Hoshifuru Oukoku no Nina Episode 4 Discussion

What did you think of this episode?

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Oct 28, 7:23 AM

IzanaSolos

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Dec 2021

2873

At least now that we're out of the tsundere/denial phase thanks to that kiss, we can start getting some romance going and yeah, Azure already just wants to flat out cancel that marriage and make sure she stays with HIM forever lmao.

But it's the other way around sadly now, with Nina leaving Azure in the end of the episode... </3 But yeah, some new prince in the post credit scene that FUCKING KILLED THAT PRINCESS????? Shit's getting real, REAL now.

Oct 28, 7:37 AM

phantomfandom

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Sep 2015

6589

So the King just casually admit that he's a villain? Isn't this just too easy?

Oct 28, 7:57 AM

Azope

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Oct 2019

Reply to phantomfandom

So the King just casually admit that he's a villain? Isn't this just too easy?

@phantomfandom he the king so he justice a least that is point of view

Oct 28, 8:18 AM

Magicmist

Offline

May 2015

2083

I wasn't expecting the king to be so open about his schemes. It might of shaken Nina beforehand, but she's much too resolute for that now!

Just when Azure and Nina are getting all warmed up to each other and lovey-dovey, they get split apart. It's refreshing to see a plotline like this. At least to me since I mostly watch shonen. Familiar yet different.

Also that post credits scene with Sett feels like going back to ground zero on an affection meter. It's going to be fun to see if Nina's eccentricity can turn that apathy of his around.

Oct 28, 9:43 AM

KursedArcana

Offline

Nov 2017

379

This episode covers 7 & 8

So glad to see were starting of with expressionless animation for Azure yet again instead of showing his concerned face from the manga when in the oppening scene. Not getting his thoughtful expression either before he comments on the clothes not suiting her. Or his look when he says it or his gentle smile when he gives her his gift. Or his surprise at her reaction. They at least gave him a joyful expression at her excitement but despite constantly enphasizing his mouth, it isnt even half the smile from the manga where tou can feel it radiating off him. And then instead of animating his playful half grin we barely get a close up of his face with the most unoticible subtle smile they could possibly draw and absoutely no blush at all when he proclaims hell end her engagement. Or they smug confident look when he tells her she should stay. He has a look and slight smile they gave him butI'm not sure what emotion it's supposed to convey, but it's definitely not the sure of himself look he gives nina in the manga to let her know shes not going anywhere while hes around lol. But it's better then nothing so ill take the sloppy attempt. Then his ponytail is drawn wrong lol. Praise jesus, they gave him his smile whem she ran into his back. Look they can do it when they try. Seriously, what's even the point of this anime existing if they aren't going to actually animate the characters doing anything but oppening their mouths to speak? Also we're 1:50 minutes in and covered 9 pages already for anyone wondering how weirdly paced this anime is.

I'll acknowledge this yet again. They pretty much are spot on with all of Nina's expressions and mannerisms so I don't know wht there problem with Azure is. Now that we're meeting Sett, I guess I'll find out if they're just inept at romance or have a bias against Azure. Either way, it's not a great look for this director and studio.

And yep, they cut azure's own thoughts on the assassination attempt. Cut her viewing the former king as her great grandpa, cut the maids reaction to her behavior. Really hammering in how lazy we are today arent we? And of course skipped more of her thoughts and logic that lead to the next scene. What a joke this adaptation is. Also the dub (amd maybe original) just butchered a crucial line. Whose adapting this script? I have a lot of complaints. The Queen's proclamation isn't that she was exchanged for those gifts, but the Shatar set specifically, because of the reveal that is about to happen. Inept work being done on this in Japan and inept work being done in this in the US. I so look forward to hearing the bizarre and bad performance from the king in the dub despite it being his time to shine.

Ok back the current scene. Lol they really fucked up on centering the queens nouth on her smug face. Other then that does this studio just not care about the men at all? Cause they clearly can put the looks on the women in this anime when they try. Please never let them touch another josei/ shoujo series again. But also they decided to phone it in on Ninas shocked face. Come on. This series puts great emphasis on the eyes of our 3 leads. At least go all out when the manga does something with the eyes.

Yep already butchering the king conversation. Both in animation and dub performance for the king. Also wow were really cutting out most of the suspense of this. In the manga this was such a riveting high stakes scene where the tension just keeps building up until you get the horrifying reveal that he killed his son over A SHATAR SET, which is why the importance of the queen saying Alisha was traded for a shatar set was important to actually convey, cause the king literally broke their laws for a damn shatar set just like he killed his first born child over one. And lmao they really didn't animate a single moment of the flashback. The horror isn't conveyed at all. Like this is the moment where the king goes full mask off and we're getting a slide show of him murdering his son. Like the art isn't even half as good as the manga art and the dub performance is robotic and empty. Might as well just read the pages folks. Also king didn't even reveal his full disgust at Azure being a random child from who knows where before the flashback. GIVE THE KING HIS DISGUTTING MOMENT PROPERLY. His reasons for hating Azure and wanting to kill his son twice are so petty and revealing. This is no King. He's an entitled sociopath who uses his son as a pawn to do all his work for him and the resents him for it.

So we failed in adapting a pivotal moment. How shocking. Nina's big moment and proclomation also sadly falls flat. This whole scene properly sets up her motivation going forward and fhe anime doesn't do it justice. This is where Nina shines. Her vow to be the kingdoms shield or executioner to protect Azure. Her giving up her own desires to protect the one she loves at any cost. We skim through this instead of taking the time where it counts. They skip most of her vow to god and her vow to the king. Ugh, and I guess they've revealed that they only succeed at animating Nina well when it comes to the goofy expression. Her determination isn't adequately conveyed here at all. Her faces during this scene elevate her character in a way we haven't scene before. If you are only willing to sim the pages i share instead of reading the manga then please make sure to do so when I upload them today. Cause this scene is one of the best.

On to chapter 8 and we can't even be bothered to animate Nina blushing as Az hangs over her shoulder. Or his determined look and comforting snile as he reads her comcern like the book shes reading. Guess they're done pretending they care about rhe romance between these two.
Now onto their romantic city date. Come on at least make him look as suave as he does in the manga when he overpays the man for the fruit to make up for her theft. And his smile at the word girlfriend isn't present at all in the anime. Or his embarrassment at not being able to handle hot soup. Bte the details of most of these moments are left out of the anime so please check out the manga to see their full date, banter and why nina shows him these various things cause it's way too much to point out everything wrong.

And they awkwardly insert a conversation about his real name here that wasn't present this chapter in the manga, but I'm fairly certain it's based on something they cut previously so I guess it's a win even though they rushed adorable date content from this chapter for it.

So even during their date they arent going to show Azure's many faces. His absolute joy at drawing out her name to get her to blush in the manga is barely a step up from the standard slight smile they occionally give in anime form. And they literally have him looking slightly happy from earlier while she talks about the death of her friend. Yeah this anime adaptation is a joke, at least they show his face turn serious when talking about poverty in the land. They really failed to capture his surpise and concern at the hug though. Azure isn't an idiot, he's fully aware that something is off about Nina's behavior, he just can't put the pieces together yet because he has full faith in his ability to protect Nina and thought she'd trust him to do so. He failed to realize that Nina would honor her vow to die for him back during the star festival at the expense of staying together.

After the hug they fail to capture the thought he puts into dropping his guardand just outright admitting that he's in love with her with a look of pure joy before their gentle kiss. And again they fail to show his concern at her thanks. Like I said, he's becoming more and more aware that something is off even if he hasn't put together that Nina herself is actively putting something in motion with the power of Alisha.

This is a story that plays with fat and destiny from the stars. These words are important. It's what the story was written around and I feel the anime just skims over it whenever it comes up.

Minor thing. They reallly failed to show how deeply devoted the Astral maids have become to her. In the manga they truly look like they could cry over her departure. Really cut out the suspense and time Azure wasted while talking to the men from the fake emergency. Or his wrath as he realizes he was right to be suspsicous and Dytus' betrayal. And they completely missed the mark on the shock and hurt at him putting together that this was Nina's doing. The amount of pain on his face in the manga completely would shatter the emotionless mask they put on him in the anime. The fact it's not present at all in the anime is truly enraging.engaging. at least they did a decent rendition of his face at the system and I did love the fade to the stars they did there as it transitioned to her perspective. Although they completely failed to portray how long he'd been riding to get to her first. They suck at showing time passage in the anime of this adaptation.

Well they adapted Sett's intro well up until they just didn't bother finishing it. So my friends, in manga form we get some staff gossip on him and the reveal that he has a bird named Nina that is the one thing he loves. I'm assuming this won't be animating at all cause they definitely have proven they prioritize going through two chapters an episode at the expense of cuts and rushed content even if it undermines moments.

Jill Harris, you're doing the best you can, sorry the dub script sucks and the anime isnt half as grand as the manga. You really are a great Nina though. You and Austin tindle are going to carry this series hard with your performances in the upcoming weeks.

KursedArcanaOct 28, 11:39 AM

Oct 28, 10:25 AM

Azope

Offline

Oct 2019

Personaly i think,even if it not the best adaptation ever it still do a decent work , i seen a lot of show that have a way worste fate.

Overall after the 3 first episode that speed run a shojo romance we enter to the main topic of this josei : freedom , selfsacrifise and duty ( some other stuff will be add later ) and how nina will try to become a adulte.

Oct 28, 10:48 AM

LordCrueltyV

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Jul 2024

345

Not the typical pacing here, with the romance proceeding so fast compared to the intrigue.

Lord Cruelty V
"But my Dreams they're not as empty, as my conscience seems to be"

Oct 28, 11:27 AM

Marinate1016

Offline

Feb 2019

9390

Normally I’m against romance so soon, but Niehime is an example of where it worked out well and I’ve said how this reminds me so much of that, so I’m optimistic it’ll get fleshed out well. Did not think we’d get another kiss so soon, but Nina and Azure date was so cute 😭

But no way the king actually killed the real azure right? Like surely that’s a misdirect?? I just can’t see him killing his son like that and then getting a replacement like it was nothing.. but if so that’s a crazy twist. That scene also had Nina truly become Alisha for a moment there, “I’ll only protect a Fortna with Azure. You’re as powerless now as you’ve always been” oh SPILL

I’m really looking forward to meeting this Sett fella people been gassing him up and he seems really interesting. Gonna suck seeing Nina apart from Azure as soon as they really started opening up, but this is a growth opportunity.

Marinate1016Oct 28, 12:16 PM

Oct 28, 12:29 PM

Sheol01

Offline

Jul 2024

1281

Oh crap, Sett is a casual murderer with a harem. Please don't let Nina come here, she deserves much better than this abusive bigamist!

Oct 28, 1:04 PM

#10

LordCrueltyV

Offline

Jul 2024

345

Sheol01 said:
Oh crap, Sett is a casual murderer with a harem.

Casual? You did not see the knife in her hand?
Now, myself being an Evil Overlord, and accustomed to such games, as well as being rather unimpressed with knives, I would have had much livelier play than just a gunshot in response to an harem princess with a dagger. And, I would likely schedule some rematches with that redhead. Raaaawwwwrrr.

Lord Cruelty V
"But my Dreams they're not as empty, as my conscience seems to be"

Oct 28, 1:45 PM

#11

Sheol01

Offline

Jul 2024

1281

Reply to LordCrueltyV

Sheol01 said:
Oh crap, Sett is a casual murderer with a harem.

@LordCrueltyV True, there are much more fun ways to respond to that. But maybe I watch too many of the WRONG kind of shows. LOL

Oct 28, 5:00 PM

#12

FullyCharged

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Sep 2016

1405

Something tells me Nina can fix that dude.
I have that hunch lol

bruh

Oct 28, 5:31 PM

#13

patkarunungan

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Jul 2023

1610

Come on, Nina. You decided to push through with the wedding. Don't cry.

Anyway, I predict that her husband to be

ETA: Oops, I wrote the above without seeing the epilogue. Sett must be magnitudes more of a tsundere than Az ever was. Nina should be wise if she wants to control him.

patkarununganOct 28, 5:39 PM

Oct 28, 5:36 PM

#14

leonardobarba

Offline

May 2017

1769

Reply to phantomfandom

So the King just casually admit that he's a villain? Isn't this just too easy?

@phantomfandom Why do you think Absolute Monarchies became History?

Mene, mene, tekel, parsin

Oct 28, 5:41 PM

#15

leonardobarba

Offline

May 2017

1769

Reply to FullyCharged

Something tells me Nina can fix that dude.
I have that hunch lol

@FullyCharged I bet Sett will move the kingdom for Alisha.

Mene, mene, tekel, parsin

Oct 28, 8:28 PM

#16

angel1309

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Oct 2021

219

they made my bishounen so buff

Oct 28, 9:35 PM

#17

landofthekwt

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Mar 2015

13472

Nina has been sent off to marry despite Azure's efforts to prevent it Nina hears how the real Azure died from a really awful person who does not know right from wrong

Oct 29, 9:26 AM

#18

Vanytas

Offline

Feb 2022

131

Hmm let’s see about that 2nd male lead I wonder maybe he is hot enough to make up for his wrong doings 😭😭😭 help

Oct 29, 1:05 PM

#19

Sigmar-Unberogen

Offline

Nov 2013

6704

Wtf, so it was the king after all.

And he killed his son for something that retarded??? He doesn't feel a shred of remorse.

He seemed like an interesting psycho character but all that evaporated after what Nina did. It felt so incredibly anticlimactic how the kings turns into powerless idiot immediately. It was honestly so disappointing. You won't see such BS in Game of Thrones.

As for Nina, she's sacrificing herself, in hopes she'll protect everyone by becoming a queen. Super hard challenge there.
We finally meet the other prince and he seems ruthless. I won't jump to conclusions for now as to why the red-hair princess wanted to assassinate him. It felt like he changes princesses every week or something, lol.

Oct 29, 8:59 PM

#20

Quadruple_Oi

Offline

Mar 2021

350

I'm not gonna lie, the whole first half felt like a dream. I did not think that Azure would go right with his feelings especially after he pushed back Nina when he realized what he'd done, and that first scene with Nina felt like fairy tale stuff. Then the meeting with the king and how open both Nina and the king were, then the king just shutting up like that after a simple threat from Nina. I really hope that there is some "mastermind" or manipulator behind the king cuz that guy is not it.

Oct 30, 10:36 AM

#21

NirvashX1

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Jun 2016

2085

omg this show is really good to watch tbh !!

cant wait for next epiisode

Oct 30, 6:25 PM

#22

Mersailia

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Jul 2024

This episode made me so sad... Seeing Azure so willing to fight for Nina, even if it meant problems for him and the kingdom, being so sweet with her. And then Nina realizing to save him, she has to leave the only person who loves the real her. I was crying with her😭. That bastard of a king doesn't deserve Azure or even his own son, I wanted to throw hands with him. Seeing Nina stand up to him and outmaneuver him made me so satisfied. I'm praying for our girl because this other prince seems even more of a bastard than the king💀.

Born to shoujo, forced to shounen.

Nov 3, 2:58 PM

#23

Kyonman

Offline

Jun 2023

251

I'm glad the romance is starting off so strong. Surprised to see the king so open about his scheming. Dude just seems like an evil guy and I dig having a villain like that.

Nov 3, 2:58 PM

#24

Hearts4MyLover

Offline

Mar 2024

235

Best episode by far!!

I honestly can’t believe the king just admitted to being so evil lmao
The new prince just casually killed a princess?! Oh my goodness, I am praying for Nina…

I do have to admit that I’m kinda sad how this is getting adapted. I haven’t read the manga but I can definitely see there isn’t put too much budget into the animation which is sad since the story truly got me hooked. At this point I just have to pick up the manga and see it for myself >.<

Nov 11, 1:55 PM

#25

LilyVarbik

Offline

Jan 2016

1312

So King was in-fact the villain with Queen only being a bitch.
Normally I HATE when characters don't communicate, but honestly, totality of circumstances, I think Nina handled this well, if wasn't for her not wanting this, Az pulling a Luffy (OP reference), and her new husband having a harem of princesses he doesn't even know who they are.

Az is mad, but realizes the perpetrator was Nina. We now know the white/grey hair person has red eyes completing the primary colored trio.

I wish the best <3

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