Yuri Kuma Arashi – 09
Everyone’s getting wet this episode…
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Two weeks ago, I went on vacation to London and left the hard work to skylion while I was sipping tea and eating scones (thanks, man!). Of course, the filler episode aired when I returned and was ready to make my comeback. Why couldn’t episode 8.5 have come a week earlier so we could both be on hiatus? Ah well…that’s just the way the honey pours. |
Yurikuma is a decadent show that’s meant to be savoured, and I must confess that I went through 3 episodes in one sitting. That’s like devouring 3 slices of cake at once…it just doesn’t taste as special. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t miss the glamour and drama of Yurikuma – far from it, in fact. I’m glad to see that a genuine revenge story/mystery has been shaping up. I like that the story is becoming a bit more focused instead of just having random bears pop up unannounced with an insatiable desire to eat Kureha. It was fun to revel in the unpredictability of it all (mixed with the predictable transformation sequences to comfort us) and wonder what each new episode would bring. But there comes a time when you need something a little deeper than a “lesbian of the week” format.
Whoa there lady, you need to kuma STOP this right now
Although binge-watching Yurikuma makes it less special, at least it makes the cliffhangers less dreadful! I immediately found out what it was Lulu told Kureha – that Ginko was an accomplice to Sumika’s murder. But…not really. All she did was watch while Yurizono did the dirty work. That doesn’t sound so bad, and I think Ginko could get forgiveness if she properly explains herself at some point. The way I see it, this revelation isn’t the game-changer Ikuhara tries to make it out to be. We certainly didn’t need a flashback to show us how it happened either. I’m disappointed. We already saw Yurizono feasting on Sumika with Ginko watching in a flashback so this literally changes nothing because it just confirms what we saw.
Anti-climactic cliffhanger resolutions aside, I do like how the past few episodes have set up this dramatic rollercoaster of love and hatred. The more Kureha learns, the more her feelings waver. And these feelings are reflected by the girls (and bears) around her. To me, the most salient theme that seems to have been introduced in the past few episodes is “revenge.” Kureha wants revenge for both her mother’s and Sumika’s death, so she shoots Ginko. But revenge isn’t shown as being a positive thing. Kureha he immediately regrets seeking revenge on Ginko and gives up on revenge with the hopes of working things out with her. Revenge is bad, and so the bears are vengeful to reflect this. If just one other girl appears to even touch their love interest, then they’re going to kuma shock that bitch the hell up.
By and far, the bears we’ve seen are petty and lash back when anyone does anything that wrongs them. Yuriika especially is relevant to the revenge theme that’s cropped up recently since she’s been waiting years just to exact revenge and devour Kureha. She never does eat Kureha, which is just as well, because it wouldn’t have filled the void inside her anyways. Instead, the powerful mastermind Yuriika is killed by a side character who was just introduced. What a way to go.
Now, Lulu is my favourite character so forgive me for skewing all this just so I can talk about her. Lulu is one of the only ones in the show who – to put it lightly – doesn’t fuck things up. She’s true to herself, kind to others, and she always does the right thing. Does giving up kisses mean you’ve given up sin? Whatever the case, after being a wretched big sister, she’s seemed to have learned her lesson and become defiantly different from the rest of the bears.
Make-up sex
For example, when Lulu finds out that Ginko kinda sorta killed Sumika, she responds in the best way possible. She tells Ginko that she knows and tries to work out a solution together that puts Ginko’s best interests first. Even when Ginko flat-out abandons her despite knowing Lulu loves her (as Yuriika even says), our twin-tailed hero still appears to do the right thing. She doesn’t reveal Ginko’s secret out of malice – but out of love. She knows that Kureha will need to know the truth at some point and that this is (somehow) the best time to do so. If Kureha can accept this truth about Ginko, then their friendship will be unbreakable. It’s just so sad to see Lulu always get shoved to the side when she’s the one acting selflessly. The bears usually represent carnal desires, but Lulu has given that up. That’s what makes her so special.
This is why I’m worried about Ginko “fusing” with Yurizono. She’s back to her old way of having no restraint. To be honest, I think that fusion thing was more of a symbolic thing than saying that Yurizono was actually alive and just hanging around a fancy bed waiting for Ginko all this time. But the border between life and death is really fuzzy here, so it’s hard to tell. What we do know is that Ginko isn’t out of the picture yet and that she’s given up on being Kureha’s friend. She wants to eat her! At least for now. It seems these two are going to keep flitting dangerously close to getting their Promise Kiss before dancing away from it. They always come so close before they’re torn apart. And Kureha’s reaction to her mother’s prophetic storybook does not bode well for the future between these two star-crossed lovers either.
My prediction? Lulu will save the day. Lulu kashikoi~
And what about 8.5?
I watched a bit of 8.5, which isn’t all too exciting. The seiyuu talk about their characters while in cosplay and Ikuhara talks about…the opening song. Of all things! Okay, so he talks about other things too but I got bored and stopped watching. Anyways, look upon the face of the man who has created this nonsensical yet wonderful show for us.
Ah yes. The man who loves colour in his anime is dressed head-to-toe in black.
“*shrugs* we don’t get it either”
About Overcooled
A neuroscience graduate, black belt, and all-around nerd. You'll either find me in my lab or curled up in my rilakkuma kigurumi watching anime.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
…and to think folks, no Darjeeling or caramel scones for the skylion for all his trouble. You came back from the UK! Kentucky was right over you! You could have air-dropped it! I woulda caught it! 🙂
Oh, what a twisted tale indeed when all are deceived. Kudos for you Lulu appraisal, I’ve not talked about her a bit, and I’m thankful you’ve picked up on it. Twintails are Justice.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Hahaha!! Life can be cruel, can’t it? But what’s done is done. Sorry, chum. If only I had a front row seat to watch the tears drop. 😉
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I’m calling you Life Cruel from now on…
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
No, he is already been christened Life Sexy as per previous post elsewhere.
Also, spammy seems to have eaten a post below.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Life Cruel can work from time to time, I suppose.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I’ll accept that depending on my mood. 😉
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
One more you Life Sexy… One more…
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
As if I’d fail to disappoint in that.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Yeah, I’m pretty terrible because I’ve been hogging all the tea I bought to myself. Sorry!
Ahhh thanks, I can’t help but talk about Lulu because I love her so much. She was hardly even in the episode, but I was determined to write about her.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Lulu is Love…
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
I want those cute teddy plushies! gaogao! They would make wonderful additions to my soft toy collection! 🙂
I like the mindfucks happening left, right and centre-gao.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
They’re soooo cute. I hope it’s official merchandise and not just something they made for the episode. Although if they do sell it, I can imagine them being expensive….=A=
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 77 comments
I nominate Yuuki Aoi for best supporting voice actress this season.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
With her roles as Nanatsu no Taizai’s Diane and Kurona Yasuhisa from Tokyo Ghoul √A, I second that nomination.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
She also does an excellent job playing off Ayana Taketatsu in World Break.
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I love her voice! I felt like they brought back Yurizono in another scene just so they could give Aoi Yuuki more lines lol. I think after Madoka, Ikuhara has taken a liking to her.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Wow, this must be the most sexualized episode the show has produced yet. I don’t remember seeing that much skin inside a 23 minute time period.
Though not as serious, watching something happen and doing absolutely nothing about it still deserves some form of contempt. Coincidently there was a similar incident in Death Parade’s ninth episode. Only difference was the one watching was a detective looking for an excuse to judge the criminal as he assaulted a girl walking alone. Then again, Ginko wanted Sumika out of the way to have Kureha all to herself. A selfish reason so it’s another nail in her coffin. Getting forgiveness for something like that shouldn’t be easy.
Lulu is a great character for her never-ending sense of kindness. That aside, if had to nominate the sexiest bear in human form aside from Lulu and Ginko, it would be Yurizono. I can’t stop looking at her when she’s onscreen and Aoi Yuuki does an excellent job voicing her.
IT’S OVER 9000!!! That’s right!! 9000 comments in the bag, my master! You always seem to have a post around just in time when another milestone comes, huh? 😉
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
What is his power level??!!
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IT’S OVER 9000!!!
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
It’s all a blur of nakedness to me so this doesn’t seem that much worse than the previous episodes lol
I need to catch up Death Parade…I’m still behind after my trip. But yes, letting something horrible happen still isn’t very nice. It requires a different kind of judgement from the killer themselves, but it’s still a crime. I think it’s one Kureha can forgive though.
So many sexy bears, it’s so hard to choose!
And congrats on (over) 9000 comments! THAT’S MORE THAN ME! …I must be slacking or something, wow. But thanks for supporting me/us hahaha
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The Mouth of Metanorn has spoken!
Now, go fetch me tea and cakes from OC, since you’ve all this power….
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*suppresses “POWUH” levels* *whistles* What on earth could you possibly be talking about? 😉
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Harumph!
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
My cakes and tea are no longer safe!
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
OM-NOM-NOM-NOM!
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
No problem! I really love this site! 😀 Just so you know, my last milestone wasn’t so long ago.
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I don’t know if I’d agree that Lulu is above reproach. She did repeatedly try to kill her little brother, out of a selfish desire to be special. Maybe she’s learned her lesson, because she hasn’t tried to kill Kureha, even though she knows that Kureha stands between her and Ginko. But she probably also knows that she’s not next in line after Kureha for Ginko, so she’ll just stand by and watch.
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Lulu is almost an entirely different person in the stage of life where she tries to kill her brother. She reaches supervillain levels of evil there and is a giant jerk. I wasn’t fond of her then.
But now I love her! I’m not too sure she has an ulterior motive to get Ginko to herself when she’s trying so hard to play cupid, but the thought probably does run through her mind every now and then.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
She realised that she was secretly a closet tsundere otouto-shotacon. 😛
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Spammy 8 post 🙁
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Looks like you got it back. I have an idea how to temporarily resolve this matter: Throw to Spammy the commenters/writers with the most obscene comment counts. I nominate Fosh, skylion and Highway.
I would have mentioned Kyokai but I value my life too much.Just look at their counts! They’re outrageous! 😀POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I do wish that Ginko would spend less time laid up in this series. What is this, the fourth time in 9 episodes she’s been injured or sick? But one of the issues with her is that she’s been extremely passive throughout the show. Perhaps her ‘fusion’ with Yurizono is her own resolve to stop being passive, to stop watching things happen, and to make something happen to get her Promise Kiss from Kureha. Yurizono is the person she has seen get things done that Ginko wanted done. She wanted Sumika out of the way, but couldn’t do it, and then felt guilty when she didn’t stop it happening. I think Ginko blames herself too much for that, but it’s also part of that “I just want my beloved to be happy” ethos that runs through so much anime. And Ginko’s a bear, not a robot. She doesn’t have to follow the first law.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Isn’t this good for a change of pace? For the most part in the anime world, we’ve seen main characters with plot armor so thick, you’re left to wonder if they were ever going to get hurt. I think her injuries show how vulnerable she is physically while her desperation to get Kureha and possible self-loathing show it psychologically.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Meanwhile… GARcher is a closet Yuricon pervert. Shabada -runsoutoftime-
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I don’t think you can say that Ginko doesn’t have plot armor. She’s been shot, fallen off a building, burned in fire, and yet she’s still, for all intents and purposes, fine.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
She secretly is the daughter of Wolverine. Has healing factor.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Anime bandages heal everything
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Even multiple injuries that should be fatal.
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The plot armor is sturdy. Very sturdy, indeed.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
You’re right, Ginko sure has spent a lot of time being sick/injured now that I think about it. It’s a rather convenient way to move things forward, I suppose.
Yes, I can definitely see Ginko becoming more aggressive (or at least proactive) than before. She not only just watches Sumika die, but she doesn’t even admit it herself. She lets Lulu and Yuriizono speak for her first. Hopefully Ginko figures out how they can both be happy.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Burned, bear trap, shot, heart is probably broken….this show is getting an onsen episode when?
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When skylion strips naked with the loli harem.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
OK. That does go too far….
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Disclaimer: Note that anything other than being naked with lolis(and/or shotas) is purely the imagination of the reader. The author of this post will Bear no responsibility if the reader’s mind is a Honey Trap.
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Do you not know the meaning of too far? If you’re having difficulty with that, I will help. You’ve gone to far. Stop now. Thank you.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
You forgot to mention falling from the top of a building.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Anime news: Funimation Announces Yurikuma Arashi Broadcast Dub Cast
Alexis Tipton as Kureha Tsubaki
• Monica Rial as Ginko
• Jamie Marchi as Lulu
• Elaine Wagner as Sumika
• Colleen Clinkenbeard as Yuriika
• J. Michael Tatum as Life Sexy
• Christopher Bevins as Life Cool
• Josh Grelle as Life Beauty
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
More importantly. DELICIOUS MEAL.