#Amy watches MIU404

[hidoimurasaki]

Looks delicious! But there’s coriander in there. Ayano dislikes coriander so Ibuki was the only one who didn’t eat it xD They put something else on his plate if I remember correctly xD

Oh! They sent Gama-san a fax! Those don’t exist in my country anymore so I didn’t notice before xD

The bold japanese text says something like “Gama-san, could you ask what it’s written here?”

Not sure why Itomaki was unable to translate the Vietnamese text with google translate or something but I did find a blog post that explains in detail all of the vietnamese phrases used in this episode and a more in-depth reason behind the numbers. It’s in japanese but auto-translate does a decent job.

I can’t not notice stuff now that I know...!

Gama-san uses a flip phone xD

Oh wow! There’s an entire extra bit in the DC version! Watching the on-air version got me thinking “if they know so much why are they not doing anything to prevent it?” but this scene explained quite a lot! Captain Kikyo poked at capitalism and at the government incompetence and compliance! No wonder it got cut. Shima said that there are close to 3000 Japanese Supervising Organizations (Maybe? LIke... 管理団体 - Kanridantai?) and they can’t get around to check ever single one of them to determine whether or not they’re illegal.

The guy referred to foreigner students as human resources, talked about them as if they’re mere objects...

This dorama is a lot different than other police doramas out there. Not your typical “newly formed task force overstepping and doing another division’s job”. Like... It’s so weird how people from forensics or cyber crime or whatever go out of their way to arrest the suspects, you know? But then we have MIU... Their job is done. And the story progresses naturally. It’s frustrating for Ibuki but I like it xD

I wonder how much research Nogi-san did before writing MIU404... She did a really good job!

Also... Usagi-san on the shelf, right above Ibuki’s head <3

“Kono sekai ga dai kirai”... “I hate this world”... Poor Mai-chan...

They’re getting scolded xDDD

So this episode takes place around June 13th, 2019, a thrusday.

Backstory! Backstory! Backstory! <3

Too close!

Something causing hyperventilation and a lot of frustration... Feels like trauma to me =/

“Why do Japanese people hate foreigners? (...) If they don't hate us, then why are they so mean? We come here to work because Japanese people don't have enough workers. We work to meet their needs. In Vietnam, there are many electrical appliances from Japan. Many Japanese companies. They're beautiful. Cool. Everyone wants to go to Japan. It's a dream. But Japan doesn't need us. What they want... Are those who don't complain... Don't say anything... And don't cost money. Working robots!”

Ibuki just... Listens to her.

“I didn't want to hate Japan...”

Ibuki went from just listening to not knowing what to say. But I mean... What do you even say to someone who’s feeling like that? I can only imagine how she’s feeling. It’s not just disappointment or betrayal... It’s almost some sort of... Grief. And it hurts. Deeply.

Kudos to Phongchi and her outstanding performance in this scene... Made me cry ;-;

Moments like this show us they’re getting closer I think =)

And doing some more research, I couldn’t find much about how being called a snail is regarded as an insult in Vietnam...

Ibuki: “Is our country’s sin our sin as well? (...) Even if I apologize... It won’t save hundreds of thousands of people who are treated like robots. I wonder, how can everybody be so okay with it?”

Shima: “Isn’t it because we can’t see it? It’s easier not to see it. Once we became aware of it, our world would shift slightly. And when we realize that gap, we either run away... Or we choose to close our eyes again...”

Heavy stuff...

Backstory!

Too close!

Ibuki is sniffing Shima xDDD I need to gif that xD

The entire conversation was really nice. A bit of comedy to balance the heavy stuff without being too much.

And Shima himself said that he’s suited to be a detective... While Ibuki presents this... Innocence as a cop. I love it so much! <3

Also... The next bit was a scene with no cuts and so much text! Ayano did a good job!

Cute xD

Not sure how threatening to beat Mizumori up equals threatening  Shima, but ok I guess xD

Shima now knows how to deal with Ibuki behaving like a kid xD More or less anyway xD

“Natsuku na! Natsuku na!”, Shima said xD

Natsuku is an interesting word/expression.

They’re definitely getting closer!

[hidoimurasaki]

Oh yeah, Shima was the one who choose Ibuki as his partner!

He already regrets even suggesting it xDDD

And about Ibuki’s file... I think he’s an only child? And those kanji after his parents age... “別居”? Separated? Not divorced?

[hidoimurasaki]

This part alone could have so many different meanings... The staff did an amazing job.

I believe there is an IRL organization like that and a pamphlet was sent with the DVD/Blu-ray box.

She looks relieved...

Hopeful...

In pain...

Determined.

“She seemed happy” the post office worker said.

She was beaming!

Look at it! <3

;^;

And Kanden starts playing.

Me too, Ibuki... Me too... ;^;

The way her voice tone changed gave me chills!

“I feel like I'm dying.” “A boring life.” “Who decided that?” “Weak and tiny little girls.” “Who can not run... Nor do anything.” “That’s a lie.” “I’ll set them free.” “I’ll save them.”

Kanden in the background tho... Just perfect!

“One last thing...”

[hidoimurasaki]

See! Kokonoe is a smart guy! He just lacks experience and empathy. For now.

And his Hakata dialect is really cute!

Ibuki realized what was going on two frames before Shima did xD

The way Shima speaks in this scene... It’s like he’s talking to a dog xDDD

I remember reading somewhere that the staff was planning to film this scene with sakura (then wisterias apparently) but covid happened and by the time they resumed production, it was already too late so they settled for hydrangeas. Not sure if the whole “snail” thing was introduced before or after this decision, but it works perfectly!

This scene was kinda weird... We can barely hear someone in the background saying “A foreigner?” while Ibuki tries to calm everyone talking louder than them. Then Mizumori throws the bad he’s holding and by the time you focus on him again he already removed his mask to reveal he’s actually japanese. I know it’s a hectic situation but this is the only scene in the entire series (that I can recall) where the pace is a bit too hectic.

Shima was not that slow this time xD

I’ll mention Mizumori’s speech in a lil bit...

... Not gonna lie, I forgot he existed again xD

The guy in the background... xDDD

Ok, so, Mizumori’s speech. I don’t know vietnamese so I’ll use the japanese translation the show gave us. The subtitles are pretty much exactly what he was saying in japanese but still...

“外国人はこの国に来るな“ “この国に来ちゃいけない” “ここはあなたを人間扱いしない“ “ひと山いくらで買って、いらなくなれば帰れという“ “捨てられる“ “ジャパニーズドリームは 全部ウソだ！“

“Foreigners don’t come to this country” “You must not come to this country” “They won’t treat you as a human here” “*You would be paid cheaply, when you aren’t needed, you would be sent back.” “Be thrown away” “The Japanese Dream is all a lie!”

*ibsm404′s translation I have no idea what “Hitoyama ikura de katte” means... Apparently hitoyama can mean “large profit, killing”? I feel like this is a cultural thing...? But I could be wrong...

No one is happy with the outcome...

Me too you guys, me too...

[hidoimurasaki]

Continuing after a few very stressful days...

Shima is so... Blunt sometimes. It's necessary but still... I’m

“If you want to say it’s unfair... What's happening in this country itself is unfair. While they’re saying that they don’t accept immigrant... They make hundred thousands interns and overseas students work. In this small island country, placed 4th biggest in the world. Do you know what for? So they can line up in front of a shop to buy bento at 5 in the morning. So they can get the newspapers every morning. So they can get a convenient life cheaply. So why am I alone who must feel guilty now? If you have any complaint, please tell that to the country!”

I mean... I can see why he did what he did. But having a good reason doesn’t make it right. As Shima said, 19 people got caught, possibly arrested, and Mai was fired from her job. Sacrificing those people victims of that unfair society to save his own skin and to make a statement...? Not the best course of action. In my opinion.

“SHUT UP!”

It was quite impressive in video but the screenshot just make it look funny xD But man, I really love Gen-chan acting when Shima is mad/desperate <3

I think Mizumori got scared for life xDDD

Ibuki tried to believe in Shima’s skill. Improvement! \o/ But yeah, their job is done so poking the culprit might backfire =X

Rise and shine, Itomaki!

And those pictures on the left... I think those are pictures of his kid(s)! Cute little detail!

I can’t believe I never noticed! I mean, I didn’t know what to look for but still! This is a screenshot from episode 1 btw, but we can clearly see that Itomaki has 4 children!

But yeah, I’ll never understand the reason behind the green light. Just... Why?

[hidoimurasaki]

Yume no Shima. The land of dreams. Reminds me of the US... =X

Uhhh... Shima... Is that legal?

I really don’t see how Mizumori’s explanation hinted that it wouldn’t be strange if Mai and Nam where the robbers... But I can see that those glasses are fake xD Good job, Ibuki xD

I don’t think that’s even remotely comfortable xD

She has a huge debt like pretty much every other foreigner exchange student,  so she works three jobs that pay very little... Disheartening...

Oh, so they arrested other students before...? I think?

Something is illegal and Kokonoe studied about whatever it is... This is getting too technical for me... @.@

Shima is so close to just punching Ibuki at this point xD

Daijoubu is a weird word for sure xD

Gama-san! \o/

He’s so nice! Saying that the foreigner workers “crossed the sea to work in Japan, so we have to treasure them”...

Gama-san said that “There are people who are trying to do things honestly... And there are people who are looking for a loophole to do something bad.”

"And there are people wondering around without goals in between.”

Safe to assume Gama-san was talking about Ibuki in that last bit xD

Cute xD But yeah, Ibuki has been aware of the fact, but I guess this is the first time he actually thought about the reason Shima doesn’t trust himself anymore.

Flashback time... Shina, no!

That was such a nice talk...! <3 I loved it! <3

From a nice talk to this guy... Kinda forgot he existed, not gonna lie xD

It this extra scene poking at japanese television and how it only provides (cheap) entertainment? Or is it just me reading too much into it?

WataKei reminds me of someone else in this particular scene... Maybe Goto Yutarou...?

Goto intensifies

[hidoimurasaki]

... I’m gonna do the thing. I’m gonna watch MIU404 Director’s Cut and post about it =X

[hidoimurasaki]

OMG! He’s pouting! xDDD

[hidoimurasaki]

“Why would they (foreigners) run away if they came here (Japan) to work?”, Kokonoe asked. Shima knows why, Jimba is willing to explain to Kokonoe.

But jeez... 12 hours a day, 6 days per week, not even $800.00 per month... So... Barely 3 dollars per hour? That’s brutal. Not only brutal, it’s inhumane, it’s a crime. And yeah, not to mention how heavy the workload can be at the factories, how the power harassment, the xenophobia, racism and overall discrimination just wear those people down... So they becoming runaways... Happens.

That’s just... Ugh...

A little something from the DC version. Kokonoe is incredulous and Shima explains that those workers make 300 yen per hour.

Ibuki says that he heard about the runaways from Gama-san and Shima asks who is that... And Ibuki teases him with “My important person” xD It worked xD

Poor Ibuki, getting hit for telling the truth xD

“Hai, Ibuki desu~”

Cute!

Poor Mai-chan... She’s scared and so frustrated...

Shima is a great detective but he sure lacks the delicacy. He knows she’s hiding something but scaring Mai is not the best approach dude...

Shima facepalming in the background xDDD

So I was kinda expecting a particular scene to happen in the DC version but... It didn’t =/

This is a very low quality screenshot from the last few seconds of the episode preview. 

I wanted to see Ibuki going “BIG LOVE! ♡\(≧∇≦)/♡” on camera an in high quality! =/  I feel robbed ;-;

I wonder if there’s an unreleased scene video of this particular scene in the blu-ray...

Me too Shima, me too =/

Cute xD

Huh. Mai didn’t know Shima’s name... Interesting.

...... Sometimes I really don’t like how Ibuki is being portrayed in this episode....... What’s wrong with them talking to each other, dude? Jeez...

Thanks logo screen.

[hidoimurasaki]

Fans pointed out the sign in the background. First word reads “Korona” as in COVID-19. Which is weird considering the show takes place before the outbreak. But who cares! My vision is blurry from all the tears!

Shima: “I wonder how her life was...”

Ibuki: “What are you saying, Shima-chan? That’s not for us to decide, right?~ Hehe~”

I want a “Ibuki’s ‘hehe’ compilation”... It’s too cute!

This is my expression right now. I completely forgot about this scene. Although, it’s kinda... Fascinating how at the end of the episode Shima is the one interested in Aoike’s life while Ibuki just accepts it as it is. Or something like that...?

We can see a little bit more of their house! And apparently this scene was quite difficult for Asou-san (Kikyo). So many bloopers happened xD I want to seeee!~

“I’ll definitely make you free.”

“Definitely.”

Ibuki: “So your true nature was of someone who wants to die...”

Shima: “Ah, are you still going on about today? It was nothing. I just tried a bluff. Don’t think too hard about it-”

Ibuki: “Don’t ever try that again.”

Ibuki is pissed!

Shima: “Roger.”

Ouch. Giving Ibuki a taste of his own medicine huh. Well played, Shima-chan!

I have no idea what Ibuki meant by “Zenzen hibiite nai dakedo”... ibsm404 translated as “You don’t get it at all”. I trust them.

Oh, Shima-chan...

---x---

I finally finished this episode! Geez! It took forever! I just... I procrastinate when I like something...

But what an episode! IT WAS SO GOOD! So well written! The actors were fantastic, specially Mimura Rie! Even the camera work was excellent! I don’t remember seeing anything new in this DC version besides half a second of Kikyo looking at Hamu-chan. Not gonna lie, I wanted more. But this means the episode was too perfect to cut!

Now... About Aoike’s story. I really like how it was written! She stared at her unlucky fate and she fought! And she won! Against all odds! Compared to the rest of her life, this is definitely a happy end for her! But... I wish she had gotten a happier ending...

Aoike reminds me of Ankh from Kamen Rider OOO, finally feeling satisfied, but only at the very end.

But here’s the thing. It didn’t have to be this way. And I’m not talking about the story Nogi wrote! That one is perfect! I’m talking about Aoike’s story, you know? If a tragic end was a happy end than the rest of her life was the problem...

“If you have time to think of a beautiful end, then live beautifully until the end“, said a shounen protagonist with a perm.

Aoike gave her very best. She wanted to live a beautiful and clean life! But she couldn’t. The gambling addiction, the huge debt... Everything orchestrated by those awful men. And even though she didn’t commit a serious crime her life after being arrested was awful. She was a good person with good intentions and a desire to live properly. But she didn’t have the income. She didn’t have the support like Hamu-chan has. Having a record stole any decent opportunity she could’ve had. The police failed her, and Kikyo is well aware of that.

And when someone was willing to listen to what she had to say... When Kikyo was finally made aware of the police force’s incompetence in that case in particular... Aoike was already out of reach.

But can you imagine? Aoike waking up in the hospital with Ibuki and Shima by her side, ready to listen to anything she had to say... And no handcuffs! Kikyo would personally take responsibility if anything were to happen but Aoike wouldn’t run. She would be too tired to even think about doing that. Of course, she committed a crime and she would pay for that. But with a good lawyer (yes, the cosplayer) and a decent deal her sentence wouldn’t be so bad. Plenty of people to justify in her favor after all. And maybe some time down the line she would do some community service at the local shelter (with a gps thingy if needed), teaching young girls how to knit. Selling her knitted animals and giving the money to charity. Making true friends, helping and receiving help, having the opportunity to be as happy as her heart desired...! Can you imagine...?

Yes, I wrote a huge fanfiction in my head. I’ll never properly write it tho...

I just... I love Aoike so much! ;^; I love this episode!

[hidoimurasaki]

......... ;^;

“There’s no pulse.”

“No, no way! There’s still time!”, Ibuki said as he pushed past Shima.

“Aoike! Aoik-!”

Shima knows it’s too late...

“Kokonoe! Call an ambulance!” ;-;

He’s so gentle with her...

“Aoike, wake up. Hey. There are so many things I want to talk about. Hey, Aoike.”

“Aoike!”

“Aoike!”

“Let’s talk!”

“Hey, Aoike...!”

[hidoimurasaki]

If I remember correctly, the woman on the bottom right is the producer, Arai Junko. And the guy on the left, wearing glasses... Found it! He’s Torii Tatsuya, the one in charge of costumes.

I can’t see Aoike’s head...

Ibuki is still wearing his MIU uniform(?), so he can hide the bulletproof vest. These yakuza guys are not very smart.

... I mean, I would look out the window as well if that jingle started playing suddenly in the middle of a motor repair.

Now, this is what I don’t get about their strategy xD But, hey, it worked!

The way the jingle became a bit muffled and then the “Nandaka tension agatte kita~” soundtrack started playing right after the gun goes off ...! I love it!

And then the BGM stops. And the muffled melon pan jingle can be heard again...!

Ibuki was slowly moving his hand in this scene. I’m not sure if he was planning on trying something...

Shima no!

Is he... Surprised...? Startled? Incredulous? Astonished? Simply thinking “wtf dude”? I can’t tell...

Don’t you smile like that right before challenging the guy to shoot you man...

Shima, no!

“I’m okay with it.”

Shima, NO!

Ibuki is hyper focused on his partner...

Ouch my... Everything xD

Go for it dude!

Ibuki just... Shook him.

Shima’s expression when Ibuki asked if he wanted to die is...

Also, too close.

“Hah? You were slow in helping me.”

Aaaand he immediately diverges attention to something else.

Me too, Ibuki. Me too...

[hidoimurasaki]

There’s a whole extra scene with the students in the director’s cut version! They know the cops are onto them but they’re also aware that they don’t have enough proof! And the proof they have (the girl’s voice) can’t be ruled as illegitimate if she insists she really was being pursued. Narikawa is smart!

There he is, speaking like a spoiled privileged brat. I mean, there is some truth to his words but...

Kikyo: “Of course, even though they're still minors, if they committed a crime which can't be undone... We will give them appropriate punishment, but... Juvenile law exist to help those who need help.”

Kokonoe: “So is it okay to let the boy who is under minor privilege to do as he pleases?”

Kikyo: “In my opinion, that's a result if we lose the chance to give them proper education. Think about how many children like them can be saved with it. 5 years, 10 years from now, public order will depend on that.”

She said it better than anyone! It was a beautiful and meaningful speech! The music in the background just perfect! Until...

“Captain. I like you.”

Silence. Even the music stops playing.

The bickering after what could’ve been (rightfully?) misunderstood as sexual harassment... xDDD Truly a pleasant workplace xD

Here’s a video clip of the scene because screenshots only don’t do it justice: by Jaedam_3d@twitter

Ok, back to the topic with another ugh remark from still unpleasant Kokonoe. “Don’t lump me with those criminals” he said....... Don’t get me wrong, I really like him! Just not at this point of the show...

Ibuki has a point. In fact, he’s completely right. And Shima is willing to at least listen to what he has to say.

“They just want to run”, says the Idiot Representative xD

[hidoimurasaki]

It looks like Fruit Loops... But it’s ecstasy =/ Don’t do drugs, kids!

Captain Kikyo is not playing around!

The school director says it’s collective responsibility that the track and field club was abolished... It should be the school’s responsibility. All these students want is to run! It’s their last competition! They’re desperate...

I wonder if Ibuki was thinking of his old self when he called the students “fools”...

Ibuki: *Suggests an unfeasible plan of action with that weird face*

Older detective: “I don’t think the school would allow it...”

Ibuki: “Do you have any motivation?”

Such a dork xD

Oh! So there’s like a few extra seconds to this scene that show us that detective Mori doesn’t really have any motivation xD

[hidoimurasaki]

We can tell that the club meat so much to him...

Kikyo’s speech was also really nice!

“Would you stop calling it 'prank'? For example, what we usually call 'bullying' should be addressed as 'assault injury', 'coercion', or 'slander'. If there's a sexual-related prank to a children, we shouldn't call it lightly as 'prank'... But as 'sexual assault violence'. Japanese's expression is gentle and beautiful... But it hides an even bigger problems.”

“As expected, women are so well-aware to every little details.”, oh shut it, Mameji.

"It's nothing to do with being a woman."

She’s 100% right!

[hidoimurasaki]

Eyyyy! The duo from Unnatural! Man, I love the characteristic coin(?) sound from Unnatural! It’s sooo satisfying to hear!

He wants to race against the perpetrator...

Ibuki is so excited but Shima is already done with the whole situation xDDD

“Stop! It’s the police!” worked like a charm xD

Ayano running is just so cool!

Well, that was fast xD Pun intended xDDD

Shima taunting an already down Ibuki is so funny! xDDD