CONTENT WARNING: Happy Sugar Life contains depictions of kidnapping, misogyny, pedophilia, and other objectionable acts. Reader discretion is advised.
Meeting Date: 7/29/2018
Disclaimer: The Herald Anime Club discusses shows as they’re airing. Naturally, there will be spoilers for a given episode. You have been warned!
Samantha Ferreira: Hi everyone, and happy Sunday! It’s time for the Herald Anime Club. I’m Samantha Ferreira, and I’m joined by L.B. Bryant this week
L.B. Bryant: Hello!
Samantha Ferreira: This time around, we’re heading back into the dark, dreary… so dreary world of Happy Sugar Life to discuss episode 3 – Sweet Street Justice!
L.B. Bryant: Right away, I just liked that most of this episode dealt with Shio and the effect that the kidnapping is having on her.
Samantha Ferreira: Likewise. I really appreciate that it was the focus this time
Samantha Ferreira: Watching her stumble through the city, chasing the phantom of her mom, slowly seeing fleeing memories…
Samantha Ferreira: Also I’m super glad that guy at the restaurant wasn’t another pedophile… just a desperate brother… who had… creepy kid games. ‘-‘ Well, we won’t discount that part, actually.
L.B. Bryant: Yeah, it really painted a picture and I like that we got glimpses into her past.
Samantha Ferreira: Indeed.
L.B. Bryant: But yeah, I knew that Satou wasn’t going to be able to kill the guy despite having every intention to do so.
L.B. Bryant: Someone was going to walk in.
Samantha Ferreira: Indeed.
Samantha Ferreira: Thing is, I’m not hating his story – it hurts to watch, but I can relate entirely.
L.B. Bryant: Yeah, I’m still waiting to see what else is revealed about him.
L.B. Bryant: Taiyou running into Sato was a bit problematic. Not only because of what it led to but also because it seemed a bit too convenient.
Samantha Ferreira: You mean Shio, right?
Samantha Ferreira: But yeah… It really did. Also: did… did htey have to really go and spend five minutes of him literally sexualizing a small child?
L.B. Bryant: Yes, I meant Shio. Sorry heh
L.B. Bryant: And yes, they did.
Samantha Ferreira: Ugh…
Samantha Ferreira: I was literally happy when he got the crap kicked out of him by the street thugs
Samantha Ferreira: Like… “FINALLY! SOME REPERCUSSIONS!”
L.B. Bryant: lol it was kind of like instant karma even if the thugs didn’t realize it.
Samantha Ferreira: Indeed.
Samantha Ferreira: On a similar note, I genuinely didn’t feel bad for Satou when she was out searching for Shio – I know I’m supposed to because of the harried acting and the camera framing and music, but… I just didn’t.
Samantha Ferreira: I genuinely felt bad for Shio, though, who just… yeah. She doesn’t deserve any of this crap.
L.B. Bryant: So where do we go from here?
Samantha Ferreira: Well, we figure out what’s in Satou’s magic murder bag, for one
L.B. Bryant: Fun times there :)
Samantha Ferreira: For two, we probably get another ribbon bag in the locked room
Samantha Ferreira: Likely Taiyo
Samantha Ferreira: For three, Taiyo Narcs to big bro, leading to Item 2.
L.B. Bryant: Curious to know how she’s going to deal with those? Or if she even plans to deal with them at all?
Samantha Ferreira: My guess? Attempts are going to be stymied and she’ll eventually forget to lock the door (notice the careful framing on that deadbolt every single time). Shio will go in to “puff puff” the furniture, leading her to see said murder bags and “the red”, causing a freakout.
L.B. Bryant: Makes sense
Samantha Ferreira: What I’m curious about, now, is how the building catches on fire
L.B. Bryant: Perhaps that’s how she ends up dealing with them? lol
L.B. Bryant: But we’ll see in a few weeks for sure
Samantha Ferreira: “FIRE WILL CLEANSE IT ALL, SHIOOOOOOO! ^-^”
Samantha Ferreira: OK, that was pretty awful
Samantha Ferreira: Right now, there are a number of loose ends, though
L.B. Bryant: Yeah but we’re only three episodes in so there’s still plenty of time for everything to come together in a nice big bow of murder.
Samantha Ferreira: Indeed.
Samantha Ferreira: Off the top of my head, I see three, though:
- Taiyo – who’s currently being Street Justice’d
- Big bro – who’s doing his own thing
- Coworker Shoko – who’s doing HER own thing
- Going by the casting news, Kikuko Inoue plays Sato’s aunt. So… that’ll be interesting
L.B. Bryant: I hadn’t heard about that last one.
Samantha Ferreira: The last one was mostly news wonkery. I have no clue on context yet
L.B. Bryant: Ah got it.
Samantha Ferreira: Yeah.
Samantha Ferreira: OH! Also the teacher
Samantha Ferreira: So 5
Samantha Ferreira: But so far… I really hope those thugs just keep coming back, being the weird arbiter of justice in this world of terrible people. Seeing Taiyo get his beatdown was cathartic.
L.B. Bryant: lol
Samantha Ferreira: hehe.
Samantha Ferreira: How about you? Where do you see things going?
L.B. Bryant: I remember before the season started I saw a Dark PV for this series which featured Satou standing over someone with a taser going. I think that’s the scene we’re about to see.
Samantha Ferreira: …I can appreciate that.
L.B. Bryant: Yeah, I think we’re approaching some imminent violence.
Samantha Ferreira: Same.
L.B. Bryant: (any other thoughts this week? I think I’ve hit all my talking points heh)
Samantha Ferreira: Any other thoughts for this week?
L.B. Bryant: This series has been dark so far but I’ve always seen the potential for it to go even darker and I think we’re about to see that.
Samantha Ferreira: I really hope so.
Samantha Ferreira: I also hope to see every one of the sick characters we’ve witnessed so far get some form of karmic retribution
Samantha Ferreira: Anyway… I think we’ve run our course for this week. Any final comments?
L.B. Bryant: Nopes, I think I’m good for now :)
Samantha Ferreira: Awesome. ’til next time, remember: Sometimes, assholes can do good things, like a street gang beating down a pedophile.
Samantha Ferreira: Have a great night, everybody!
