Hyouka Discussion Thread

[HitokiriShadow]

Originally Posted by something

- Aww... damn. One of the members of the Corpse by Evening threesome is a guy. So no yuri subplot. ;_; It'll just be a break-up over a hetero love triangle. Oh well.

I thought Kouchi was one of the ones involved in making it for some reason. There could still be a yuri subplot though! Yuasa - Kouchi - Haruna. Which is what I thought the show might be getting at last time, though I had been highly skeptical then and remain so now.

- Bwhahah, Houtarou either has to have the others thing he doesn't know who the student council president is, or acknowledge he didn't know how to read the name. Neither would be flattering.

Name kanji are a bitch. That scene amused me. And man, he must have really felt like a dunce when she pointed out the romaji.

[something]

So we have one Kud episode left, then four one-off stories in the TV broadcast.

Is that enough time to deal with:
- Satoshi's complex towards Houtarou. He did "admit defeat" after a fashion, at least to himself, in this episode but I don't feel like that's really the end for him. This could be wrapped up next episode, but I don't think it'll get at the real extent of the issue if so.

- Mayaka's manga club issues. I see a path towards Mayaka getting a better understanding of Kouchi's motives and history, and I suppose the rest of the club could just fall in line afterward, but it would have to be a quick change of heart. This would all probably be instrumental in resolving her excessively self-critical outlook too. One of the main reasons she's so hard on herself, and so hard working, is probably the need to constantly fight against half the members of her own club. Perhaps the poor girl could relax a little if she didn't always need to be on edge, waiting for the next nasty comment or childish prank.

- Eru's recently disclosed feelings of being left out - I feel like this could develop into a significant issue based on that scene in this episode. At least I would really like it to be. Perhaps it was just done to be cute, in a "look how quickly her mood can change!" sort of way (and it was cute, so success if so) but I really, really want there to be more there.

- Aneki's... everything. Will we learn something significant about her, or will she remain a deus ex aneki, a mysterious, playful, force of nature without a face? I'm actually okay with either. There's an appeal to aneki just manipulating Houtarou while smiling trollishly and half-obscured by a convenient piece of scenery. But if there's something more, some backstory, I bet it would be fascinating too.

- The romantic relationships. If these don't reach a conclusion, that's not going to kill the show. These characters are a joy to watch regardless, whether it's friendship or relationship. But I am absolutely dying for Eru or Houtarou to confess to the other because it would result in the most magnificent explosion of adorable, flustered, blushing madness this world has ever seen. I'd also really, really like to see Mayaka and Satoshi take a step forward, because they really do need each other. Mayaka realizes how much she needs Satoshi, but wants to keep up the strong facade and hates any sign of weakness in herself. Satoshi I don't think realizes it yet, but he really needs someone to make him feel special right about now. They're as perfect together as Eru and Houtarou are. Just, in two very different ways.

Oddly enough I feel like Houtarou is the one who needs further development least. Maybe that's just an illusion cast by this arc's more intense focus on Mayaka and Satoshi, which has taken the spotlight off any of Houtarou's lingering issues. I suppose he does still need to get out of his sister's shadow, and the conclusion to the Endroll arc wasn't a particularly happy one for him.

But I'm skeptical we'll get any of this in detail. With the novels incomplete, there probably isn't a conclusion to any of this yet, and there's only so much we can do in a handful more episodes.

Ah, if only there were 8 novels out and four cour to work with. The potential of this series is off the charts. I feel like it's going to disappear right at its prime.

[ookamigirl]

Juumoji turned out to be pretty elusive.
At least the anthology was selling really well now.
Oreki's sister traded him something interesting.
Chitanda and her curiosity... ^^"
That manga sure brought out a lot of curiosity.
Looks like it had a lot more to do with the Juumoji case than previously thought.

[bear]

Originally Posted by something

Episode 16:
THIS SHOW IS SO DAMN AWESOME. Seems like next time should end it. That leaves 4 more TV episodes for the fourth novel, and the most recent fifth one won't be covered.

I am just in awe of the quality of this show. The animation of the emotions of the characters is outstanding. Devastating to think there might not be any more coming. Well, maybe they can do an anime only series (I am Curious, Chitanda).

Japanese fascinate me with their writing quirks. I'm referring to using romani to write out the name rather than furigana. Not only do they have kanji plus the two syllabaries, but they stick in romaji and English too.

I'd write more about the episode, but after reading the comments here, I realize that almost all of my thoughts have been covered by someone else.

[strangefour]

Originally Posted by something

- The romantic relationships. .... I'd also really, really like to see Mayaka and Satoshi take a step forward, because they really do need each other. Mayaka realizes how much she needs Satoshi, but wants to keep up the strong facade and hates any sign of weakness in herself. Satoshi I don't think realizes it yet, but he really needs someone to make him feel special right about now. They're as perfect together as Eru and Houtarou are. Just, in two very different ways.

What? No. What?

Umm Satoshi is kind of well gay. He likes Mayaka as a friend, and a foil who will tell him when he's gone too far. It's fun to tease her. I get the feeling that she confessed she liked him before the show started and he told her he doesn't like girls. Heck half of Satoshi's annoyance at Oerki not using his brain to his full potential seems to stem from Satoshi's unrequited crush on him.

Makaya herself also comes off internally conflicted thus fueling her external anger. So maybe she's really a lesbian trying to hide it, a boy trapped in a girl's body, or confused by any number of issues. Her love of weird old manga and crossdressing cosplay has to be hinting at something.

Satoshi & Mayaka make a great pair as bitter friends. But romantically? Nah never gonna happen. Nor should it.

[something]

Originally Posted by strangefour

Umm Satoshi is kind of well gay.

I rather doubt that.

Makaya herself also comes off internally conflicted thus fueling her external anger. So maybe she's really a lesbian trying to hide it, a boy trapped in a girl's body, or confused by any number of issues. Her love of weird old manga and crossdressing cosplay has to be hinting at something.

I think it's nothing more than that she likes obscure artsy manga. They've hinted more than enough about her feelings for Satoshi. With these two, I don't think it's that they wouldn't get together, so much as that the story isn't going to focus on such things. We'd get Houtarou and Eru confessing way before we even get significant movement on Satoshi and Mayaka. I'd still enjoy seeing ti happen though.

[something]

The best culture festival ever ends... tonight. I'll be sad to see it go.

Episode 17:

- GO GO CHII-CHAN! Be confident! Stress "everybody"! Pumpkins! Wait what?
- Advertise Hyouka! Pumpkins! ...?
- C'mon Irisu. Heed Eru's call! Protect Hyouka!
- Although it may be too late already. I wonder if one is really missing or if Houtarou just forgot to mark a sale down. Did he record aneki's?
- She is so cute. <3 <3 <3
- But she's also worried if she did the right thing. Don't worry, Chii-chan! You did your best!

- And Hyoka is flying off the shelves. Desk. Whatever.
- What the fuck? The manuscript exploded!? Juumoji isn't screwing around anymore. Wow.
- Although frankly I think Satoshi set up this last one. Just to see if Houtarou would be able to do it. The look on his face at the close of that scene seems to be mixing so many different emotions.

- Awww... I love Irisu/Eru scenes. Irisu admits her advice wasn't a good fit for Eru, and I'm rather glad that Eru realized it herself without being told.

- Ohhhhhhh... Well go figure, Houtarou did crack the code. He just didn't tell the others. And Satoshi knows, but Houtarou doesn't know Satoshi knows. So that look... it takes on a new meaning now. Now there's no way Satoshi set up the explosion.
- As for the whole motive behind the mystery, well, it almost doesn't matter. What matters is what it's done to the characters. And it's been fascinating.
- HEH! And Houtarou just outright blackmails him into buying ¥6000 worth of Hyouka.
- Hmm. Houtarou also says he was going to bring Satoshi into the plot. So... Houtarou knows Satoshi knows because he tells Satoshi.
- And a very cute little Mayaka and Satoshi scene after that. So much said with so few words.

- Mayaka confronts Kouchi! Who we finally see outside of costume.
- Kouchi rejects A Corpse by Evening because, essentially, she's madly jealous. Anjou knew nothing about manga and wrote a masterpiece Kouchi could never match. Well, yeah that could be pretty depressing.
- Awwwwwwwww.... Mayaka! ;_; So she realizes that she's in the same position as Kouchi. Kouchi feels she'll never reach Anjou's level. And Mayaka feels she'll never reach Kouchi's level (Body Talk). Don't cry, Mayaka...

- And Tanabe has the same issues as Kouchi. Oh Kugayama and Anjou, you're leaving devastated artists in your wake. Just as Kouchi leaves Mayaka, and Houtarou leaves Satoshi.
- But Kugayama did get the message, as we saw before, so hey, maybe there's hope.

- Aww, Mayaka's eyes are still red from crying.
- And with the last four copies purchased... SOLD OUT! Go go kotenbu! And go go blackmail!
- Hahahaha, and Satoshi gets his revenge by throwing Houtarou under the KININARＩBUS.
- Kotenbu celebratory dinner at Eru's place! Ah, I wish we could see it.

Fucking fantastic ending. And honestly, rather bittersweet. Quite interesting how it was handled in the end.

Now we have a few one-shots to close out on. Four more episodes to go!

[Fencedude]

That was an interesting resolution. And I can certainly say I did not expect explosions in Hyouka!

Easily the best cultural festival ever animated.

[HitokiriShadow]

Hahaha, oh wow. Houtarou ends up blackmailing the culprit into buying copies of the book and then goes even farther and offers him and Satoshi to be co-conspirators in the last step of his plan in order to sell the rest of their stock.

We get a cute Satoshi/Mayaka scene as well as as Irisu/Eru part 2.

And all of the subplots (Satoshi's issues, Mayaka and Kouchi, and the answer to the Juumonji situation) all end up connected thematically. A damn shame we will probably never see another TV series and the remainder of this one is unlikely to do much as it will almost certainly be the remainder of the sidestories. I have no doubt they will be entertaining, but sidestories mean they won't really be doing much with the character issues and relationships and certainly won't be able to do anything approaching what this festival arc did.

[strangefour]

-Fruitheaded girls...
-Pumpkins?
-Tanda-chan, your deliver is too shouty and pleading. You make the master manipulator Iris sad.
-Classics Club vs Juumonji! Nice art Mayaka. That flashed by for two seconds...
-Fire! Water... earth wind heart?
-The best advice for Tanda-chan is to not listen to advice. *nod*
-Holy crap Oreki. You are a Sherlockian indeed.
-*villianous golf clap*

-Hehehe. Hush money. Damn Oreki. You are good.
-Hoo. Lee. Shit. He even works in the trade quest. AHAHAHHAHAH!
-Aww Mayuka is acknowledging Satoshi's crush on Oreki. Silly little girl.
-Manga girls have problems yo.
-FOR FUN! Wh-- Ho-- Gaaaaaah! DRAW AGAIN DAMN IT!!

Hooray blackmail. Massively hitting on the jealousy of someone trying hard just being left in the dust by someone with ungodly natural skill that comes from no effort. Which really hit home with the drawing part of course. Pick up a pen again bastard!

The longest school festival of all has come to a close and it was the most fun from beginning to end. Well okay it could have used more SNK cosplay. Nothing's perfect.

Originally Posted by something

- Hahahaha, and Satoshi gets his revenge by throwing Houtarou under the KININARUBUS.

Kininarubus... Damn it that's crazy enough that I want to use that word as soon as sandwichly possible.