Mapo mouth!
Summary:
Frenemies
It’s exam season, and Yuri has a plan for an emotional attack on Tenshi. Knowing that Tenshi is merely human, Yuri enlists Otonashi, Hinata, Oyama, a surprisingly muscular Takamatsu, and Takeyama in a plot to switch Tenshi’s answer sheet with an answer sheet filled with stupid answers. The plan hits an unexpected snag when no one knows what to write at the top of Tenshi’s tests, but Otonashi engages Tenshi in conversation and learns that her real name is Tachibana Kanade. From there, the plot goes off smoothly thanks to Otonashi’s ability to calm Kanade, and Yuri’s ability to hide engines in Takamatsu’s and Hinata’s chairs.
With Tenshi’s ridiculous answers seen as a mockery of the system, the teachers strip Tenshi of her title of student council president and promote Ayato in her place. That night, during another Operation Tornado, Yui sings Asami’s last song Thousand Enemies and really gets the crowd fired up. When Kanade appears, Otonashi and Yuri both notice something strange about her and hold off on attacking Kanade as she goes to drown her sorrow in a super spicy plate of Mapo tofu. Unfortunately, Kanade’s lousy luck continues as her meal ticket is blown into Otonashi’s hands, leaving Kanade to make the long trip back to her dorm lonely and hungry. Karma returns the next day with a vengeance, however, when Ayato and a bunch of NPCs storm in and order the SSS to the detention center for causing disturbances.
Reaction:
Where is your Guard now?!
Poor Kanade, finally brought down by Yuri. Kanade’s fall was excellent for the plot, so that we can learn more about this afterlife. Why is it that Kanade can remember her whole name and is able to develop Guard skills herself? I can just imagine the early days when Kanade would tell Yuri not to run in the halls and then get sniped in the head for her efforts… The meal ticket operations still make no sense to me, but the Otonashi-Kanade connection is very suspicious. I guess we are supposed to believe that Otonashi is just empathetic, but I wonder if there is more between those two. I can see a situation where Kanade joins the SSS to fight the student council, and hopefully we won’t simply get monotone bailout answers that explain the whole world in a boring flashback. I also can’t help but wonder if Oyama is really gonna get that date with Kanade.
I have to admit that I thought GirlDeMo was kinda useless, but after watching the rest of the SSS struggle to create a distraction, I realized that GirlDeMo is not so easily replaced (with the exception of Asami, apparently). The gag with the flying chair was actually very good, especially when Hinata got sent up in glorious slo-mo when I was expecting Oyama to go head-first into the ceiling. The animation continues to be a bit mediocre, like with the overexposed concert to negate the need for details, but I am really starting to get into the story’s mystery. Mapo tofu is awesome, but I am wimpy and eat it over rice as well; however the real point I want to make is that Otonashi eating Kanade’s tofu has a much spicier meaning. Oyama won’t be happy about this!
This post was written by...
Kabitzin – who has written 1971 posts on Sea Slugs! Anime Blog.
One of the founders of Sea Slugs, I handle most of the blog admin tasks while wearing my I AM BOSS shirt. I like my action series well choreographed, and my romance series extra trashy. I also have a soft spot for puns.
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Iwasawa is NOT easily replaced. I will never accept her replacement. Iwasawa is the best character in the series, and will always be.
As for the actual episode, you’ve got to feel for Kanade. Poor girl’s been harassed by these ass holes for God knows how long….
Also, I want that spicy food. Anything with that color has to taste good.
God Knows
I saw what you did there.
AGREE 100% – we must have a beer together to commiserate her Disappearance sometime!
” Holds a cup in his hand” To Iwasawa, you won’t be forgotten.
Seems like Iwasawa was easily replaced. They even got rid of her from the OP. And Yui has a surprisingly good singing voice for someone who has the annoying chirping speaking voice.
Maybe because I have rice with everything, I find the idea of just eating mabo tofu by itself incredibly odd, like just having ketchup without fries or something
Exactly!
I don’t know. I thought it looked really good. I’ld eat it straight if I could have some tonight, but all the restaurants around Boston are shut down because of some water problem.
Definitely my fave episode of AB so far, Tenshi/Kanade really deserved better all along, and the SSS is just learning that now.
Oh my, spicy indeed
Lack of Yui-nyan in this episode makes me sad.
The first half with people being sent into the ceiling was pretty hilarious, though. Jun Maeda really ought to consider just doing a comedy or romcom series, instead of trying to squeeze all this melodrama in too.
What are you talking about, Yui got a whole concert scene!
You can tell the melodrama is coming any episode now…
A potential connection between Otonashi and Kanade would be interesting. Can’t believe that thought didn’t occur to me before now. For some reason, Kanade getting a name sent her moe levels through the room, so Otonashi should squeeze in before anyone else gets any bright ideas.
Otonashi just needs to name a time and place!
Takamatsu and Ned Flanders must visit the same gym.
Yuri’s character is really beginning to disgust me. At this point she just seems to be nothing more than a self-righteous, self-centered bully. Almost as if she has some kind of personal grudge against poor Kanade or something (Which IS possible, but unlikely). I mean seriously, if Kanade is God’s emissary in Limbo, then Yuri must be Satan’s… (Which I think by this episode, it’s mostly certain that they’re neither of course.)
Really, the story was just beginning to get a little more interesting, and then they go and develop the female lead’s character in such a negative way. It just seems like she only cares about herself, and whatever twisted objective she’s out to accomplish; she was completely indifferent about smashing Hinata against the roof multiple times, and making that other kid cry. Now don’t get me wrong, they WERE funny jokes, but still made her look like a heartless witch coupled up with her indifference when Otonashi found out that the “Tenshi” was a human with a normal name and human emotions… she knew that fact BEFOREHAND and didn’t think twice about her cruel actions- in this case the jokes acted as “(negative) trait multipliers” whereas they would have worked just fine as comedic relief in any other scenario.
So with regards to Yuri’s back story, I know you were in a situation of powerlessness where everything was cruelly taken away from you all at once, but in no case does that give you the right to do the same to another, even if it means to fulfill a death grudge (Don’t most vengeful spirits in horror movies have similar “damning burdens”? ;P )
Another more noble possibility why Yuri is so Machiavellian in her actions is because she simply doesn’t ever want to lose anyone important to her again. She doesn’t want any of the new friends she’s made in this world to disappear, thus she will do anything possible to protect them from that- yet her naïveté and bitter selfishness are causing her to hurt other people while attempting to do this. Perhaps the role of the more empathetic Otonashi is to open her eyes to this? If this were the case (quite likely I think, because it’s very much in line with typical storyline conventions), I suppose it’s be marginally acceptable to me, but in any other case, I’m sorry. I just cannot see such a self-centered character as a protagonist put out to be on the side of “good” no matter how tragic of a past she may have had. Such characters seem to fit in with the anti-hero or tragic villain role much better- but the chances of this show moving in these directions are near nil.
And the rest of the SSS members…sure they hold a grudge against Kanade for “killing” their friends multiple times- but oh, wait- here is a world where no one can EVER die, so I question if that even matters! And heaven alone knows how many times they’ve cruelly shot her…I’d call it about even??? And even then, it’s simply unbelievable how the entire SSS has been brainwashed by its “Great Fuhrer” to the point that they cannot see ANY sympathy for a poor girl who just like themselves, is simply trying to make the best out of the crazy situation she’s in. I’m seriously beginning to wonder if SS is the correct acronym, not SSS… ;P
Lol, didn’t I say in the beginning that this premise is a treasure trove for psychology? I think this episode proves my point… All these incidences would make for some EXCELLENT psychological thriller material, but the Angel Beats team is trying to turn it into drama, and only half-succeeding at it, often giving viewers an overview of characters that is too shallow. Coming back to Yuri as an example. Simply portraying her as a heartless witch only turns viewers away from her character- the RIGHT way to do it here is to portray her as a heartless witch while exploring at the reason WHY she is the way she is- by exploring the complexities of her psyche. That way people can sympathize with the character, instead of being turned away by her negative traits.
Three possibilities: One, the Angel Beats team thought that her back story from episode two would be explanation enough for why Yuri acts as she does- it most certainly is not; no concrete connection is made between the incident and her current actions. Two, that’s just her the way her character’s meant to be- which would be a major disappointment and turn off to me. Or Three, which I calculate to be the most probable- They’re saving it for later in order to create the most impact- A ploy to turn disgust to sympathy; quite a precarious path; it would be absolute genius if done right, but disastrous if done incorrectly. My worry is if they wait too long to drop the bomb (of justification), or if the bomb isn’t powerful enough, viewers won’t even care anymore because at that point she’ll be cemented into their minds as a selfish witch.
Actually, I like what Yuri has done. Yeah bullying poor Kanade is sad, but Yuri isn’t there to make friends. Yuri is there to rebel, and she doesn’t just want to rebel aimlessly. The first few episodes make it seem like Yuri is just doing stupid missions for no reason, but Yuri has shown a dedication to recon that implies she wants to know more about what she is up against.
In many ways, Kanade’s demotion might be the impetus the SSS needs to really get rolling. How do you fight whole-heartedly against moe moe Kanade when all she wants to do is eat her Mapo tofu and enforce school rules (especially after finding out that Kanade isn’t even responsible for the disappearances)? Naoi offers a much more ruthless adversary, and it will be interesting to see how Naoi intends to rule. Will he develop powers or just zerg NPCs? Will some greater power intervene?
I’m sure Yuri will look like a brat for a few more episodes before we start learning the truth about all the deaths, and then she will be shown in a more sympathetic light. All the characters have gotten some positive scenes, and I doubt Yuri will be made into the bad guy.
Well, I suppose you’re right
We’ll just have to see what other development is in store for Yuri, there’s no way they’ll simply leave it at that; I’m sure they know she’s currently being portrayed in a less than sympathetic light.
And I’m actually pretty excited about what Naoi is going to do now that he’s president. He seems like a much more serious adversary compared to Kanade; my first impression was that he is a ruthless and calculating person- more so than Yuri herself. And I also wonder if Naoi is simply an NPC or another poor soul locked in limbo- I mean he does have a proper name, and correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think there have been any actual names attached to any NPCs yet?
Now that we know Kanade’s surname, it pretty much rules out S.I.S.C.O.N. (unless Otonashi isn’t remembering his own name correctly).
Maybe it’s the result of Otonashi “sniffing Tenshi’s panties and trying on her clothes” during the room invasion…
What if Otonashi is her brother from another mother or their dad was a gangster, forcing Kanade’s mother to keep her maiden name?!
However, in all likelihood they aren’t related. I do think there is still a chance they knew each other while alive, though. Now I’m forwarding the theory that Otonashi had a mad crush on Kanade and accidentally drove her to suicide with his stalking, causing Otonashi to fall into depression and attempt suicide as well!
A siscon connection would make that all the more wonderful. We’d have to call in CPT STRIPES for that.
Actually I was thinking about it, the only way to make something here from dirt is to have memories of it from your past life. So I thought the only way to make Guard skills out of dirt is from videogames or from advanced technology.
Furthermore, since Tenshi is human, then she also must have some troubled life before coming here. So I thinking Tenshi, before coming here was either a shut in hikikomori who didn’t go to school and played videogames (guard skills) or daughter of some famous engineer who made all these gadgets, and accidentally killed her daughter in some trial run.
If this place really is a center for virtual rehab, then Tenshi could be here to change her ways about not going to school. Or if studying is the only thing she remembers how to do like with Otonashi taking the test without no effort whats so ever.
I felt bad for Kanade (Tenshi), it really did feel more like bullying then anything else. I really can’t tell why Yuri is doing these actions anymore. What’s the point of all this? On another side note, the new student council president was pretty cool. Though I don’t like how he’s handling this.
I’m not sure if I’m liking the new replacement, Yui looks too cute to be part of GirlDeMo. I miss Iwasawa.
jetbird1126, I don’t see the video game angle for Tenshi. All of her powers are sound based (Hand Sonic, Harmonics, etc). Her name means “playing music” and the piano OP all suggest the music angle.
Huge pacing issues. The plot moves along more like a video game than an anime. This is where KyoAni’s talents are most sorely missed.
Tenshi is adorable. I guess she is the title character after all. I hope the plot will revolve around her more.
I agree that Kanade is musically inclined, although we never see her play anything outside of the OP. I want to see moe moe flustered Kanade spluttering to the crowds about how GirlDeMo sucks and their “music” is just noise while everyone ignores her and jostles her around.
You got me there, it has to revolve around music. But how do you get sound based attacks from just playing music? Remember, or correct me if I’m wrong, but itsn’t her weapons also made from dirt. And you need a reference to make it, so I thought video games would be a nice spin. But I guess it really doesn’t suit her character. She does give off an ojou-sama sense of elegance.
I’m totally for the whole rich girl character. Since Yuri’s family was pretty wealthy how about we go with Tenshi’s family and Yuri’s family knowing each other. Just to add to the many possibilities that may come.
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Actually, there are plenty of video games out there that have playable characters with powers that are sound based, mostly RPG types..
Interesting, however being student council president and being a perfect student must not be Kanade’s end game, or else she’d have disappeared. More than likely, Kanade was always an awesome student. Unless she was hoping to also be loved by the whole student body or get everyone to listen to her rules (like how Iwasawa was a musician but didn’t disappear until everyone listened to her song), Kanade must have some deeper goal.
I’m ready for the episode where Naoi’s baseball team faces off against Hinata’s again, but with Kanade on Hinata’s team. Then we can have Kanade spout cliches about how it’s just another game when secretly she wants to shut out Naoi’s team and hit 3 HRs.
True, then I guess being part of a group and being accepted seems to be more of a reasonable end game for Tenshi. Maybe the opening is suppose to tell us that Tenshi is a locked up bird (in her past life, and afterlife). As for her deeper goal, I’ll wait to see what happens next episode.
Only 1 picture of Tenshi in this post? You suck, Kabitzin. MOAR Tenshi!!!
Hey, Kanade is in 33.3% of all screencaps in this post!
Random Speculation/Wishful thinking:
One of the Girl De Mo’s bassist disappears; Tenshi joints as a replacement and shows off her
Nagato-likeGodlike skills.I don’t think this needs to be a zero-sum game; I will accept Kanade on the keytar.
I doubt the fine upstanding citizen who post here would be interested but Yurippe’s VA also does a lot of H-work. Her latest is Haruka in Beat Blade Haruka in which she screams very well.
Not that anyone here would be interested.
I really love spicy food. Looked great to me in the anime
!
Up ’til now i still haven’t been able to form a consistent opinion of angel beats, I find it intriguing and will keep following it to see where exactly it’s heading. Because now, it can still go so many ways.
Is it a bit late for me to realize ayato look like P4 naoto?