Nagi no Asukara

[Ryllharu]

Nagi no Asukara - 13 [underwater-vivid]



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Hmm. What an abrupt change in tone. Things were going steadily, and led me to believe that the ceremony would occur, but not change anything. Instead, the Sea God decided he very much did want a new bride. He's a bit of a vengeful dick, ain't he? Manaka was right, recently it deliberately has been trying to take back Akari or otherwise separate loved ones unless they both happen to be sea dwellers. The only way to save Akari was to sacrifice someone else. The Sea God also took out his wrath on construction. Only one column though, just enough to be a pain in the ass.

I'm quite confused as to what will happen now. Kaname might be dead, though I suspect he was dragged down like Manaka was, the underwater town is now sealed off in holy ice or whatever, and Chisaki is trapped on the surface. Hikari's fate is presently unknown.

Kaname didn't seem too happy about Chisaki being concerned about Tsumugu, which was a bit odd. She wasn't panicking about him romantically, she was panicking about him as a friend who can't breathe underwater. Yet Kaname was devastated by the sight of Tsumugu being allowed to use Chisaki's plump thighs as a pillow. I didn't see why that was a big deal to him, especially considering he helped her save Tsumugu, but it was.

The scene before the OP was also interesting. Manaka referred to Tsumugu as the Sun. Normally a very romantic line, but this was followed up by what the Sun means to Manaka, which is quite the opposite. To her, the Sun is a radiant, amazing thing, but something that she knows she can never be allowed to reach. Was she actually telling him that they can never be anything more than friends? Quite the unexpected shift.

[shinta|hikari]

Kaname didn't seem too happy about Chisaki being concerned about Tsumugu, which was a bit odd. She wasn't panicking about him romantically, she was panicking about him as a friend who can't breathe underwater. Yet Kaname was devastated by the sight of Tsumugu being allowed to use Chisaki's plump thighs as a pillow. I didn't see why that was a big deal to him, especially considering he helped her save Tsumugu, but it was.

Because Kaname is the most perceptive of them. Ever since that line Gary Stu said to Chisaki (I like the current you or something to that effect), Chisaki has been more conscious of him romantically, blushing at one time when they made physical contact. Now she panics when she sees Tsumugu fall, but didn't when all her close friends started diving in the rumbling ocean. This is understandable because Tsumugu is human, but her panic still felt it went a little beyond friendly concern, especially due to the short time they have known each other.

Also, it wasn't a lap pillow. Chisaki was embracing Tsumugu to her chest and pressing her face against his head dearly. It felt like something a lover or at least a close family member would do in that situation. Kaname's surprise and pain from that scene is perfectly understandable.

[David75]

Someone explain why Akari suddenly is unable to breathe underwater when her Ena seems fine if the ena-glowing fabric is any indication?

How can you feel any sense of danger in those scenes for Hikari, Manaka and Akari?
Even Kaname's fall was dull, until the pillar was like falling on him.

Only Tsumugu's predicament was something to worry about.
And maybe Manaka hitting sea ground at high speed.

[shinta|hikari]

Someone explain why Akari suddenly is unable to breathe underwater when her Ena seems fine if the ena-glowing fabric is any indication.

Why would you say she was unable to breathe? She was unconscious and descending, but I never thought she couldn't breathe.

[David75]

It doesn't seem like she had any physical hit when she was thrown out of the ship.
So it's a little strange she would faint.

[shinta|hikari]

Being thrown out of a ship is a physical hit.

People faint for far less.

[Buffalobiian]

When Akari mentioned that she would like to be the figurehead instead just like the old days, I thought she was slightly insincere in that she wasn't really prepared to sacrifice herself (or was she? She was unconscious so we won't know). I wasn't fully expecting something to happen during the ceremony though.

I... actually rather approve of Chisaki x Tsumugu for some reason. Maybe it's because they both have a physically mature look, or because of their previous exchanges. Despite their time together, Kaname and Chisaki had very little heart-openning interactions. That's partly because while Kaname may arguably be even more perceptive than Tsumugu, he's been far less helpful.

There's no need to be sad though. He's still got Sayu.

[Ryllharu]

There's no need to be sad though. He's still got Sayu.

Sayu is definitely, definitely more evil than Chisaki! :3

How can you feel any sense of danger in those scenes for Hikari, Manaka and Akari?
Even Kaname's fall was dull, until the pillar was like falling on him.

Only Tsumugu's predicament was something to worry about.
And maybe Manaka hitting sea ground at high speed.

I would say Hikari's level of panic was a good indicator. The sea god was stealing Akari, and the two of them know exactly what he's capable of because he's nearly killed them once already when they tried to leave. I would say the others responded accordingly.

[Kraco]

That's partly because while Kaname may arguably be even more perceptive than Tsumugu, he's been far less helpful.

Kaname's actions are muddled by his own interests. So, even if he was as perceptive as Tsumugu, he won't act exactly like that. Tsumugu, however, hasn't really shown really personal interest in anyone beyond what his concept of a friend would do. He has helped them all equally, whenever necessary. Maybe his troubled past is the reason or maybe he simply has such a personality, lacking all passion.

An interesting episode in any case. It was given something would happen to ruin the ceremony plans, but once again I've to admit the sea god's pettiness surprised me.

[Ryllharu]

[HorribleSubs] Nagi no Asukara - 14




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This series has been quite cruel to poor Chisaki, who didn't really deserve it.

I was close.

It would be great to see Hikari and Kaname wake up first, but now having Miuna and Sayu be high schoolers middle schoolers in the same year. Then you'd have Chisaki wake up a few months after to make a mess of things. Manaka would stay asleep. The downside to that would be that it would be really unfair to Tsumugu, but honestly I'm not sure he really cares about Manaka that way.

Miuna and Sayu are indeed middle schoolers now, and Sayu's now-serious outlook is a little cliché and disappointing. Hopefully that will change a little when Kaname wakes up. Sayu being a lovesick spaz was half the fun of her character.

I'm really impressed with Miuna. She consoled Akari right away. All of the anxiety she felt about calling her "mother" disappeared immediately, and she was able to let Akari rebuild a family without too much disruption. She kept things stable while Akari lost it, and the flexibility Miuna gave her was something Akari definitely needed more than anything, thinking everything going wrong was her fault. Long hair is a plus too, though I can't help but feel she's been keeping it close to a specific length (Manaka's specifically) as a way to entice Hikari upon his return. Rejecting the boy was fantastic, and I liked the way she went right for it, despite Tsumugu telling her CPR doesn't do a lot (if anything) for sea-folk. It's hard not to root for Miuna now that she has the age advantage, and Manaka will presumably stay asleep from the new OP.

But Chisaki...she had it rough. She was left as the sole-singular sea-folk. Akari is a surface dweller with her own family now, as stated, and Tsumugu's grandfather is too. I don't think she really deserved 5 years of suffering, but she's made a life of her own now. Unfortunately, she's now close to 20 (coming of age ceremony referenced) as is Tsumugu and the rest of the surface classmates. Even if she wanted to rekindle things with Hikari, I don't think she ever would. Not could, would. Chisaki is the type to get bothered by age gaps. I also liked that she refused to see the Tomoebi, because it wasn't the same without the other three.

Moreover, it seems she and Tsumugu have grown close over the years. They're family, but at the same time, they're a lot more than family.

I do wonder what woke Hikari. Was it the Tomoebi (I couldn't tell whether or not it was a regular occurrence or something that only happens every few years, despite frequently happening underwater), or was it Miuna wishing she could be reunited with her lost love? How much is the Sea God continuing to meddle in the relationships of young ones?

At least Chisaki is legal now. It's not creepy to be attracted to her anymore!

[shinta|hikari]

Nagi no Asu Kara - I have a dark horse feeling about this one. Reminds me of AnoHana.

And the feeling is correct.

I am so glad there are still original anime who try to challenge plot twists like this one without delving into surprise randomness.

[David75]

It does seem Tsumugu likes Chisaki. Wether she someday shares the same feelings or not is all up to her.
Miuna closing the age gap with Hikari is a really good thing, and I loved how bold she was, Hikari yelling Manaka's name was surely a big hit, but at least she got to kiss him first!
Now the question is at what rate the others will keep coming. I guess it will be a mater of months, couple of years. Or the dynamics of the story might not work very well if the age difference between sea people gets too wide.
I guess Kaname waking up as a young teen when chisaki is already a full grown woman will come as a shock. He never had his chances when they were the same age, with a 5 years difference, it's over...

[shinta|hikari]

I hope this show proves otherwise. Betraying expectations in anime is better than meeting mediocre ones.

[Buffalobiian]

Tsumugu likes Chisaki, but won't make a move on her because he knows/thinks she likes Hikari. Chisaki likes Tsumugu too (perhaps to a lesser, less obvious degree) but can't move to him because until now she never knew the fate of Hikari and couldn't put closure to that part of her life. Now that Hikari is here, hopefully that'll change.

I would expect Manaka to be asleep forever, or until the final episode. The sea god was serious about taking in a girl. With her out of the picture, we can clean things up pretty cleanly now.

[Kraco]

It does seem Tsumugu likes Chisaki.

I wouldn't be so sure of it. Or even if he did, he might have thicker walls in place than Chisaki. I reckon Tsumugu might be the most anti-family person in this show, despite having shared some words of wisdom with the others in the past. There must be something very wrong with his own parents, making him doubt relationships, and no matter how you look at it, the old geezer isn't any warm and fuzzy person either but a tough old bone. Tsumugu might keep refusing any relationships for himself. He has been a distant person for all of the show. Chisaki is super hesitant on her best days, broody on her normal ones, so even if Hikari reappearring in his old brat form now somehow makes Chisaki give up for good, it's a bit hard to see how she would ever approach Tsumugu and win over his frozen heart for real. Otherwise it would be a cold and painful, loveless relationship between them. After five years of suffering, I don't really hope such a fate for Chisaki.

[Ryllharu]

I wouldn't be so sure that he isn't.

He seemed really agitated that she was putting so much effort into smoothing out the futon for the professor. Not jealously, but something else. It was the way Tsumugu said it that seemed...different. He was certainly annoyed that the professor was praising her and implying that they were together. Not that Tsumugu was against the idea, just that he wasn't allowing it to happen. If anything, he's giving Chisaki room out of courtesy. Just the same overly courteous Tsumugu we knew from 5 years ago.Whatever wounds Tsumugu has about his family are without doubt a contributing factor to his standoffishness, but the flashback montage showed him changing, slowly but surely. He's also protective of her now. Not in an adoptive sibling or guardian kind of way either.

That faint, almost-smile on the boat during the flashbacks was a softening we haven't seen in Tsumugu's expressions...ever. Chisaki wouldn't have seen that from the shore. He gave her time to recover at first, and we saw his relief (another thing we've never seen before) during the dinner scene. The boat scene wasn't relief, it was something more. In the hospital scene, Tsumugu switched to a more protective overwatch of Chisaki.

Chisaki didn't start getting interested in Tsumugu until they began high school. Everyone else in the town has noticed it, that's why they call her the lonely housewife. Emphasis on wife.

[Buffalobiian]

He seemed really agitated that she was putting so much effort into smoothing out the futon for the professor. Not jealously, but something else.

I think he felt annoyed that she put in so much effort for someone who means so little to both himself and her. She's doing it out of courtesy. He's so strong and independent that he watching her servitude felt degrading. The proff didn't physically need her help, nor was he entitled to it relationship-wise.

For such a sad episode overall, it was heartwarming to see the teacher still teach with such enthusiasm. Everything about him shows that he cares.

[Kraco]

Tsumugu has been always helping people out of nowhere and trying to sort out their difficulties. He dug the pond for the sea folks to bathe in, to name one example out of nowhere. But he has always kept his own distance at the same time, so that he wouldn't get overly involved even if he by all evidence wanted others to get involved with each other. There's many ways to interpret what was going on in the discussion with the professor. You might be right and there's still a man somewhere inside Tsumugu desiring a shapely woman like Chisaki. I'm not really denying that. However, I think he was just generally annoyed by the subject, which would make perfect sense for two reasons: Chisaki is stuck in the past, so it's quite bothersome if she's treated like Tsumugu's girlfriend, and on the other hand Tsumugu himself isn't, I still say, ready for relationships for whatever personal reasons.

I rewatched the futon scene and he certainly didn't seem overly agitated. It was more like he thought it was completely unnecessary assistance for an adult man.

It would be interesting to know how much Tsumugu in fact has been at home. Has he been avoiding the place, staying in the city? If I've judged him correctly, he might be wary of being there overly much to avoid creating any more rumours of being together with Chisaki, plus on a more concrete level it would also help him not to get too attached to Chisaki. He's still a man and she's a beauty.

[Buffalobiian]

I think Tsumugu is doing all he can with the research so Chisaki can see Hikari, just like Hikari did all he can back then so Manaka will be happy (and ultimately end up with Tsumugu). He's more subtle than Hikari, but I do think that's the case.

He loves the village, but I think the people (and Chisaki in particular) mean more to him than the physical village does. He just doesn't crumble when one of them is being taken away from him.

[Buffalobiian]

HS - Episode 15


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This show is warming in that the characters try so hard to stay positive in the face of problems, but overall I still have to say that the themes are quite tense/gloomy. Chisaki got two different opinions here, (she's changed, she hasn't changed). Neither is necessarily more true than the other but the outcome will come down to how Chisaki sees herself. She's happy to hear that Hikari said she hasn't changed, but should she come to the conclusion that she really has changed, she would eventually appreciate Tsumugu more.