Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts
Shuffle! Episode 14 – Quick Summary
In Shuffle! Episode 14, “Lycoris,” Rin had decided he was going to go visit Primula. Asa supported him 100%! Nerine, though, visibly upset, declared she didn’t want to lose anyone else and ran from the house. Rin followed. What’s up with Nerine? Why does she seem so set against Rin visiting Primula? And why did Asa collapse – again?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from Shuffle! Episode 14
Ama, come on! You could warn a guy before tossing out something like that! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
I’ve made no secret of Asa being my favorite among the women folk. I love her snarky sense of humor (more on that below). I like her willingness to stand up for Rin, like she did in the previous episode. And I like how strong she tries to appear.
Even though she’s collapsed twice now.
She collapsed once before, as far as Rin knows (back in episode 9). She collapsed again in front of Kaede and Sia (08:48). Rin only found out about it when he came back from his talk with Nerine. I had to feel sorry for the guy. Nerine had trusted him enough to share her background with Lycoris, which had to be tough for her (both the telling and the bearing). Now, Rin learned that Asa had collapsed.
What had started as a fun harem escapade was getting really serious! And guess what? Asa’s mom, Ama, didn’t help! Rin called to ask if Asa was okay, and Ama tried to reassure him, in her bright and happy voice, that all was well.
“No, it’s no big deal,” she said cheerfully (12:51). “Her health’s always been fragile, so stuff lik this happened all the time.”
That was the conversational equivalent of a strategic weapon going off. Her off-hand delivery contrasted so much with the impact it had on Rin (and the plot!) that I had to consider it my favorite quote.
Favorite Moment from Shuffle! Episode 14
These two seem super comfortable with each other. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Setup: A Chisato-less Lycoris
The title put me in mind of Lycoris Recoil. Now I miss the banter between Chisato and Takina. But I don’t have to miss it too much, because it’s not like this show doesn’t have its own enjoyable brand. Take my favorite moment, for example.
Rin was in hesitating-moron-mode in school. He wanted to ask Asa something, but she wasn’t there. For some inexplicable reason, he didn’t think to just stop by and check on her. Maybe he didn’t want to bother her? Or maybe he really was in moron mode. Hard to tell with guys, though in fairness, Rin’s usually a decent sort.
Maybe he was afraid of her smacking him again. She has a pretty good punch.
I have the impression she has Asa’s best interests at heart. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
Anyway, Kareha came out and suggested he visit. She even hinted that Asa would like to see him, saying (15:50), “I am sure Asa-chan is waiting for you as well.”
So he stopped by. She started out with what sounded like a self-deprecating statement. Saying she felt bad for not being up and about, she added (16:08), “Being energetic is my one redeeming trait. This is sad, isn’t it?”
She wasn’t putting herself down. She was fishing for a compliment. I’m not sure if moron mode followed Rin to her house or if he figured out what she was doing and decided to tease her about it, because he agreed that yes, her condition was sad.
Delivery: Asa and Rin’s Comfortable Closeness
I loved how she came out and told him that he was supposed to compliment her in response to a statement like that.
Apparently freed of moron mode, Rin said (16:17), “But pointed comments are your speciality. And a thwack with each comment.”
She expressed no remorse about whacking him. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
“If I weren’t in bed,” she said, scowling (16:23), “I’d give you a good whack on the back. It’s too bad.”
Then they both dissolved into laughter.
Their exchange felt easy and familiar. Rin and Asa share a chemistry that’s almost completely absent with Kaede, Nerine, and Sia. Or if not absent, there’s nowhere the easy affection or ability to joke around. Exchanges like this are one of the reasons Asa’s my favorite, and that’s not a slam on the other three (I don’t really see Primula as a member of the harem – she’s just a kid). Nerine, in particular, has a lot of appeal. It’s just Asa is even more appealing.
What did you think of Asa’s history? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to share i the comments!
Shuffle! Episode 14: 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
