Maybe it’s because I’ve been drinking, but I think this was the episode I enjoyed the most since the whammy that was episode 12. The comedy and heart-warming moments were spot-on, but most of all it was the themes they evoked, which spoke to me in a way I dare not think I’ll be able to accurately convey. Sakurasou is at its best when it’s funny, silly, uplifting, dramatic, and a little bit ridiculous, but best of all is when it speaks to what it means to be an artist. And what do humans love more than stories? Maybe sex or booze, but only barely.
Sorata’s Crazy Family
Yuuko makes so much more sense now–and actually, Sorata does as well. I’ve always been on the fence about whether Yuuko was a good idea storytelling-wise (though I’ve found her entertaining since her introduction, which is the most important thing). Would this story have benefited more from a different kind of imouto, such as a Miya-chan, rather then taking the easy brocon route? But with the proper introduction of the rest of the Kanda family, Yuuko doesn’t seem so strange. She’s still strange mind you, it just makes sense.
Kanda-mama and Kanda-papa (Ookawa Tooru) are so funny! Kanda-papa definitely got the most laughs with how he would randomly (and loudly) proclaim things (“I do not find polygamy acceptable!” Screw you Kanda-papa, you’re ruining my backup plan!!), but I very much enjoyed hearing Arai Satomi in a more “normal” role. I like her usual roles, but hearing her smoothly slip from silly to regular housewife gave me more appreciation for her abilities. Plus she still got in some great moments, such as when she trolled Sorata by talking about how Nanami is such great waifu material.
Fuel for the Nanami Shippers
And not just a little either. This episode was rife with Sorata x Nanami moments, whether when she was in waifu mode fixing Sorata his mother’s favorite recipes and teaching his little sister, or that whole heartfelt talk they had mid-way through. J.C. Staff, why are you so cruel?? I had all but written off Nanami, but now…well, I don’t reverse my assumptions, but you certainly aren’t making it easier for us viewers to accept her eventual loss! (I assume. Guh!!) The toughest moment came when Sorata got damn near dere for Nanami, when he was hoping she’d pass her audition. For her…and also to prove that hard work mattered. But more on that later.
The Misaki that Jin Loves, and Misaki’s Revival
Be very afraid of Mashiron, for she’s truly brilliant inside that confused savant’s daze, and sometimes when everyone else is busy, it’s her that will say just the right thing. Jin has awkwardly stated his case before, but this time he did it better – he loves Misaki deeply, but that doesn’t mean he should give up on his dream. Not that he wouldn’t if pressed, but he wants to be the best Jin he possibly can be, both for Misaki and himself, and that means pursuing his dream in the best way he knows how. I mean, if they’re really meant to be…gods, I hate that saying. Sometimes the timing isn’t right, sometimes you’re not mature enough yet, and sometimes things simply don’t work out when they really should have. Even so, he can’t give up everything about himself to be with her, and become a mere accessory. He wouldn’t want that of her, nor she of him…once she thinks about it.
That is Misaki’s realization. Mashiro learned what version of herself Sorata loved, so that’s who she focused on being–the passionate artist, the one who creates with all her heart. Is not Jin the same way? Confidence and passion are attractive, people! More than the hero that gives up his life for his family (and is dead, loved but no longer there to hug them or eat dinner with them or send the children off to school), what people most love is the person who goes after their dreams with passion and zeal, so that they shine with unimaginable brightness when they snatch a few minutes away to spend with you. Jin loves the Misaki that creates, that can’t help but create–and that’s what she needed to realize. Mashiro’s innocent statement…well, I liked how the lessons from the two different relationships collided in a way that didn’t seem the least bit convenient. That was well done.
If I had to say anything else about Misaki-senpai (and I don’t, but shall), it is that I smiled wide when she finally perked up at the end. It’s amazing how much one person can bring down the mood, even when, as with Misaki, their depression is totally understandable. Throughout the episode I was enjoying the uproarious comedy, and then the focus would shift to Misaki and wahm!, back to reality with me. That mood whiplash (trope!) served to emphasize how depressed she was well. So, when her rosy cheeks finally returned – my, I could have almost sung.
Presentations, Art, and Trying Hard
If you’re not interested in the ranting of a wannabe storyteller, feel free to ignore this section. It’s all relevant to the themes of the episode, but it might get a bit too “meta” for some, so I’m giving you this opportunity now. Turn back, ye of little faith – there be dragons ahead, and they come from the depths of my depraved mind mind. And they’re over-actors, if my prose is any indication.
Reading a draft. Here’s a tip: if you ever get to read the first draft of someone’s work, they’re watching you. Take it from someone who has been in the writer’s position – while you are reading the script, they’re reading your face. Also, while people are generally pretty dense, when your entire being is focused on one person and you know exactly what they are focusing on (reading your draft), humans become much more perceptive. When Masaki read Jin’s script, she subtly gave away the fact that it wasn’t quite as good as she hoped. Tip #2 naturally follows: if put in that position, don’t try to pull your punches. Misaki would have been better off giving honest criticism. At least then Jin would have known what to work on. Too much kindness is cruel.
Presentations. Who gives a damn what you care about? Once again Sakurasou hits it on the nose – a presentation isn’t about what the presenter wants to say, but about what the audience wants to hear. When you’re giving a presentation, the audience are your customers, and if you don’t satisfy your customers, you’re out on the street bub. That’s as true in business as it is in art, lemme tell ya. Oh and by the way, usually the question is: will it make money? Fun is great and all, but as sad as it may make some of you, it always comes down to money in the end. Practically always.
Secondly on presentations, though brilliant ideas may fly regardless of how they’re presented, what of the merely great ones? Present them well enough and a great idea can fly as far as a brilliant one, and perhaps even farther. That’s why Sorata is so lucky to have Mashiro’s art. What better to bring a game pitch to life than use luscious pictures to paint a picture in the judge’s minds? Or even some animation! (I’m sure Misaki-senpai would help.) You may say this isn’t fair, because not everyone knows a great artist, and you may be right–but it doesn’t matter. Humans react to stories as they’re told, and even professionals can be swayed by a pitch well given. Besides, going to Sui High and living in Sakurasou amount to Sorata putting himself in a position to be lucky. That’s important.
Pulled into the story. Readers beware: if you get too close to a storyteller, chances are you’ll find yourself in their work–provided you’re interesting enough. Whether this is a good or a bad thing is up to you. All I can say is…I’m watching.
Hard work pays off. Believe it! Hard, persistent work is far more valuable than talent. Of course, when there are not-that-talented people working hard and competing against very talented people who are also working hard, it might seem like talent is the deciding factor, but in fact there are hundreds, thousands, millions, maybe even billions of people who have that same talent, and they aren’t doing shit with it. To be truly great at something, you absolutely do need talent, determination, and hard work all in spades. Make no mistake though–of them all, it’s hard work that most separates the winners from the losers, each and every time.
“But this time, I’m looking forward to it.” I’m reminded of something that was said in a perhaps unremarkable movie, but one I love nonetheless: The Replacements. “Winners always want the ball when the game is on the line”, Sorata. If you’re looking forward to a great challenge, like this presentation, you’re doing something right. Perhaps you still won’t succeed, but I would bet that if you’re excited, you’ve done everything possible to prepare. Good luck, shounen.
Looking Ahead
Misaki finally understands, and Sorata’s big presentation is coming up. Episode 16…yup, that’s a multiple of four, which means that the next one is probably going to be a doozy.
Sorata’s Crazy Family
Yuuko makes so much more sense now–and actually, Sorata does as well. I’ve always been on the fence about whether Yuuko was a good idea storytelling-wise (though I’ve found her entertaining since her introduction, which is the most important thing). Would this story have benefited more from a different kind of imouto, such as a Miya-chan, rather then taking the easy brocon route? But with the proper introduction of the rest of the Kanda family, Yuuko doesn’t seem so strange. She’s still strange mind you, it just makes sense.
Kanda-mama and Kanda-papa (Ookawa Tooru) are so funny! Kanda-papa definitely got the most laughs with how he would randomly (and loudly) proclaim things (“I do not find polygamy acceptable!” Screw you Kanda-papa, you’re ruining my backup plan!!), but I very much enjoyed hearing Arai Satomi in a more “normal” role. I like her usual roles, but hearing her smoothly slip from silly to regular housewife gave me more appreciation for her abilities. Plus she still got in some great moments, such as when she trolled Sorata by talking about how Nanami is such great waifu material.
Fuel for the Nanami Shippers
And not just a little either. This episode was rife with Sorata x Nanami moments, whether when she was in waifu mode fixing Sorata his mother’s favorite recipes and teaching his little sister, or that whole heartfelt talk they had mid-way through. J.C. Staff, why are you so cruel?? I had all but written off Nanami, but now…well, I don’t reverse my assumptions, but you certainly aren’t making it easier for us viewers to accept her eventual loss! (I assume. Guh!!) The toughest moment came when Sorata got damn near dere for Nanami, when he was hoping she’d pass her audition. For her…and also to prove that hard work mattered. But more on that later.
The Misaki that Jin Loves, and Misaki’s Revival
Be very afraid of Mashiron, for she’s truly brilliant inside that confused savant’s daze, and sometimes when everyone else is busy, it’s her that will say just the right thing. Jin has awkwardly stated his case before, but this time he did it better – he loves Misaki deeply, but that doesn’t mean he should give up on his dream. Not that he wouldn’t if pressed, but he wants to be the best Jin he possibly can be, both for Misaki and himself, and that means pursuing his dream in the best way he knows how. I mean, if they’re really meant to be…gods, I hate that saying. Sometimes the timing isn’t right, sometimes you’re not mature enough yet, and sometimes things simply don’t work out when they really should have. Even so, he can’t give up everything about himself to be with her, and become a mere accessory. He wouldn’t want that of her, nor she of him…once she thinks about it.
That is Misaki’s realization. Mashiro learned what version of herself Sorata loved, so that’s who she focused on being–the passionate artist, the one who creates with all her heart. Is not Jin the same way? Confidence and passion are attractive, people! More than the hero that gives up his life for his family (and is dead, loved but no longer there to hug them or eat dinner with them or send the children off to school), what people most love is the person who goes after their dreams with passion and zeal, so that they shine with unimaginable brightness when they snatch a few minutes away to spend with you. Jin loves the Misaki that creates, that can’t help but create–and that’s what she needed to realize. Mashiro’s innocent statement…well, I liked how the lessons from the two different relationships collided in a way that didn’t seem the least bit convenient. That was well done.
If I had to say anything else about Misaki-senpai (and I don’t, but shall), it is that I smiled wide when she finally perked up at the end. It’s amazing how much one person can bring down the mood, even when, as with Misaki, their depression is totally understandable. Throughout the episode I was enjoying the uproarious comedy, and then the focus would shift to Misaki and wahm!, back to reality with me. That mood whiplash (trope!) served to emphasize how depressed she was well. So, when her rosy cheeks finally returned – my, I could have almost sung.
Presentations, Art, and Trying Hard
If you’re not interested in the ranting of a wannabe storyteller, feel free to ignore this section. It’s all relevant to the themes of the episode, but it might get a bit too “meta” for some, so I’m giving you this opportunity now. Turn back, ye of little faith – there be dragons ahead, and they come from the depths of my depraved mind mind. And they’re over-actors, if my prose is any indication.
Reading a draft. Here’s a tip: if you ever get to read the first draft of someone’s work, they’re watching you. Take it from someone who has been in the writer’s position – while you are reading the script, they’re reading your face. Also, while people are generally pretty dense, when your entire being is focused on one person and you know exactly what they are focusing on (reading your draft), humans become much more perceptive. When Masaki read Jin’s script, she subtly gave away the fact that it wasn’t quite as good as she hoped. Tip #2 naturally follows: if put in that position, don’t try to pull your punches. Misaki would have been better off giving honest criticism. At least then Jin would have known what to work on. Too much kindness is cruel.
Presentations. Who gives a damn what you care about? Once again Sakurasou hits it on the nose – a presentation isn’t about what the presenter wants to say, but about what the audience wants to hear. When you’re giving a presentation, the audience are your customers, and if you don’t satisfy your customers, you’re out on the street bub. That’s as true in business as it is in art, lemme tell ya. Oh and by the way, usually the question is: will it make money? Fun is great and all, but as sad as it may make some of you, it always comes down to money in the end. Practically always.
Secondly on presentations, though brilliant ideas may fly regardless of how they’re presented, what of the merely great ones? Present them well enough and a great idea can fly as far as a brilliant one, and perhaps even farther. That’s why Sorata is so lucky to have Mashiro’s art. What better to bring a game pitch to life than use luscious pictures to paint a picture in the judge’s minds? Or even some animation! (I’m sure Misaki-senpai would help.) You may say this isn’t fair, because not everyone knows a great artist, and you may be right–but it doesn’t matter. Humans react to stories as they’re told, and even professionals can be swayed by a pitch well given. Besides, going to Sui High and living in Sakurasou amount to Sorata putting himself in a position to be lucky. That’s important.
Pulled into the story. Readers beware: if you get too close to a storyteller, chances are you’ll find yourself in their work–provided you’re interesting enough. Whether this is a good or a bad thing is up to you. All I can say is…I’m watching.
Hard work pays off. Believe it! Hard, persistent work is far more valuable than talent. Of course, when there are not-that-talented people working hard and competing against very talented people who are also working hard, it might seem like talent is the deciding factor, but in fact there are hundreds, thousands, millions, maybe even billions of people who have that same talent, and they aren’t doing shit with it. To be truly great at something, you absolutely do need talent, determination, and hard work all in spades. Make no mistake though–of them all, it’s hard work that most separates the winners from the losers, each and every time.
“But this time, I’m looking forward to it.” I’m reminded of something that was said in a perhaps unremarkable movie, but one I love nonetheless: The Replacements. “Winners always want the ball when the game is on the line”, Sorata. If you’re looking forward to a great challenge, like this presentation, you’re doing something right. Perhaps you still won’t succeed, but I would bet that if you’re excited, you’ve done everything possible to prepare. Good luck, shounen.
Looking Ahead
Misaki finally understands, and Sorata’s big presentation is coming up. Episode 16…yup, that’s a multiple of four, which means that the next one is probably going to be a doozy.