Non Non Biyori Repeat | Episode 6
GingaDaiuchuu: I swear Hotaru acts her age way more this season.
Turns out she’s a pretty hardcore Pretty Cute fangirl, although gets about as excited by Natsumi’s area of expertise. It’s nice that Natsumi gets to be the most knowledgeable about something, but of course she gets a big head very quickly. Good thing Renge is there to keep her humbled.
EmperorBrandon: I hadn’t thought much on how Natsumi and Hotaru hadn’t interacted alone before. It was interesting seeing Natsumi awkward about the situation, and fun seeing how her attempts to strike up conversation turned out. Twinkles Sisters mega fan Hotaru was so adorable, and hilarious how Natsumi’s attempts to steer the conversation elsewhere didn’t work because Hotaru could connect anything to something she knew from the show. I knew what was coming as soon as Natsumi actually tried to stay on subject by making stuff up. It was those unforced natural directions that worked out for the best, as Hotaru sighting the gecko proved to be a way for Natsumi to get to know Hotaru even better and share knowledge. Natsumi’s pretty good with her outdoorsy stuff, but love how Renge brings her down to earth on her choice of words to describe it. Hah…
bctaris: Just as the scene began I wondered, “Come to think of it, why don’t Natsumi and Hotaru hang out more? They’re only a couple years apart.” And, wham. But good try, Natsumi!
GingaDaiuchuu: The firework travesty was tough to watch for Hotaru (and again, Renge probably plays the adult best), but at least Kazu-nee stepped in and did something worthy of her own age for a change to let them hang out with a bunch of other hotaru.
EmperorBrandon: I just knew that firework was going to be a dub in some way. Poor Hotaru… Everyone was trying so hard not to get her down. But this show is more about simple, natural wonders than flashy man-made ones, so it took a very appropriate direction. Love how Kazu-nee was the one to guide them to it this time too.
davesimmons: Yes, it was nice for her to finally save the day. And poor Ren-chan tried so hard to be positive about the parachute bear but just couldn’t manage it 
Library-chan: Ah, Natsumi knows things–about plants and animals. I saw the thing with the fireworks coming a mile away. It was nice to see that the girls (including Renge) didn’t want to get Hotaru get upset. A sad Hotaru is bad for the universe. And it looks like Hika-nee is coming back next episode.
sensuifu: Ah, Natsumi, fun to see her demonstrating her knowledge only to be told by Ren-chon that she was being arrogant 
Heh, despite the sad outcome of the gang’s fireworks display, I couldn’t help but get a laugh from it. Such an anticlimatic way to end things, but cute seeing how the rest went to cheer up Hotaru. I was thinking Kazuho might’ve known about the firework all along, but just didn’t say anything. I mean, the description is right on the tube but Natsumi still mistook it for the ‘big ones’;…no wonder she was allowed to do the honors as I doubt Kazu-nee would’ve allowed any of them to light the really explosive types.
Komari being freaked out at first sight of the fireflies was hilarious. Funny how her fears translate into some adorable reaction.
bctaris: Like in many parts of the world, fireflies have become rare. It’s interesting that they made it seem like like the girls aren’t accustomed to seeing them very often. More of that bittersweet nostalgia.
kijakusai: Fireflies (and firefly watching) have been a thing which gives a poetic touch to a summer night in Japan.
Nobles and literati wrote about fireflies and composed poems related to fireflies.
In her Pillow Book, court lady Sei Shōnagon wrote:
夏は、夜。月のころはさらなり、闇もなほ、螢の多く飛びちがひたる。また、ただ一つ二つなど、ほのかにうち 光りて行くもをかし。雨など降るもをかし。
Dr Ivan Morris translated it:
In summer the nights [are most beautiful]. Not only when the moon shines, but on dark nights too, as the fire flies flit to and fro, and even when it rains, how beautiful it is!
This is a picture by Mizuno Toshikata about firefly watching.
Since fireflies need clean limpid brooks, their enjoying firefly watching suggests that the village in Non Non Biyori is still a ‘pastoral’ place.
Fortunatus et ille deos qui novit agrestis.
