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[hosannainexcelsis]

The pacing of episode 5 was a little too stretched, in my opinion, but I did appreciate all the Studio Pablo backgrounds that getting out into the different environments of the city brought out. It did a good job showing the awkwardness of a first date and two people trying to get to know each other, especially the contrast between Kasuga's general silence and the torrent of speech unleashed when he got onto his favorite subject of books. It's a very realistic depiction of human interaction. I feel bad for Saeki; she seems very lonely and vulnerable, and I can't see any result of her getting dragged into the twisted game Nakamura and Kasuga have going on other than pain.

Speaking of Nakamura, well! Her behavior this episode was rather amusing and reminds you that she is still a kid. The whole situation definitely feels like kids playing at being adults, but they lack the maturity to be responsible.

The tight close-ups were effective at pulling out the erotic attraction that Kasuga, for all his protest, obviously does feel towards Saeki.

Really liked the changes made to the ED song to bring out Kasuga's happier, if still troubled, mood at the end of the episode.

 

[wonzo]

Episode 5

sasasasasasa~

This really nailed down just how awkward a first date is, especially for two children still going through the throw's of puberty. What made it even better though was the constant glimpses of Nakamura's cruel and playful attitude as she kept an ever watching eye on her tormented prey.

Spoiler

The climax was handled far better than I was expecting too as the constant replay of what just happened at multiple angles with Saeki's shocked reaction playing over and over again really made that even more hilarious than it was in the original.

The newer arrangement of the ED with the slightly rosier tone to it was really fitting and yet still just as unnerving as the first one was, if not a little more so due to the cognitive dissonance of it all.

These next two episodes are going to be fucking amazing!!!

 

[Regulus Tera]

Fucking Oshimi at the end of this episode. lol

 

[CornBurrito]

Episode 5:

Spoiler

Jeez what an awful and awkward date. So boring.

Also I don't get Saeki at all. If some guy started crying and saying "I'm so happy!" because I accepted a platonic non-romantic relationship I'd be creeped out and never speak to them again.

 

[Necrovex]

Aku no Hana 5

Spoiler

See, Forever-Alone Gaf, if Kasuga can enter a relationship, so can you. The date was awkward as shit, and he scored big time (well as much as you can expect for middle school kids).

And I laughed pretty hard with Nakamura going sasasasasasasasasa.

This episode also taught me how vastly different the Japanese language is compared to English. During the whole, "if you don't mind if it's me" part, I was listening to the pronunciation. Besides one syllable in that sentence (de, I believe was the syllable), I could have seen that sentence being translated in another way.

Read the entire manga last weekend, it wasn't bad. I'm curious if they'll attempt to tell the entire story in 26 episodes.

At the speed the show is going, I don't think it will cover all of the manga.

Side note, is the manga even done yet? I have only read the official English releases.

 

[Epcott]

Aku no Hana 5

Spoiler

See, Forever-Alone Gaf, if Kasuga can enter a relationship, so can you. The date was awkward as shit, and he scored big time (well as much as you can expect for middle school kids).

And I laughed pretty hard with Nakamura going sasasasasasasasasa.

This episode also taught me how vastly different the Japanese language is compared to English. During the whole, "if you don't mind if it's me" part, I was listening to the pronunciation. Besides one syllable in that sentence (de, I believe was the syllable), I could have seen that sentence being translated in another way.

At the speed the show is going, I don't think it will cover all of the manga.

Side note, is the manga even done yet? I have only read the official English releases.

My coworker asked the same question. If the final chapter involves

Spoiler

Kasuga-kun having the balls and resolve to finally ask out a particular someone

, I assume that is ending.

Only 13 episodes, eh? Hope there's a season 2 unless they plan on ending it on a "wtf" moment.

 

[Erigu]

is the manga even done yet?

Nope.

 

[Hellsing321]

Episode 5

Nakamura's sasasasasa killed me. That said the last few minutes were gripping and they always seem to know what the best place to start up the credits music is.

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

FYI: The bookstore owner in episode 5 was played by the manga author, Shuzo Oshimi himself.

 

[Trent Strong]

The Japanese have some strange pick-up lines. I didn't know that

Spoiler

"I want to have a pure and platonic relationship with you" was a good way to ask a girl out.

.

 

[BlazingDarkness]

The Japanese have some strange pick-up lines. I didn't know that

Spoiler

"I want to have a pure and platonic relationship with you" was a good way to ask a girl out.

.

I think maybe the meaning is slightly different to what it implies in English? Like in that instance it meant a proper relationship as oppose to having just a sexual thing?

 

[fertygo]

The Japanese have some strange pick-up lines. I didn't know that

Spoiler

"I want to have a pure and platonic relationship with you" was a good way to ask a girl out.

.

Its just that Kasuga being hipster.

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

I think maybe the meaning is slightly different to what it implies in English? Like in that instance it meant a proper relationship as oppose to having just a sexual thing?

I'm pretty sure it means exactly what it means in English: a chaste, asexual relationship. This is consistent with Kasuga's immersion in old European literature and poetry, and his idealization of Saeki as the embodiment of purity and innocence. He doesn't want to profane her with the lusts of the flesh; having sexual intercourse with her would destroy the very reason he became attracted to her.

 

[Necrovex]

I'm pretty sure it means exactly what it means in English: a chaste, asexual relationship. This is consistent with Kasuga's immersion in old European literature and poetry, and his idealization of Saeki as the embodiment of purity and innocence. He doesn't want to profane her with the lusts of the flesh; having sexual intercourse with her would destroy the very reason he became attracted to her.

Major manga spoilers (Volume 5):

Spoiler

Man, it will be interesting to watch Saeki go all fucking crazy and attempt to rape Kasuga. I remember reading that part in a bookstore, and I felt so fucking awkward, as I aimed to go through those parts as quickly as possible.

 

[Trent Strong]

I think maybe the meaning is slightly different to what it implies in English? Like in that instance it meant a proper relationship as oppose to having just a sexual thing?

Could be. Maybe it just doesn't translate very well.

I'm pretty sure it means exactly what it means in English: a chaste, asexual relationship. This is consistent with Kasuga's immersion in old European literature and poetry, and his idealization of Saeki as the embodiment of purity and innocence. He doesn't want to profane her with the lusts of the flesh; having sexual intercourse with her would destroy the very reason he became attracted to her.

That makes sense, since Kasuga is such a wierdo. But I don't know why the girl goes along with it so easily and doesn't ask him what the fuck he's talking about.

 

[duckroll]

Episode 5

That sure was awkward for Kasuga. Poor bastard, lol. Slow episode though. I liked some scenes (sasasasasa, the bookstore, and the angels) but overall I find that the series is starting to take its toll on me. After 5 episodes, nothing much has really happened, and the crux of the drama is getting repetitive. We know Kasuga is insecure and he has a crunch on Saeki, and we know that Nakamura is a wacko who's trying to mess with him. If it continues this way for much longer, it's going to get stale, so I hope the narrative starts to pick up the pace soon.

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

Episode 5

That sure was awkward for Kasuga. Poor bastard, lol. Slow episode though. I liked some scenes (sasasasasa, the bookstore, and the angels) but overall I find that the series is starting to take its toll on me. After 5 episodes, nothing much has really happened, and the crux of the drama is getting repetitive. We know Kasuga is insecure and he has a crunch on Saeki, and we know that Nakamura is a wacko who's trying to mess with him. If it continues this way for much longer, it's going to get stale, so I hope the narrative starts to pick up the pace soon.

While I partially agree with you in that I found this episode to be padded, I do think it and episode 4 did a good job at expanding the character drama by giving us some actual insight into Saeki's personality.

 

[Crash Station]

Episode 5

That sure was awkward for Kasuga. Poor bastard, lol. Slow episode though. I liked some scenes (sasasasasa, the bookstore, and the angels) but overall I find that the series is starting to take its toll on me. After 5 episodes, nothing much has really happened, and the crux of the drama is getting repetitive. We know Kasuga is insecure and he has a crunch on Saeki, and we know that Nakamura is a wacko who's trying to mess with him. If it continues this way for much longer, it's going to get stale, so I hope the narrative starts to pick up the pace soon.

This is definitely a "shit hits the fan" series. I just don't remember when it happens in relation to where we are. I think it's pretty soon.

 

[wonzo]

This is definitely a "shit hits the fan" series. I just don't remember when it happens in relation to where we are. I think it's pretty soon.

It should happen

Spoiler

in an episode or two depending on the pacing.

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

Episode 6

This really is some fine psychological horror.

Spoiler

I let out an audible yelp when Nakamura sneaked up on Kasuga as he was ringing that doorbell. And that door opening into blackness...

What a perfect last shot. I can't wait for the next episode.

 

[wonzo]

Episode 6

Oh man, this episode exceeded my expectations quite a bit especially the last shot which was just masterful. Next week can't come soon enough.

 

[Soma]

Aku no Hana 5-6

I feel like she's getting cuter every episode. Unf Unf, etc.

Man this show can be a challenge to get through at times. Took me almost an hour to get through episode 6 as I felt the need to pause through several scenes. And I say that in the nicest way possible because the tension and awkwardness is so well done. Almost any scene with Nakamura in it has me audibly saying "Ohhhh fuck what's she up to now?" lol

Excited to see how the next episode goes.

 

[firehawk12]

Aku no Hana 6

Another example of why this show is the best anime of the season. I think I'm in love with the rotoscoped look now.

(for you, wonzo!)

 

[fertygo]

Fucking hell that was awesome episode. So griping.. Feel I can jump from my chair anytime.

 

[Guess Who]

Not watching the anime, but I read the whole manga up to the latest chapter last night and holy shit. I can't remember the last time I got so in to a manga. Each month waiting for the next chapter is going to be painful.

 

[Lord Ghirahim]

I heard ep 7 will be more better.

 

[Haly]

Unfunfunfunfunfunfunfunfunfunf

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

Aku no Hana 6

Well shit. Nakamura is absolutely terrifying

HOLD ME.

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

Aku no Hana 6

Well shit. Nakamura is absolutely terrifying

HOLD ME.

 

[Regulus Tera]

Nakamura-san is the villain of the season. Fuck titans.

 

[Trent Strong]

The main kid better be a real, serious pervert at heart, or some sort of ultra-religious type or the Japanese better be puritan level conservative, otherwise this show makes no sense.

 

[Regulus Tera]

The main kid better be a real, serious pervert at heart, or some sort of ultra-religious type or the Japanese better be puritan level conservative, otherwise this show makes no sense.

On the contrary, I think Kasuga's characterisation fits the "nice guy" phenomenon perfectly.

 

[Hellsing321]

On the contrary, I think Kasuga's characterisation fits the "nice guy" phenomenon perfectly.

All he needs is a fedora.

 

[Haly]

All he needs is a fedora.

I think carrying around Baudelaire is way more fedora than any fedora could be.

 

[duckroll]

Episode 6

This story is really painful to watch. Kasuga is such a wimp it's really unbelievable how he even made it to where he is at this point without getting run over by everyone. If only he had a bit more self confidence instead of being so paranoid about everything, none of this would be happening to him!

 

[TCRS]

Yes, that's the kind of animes I like. Realistic style, serious, brilliant soundtrack (I love the ending) and great story. What a psychopathic bitch that girl lol, I feel sorry for Kasuga.

This also makes me want to read more books. Actually I think I'm going to read The Flowers of Evil by Baudelaire.

Any more of these types of anime? For reference I also like Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo and Welcome to the NHK. That's actually all the animes I have ever properly watched.

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

I didn't see that coming. Just... wow. The musical and visual direction really rose to the occasion.

Spoiler

All the pent-up frustration and self-loathing... it all came out in an orgasmic explosion of destruction.

Incredible.

 

[wonzo]

Episode 7

It was this scene that pretty much sold me on the manga when I first read it. It was when I knew that I was reading something truly special, the kind of thing that doesn't come around as often as it should. The fact that this adaptation not only met my unrealistically high expectations for this scene but actually managed to exceed them has pretty much blown me away all over again.

This is the greatest thing.

 

[BlazingDarkness]

If it's the scene I'm thinking about then that really excites me.

 

[Dresden]

Other anime may as well pack it up; nothing this season is going to hit the highs this episode did. That climax. Goddamn.

 

[BlazingDarkness]

Oh my GOD that was incredible. Totally nailed that scene from the manga.
Best scene of the show so far, just amazing.

 

[darkside31337]

Aku no Hana 7

Holy fucking shit.

Best episode. Best show of the season. Best show of the year. Fuck fuck fuck, this was sooooooooo good.

The manga can't compete. This episode was perfection on every level. The ending was jaw to the floor so damn good. The mood and atmosphere in the show is completely unmatched.

This was seriously the best episode of anime I've watched in years. I honestly cannot believe there are shiteaters out there who can't comprehend how fucking great this show is.

 

[BlazingDarkness]

Now the question is, will they be able to top that?!

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

While the new version of the ED song stole the episode musically, the piece of music that starts when Kasuga leaves his house at night is also really good.

Now the question is, will they be able to top that?!

I find it difficult to believe that could happen. Few TV shows can boast of a moment where everything up to that point coalesces into a utterly satisfying culmination that sums up the themes and character work that the show has been about. Even fewer can boast multiple such moments. But we'll see!

 

[Regulus Tera]

The splooge of

Spoiler

destruction

... oh wow.

Please tell me that the anime is not gonna end at a random point of the manga. I need conclusion.

 

[Hellsing321]

The splooge of

Spoiler

destruction

... oh wow.

Please tell me that the anime is not gonna end at a random point of the manga. I need conclusion.

I can't see anyway they get to what I would consider a good stopping point at the pace they are going right now. After this part its pretty much non-stop shit hitting the fan. Basically, I'm saying you should read the manga after the anime finishes because its really good!

 

[Crash Station]

The splooge of

Spoiler

destruction

... oh wow.

Please tell me that the anime is not gonna end at a random point of the manga. I need conclusion.

There's only one good stopping point in the whole series so far, and we aren't anywhere close to it.

 

[fertygo]

There's only one good stopping point in the whole series so far, and we aren't anywhere close to it.

Its not that far.. considering the material after this easy to sped up the pace.

Btw the chara design look great now.

 

[CornBurrito]

I don't know what the fuck I just watched but I love it. Love it love it love it love it love it.

Jeeeeeeeesus christ. I am going to read the manga after this anime finishes.

 

[BlazingDarkness]

I hope the anime really picks up the pace from this point onwards - if they montage a lot of the less important stuff they can cover a huge amount of time in the second half of the anime - now the groundwork for the character dynamics and whatnot has been set, they can go a bit crazy with it.
A part of me thinks the anime will divert from the manga and have its own ending, unless a second season is in the works.