I think I have my thoughts in order for this series...
So without delay...
It didn't grab me a alot. Probably because when they talked about shogi [95% of the time] I felt sooo lost.
For me, there was no thought of intense play style like other sports anime going into this series. I just knew this was about Shogi, depression, and how these three sisters were some how helping Rei.
First, not understanding the shogi matches didn't dampen my enjoyment. I just had never played or heard much of the game before. So the first few episodes that revolved around the game I tried to pay attention to it instead of eyes glazed over.
For the action of the story, I know they talk about the pieces and the moves, but none of the moves never stuck.
However, I think it was episode 7[?] is when Rei and Nikaidou are teaching Hina [and Momo] to play shogi which caught me off guard at first, BUT then I began to understand shogi juust a little bit. It probably has already left my mind on how to play, but I enjoyed how colorful they made it, easy to grasp in small doses and introducing a few new pieces in some episodes going forward in the series.
The loss of family, tragic. The Cuckoo bird analogy interesting and understood it. Getting an entirely new family brings problems with it for both Rei and the other children. Kyokou just bullied him and tried to make him feel guilty because their father was sooo impressed with Rei's shogi ability that their father didnt pay attention much to his other two children. He put too much pressure on them. Their father pressuring Rei as well which I understand that now. Shogi became a life boat to survive and escape from his "father".
I understand why they ended the series with him going to the next year [ this year barely scraping by education and money wise because of his shogi matches and studying to survive to stay outside of the abusive house.]
All to end up with the next year in school to finally finding a place at school to practice and get others interested in the sport.
Rei being relatable with having family pressure, step family issues at that, but also wanting to escape that problematic situation using the only thing he knew how. Shogi. Not able to support himself by getting a job because he was not of age.
The sisters, cute...I'm sad for the loss of their mom and unknown dad...but that's really all I have on the sisters..not much besides being a comfort for Rei. Cute that they check up on him; everyone needs that.
I rather enjoyed all the symbolism, I saw another poster mention the symbolism of water in this show and I just had kept that in mind.
The water or his thoughts of loosing and having to find another route in life seemed to pressure him. Hues of: blue, blacks. The dreading black and dark colors, sometimes other colors when Rei was playing in the shogi hall for matches.
How the color tone changed drastically when Rei visited the sisters house. Cozy, comfy, a place to put your feet up and relax. Safety away from the world. Hues of: Pinks, greens, pastels, flowers and kitties too.
I have a rule for ops and ed's: I watch each ONCE for every session I view. If there is a change in OP and/or ED in the session I still watch it once through.
I LOVED The first op, Answer by Bump of Chicken. Had me swaying the whole time every time I'd start a session
I JAMMED to both ED1, Fighter by Bump of Chicken and ED2, Orion by Kenshi Yonezu Chefs kiss. Ive heard of both before thought sooo I might be biased hehe....
^BUT sometimes that is not the case....
With this viewing I did Dub thorough out most of it, but I did go back between the sub and dub. To me either sounded just fine,
EXCEPT ONE THING
...sub voice for Momo ANY DAY.. I couldn't enjoy her dub voice.
Other Thoughts:
A friend of mine who hasnt seen this series showed my some YouTube essays about this show which helped put some thoughts more into prospective about Rei, loss, and how it applies to Shogi.
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6/10 from this viewer. Really for me the art saves it.
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