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Jul 6, 2011 5:44 PM
#1
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Jul 2010
384
THIS IS AN ANIME ONLY DISCUSSION POST. DO NOT DISCUSS THE MANGA BEYOND THIS EPISODE.
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I'm starting to think of Nanako differently. Before, I assumed her to be a kind doormat, but now I think it's more accurate to call her an unintelligent weakling. She allows others to slander and pull pranks, and lies to prevent her allies from helping. This isn't to keep them from getting involved, or misplaced pride; it is the result of her inability to understand the way others might perceive something. She's stuck in her rigid world, inflating singular actions until they define her image of others.

Nanako receives much ill will so sympathizing is easy, but she has never done anything kind. In fact she's so reactionary I don't think she has ever done anything to define herself. If classmates ignored Nanako, she would be a blank slate, presumably one the teenage girl audience is supposed to project upon.

I find it hard to like her, maybe because I was never bullied. I did see a fair number who might have been similar to her, but childish jeering was always easy to stop, so I never directly saw these kinds of bully-coping mechanisms. Regardless it makes for interesting psyche study, even if the characterization, directing, and plot all suck.
Feb 9, 2012 5:38 PM
#2

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Feb 2012
116
Not much to say about this episode. Other than I feel like I've seen the same slapping scene in Revolutionary Girl Utena.
Aug 1, 2012 2:17 AM
#3

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Jul 2011
100
Nanako needs to pull herself together..
Feb 23, 2013 10:46 PM
#4

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Jun 2009
15302
I guess I'll be the first one to say that I thought this was an utterly fantastic episode. They really captured the isolated feeling of being bullied here, my favorite scene being the one where she wrote the letter going out of her way saying that she wasn't receiving ill will and all that, which hit me as a cry for help. I was expecting her to outright air her grievances, but the fact that she couldn't even do that through the letters was pretty powerful.

Luthimal said:

I find it hard to like her, maybe because I was never bullied. I did see a fair number who might have been similar to her, but childish jeering was always easy to stop, so I never directly saw these kinds of bully-coping mechanisms. Regardless it makes for interesting psyche study, even if the characterization, directing, and plot all suck.


Despite what I said above, I agree that Nanako is kind of dull so far and we really don't know enough about the majority of the cast to say whether they are well done or not. But, to say the directing "sucks" is still incredibly funny to me. I actually like how Osamu utilizes certain shots, such as the shadow of the girls running down the hall and Nanako sittling in her room watching TV while crying with shadows half enveloping her. If anything this is the sign of a master director. Osamu amazingly depicts this isolation she feels and, yeah, to us adults it isn't that big a deal but to a first year high school girl to be isolated from her peers and openly ridiculed like this is probably the scariest thing of all.

If anything I'm seeing a severe lack of empathy in this thread.
"Yes, I have been deprived of emotion. But not completely. Whoever did it, botched the job."

- Geralt of Rivia
Mar 2, 2014 10:30 AM
#5

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Aug 2013
4759
I feel sorry for Nanako. Everyone in school has this massive inferiority complex and is making her life a living hell. Add to that, her bestfriend abandoned her when she needed her the most. I don't know if I should call her strong, enduring or tolerant maybe? I'm amazed she hasn't snapped yet to be honest.
"May those who accept their fate be granted happiness."

"May those who defy their fate be granted glory."
Mar 26, 2014 6:26 PM
#6

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Sep 2010
6759
Oh gods I hope that Tomoko and Nanako can make up she really needs her right about now. Mariko isn't really helping much...
"What has two arms, two legs, and is alive? Not your favorite character lol! xD"
Aug 3, 2014 4:07 PM
#7

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Sep 2013
717
This series has been on my list for some time, and I'm glad I finally started watching it. Since it is a strong influence on Maria-sama ga Miteru, one of my favorite series, I was quite curious about it. The contrast between the two series is striking, and I wonder if Maria-sama ga Miteru, while clearly influenced by this series, could also be seen as a reaction to it. Onii-sama e presents a dystopic view of the elite girls' school; the nurturing environment seen in Maria-sama ga Miteru is entirely absent here.

insan3Spectre said:
I guess I'll be the first one to say that I thought this was an utterly fantastic episode. They really captured the isolated feeling of being bullied here, my favorite scene being the one where she wrote the letter going out of her way saying that she wasn't receiving ill will and all that, which hit me as a cry for help. I was expecting her to outright air her grievances, but the fact that she couldn't even do that through the letters was pretty powerful.


Agreed. It has been a long time since I was in school, but this episode brought back painful memories for me; though I was not bullied nearly as badly as Nanako, the feeling was the same. People who are chronically bullied eventually feel completely beaten down, and they feel quite alone and unable to trust anybody. It can be difficult to seek help, especially since cries for help may not be taken seriously or may even result in more bullying. This episode perfectly captured that feeling of being completely alone.

It seems that many of these school series feature an apparently generic protagonist. Yumi in Maria-sama ga Miteru certainly comes across like that at first, but she develops into a strong and complex character. Nagisa in Strawberry Panic, throughout the series, remains that cute and likable generic character but fails to develop much beyond that stage, while the people around her are far more interesting than she is. Whether or not I ultimately give a very high score to Onii-sama e or rank it among my favorites will likely depend on whether Nanako develops like Yumi or remains generic like Nagisa. At this point, she still is a rather generic, albeit sympathetic, character, and I am left wondering why she was chosen for the Sorority. So far I can only reach the conclusion that the Sorority leaders are playing some sort of cruel joke on her, but I hope there is more to it than that. Perhaps they see qualities in her that are not obvious to the audience at this point. I'll hold off on scoring this series until I see how Nanako develops. There is a lot of potential at this point, and it could be fully realized, or the series could bomb. Given that this is a well liked series, I hope for and expect the former, but I'll wait and see.
It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
Jun 26, 2016 4:17 PM
#8

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Sep 2010
183
So much unnecessary hate everywhere. Those people need Buddha. A lot.
Oct 30, 2016 2:46 AM
#9

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Jan 2010
7191
It'll probably be explained later, but seriously, why did Nanako get picked anyways? Why did any of this need to happen to begin with? What are the criteria for being nominated for the Sorority? What's with the screening process, was it really that arbitrary? What are the benefits of being a member? Is it really just status? From whom is this status given by? Is it inherent in the title and the society's name? Though, it's not like I need answers, I...I just feel like I need a drink.
Oct 30, 2016 10:46 AM

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Nov 2014
5009
Shocked said:
It'll probably be explained later, but seriously, why did Nanako get picked anyways? Why did any of this need to happen to begin with? What are the criteria for being nominated for the Sorority? What's with the screening process, was it really that arbitrary?

You'll see.

What are the benefits of being a member? Is it really just status?

Even privileged people are often unsatisfied with what they have.

From whom is this status given by?

Because of the sorority's reputation, society places members on a pedestal whether or not it's deserved. This series puts a spotlight on the problem of blinding following tradition, and admiring and respecting things simply because they've been admired and respected for a long time.

Is it inherent in the title and the society's name? Though, it's not like I need answers, I...I just feel like I need a drink.

I think about 90% of your questions will be answered before episode 39.
Nov 17, 2016 11:52 PM

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Jul 2013
1255
Follow your conscience? Say whaat!

You callous bunch of bitches just ganged and assaulted her and you think you are better candidates.

On the second thought maybe they actually are the better fit.

Anyways. I hate this sort of forced rifts between friends but i guess i can live with that shit.
Feb 19, 2018 4:06 PM

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Jul 2016
1690
this is too unfair.. if i was in the right mood today, i'd probably be crying this whole episode and i can see it really - this kind of stuff tends to turn me into a tearjerking fool. nanako must feel so alone. i've also always thought that she would benefit from having long hair instead of short hair.
Dec 23, 2018 10:37 AM

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Jan 2013
2315
those slaps were uncalled for nanako but she kinda deserved it lol.
Sep 15, 2020 1:01 AM

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Jul 2015
9999
Sad to see Nanako alone with almost nobody to help her out, she really didn't deserve those slaps. Well at least onii-sama could cheer her up for a little bit even though she won't tell him what's happening.

Nov 16, 2020 1:28 AM
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Apr 2016
13217
And now by lying in the letters, she lost her only method of coping.. which will further exacerbate her situation by making her emotions pent up to a ball of spiky ready-to-explode frustration. An incredible depiction of bullying though, definitely the best one I've seen in anime.
Mar 19, 2021 6:57 AM

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Mar 2020
309
Poor Nanako, she didn't know what she has walked herself into when she got into this school lmao. I really feel bad for her, but she shouldn't have lied to Takehiko and her parents. I feel like Takehiko could at least given her some advice or something if she told the truth. Tomoko is being so childish tho, just over a petty thing like that she won't talk to Nanako. Hopefully things get better between them soon.
Joe, Joe Forever....
Dec 26, 2021 8:19 AM

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Nov 2016
31878
Nanako can't catch a break. At least she got onii-sama..and Kaoru. But if the bullying keeps going on Mariko might go crazy*yandere mode on*

One Piece episode 914 & 915 & 1027 were a mistake and 957 brought the salvation - FMmatron


Feb 11, 2022 8:33 PM

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Feb 2008
548
Wow, talk about a rough day. I'm hoping Nanako gets stronger.
In sterquiliniis invenitur.
Jul 5, 2022 9:33 PM

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Apr 2016
2309
Very depressing moment for Nanako's school life, she's showing more than just a dull innocent protagonist by trying to cope with the bullying by pretending to others yet acknowledging the burden to herself.

Miya seems to like a damsel in distress uh.
May 6, 11:08 AM

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Jun 2014
22512
Nanako is really suffering. That being said, my high school days weren't any better. I suffered through ridicule, and a lack of friends as well. I would rather perish than relive those days.

Will Nanako find a way to make her life better?

Aug 19, 12:13 PM
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Mar 2014
27
the evil Ochoufujin lady is really scary. just recently she hurt Rei out of nowhere and rejected bondaging her, now she's ridiculously sweet with Nanako. that is something very typical of an abuser. this, + remembering Kaoru's (or someone else's?) words about her playing with newcomers' souls every year, i'm pretty convinced she orchestrated all of this - didn't pick Misaki and directed her anger and frustration to Nanako, and now she probably enjoyes observing how far Nanako can endure.

3rd year bullies were ridiculous. as they say, the biggest losers become the biggest bullies.

this is probably the strongest episode so far. poor Nanako. the scene at the end was powerful. the scene when Tomoko rejects to speak ill of Nanako even if she's discontent with her was good too.

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It’s time to ditch the text file.
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