The Perfect Opening Scene - Two Masterful Minutes of Hyouka's Fifth Episode 

"this video will already be long enough..." I am sad that it wasn't longer. For having spent 4.5x the length of the scene to describe and explain it, this video felt too short! Your eye for those small details is fantastic and is opening up this show in such an amazing way. I'm so glad you're doing these.

i'm glad you give Hyouka the attention it deserves. I always wondered why people undervalued this show so much, visually and thematically a masterpiece!

One of my favorite scenes of the show, packed with great storytelling both on a dramatic and a thematic level with some incredible directing all around. The shot composition, use of music, pretty much everything is some of the best of the show. The rest of the episode is just as great, though this is obviously the highlight. Kigami is easily one of KyoAni's best episode directors.

Okay, so I looked up the source material (the light novel) and there was no mention of the rain, or of Chitanda lending the umbrella. This makes it pretty clear that it was a deliberate decision by the director to do so in the anime, which also makes me confident that your interpretation of the umbrella as a shield is definitely what the director intended. Sometimes I think that your interpretations are a stretch (as in, you're reading too much into something unintentional) but this definitely isn't one of those times.

When I started watching this video, I paused it to first check the episodes. I watched all five until such an opening, from episode 5, and I drew my own conclusions. Then I went to your video to listen to it. I liked what I heard. I was happy to realize that I followed the same path as yours. Yes, indeed, they are beautiful scenes. In my opinion a masterpiece as you mentioned it yourself. Congratulations on the channel. Inspiring.

That umbrella symbolism is epic

Great analysis! With your explanation, now I know many new interesting and great things in Hyouka that I've never noticed before and love this show more. Thank you very much!

WHO IS THE 5 PEOPLE WHO DISLIKED THIS ART OF A VIDEO? Wtf

I love Bach chello as BGM on the series and this video

You must have gotten an A for english lmao

Whenever I recommended Hyouka to my friends I always tell them "I believe it's a masterpiece." But I could never explain exactly why I felt that way, so when you came out with these peerless analysis videos I was happy beyond belief. NOW I can happily recommend your videos and Hyouka to all my anime friends who have not seen it, and have long discussions about it with those who have.

I love how the crow is basically Houtaro in this scene, resistant to move when surrounded by rain and grey clouds. Until it is basically forced to move along when the sun begins to reaveal itself, the light being those who have pushed him into this new perspective.

MAAAAN!!!! I keep finding new things about Hyouka because of your videos, sometimes little details that change my whole outlook on the series as a whole. This time, it's about Satoshi's raincoat. (and this might have spoilers for the whole series, so if you haven't finished Hyouka... well, I don't know what you're doing watching this video. GO WATCH IT!) I never realized that the umbrella was given by Chitanda, and the metaphor that that implies. It's pretty crazy, because it makes you think that Chitanda is the one "protecting" him from his own grey outlook in life, and she'll continue to do so for the entirety of the series, until he finally sees the light for himself, and he can embrace that light without Chitanda's help (hence, he closes the umbrella). And as much as I now thing that actually foreshadows the whole arc for Oreki and Chitanda, it also foreshadows Satoshi's real personality and struggles, as well as probably his whole arc. This is what blew me away, and is something you didn't mention, but I came up with it because of what you said. Satoshi has never opened up to anyone (probably the only time he truly does is in the 21st episode) and is why that raincoat represents the way he envelops himself in a shell. He never shows his complexity as a character, never showing he himself actually looks up to Oreki, and because of it he's actually not as "happy" as anyone might think. In fact, I think he's the most "lost" character in the series, and by that I mean that he never really knows what to think about himself. Because he Never Takes That Raincoat Off. Even when the sun is out, when he could embrace the rose-colored life as he wants it, when he has the opportunity to engage with life, he's still covered in his own self made shell, because he's deeply afraid of failing in being who he wants to be. The only think that kind of makes him open up in the end is Oreki's help (again, in the 21st episode), and the end of this scene completely foreshadows that too. So yeah, that was kinda long, but I'm constantly amazed by the riches this series has to offer, storytelling wise. Thanks for making this videos man, and I hope the insight I gave was also interesting :)

Man, you know? I have never been able to tell why I like symbolism to much, plus points if it is done with great directing, but you just gave me the words I have been looking for "say so much, with so little". In any normal anime this scene, what it deals with, would have an entire episode dedicated to it, but here, what this scene deals with, this realization that maybe he wants a rose colored life, it is done so well, it feels effortless, it tells so much with so little. Awesome analysis man.

Your videos of Hyouka are phenomenal and what made me subscribe to your channel. It's funny because the scenes that you pick are very often scenes I also enjoyed a bunch (like the scene with Oreki and Chitanda in the cafe) but most of the time I'm only able to point at a few things that I found really good. In this one for example I only remember when he said: "I'm sick of living a grey life" and how that was emphasized by the weather. But then I watch your video and you give me at least 10 more reasons to like it or you voice it in a way I couldn't have done myself. I'm so glad you're doing this series!!!

satoshi's characterisation is so great in this episode especially after rewatching because of the context provided by episode 21....

I knew the scenes had meaning but never imagined it would be this deep

It was believed that when a crow cawed loudly, there was a death nearby. While this depiction may seem like the crow has a negative association, Japanese culture places a great emphasis on these birds and they believe that they symbolize gratitude, guidance, divineness and good luck. The match cut in 5:35 where it cuts from Houtarou to the crow indicates that the death of Houtarou's gray life is near. Houtarou is symbolized by the crow, which is further emphasized by the fact both Houtarou and the crow have matching raindrops in frame. Houtarou on the tip of his hair, side of his hair, and jaw. The crow on its beak, on its back, and its wing. In this scene, Houtarou says, "On the other hand, the grass is always greener on the other side." showing that he's starting to change into a rose-colored life. He explains to Satoshi that he just wants to be relaxed, but even so, he does not enjoy doing anything. A raindrop ripples through the puddle showing a change in Houtarou's reflection. The crow voluntarily flies into the bright sky, as Houtarou is bathed in bright sunlight as well. Here, he said that he had 'let himself get involved', finally revealing that instead of a gray life, he had actively chosen a rose-colored one instead--he had started to want it. Like how the crow chose to fly into the bright sky freely, Houtarou also chose to live a rose-colored life willingly.

I always remember the scene with Satoshi in the shadow. It was the biggest thing i took from the scene my first time though because of how stark a contrast it made between Hotarou's grey outlook and Satoshi's normally bright exterior. Without a single word it got me invested in Satoshi's character making me realize that there was something more to him and his "shocking pink" life.

This has to be one of the only analysis series where I immediately want to watch what you have to say and then want to re-watch Hyouka, thanks for the video.

Hyouka is one of the most beautifully designed and produced anime. The use of color and shadowing are amazing.

Welp, that's another to add to my rewatch list.

The analysis you did is just breathtaking. I dig this

Dude, I’ve just been binging your hyouka videos great sruff

I never realised the Umbrella connection!!! A true eye opener on why this scene is the way it is!

Another fantastic video. Its nice to see someone actually going back a few years to analyze a show than just the most popular ones of the current season like 95% of everyone else.

Man you gave greater depth to this episode....This is where I started loving Satoshi as I realised how dark, complex and deep he is just seeing how his eyes was somehow shadowed on that one scene...this reminds me of that one fanfic that also works like an analysis stating that Satoshi was just jealous of Oreki, he was lazy but he had great potential, satoshi knew that and he wanted him to stay that way. But he still couldnt beat oreki especially till chitanda came up and somehow convinced oreki to have a rose colored life. That fanfic showed me more that Satoshi is so complex and just seeing him feeling down or jealous hurt me bad man. Love how he said he gave up on trying to be the best on things on episode 21 tho. He may not have a talent like he said but he has good memory and can actually engage in social activities easily, not about me but I want that, you know...I just wish the best for this guy, thanks for the vid its lit

This is magnificent. I hold Hyouka very close with only one other series, and this video has definitely opened my eyes to the finest details of the anime. My first full watch was in 2015 from January to March (I could tell by the first episode that it was going to be one hell of an experience, so I placed decent space between each and avoided binging), and a few of these artistic details within the 23 episodes caught my eye, but I hadn't looked this greatly into them. Great work. This is the first of your Hyouka analyses I've watched, and I look forward to the rest.

I love your videos on Hyouka! It quickly became my favorite anime and watching analyses on all the little details has become a very fun pastime, especially when it doesn't even feel like I just watched a nearly 10 minute video. Everything flows so smoothly in your videos. Keep it up!

Wow. Thank you for explaining to me why this is one of my favourite anime out there. I mean, I remember when I finished it I knew I'd just witnessed something great but I couldn't tell exactly why... so these videos are much appreciated! Great job!!!

Gosh this is so good. What you said on your video is what I felt when I watched that two-minutes of opening. YOu made me remember that. I love Hyouka so much Im so glad I found someone who is sharing the same feelings towards it. :)))

Great analysis of a great piece of work.

With a Quality Content like this. You deserve more subscribers.. Nice Job bro.. Keep up the Good work. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

Liked this video before even watching it. Already know it's quality :)

your work is awesome!!

rewatching hyouka again while watching your analysis videos. you're amazing in breaking them down, and hyouka is amazing with all those details! im so glad you and these analysis videos exist, much appreciated!

This is a personal opinion: You mentioned in the Love is War vid that adaptations are intrinsically different than simple derivatives. I find these Hyouka analysis vids very stimulating, thought-provoking-very well done even. Your analysis heavily relies on both audio and visual information-since of course, this is an Anime. However, I am personally conflicted to the extent of the changes in presentation of KyoAni’s adaptation. The original source of this is a Novel, so I'm curious as to how much the subtle details of KyoAni reflect or expand the source, and whether we should be bothered by the changes in the _interpretation_ of the narrative itself because of the different mediums of storytelling.

Wow, your analysis is really strong. I've only just discovered your videos (and Hyouka, on ep7 now) and they are really great! It's really good to see someone applying the video essay / close reading / critical analysis style to anime, and best of all doing it really well!

Did you use one of the Violet Evergarden soundtracks as BGM? Haha nice...

Good call on the foreshadowing of Satoshi. Hyouka still remains one of my favorite recent anime to watch, so much so that if I ever recommend it, I always advise never to watch it in the background of doing an activity. Impressions of a show vary deeply when so much is missed when taking in a show only partially versus actually being invested in the show. Hyouka will always be an example to that. thanks again.

I really enjoy your Hyouka analysis videos. I'd been rewatching Hyouka last year actually quite a lot and there are still things about it today that keep me falling in love with the characters. I've read the translated novels too and sometimes the characters, mysteries and frankly the actual literary analysis are all beautiful in the way that they are structured and at times I think I get a sense of who the author is themselves across some of the stories. I've been interested in trying to structure some of my thoughts as well about some of the things that occur throughout Hyouka that allude to something more going on behind the scenes, specifically regarding Oreki's sister. Have you read past the end of the anime and if so have you got any pet fantheories that you like about where it could be going? Also note in the shot where they're walking at 2:35 their walking in the foreground is slowing converging with a torii gate in the background - indicating that they are approaching a boundary and it's as they 'approach' it that they stop to talk. I actually think the direction of the shot implies they are returning from the spiritual place to the mundane as they are moving left away from Chitanda's home and this coincides with Oreki and Satoshi trying to make sense of what happened. Left is usually coded to mean backwards and may be intended to mean Houtarou is going back on his energy saving philosophy, or it could also indicate a return to a person he really is.

The more of these videos I watch the more I feel like I missed a significant portion of the show. Albeit, a lot of the things you address I feel are things we do notice when we're watching (i.e. a lot of the subtle moments of characterization are generally framed in such a way you'd have to be not looking at the screen to not see them--though there are plenty which are less obvious as I've discovered watching your videos), but for me personally, not to same level of depth and scope (i.e. connecting scenes across episodes as running motifs and themes). Anyway, as always, astonishing attention to detail. Looking forward to the next one!

I absolutely love the umbrella metaphor. It's soooo good. Always excited for the next Hyouka video!

Your analysis, both in terms of content and also excecution, is truly great. For a moment, i was lost in your video watching it with awe.. and keep in mind it rarely, if ever, happens to me when watching a youtube video. Maybe its cause of Hyouka, an anime that i liked a lot, your arguements , the way you presented them .. i don't know. Anyway, the only thing i can say to you is Bravo.

Yes!!! I was waiting for this video!!!

That was just great. It is a true delight to see a wonderful scene examined with such care.

OMG! STOP! These breakdowns are just too good!! I can't xD

Woo first Hyouka sountrack in Violet Evergarden, now Violet Evergarden in Hyouka

This anime is masterpiece with true logic but because there isnt ecchi scene or action people isnt intrested or they say it doesnt deserve the art but they are wrong as their mind is full of oppai and easy romance hope they will understand this series more and praise it for its work i was cought up in this anime as 2015 and i enjoyed it their conversation was intresting every scene was masterpiece hope other people also see that when watching this show

Now i want to rewatch hyouka god i love this anime

This was good.

you succeeded w this video

Insane depth perception! And great video!

amazing video , my favourite scene in anime, hyouka is a timeless masterpiece , crafted masterfully with heart,passion and the motivation to make something unique. Both the anime and the books are amazing, a dream like anime. Anyways, not an underated anime ,actually a very popular one, but most people dont look into the true meaning and indirect messages of the scenes

Why are they walking btw?

Impressive, but what if people in KyoAni just was not cooperating and everyone did their work on theirselves so whole scene is a bunch of bullshit and you just found deep sense there?

Great effort and amazing attention to detail.