Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts
Shuffle! Episode 12 – Quick Summary
In Shuffle! Episode 12, “Frozen Summer,” the carefree days came to an abrupt end. Only Primula knew at first. Pouring tea, she was surprised to see the stream freeze solid. Then, when she took over watering the sunflowers from Kaede, everything froze. Except Primula, who collapsed. Rin and Kaede were at a loss. But Nerine and Sia seemed strangely reluctant to weigh in. What’s going on with Primula? What does Nerine and Sia know? And just how high can Primula’s fever go?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from Shuffle! Episode 12
Forbesii didn’t mind admitting he thought Nerine had lost. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
I like the subplot of Eustoma and Forbesii watching as their daughters try to woo Rin. I fully admit that it’s not super unique, but their good-natured approach appeals to me. They could be fighting each other, after all.
In this episode, Eustoma and Forbesii were playing a board game. In previous episodes, they’ve some something similar – at one point even playing multiple games at once! It seems like Eustoma loses often. Not sure if his exuberance blinds him, or if Forbesii is just better at games.
The same kind of thing was playing out in this episode. While he was losing, Eustoma bemoaned Sia’s lack of initiative. If you recall, she and Rin became quite close back in episode 9.
Eustoma came out and said (03:21), “Sheesh! If she’d jumped on him then, the match would’ve been over.”
There I times I almost understand why Sia is so open to smacking her dad with a chair.
Favorite Moment from Shuffle! Episode 12
This seemed like the most natural thing in the world. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: The Plot Takes a Dramatic Turn
Looks like the carefree days are over! This is the episode where SHUFFLE! becomes more dramatic. It’s also the point where, if I remember right (and it’s been a long time!) I began to enjoy the show even more.
We also got the new intra-scene graphic. In previous episodes, the stuffed cat fired magic attacks between segments. Now, we have a shot of the female cast, unclad, looking very introspective and sad.
Which pretty much sums up their emotional state until the series wraps up!
The show handled the foreshadowing well. When Primula became ill, Kaede told Rin what she had tried to help Primula feel better. Nothing seemed to work. When Rin asked Sia and Nerine what they knew, they got really quiet. Obviously, they knew something, but they weren’t ready to talk.
I don’t think either of them would make a good poker player. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Eustoma and Forbesii pulled Rin aside later and told him what was going on. Primula was an artificial being, and she contained so much magic, she couldn’t regulate it. They asked Rin to convince her to return to the demon world for treatment. Reluctantly, he tried. But Primula was really clear. “No, never!” she said (17:18).
Delivery: Primula Departs
Rin backed off. Still worried about Primual, he tried to figure out what to do next. That’s when Nerine came to him and begged him to convince Primula to go back to the demon world. Nerine still knew more than she told Rin, but she knew that if Primula didn’t return, things would not go well for her.
So Rin summoned all his courage and begged Primula to go back. His sincerity convinced her.
Later that night, riding on Forebeii’s back, she disappeared down the street. Rin and Kaede stared after them. Rin kept himself together. Kaede began crying.
This was a tough episode for Primula. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
After a moment, she leaned against him (21:58). It might be more accurate to say she collapsed. Without taking his eyes off the road, Rin put his arm around her.
I liked the raw emotion in that moment. They were two people, despondent at Primula’s departure, comforting one another. Their motions were natural. It was clear they trusted each other and knew each other well.
Little emotional beats like that endear me to a series. This show has a healthy allotment of them!
What did you think of Asa teasing Rin by the river? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to share in the comments!
Shuffle! Episode 12: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
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
