Episode 2; Decisive Battle! Beautiful Boy vs. Baseball Boy!

[bodyline]

If you need to watch the episode, check out this post (community locked) for information!

Episode 02
Decisive Battle! Beautiful Boy VS Baseball Boy

Comments

[lenainverse]

It's really interesting to me about Conrart that I thought the same thing at first, but after a LOOOOOOOT of struggling with him, I've really come to see his character as wonderful and his relationship with Yuuri as very complicated. Not only (spoilers)because of the Julia connection, but because of the balance between being there for him as he wishes and letting him grow on his own and make mistakes, the balalnce between the human world and the mazoku world. Conrart is the anchor for Yuuri - maybe I put more to it than there is, but whenever they interact I can FEEL the pain in Conrart for everything he's been through. Even the matter of how difficult it is for him to trust again after losing so much, and how Yuuri is responsible for his redemption. Okay, I'm done raving now. XD Maybe I'm making things up here?? XD

But I totally agree with you re: Wolfram! Even in this episode we can see there's more to him than mets the eye, like when he was waiting there for Yuuri to wake up for three days even though he claims to hate him.

[lenainverse]

It really is! I think the reason for me personally it took so long to see the true bittersweetness of it is that is IS so complicated. He's the anchor, yes, but for him it's very conflicting. *loves angst and complexity* XD

[lenainverse]

(No need to revise your summaries! The wonderfulness of this is that everyone does theirs in their own way! <3 I'm sure yours will be fantastic~!)

This seems to be the episode that hooked a LOT of people. Was it the slap of love, the smexy maou, the brotherly dynamics? Inquiring minds want to know~! XD

[mikagechan]

A-actually... that part where Yuuri and Conrad are outside and he's holding his sword like a baseball bat?? I looked it up, and if they're using the kind of swords I think they're using (I'm no expert on swords, mind you, so I couldn't say for sure), then it weighs about the same as the wooden bats professional ball players use, so it would, in a way, feel like he's holding a bat. I like how Yuuri compares things to baseball sometimes... he makes things seem much simpler than they really are... which could both be a good thing and a bad thing. But, then, things generally need to be dumbed down for him anyway

[guinechan]

That's because you're adorable and look up completely random things... XP What else did we look up that was completely random...? I can't remember... -- Ho' crap... probably because it's quarter to three... Erk... And thus, Guine is off to bed for the night~

[mikagechan]

I... I am not adorable!! And... I do like looking up completely random things... it's fun... I found D'Eon that way, you know. What else did I look up (in regards to KKM)?? Uhhh... I don't know... it's in one of my notebooks somewhere. The kind of swords they use, for one... time periods... clothing styles... anything historical that may tie into the series... stuff like that...

And what are you doing up so late/early?!

[lenainverse]

Really, they weigh the same as bats? Wow, nifty! I never thought to look that up! I bow to your mad baseball skillz! ~_^

You know, I think what I find most intriguing about Conrart and Yuuri (romantic or not) is that their bond isn't cut and dry. [Not arguing, but discussions are good and I love debates!!] (spoilers)-->Especially in that Conrart isn't sure how he's supposed to feel for Yuuri other than loyal and that it's hard for him to trust and believe again after everything with Julia, and both he and Yuuri finding their place. Obviously I usually fall on the Yuuram side of things but I think Yuuri has a bond with each of them (and all the characters really) that is unique and beautiful, and no one is stronger than another. That's why I adore Yuuri so very much. <3

I'M SO WITH YOU ON THE CONWOLF. Gah. *melts*

[ex_victims]

The summary was pretty in depth which I <3~ It's very rare for there to be an analysis of the characters in this fandom, sadly. I agree with a lot of the points you made, especially about Wolfram and the relationship between Yuuri and Conrad.

Since episode dos was fast-paced and In-Yo-Faaaaace, it sucked me in immediately. I only wish the rest of the fillers were this funny. No joke.

The sparkles and GINORMOUS FONT were a good touch, but the producers have REALLY got to learn how to be subtle with foreshadowing.

Conrad is a magician. He makes baseball bat disappear inside Yuuri.

PEACE OOOOUT~

[lenainverse]

It's interesting that this episode sucked people in so effectively! I blame he smexy Maou-ness. XD But YES I AGREE that I wish all the episodes shined like this one does. ^_^

[ex_victims]

OH GOD WHEN THE MAOU CAME OUT I WAS ALL, "BUUUUUH O___O!~!~~!1!`!~~!`" One thing I never quite understood was the Maou form... According to the anime and Ulrike, it's a manifestation of Shinou in Yuuri...?

Any takers?

[lenainverse]

YES TOTALLY! It was really a shock...in a nice way! ^_^

Hm...I always kind of assumed it was his Mazoku side working itself through him, but that's probably just headcanon. ^_^ I guess I thought that Shinou made his magic work that way so he could prove himself to the unbelievers by smiting them or something. ^^

[guinechan]

Ahaha!! This episode was so full of crack! The first time I saw this I know I was like "What the heck?!" the entire time!! Sporks? Duels? Engagements?? I loved it!! It was so fun

[mikagechan]

You're really cute, you know...

And who are you to talk?? The only reason you know the difference between a regular thong and a G-string is because I told you. XP Otherwise you would have remained blissfully unawares...

(spoilers)I do believe he was born in Boston... hence the reason why you see the statue of Paul Revere in Episode 26 when Conrad is with Jose and meeting with Bob and Shoma, and all that sun/moon stuff... (at least, I think it's Paul Revere's statue... I don't see who esle it would be... besides some other famous person on horseback... not that it really matters...)

As for the politics... they can be interesting... but I agree about the "shadow king" bit... You know Gwendal's in total control of everything.

[lenainverse]

SPOILERS!

novel Yuuri first thought of Gwendal as "The Love Theme from the Godfather"
*laughs* REALLY?? Because that is made of win! O Cruel World, why will you neither give me the novels in English nor grant me Japanese fluency?? T_T

Yuuri's mostly just a figure-head, though and that Gwendal is the "shadow king"
Would that make Gunter the Shadow Queen, or the Court Jester? XD

[mikagechan]

He also calls Wolfram an angel with the voice of a Vienna chorus boys, which, of course, makes me squee with deight.

*snorts* I'd say the Court Jester, but then he doesn't usually make Yuuri (or anyone besides the fans, for that matter) laugh all that much... besides an awkward "ahahaha...". So, if that's the case, he fails as the king's Fool. He's better off as the Shadow Queen, then, I suppose. Someone needs to keep Gwendal from working too hard, at least...