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ローゼンメイデン 
This episode provides a good example as to why background songs have been an important part of this series. When used appropriately, as opposed to having one just for the sake of having it, the song ends up making the episode much stronger than it otherwise will be without one. For example, when Ougon no Tsuki begins to play as Yamada and Nomiya run across the street in this episode, the scene is suddenly elevated into something that is more akin to high-budget, live-action film. It is therefore, unfortunate, that this episode is marred by a slight nosedive in its animations and character designs. But I guess it's inevitable since there are still 7 episodes to go and the animators probably want to use the bulk of the budget on the main arc that will probably begin around episode 21 or 22.
This episode begins with Mayama coming to Fujiwara design to discuss a new project. Much to his shock and displeasure, however, he finds Yamada in the middle of a meeting with Nomiya. Later on, Mayama finds out that the reason is because Fujiwara needs new stocks of pottery so Nomiya has asked Yamada to come to the office once a week. Mayama is not happy that Nomiya doesn't consult him about this but Nomiya correctly points out that Yamada doesn't need Mayama's permission to do something. Mayama lashes back by saying the reason he does this is because he doesn't trust Nomiya and his unpredictable thoughts. Meanwhile back in the college, Morita and Hagu begin to have a fight to see who has achieved the biggest accomplishment. Takemoto who sees the two realises that all of these times, he has been standing still while time and other people move on as usual.
Takemoto's thoughts, however, is interrupted when he returns home to find food available on the table. It turns out Morita has been cooking and anticipating his and Mayama's arrival. Both Takemoto and Mayama are also surprised to know that Morita has purchased a set of Showa period table set just because he's happy to finally spend some time with his friends again. During dinner, Morita informs Takemoto that he knows Takemoto ran to the airport to stop him from leaving Japan. He thanks Takemoto and tells him that he's grateful to have a friend who made that kind of an effort just for him. Upon hearing Morita's words, Takemoto realises that despite his worries, he can't help but feeling happy to be able to spend time with Morita. Fast forward a few days later, the gang are seen about to have their yearly Hanami festival. Mayama, however, is shocked when he sees Morita in a wheelchair.
It appears that Morita tried to do a bungee-jumping but the cord was too long so he ended up hitting the ground 7 or 8 times. Mayama can't help but thinking that Morita faked the accident especially when he still manages to sing in the wheelchair. Meanwhile, Yamada becomes upset when she hears that Mayama is going back to his office after the festival. Therefore, when Nomiya appears, Yamada immediately clings onto him and asks the guy to take her away. Nomiya agrees to do so but later on reveals that he knows Yamada is only using him to make Mayama jealous. Nevertheless, he decides to take her to Odaiba to see his favourite Ferris Wheel. Elsewhere, Nomiya's colleagues try to convince both Mayama and Morita that despite how Nomiya may act, he's actually not a bad person. The next morning, Yamada awakes in a room with Nomiya but it seems nothing happened between the two.
Impression:
Despite what I said about the Ougon no Tsuki scene, the part that leaves more indelible impression on me is actually the Morita and Takemoto's small scene. An extension of the one where Takemoto tried to stop Morita when Morita was about to leave Japan, this one shows the strength of friendship between the two of them. While Takemoto is slightly jealous of the kind of relationship that Morita has with Hagu, he still considers Morita as his friend first and foremost. This is why he tried to stop Morita from leaving and why he hesitate to go after Hagu. And when things are said and done, Takemoto is also happy to have Morita back. It's not difficult to understand why Morita is grateful about this. In this day and age, finding a good friend is as hard as finding a significant other. A friend who will go the distance just because he/she cares about you is a friend that one should not lose.
Moving on to another matter, I guess I have to start to accept that Nomiya seems to be the designated future love interest for Yamada. I've been refusing the idea since the beginning since I find Nomiya to be rather manipulative. When he shoves Yamada into the car and refuses to let her go home, I also can't help but feeling a bit creeped out. I do hope that he's not as bad as he seems though and judging by his comment about the Ferris Wheel, he is probably more interesting than he appears at the moment. Anyway, moving on to the comedy part of the episode, I was most amused with Morita acting as a housewife, complete with the use of 'Atashi' (a term one used to refer to oneself if one is a girl) when he greets Mayama. It was also entertaining to see Morita delivering another version of the Zundoko-bushi. If only that song is included within the OST.
Timeline:
The first indication that this episode probably happens not to long after the previous episode is the still blooming cherry blossoms. The cherry blossoms usually only last for 2 weeks, from early April to mid April. So I'm going to assume that not only the episode starts a couple of days after the previous one, it also happens within the span of a few days.
Eh you thought the animation was bad? Well then I certainly can't wait for the main arc where the animation is good. (Perhaps what you meant was that it was inconsistent...)
But I know what you mean about the character development. For some reason it feels as if this episode was meant to stall us. Not to say that they didn't do a good job. I wouldn't even call it a filler.
One interesting thing I noticed... Nomiya yeah... I was shocked at how Morita reacted to Mayama's information about Yamada and Nomiya. I was expecting him to help Mayama find her but found that he supported everyone in saying that he was too protective. That suprised me because I always thought Morita was the one to look out for Yamada. We shall see...
If you were creeped out by Nomiya not letting Ayu out of the car, how creeped out were you by Mayama driving a disabled Rika in the opposite direction of her house, without her consent?
If you were creeped out by Nomiya not letting Ayu out of the car, how creeped out were you by Mayama driving a disabled Rika in the opposite direction of her house, without her consent?
I remembered being disturbed by it but not as much as this one. Mostly because Rika didn't voice any objection like Yamada. Yamada made more than one request to get back home, insistently one may add. Rika, on the other hand, was simply commenting that the road Mayama was taking was not the road to her house. She then chooses to say nothing else after hearing his request.
In addition to this, Mayama didn't attempt to put additional mental anguish/guilt on Rika and I can't say the same thing about Nomiya who constantly made Yamada feels guilty about using him in this episode. He knows very well that she's using him but he takes her anyway and only uses that knowledge to make her feel guilty later on.
To be honest, I can't see Yamada and Mayama being together..not now..not ever. She is better off with Nomiya..hell shes better off with one of the 3rd Generations...no that'd be a waste of beauty=\ Well the point is she should just move on. Seriously. Even if she does make an effort, the results will always be the same because she can't force Mayama to like her and she knows how it feels to be in his position. There doesn't seem to be much interaction between the two of them to start off with so even if they ended up together somehow, I don't think their relationship would go anywhere.Its sad.
Nomiya on the other hand seems to know what hes doing. Personally, I don't think hes trying to take advantage of her in anyway. He wants the pots, she makes them for him, he pays her, all well said and done. As for his interests for her, thats another thing, though there are major signs that he does seem attracted to her, he is playing it slowly. There was no point in comparing Mayama with Nomiya, its obvious Nomiya is definitely more mature than he is.
Well in my opinion, I just think Nomiya would be a better guy for her than Mayama, and im pretty sure Mayama would say the same.
I am disappointed that Morita is not the one who gets the chance to talk to Yamada about her feelings for Mayama. I think of all people, he'll be the best people for Yamada to spill all of her feelings. As for Nomiya, I'm still undecided on him. I do think that he's a bit manipulative. I still remember how he intentionally tells Yamada about Mayama working with Rika again to crush her feelings back in episode 16 or 17. He does a similar thing in this episode and that makes me wonder if he loves her or just want to get her using any method available to his disposal.
ps: did anyone else notice how Hagu smacked Morita with her canvas during the 'my achievement is bigger than yours' scene? I thought that was precious and worth a screencap.
Yeah I sort of felt like Morita was being a bit passive in this episode. Does he know what's best for Yamada?
About Nomiya. From what I can see I just can't tell if he cares. (good bad?) He's a tough one to analyze and I imagine that I will have to deal with people like him in my life. The people you can't openly hate are often the toughest to deal with. It's hard to hate someone when you don't know what it is about them that you hate. The people who are nice and polite but for some reason push your buttons the wrong way. It's a bit unsettling.
hey...does anyone understand why Rika couldn't go to work with Mayama that day? Something with her and that dog... I didn't understand it. And also..what's the next episode about??!
I have to say that this is the only anime that made me cry. Childish I know but this is such deep stuff that I can comprehend.
I can't wait for the next episode. :]
man, i hate nomiya. he seems like someone who doesn't have any respect for the feelings of others. then again, when he ran off in the "ougon no tsuki" scene, it made me realize that his carefree attitude could set yamada free as well. i'm with mayama: "if only he'd show me he was serious..."
about nomiya... I think for everyone the jury is still out. However, after having dabbled in the manga some, it's not hard to figure out (despite the fact i can't read japanese that:
*spoiler starts*
... Nomiya-san, if anything, is very persistent. He goes all out for Yamada. Driving all night to find her etc.
*spoiler ends*
It's interesting because of what Yamada and Morita comment about Mayama a lot in the earlier episodes - that Mayama will only do things that are convenient and will not extend himself for anyone unless it's Rika. Here we see Nomiya extending himself for Yamada. So they are a lot more alike (as their co-workers had mentioned) than they would like to think. Probably something that Mayama can't really understand is Nomiya's incongruencies. Like, why Nomiya is going through all this when he has treated women in the past as insignificant. I think it's also confusing for Mayama because it is, to some extent, like looking at and trying to understand himself from another person's perspective.
Anyways, I think that Yamada should move on. Mayama is just causing her a lot more stress than he should...
It's been a while since this ep's been out but I'm just going through all the reviews now, dakara...
Well, like some folks here, my opinion of Nomiya took a turning point in this ep, only more extreme. I totally believe Nomiya is good for Ayu--if only in the tough love kind of way. Yes, he's a manipulative bastard, but everything he's done in this ep, he does it for her own good, even if she can't see it. For those who think he's doing everything he can to get in her pants, I don't think so. He's certainly not scoring any points with her by forcing her to admit her fault in the situation with Mayama. Besides, if he is the type that Mayama thinks (who'll eat her up and throw her away), he would have done just that in this ep, while Ayu was an emotional wreck. Instead, he listened while she poured out her woes, ate like a pig, and showed him various "amazing things". Of course, for a while I was worried for Ayu's virtue, when the camera stopped just at her neckline, without showing if she was naked below that.
So after this episode, I was all "Forget about Mayama and pursue a new love with Nomiya, Ayu!"
Of course, if I meet a guy like him in real life AND get screwed over, I'll probably change my opinion; but thankfully that hasn't happened. Hmm... Nomiya reminds me of yet another Takumi... in NANA. Bad, playboy image, but ultimately, I believe, what Hachi (or in this case, Ayu) needs. Whether or not it'll last though, remains to be seen.
All that, and I keep rewatching this episode for Morita's bungee jump, and his tearful Jaian recital. The 7-8 times crash to the ground totally killed me. XD I even re-enacted the scene to my friends to convince them tto watch Hachikuro. Suffice it to say, it worked. BANZAI!
I happen to be a Nomiya fan (perhaps b/c I'm probably a little too attracted to that play-boy, nonchalant type for my own good). I think he does what he does with Yamada initially to get on her good side. Telling her about Mayama working together with Rika again, etc. Ultimately, whether or not Yamada and Nomiya end up together forever and ever and ever! isn't the point; the point is that Yamada needs to move on. Mayama increasingly got on my nerves before this episode because he couldn't let go of Yamada. Screw the big-brother, overprotective tirade; I always thought, up until the very last episode that he was keeping Yamada up on the back burner, precisely as Nomiya put in a few episodes earlier. Besides. Nomiya is cuter. (Gotta love the bishies :P)
Hi. Does anybody know the song that plays when Nomiya and Yamada are staring at the ferris wheel where Nomiya asks Yamada why she likes Mayama? Thank you.
well,
this is the only anime that makes my heart pumped up,no really,its true.especially when yamada is trying hard to overcalm her feelings with mayama. mayamas so stupid to let go of yamada and well for nomiya i guesse he'd do better than mayama did,i'm satisfied with nomiya,
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