Review of Sing "Yesterday" for Me

Review of Yesterday wo Utatte Episode Two (Attention to detail with in frames and colors) In the opening part of episode Two. brings us Shinako getting her hair done cutting it short, which is most of the time symbolized a woman moving on, I mean who wouldn't after that awkward rejection back in episode one, and looked upon the vibrant cherry blossoms as if she is looking back reminiscing a memory. Then the stylist told her “You looked great with a short hair.” Shinako did not reply and just looks away as if saying she’s just doing what she needs to do. an aspect ratio isformed to create a similar screen captured picture, or a camera lens giving us a picture of a school while the cherry blossom is wilting , filtered by a dark purple tone symbolizing loneliness (which is vital in this episode because they used it allot), this is foreshadowing of this episode could lead to a throw back of Shinako and Rikou with their school memories.

We later on found Shinako in a cold empty park sitting on a swing while the cherry blossoms are wilting symbolizing that right now she does not have a piece of mind,maybe she needs a piece of mind that is why she wanted to to have some time for her self.
In her memory the color of the setting is very important everything right now is set to be cold and lonely but in her memory its warm and inviting and the cherry blossom are blown by the wind as if its dancing, which is a memory that she treasures and wants to remember every time there are cherry blossoms

then our main guy Mr. Pessimist(Rikuo) shows up, these scene right here makes this episode very effective and creative at the same time.

And as Mr Pessimist talk to her the wilting of the cherry blossoms stops falling, making this a moment for her to calm. And this shot right here is spectacular, the Light pole and the Swing bars creates a barrier between Shinako and Rikuo representing the wall that they mutually build after that awkward rejection, in episode one.
Also the light pole symbolize as Rikuo a comfort light for that lonely night, the Isolation with in framing makes the scene more impact full.

This is a comparison when Shinako is alone in the park and when Rikuo arrives, Rikuo never entered Shinako’s personal space even though they are friends, this bold visual story telling makes this anime have that Cinematic feel.
As this scene goes on about them reminiscing their School days, then Rikou mentioned that “You are a moving forward person.”

then Point of view is now on Rikuo staring at Shinako in a tilted way interpreting a sense of doubt, because she answered back with a phrase “I’m not that forward thinking.”

As there little conversation comes to and end Rikuo ask to walk her back home hoping that this barrier, this separation between them could disappear but No.
Again this frame is well made the big tree right in the middle isolates both of them but now this is created by Shinako, by addressing the elephant in the room and as we can see Shinako has the larger space, claiming that she has more power upon the situation.

Then she tells him that, She wants to go back on what they once were close friends, while she’s telling her that the camera slowly pan’s away her moving to Rikuo near the dark purple cherry blossoms which symbolize loneliness (I think we already established that by now), as that melodrama is about to put an end, Haru suddenly comes in and breaks the ice, asked them what are they doing this late at night. Again a closure for Shinako, but Rikuo did not have a say to it.

Then we cut on a Scene where Rikuo asks Kinoshta’ Do you think Men and women can be friends? A very opinionated question, but this question leads to Rikuo’s mindset over what he think is more important, the person he likes or the friendship they have, he think of it as a childish emotion, other people think of it as gamble, a risk if they truly like or loved that person they are willing to give up that friendship that they built, maybe this will be further develop as the series goes by. At the same time Hayakawa enters the store demanding answers from Rikuo, of what is his relatioship with Shinako.

This brings us to the reveal of Shinako’s back story narrated by Hayakawa a fallen loved one, and generates a sentimental value of cherry trees because every time cherry blossom season comes around, it serves a reminder for Shinako to reminisce her beloved, maybe this is the reason why Shinako cuts her hair back at the opening part, not because of the awkward rejection in episode one, but maybe it’s about time to move on, to stop loving whats not here anymore to be fair among the living, and give a chance to be happy in life.

This episode pretty much tells us about the pain of Shinako, and she trying to move on about it and a really bad timing for a love confession on Rikuo’s side this is only episode 2 and there are still characters that are needed to be fleshed out. I’m really looking forward for episode 3 maybe a Haru or Rikuo back story to tell us more about their characters. Or a designated episode for Rikuo and Shinoka back when there College students to know the bond they have back then.

I just want to point out that the visual story telling in this episode was really spot on the symbolism of the Cherry blossom is carefully manipulated by filtering its colors to amplify the tone and mood of the situation and the foreshadowing is also impressive to use cherry trees through all out the episode and making it not boring but intriguing.