the beautiful world: Hourou Musuko- 4. I'll give you my name

First time in a 'special' shop for queers

Episode 5 is mostly about Nitorin's and Takatsuki's first visit to a shop where transgendered people can buy, about them 'exchanging' names and about Chiba's questions and nerves.

Takatsuki goes out with Nitorin for shopping or actually more for window-shopping, since they just looked around and took a catalogue to 'investigate' further on their own. It sure felt akward for their first time and as Takatsuki remarks, the place where the shop was, didn't look so inviting. That's only logical, if you think what norm is considered and the place that lgtb community has in the world. Especially transgendered people are though as a bit of freaks with extreme lifestyle and fashion. The main entrance is grey-coloured and a bit of dark- these people in order to protect themselves (still- unfortunately) have to hide. One could also add, that in a symbolical level, these spiral staircases, just like the ones in Sleeping Beauty, denote the awakening to sexuality and the process of growing up.

Takatsuki seems refreshed and pretty much determined about buying a bra that makes women's chest look flat like men's. She also asks Nitorin, if he'd be interested in buying a women's bra. Nitorin hadn't thought of it and his bad experience of recording his voice last time with his sister finding out is still fresh and makes him hesitant.

Yup they went out cross-dressed.

From green light, light of hope and of course a sign of moving on, to red light, a light of prohibition.

And from the man to the woman sign... very clever transition (pun intended).

And while Nitorin is in the girls' toilet to change, he explains the incident to Takatsuki, and from there the discussion hops into what the title of this episode talks about : exchanging names. Although it's just a talk, it bears great significance. A name is something powerful, because it defines things and people and thus lets the person who does the naming have power over the named. Here we have a mutual act of exchanging names between two friends, so it's more of an emotional bond being formed (see my older article on names, too). And since the names are indicating the assigned sex, as well, they solidify in a way their wish to be of the other gender.

The theatrical play Nitorin is working on will help both of them be more determined for a happy life the way they wish it. Takatsuki just realised its significance, so she'll put her best.

In his house, in the bathroom, he gets himself 'baptised'.

Water plays a great role in this episode: we see water as regenerator (above) and as a protective shield (here). Takatsuki at the start of the episode takes a fetal position in the scholl's pool.

The other main star is Chiba. Hm... she's the most controversial point of the series, I'd dare say. The viewers either admire her or hate her. There are very few that just accept her as she is. Of course, she is a teenager, of course it's very hard to control one's feelings, of course it's a rare quality to be honest BUT isn't it too much? I mean, I'm against false kidness, but I don't like her attitude at all. She's quite harsh and rude. She is quite clever for her age indeed and maybe being also emotionally mature would turn her into a very unrealistic character. Yet, I can't stop feeling annoyed by her. She seems so mean, at times. The teacher is to blame, too, at some degree, but the poor man only tried to get the things going... Wishing him a pox... she is also full of herself. Being selfish is good; till a point. She should get punished for this in order to become more calm and modest. She won't learn otherwise. I'd like to see her family situation to understand her more.

Could her silly proud be also to be blamed?

I'm really sorry for the guy... I'll be a teacher in the end of this year officially and that's one extra reason.

But even I could understand what a mistake could this be. He didn't ask their opinion on that and he is practically telling them they are incompetent...kinda...

Look at Chiba's reaction. She wanted Nitorin for herself, of course. And well, we've seen she doesn't like her new classmates much.

Here's the result. Doesn't this look scare you? It does scare me.

As for the maturity factor of her questions, I think that they may sound strange for her age, but if you take into account she must be a good student, it isn't so surprising to ask such questions, is it? Let me explain. To have writing skills and more over the confidence to write a script means that you have read lots of books outside school. Books read at that age especially by girls are romances and dramas. There I'm sure you can find such questions and teens love being dramatic. Ok, I haven't seen her reading, I have seen her thinking of herself as cleverer than others and writing a script though. And there is no sign she is slacking off.

Notice how imposing and quite threatening the question seems. Chiba asks in a not so intense tone, yet the angle puts her in a higher, more domineering position.

And the angle switches to Nitorin's face to get a glimse of him. It might also have to do with which question concerns more each person.

Nice hands! - She is less clueless than the rest of the cast. This has to do with her own wish of seeing Nitorin playing Juliet. She understands that writing reflects inner wishes.

Here Makoto speaks. He noticed both his friends' feelings making Chiba uncomfortable. For some reason, Chiba is less aggressive towards him, but she doesn't like his comments. Nor even the above compliment.

Her hands again XD She can be quite expressive and elegant, when she wants to.

Her hair is always tied in two ponytails except for when she is in her house. It seems she is just insecure like every one else. She lets her guard down only around Nitorin and in her house, where she feels safe and powerful.


Some watchers dislike Nitorin for his reasons of crossdressing. But who doesn't want to be beautiful, accepted and admired?

Back to questions. She is appears as a sweet girl until she opens her mouth. Its remarkable how she throws out such phrases... with such serenity, even though her words are harsh.

At the beginning tyou get the impression that she just pushes him to act towards his desires...

suggesting even sex change! Is it because they are in Japan that she comes to know of this or... is she just the author's voice?

Nevertheless, it's not what it appears to be. She's playing around with Nitorin. One might claim she doesn't know what she wants- or simply she's cruelly selfish.

Nitorin retorts. He sure makes progress. And Saori is displeased. You have to accept it, sour-face. He's not your doll.

Good point, pal. I'm sorry, ohime-sama, but I'm not your servant.

Right... if you cared for him, you'd accept him as he is, not how he suits you.

She can be cute now and then. Here she prays for the Romeo role instead of Takatsuki.

Other appearances made are from Sarashina and Momo mainly during the swimming class. The first being showy off again and the other expessing her wish for a more feminine body.

People who stand out may not only flaunt their difference, but also try to appear invincible and unreachable.

No one is content with what (s)he has :P

We get a little bit of an everyday sociable Maho, meeting with her friends, going to karaoke, teasing as always Nitorin and being insensitive of his feelings and needs.

Maho has an idol obsession with Maiko, the model from last time, that is a singer, too. The line is from the song's lyrics and one wonders, if she has some sort of crush on her...

A girl shouldn't sit like this, moron =.=

And some characters that we encountered superficially start to get more involved, like Anna, Maho's friend and Shi & Yuki, Nitorin's and Takatsuki's friends.