My Review
MINAMI AT THE CROSSROADS
Or
THE MAIDEN WHO WOULD KEEP HER FREEDOM
LONG TIME NO SEAS!
Our episode begins on a yacht leaving Kaido Ocean View Resort.
Captain on board is the dashing twentyish heir to the dynasty, Wataru Kaido.
(Awwww!!!) <3 <3 <3
His sister Minami and her friends, a still amnesiac Kanata among them, are on board as well.
A familiar-looking bottlenose dolphin hops out of the waves.
MINAMI (excited): Tina! Good day to you (Gokigenyó), Tina.
TINA (whistles happily).
HARUKA: That bottlenose dolphin is Minami's friend.
YUI (excited): As expected from a Princess of the Oceans!
We will get to meet Minami's parents. Both of them. The way it sounds.
KIRARA (as savvy as ever): They're the leaders of the international and world-famous Kaido Group!
(So... both of them, husband and wife, are co-leaders of the corporation!? Like Nymeria and Mors Martell, like William and Mary in the Stuart era, or like... Well, guess I'll have to quote that saying on the Catholic Royals: "Tanto monta, monta tanto, Isabel como Fernando.")
MINAMI: You can see it now.
Not the Vasa, but nevertheless a monster liner capable of crossing the Pacific in two or three days. The whole Team Precure is impressed.
The Love Boat... soon will be making another run...
the Love Boat... promises something for everyone...
MEETING THE... IN-LAWS!?
The Kaido siblings now stand, after ages apart, before those who gave them life.
MINAMI: Long time no see, Father, Mother.
TSUKASA (courteous, in an expected baritone voice): You look well, Minami.
MASUMI (courteous, kindly): Any problems?
And here are Tsukasa (he) and Masumi (she) Kaido, proud parents of cultured young people destined for greatness, and co-owners of the international Kaido Group (just like Nymeria and Mors, or William and Mary, or... "Tanto monta, monta tanto, Isabel como Fernando.")
One can spot where both Kaido children got their good looks and their leadership skills from. Minami looks like a younger carbon copy of her mum, at least only in appearance, while Wataru takes more after Tsukasa (whose hair, in my headcanon, was the same shade of dark blue when he was young). Pleased to see that both of them are alive and well! Their age difference (sixtyish husband, fortyish wife)... It was most surely an arranged marriage of convenience. In the olden days and still today in the upper classes, this practice commonly involves an adult bridegroom and an adolescent bride (she is expected to be fertile, he is expected to be experienced and able to show her the way once she's left her parents' home).
Their appearance makes them look as wealthy, cultured, and conservative as can be... somehow, Tsukasa reminded me of Tywin Lannister with handlebars, and his wife Masumi of an adult Minami. One can see what their children will look like after coming of age...
MINAMI (courteous): No, I am having fun every day.
TSUKASA: Wataru, sorry to trouble you when you're so busy.
WATARU (cheerful, patting Minami on the left shoulder): That's fine. I will do anything for my beloved sister.
MINAMI (to Wataru, smiling at him sincerely): Thank you, Brother.
There are the Kaidos enjoying their well-earned quality time...
KIRARA (excited): What awesome celeb vibes!
TSUKASA (walking towards the Precure team, courteously): Excuse us for the late greeting.
KANARA (bowing, courteously and gallantly): Thank you very much indeed for inviting us here.
TOWA (curtsying, courteously): I hope our visit is not too much of a bother.
TSUKASA: We have invited important people to this evening's soirée. As our daughter's dearest friends, we would love for you all to attend.
MASUMI (courteously, sincerely): Please enjoy yourselves.
In Minami's suite within the liner, her mum shows her the white and sky-blue mermaid tail gown that the young heiress will wear at the soirée.
MASUMI (excited): That fits you so well, Minami.
MINAMI (looking at herself in the mirror, a little uncomfortable): You didn't need to have a new gown custom-made for me.
MASUMI (smiling, cheerful): Today is my precious daughter's turn to shine.
MASUMI (excited, embracing her daughter): I've been waiting so long for you to join the Kaido Group.
I couldn't be happier.
MINAMI (smiling, all fuzzy): Mother...
There's a pool on deck!
A cinema!
A ballroom as well! A vast one!!
I bet the Vasa didn't boast such comforts even for its officer class... But this is the Kaidos' flagship and their answer to the Vasa, as far as you can see, spectators!
As you can see, everyone is impressed by the sheer size of the ballroom.
Mr. and Mrs. Kaido appear once more. And it's time for some exposition.
TSUKASA: This ship is called Umi no Yume (Dream of the Oceans). Do you know why?
Everyone wonders.
TSUKASA (explaining): We want all of our passengers to enjoy themselves, as if they were in a dream. That's why we chose the name.
MASUMI (sincerely): We all are so happy to see all of you smile.
By her parents' side, Minami smiles confidently.
MINAMI'S DREAM OF TRADITION
On board the Umi no Yume, cuisine is as exquisit as on the Hogwarts Express. Before a pile of pancakes, the friends discuss their new acquaintances.
HARUKA (to Minami): Your brother is amazing, but your parents are on another level!
KIRARA (to Minami): I understand why you look up to them!
MINAMI (smiling): Thank you.
YUI (excited): You will join and work for the Kaido Group in the near future, right?
MINAMI (sincerely): Yes. I want to become like my parents and my older brother. I want to become useful to society. That has been my dream since childhood.
TOWA (pleased): What a wonderful dream!
KANATA (wondering): "Dream?"
The arc word of the whole series may awaken another memory within the crown prince's mind.
FREE AS THE NORTH-WIND
Suddenly, Minami, who was standing on the railing, hears a familiar whistle and waves hello to her bottlenose friend.
MINAMI (cheerfully): Tina!!
The young cetacean is not alone, but accompanied by a surfer girl with a flowing auburn ponytail.
MINAMI (surprised): Gasp! Who is that?
The ponytailed girl waves cheerfully at Minami.
Soon, Tina is leaping high over Minami's head, drenching her with a splash as she plunges.
MINAMI (giggles): Jeez! (Mo!)
Then, she pets and tickles Tina as she hears a contralto voice from near. It's the surfer girl from before.
SURFER GIRL (offscreen): You are amazing.
Minami turns around and looks up. The surfer girl is tall and slender, in her late teens, sunburned with a smattering of freckles and bright blue eyes.
SURFER GIRL (sincerely): I have never seen anyone so close to a wild bottlenose dolphin.
MINAMI (smiling, as Tina whistles): Tina and I are childhood friends.
SURFER GIRL (eagerly, to Minami): So she's Tina. And what's your name?
MINAMI: I am Minami Kaido.
SURFER GIRL (surprised, wondering): Kaido...? Eh? I'm Asuka Kitakaze. (Reaching out her right hand to Minami) Pleased to meet you, Minami.
(What? Minami, not Miss Kaido? Though they have merely learned to know one another?)
MINAMI (taking Asuka's hand, courteously): Nice to meet you too.
ASUKA (blinking, remembering, looking at her watch): Oh, I've got to go back. (Leaving) Later!
YUI (to Asuka, wondering): Are you in a hurry?
ASUKA: Oh, I've got work to do. I'm a vet. (Id est, an animal doctor, not a war veteran!)
ASUKA (cheerfully): They called me over from the aquarium close by. I'm a marine fauna veterinarian. Would you like to come see me work? Of course you can!
MINAMI (doubting): I'd love to, but... I have an important event to attend today.
KIRARA: We've still got time before the soirée.
KANATA (sincerely): I will tell your parents. Come on.
Though Minami was doubtful at first, she finally gives in.
MINAMI (thinking and looking sad for a little while, she finally gives in): Then, for a little while.
Asuka nods in approval.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ASUKA, THE OCEAN VET
The whole Precure team land and head for the local aquarium, led by their newest acquaintance.
HARUKA (excited): So many kinds of fish!
Good R'hllor! If they even have got space for a whale shark, the largest kind of fish on Earth...
YUI (excited): Looks like that crab is dancing!
(Yeah, and if it's Sebastian, I wonder what you have consumed most recently.)
All of the Precures see the same sight and look at the dancing crab in excitement (yes, I imagine Sebastian across that glass pane).
Asuka looks into the aquarium for a while, surprising Minami, who asks her:
MINAMI (wondering): What are you looking for?
ASUKA: I'm looking for fish that don't look healthy. First I observe.
MINAMI (wondering): Eh?
Asuka thoroughly observes her underwater charges.
MINAMI (pointing at one fish): That one looks to be moving a bit slowly.
ASUKA (surprised, gasping, looking there): You're right! You're good. I'll take a good look at it lately. (She jots it down on her clipboard).
Outside the aquarium proper, the girls have a look at Arctic and Antarctic fauna.
YUI (excited): Those seals are so funny!
ASUKA (explaining well): Those are sea-lions. They're larger than seals and swim with their front flippers. Also, they've got tiny flaps for ears.
YUI (excited, looking to the left): There's a turtle over there!
(Everyone else turns to the left and becomes excited)
TOWA (excited, of the turtle offscreen): Wow, how big!
KIRARA (elated): Let's go, let's go!
Everyone leaves but Asuka and Minami, who stay behind watching the sea-lions.
MINAMI (pensive, watching the pinnipeds swim underwater): Front flippers and ear flaps... You're right.
Asuka rolls her eyes towards her new friend and smiles.
Afterwards, the girls reunite for feeding the Humboldt penguins. Seriously, my favourite penguin enclosure is the one of the Oceaneum, with a magnificent view of old Stralsund for both the penguins and their human visitors.
Photo taken by me on location in July 2015.
Stralsund, Mecklenburg-Pomerania, Federal Republic of Germany.
But let's go back to our aquarium across the globe and to the penguins the Cures are feeding!
TOWA (shocked with cuteness): How cute!
KIRARA (shocked with cuteness): T-too cute!!
TOWA (a bit worried): But I feel sorry for these fish.
KIRARA: I guess.
This is like the Simpsons episode in which Lisa feels sorry for the lamb and becomes a vegetarian, eh?
ASUKA (sternly): If you say that, they won't get anything to eat.
ASUKA (serious): We humans live by taking the lives of others. Everything we eat. We humans and the oceans live in a constant circle of life. That's what it means to live.
ASUKA (contented): That's why we say "time to eat!" and "thank you for the food!" at the end of our meals. We must not forget to be grateful.
Behind Asuka, the Kaido heiress listens attentively to her speech.
MINAMI (having the realization of her life, surprised): I had never thought about all of this before.
ASUKA (jotting down): Well, that's normal.
MINAMI: What are you writing down?
ASUKA (still scribbling): I am recording how much the penguins are eating.
MINAMI: And why?
ASUKA: Because if someone is not eating their share, I have to see whether they are sick or hurt.
MINAMI (surprised): Eh? With you here, Asuka, all of the animals in this aquarium can relax.
ASUKA (serious): That's not true.
ASUKA (serious, scribbling): There are times when my treatment plans don't go well and there is nothing I can do. After all, the oceans and all of their inhabitants are still full of mysteries. (Lightening up her mood, smiling) I learn something new every day. Through my research on marine fauna, we may find ways to protect the endangered species of the oceans.
Now Minami has grown to admire Asuka, as she smiles and her eyes sparkle with joy.
MINAMI (pleased with Asuka and in awe of her): Your work is really meaningful.
ASUKA: Are you interested?
Upon hearing these words, Minami's confident smile turns to a gasp of surprise.
MINAMI (surprised): Huh?
ASUKA (still lively): What about you, Minami? I think you are fit for this kind of work.
MINAMI (surprised): How do you figure?
ASUKA (thoughtful, burying her pen tip in her chin): Hmm...
ASUKA (lifting her pen from her chin, smiling): I guess it's intuition.
As her friends feed the penguins, Minami stands in awe. Asuka said that young Kaido is made to be a marine biologist and vet, but the family tradition of entrepreneurship is on her mind as well.
I WANT TO BE FREE
Back on the Umi no Yume at sunset, right in time for the soirée.
Back on the Umi no Yume at sunset, right in time for the soirée.
In the crowded ballroom, Minami has her society debut.
TSUKASA: I apologize for interrupting the festivities. I would like to introduce my daughter.
Enter Minami, who curtsies on stage to the audience.
MINAMI (eloquently, to the audience): Nice to meet all of you. I am Minami Kaido.
A whisper of acclaim runs through the elegantly-dressed audience.
MINAMI (eloquently): I would like to give my all to the Kaido Group and to my family.
WATARU (eloquently): Such is my younger sister's long-held dream.
MASUMI (eloquently): I would like all of you here to give her a helping hand.
TSUKASA (eloquently): As family, we will do our best together.
TSUKASA: Please continue your support for the Kaido Group.
All four Kaidos look down, the two gentlemen bow and the two ladies curtsy, as the whole audience bursts into clapping hands to much rejoicing and acclaim.
Skimming the audience, Minami notices a tall, awkward, aloof girl leaning against the window, modestly dressed in a track suit, the odd one out in such an elegant event. And she (Minami) gasps in surprise.
MINAMI (running as fast as she can in her mermaid-tail ballgown towards her new friend): Asuka!
ASUKA (cheerfully): Sorry for coming here in this getup.
MINAMI (surprised): Why are you here?
ASUKA (cheerfully): Well, I just felt like coming...
Minami's parents suddenly walk towards her and her new acquaintance.
TSUKASA (smiling): Oh! There's Professor Kitakaze!
MINAMI (surprised): Professor Kitakaze?
ASUKA (waving, smiling cheerfully): Hi there!
MINAMI (curious, to her parents): Do you know her?
MASUMI (courteously): She's the world-leading expert in marine biology. Professor and Veterinarian Doctor Asuka Kitakaze.
Minami is surprised by those words. The leading expert in her field? Well, Asuka realizes her shortcomings, and she is rather modest...
Like the Clever Prince in the Fourth Story of The Snow Queen, Asuka Kitakaze is not intimidated at all and keeps on being herself in the elegant, even ostentatious halls of high society.
TSUKASA (to Asuka): I thought you couldn't make it today.
MASUMI (to Asuka): I heard you weren't used to such social affairs.
ASUKA (confidently): Well, that is true. But my workplace is close by.
Minami blinks and stands agape. This Asuka is not the least impressed by the trappings of high society or by being the odd one out in such a society event.
TSUKASA (to Asuka, being serious): Have you reconsidered what we were talking about? Please join the Kaido Group. We need your talent.
As Tsukasa speaks, his daughter listens attentively, surprised.
MINAMI: Gasp!
ASUKA (courteously): I'm really sorry, but my answer remains the same. (Pause.) I refuse.
TSUKASA (surprised): Gasp! (Courteously.) We will sponsor your research one hundred percent.
ASUKA (cheerful): Well, that does make me think about it...
ASUKA (earnest): But I want to be true to my own heart.
MINAMI (surprised, to Asuka): To... your own... heart?
ASUKA (courteous and earnest): I think it would be wonderful to work for your company, but once I have joined it, I will be bound by many chains. I will lose sight of my own dream.
MINAMI (surprised): Your dream?
ASUKA (earnest): I want to understand the oceans without any restrictions, with my own two eyes. I want to feel with my own heart and soul. That's why I want to be free, like the ocean itself.
For Minami, these words have the effect of a cold wave lashing upon her. She simply stands speechless upon listening to them.
Atop the chimney of the Umi no Yume, two familiar faceless female figures stand, they listen to the revels and the sound of dancing.
STOP: I hear laughter.
FREEZE: Full of dreams.
Suddenly, Stop looks down and spots Asuka walking on deck.
Immediately, the twindividuals leap down upon deck, in front of a startled Asuka.
ASUKA (surprised): What's this? Was there a costume party today?
The twindividuals' eyes glow green, and they say exactly what I thought they would say.
STOP: Show us...
FREEZE: ...your dream.
The peephole to her heart opens in a stunned Asuka's chest.
(Oh, R'hllor, please deliver us from favourite characters condemned in this way!)
Asuka's dream:
"I want to understand the oceans!"
(Now... is the Pope Catholic?)
STOP: Stop...
FREEZE: Freeze...
STOP & FREEZE (unison): ...your dream!
With their usual symmetric pose, they fire twin padlocks at Asuka's heart at unison.
Meanwhile, in the ballroom, Tsukasa and Masumi Kaido are talking to a young gentleman (twentyish... a prospective son-in-law?) while drinking what appears to be OJ (where's the champagne on ice when you need it?) But I'm sure it's not OJ. Oh, this must be some mixed drink of Kaido family recipe, proof unknown.
But their daughter is brooding and does not seem to enjoy the celebration of her debut in society.
Turning around, she sees her friends watch her with utmost concern.
KIRARA (worried): That's rare. I've never seen you space out like that.
TOWA (worried): Did something happen?
MINAMI (calm, calming them down, smiling): No, it's nothing.
The whole team is startled by the sound made by Desporg!Asuka, and thus, they get ready to defend the Kaido flagship.
All of them storm forth on deck, and Minami is shocked upon looking up to see whose dream has been Stopped and Frozen.
MINAMI (shocked): Asuka!!
The Dysdark twindividuals watch the scene unfurl.
STOP: The dream has ended.
FREEZE: Despair has begun.
MINAMI (determined, irate, seizing her Princess Perfume): I won't let you do as you please. We'll have you hand over Asuka!!
ALL FOUR CURES: PRECURE PRINCESS ENGAGE!
The Cures proceed to take on the desporg du jour, as Tsukasa Kaido storms onto the war front:
TSUKASA: What is that? (He watches Cure Mermaid kick the desporg in the throat)
YUI (worried): It's dangerous! Please get away!
TSUKASA (determined): Please escape before me! I have the duty of protecting this ship!
Tsukasa storms towards Desporg!Asuka, who fires a spherical projectile at the sixtyish entrepreneur. Fortunately, Cure Mermaid storms in and kicks the teal ball away.
TSUKASA (shocked, to Cure Mermaid): You are...
CURE MERMAID (determined): Please assist with evacuating the passengers! I will protect this ship!
TSUKASA: (surprised, looks at Cure Mermaid, gasps. Why does this girl look after his daughter?)
CURE MERMAID (commanding): Now, go!
TSUKASA (serious, determined, taking the order): All right. Thank you. (He quickly takes his leave.)
The battle rages on between the Cures and the desporg, which Cure Scarlet kicks overboard, but which then proceeds to try to sink the Umi no Yume. Turns out that the Cure most skilful underwater is there as well, and she is hell bent on protecting the Kaido flagship.
CURE MERMAID (determined): I'll be your opponent! (kicks the desporg in multiple vital points) This ship holds my parents' dreams of wishing everyone to be happy! I will not let you destroy them!
Cure Mermaid then employs Bubble Ripple, and then kicks the desporg up to the sky, then, once Desporg!Asuka has landed on deck, encases her in ice, Now on the surface, the finishing Éclat d'Espoir ensues. Obviously, Minami herself opens Asuka's Despair Prison.
MINAMI AT THE CROSSROADS
The twindividuals, ere they retreat, proceed with their retreat rant, which I now know by heart.
STOP: We couldn't stop the dream.
FREEZE: We couldn't freeze it.
STOP & FREEZE (unison): But they despaired. (They retreat into the keyhole portal)
On a nearby cliff, more despair seeds grow into dark, rank vines.
After freeing her, Cure Mermaid cradles Asuka.
CURE MERMAID (relieved): Thank goodness you're okay.
Our heroine du jour remembers her new friend's creed:
***Flashbacks to Asuka earlier on the same day.
ASUKA (earnest): I want to understand the oceans without any restrictions, with my own two eyes. I want to feel with my own heart and soul. That's why I want to be free, like the ocean itself.***
These words have struck the Kaido heiress to the core, as her turquoise Cure hair flutters in the evening breeze.
As the sun sets, nearly everyone has landed, and it's time to take leave of the Kaidos, who look concerned. But where's Minami? Taking her leave of her parents and brother would be what she would be doing...
TSUKASA (worried): What was that exactly?
MASUMI (worried): That must have been terrifying for everyone.
TSUKASA (wondering): But where did those four girls go?
MASUMI (ironic): You were saved by the one in blue, right?
TSUKASA (hesitating, seeing his wife appears jealous): Y-yes.
Above everyone's heads, Minami and Asuka enjoy a tête-à-tête twilight conversation.
MINAMI: I'm so glad we got to meet again.
ASUKA: Me, too! I actually wanted to see you again, so I came to the soirée.
MINAMI (surprised): Huh?
ASUKA (smiling): I was attracted to the oceans and to all of their animal population. I want to understand them more. How should I say it? You seem a bit similar to me.
ASUKA (still lively, as Minami stands entranced and listens to her): That's why if you ever feel the drive for it, you may join me one day.
A thoughtful Minami clutches the railing as she muses on Asuka's offer.
ASUKA (suddenly cheerful): Just kidding! I was just thinking to myself! (Suddenly serious once more, as Minami still stands in awe) To work for the Kaido Group and your family. That's your dream, right?
MINAMI (surprised, nods, ostensibly determined yet wavering at heart): Yes.
ASUKA (once more cheerful): That's wonderful! That's an amazing dream! And that gown fits you well too.
MINAMI (smiling, courteous): Thank you very much indeed.
ASUKA (reaching out her hand): I'll be going now.
MINAMI (taking Asuka's hand in hers, shaking hands): All right. Pleased to meet you (Gokigenyó), Asuka.
Asuka takes her leave of Minami without words, but with a sincere smile of hers.
After both of them have parted ways, Minami turns around to watch her new friend land and depart against the golden autumn twilight.
There she stands, wrapped up in her thoughts, torn between her childhood dream and the new one that has just awakened within her...
MY OWN HUMBLE OPINION:
For once, this series goes Love Boat, the Kaidos reunite, and Minami stands at a crossroads between the old dream and the new. What else can be said?
- On Mr. and Mrs. Kaido: One can spot where both Kaido children got their good looks and their leadership skills from. Minami looks like a younger carbon copy of her mum, at least only in appearance, while Wataru takes more after Tsukasa (whose hair, in my headcanon, was the same shade of dark blue when he was young). Pleased to see that both of them are alive and well! Their age difference (sixtyish husband, fortyish wife)... It was most surely an arranged marriage of convenience. In the olden days and still today in the upper classes, this practice commonly involves an adult bridegroom and an adolescent bride (she is expected to be fertile, he is expected to be experienced and able to show her the way once she's left her parents' home). Both of them, husband and wife, are co-leaders of the corporation!! Like Nymeria and Mors Martell, like William and Mary in the Stuart era, or like... Well, guess I'll have to quote that saying on the Catholic Royals: "Tanto monta, monta tanto, Isabel como Fernando." Their appearance makes them look as wealthy, cultured, and conservative as can be... somehow, Tsukasa reminded me of Tywin Lannister with handlebars, and his wife Masumi of an adult Minami. One can see what their children will look like after coming of age...
- On Asuka Kitakaze: You would expect a girl surnamed literally Northwind to be a free spirit. For she is. Auburn-haired and freckled, a surfer sporting a tomboyish ponytail, dressed modestly in a blouse and trousers... it is clear that she is far more liberal than the Magnificent Kaidos. Free as the north-wind and as the ocean, she fears that being employed by the Kaido clan (with that degree in marine veterinary surgery and/or marine biology in spite of her youth...!) would clip her wings. Like me, she would like to be a freelancer when it comes to her career. The leading expert in her field? Well, Asuka realizes her shortcomings, and she is rather modest... Like the Clever Prince in the Fourth Story of The Snow Queen, Asuka Kitakaze is not intimidated at all and keeps on being herself in the elegant, even ostentatious halls of high society. There's another character I can relate to. It's clear that Asuka/north (more liberal, free-spirited) and Minami/south (more conservative and formal) are, as reflected by their names and appearance, foils to one another. Oh, and does Asuka care for saving endangered species!
- On Asuka as the victim of the week: At first I expected to see the Kaidos, husband and wife, as a twofer desporg summon, but, when this freelancer friend of Minami's appeared, I thought it would be her. And I was right. Still, Minami Kaido could as well have been surnamed Stark: first her brother, then her boyfriend, then a good friend of hers have had their hearts sealed. Still, Tsukasa and Masumi, as well as Seira and Ayaka, may be up on the Dysdark hit list.
- On Minami's relationship with Asuka: The biologist has stated that the younger girl is made to follow in her footsteps. Minami has never wondered that we humans are omnivores (who live on other animals, plants, and fungi, and need to take their lives to feed on them, "one's bread the other's death"), or that endangered species need help and protection to live on and to recover. It's crystal clear that Minami Kaido, looking at things in this brave new light, admires Asuka Kitakaze. And that the latter has found herself a new disciple.
- On Minami's crossroads - entrepreneuse or marine vet?: We also see Minami, who was so hell bent on being an entrepreneuse, doubting whether she should dedicate herself to the oceans and their fauna. Shall she carry on with the family tradition or follow her heart? There's a plot point that the Dysdarks can exploit, and also one that allows this character to develop more thoroughly, from the stereotypical Goody Two-Shoes we were introduced to in Episode 2 to the present-day Minami, complicated as a Shakespearean heroine.
- On Minami's soirée gown: it fits her like a glove. The mermaid tail, the colour scheme, the shell-shaped bodice...
- On Kanata's memories so far: "Dream" ("Yume"), the arc word of the whole series, has made our Amnesiac Lover prince get another shard of memory back.
- On Watasuka: There is another kind of ship going around as I muse on the episode. Wataru Kaido and Asuka Kitakaze, who would make a perfectly nice couple (if Asuka and/or the Kaidos have nothing against it).
- To wrap it up: Yet another Shutless episode that manages to put in lovely and quite surprising supporting characters that do make up for the absence of Shut. The elder Kaidos and free spirit Asuka, in this case, are characters we love to meet. We also see Minami, who was so hell bent on being an entrepreneuse, doubting whether she should dedicate herself to the oceans and their fauna. Shall she carry on with the family tradition or follow her heart? There's a plot point that the Dysdarks can exploit, and also one that allows this character to develop more thoroughly, from the stereotypical Goody Two-Shoes we were introduced to in Episode 2 to the present-day Minami, complicated as a Shakespearean heroine.
IN NEXT EPISODE - 37:
Two households, both alike in dignity,
in fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
from ancient grudge break to new mutiny...
It's the much expected School Play episode (SQUEEE!!!), in all its period costume and acting glory, and Noble Academy, being a bastion of high culture, has settled for staging Shakespeare's most well-used tragedy for teenage School Play plots, id est, Othello.
(No, not Othello! I was actually joking!!)
As you can see, the feuding clans in this production are colour-coded: the Montagues wear blue/cool colours and the Capulets wear red/warm colours, just like in Gnomeo and Juliet (what a serendipity!) I bet neutral characters like Friar Lawrence and Count Paris would wear neutral colours (green, beige, black/white...), or not?
I can't wait to see which part Seira Azuma will play!! With her otokoyaku appearance, broad shoulders, boyish short hair... I see her dreamcast (only a conjecture/dreamcast so far) as either Count Paris, Tybalt or Mercutio. She would do great as a quirky Mercutio, a dashing Count, or a quick-tempered Tybalt!!
Of course, the director of the school play is an irascible and awkward curmudgeon...
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