Stumbled across your page quite by accident and really enjoyed combing over the information you gathered regarding Yamato's and Sora's relationship. From being someone who always thought Tai and Sora would end up together (only watched Eng dub), I have to say you changed my mind completely. Still bummed out I had it wrong for all these years but, ah, alas. I was wondering: is Taichi/Meiko in Tri supposed to "sweeten" the "loss" of Sora? If so I'm lost: their "relationship" isn't well done at all
Awww, thanks! :D It’s nice to know my old posts still get read by new people (written way back when I was young and passionate … lol). ^_^
The English dub definitely “pushed” Taiora a lot more than the original Japanese version did. But, I think some people think that means that “Taiora is entirely a dub invention” – it doesn’t and it isn’t. Taiora is definitely pushed as a “budding romance” more in the English dub (there are dialogue changes and different interpretations of scenes…), but the original Japanese does give you a strong foundation for their friendship as well (which a lot of people like using as a basis for romance – and that’s fine).
Oh, and the Japanese movie staff just ran with Taiora, so. That’s what most Japanese fans cite when they say, “I thought it was going to be Taichi and Sora … in Our War Game –”
Regarding Meichi: Yup, you hit the nail on the head. I don’t mind Meichi, but I personally prefer Taichi and Mimi together because they seem more compatible. (Michi is seriously underrated and I just don’t get it – Taichi and Mimi are like the homecoming king and queen.) But I don’t think Michi ever had a chance, because it goes against Koumi (one of their two biggest shipbaits) and because it doesn’t happen canonically in the epilogue (not that it stopped all the Takari shipbaiting…).
I think the tri. staff were too hesitant in the beginning on whether they wanted to rock the boat with a “replacement” love interest for Taichi. That’s why the Meichi “signs” in the first movie were so small … and then were dropped completely until movie 5. They tested it out a little, saw pushback from hardcore Taiora fans, and decided it wasn’t worth it? Then somehow decided they needed to do it anyway towards the end. I don’t know. The tri. staff generally annoy me with their mostly average – sometimes plain bad – writing.
Meichi could definitely have been done a lot better, if they had sprinkled in just a few little scenes in every film (and I don’t mean outright shipping scenes, but little nuggets of Taichi and Meiko getting to know each other or even just reacting to each other in some small way). Then it wouldn’t seem so abrupt in movies 5 and 6. So I’m definitely with you there.
(And before people claim Sorato was “abrupt” – bro, Sorato had an entire season of slow-building their friendship and showing viewers how compatible they would be via their personalities and character parallels and arcs. Taichi and Meiko literally had a few blushing scenes in the first movie and then BAM! MOVIE 5 DEEP TALK. That doesn’t cut it, tri.. Pad it out some more, OK?)
And maybe this is superficial, but my biggest disbelief with Meichi is that Reunion gives the audience the impression that Taichi likes Sora … and I just don’t buy that any guy would “choose” Meiko over Sora. Like … what even. Yes, I know Sora isn’t available – she’s got Yamato, kthxbye – but she doesn’t have to be available for Taichi to like her. And Meiko isn’t a very likeable character/person. I think it’s hard for the average viewer to understand why Taichi would like her (especially “over” Sora) … because, WHY??? Tri. didn’t really answer this, save for one good scene in movie 5. So it appears that Taichi goes from liking Sora one moment to digging Meiko the next. And it just doesn’t make sense – because tri. never developed Meichi enough for it to.
(Although maybe Sora’s new haircut scared Taichi away? HAHAHA. OMG Mimi save her please. Yamato wouldn’t criticise her hair, he’d just say she looks great, because he’s in love. Mimi, you’re our only hope.)
But there might be a sequel to tri. in the works – and if there is, perhaps Taichi and Meiko’s “relationship” can be fleshed out then? We’ll see.
(I’d rather Sorato being given more focus though… if I’m being entirely honest, haha. Now there’s two people who should definitely end up getting married! ;))
For those of you wondering, I’m still planning to do Sorato analysis posts for movies 5 and 6 – I’ve just been super busy since before the last film came out. Maybe this upcoming weekend – but if not, next weekend! Movie 5 will just be a screenshots post anyway, lol. Movie 6 is the one I actually have some things to talk about! And then maybe I’ll do a “final” post with all thoughts on tri. and Sorato as a whole. This blog needs content! XD
