As I noted a couple weeks ago, Tsurune (like Koori Zokusei Danshi) has the odd effect of engaging me much more with the B-part than the A-part. It’s all about mood here, I think. KyoAni’s visuals are so enveloping that it’s hard to resist them, and – as with the case with Hyouka – they do a masterful job of propping up the narrative’s messaging. Tsurune is not an insistent series, either in terms of pacing or style. It persuades rather than commands, and persuasion takes more time (and sometimes fails).
I actually thought for a minute (well, a few seconds) we were going to get some actual development for the girls’ team. But if there’s more to come with that 3-shooter tournament we’ll have to wait. The focus here is mostly on the boys as usual. Minato is pining for the bow, having been denied that pleasure by Masa-san. Kaitou is sulking because he knows in his heart what the real problem is, and it isn’t him – but he doesn’t want to throw someone he admires under the bus. Nanao – who I’d forgotten was Kaitou’s cousin but is certainly acting like his best friend – is pissed because of that.
Meanwhile, we get a look at Tsujimine when they’re not being held up as a quasi-villain. Nikaidou acts as a mentor to use noob teammates, carrying a whole bag of chips on his shoulder and positioning his team as a working-class underdog taking on the privileged class (even Kazemai qualifies to him). When the need for real coaching arises he turns to Shigeyuki (the wonderful and under-utilized Endou Daichi) for advice. I don’t know what the deal is there – Shigeyuki-san is about the right age to be Nikaidou’s dad, but the latter calls him by name – maybe he’s an uncle or older friend. He’s also suffering from some kind of illness and Nikaidou-kun seems intent on helping him in any way he can.
Tsujimine is very much tied into this whole question of finding beauty in the shot – Nikaidou preaches that all that matters is hitting the target. The question I suppose (and one I’m not knowledgeable enough to answer) is whether a beautiful form helps you hit the target more often. Is Shamen Uchiokoshi considered less beautiful than Shomen Uchiokoshi, less effective, or both? There no question that both Masa-san and Minato aspire to beauty in kyuudou whether for its own sake or not. As to the nature of the problem at the tournament, yes, Minato’s form was off even as he made all his shots – but the real problem was that his rhythm was off, and that’s what messed up Kaitou. Minato is the one who sets the tone for his entire team to be sure.
There are two aspects where this episode achieve beauty for me, and this first is with the entire train sequence between Kaitou and Nanao. It’s in the little things that Kyoto Animation really excels – the details that in theory don’t matter, but when treated with such care, they do. The little unmanned station, the interior of the car with its advertising, the crossing gate – every element of it breathes and lives with layers and layers of authenticity. Every Tsurune episode is peppered with moments of visual splendor that take your breath away if you really take time to appreciate them, but that was what stood out for me this week.
The other was the final scene where Minato – having watched Hanazawa-san’s video and finally figured out what was wrong – rides frantically off to the shrine to confirm his suspicions with Masa-san. Somehow, every scene between these two is magic – they rise above any other character interactions in the series. You can see where Masa-san frustrates Minato here by not spelling things out for him, seeming to be intentionally opaque, but you can also see what’s in his mind – to try and help the boy learn how to think for himself (in his form and otherwise). Most of all you can see the love Masa has for Minato (and vice-versa, even here) – how seriously he takes the responsibility of being a mentor. Maybe if these interactions were more frequent they wouldn’t pack the punch they do, but they sure are the best Tsurune has to offer.
