We open up with that pesky cell phone still ringing, but no one answers the call from the mysterious Shimajima-san. The twins are up early that morning, since tomorrow is their 16th birthday, and November 23rd is circled with the the text “Don’t Forget!!” underneath. In the morning mail, Rentarou gets a flyer from Niko Spa in Futagozuka (”Twin Mound”, from the first Futakoi), and he decides to bring Sara/Souju. Futagozuka is the hometown of Rentarou’s deceased mother, Yumi, but because Yumi divorced Ainosuke right after Rentarou’s birth, Rentarou barely knew his mom. In fact, the last time Rentarou was back at Futagozuka was 10 years ago at Yumi’s funeral. That day was the first time that Rentarou saw his father cry, as they stood by a sign (for Energetic Ruru Rara) that asked, “Why did you separate even though you love each other?”
The Ichijou twins, Kaoruko and Sumireko, are both really glad to see Rentarou at the spa. They are both miko’s at Niko Spa, and they remember Rentarou from their childhood. It turns out that at the funeral, Rentarou promised to marry the two of them if they would stop crying. Live and learn, Rentarou… They still want to go through with a staged wedding for show, and this clearly angers Sara and bums out Souju. Later when Rentarou is relaxing in the onsen, they both join him, and suddenly hug him from behind. However, it doesn’t end well, as Sara and Souju storm into the changing area, and Sara gives the Ichijou twins the evil eye.
Kaoruko and Sumireko feel badly about this, and find Sara and Souju sitting by a creek. Kaoruko and Sumireko offer to cancel the wedding show, since no one in the village believes in the curse of the Nikogami anyway. As they sit and talk, Sara tells them that they are running out of time, because after their 16th birthday they can no longer be with Rentarou. We find that after the onsen hug, they wanted to become one with Rentarou, and his answer led to Sara slapping him. With that said, Sara/Souju take off for Tokyo, but Rentarou finds out and catches the next train back. On the ride, he holds his father’s ring, which says “Eternal Love. Ainosuke” on it, as he remembers how Ainosuke had no answer for the question on the sign. Rentarou rushes back to the agency, barely in time to find the twins, and as he embraces them, Sara asks if they should continue with what they were doing at the onsen…
Onsen, mystery, angst, and fanservice whip up another winning combination, even as the newest set of twins get only passing screen time (this is like revenge for the original Futakoi). Although no one has come out and said it, I’m pretty sure that the problem involves arranged marriages. I wonder if Sara/Souju have been promised in marriage to some male twins (do they exist???), and the wedding is set to take place after their 16th birthday. This is probably why they are suddenly in such a rush to “become one” with Rentarou, and why Sara was upset about the sham wedding. The atmosphere was so good in this episode, especially in that scene where Rentarou is desperately calling Sara’s cell phone as the crowd quickly passes by. Fortunately, there are some lighter scenes, such as the random Lulu/Lala flashlight scene, and the bizarre rotating kappa scene at the creek (wtf?!). Also, did anyone else notice that only one of Rentarou’s assistants is worried about underwear at the onsen?
BTW, that kappa link sheds some truly disturbing light on the kappa’s unusual vampiric tendencies… T_T
5 Comments
For the underwear, I think Soujyu just put hers beneath the yukata.
I’m continually impressed by how polished and cohesive this show is. It’s as if ufotable spent years planning out every meticulous detail. The underwear thing is just one example: Sara is distracted and just tosses her clothes into a basket, Soujyu is slower and neatly folds her clothes. It’s a beautifully understated way of describing their personalities.
That makes sense! I was wondering, because I figured the messy one was Sara’s, so it really seemed strange that Souju was going commando! This show is definitly polished, and lovingly crafted. It makes me sad that people will watch the original Futakoi and expect big things, because of this.
BTW, after reading your entry, I realized there were even more creatures of legend than I originally thought within Niko Spa!
Kabitzin, now that you’ve mentioned it: I wondered whether I should have a look at Futakoi because I really like “Alternative”. I guessed that the previous show was completely different and has little to do with this. I guess I should read some reviews before I decide on this.
Reasons to watch Futakoi Original:
1. You really liked Kaoruko and Sumireko
2. You haven’t seen Alternative yet
3. You want to understand all the references in Alternative (episode 6 mainly)
4. You have NOTHING else to watch
If any one of the above apply to you, you’re a good candidate to watch the original Futakoi. You’re not going to be impressed by what you see, though.
Albert, thanks for the summarization. I think I’m gonna have at least a peek at the first episode in a while.
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[...] rate of birthing twins there is like 10x the global average. Don’t forget November 23rd! This entry was written by Kabitzin, posted on 11/12/2007 at 9:21 am, filed under Futakoi [...]