[Fish Sandwich]

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Originally Posted by Kurona

I still think about this episode a lot because it really reflects how Godai and Ichijou are simultaneously opposites of each other, yet the same person. I adore how this show decided to posit its main characters as a peaceful man who has to engage in violence and then we look at his struggles with that; and a man all too used to engaging in violence being able to indulge in peace around that former man.

It's a bit difficult and complicated to get across without getting you to watch the series too, because I wouldn't say Ichijou exactly... learns anything from Godai, and I don't mean that in a bad way either. I think it's clear that he's pretty well-adjusted and knows how important it is to have these different aspects of himself, and to be able to smile and be happy when he's able to. I don't think of him as a character that needs Godai to come in and help him grow as a person.

Rather... I think it's more accurate to say that Godai is someone that lets him be his best self a lot more. Someone he's much more able to be that person around; someone that draws out his best characteristics like that. It's hard for me to not see Godai and Ichijou as each other's other half, because to me they're just the best examples of opposites attracting. They're both extremely well developed as people before the series starts, and don't exactly have anything they need to grow on; but more just... this constant life stuff they need to work through. And they help each other immensely on that. It's a very different angle to come from on a show like this, and I think it works heavily to its credit.

This episode was called Reality, and it's a very fitting name... but to mirror something that'll happen in not long from now, I think it would have been just as apt to call it Ichijou. It's a very specific and complex character piece on the man and I think it's fantastic that this was done so close to the end. It's a real bookend on what makes Ichijou Ichijou.

I wish I had a more complex response to this, but all I can think of here is repeating what I said about you being better at this than me. These are all very good observations!

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

I need the translations of the note written in front of Pole Pole door, my sub didn't do it.

It basically just says they're closed. Nothing you couldn't figure out from context.

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It makes sense that, to solve a problem you need to talk it out rather than fighting it out, though, I also think that the kind of heartless person Nana interacts at the audition, may not be able to be reasoned with and just revels over others misery like this (probably even a psychological manipulation to take out the competition).

That's actually one of the other things that I like how the show leaves up in the air. From the way Nana quotes her, I think there's a legitimate possibility that girl was genuinely trying to say "hey, I guess that horrible tragedy had an upside!", not realizing how insensitive it was, which would reinforce why it's important for Nana to not just flip out and start beating her up. And of course, if she was just being mean, Yuusuke's point still stands. The lesson matters either way, and that's why I think it was smart not to define that problem too much. The thing the show is trying to convey isn't really about a specific instance.

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Originally Posted by FreshToku

Rising BeatGouram is just a little too tacky for my tastes, so I think it was for the best it only had one appearance. What would have really solidified this as the ultimate Ichijou episode is if he got to ride the big beetle-cycle mount for a bit!

Okay, I know I just got done praising episode 43 for its emphasis on realism, but in the alternate reality where the episode is called "Ichijou", it totally ends with him ramming that criminal with the BeatGouram.