Kekkon suru tte, Hontou desu ka Episode 9 Discussion

Seems like some people are getting impatient with this show, unsurprising I suppose. Perhaps you have to be an under confident introvert to really appreciate it as it delves deeper into the inner worlds of shy people that most romcoms do. To be pretentious for a minute, affairs of the heart will progress at their own pace and not be rushed!

I wonder if Rika mom really understand how hurt Rika was to not have her around a lot growing up, and the impact that’s had on her development? Also the fact she calls her own daughter with an honorific is sad too.

From their sit down convo you can tell the mom is everywhere all at once, but at the same time nowhere. Her jumpiness means she’s never really sitting down and present in the moment with her daughter. And the way she acted when she got in the car at the end was sus. Something is up with her

Rika chronic overthinking going back to her high school days was actually pretty sad. Looks like it’s gonna work out for the best this time tho with her asking Ohara out! Can’t wait to see the date next week, but I wanna go back to everything with Ohara’s friend too. Still really sad about he and his girl’s situation.

Nah that’s not a thing at all unless you like marry into the family lol. This is the second show to do that this season tho. Chizuko’s dad in Afro trip also calls her with an honorific

Seems like some people are getting impatient with this show, unsurprising I suppose. Perhaps you have to be an under confident introvert to really appreciate it as it delves deeper into the inner worlds of shy people that most romcoms do. To be pretentious for a minute, affairs of the heart will progress at their own pace and not be rushed!

@Gavinmercer it has nothing to do with being introverted and/or unconfident. She's closer to being an anxious overthinker, but even then you don't have to share the traits of a character to understand or let alone appreciate a character. If anything, this is a pacing issue. There's no need to spend an entire episode to get the point across that Rika is a severe overthinker, epsecially if we're nearing the end of the show. Let's not act like the horrible pacing is the viewer's fault because they don't relate to some character traits

@griddyweeb So I'm going to use your post to submit what I think about this episode in full, as a reply to your post because it was a good example of missing the point of what is being presented IMO.

The writers drew it out in order that viewers can gain a lesson in how people might better progress through decisions during an anfamilar thing like a first time romantic relationship.Not every viewer needs that lesson. Also, I think it has much to do with both introversion and unconfidence for Rika. Overthinking and anxiety are after effects of introversion. The description even says both MCs are introverts. . For confidence; She constantly is voicing her own programmed beliefs that keep her confidence low about failing to be choosing to make decisions she wants, the entire episode. It's showing you how introverts think in a general spectrum.

Also
@ajw215799 Not every introverrt has a communication disorder. it isn't a disorder to be introverted in the least. I watch Komi Cant communicate, too, and she has a legit disorder. Rika is just neurodivergent as most introverts are.

Back to the slow paceing, the long pace was used beutifully to show Nao bringing in Rika for glassmaking, because Nao /or the writer wanted to illustrate how a new relationship or first time romance can be like trying any new craft. Examples: When Nao was asking her to blow slowly on the glass pipe to start, then wait for her signal to blow very hard.... This shows us the suggestion that care needs taken and going slow about a relatitonship at first is best so the "raw material" has a better channce to actually take shape. Then, there will be times to go harder with your feelings, but only when the other person gives the signal. Even then when you've timed it, it's still on you to give that "extra pressure" (Nao asks Rika to blow harder) .

Then you've got the example of how Nao and her Master both contributed several of their own pieces using their own raw material , to the collection of glass they made- same goes for two people dating contributing their feelings to the relational exchange. Going through the steps to blow a single piece of glass illustrates the need to take steps and pace yourself. Start slow, wait for signals to go faster, build a base, give it shape - trust the other person to be able to add finishing touches to your raw material when things get really "hot" (in the glass furnace) . Lol the Glass making metaphor is def hot, they added so many more layers in that whole scene I won't list them all.

Im convinced Nao Chan was awake during the confession and pretended to be asleep to be polite, and easily observed Rika's introverted troubles. So she found a way she could help; by helping her get her mind off things while simultaneously learning a life lesson that she herself likely already learned inside the glass shop all those years. The emotional intelligence she gained from those lessons are likely why she rushed to befriend Rika in front of everyone back when they first met - even though she looked uncomfortable for a moment in her body language. This IMO was Nao saying goodbye to her old unreciprocated feelings she may have had for Oohara - and doing what was right to remain in her childhoodfreind's life. Taking Rika's hand was actually a beutiful public goodbye. The writers were geniuses in how they presented that scene, too.

Finally, Rika is grappling about her perceived need to change (change her tendency to turn off her feelings / shy away from decisions) if she wants to be able to be in a relationship. Part of syncing her hands when putting the base on the glass and repeating that over and over again, she gets absorbed, and that is her strength. She then differentiates between being absorbed ... .versus turning her feelings off and hence pulling out of decisional responsibility. This is the first inklings that part of her introverted nature is a strength, not a weakness. And the first inkling that she doesnt have to change her personality. That she just has to focus on her strength more (by letting herself get 'absorbed' in Oohara -as a bonus permission to absorb finally allows herself to make the decision she wants/feels) She just hasnt realized that this being absorbed easily in things she 'decides' to allow herself to strength can be used yet. But this glassmaking lesson foreshadows to viewers that she will very soon make this breakthrough. Pretty hot stuff if you ask me. So much food in this episode. I had to rewatch it to celebrate again

Sorry if this is too much. But there really is that much in here. Then you had all the metaphors her Mom gives her at luinch. "Interior consults go best when you come prepared" She whips out a gift - Metaphor-> when you want to get into someone's heart (consult their interior) , well thought out gifts are a powerful way to show you've learned something you like about that person and wanted to honor it -showing them they're special. Which likens back to the gift she gave oohara already - she just needs to realize why she gave it to him. Mom says Then, about pacing out her goals instead of jumping for her Dream. Rika's dream as she has reitereated a few times is "her dramatic tale" with Oohara Kun that she finds herself getting lost in but believing it can;t happen. With small steps, the big dream is won automatically though.

Just really have to see what language the writer(s) of this Anime are speaking and then you will get it. I recommend rewatching this in a different season of your life if you can't vibe with it, now. It's top grade stuff. Hard to find stuff as intelligentt as this. Reading between the lines. Because the writers leave you to do that, the message is conveyed in a much more eloquent way that couldnt be done if it was more straightforward. They do drop enough hints, IMO.

Complaining about the pacing, skipping to the juicy stuff and ignoring the journey there - would take the realism out of the show they're obviously intending to provide viewers with - so that they might more easily relate with these awkward trials in life. If the pacing and building seems boring and plain - then I definitely recommend taking a break from Anime and doing a reset- cus it's def all there. It is all about pacing in this one - it isnt fluff.

Introverts need basic steps innerstood in a slow format with some things. This Anime couldn;t be much closer to the mark. Likely, only introverts will get the full gist of the subtlties, and even then, I wonder how many will really see the full depth of the Art on display in 365.

If you read to the end you get my favorite parts of glass blowing scene: Rika at the end of the Glass lesson thinks "I was afraid i'd mess up the whole time, 1st time feeling such nervousness, But i feel so refreshed: who know becoming absorbed in something could feel so good". there's her clue that dating can be true fun, and her strength of losing herself in things can be utilized elsewhere.
BONUS (Mega Prize!)
Also, in middle of the lesson Rika thinks to herself timidly "Th-The heat and tension are intense" - <-Hot metaphor