Pics I saved from screen while watching.
Hijikata: He does look younger here. As it progresses (especially after he cuts his hair in Season 2), he looks more strained under the eyes, longer face, more brooding expression, darker look. He smiles more here than later.
Chizuru actually grew taller towards the end of Season 2. Suddenly, she looked more like a woman, instead of a very young girl. Wasn't as short or small as before (compare with Ep 1 of Season 1). Back then, she was so small, Hijikata could actually pick her up!
Chizuru actually grew taller towards the end of Season 2. Suddenly, she looked more like a woman, instead of a very young girl. Wasn't as short or small as before (compare with Ep 1 of Season 1). Back then, she was so small, Hijikata could actually pick her up!
Saito:
The ever cool, ever suave, handsome and silent Saito Hajime. In Peacemaker Kurogane (which I'm thinking of watching again), Saito was on the opposing side. In Hakuouki, Saito is loyal on Shinsengumi side. Or perhaps, in Kurogane, Saito was undercover for Hijikata (just like in Hakuouki)?
Saito is no less capable than Hijikata, and in fact, is on par or even more capable. Able to stand in for Hijitaka as well as if it were Hijitaka himself. No sweat.
He is like Hijikata's double. When Hijikata is not around, Saito takes his place in protecting Chizuru. Although Sano does the same, Saito has a more personal touch, as though it were Hijikata himself.
Saito acts as Hijitaka's hand, when in fact, Saito is his own man in his own right. At some point, I wondered if Saito could possibly be in love with Chizuru. But seems not. He is just taking care of her for Hijikata.
I liked that it took a while, yet was pretty soon, that the guys knew it was Hijikata that Chizuru had fallen in love with (even though she didn't know it herself). It was after that time when she ran to Hijikata to protect him from Kazama (ep 9). After that, everyone knew.
That is also when everyone started leaving the Shinsengumi. The guys had no one to stay for. Chizuru was not theirs and they didn't love her enough (Sano, Shinpachi, Heisuke). If they loved her, they would have stayed, regardless of what they personally wanted. But they didn't love her in that way. Ultimately, their own needs came first.
Saito belongs to Hijikata, not Chizuru.
The way he stands alone in his new western clothes, suddenly makes him look vulnerable in the unfamiliar. Very cute. :) The cool, suave Saito-san. Once referred to as the "expert of explanations" (by Souji) when the Shinsengumi had to explain to the man they didn't like (Itou) why they were gathered (Ep 6).
Season 2, Masaki of the Aizu clan says Saito wears his swords on his right side, instead of left. I didn't know there was this custom. Masaki said Saito wasn't a warrior by wearing his swords "wrong". It got me thinking... how does Saito pull out his sword? Saito is left-handed? I didn't notice. But 3rd pic here shows he is.
The way he stands alone in his new western clothes, suddenly makes him look vulnerable in the unfamiliar. Very cute. :) The cool, suave Saito-san. Once referred to as the "expert of explanations" (by Souji) when the Shinsengumi had to explain to the man they didn't like (Itou) why they were gathered (Ep 6).
Season 2, Masaki of the Aizu clan says Saito wears his swords on his right side, instead of left. I didn't know there was this custom. Masaki said Saito wasn't a warrior by wearing his swords "wrong". It got me thinking... how does Saito pull out his sword? Saito is left-handed? I didn't notice. But 3rd pic here shows he is.
Confirm from re-watching Ep 1: Saito is left-handed:
Saito is actually smaller-sized than the other guys. Especially when he sits with them. Even Souji is slightly taller and larger than Saito. Yet Saito is the best swordsman among them. (even though Kaoru says Souji is, which is strange).
Saito never smiles. But re-watching Ep 7 (looking for the episode on master of explanations), I realized this is the first time Saito smiles. And the reason? Chizuru. :) Her cute, lost puppy face.
The beautifully naked (almost) Saito during a physicals exam: Why does Saito stand like a woman with an arm akimbo? :)
Look at Saito standing so emotionless with Shinpachi showing off.
Saito is rather thin/slim actually...
Expert at explanations: You can see even against Itou, Saito is still smaller-sized. :)
Sano (left) and Shinpachi:
Two sexy guys. Similar. Close pals. I like Sano. Suave, sexy, smooth, yet honorable with Chizuru. A gentleman. At first, I thought Sano was also in love with Chizuru. He's always nearby to rescue and cheer her up. But he always rubs his hand on her head, meaning he treats her like a little sister. He is taller and bigger. Very impressive to have him by her side. And I think he feels really good about it. Hahaha...
Extras: from re-watch of Ep 9:
Notice the light shining off Chizuru's sword. As the camera pans down, the rather blinding light reflects off the sword. Visually realistic. Amazing. (I had wanted to mention this earlier, but it passed.).
2 comments:
You should watch now Hakuouki Sekkaroku, it happens during the 1st season but it is really enjoyable (especially Saito and Heisuke episodes!).
Saito is pretty moe in his route, he constantly blushes and acts awkwardly when he is with Chizuru (in Hakuouki Sekkaroku episode 2 you can see it).
Sano is actually my favorite character and his route is the best one imo. He is the only one who doesn't become a rasetsu (Saito becomes one in his route) and he has the most romantic route, he doesn't even have a bad end unlike the rest.
As a curiosity, Sano's body was never found and many years later a man in China claimed to be Harada Sanosuke. In his route in the game, he and Chizuru end up living in China with their baby (during the game they have sex, or at least it was heavily implied).
Also, in Hakuouki Reimeiroku my favorite routes were Saito and Sano. The end of Hijikata route was the worst one in my opinion, in fact, Hijikata route is called Yamazaki route by the fans because Hijikata and Ryunosuke don't interact with each other but Yamazaki has a lot of prominence.
In the game, Sano and Chizuru have a baby?? Good heavens. I can't imagine. No, I don't wanna imagine.
Saito blushing... should be nice. :) Ok, I'll go see Sekkaroku OAV. I thought it was going to be boring... like focus on each character, to the exclusion of others.
Post a Comment