Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts
Shuffle! Episode 01 – Quick Summary
In Shuffle! Episode 1, “The Man Who Could Become a God or a Demon!,” Rin Tsuchimi started the day like any other. Kaede Fuyou woke him after fixing an amazing breakfast. Then, the pair went to school, dodging Kaede’s dedicated fan club all the way. But at school, the teacher Nadeshiko Benibara pulled him aside and wish him luck – telling him he had to give it his all. He had no idea what she was talking about. But he would soon learn that he would have to say goodbye to his quiet, comfortable life!
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from Shuffle! Episode 01
Kaede seemed to find the whole moment amusing. Not so much for Rin. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
By mid-morning, Rin had been through a number of challenging incidents. He had to defeat a very large member of Kaede’s fan club on the way to school. Asa Shigure had back-slapped him so hard he almost ended up in next week.
Not only that, but the teacher, Nadeshiko, had on one hand threatened to destroy his peace for not paying in class. On the other hand, she gave him a vague warning about doing his best and not giving up. Since Rin had no idea what she was talking about, he could only worry about it.
He even had to endure Mayumi Thyme questioning his masculinity. He rolled with it, and that gave us the idea that Rin’s pretty laid back. But it seemed he almost reached his limit in my favorite quote.
Asa sauntered into Rin’s classroom with her friend Kareha in tow. Apparently, Kareha had spoke with Mayumi, who shared that Rin had taken a hug meant for Kaede from Itsuki Midoriba. Apparently, Kareha is very much into BL, because she got visibility worked up even thinking about it.
His face ashen, Rin said (12:45), “Please do not go losing yourself in unwarranted fantasies.” But even then, he maintained his composure. More or less. Still, I felt sorry for the guy. Though, not too sorry, given the company he keeps.
Favorite Moment from Shuffle! Episode 01
The announcement came as quite a shock to the entire class. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: Unhurried Hints and Introductions
I’m late in learning this, I’m sure, but this series started life as a visual novel! An eroge, in fact. You know, re-watching the series for these reviews, I can see how it would lend itself to that format. Makes me a little sad that it’s not available for sale legally.
At some point, I hope we as a species wake up and realize tons of our culture is being locked away, bit by bit. But I don’t see it happening any time in the near future! Oh, well.
It’s been years since I watched this series. And I mean years. That means I’m really curious to see how well it stands up to the rose-colored-glasses version I remember. I have to say, so far so good.
Though I’ll say this. Rin and Asa’s early exchange takes on new meaning in light of where the series goes:
Rin (06:22): Honestly! Please don’t do weird things when you aren’t even interested!
Asa: Do you really believe that?
Rin: Damn it! Toy with a guy’s feelings, why don’t you… She’s gonna be the death of me.
Seeing that scene, knowing what’s coming, gave me chills. No lie.
Asa’s facade slipped for just a moment. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
My favorite moment was the big reveal. Rin came across Lisianthus “Sia” Eustoma in the store, where she asked for his advice on what kind of meat to buy. She casually said goodbye, using his name. He couldn’t remember giving it to her.
Then he came across Nerine singing in the park. She knew his name, too, and he had no idea how. Given these two encounters plus the out-of-context warning Nadeshiko had given him, I was really curious to see where this was going. Even though this wasn’t my first time watching, I found it easy to get so into the flow that I didn’t remember what happened. I just wanted to let the show flow over me.
Delivery: A Solid Foundation for the Rest of the Series
In school the next day, before Sia and Nerine were introduced to the class, we got to meet Sia’s father Eustoma and Nerine’s dad Forbesii. These two tend to dominate any scenes they’re in, in no small part because there’s no telling when Sia will attack Eustoma with a chair. It’s kind of her thing.
They surveyed the class. Then Eustoma asked the teacher (18:52), “So, which kid is it?”
Forbesii said (18:56), “Let’s see… Oh. Found him. There he is.”
Forbesii pointed right at a very confused Rin. The teacher looked on, her face sympathetic for what Rin was about to find out. The rest of the class looked at him, too, their confusion obvious. The two kings walked up to Rin and started arguing in vague terms about Sia and Nerine – until Sia brained Eustoma with a chair.
Remember: that’s kind of her thing.
Sia’s not afraid to express herself. At all. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
The class is still confused. So is Rin. Without resolving that, Sia, Nerine, Eustoma, and Forbesii introduced themselves. Things started to heat up when the teacher said she would leave both Sia and Nerine in Rin’s care. Now he was seriously baffled. Why would she do something like that?
Forbesii solved the mystery by saying (20:53), “In other words, you’ve been chosen as a potential husband-to-be for Nerine-chan and Sia-chan.”
The whole class erupted in shock. Rin couldn’t believe it, and I think the only one more astonished than Rin was Kaede. I also got the feeling that all of the dudes in class suddenly felt a burning hatred for Rin. I mean, the guy lived with Kaede, who did not hide her feelings for him. Asa was obviously sweet on him. And now two very attractive young women – daughters of the kings of two realms, no less! – considered Rin future husband material.
There are times I don’t want subtlety. I want clarity. And this show just delivered it in a big way!
What did you think of Kaede’s fan club? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to share in the comments!
Shuffle! Episode 01: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- My Anime List (must be logged in to view): Shuffle! Episode 1 Discussion
- Random Curiosity: SHUFFLE! – 01
- Umai Yomu Anime Blog: Shuffle! (Episode 1) – A Peaceful Life Disturbed
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- Shuffle! Episode 01: The Man Who Could Become a God or a Demon!
- Shuffle! Episode 02: I Wanted to See You!
- Shuffle! Episode 03: Do You Remember?
- Shuffle! Episode 04: Egg Omelet of Happiness
- Shuffle! Episode 05: Where I Belong
- Shuffle! Episode 06: Smile!
- Shuffle! Episode 07: Romantic Scramble
- Shuffle! Episode 08: Panty Date
- Shuffle! Episode 09: Survival Swimming at the Beach
- Shuffle! Episode 10: Moonlit Confession
- Shuffle! Episode 11: Girls of Summer
- Shuffle! Episode 12: Frozen Summer
- Shuffle! Episode 13: House of Twilight
- Shuffle! Episode 14: Lycoris
- Shuffle! Episode 15: What Was Regained
- Shuffle! Episode 16: Kikyou
- Shuffle! Episode 17: Honest Feelings
- Shuffle! Episode 18: The One Rin Loves
- Shuffle! Episode 19: Unforgettable Sentiments
- Shuffle! Episode 20: Indelible Sin
- Shuffle! Episode 21: Where Feelings Go
- Shuffle! Episode 22: Towards a New Tomorrow
- Shuffle! Episode 23: The True Revealed
Honestly, I remember very little about Shuffle! I do remember some spoiler points, but the image that I mostely associate with the show is Primula building a sandcastle (character hasn’t even been introduced yet, but I doubt that counts as a spoiler).
I can’t even remember if I knew that the source was a visual novel; given that back then that was a major source of adaptions, I might have known but forgotten as unremarkable. (I still think the weirdest “adaption” of a vn must have been True Tears. Not weird in terms of story; weird in terms of adaption: it had nothing at all to do with the source, but still used the name…)
I wonder why someone would use the name True Tears without it really being an adaptation? That seems like they’re setting viewers up for disappointment!
I watched this really way back. It sure surprised me to see someone reviewing this again.
I wanted to review something I knew I liked, and this fit the bill! I like its combination of humor, character, and emotional drama. I’m looking forward to going back through all 24 episodes!