Detrimental Optimistic Visser is sweet, and has been that means for some time. Nevertheless, I feel that is the primary episode the place it began to attach the 2 threads of his character. Normally this was a lightweight and melancholic present with a really relaxed environment (becoming for a fishing sequence). However after all there may be a particularly darkish component above it. It dominated the primary few episodes, however has been largely ignored since. Out of sight – principally – however not out of thoughts, I assume. Not ours, and definitely not Hiro’s both.
The rollout of the 2 supporting characters continues right here, with two extra background figures changing into full-fledged characters. They’re each from Thailand – Ice (Tomatsu Haruka, who manages to be nice at nearly every little thing) and Arua (Hirose Yuuya). She is a mannequin, he’s a chef in coaching. Arua calls Ice “Nee-san”, but it surely’s unclear to me in the event that they’re truly siblings or (most likely) simply associates from their residence nation. Arua did not focus a lot on the fishing, it appears (though he does take part), however on the preparation.
Ice is sort of a dynamic determine, to say the least. She speaks fluent Japanese and Chinese language (and doubtless Thai). She makes use of that talent when a Chinese language buyer makes Hiro wave. Typical of a Japanese particular person, he tries to handle the person in (dangerous) English and does not appear to make the connection that he’s not communicate English, however Chinese language. Thoughts you, Chinese language individuals do not usually come to Japan anticipating the locals to know the language, but it surely’s a humorous scene. Ice additionally fashions a tremendous array of appears (she’s a cosplay veteran) and completely embraces life. Hiro likes her and admires her for it, however she naturally attracts consideration to all his self-perceived character flaws.
Ice’s seize the day mentality is a catalyst that forces Hiro to suppose extra forcefully about his personal state of affairs. She decides that the group ought to do Tai (tyresfishing for sea bream), which Hiro wrongly assumes means a visit to Thailand. I discovered this episode fairly relatable for quite a lot of causes. The primary is that I completely love tai. I am not a giant seafood fan, however that exact fish is improbable. I’m additionally topic to seasickness, and have discovered the arduous means that if that’s the case every doubt, pop the Dramamine. Seasickness is the one factor in my life that actually makes me want I had been useless – it is indescribably horrible. I used to be as soon as on a whale watching boat in Maui, with a bunch of Navy guys on board who obtained violently unwell, it was so arduous – that was most likely the worst half.
The tairaba itself is pure Negaposi fisherman piece of goodness. Ice and Hiro have some very candid conversations, and the general distinction they make is fascinating. Finally, Hiro impulsively asks Ice what she is going to do when she finds out she solely has two years to stay. Her reply is fairly typical for a positive-thinking extrovert like her, however the half that basically will get to Hiro is her perception that she owes it to the individuals round her to allow them to know. Hiro cannot escape the implications of what she’s saying, and that is made worse by the truth that these are the primary individuals (maybe outdoors his speedy household, however even that is not definitive) to ever appear to. been close to.
Ice’s thought to throw Hiro a welcome again occasion might be a misinterpretation of why he requested her the questions he did, but it surely nonetheless hits arduous. What turns into clear right here is that even earlier than his prognosis and his descent into debt and poverty, he was all the time a loner. This group of oddballs might be the closest factor we’ve got to an actual help system, and that is an issue. All this – the gang, the curiosity in fishing – makes Hiro miss one thing. It offers him appreciation for a life he had so devalued that he did not suppose he would miss it.
For me Negaposi fisherman is actually on the rise, and that is from a reasonably excessive base. It all the time appeared possible that the present had one other gear it will ultimately swap into, regardless of how pleasant the SoL stuff was. We’re beginning to see that occur, and the writing right here is perceptive and good sufficient that I am very curious to see how the sequence tackles the massive questions it is already beginning to ask. I additionally actually benefit from the brutal visuals, and that reinforces one thing else I am noticing increasingly. This present is harking back to Gainax (veterans play key roles), however a lesser identified model – one which Anno Hideaki was fairly adept at. That provides a pleasant contact of nostalgia to an already tasty cocktail.
