Hayate no Gotoku 39
While I was very happy to see lots of Hina-chan in this episode, I was also rather downcast that Hina’s been firmly put in her place as a Supporting Chara. A strong and charismatic character, no doubt, but definitely Not The Heroine of the series. On the proverbial third hand, Nagi and Hayate see some progress in their relationship but it gets reset. One step forward, half a step back.
You should be able to click on most of the Hina pics for a larger image. For a more representative sample of screencaps, see Tea Shop Beloved’s entry on this ep.
Hina’s job to save the world is never done! Even on Christmas. First, welfare for her alcoholic step sister.
And then to defend Hayate against the evil machinations of the superintendent. Except, of course, Hayate is the hero of the series and there really isn’t that much that Hina can do at the point either. Still, it must have been heart-breaking for her to be told not to interfere and to see Hayate walking away. ;_;
I was wondering if Hina would actually listen to Hayate’s request not to tell Nagi but I should have known that she’s got too much good sense not to. I’m rather glad that they didn’t bring Klaus along though because he would have realized the awful truth: that he had been trapped by Hayate’s feminine nekomimimode sex appeal. LOL Actually it’s also a good idea that Maria didn’t come along either otherwise she might make a replica and force him to wear it again.
And, of course, LOLOL at Hina’s flushed face. I’d really like to know what she was thinking…
Hina’s shinai took on some weird properties during her charge and the animation quality took a serious dip… but her leaps and bounds were great. Again, one of the pleasures of anime derived from being a (chara-specific) screencap maniac.
Down but not out.
So if Hayate’s feminine charm has charmed Kuzuha into wanting Hayate to serve her, why hasn’t Hinagiku’s masculine charm not done likewise? Or has she only just realized it?
All’s well that ends well, I suppose. My only consolation is that Hayate didn’t kiss her and almost definitely just still sees her as a kid and his benefactor. In a way, it was nice to see that Hina has a good relationship with Nagi, high-fiving her, and then backing off and giving some space for Master and Slave Butler after their ordeal. I’m reminded just a bit of Asa being the only girl not to butt in on Rin and Sia’s date in SHUFFLE! Ep 8 but she eventually Got The Guy. I don’t think there’s a chance of that happening in the anime.
Honorary mention to Maria (each cap from Ep 37, 38 and 39 respectively):
Definitely the power behind the throne. Love the way she intimidates Nagi so easily with just the right words and always with a smile. =)
And Granddaddy Sanzenin also trusts her Ds judgement too.
Always a comforting word here and an encouragining one there for Nagi.
Overall, a surprisingly solid episode in terms of ending a cour with some retrospection, introspection and (however fleeting) consolidation in the main relationship of the series. My wish, of course, for the next cour is for MOAR Hinagiku!
Related posts:
- Hayate no Gotoku!! 4 And so
- Hayate no Gotoku!! 2 Hayate
- Hayate no Gotoku!! 6 Hina res
There is NEVER enough Hina. Never.
(Insert strangled scream of “Hayate x Hinagiku 4eva!!!1″ here)
For me, the highlight was the Gurenn-Lagann-style animation style and eyecatches throughout the whole episode…I could hardly believe it, they finally did a reference to something that I actually got! Hayate really seems to have picked up the last few eps, but yeah, Best Moe tournament winner or not, poor Hina hasn’t gotten a lot of screentime. I think I read there’s a big Hina-centric arc in volumes 9 and 10 of the manga, where we find out a lot more about her backstory, but not sure if that will make it into the upcoming season of Hayate or not. Either way, I think Nagi’s got to be the clear winner…although since the manga’s still going we’ll probably be stuck with some kind of “reset” ending.
I wouldn’t dismiss Hinagiku’s chances yet. Nagi, Sakuya and Isumi are beneath Hayate’s strike range. Nishisawa-san is the official buttmonkey of the Gotokuverse. Katsuraga-sensei is irresponsible and careless, as are the non-Hinagiku members of the student council. Saki seems to be sweet on Wataru. The superintendent is evil and crazy (which describes roughly 1/3 of anime heroines, but it’s a bit of a turnoff for Hayate, so…)
So that leaves only Hinagiku and Maria. Oops, I forgot… Nagi threatened to do dark and unholy things to him if he lays a hand on Maria.
So that leaves Hayate with four options:
1) Hinagiku x Hayate FTW
2) Cast off all worldly desires and become a monk… or a nun… or double-duty as both
3) Go yaoi (Hint: DO NOT WANT)
4) Go Tama (Hint: DO NOT WANT MORE)
I’ll go so far as to say that Hayate and Hinagiku will one day be the proud parents of many little butlers and maids. >8D
What worries me is that Nagi will not be 13 years old forever. So there could come a time when Hayate can no longer see her as just a kid. But then again, she could become more mature and bless Hayate’s relationship with either Maria or Hinagiku.
*looks out of window* Oh my, a Porco Rosso just flew past!
I really liked that scene with Hina and Nagi high-5′ing one another. Although Nagi gets jealous of her and views her as a rival, it’s nice that their relationship is the way it is. There is a respect both ways I think, with Nagi looking up to Hina and with Hina recognizing Nagi’s affection for Hayata-kun.
With what suguru said, I hope we do learn more about Hina’s back story. She’s far too popular and far too involved with everything to really go unexplored. I too agree that it might not make it into this final season, but part of me secretly wishes for the Hayate no Gotoku anime to continue beyond the 52 something episodes it’s slated for.
Funny, I was planning on watching that this week. :D
I can’t believe you left out a screenshot of HinaYoko there, since that was a heck of a lot of ffun.
W4: Nagi won’t be thirteen forever, which means she can move up into strike range. At the same time, Hayate sees her as a little sister as well as a benefactor (in the manga, he even comments on how he feels like an older brother, after having to correct her posture when reading manga – she was basically in a loli pantsu fanservice posture), which will interfere with her chances of getting Hayate.
Maria and Hina are pretty much the only game in town for Hayate, outside of Nishizawa, whose chances remain as poor as Hina’s (although the manga gives Hina a bit of a boost with Volume 10).
suguru: We probably won’t see that arc, more’s the pity. It does explain her need to see justice done, as well as her reaction to the baby bird being abandoned by its folks (hint: she knows how it feels) and Hayate’s charm affects Hina too because Hayate has helped her on numerous occasions, much as her helping other girls has gotten them infatuated with herself.
Notice how the episode was actually animated in collaboration with Gonzo. Perhaps that is the reason for the dips in animation quality? Or just to help them with the action scenes in general.
i’m positive that there will be a second season of Hayate if it does not continue all the way beyond 52 episodes.
there’s just too much material to cover, and everybody knows that there will be OUTRAGE if the Hina arcs don’t get animated.
I can feel it, in 2 more months, good news regarding HnG will come.