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| This was a special game of chess. Mamao of course didn't back down with high stakes on the line. It's also good to know that she completed the Blue Rose. The episode tested Mamao's tactical and mental skills in that game. It's just really incredible to see how talented she is in this show. Also, fairly interesting to see the episode focus on Meimei more both with her personality and lifestyle. |
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| That wasn’t a very “fatherly” reaction, but okay good to see Lakan didn’t refuse to Maomao’s challenge or something. Though one could say, Maomao had the disadvantage in that go chess thing, but hey the repercussions she put, with sake most importantly sealed the deal right there right then lol. Loser takes a sip, and so he did… … only to faint and forfeit the match lol. That was soooo hilarious, I mean the kind of man Lakan is, it’s easy to think he’d be good with these things but no. Maomao too was ruthless with him. Anyways, we got the most awaited thing, and that was Lakan’s backstory. How he had it hard within his own family, and how he met, to-be Maomao’s mother, Fengxian. That man wasn’t lying when he was saying he had a strong liking for her. Though it was their THAT mistake which led to the downfall, I mean Lakan’s bad luck should be factored too, but yeah, that one night. In the end, the one who actually suffered was the kid, Maomao. Still we can’t blame Lakan, I mean he was just unlucky with circumstances. He couldn't fulfill his promise with Fengxian, and then could never meet her again too, or more like was just not allowed to, damn. Again his own daughter gives him the cold shoulder too, but not like he isn't aware why. Anyways, awesome episode. Just one more week now, sadly. Though they'd end on a high. Also, to know Maomao's foster father is actually Lakan's uncle is something else lol. |
Softhenic03Mar 16, 9:34 AM
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| The daughter and father finally come face to face... Maomao, who had completed the blue rose, finally faces her biological father, Lakan. Lakan, a strategist skilled in both military tactics and chess, is challenged by Maomao to a game of chess with conditions. The condition being that if Maomao wins, Lakan must buy a courtesan from the Verdigris House. As the tense match unfolds, witnessed anxiously by Jinshi and Gaoshun, Lakan continues to rack up victories. However, Maomao's strategy of preparing poisoned wine takes an unexpected turn. That's a strange chessboard... Not shogi or chess, pretty sure it's Xiangqi, since we're in China. No way he can handle sake... just a sip and he's out. Onto his backstory... makes sense why he's good at military tactics, he sees everyone as pawns. Maomao's mom was Lakan's first opponent, not even his own master. Shows how arrogant he is. Maomao's mom loved cats, so she named her daughter Maomao. It's infuriating how this world treats pregnant courtesans. Nothing I can do though... Lakan is awful. This backstory just made me hate Lakan more. To what will happen to him next week in the finale next week is anyone's guess. |
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| One more episode of peak man I hate seasons ending.. Lakan vs Maomao, what a way to start the episode and talk about an awkward family reunion. Fitting that it’s a game of chess between the two as they’ve been playing proverbial chess for a while now. Who would’ve thought Lakan’s weakness would’ve been regular alcohol lol, talk about a lightweight. Whaaaat was that Lakan flashback holy shit. I owe him a complete apology, was not familiar with his game at all. Been slandering this dude for months now calling him a scumbag, rapist, you name it and he turns out to be one of the kindest and most well written characters??? That’s how you play with viewers’ expectations and great twist from the author. Did not see this coming. Not only was his birth condition messed up, but then he and Fengxian’s love story was so tragic. Their shared love of Go/Chess makes the game he played with Maomao at the start even more special. Yea, him sleeping with Fengxian is what caused everything to go south, but it was a mutual decision they made and were two consenting adults. It’s not like he chose to abandon her for three years either. I’m seeing a few people still calling him selfish and attacking him and it’s like are we watching the same episode?? It’s just an extremely unfortunate situation for everyone involved. Another very interesting detail was the uncle. He apparently became a doctor in the rear palace and got kicked out.. sound familiar? I wonder.. Next and final episode titled Jinshi and Maomao.. finally getting Maomao outfit from the OP too.. 😩 I know it’s going to be a masterclass. |
Marinate1016Mar 16, 11:53 AM
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| What a fantastic episode with us learning more about Maomao's father I cannot wait for the next episode. |
| That must be Mahjong or Xiangqi they're playing, right? I wonder if there's anyone watching this who can actually analize the game. (Edit: Lakan said "Xiangqi" at 9:33, so it's that) What can Lakan's condition be called? I'm sure it's something that exists irl. 15:15 Here Fengxian says that she wants to play Go, but Lakan says that he wants to play Xiangqi. Must mean something. 16:30 You can actually make out the characters for Fengxian (鳳仙) here, though it's pretty hard. Cursive Chinese/Japanese is a nightmare. So Lakan... didn't actually do anything wrong? I actually like him now... (I already liked him as a character, but you know the drill) The rose from the OP! The next episode preview mostly consisted of shots from previous episodes, so I have NO idea what will happen. Last episode next week ToT. Season 2 announcement right after it air pls 🙏 |
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| Lakan was sent on a military campaign i thought, i wonder why they changed it to "Study" |
| An interesting game of logic and wit, where Maomao was guaranteed to win by having her father trapped from the very beginning, all without any need to win the chess games. After some searching, I found Lakan's psychological issue which is apparently a very real thing...[copied]: "A neurological condition called 'prosopagnosia', also known as 'face blindness', where individuals have difficulty recognizing or distinguishing faces. This condition can be congenital (present from birth) or acquired due to brain injury or neurological disorders." But I guess there's still a handful of faces he can recognize just fine, like Maomao, and people he takes an interest in like Maomao's mother. Maomao's adoptive father (Luomen) is Lakan's uncle , so that would also mean Luomen is Maomao's grand-uncle. I know Luomen was expelled from the family...but I wonder if Maomao can ever reclaim her birthright from having the lineage of a noble family through Lakan. If she can...maybe she can have enough of a social status to one day be eligible to be a partner to Jinshi as a lover one day. In the manga it should have been being sent off to a military campaign, whereas they changed to being forced to study abroad in the anime. Maybe they did this to put more of the onus on Lakan with his "mistake" of not returning sooner or realizing she was pregnant...because if he was on a military campaign, then he would not have as much control to return to his own volition. The whole situation between both of Maomao's parents is tragic...all victims of circumstances. Speaking of the past...Lakan's monocle changed eyes. I know it's possible since I personally experienced one eye going bad sooner than the other and vice versa over the years and needed to either prioritize looking through one eye more often or just get a stronger prescription lens to even them out...but still, I just thought I'd point it out anyway. Maomao's pinky finger was sliced off as a baby by her mother going insane after contracting syphilis. Would explain why she would occasionally look at her pinky finger every now and then throughout the series. I've always known that if it's just the very tip (that's what she said) then it can technically be regenerated...to an extent. If the nailbed is intact, then it might pass as normal looking enough at a glance, but noticeable that it's slightly shorter upon closer inspection. Next episode...I hope it's not a recap. It's the last episode! I'm not ready...(unless they renew a sequel season). |
Estoy_GordoMar 16, 12:24 PM
| Well fuck me I guess. Almost wanna go back and watch everything with Lakan now. Perhaps with this new perspective I'll be able to see him in a different light. |
| well this gave a backstory of la khan i wouldnt call la khan oblivious but he is short-sighted anyway kinda feel bad for the guy if only he could figure it out he might have had a happy family |
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| A lot of blood ties problems. So let's be an ass and wonder. Lakan differentiated Meimei in what order? Nice build or voice, first? I want to know what's Meimei opinion about Lakan. She doesn't sound like having a lot of animosity against him |
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| I guess Lakan was just rather unfortunate. The one time he didn't think about the consequences his actions would cause, it ruins his whole life. But that's what love is huh. Still, even if he figured Fengxian was pregnant and drop the study abroad it would result in him having problems with his family now... A complete lose-lose situation And because Lakan couldn't interact with his daughter the whole time he turned into... that. Poor man just wants some attention I wonder how Maomao knows him so well to know every single one of his weakness, I still have so many questions and doubt 1 more episode can answer it all |
RyushindaiMar 16, 12:10 PM
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| Ugh as much as I love historically themed content, seeing how women were treated in those days really gets my blood boiling!!! This was a great reminder that no matter how we try and romanticize the past, I wouldn't want to exist as a woman in any other era. |
DRINK SOME WATER! FOOL!!! |
| Good to see more focus on Lakan's character in detail after weeks of teasing little doses here and there, with a more clear focus of what his and Fengxian's relationship was like in the second half of the episode. Slower start to this episode but it definitely picked up towards the end. Liked seeing Lakan's perspective a lot of how he viewed people as pawns or pieces throughout the episode, the direction in general was strong here. |
| Peak. Kino. I feel so satisfied with my life, getting to see this animated. And the ride's not over yet, next episode will be a banger too (I hope it's not a recap,,,) |
| - ratings literally don't matter. (especially the top 10 or whatever) - anime characters aren't real people. - why do you have signatures on. lol |
| Man this episode was like 3 minutes really. I am not ready for the end :( |
| Well a harsh past but now we know who Maomao's parents are. Hopefully there will be some light at the end of the tunnel. Still Moamoa used a pretty nasty tactic to win that game. |
Reply to Miyamotodex23
Noelle43 said:
Ugh as much as I love historically themed content, seeing how women were treated in those days really gets my blood boiling!!! This was a great reminder that no matter how we try and romanticize the past, I wouldn't want to exist as a woman in any other era.
Ugh as much as I love historically themed content, seeing how women were treated in those days really gets my blood boiling!!! This was a great reminder that no matter how we try and romanticize the past, I wouldn't want to exist as a woman in any other era.
I mean it still isn't any better in countries like Afghanistan,Pakistan etc
Decided to give up on my religion and became agnostic , my cousin sis is doing her astrophysics phd and yet she is heavily pressured into marrying someone, like as if she is worse being alone by her choice while studying something loves instead of marrying someone society chooses for her.
Countries in Europe do have the equality luxury(maybe even quite some more advantages than men) atleast from my friends perspective and internet sources(could be wrong).
My grandma was forced to have a kid at age 14 and this was just the mid 20th century.
Ik people have their own choice but I feel that no one desires to become a cornstar or prostitute, they are mostly exploited at the mere age of 18 especially when the brain isn't fully developed,like I am 18 and still can't quite make a lot of decisions.
Recently a famous star died by suicide and pretty much a lot of comments were mocking her, it just felt sad , like who the hell is any better while dying? pretty sure we are all equal at least when we die.
Ik I wrote a lot but we humans have caused more harm to each other than any other species or natural disasters.
| @Miyamotodex23 Oh trust me... I'm well aware that there are plenty of atrocities committed against women in our modern world, but I maintain that I'd rather exist now than any other era. Lesser of two evils, I guess. I am fortunate enough to live in the US, or more specifically a state that protects abortion rights, so I have it easier than those that live in more marginalized societies. I'm sorry to hear about your grandma and cousin, obviously they deserve better. |
| DRINK SOME WATER! FOOL!!! |
Reply to Embient
That must be Mahjong or Xiangqi they're playing, right? I wonder if there's anyone watching this who can actually analize the game. (Edit: Lakan said "Xiangqi" at 9:33, so it's that)
What can Lakan's condition be called? I'm sure it's something that exists irl.
15:15 Here Fengxian says that she wants to play Go, but Lakan says that he wants to play Xiangqi. Must mean something.
16:30 You can actually make out the characters for Fengxian (鳳仙) here, though it's pretty hard. Cursive Chinese/Japanese is a nightmare.
So Lakan... didn't actually do anything wrong? I actually like him now... (I already liked him as a character, but you know the drill)
The rose from the OP!
The next episode preview mostly consisted of shots from previous episodes, so I have NO idea what will happen.
Last episode next week ToT. Season 2 announcement right after it air pls 🙏
What can Lakan's condition be called? I'm sure it's something that exists irl.
15:15 Here Fengxian says that she wants to play Go, but Lakan says that he wants to play Xiangqi. Must mean something.
16:30 You can actually make out the characters for Fengxian (鳳仙) here, though it's pretty hard. Cursive Chinese/Japanese is a nightmare.
So Lakan... didn't actually do anything wrong? I actually like him now... (I already liked him as a character, but you know the drill)
The rose from the OP!
The next episode preview mostly consisted of shots from previous episodes, so I have NO idea what will happen.
Last episode next week ToT. Season 2 announcement right after it air pls 🙏
Embient said: It's Xiangqi, which part of it do you need the analyzation?That must be Mahjong or Xiangqi they're playing, right? I wonder if there's anyone watching this who can actually analize the game. Embient said: It's called Prosopagnosia.What can Lakan's condition be called? I'm sure it's something that exists irl. |
Reply to kizumi91
Embient said:
That must be Mahjong or Xiangqi they're playing, right? I wonder if there's anyone watching this who can actually analize the game.
It's Xiangqi, which part of it do you need the analyzation?That must be Mahjong or Xiangqi they're playing, right? I wonder if there's anyone watching this who can actually analize the game.
Embient said:
What can Lakan's condition be called? I'm sure it's something that exists irl.
It's called Prosopagnosia.What can Lakan's condition be called? I'm sure it's something that exists irl.
| @kizumi91 idk, the very start I guess. Is it really visible that Maomao is inexperienced, and Lakan is very good? And thanks for the name of the condition. |
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| I suspected that, unlike Maomao, her father did have some “peculiarities” of a psychological nature, but I did not think that this would actually be a real illness. Prosopagnosia usually develops as a result of autism, head injuries, vascular dysfunction or poor heredity, so I wonder what the case is here. He can clearly see the faces of people who matter to him, so maybe it wasn't trauma? Also, it seems Maomao is really her mother’s daughter, as they say. Her mother is like a more mature and adult version of Maomao with a "cold beauty" vibes. Although I won't deny, our heroine also has a lot of her father's personality. So, in fact, he killed her, because due to pregnancy and unintentional neglect, she sharply lost in status and contracted syphilis from someone? |
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Reply to Aversa
Well a harsh past but now we know who Maomao's parents are.
Hopefully there will be some light at the end of the tunnel.
Still Moamoa used a pretty nasty tactic to win that game.
Hopefully there will be some light at the end of the tunnel.
Still Moamoa used a pretty nasty tactic to win that game.
| @Aversa Chinese concepts of strategy allow this, since the ability to deceive or manipulate the enemy is considered a sign of skill. @_Sanchay I would not say that treating people as pieces in his “chess” game can be called highly moral. Although this was clearly caused by his illness and was a rare opportunity for him to socialize, he is still quite a special person. Although yes, he really loved and appreciated her mother. @Marinate1016 |
RobertBobertMar 16, 1:49 PM
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| A really great episode, yet sad and painful. |
Reply to phantomfandom
The preview makes it seem like a recap rather than the last episode.
| @phantomfandom it will be the same as the last episiode of the first half. They will sahow some recap, but at least half of iot will be the actual conclusion for this partb of the story. |
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| another sad story under the Maomao ´s "father"! kekeke |
Reply to Dukino
I'm going to preface this by saying that if anyone defends Lakan after this episode I will personally wring their neck!!! Lakan is a heartless bastard who deserves only ridicule and shame!! He slept with Maomao mom knowing what would happen after he did. I don't care about how he was forced away by his father for three years. Lakan set Maomao mom down this disastrous path!! If he hadn't have slept with her in that moment so many hardships she faced wouldn't have happened. He got her pregnant which lowered her value and forced her to sleep with lesser clients which made her get a horrible diseases that has now ravished her body and mind. Maomao could've lived with her mother peacefully but nope Lakan destroyed any hope of that. I wish Maomao had actually poisoned the glasses during their five game bet. Lakan deserves to be punished for his horrible treatment of those around him. I hope either Jinshi or Maomao herself puts this wild dog down.
| @Dukino he had no idea she got pregnant. Courtesans are very careful with it. The anime skipped some explanations but she deliberately choose the day when she had higher chance to get pregnant in hope her price plummers enough for him to buy her. Lakans only fault was that he did not caught the situation after her next letter as he still hoped to get back soon. Anime also missed to explain what led to him being away for three years (he had to deal with famine results on the Empires border). Because of the same famine MaoMaos mother had to take the lowest sex work after her position as Verdigris princess got compromised (if it was the better year, she could at least avoid the bad clirents). |
| |
| Damn this episode really got me.. I can't believe it's ending next week :( |
| If Lakan and Maomom had "loving" consensual baby making then why was he gleefully reminiscing about wanting to sexually assault her to Jinshi? Just trolling? Cause at this point it's not a plot twist. It's just the author lying to the audience. |
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