Anime
White Album 1-3: A Mixed Bag of Notes, Thoughts, and Thingamabobs
Let’s start with something segue…
Gotta wonder if White Album’s “dream sequence” in episode 1 was inspired by this local telco commercial:
Not the best commercial out there, but the kind that gets easily stuck in your head, especially after seeing it at least once a day on TV, in different variations -__-;
Anyways, Touya, our ‘lead guy’ in White Album, has had a relationship with Yuki for quite some time now. With the flashbacks shown in episode 3, we see that they’ve known each other since junior high (take this with a grain of salt since I’m simply basing this on my observation regarding Yuki’s uniform and hair length in the flashback), and that ‘puppy love’ probably blossomed into something deeper as the years go by. How they managed to get out of the ‘more than friends, not yet lovers’ limbo is far beyond me. Perhaps this is something we’ll get to see unveiled sooner or later?
It’s been a few months since Yuki got into showbiz, and there’s no denying that Touya feels that she’s drifting away from him the more she gets to spend time in her career than with him (It haunts him in his dreams). He understands it, of course, and supports her even from afar. He’s Yuki’s #1 fan, if only for the reason that he loved her even before she became an idol. He treasures the quiet moments he gets to spend with her, the occasional phone calls, momentary meetups in uni, surprise visits in his part-time job. But deep inside him is a longing, a ‘wishful longing’, as CCY puts it, to spend MOAR time with the one he loves. Absence makes people’s hearts go fonder, yes, but for a relationship that has yet to stand the test of time, absence can only serve as the ticket to the relationship’s doom, an open invitation for the ‘female wolves’ to hunt down their prey and mess things up even more.
What can Touya do to make his relationship with Yuki work despite this hurdle? To trust and have faith in her? He does, and with no other guy rivals in sight, he can rest assured that no other man’s going to take Yuki from him any time soon — unless Eiji Ogata, the obligatory hawt guy with a hawt voice in this anime, decides to make a move. What’s Touya doing in the absence of Yuki? Definitely NOT making the most out of his life. While Yuki is toiling day after day, in the hopes of fulfilling her idol dream, Touya spends his time on part-time jobs, or rather, one measly part-time job in the café Echoes. Oh I almost forgot, he’s a registered tutor as well, who, instead of brushing up on his skills as a tutor, simply waits for a call from a ‘client’. The least he can do is to shape himself up so he can be a good role model to whoever he’s gonna tutor, but instead, he continues his life as a semi-bum. He just sits around and waits for the opportunity, allow “fate” to guide and glide his life, instead of MAKING his own fate. Totally passive. Whatever he’s been doing shows how he can’t separate personal matters from other things he should be focusing on, work, school, and family matters which we still don’t know much about.
If there’s any “progress” in Touya in the past 3 episodes, it’s that he’s accumulating lies and deceit; he’ll be in for a surprise when PAYBACK TIME comes.
Yuki, on the other hand, is the obligatory ‘doormat lead girl’ in this anime, faithful girlfriend to Touya, a good friend to Rina, an idol newbie devoted to her career. She might not be the most ‘loving’ (using the term loosely here) girlfriend around, I mean, not having spent much time with your boyfriend for months and yet all you do after seeing each other in the café is exchange hellos and goodbyes?! come on! Oh well, she has her own reasons, and who knows, she’s probably just controlling the BURNING DESIRE deep inside her heart, keeping her emotions in check every now and then so it won’t consume her. This way, she can focus on her career and allow her feelings to inspire her, more than anything else, unlike some other GUYS around there.
Fate, however, isn’t something Yuki can so easily take control of. Unlike the freelancer/bum Touya, Yuki is now tied to showbiz, where almost every bit of her decision has to be approved by her manager and/or the director. Yuki is just starting out as an idol, so obviously, her boss(es) would want her to focus on her career as much as possible. Poor poor Yuki. She has more initiative than Touya, she knows what to do with her life, she wants to be a star (that’s the reason why she got into showbiz right? Or at least, to prove something to herself), she wants to make her relationship with Touya work out and hopefully last forever, but alas, she’s now a caged bird. Only time will tell whether their romance will flourish amidst the hurdles they’re going to meet.
As for Rina, well episode 3 just made me even more paranoid. Granted, she probably asked for Touya’s number so she can bridge the gap between Yuki and Touya. I also admire the little stunt she did just so the two lovebirds can have some quiet time together. BUT, from my paranoid point of view, she’s giving mixed signals in much about every episode and it’s confusing the heck out of me. Take the conversation that happened between Touya and Rina at the beginning of episode 3, for instance:
Rina calls up, brings up the “goddess of the day” topic, and asks what fortune she brought him. She politely asks him, adding “…if it’s alright with you, tell me” along with her little request for ‘information’. Having said this line simply means that Rina thought of the possibility that the answer to her question would be something Touya won’t be comfortable in disclosing, either because he’s too shy (in a hazukashii serifu kinshi! way — if the answer Rina expected was something mushy, and about Yuki), or because what he’s about to disclose *might* be something that he shouldn’t even be disclosing in the first place (something that should rather remain a secret for eternity). But then as the conversation went on, we see that Rina was expecting an answer not exactly related to Yuki, eliminating the first (1) possibility.
Touya answers “…that you brought Yuki to me”
If the pure and selfless Rina’s intentions in calling Touya was *only* to help him and Yuki’s relationship, she would’ve been delighted to hear him say this. This was her intention after all. But alas, Rina seemed to have been disappointed with his answer. Perhaps she was at least expecting him to flatter her with “I got to meet you, the superstar”? I don’t really know…
Rina’s answer? “Hey, I was the one who asked her to show me her boyfriend” <-- I read this as “The reason why Yuki even bothered going there was because of ME. There’s got to be some other “fortune” that I bestowed you — a fortune from ME to YOU”
She gives him another chance, to give the answer she’s looking for. She gives him hints.
“So it’s a fortune specifically related to Yuki, huh?”, says Rina. <-- She seems to be “fishing” with this remark… as though she wants to say “There’s got to be something MOAR that I did to you, right?”
But alas, Touya’s answer was… not quite what she expected.
Yuki trusts Rina TOO much, I tell you.
I’m not sure if I’m just reading too much into this, I just can’t feel at ease with the notion that Rina is selfless, and that the reason why she became the mediator between Yuki and Touya is simply to make them live happily ever after~ Does Rina treasure Yuki so much that she wants nothing else but the best for her, just like that? Does Rina think that Touya’s such a perfect match for Yuki, that’s why she wants to make their relationship work out? Do you really think that Rina’s intentions are selfless? There’s got to be something MOAR than that, right? right?
In fairness to Rina (and Crusader), we’re still not sure whether she really is a clever schemy bitch or not. Her actions are far too mysterious to figure out just yet, and not enough clues are given for us to be sure of what motives there are behind her actions. One commentator, soyahoney, speculated that she might be doing this for the sake of Yuki, to make her stronger. True enough, but we can also speculate other possibilities. Perhaps most people would like to think that Rina is helping out Yuki and Touya’s relationship, but I honestly don’t want this series to go down that bland cliché route. I’m sure Rina-sama herself will find that too boring. I’d rather think Rina is out to get the Yuri Route, eliminate Touya from this triangle so she can have Yuki for herself >:] May the Best (Wo)man Wins. Given the serious context of White Album, however, I doubt that would happen.
As for Haruka and Misaki, well they don’t seem to be up to the FIGHT just yet, not like I really care. I *want* to like Haruka, though, here’s to hoping we’ll get to see more of her in the next eps (and not just the obligatory “visit Touya to invite him to take a walk, ride the bike, or inform him about school, in a monotonic tonee” scene) As for the mysterious tutee Mizuki Mana (a name which I thought was inspired by “Mizuki Nana”), having seen this PVC makes her not-so-mysterious anymore. She’s most likely going to be the “sickly imoeuto-kei” in the series.
Anyways, if it isn’t obvious enough, I’m HOOKED on this show. I can’t help but think and write about it too, darn you White Album.
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10 comments for “White Album 1-3: A Mixed Bag of Notes, Thoughts, and Thingamabobs”
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I totally see the trainwreck that is coming, definitely. But while this is probably fascinating in itself, it still doesn’t grab me the way Kiminozo did, or ef once I got past episode 1.
Well if there weren’t some kind of big emotional collision it wouldn’t be drama. You’ve got a pretty classic conflict brewing between characters who are cliched because the real life situation they are involved in is cliched (if no less realistic).
Touya: The guy (could be a girl but usually a guy) who doesn’t know what he wants his future to be and has put his life into a holding pattern while he attempts to figure it out. Not very admirable, but altogether understandable for a certain segment of people. He has no real experience with relationships as he’s still dating his first love. This leads to making mistakes (like dishonesty about things he should just be open about).
Yuki: The naive girl with a desire for stardom. She’s young, optomistic, energetic, and determined. She also lacks for experience and has yet to learn that most people come with ulterior motives. Like Touya, she lacks experience in relationships and makes mistakes because of it. In her case it’s assuming that two sentences of communication here and there are enough to maintain a relationship with a boyfriend she loves but rarely sees.
Rina: The veteran star; experienced, wise, but also a bit lonely after having grown to understand what prices she paid for her career and what the environment of a star can’t give to her. Fond of a young newcomer who reminds her of herself when she was younger. She’s more aware of the hazards of the world and relationships, but still blind to the risks in some of her own actions. Trying to help Yuki and Touya requires getting close to them. Getting close to them starts to fill in some of the things that are missing creating affection. And if Yuki really is like a younger version of herself then Yuki’s boyfriend is quite likely to be someone she’d like as well.
The stage is set and littered with traps. Let the folly of human life begin.
I’d certainly rate White Album above ef, by quite a margin – the story is more complex, and the relationships between the characters are better defined. ef was more of a selection of 2-3 unrelated short stories (as much as I enjoyed it, especially the second last episode).
KimiNozo – we’ll have to see. So far, WA goes much softer on the drama so far. But just as you mentioned, we know it’s coming. Which is a good thing
usagijen: Nice summary. To kick off some extra discussion, I’ll copy/paste a little brain dump of mine concerning the characters, but they’re based on episode 4 (so don’t click on it unless you WANT to be spoiled):
Show ▼
One of the things that bothers me about W.A. is the strength of Touya and Yuki’s relationship given the duration they’ve been together; it’s weak. Honestly, a wave? I wanted to facepalm.
I’m hoping any sort of turmoil stimulates this relationship to a more assertive level, otherwise it’s probably just going to be a big falling out, which imo, is pointless because the relationship was weak to begin with.
It’s engrossing and angering at the same time… Touya is awful.
After reading many comments from various blogs, the idea of a Yuri Route has become quite popular to make the series unpredictable and engaging. Of course, it seems most likely to be either a Rina or Yuki Route. Since the first episode, the supposed couple had communication problems.
First, that foreshadowing dream? (I know it was from the TV) in episode 1 about the sudden interruption during the audience’s applauses already showcased that their relationship will have more obstacles.
Second, when the two met at the university, they both made excuses, saying they came for one thing, but they really wanted to meet each other.
Third, the dude didn’t mention about the cheesecake when he talked to Misaki on the phone. He gave it to Yuki, saying it’s for her. Basically, he’s a liar.
Now, you have him lying to Yuki that the person who held up the phone wasn’t Rina, but some guy trying to sell him something. There are more related instances, but those are the most obvious.
The most crucial point is when they both talked about the first time they met. Yuki remembered a scene in some forest/woods/park, but Touya recalled it was somewhere at school. How can their relationship work if they don’t speak honestly?
Rina so far is hard to understand, but her actions leave quite an impression. That last scene with the closet and her brother, Eiji, made me second guess everything I had thought and written.
Seeing that PVC, Tomatsu Haruka, as the voice actor and possibly a sickly imouto might become true. Considering her name is close to Mizuki Nana’s, you could think there is a connection. Now, if there is a connection, Touya might become sympathetic and support Rina. Although, I’m trying to keep my expectations low in case the ending becomes unrealistic or anti-climatic.
I have some more notions. Perhaps, there could be a new relationship forming between Eiji and Yuki? It could happen if she wants to make it to the top. This in return will make her character more appealing even if it jeopardizes former relationships whether with Rina or Touya.
Lastly, perhaps Rina is a “man-stealer”, but and I mean BUT, what if she did all those things for Yuki and Touya just so the two would not have regrets? She allowed the two to resolve some issues, see the light that the two will not work out, and then, Rina grabs the chance to be with Touya? Wouldn’t that make her a somewhat good person?
Btw, that CM, is pretty funny, but it really relates about the “lost of communication” and maybe “trust”. I don’t care about Yuki’s timidness anymore. I just want Touya to stop being a NEET and do something more worthwhile. He could dust off those old records at ECHOES because Touya is a “broken record”.
I just want to tell you that episode 4 is getting quite “steamy”.Show ▼
Yuki is bold and now knows what she wants.Show ▼
Touya is still Touya. Rina still “helps”,but Show ▼
Is it me or does Touya not want to get hot and heavy? That last shot of him makes me think he’s a waverer especially since a certain someone debuted.Show ▼
One last thing, if you run around in circles to be with the one you (maybe?) love, is it worth it?
As far as I can tell Rina is doing this mostly so that Yuki can still stay connected with some one, as to her reason we may not know, but I doubt that Rina has dishonorable intentions. What more could a friend want than to help his/her comrades gain happiness if they are able to lend aid?
Moreover, despite ample opportunity to capitalize on the absent Yuki, Rina has done nothing but bring them together. Touya thinks that Rina likes him, but we should not make the mistake of blaming Rina for seducing him. Instead we must target the one true enemy of women, his name is Touya and he knows nothing of loyalty and fidelity.
Lol at the commercial.
@Mike: to each his own I guess. I *tried* watching EF before, but uhm… something about it turned me off. I guess the characters got on my nerves
The characters in White Album isn’t any better, some are worse (many of them are bland, at least until they give us more background on them), but I find them more interesting. Or, as Mentar said, the relationships are, despite Touya’s lack of spine.
@khronus: Quite some character analysis you’ve got there. Another possible justification for Touya’s lack of know-how in relationships is that he didn’t seem to be the one who made the “first move” in the relationship. I doubt they would’ve gotten this far if not for Yuki (judging from episode 4). He still has a lot to learn, and I believe he’s going to learn it the hard and painful way.
Yuki is, as you said, still pretty naive about relationships too. That just makes her more prone to getting fooled into believing suggestions regarding relationships from other people… I’m thinking what’s *about to happen* in episode 5 might have something to do with that.
Never thought about this angle, but highly plausible. That could fill in quite a lot of the missing ‘details’ in the anime too, Rina’s “closeness” to Yuki, why she feels the NEED to do all these favors for her, meddle in her affairs and all.
@Mentar: I’m not sure if I can agree regarding Yuki’s selfish motive. Perhaps, there is that sense of selfishness, but her faulty decisions seem to stem from her confusion in this relationship, more than anything else. She might have thought that making love is the “best” way to get into a deeper relationship with her boyfriend, to “make memories”, hence her decision to let Touya spend the night with her.
Anyways, the lack of *real* communication between these two just ticks me off. I mean, they haven’t even talked, the way “couples who have spent yearsss together” are supposed to, and yet they’re gonna do this -___-; They’re not really “connecting”, both in the present and in the past.
Rina’s line in episode 4 just got me more intrigued. It might be indeed as you say, no romantic intentions for now. But the possibility of it happening is just right there, a time bomb waiting for some countdown to blow up or what. She’s meddling a little too much in the Yuki-Touya relationship, and if this goes on, she’ll be in for the time of her life. Her “application” as Touya’s goddess seem to be ongoing as well.
The anime should delve into Haruka’s past, or else–! Episode 1 intrigued me, but they have to follow up that “teasing”.
talk about ignoring important details in the episode! I didn’t pay attention to that particular remark from Mana, but boy is she perceptive. She knows well that Touya is a totally lost soul right now, and she might just be the catalyst to his change. Gah, I hate how Touya always *needs* someone to help him, in order to get over whatever mess he’s in.
also, wow. longass comments FTW! LOL
@Ryan: Well I did feel a certain intimacy in the scene where Yuki confided about fulfilling her dream, and I also felt that Touya was genuinely happy for him, but not much of a chemistry other than that =/ It’s definitely weak, especially when both parties are not even discussing things they should be talking about!
@soyahoney: That’s the main problem with Yuki and Touya, they hardly even talk, goodness. Now they finally meet in episode 4, and instead of making up for whatever lies they’ve been telling each other (Yuki’s lie is a ‘white lie’, but still a lie) they resort to love-making. wtf.
“One last thing, if you run around in circles to be with the one you (maybe?) love, is it worth it?”
it’s worth it if you think it is. the moment you start wavering about its worth, well, that just means something else is occupying your mind, and it’s slowly but surely, a sign of an impending doom.
@Crusader:
Noticed this too, but her remark about her “continuing applying as a goddess” is, for me, a sign that there is that ‘other motive’ in whatever good she’s been doing to both Yuki and Touya’s relationship. Perhaps we can’t blame Rina for Touya’s disillusionment, but how sure are we that Rina does not like how she is occupying Touya’s thoughts, even more than Yuki?