[Sh Ranger]

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Originally Posted by DreadBringer

For Hotaro being an advocate, would it be considered him being a nosy "busybody" who takes away someone's agency by telling Riku's dad what to do despite only knowing Riku recently? Though this'd be also what being heroic is, meddling when you don't need to.

While the father may consider Houtarou a busybody for intervening in a parent and child affair, Houtarou would argue that the father is the real busybody for intervening in a human and Chemy affair. I'd say they both have personal investment that exempts them from busybody label, but Houtarou presents the better case here, as he's actually arguing for Riku's freedom to be friends with Sabosuke, while the father is denying it and abusing his authority to justify his behavior. Minato claims that Chemy influence is directly responsible for the conflict, when really it was an existing conflict that had been exposed and that allowed it to be resolved, as shown in the end, Riku and his father formed a Great Bond by talking it out honestly. Riku found the courage to stand up for what he wanted, which is what Houtarou needs to do as well.

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Originally Posted by Zolda

The "flask" could potentially be something that can greatly disturb the balance of the natural order. Rinne mentioned in episode 2 that alchemy can create something out of nothing or create life out of death. I think this may be the reason why Atropos attempts to psychologically manipulate Rinne in this episode. Perhaps she is planting a seed of doubt into Rinne's mind with the final goal to make Rinne defect to their side by showing that their use of alchemy (via the "flask") can even resurrect the dead, a very serious violation of the natural order. This could be an interesting plot, because a heroine rarely defects to the villain's side. If I remember correctly, the last time it happened was in Fourze episodes 43-44.

There was also Tsukuyomi who decided Sougo should be killed after she saw Zi-O II and before that, there was Asuna who was brainwashed to become KR Chronicle's navigator. But yeah, it's intriguing to see the conflict of opinions about the responsible applications of alchemy. Houtarou is expected to protect natural order at all costs as a member of Alchemy Academy, but his dream of co-existence between humans and Chemies is only possible by disturbing it, which is more aligned with the Dark Sisters' goals. Maybe Atropos perceives death as merely a limitation of natural order and the meaning of her advice to Rinne is that if you have power to change a bad outcome to a good one, then you should use it. The power to revive Fuga might give Rinne incentive to oppose it as well.

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Originally Posted by MKDremare

The very simple answer of why the Kyoto field trip is early is just different schools have different times they go. Like it would be a nightmare if all the schools in Japan just try to go to Kyoto at the same time. Especially considering how I'm pretty sure most of these field trips tend to be overnight ones. Hotels would be PACKED with too many students.

This makes sense. I presume these schools' management are comparing their curricula to prevent clashing with each other. Although it would've been cool if Houtarou and Rinne happened to meet Gentarou supervising his students' trip.