My fellow AC writer Chike recently published an article in which Frieren’s director, Keiichiro Saito, expresses his lament that “there are fewer grounded anime works than there used to be.” That made me think of Ruri no Houseki. There’s nothing particularly fancy about Ruri Rocks, episode 6, yet when you compare it to other outdoor and seasonal anime, it’s way above average. Why?
Saito-san’s quote reveals the reason for that: in an ocean of fantastical anime with tons of plot armor, Ruri no Houseki is a grounded and honest watch. There’s no need for Keiichiro Shibuya and Studio Bind to include anything fantastical or to include tired tropes. This is a livable story. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of weebs watching this show who inadvertently picked up a life-altering interest from someone else.
Ruri Rocks, Episode 6 — A Closer Look Into the Blue (Skippable Synopsis)
The field hunt for sapphires finally began in this episode. And with it, the geo-trio ascended into verdant mountains to find those precious stones. But, as anyone who has worked in search and rescue will tell you, knowing the general area where something is does not mean you know its exact position.
However, as the girls realize that there’s too much ground to cover on foot, they retreat to the lab to sort samples. However, Ruri realizes that her previous sampling methods contained an error. So, she admits to it and redoes the work, which leads to a breakthrough. With the possible location of a sapphire deposit now found, the girls once again head to the mountains, where all their efforts pay off.
A Story About Character Growth
Like me, you’ve probably heard plenty of weebs complain about the lack of character growth in anime. Luckily, shows like Ruri no Houseki are here to placate anyone who thinks that character development has fallen to the wayside.
At the beginning of this anime, I couldn’t stand Ruri. Not only was she contemptible, but she was also the kind of person who’d try to coerce people to do things her way. Yet, through nothing more than a sense of curiosity and the right mentorship, she blossomed into a respectable young mineralogist.
What makes graphite and diamond different is what molded them. Nagi’s influence on Ruri has been superb. Nagi drives Ruri to try new things, listens to the advice she receives, and encourages her to put in the effort. Her mentorship helps Ruri reap the rewards—both in her treasure hunts and in her personal growth.
That’s not to say that your efforts (however monumental they may be) will always pay off. But you can learn from past mistakes. You only need to acknowledge them and detach yourself from them. That’s something that Ruri Rocks, episode 6, vividly shows us.
Of Myths & Folklore
We often take for granted the amount of knowledge at our fingertips. With just a few minutes of Google, you can grasp the basic concepts of many subjects. However, that knowledge wasn’t always accessible. So historically, when people don’t know why something happens, they invent a reason. We’re hardwired by evolution to seek rationalizations.
You’d think that folklore and regional myths have no basis in reality. But there’s always some truth there. In Ruri Rock, episode 6, we see how historical Japanese cultures attributed a sapphire deposit to the remains of a dragon.
Nagi poignantly pointed out that people back then didn’t fully grasp geological concepts. So they used myths and legends to explain things they didn’t know. This wasn’t unique to Japan. In regions like Europe and China, dinosaur bones were often mistaken for the remains of recently deceased dragons or giants. Interestingly, these myths sometimes proved helpful to early paleontologists in their discoveries.
Folklore has played an invaluable role in my research experiences. When I was searching for beaches that served as habitats for baby permit (T. falcatus), stories about silver coins that vanished and reappeared in the surf proved surprisingly helpful. While oral history doesn’t always lead to direct discovery, it provides a strong starting point.
Ruri Rocks, Episode 6 — The Mineral Corner
While Ruri Rocks, episode 6, focused on sapphires, the associated rocks—hornfels—are well worth the few minutes it takes to learn about them. Although the show highlighted black hornfels, these rocks come in various colors and types.
So, what are hornfels? Hornfels are metamorphic rocks that form when magma intensely heats and recrystallizes existing rocks. Their fine grain gives them their name, as they are thought to resemble and feel like animal horns. Minerals such as garnet and andalusite can sometimes be found within them. Generally speaking, there are three main types of hornfels.
- Carbonate hornfels — often banded, these are formed when impure limestone is heated.
- Mafic hornfels — add heat to igneous rocks like andesite or basalt, and you get these.
- Pelitic hornfels — these are the most common and come from sedimentary rocks like shale and slate.
Due to their properties, hornfels are among the most acoustic rocks. When struck, they produce a ringing sound. This characteristic has led several cultures to use hornfels in the making of musical instruments. Until next week, ja ne!
Screenshots via Crunchyroll
©Keiichiro Shibuya/KADOKAWA/”Ruri’s Jewels” Production Committee
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