scene where she was crying could be interpreted that she does like Takemoto but is not sure of how to act around him. Conversely, others could also argue that she cries because she doesn't like Takemoto in a romantic manner and she does not want to break his heart by telling him otherwise. But if this was true, then I don't understand the point of showing a flasback of Hagu where she was holding Takemoto's hand. I also feel sorry for Morita and Kaoru on equal level because it appears that both of them have to sacrifice normal life in order to collect this 'fund'. This is clearly related to their father and in a way explains as to why Morita likes to overstay his study at the university.
Moving on to other characters, it looks like Yamada finally starts to realise that Mayama is really out of her reach. I did think thath she was getting real desperate when she starts wondering what Mayama feel about Rika. In the end, working with Mayama and Rika simply tores apart her own heart even more since she now can see that the two are rather close to each other. Having said that, as Morita said, this is probably what Yamada needs in order to forget about Mayama. After getting hurt so much, surely Yamada have had thoughts where she wonders if this is worth it. In fact, sometimes I wonder if Yamada just like the idea of being in love with Mayama. Anyway, I was amused to see the way the writers joined all of the storyline using the hiccup plot. I'm rather keen to know how other people usually get rid of their hiccup. I think simpler method works better than overly complicated one. I certainly never heard of the ones described by either Shuuji or Takemoto or Mayama.
Preview
Next week is the return of Nomiya. Bleh, I'm not a big fan of the guy. I think Yamada should be with Morita. But what do I know, I'm not the writer.
o.o whoaaa....yamada looks REALLY different! XD She definitely looks more mature but..soo....differentt XD YAY FOR HnC II! XD
Is it just me, or has the art changed somewhat? Everyone's lost a little roundness of face, and the features seem sharper - Hanemoto-sensei in particularly looks different - a bit thinner, and his nose is drawn with stronger lines. Yamada also has lost a LOT of the baby-face she had in the previous series, and Hagu... actually looks like an adult in the profile shot above.
It's definitely not what I ws used to from what I was used to last season. That and the preview...
Incidentally, was that Takemoto taking down Morita with that 'catch about the throat' thing while Morita was chasing Hagu? If so, he's really changed since the bike trip - and not in a bad way, either. Still, I'm hoping this little trip to Rika's (who also has a thinner face than she did last season) seems to have blown off the last of Yamada's illusions regarding any hopes she had with Mayama.
Well, Hagu does look a lot mature in the later part of the manga so I assume the anime simply follows the direction of the manga. I do think that Yamada has been drawn to look similar to Megumi Seki, who will play the character in the live action adaptation. Anyway, I better start finishing the summary so I can sleep. It's almost 5 am here.
BTW, there is a similar trailer for the live action movie included in this episode. This time around, however, the song used in the trailer if Aozora Pedal instead of Mahou no Kotoba. Aozora Pedal is actually written and composed by Suga Shikao but is sung by Arashi. Much to my surprise, I actually like this song better than Mahou no Kotoba.
Hachikuro CM - Aozora Pedal (1.4MB, Quicktime format)
And to answer you question, yes, it's Takemoto who tackles Morita. And the attempt make a rather sickening crunch noise. And Yamada simply gets a heartache again in this episode when Shuuji tells her that when Rika likes someone, she usually doesn't talk much to that person. Rika doesn't talk much to Mayama. So ouch for Yamada.
Yamada looks hot in this episode! I can't wait until it gets subbed.
Ahh, the animation is wonderful! I can't wait to see the sub!
hmm yes me too. i think yamada must be with morita. tatte, morita for too good hagu lol. :D
I think I am one of the few that likes Yamada with Nomiya, they make a great couple! :)
You have to feel a LITTLE sorry for Yamada - on the one hand, she's kinda accepted that Mayama will never feel the same way about her that she does him - at least on the conscious level she's done so. On the other hand, she really hasn't accepted it - and either her sorta-thing with Nomiya will push her past Mayama entirely, or else she'll linger on it till her heart breaks. And bad things happen.
Poor girl... although we'll see if Morita can get her back on the right path, just by being a friend (when he's not completely psycho).
I am so watching the second episode, the whole series, and the FUCKING RIKA-MAYAMA relationship IS the pwntzorz.
drinking water or holding breath both work for me. No need for extra tools like chopsticks or such +_+...
Nomiya for the win!
I thought that the art looks different too. Although this is not necessarily a bad thing. Ahhh I really hope the fansub will be released soon so that I can watch it before I'm internetless... Futile probably but hopes anyway.
I'm about to cry now ! Hachikuro is finally back to us .
I totally support Nomiya to win Yamada 's heart . That guy has reach his all out to Yamada , he deserves so .
As for Yamada , I think even if she'll eventually love someone else that doesn't mean she can forget about her love with Mayama , that why she got a little sentimental upon seeing those two together . I think I'll also sad ( and cry ) if I were in her situation .
drinking water or holding breath both work for me. No need for extra tools like chopsticks or such
Exactly. I thought it'll just complicate matters and make you even more nervous. I love hiccup stories though. I think I once saw an anime where the hiccup is contagious from one person to the next.
"....others could also argue that she cries because she doesn't like Takemoto in a romantic manner and she does not want to break his heart by telling him otherwise."
I think this is the case ! Yes , my instinct of a girl tells me that Hagu loves Morita . I know It sounds unconvincing becauce I don't have any proofs but ...
Btw , is it only me rooting for Nomiya :( ?
The animation now and the artworks style looks... absolutely amazing. O_O far better than in first series, and i'm really a fangirl of H&C, so i'm absolutely happy because of that. XD
And i'm rooting for Nomiya too. Yeeeesh, go Nomiya, win Ayu's heart! i'm sure she would be happy with him... if she could forget about Mayama. But it's not that easy...
Also, i would prefer if Hagu would fall for Takemoto. Too sad that she probably won't...
I'm familiar with the sugar bit, though I know you just swallow a spoonful of sugar, no water. So far what's worked for me is when someone startles me while I'm hiccupping.
I can't wait to see the sub! But I'm even more impatient for next week's ep. >D QNVN, you're not the only one rooting for Nomiya! C'mon Ayu...Mayama's a lost cause. Time to move on, girl.
I agree completely with that statement that Yamada and Morita should be together... as there has been scenes where they seem to understand eachother's feelings in the last season.
somebody can tell me where i can get it the raw file of the episode 2
"Exactly. I thought it'll just complicate matters and make you even more nervous. I love hiccup stories though. I think I once saw an anime where the hiccup is contagious from one person to the next."
This was an episode and a manga chapter of Azumanga Daioh, where they tried the chopstick trick, the fright trick, and a bunch of other things to get rid of Osaka's hiccups... and in the end, they got passed along to Chiyo. :D
Still, I'm wondering HOW Hagu feels about Morita and Takemoto now, given that she's getting shy about Takemoto the way she was around Morita; except that in the latter case, that didn't end well at all. Perhaps she doesn't see him in quite the same way, but doesn't want to hurt his feelings?
I read somewhere that a hiccup is actually a mild form of heartburn. Anyway, drinking water or just holding my breath for a min or so always works fine for me :)
I am so glad that this episode immediately begins to address new elements of the storyline without jarring us too much with new details. Setting aside what I know in the manga, I think Hagu is really confused about her feelings towards Takemoto. I think since Hagu is aware of Takemoto's feelings she is interpreting his acts of kindness (towards her) in a different light, if only making his kindness more salient and meaningful to her--something she may have taken forgranted or have not noticed before.
The deeper the story goes, the more shrouded in mystery Morita's character is. I feel so much for him and how really detached he is from everyone else. I can't wait to see the development of his character with Kaoru here. I'm glad to know that I wasn't alone thinking that Morita would be great with Yamada, but I think his current relationship with her is one of the most heartwarming of the entire group. Rarely do we see or find a relationship so pure and unspoiled.
After the entire first season seeing how Yamada painfully would pine over Mayama, I'm happier now with her less volatile attempts to understand Mayama's feelings. Although it breaks my heart to see her realize that Mayama is out of her grasp, I really want her to move on. I never really liked Mayama, but seeing this episode has helped me accept him a bit more.
This was an episode and a manga chapter of Azumanga Daioh, where they tried the chopstick trick, the fright trick, and a bunch of other things to get rid of Osaka's hiccups... and in the end, they got passed along to Chiyo. :D
Lucky Tomo is not there, coz she will try to punch Hagu in the stomach =D
Back to the topic, the animation is still very good. And did anyone notice that Dramatic and Waltz piano version have been played in the background in episode 1 and 2? And also they used quite a lot of soundtrack from the previous season. Although it's not necessarily a bad thing, I would prefer to listen to some more new background music and hopefully they will release a new OST for the second season too (This time with Dramatic and Waltz piano version included hopefully)
Actually, it was Tomo who suggested trying to scare them out of Osaka, while Kagura was the one who tried to punch it out of Osaka by hitting her diaphragm... and instead nailed her in the solar plexus.
I still think that the insert songs seemed to fit better in the last two episodes than some of the ones from the first season - whether that's due to varying the catalogue a bit, or because they were animated that way, I'm not sure, but I do like the two they did use.
Nyahaha. Mayama has Firefox on his laptop. Even anime characters seem to like it.
I think Yamada should go with Nomiya and Hagu should go with Morita...
I skipped over your summary, 'cause I want to watch the ep first and read it after ^^;;
But reading that Yamada may FINALLY get over Mayama is a relief. I mean, yeah, it blows when you can't be with someone you love to death, but I just can't take seeing her constantly in pain coughandtakeupscreentimeawayfromhagucough
And I couldn't agree with you more on hooking Morita up with Yamada! But for him, it would probably be better to dig a grave XD
Bonne Jenett - if you look at Jigoku Shoujo, the ONLY browser that people use there is Firefox.
"Mozilla Firefox: For When You Want To Send People to Hell Without Going Through It Yourself"
Drinking water never works for me. Holding my breath never works for me either. The one thing that works for me is eating sugar in some form (pure cane sugar, candy, etc.)... O_o I guess each person has a different instant cure.
Hello Garten,
Thanks for answering my question from earlier about the opening day of the movie in Japan. I`m leaving on the 22nd so I just might be able to catch it on the 21st..if I am meant to watch it here. The time will be pretty tight during the last week of my stay.
Going off on a tangent, I went to Moerenuma Park in Sapporo and Moere Yama is filled with clover patches on all sides of it. It was quite a scene to behold. I was there with the other exchange students from my university and our sensei. Our little group grew closer during our stay here and being on the side of the mountain making clover reefs reminded me of the Honey & Clover gang. ; )
I`m not sure if you`re interested at all, but I took some photos of the mountains. I`ll post them up once I get back home. I`ll come back with the addy then.
As for the actor who plays Takomoto, I am not sure what to say about him after the intial blurb I put here two months ago. Maybe his acting will make up for Takemoto`s innocent looks.
The chopsticks method in this episode was a method an Herbal doctor suggested to me once. It`s a bit different from this one in that you don`t drink from all four sides you just drink from one side of the crossed chopsticks. I didn`t try it so which side I can`t say.
Oh and my family method for hiccups is to hold your breath and drink 7 sips of water before your next hiccup. Basically though for stopping `normal` hiccups usually stimulating your tonsils does the trick. For example, drinking some cold or hot water. Chewing gun works too.
That was awesome! :)
I think Yamada should be with Mayama too -_- I thought they should since 1st season
Is it just me, or does this new director love to do flashbacks a lot? I'm getting some Gundam Seed Destiny vibes, here...
Talk about hiccup. I had once with hiccup for 3 day, only stopped while I go to sleep and come back some time next day! I try everything but it still going. I should be dead 100X over if you believe in Morita!
In this episode, Takemoto said "Even though i already know what her answer would be" in that scene. Doesn't this tell us that Hagu didn't like Takemoto? I mean he's second closest to Hagu, even closer to Hagu than Ayu, so he should understand Hagu's feelings...right?
The best way to get rid of hiccups? Open your mouth really really wide and hold it like that. Give it a shot!
This episode was so..... awesome!! xD; Morita chasing Hagu around was the best ;)
& YamadaNomiya for the win !!
Hmm, I always thought that the best way to get rid of hiccups is to not pay attention to it :0
Drinking sugared water or whatever, aren't they all things that will distract you from the hiccups?
Same with scaring.. xD; My brother used to try and scare me.. it was traumatising, but it worked.
Damn you Hagu -_-
Hurry up and chose Takemoto
Btw, Shuuji was right. Drinking water from the opposite side of a glass always gets rid of hiccups. Trouble is its real hard...
On the hiccups: I do the same, I just hold my breath and count from 10 to 1, then it goes away. :D. Before I used to drink a lot of water but I always end up with a watered stomach still with the hiccups.
I think Morita's purpose of chasin around Hagu was to "scare" her into removing her hiccups. I heard this method somewhere before, and I think it was not said in the anime that its another method.
On the plot: Its really a pretty episode. It surely made up from the lack of development from Ep1. I'm a Takemoto fan, and its good to see that he changed a lot since Season 1. I really liked that Morita's background is slowly being developed, so we can finally understand whats behind his sometimes out of character antics.
I'm not a fan of Nomiya too, but I think Ayu needs to move on.
A friend of mine got me to try to get rid of my hiccups once in a similar way as to Shuuji did. Without the neck strech though ^.^ it is really weird cause you are drinking water on the oposite end of the cup that you are facing. And to do that you sort of have to be bending down and drinking water upside down...sounds strange but works really great....besides for some wet shirts from trying to drink it that way. I can really relate with Hagu and Rika. lol
First off, I really love all the work you put into your blogs, Garten. Thank you for such great summaries.^_^
Second, my one roommate taught me this really obscure and odd cure for hiccups. I've used this cure about two or three times, and it worked every time, oddly enough. Basically, you take a glass of water, light a match, and quickly dip the match in the glass of water to put the flame out. Throw away the match and drink the water. There's some chemical thing that happens that makes your diaphram stop convulsing or something...not sure of the technicalities, but it's actually worked for me.o.O
I really like how Hagu looks more mature in some shots now. Yamada also looks like she's grown up a bit, and I can really feel her pain, because I've been through similar situations as her. Yay for Hachikuro! I've missed it so much!^_^
I though Hagu looked quite different. haha. I think I prefered the adorable doll look.
The way I cure hiccups is to alternate between breathing and drinking sips of water. At the same time, mentally concentrate on what I was doing, either taking a deep breath, or drinking. Cause scientifically hiccups is just your brain confused between the swallowing and breathing? haha.
The great way to get rid of hiccups is pay attention to sthing else - it always works on me - kind of you deceiving the brain and make it forget about hiccups .I also think that different people have different ways to stop hiccups , that's why there're so many methods . Some sure are weird enough like Deena's or the chasing method of Morita but it's really interesting to learn about them .
As for characters'appearance , I like Hagu's straight hair now , she looks more mature and beautiful , the curly hair she had back then was cute but too childish . Also I think changing hairstyle a good sign implying that now she maybe ready to grow up . But I know I like Yamada' hair in the 1st season more , especially the bang . New Yamada sure doesn't look like a 25 year old girl , instead some cute babe with round face - she's still hot though :) .
I think Yamada should be with Morita too!!!! I thought I was the only one ;___;
They would make such a pretty couple!
My friend once told me a way of getting rid of hiccups by holding ur breath and drinking a number of sip of water equal to ur age. It works everytime but that would mean you have to drink 50 sips of water when you are 50, which is quite impossible. Haha. 10 sips would do the trick, really.
I hope Yamada will be with Nomiya! Guess she shld have let go of Mayama by this time after the hiccup scene. It's really time she shld move on.
I heard eating peanut butter takes away your hiccups.
Morita X Yamada I like it that way!!!! I don't know why but at some sense when Morita is alone with Yamada, I have a feeling that he does care about her in someways
Nicely done episode, although that "funds" thing thatg Kaoru mentioned really got my attention than what happened through out this episode. HMMM guess we'll just have to wait O.o...
Also a tidbit, another way to get rid of hiccups is by someone asks you your middle name and you say it out loud. Ive seen it work once before but it not so sure :o
For the longest time in my life, I had no remedy for hiccups and had to wait for them to go away until one day a friend of mine caught the hiccups and he required two spoonfuls of sugar, and that worked for him (the first one anyway, the second was for, well he was like six at the time). So I tried his remedy and it really does work, though I require a sip of water after the spoonful because it's too difficult to swallow by itself.
anybody know the song after takemoto help hagu overcome her hiccups??????
pleaseeee...
i realy luv dat song
anybody know??????
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