The Epic Hikago Rewatch: Episodes 7 and 8
Mar. 3rd, 2012 11:26 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
hostilecrayon posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
hikarunogo
This week’s character spotlight is Fujisaki Akari!
Akari’s official title is “the Neighbor”. What do you think of this title? Even though she is present for much of the series and is a friend of Hikaru’s (and quite possibly romantically interested in him as well), she still only gets the designation of neighbor. Does this have a deeper meaning?
How do you feel about Akari? What kind of person is she? How do you feel about her relationship with Hikaru and the changes we can already see in it?
I know these are supposed to be brief recaps… but… I sort of fail at that. Whoops?
The Seventh Match – I Won’t Play Against You
In this episode, Hikaru starts at Haze Junior High. Hikaru joins the Go club and hilariously swings a dirty mop at some guys who tear down the Go club poster. Kaga comes along and taunts the tiny Go club. Even though they aren’t established as a real club yet, a teacher donates a goban and Go stones, and they set up shop in the Chemistry lab. Their first goal is to find more members so they can be an official club. Akari also joins the group. Meanwhile, Akira shows up at Haze in his Kaio uniform looking for Hikaru. Since the Go club is so small, it takes him some time before he’s able to find out where they are. He’s surprised to find out they’re in the Chemistry lab, but goes to the window to meet with Hikaru. Tsutsui and Akari discuss Hikaru’s strength, Tsutsui saying that in a bind, Hikaru brings out incredible strength, but playing normally, he still loses to him, so he’s not sure what his strength is. When Touya appears, he asks Hikaru why someone like him is in the Go club and if he’s not going to come to the Go salon anymore. He says no matter who he’s playing, he’s constantly thinking of Hikaru and how he would respond to his moves. He says that he’s become stronger so he won’t be embarrassed by Hikaru anymore as the cherry blossoms begin to fall. He says he came to say he’s waiting for Hikaru. Hikaru declares that he won’t play against Touya, to which Touya demands to know why. Hikaru says he’s going to work in the Go club with Tsutsui and enter the tournament. Touya is shocked, but Hikaru closes the window on his as he’s calling his name. Hikaru makes a silent resolution that he will make Touya wait until he catches up to him. Touya ponders why Hikaru won’t play him and decides to also enter the tournament. (Note: Though the fansubs say ‘I’ll…’ he actually says ‘boku mo’ which is closer to ‘I’ll also…’) We see the Kaio Go club, which is quite large and appears to be very strict (though it’s implied that this is because Touya is coming), and we learn that the members don’t like that Touya is entering the club. Yun decides to play Touya to determine his strength. Meanwhile, Hikaru, Tsutsui and Akari talk about recruiting new members and deliberate over whether it takes a smart person to play Go or not. Hikaru begins to teach Akari how to play, but she doesn’t even understand the basics yet and tries to move the stone to run away from atari. Yun and Akira discuss the difference between Go in Korea and Japan, noting that Go is more popular in Korea and that the children in Japan aren’t very good at Go. But Yun says he changed his mind when he transferred to Kaio, stating the children there are as strong as the children in Korea, but there are always those who are stronger, like Hikaru, but that Touya may be able to defeat him. Touya replies that that is his intention. Some girls ask Touya for a tutoring match, and though their senpai tries to get a game first, Touya tells her that she’ll have to play him some other time because the other girls asked first, angering the girl. The episode closes on Hikaru thinking ‘I’ll be waiting for you, Touya.’
The Eighth Match – The Scheme in the Rain
Hikaru buys a copy of the Meijin Tsumego book that Kaga had torn up before. Sai and Hikaru find out that Touya’s dad took the Jyudan title, giving him a total of four, and Sai realizes that Touya Kouyou is rising higher and higher. Hikaru then wonders what Touya is doing. Touya is replaying games on his own, and the others in the Kaio Go club think it’s because Touya thinks it’s a waste of his time to play the others. Yun congratulates Touya on his father’s win, but when Touya doesn’t give much of a reaction, Yun thinks to himself that Touya is an uncaring son. Touya is only thinking of Hikaru and how he joined the club just to play him; that he can’t reach the hand of God without beating Hikaru. The guy most likely to have been the third board at the tournament before Touya came challenges Touya to a game so that no one can complain if he’s replaced, and he loses, quickly resigning and leaving the room. The others are clearly upset by this, one student noting that Touya has ruined the Go club. He thinks he can best Touya, so he challenges him, taking the first move to play tengen and then mirroring Touya’s moves to reflect his strength back at him, hoping to force a tie. However, Touya knows how to get out of it and uses his strategy against him. Two other guys give the kid a hard time and they talk about Touya. Ichikawa picks Touya up while the three watch and try to come up with a way to defeat him. One of the boys says that it can’t be don’t under normal circumstances, but implies that there is a way. Tsutsui notes that Akari didn’t come and says it’s because Hikaru yelled at her, and that he should ask her to come. Hikaru says there’s no point in a girl playing Go, but Sai corrects him, saying there were many women who used to play Go even in his time. Hikaru tries to amaze Sai with his umbrella, and Sai feigns surprise for a moment before saying he’s seen it many times already. Tsutsui asks Hikaru if he said something, but Hikaru says it’s nothing and they say goodbye. Sai notes that Go hasn’t changed in a thousand years, but neither have umbrellas. Hikaru agrees, saying it can’t block all the rain and your feet get wet, and it’s inconvenient to hold it in your hand. He adds that in the age where man has gone to the moon, we’re still using umbrellas. Sai thinks Hikaru is making things up and that there is no way men can go to the moon. Hikaru assures Sai that it’s true, but Sai still thinks he’s lying, saying that even he knows it’s impossible to go to the moon. Hikaru laughs at him, telling him that really, man has gone to the moon. Sai then says if we can go to the moon, why are umbrellas still umbrellas? The three boys from the Go club are still discussing how to defeat Touya, saying that no matter what the situation is, they can humiliate Touya if they can beat him in an even match, and that they don’t have to tell anyone what the circumstances were. After brainstorming, one of them laughingly suggests they tie his arms and legs behind his back, and the others are surprised when one of them says that’s good. He then declares that they will win against Touya and shatter his pride.
Possible Discussion Questions
What do you think is the significance, if any, of the conversation about umbrellas? It seems to be more than just a passing conversation, given the amount of time spent on it, but what, exactly, is the author trying to convey to us?
When Touya approaches Hikaru at Haze Junior High, cherry blossoms begin to fall, and many of the shots feature the petals quite prominently, even including a scene where petals fall on the board. Do you think there is a symbolism behind this, and if so, what is it?
Yun thinks to himself that Touya is an uncaring son. Do you agree with this sentiment? Why or why not?
All through episode eight, we see people comparing Touya to his father. This is a reoccurring theme for Touya in Hikago. Do you think that Touya lives in his father’s shadow? Does that fact that people think of him as the Meijin’s son cheapen his own talent? As far as I can remember, what Touya thinks of this is never directly addressed. How do you think it makes him feel?
There is a lot of jealousy and anger directed at Touya in these episodes from the Kaio Go club. Do you think this is warranted? How do you feel about people scheming against Touya, and do you think that these feelings and actions are something that hurts Touya?
Please remember, use ROT13 for spoilers!
Based on the time people asked for, the chat for this discussion post will be at 6PM PST tonight! What time is that in the rest of the world? We’ll be doing episodes 7 and 8, and you’re welcome to show up early or stay late – Aja has given us permission to use it whenever we need to. Chat is here! Remember, you don't need an account, so everyone is welcome! Afterwards, I will decide on the next official chat and make an announcement about it later.
If you have any questions/comments/suggestions/etc, let me know!
Let's discuss!
(frozen) no subject
Date: 2012-03-05 03:21 am (UTC)I began the conversation assuming that you knew I was a moderator, and I phrased my comment in a way to try to make it clear that while it was not an official "mod rebuke" but still a mod's explanation of how we would prefer culturally sensitive comments from everyone in the future. Hence the use of "let's" to apply to the whole community rather than just you as an individual. I only realized after the communication went on that you didn't seem to be aware that I was speaking as a co-mod, which is why I made it explicit in this comment. I also intended to try to reassure you that you weren't being singled out but that it was something I wanted all commenters to keep in mind for the future, but it seems that it has just put you on the further defensive.
For what it's worth, I don't hold you to blame for assuming that I was speaking as another commenter. Next time this happens, I will try to make it clear earlier on that I am speaking in a mod capacity.
That issue aside, you also said (this time in a direct comment to me): I thought we were having a discussion about what we think about the show. I gave my opinion in my first post. Never did I claim that it was a universal truth.
I'm sure it wasn't your intention to claim it as a universal; unfortunately, it isn't always clear from your comments. I'm just asking you (and yes, still asking as a mod here) that in the future to pay more attention to your words and to remember that not everyone shares your cultural context when you are talking about aspects of Japanese culture that are different from your own. Speaking about different cultures can be very controversial, not to mention potentially hurtful to other members of this community, and I (and the other co-mods) would like everyone to be careful when approaching that particular area of discussion.
(frozen) no subject
Date: 2012-03-05 04:45 am (UTC)I would also appreciate if you didn't mix in a comment I made in a private mail that was not even sent to you. But since you brought it up, I'll restate my complete argument here: the original blog post here invites people to discuss. I may be naive here, but I have always thought that discussing involved voicing ones own opinions, however unpopular they unwittingly turn out to be. So I think receiving a "mod rebuke" for doing nothing other that do what was okay-ed in the original post is not called for.
In that same naivete I also assumed that posting a reply on any blog/forum anywhere was only a stating of one's own opinion, nothing more, nothing less. Do tell me if I'm wrong, but if I am, I'll not be the only one going 'round deleting loads of blog & forum entries, I'm sure!
As for cultural discussions. I do try to be considerate to peoples feeling about their cultures.
I'm in a group of 6 people (2 Japanese, 2 Brits, 2 Dutch) and we're each trying to learn each others languages (except English, we all have that). We are also taking (and one of us is giving) official lesson. Believe me, the cultural discussions we have between ourselves and the cultural information we get from our native speaking teachers is 1000 times more generalizing than I was in my first post. And understandably so, because that's how you get an insight into another culture and you learn why things are said in one way in the other language instead of in the way you are used to.
I do understand that one must be respectful of another's culture but not to such an extent that it's impossible to talk about it at all.
(frozen) no subject
Date: 2012-03-05 04:55 am (UTC)(frozen) no subject
Date: 2012-03-05 05:14 am (UTC)But it doesn't matter, all I want is for you guys to be to try to be consistent in when you mod and when you don't. And when you ask for discussions and when you don't. 'Cause otherwise I won't know how high to jump and when.
And in return I'll try to be more careful what I write.
Yes, great idea; let's all try.
With that in mind, I'll note it's now past 6am here and I'm going to try going to sleep again.
Isn't insomnia a wonderful thing? (and isn't firefox's live spellchecker a wonderful thing too; or my replies would have been unreadable!)
(frozen) no subject
Date: 2012-03-05 05:33 am (UTC)But as I said explicitly in my previous comment, none of my conversation was meant as a "mod rebuke" but a "mod request" for being more careful in future comments. If it was a "rebuke", I would have frozen the thread and not permitted any replies.
You are free to make generalizations about other cultures however you like in spaces outside this community. But I have said repeatedly that we as co-mods would like people to err on the side of caution. I did not say that discussion about cultural differences is not allowed, just that when doing so, people try to (1) remember that their own cultural context is not the same as other members of the community, and (2) be very careful not to make statements that come off as describing other customs as "strange" or "not normal". This is something that my co-mods and I have discussed together and agreed on prior to my even replying to you in this post.
I am glad to hear that you will be more careful with your words in the future; that's all that you needed to say.
(frozen) no subject
Date: 2012-03-05 08:14 am (UTC)First, it is never appropriate to argue a mod's decisions on the comm. Whether or not you agree, what the mods decide is law. If you wish to discuss things further, it should be done privately, not in the rewatch thread. This is unacceptable.
Second, it is definitely not your place to tell the mods how to do their jobs. Rejecting a mod's request, in public, so verbosely and aggressively as you have thus far is simply out of the question. Do not do it again. This is your only warning regarding this particular matter.
Third, the point you are arguing is something that is not, nor ever will be, up for debate. Opinions are acceptable, of course, but you have not ever shown tact in regards to this matter. You state things in a way that make it seem as if you are putting forth a fact, and you argue with those who disagree with you. I will break this down for you this one time, and after that, I never want to see these kinds of comments made on the comm again.
Culture is a diverse thing. No one group of people all share the same characteristics. When you make statements that start with "Japan does" or "The Japanese do", you are making generalizations. Generalizations are what cause racism, discrimination and intolerance. It's one thing for your Japanese friends to say "The Japanese do x" because they are Japanese. They are a part of that culture, and they are allowed to make generalized statements about themselves. You, however, are NOT Japanese. I don't care how much you have learned about it, you are not, and never will be, an authority on the matter. You cannot make generalized statements about a group you do not belong to because it is highly insulting. Even 'positive' stereotypes are unacceptable, like 'Asians are good at math'. Some Asians may indeed be good at math, but it is not necessarily the case that just because one is Asian, they must be good at math. If you have friends who enjoy making jokes and hearing jokes about this (and they are Asian), it's fine to make jokes WITH THOSE PEOPLE. This is a community that has all sorts of people from all around the globe, including Japan. When someone you don't know makes assertive statements about the culture you belong to, you become offended. This is a natural reaction because you don't actually know these things, and in addition, you're lumping all people of that group together, which is HIGHLY offensive. Your comment about natives making comments that are '1000 times more generalizing' is completely beyond the point. It doesn't matter what you think about this - we will not compromise on this point. When making statements about another culture, it is customary to say "In some parts of Japan, I've heard people x" or for people who have visited, "When I was in Japan, I noticed x was sometimes the case". When you state things as if they are facts, regardless of whether the post is your opinion or not, people think you are saying that your words are fact. You seem to not understand how to state an opinion, and your forcefulness puts people off and, frankly, is insulting. Furthermore, discussion does not equal argument, so it is imperative that when approaching sensitive issues, you make it VERY CLEAR that you are not making a factual statement.
Fourth, mods will bring up whatever they like at any time. It is not up to you what the mods do or what they discuss - if you say things to us, we have the right to call you on that. And of course, as you saw in Tari's post, you made an assumption that was not correct, and then forcefully argued the point when you were, in fact, wrong. You are NOT to use forceful language with the mods at any time, for any reason. We are the ultimate authority here, and though we are EXTREMELY lenient, there is a line, and you have not only stepped over it, but you have trampled on it with your petulant arguments despite how extremely patient and polite Tari was with you. And still, you attacked her, questioned her ability to moderate the comm that she runs, and made it very clear that despite saying you'd follow the rules, you not only don't understand what was said to you, but you actively disagree and will argue the point until you are blue in the face. Other members outside of the moderators were shocked and appalled by this behavior and your argument, and we just cannot have that on the comm. We are not willing to lose member participation to keep a member who insists on being confrontational and argumentative with the mods and other members.
With all this being said, this is an official warning. Follow the comm rules and do not repeat any of the behavior outlined here or in Tari's previous posts. If you have complaints, e-mail is the most effective and acceptable way to address them.
If you wish to continue discussing this issue, you may send a group email to hostilecrayon@gmail.com, tarigwaemir@gmail.com and queenie.eiz@gmail.com. Do not e-mail only one of us, as this is an issue that is too big to be addressed by only one of us, and please do remember in the future that I am a mod, and it is not appropriate to complain about other mods to me.
That being said, I will be freezing this thread. Do not start another one that pertains to this matter. You may post all you want about the episodes or other related things, as long as you keep this warning in mind. We have no problem with discussion, but we will not tolerate arguments and we will not tolerate behavior that upsets other members. Hopefully, we can move past this and enjoy the discussions.