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Shuffle! Episode 15 – Quick Summary
In Shuffle! Episode 15, “What Was Regained,” Rin, Nerine, Sia, and Kaede crossed into the demon realm on their way to visit Primula. As they mounted the stone steps to the laboratory, Eustoma and Forbesii blocked their entry. They were not as they were in the human realm; they appeared now as the rulers of their respective factions. Can Rin convince them to let them pass? Just how serious are the two leaders about keeping them away from Primula? And even if they are allowed entry, what can they do to help Primula?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from Shuffle! Episode 15
Nerine and Sia could not believe what Rin said. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
One of the things that has always impressed me about Rin is how level-headed he is. That’s particularly impressive since he’s a teen. At least relying on my own experience, I look back at my teen self and wonder how I ever got out of it alive.
Rin, Nerine, and the rest arrived in the demon realm. When they got to the door leading to the laboratory, they found Eustoma and Forbesii waiting for them. I was used to Eustoma being kinda goofy and Forbesii reserved but still easy going. Not now. They acted as the lords of their realms, and they weren’t inclined to let Rin and friends in.
Even when they admitted they “We’re both doting fools when it comes to our daughters” (01:40), they still imposed a condition: if Primula seemed on the verge of going out of control, they would reset Primula’s emotions to a default state. Sia, Kaede, and Nerine objected loudly. Both dads stuck to their guns.
Even amid the argument, Rin, his voice quiet but firm, said (03:30), “I understand. You have my promise.”
No rebellious nonsense about the power of friendship or family. If the bomb that was Primula went off, Rin agreed that keeping Nerine, Sia, and Kaede – as well as everyone in the laboratory – alive was a good idea. I like that kind of calm thinking in an emotional situation.
Favorite Moment from Shuffle! Episode 15
Nerine understood what she was looking at. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
This episode had some powerful drama, didn’t it? I enjoyed seeing Nerine take such an active role in restoring Primula to her sanity. Sad to see that Lycoris passed on, too. Good stuff!
In fact, it was so good it almost became my favorite moment. But I like the romance angle in Shuffle!. I like how we get all sorts of hints about what’s coming, even if the characters themselves don’t recognize it. Though sometimes they do, which is the case for my favorite moment.
After the ordeal in the demon realm, Rin took Nerine with him to brief Asa on what happened. Rin thanked her and gave her back the good luck ribbon she had loaned him. As they happily chatted and traded humorous insults, Nerine looked on, silent.
At first, Nerine seemed happy to support Rin as he thanked his sempai. When Rin returned the ribbon and she objected that was hardly something he should thank her for, Rin tried to describe how Asa had done so much more.
Rin has no idea how well he gets along with Asa. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.
“I felt like you were scolding me, saying ‘Get ahold of yourself’,” he said, still in the playful banter mood (14:19). Then he went on to say that he imagined her there with him, and that gave him courage. She jokingly tried to slap him for trying to flatter her.
That’s when Nerine’s expression changed. She saw exactly what was going on. She saw their comfortable back-and-forth as something more than just friends. I tend to think in that moment, Nerine realized her real competition wasn’t Sia or Kaede. Nor Primula. Nerine understood that Asa was her real competition. And that the battle was more than half lost.
Even though Rin didn’t realize it.
The little moments that you can miss if you blink at the wrong time, but turn out to be the emotional pivot point for an arc, are among my favorites. The show didn’t feel the need to give us an inner monologue, nor any kind of overly dramatic gasps. The artist merely showed us Nerine’s expression, and it was enough to convey her feelings.
What did you think of Nerine holding back Primula’s power so Rin could act? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to share in the comments!
Shuffle! Episode 15: 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
