Why start with these two characters and not with the main character? Odd enough, though I find these two characters interesting, what I want to discuss here will be short and thus piling the two up would be a better article than post two short ones. It'll be quick either way.
I want to start with the Kai Shimada, the first opponent shown in the anime that have beaten Rei Kiriyama. Or perhaps that's what I remembered. His also plays a major role in the events in the first season.
He bears the faith of his people from his homeland. Since the people in his homeland were old in age and living a country life is all that they could do. Having become a professional shogi player, the country folks have high hopes for him. They were proud of all his accomplishment as well witness to all that he have been through.
He owes everything to all the people who believed in him. It is unfortunate that he hasn't able yet to achieve a title in the long years of him becoming a professional.
It is unfortunate that he became ill. Sometimes during training, study and even playing games, his stomach would hurt causing him to lost focus.
His title match against the Meijin Souya was what piqued my interest to this character. He knew himself that he wouldn't be able to beat the Meijin and yet he pushed on. And his sole desire was to get to the seventh match between him and the Meijin. It was a match that will be held in his home town. Unfortunately he lose four times in a row. Something both heavy in his rank as well as reputation.
It was later revealed after going back to his hometown as his tradition that he was doing so much for everyone in his community. He sent grocery and foods for everyone in his small town. He made sure shogi was alive and well for everyone, especially for the elders. The people there love him so much even though he hasn't yet acquired a title.
His desire to achieve what he doesn't have to show for everyone made him not notice the things he actually does for everyone. It became a burden, of which he isn't aware. Since it is what he desires. But he tries ever hard just to keep up with the expectation everyone have for him.
Be it in pain, he will do anything to live up to it all and ultimately achieve a title of which everyone were looking forward in his small hometown.
Did he have to go through all that in order to prove himself? He's already in rank A, and also at 9 or is it 8 dan. He survive a lot of hell. Working shifts in to push through with his profession. His bi-monthly commute from the country to the city. His climb to the ranks. We're not all enough?
Apparently it seems the constant reminder that he still has more to prove was the sign always waiting for him when he gets back. Were it be remove, would he be happier?
When he was defeated in a crushing lost of zero to four against the Meijin, he felt everyone will be mad at him. And yet they didn't. In fact, everyone was happy and glad that he was still there to be with everyone.
Or maybe, it was his desire, a dream a goal, it's what he want, aside from proving himself, he himself wanted a title for himself. It is what will prove his existence, his effort and everything that he has done. It's something every player feels. Even if it's going to kill him, he'll achieve it, once and for all, prove himself. So mayhaps it's a certain promise to himself.
Hinata Kawamoto, the middle girl in the Kawamoto sisters. She's lively, cheerful, full of life and has a positive outlook in love. Not to mention considerate, brave but at times clumsy and childish, innocent to be exact. A complete opposite of Rei. Yet she holds him in high regards and would often time be the one to remember him first. Or perhaps she speaks her thoughts out loud more often.
It was in the second season that things got interesting in her story. It started when she tried to protect her friend from being bullied. She spoke her thought out loud, even told her teacher about it. Though her classmates and friends told her otherwise, she still tried to be with her friend.
It was a bit too late that her friend had moved away. And she was the one targeted next by the bullies.
She came home walking with a slipper on one foot with her sock dirty on the sole. The bullies kept harassing her at school even writing stuffs against her on the chalkboard or on her desk. Even her class adviser won't believe her. Yet she stood strong. She affirmed herself that she do not regret herself standing against bullies and she did nothing wrong.
Unfortunately it had gotten worse, she wasn't feeling good, she lost her appetite and she lost her smile. But still she held on. On the day of their school trip, her older sister advised her to not go to which she declined and said that she join, if she doesn't she will regret not coming when she gets older.
For someone childish, she, at times, speak maturely.
It was amazing that Rei went to visit her during her school trip. She was sitting along the river bank, contemplating her loneliness. When Rei got to her, she suddenly let herself cry.
For someone childish, when she's sad, she would leave her companion and go visit a river. There on her own, she'd contemplate and at times cry. It's her kindness as well her consideration for others that she doesn't want anyone to see her that way. Except for Rei though. First and foremost, it seems to me the relationship between Rei and Hina were that of a brother and a little sister. It's switched in the view point of Rei, a little brother and a kind, strong sister.
Lastly, when she and her sister confronted the bully with her parents, it was Hina who made the right move of asking a temporary rest. She noticed how shocked her older sister was and while being respectful to the parent of the bully, stayed calmed. Her chat with her older sister telling her that she'll win against the bully by assuring that she will attend until the final day and graduate. It showed how strong her sense of justice is.
For someone childish and as innocent as Hina, she has a level head and a mature way of thinking.
And perhaps a cute thing about her was when she had a chat with Rei post bullying. Rei said that he couldn't do anything for her. To which she responded by biting his finger. Because even if Rei denies it, it was him who did a lot for her. It was quite cute watching the two. It seemed like a father and daughter playing as they walked home.
It seems the upbringing of Akari, the elder sister, is what made Hina that way. A bit childish and yet mature at the same time. Still she has yet to find a dream of her own. Though she would always think about his grandpa and the sweet shop they own is what always fills her mind, she's aware of everyone's goals and dreams.
She's aware of a lot of things and still too innocent for a few. Kind and considerate, lively, cheerfully and always wearing a smile. That's how the character Hina was ultimately portrayed in the series. It brought a great sense of life to the series when the second season arrived.
Now, come to think it.. Hina's was always doing her best for everyone. Even if she sometimes fail, she tries her hard.
And no..
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Can I even call this a character analysis, if all I did was describe the characters?
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