Gochuumon wa Usagi desu ka? - Ch. 186

[MangaDex]

 

[zdanputra]

What a Diabetes chapter

 

[P_U_T_T_Y]

Thanks for the chapter! What a chaotic chocolate making that was LOL.

Got a question about Rize's dialogue on p.5, doesn't she not use honorifics with most of the characters?

 

[MasterR17]

I thought this chapter would be just like last year, but it actually went above and beyond. They literally made chocolates with an antidote for after you eat them (F in the chat for Cocoa's sacrifice). But... I just realized that in March, Cocoa, Syaro, and Chiya are likely graduating. I really hope the next chapter goes straight into that, or at least gives us some drama before Cocoa and Syaro officially move on from the Kigumi no Machi.

 

[Pars_d]

never forget that valentine's day is a conspiracy designed for women to exchange chocolates with each other to make men cry

 

[Buraindo]

it's so ominous that no more panels about Cocoa appeared, lol

 

[Hikineet]

Thanks for the chapter.

 

[Dudewheresmymecha1]

For those who might want to check out the previous Valentine's Day candy episode for comparison, it was in Volume 7, Chapter 8.

The story seems to be very deliberately doing "call-backs" to previous chapters, with a deliberate emphasis on how different things are now.

In this case, one difference was that in the earlier chapter, Rize was VERY hands-on with organizing and leading the whole thing, as part of her story arc in becoming a teacher, while at the same time she was very self-conscious about her birthday, running away from all the excitement at the end to celebrate alone ("like always"), before discovering that the girls had prepared a surprise party for her. In the newer chapter, the younger girls started to ask for Rize's help, but managed to work things out together on their own, while Rize stopped by to see if she could help, and chose to stay out of the way, remarking to herself that seeing the girls working together so well was a perfect birthday present.

The running theme for these "repeat" episodes, I think, is in how the original group of characters (Cocoa, Chino, Rize, Chia, and Syaro) have, together, overcome some difficulties of their own, to become a positive influence on the younger girls, helping the newcomers to "bloom" a little earlier and more easily.

I think it's worth noting, for those who are concerned about how much spotlight the younger girls get, that the Bright Bunny girls seem to have resolved their major plotlines much more quickly than the original girls have been, thanks to the mentorship of the older girls, and that these storylines seem to be more about how much the original cast have grown up since the first chapters of the story, and I think we're due for the last dangling plot threads for just about all of the original cast to be wrapped up in time for their graduation, leaving just Chino, who, after all, seems to have been the actual "main character" of the story, with the most difficult challenges to overcome, and the most growing up to do, so I would expect the spotlight to be on Chino for the conclusion of the story. These Bright Bunny chapters are meant, I think, to be a reflecton on the progress the original cast have made, and I think we're meant to read the "repeat" stories together with the originals for comparison: the original cast haven't gone anywhere, we're given constant reminders of their influence on the younger girls even when they aren't the focus of the chapter!

 

[Dudewheresmymecha1]

Looking over my notes on the previous "cycle", the next thing to happen after Valentine's Day was the graduation exam and change of school for the "ChiMaMe Squad", and the exams were a source of a great deal of anxiety for the girls. I expect that coming very soon, we're going to be seeing the younger Bright Bunny girls working on their exams (with help from Chino, Meg, and Maya?), and deciding on their futures. I expect it'll go a little easier for the youngsters, too, thanks to the support of their mentors.

And those two or three original exam chapters would have been the last subplot before the start of the lengthy series of "Hotel Royal Cats" chapters covering the original girls' trip to the city, where the Bright Bunny girls were introduced, with Rize's graduation happening during that trip: I think we're probably due for at least a short return to the city and some resolution for a few things that were set in motion around the previous trip, before graduation for Cocoa, Chiya, and Syaro (the original city chapters were where these three girls decided on the course of their respective careers!)

If there is a stopping point ahead for this story, that would be a logical place to end it: with Cocoa's graduation, and the conclusion of any remaining story arcs for Cocoa, Syaro, and Chiya, since Rize's teacher arc and graduation seem to have played out pretty close to its logical conclusion, and Chino's story seems pretty solidly resolved to the point where her grieving is over, she's no longer as gloomy and detached as she used to be, she's more lively and has made new friends, and can confidently stand on her own without the support of the older girls.

So, I think we're due for two or three chapters to wrap things up a bit with the new girls, and then an unguessable number of chapters focused on Cocoa, Syaro, and Chiya, as they graduate, and begin their respective adult careers or college studies, with perhaps a return to the Hotel Royal Cats and the city, which might run a few dozen chapters to a conclusion.

Really, I don't see very many open story arcs after Cocoa's graduation... there's room for a sort of "epiogue" to see where things end up for everyone, and showing that Chino can flourish on her own (perhaps including another "alternate reality" chapter for contrast); and, perhaps room for a "spin-off" following the younger girls (though there really doesn't seem to be much more to tell for thier stories), and it seems like there's a lot about the girls' parents that has been implied but never actually explored.

But really, the main part of the story seems to be wrapping up with few loose ends that I can think of!

Are there any unresolved conflicts and arcs that any of you can think of that would need more time to develop to a satisfying conclusion?

 

[KZO]

Really didn't expect Megu to be supportive instead of jealous.

RIP Cocoa, she didn't make it to graduation.

Are there any unresolved conflicts and arcs that any of you can think of that would need more time to develop to a satisfying conclusion?

Syaro's crush on Rize.

 

[Berta545]

Looking over my notes on the previous "cycle", the next thing to happen after Valentine's Day was the graduation exam and change of school for the "ChiMaMe Squad", and the exams were a source of a great deal of anxiety for the girls. I expect that coming very soon, we're going to be seeing the younger Bright Bunny girls working on their exams (with help from Chino, Meg, and Maya?), and deciding on their futures. I expect it'll go a little easier for the youngsters, too, thanks to the support of their mentors.

And those two or three original exam chapters would have been the last subplot before the start of the lengthy series of "Hotel Royal Cats" chapters covering the original girls' trip to the city, where the Bright Bunny girls were introduced, with Rize's graduation happening during that trip: I think we're probably due for at least a short return to the city and some resolution for a few things that were set in motion around the previous trip, before graduation for Cocoa, Chiya, and Syaro (the original city chapters were where these three girls decided on the course of their respective careers!)

If there is a stopping point ahead for this story, that would be a logical place to end it: with Cocoa's graduation, and the conclusion of any remaining story arcs for Cocoa, Syaro, and Chiya, since Rize's teacher arc and graduation seem to have played out pretty close to its logical conclusion, and Chino's story seems pretty solidly resolved to the point where her grieving is over, she's no longer as gloomy and detached as she used to be, she's more lively and has made new friends, and can confidently stand on her own without the support of the older girls.

So, I think we're due for two or three chapters to wrap things up a bit with the new girls, and then an unguessable number of chapters focused on Cocoa, Syaro, and Chiya, as they graduate, and begin their respective adult careers or college studies, with perhaps a return to the Hotel Royal Cats and the city, which might run a few dozen chapters to a conclusion.

Really, I don't see very many open story arcs after Cocoa's graduation... there's room for a sort of "epiogue" to see where things end up for everyone, and showing that Chino can flourish on her own (perhaps including another "alternate reality" chapter for contrast); and, perhaps room for a "spin-off" following the younger girls (though there really doesn't seem to be much more to tell for thier stories), and it seems like there's a lot about the girls' parents that has been implied but never actually explored.

But really, the main part of the story seems to be wrapping up with few loose ends that I can think of!

Are there any unresolved conflicts and arcs that any of you can think of that would need more time to develop to a satisfying conclusion?

But the bright bunny girls aren't changing schools any time soon, right? But yeah, we'll probably get some chapters about their career paths.
Going back to the city? Maybe to help Cocoa and Syaro move there. I would love to see that.
Also, there's like a month left before the girls graduate so some development will have to go after that lol
And I need some epilogue chapters. I need to know what will be of Cocoa after her bread training

 

[Dudewheresmymecha1]

Syaro's crush on Rize.

I expect that anything left to resolve there would surely be touched on for Syaro's upcoming graduation, but really, I believe a large part of that storyline would have been settled with the Cultural Festival chapters, Vol. 12 Ch151-154.

Not that I wouldn't be happy to see it elaborated on - the Rize/Syaro storyline was what got me hooked on the anime and manga to begin with!

Spoiler: Notes on the Cultural Festival

The short version is that Rize and Syaro end up holding hands, in what is effectively the climax to several chapters of Syaro stressing about being separated from Rize by their "divergent paths", and the two will be much closer together and more direct with each other afterward, with one of their last couple major chapters together effectively advancing their story from just Syaro having a crush on Rize, to effectively their first date.

It's subtle, but they get a lot of help from their friends, including Chiya and Yura, in getting there!

• The Cultural Festival story arc is gradually revealed to be mostly about Syaro and Rize - this is the chapter where they finally hold hands, with a little help from their friends.
• Note that Syaro is afraid of rabbits, and there is a double-meaning for the Wonderland "nightmare" story.
• Syaro's flashback is to V11Ch142.
• Yura plots to mess with Rize through Chiya!
• Chiya's remark to Cocoa about "recognizing the expression" is a reference to Syaro worrying about losing Rize.
• Maya makes a pointed remark about holding hands, which will become important shortly.
• Rize tells Syaro that their "roles aren't defined" yet (interesting!)
• We get an explanation for why Chiya likes spooky things.
• Fuyu's remark about the Ghost Hotel in the city, and Chiya's remark about Yura's role in suggesting "that last bit", reveal how involved they both are in the plot (and we might assume Maya is, too, based on her remark about holding hands!)
• Rize and Syaro reflect on ChiMaMe beyond the window, this is a callback to V05Ch12.
• Cocoa's mom is scared of running into Chino's dad? (I wonder what that is about?)
• Other supporting characters featured: Fleur's Manager and Class Rep Mai appear, along with Rei, Kano, Anzu and Nacchan; Anzu is a fortune-teller.

See also:

• V07Ch06 (Syaro-rella) Yura makes another early cameo, this one by hitting on Syaro; Syaro mentions this will be her last memories at the school with Rize.
• V07Ch12 (Ciste II) Yura is properly introduced, and continues messing with Rize and Syaro.
• V08Ch01-V09Ch111 (Hotel Royal Cats) Bright-Bunny Twins are introduced in Ch01, Ch02 repeats an earlier gag about Rize and Chiya as Syaro's father and mother, respectively; Ch06 Syaro and Megu are the "Dreamless Duo" because their future is undecided, and Megu is set up to be Syaro's kouhai....
• V09Ch113 (First Day Back to Work following the city trip) Yura officially joins the cast; according to her, Chiya and Syaro act like a husband-wife comedy duo. This chapter explains a lot of Yura's strange behavior over the next few chapters.
• V10Ch131 (Rize Counseling) Syaro plans to attend the National University in the City; the bath chapter with Rize, Syaro, etc. (it's complicated!)
• V11Ch134 (ChiMaMe After-School Tea Party) Megu hints here that she realizes that Syaro is lonely without Rize. Callbacks to V04Ch02, V03Ch08.
• V11Ch137 (Rize's Bonds) Further advancement of the Rize/Syaro storyline, if not complete resolution. (This chapter looks a LOT like a date, in fact, even with some hugging and cuddling between the two!)
• V11Ch140-V11Ch142 (Ciste III, Beach) A theme of divergent paths coming back together. Rize and Syaro are getting along very well now, compared to the awkwardness from V11Ch131. Rize and Syaro playfully chase each other at the beach in Ch142.
• V12Ch147 (Hypnotherapy) We get another variation on the running gag about Rize, Chiya, and Syaro as parents and child; Syaro is "mama" this time. Syaro remarks on working with Chiya, a question that has been up in the air for many chapters by now.
• V12Ch151-V12Ch154 (Cultural Festival II) (as noted above)
• V13Ch165-V13Ch170 (Halloween II, World End Rabbits) Another cameo from Fleur's owner; Syaro took Rize's costume request from V06Ch06 ("...but I wanted to see you in other costumes as well, maybe as a devil, or something?"); bondage items Yura bought to tease Rize in V11Ch139 reappear in Rize's costume; Rize to Syaro: "want to cop a fluff?"; we get another interrogation scene with Rize; Rize and Syaro grope a disguised Yura; Cocoa recognizes Yura's perfume again; the arcade is a callback to V07Ch02.

And, from there, Rize and Syaro don't get much "screen" time together:

• V14Ch174 (Suspicous Persons Not Allowed) Syaro & Aoyama. Natsume and Maya remind Aoyama of a romantic comedy, and a romantic comedy reminds Syaro of Rize. Another cameo from Fleur's Manager. Syaro has grown up a lot by this chapter. A setup to "Ten Worldly Desires". (Since Vol. 11, the drama around Syaro leaving seems to shift to Chiya!)
• V14Ch177 (Christmas III, Continued) A Rin chapter. Callback to V03Ch10? Chiya has been worried over Syaro and Cocoa leaving.
• V14Ch181 (Crown and Bear) Carnival games with Chiya, Syaro, and Chino. Chiya mentions Syaro's and Chino's entrance exams. Fuyu wants to become the Bright Bunny poster girl. The crown is a callback to V07Ch01.

I didn't notice on first reading just how often Yura played "match-maker" between Rize and Syaro, while making it look like she was teasing them both.

The running gag about Syaro, Rize, and Chiya being a family, rotating the roles of mother, father, and child between them, are interesting, and on second and third reading, I couldn't help noticing how often these three characters are posed together, with Chiya in the middle. There's more than one panel where Chiya admires Rize's more revealing outfits!

Chiya frequently comments on scenes between Syaro and Rize with interest (she and Yura are the only characters who seem to notice the chemistry between them). Also, see V14Ch175 and Ch178 for some interesting scenes concerning Yura and Rize, such as Yura saying something about "switching roles" with Rize (seems likely to have been a double-entendre), and a flashback where it seems that a young Yura was too shy to approach Rize to learn how to use a blowgun; that flashback puts Yura's interactionns with Rize in an entirely different light, given that she was introduced to us as the president of the blowgun club back in/around V04Ch09, when Rize and Syaro support school clubs while investigating the identity of "Miss Emerald" together.

Seems like it's been a while since we've seen anything new from the Rize/Syaro storyline, and that's probably because there's not much to add to it, but their last couple chapters together were adorable, and I think any new content for the two of them would be a treat!



@Berta545 - I think you're right about the Bright Bunny girls being quite a way away from deciding their career paths. These characters do have a little development left in them - especially Fuyu, who is overcoming her shyness and difficulty smiling, but isn't quite there yet.

I think the youngest characters to start discussing their future are the ChiMaMe squad, and I don't think their decisions sounded very complicated: Chino seems dedicated to managing Rabbit House, and Megu sounded pretty sure that Maya would be going to the city (though I don't think Maya confirmed that, and I don't really recall what Megu is thinking of doing? Last I remember seeing, Megu was being referred to as one of the "dreamless ones", because she didn't have any plans yet!)

The story could conceivably go on indefinitely by focusing on the Bright Bunny girls, and introducing a younger set of characters, wash-rinse-repeat with each new "generation" of characters, though it started with Cocoa's arrival as a "big sister" character for Chino and to a lesser extent Rize and Chiya (who all three really needed it), so wrapping it up with those original storylines resolved, the other storylines heading in a positive direction, and Cocoa departing for her future with bread training seems like a logical place for things to end in this sort of story. (A logical way to end, but not the only one!)