Ho Yay / Flip Flappers

Spoilers Present And Often Unmarked!

Papika and Cocona

Episode 1

• When Papika and Cocona first actually met, Papika moved in really close, closing her eyes, as though going for a kiss. It was just to smell her◊, however. Given how Cocona froze just as Papika was leaning in and only pushed her back after she started sniffing her, Papika really could've kissed her, if it had been her intention.
  • When Papika was with Cocona in the igloo◊, she leans into her while smelling her, resulting in their faces barely inches apart, and comments on how the fragments they are searching for smell nice, just like Cocona. Keep note that this entire scene takes place with a tender fire kindling between them.
    • Fridge Brilliance, as well as a bit of Fridge Horror could come in with this later, when you realise the largest fragment is buried in Cocona from the start!
  • Papika almost dies trying to fetch Cocona's glasses, after seeing her seeming upset about having lost them.
  • After Cocona saves Papika from drowning underwater, the two are shown embracing intimately with Cocona looking more tenderly at Papika, before the latter notices that her hair changed color. In addition, both of their powers are initially activated by seeing the other in danger.

Episode 2

• Cocona's reluctance to go on another adventure with Papika again stems from how Papika almost died in the previous episode.

Episode 3

• Papika's note about Cocona in the relationship chart boils down to "すきすき", in other words "Love Love"◊. It's emphasized in Episode 3, after they defeated the episode's antagonist and reconciled, sitting back to back◊. Papika actually proclaims her love for Cocona three times, before she is interrupted and told to shut up at her third attempt◊.

Episode 4

• Episode 4 has Papika and Cocona encouraged at becoming closer and understanding each other better, for the sake of collecting the fragments more efficiently. A sleepover at Papika's place is organised and they pretty much spend around two whole days together, eating◊, showering and sleeping together◊ (not to mention that Papika apparently sleeps naked). Papika also probably gets a pretty good look at Cocona when she interrupted her during her shower◊, to ask for soap. They also bathed together◊ once, the evening of the day they got stuck on the desert island. At the end of the episode, right before the two transition into Pure Illusion, Papika grabs Cocona's hands and tells her not to worry, professing that she'll never, ever let go◊. The worried Cocona then smiles, reassured, promising she "will never go away" either. Papika has done well keeping her promise, never letting go. Even if they were to be separated after entering Pure Illusion, Papika always made a point to find Cocona again. In retrospect, it is quite romantic.
• In one scene Papika and Cocona compare seashells that they've found, which sounds innocuous until you realize that "shell matching" (kai awase) is Japanese slang for lesbian sex.

Episode 5

• Episode 5's jaunt to Pure Illusion leaves them in a seemingly older version of their school. Traditional Yuri Genre tropes abound from setting to actions. There are disturbing robot schoolgirls that participate in a "Groundhog Day" Loop of a typical school day in an older, private high school. Lilies are everywhere in the setting and Papika and Cocona grow closer◊ and closer◊ each day in accordance with the world. This sub-dimension of Pure Illusion encourages and nurtures very close and/or romantic relationships between teenage girls. Even Bu-chan isn't immune◊ to the lesbian overtones.^note Probably because the main beings living there are robot schoolgirls and Bu-chan is also a robot. Only Pseudo-Romantic Friendship level is shown but if the loop continued it might have ended up full lesbian.

Episode 6

• After Cocona nearly suffers from an emotional breakdown while being immersed into Iro's memories, Cocona (in her Iro persona) runs away from the reality of the elderly woman's disease. After she gets to their room, she rushes to Papika and pushes her down◊, seeking refuge and relief from her distress.
  • Papika reaches out and wraps her arms around her◊, and comforts her.
  • They are still holding each other, after falling through the immaterial floor.

Episode 7

• This episode was essentially a Papika dating sim. Cocona finds herself alone in Pure Illusion, which appears to be exactly like her original world, but devoid of people/life. She spends the entire episode seeking Papika, but encounters multiple "versions" of Papika instead, one at a time and always mysteriously vanishing at one point.
  • Cocona meets an insecure imouto Papika, an aloof "bad boy", but playful Papika, a hikikomori Papika, an oujo-sama Papika with glasses and large hair curls, a greaser/delinquent Papika, a gyaru Papika, a pretty boy Papika and a devil-horned Papika, all of whom she spends the day hanging out with. Keep in mind, the creators mentioned that all of them, even the masculine ones, are still girls.
  • The hikkikomori Papika creepily offers to show Cocona something hidden in a drawer, which turns out to be... a pair of nail clippers. While it may seem like a non-sequitur, nail clippers are an established symbol in the lesbian community.^note If a woman's nails are too long then she could hurt her partner during certain sex acts. And since this is Cocona's Pure Illusion...
  • The last Papika persona she meets is while staying during a hotel room at night, while it's raining. Their exchange, as they lied on the same bed, is rather interesting. Also keep in mind that the music playing in the background is rather warm, calm and intimate.

    Cocona (lying on the bed, speaking to herself): Maybe I should just stay here. But I have to turn Senpai back to normal.

    Horned Papika (appearing out of nowhere, dropping on the bed): Is change so bad?

    Cocona: That's not what I...

    Horned Papika: No matter how much you change, I'll always love you. What about you?

    Cocona: Do I love you? I don't know.

    Horned Papika: Why not?

    Cocona: Because you're not the Papika I know.

    Horned Papika: Does it have to be the Papika you know?

    Cocona: That's not what I mean...

    Horned Papika: Do you love me, then?

    Cocona: You mean as a friend, right?

    Horned Papika: Why would you ask that?

    Cocona: I mean, love is...

  • The next thing we know, they've changed from their school uniforms◊ to black negligees and are fully lying on the bed. Devil-Horned Papika gently caresses the skin◊ of Cocona's back and shoulder with her fingertips and proposes that they "forget everything◊ and do something fun"◊.
• Towards the end Papika saves Cocona, and Cocona realizes she was the one who was trapped not Papika.
  • After escaping the Pure Illusion, Cocona are in a flower bed, and Papika makes a crown of flowers that she puts on Cocona's head which makes Cocona very happy.
  • When Papika inadvertently calls Cocona 'Mimi' it causes Cocona to be taken aback.

Episode 8

• In Episode 8, when Papika grabs Cocona by the hand and pulls her along, running by the pool, the way everything slows; as Cocona watches Papika's back◊, wide-eyed, the wind in her hair, the bright colours, as if mesmerized by the sight of her, is quite a magical, romantic moment. What triggers the opening of Pure Illusion this time, is when Cocona slips and falls, prompting Papika to reach out and grab her hand, just in time◊.
  • Furthermore, this is how they land◊, not to mention how Papika pushes Cocona out of the way◊ of a laser beam attack.

Episode 9

• Episode 9 has Cocona doubting her relationship with Papika, with her wondering if she isn't being in fact a substitute or being confused for someone else. Throughout the entire fight between Papika and Yayaka, while Cocona and the twins are separated from them, Yayaka insists that the amorphous takes priority, while Papika objects, choosing Cocona instead◊, adding that she "loves everything about her"◊. It is to Papika's disadvantage, however, because she becomes distracted over her concern with Cocona's well-being, and their fight soon becomes one-sided. While those two are fighting, Cocona and the twins agree to a ceasefire, until they figure out how to escape from the amorphous' defense trap. While trapped inside this strange room, they can see the girls outside, but cannot hear them. When Yuyu realises that unlike themselves, Cocona cannot read lips, she attempts to throw her off by lying to her, saying that they are discussing food, and don't care about her. Cocona becomes increasingly distressed at the thought. What finally breaks through the barrier is Papika somehow getting her feelings through, Cocona finally hearing her screaming "Cocona!" as the former pounds the one-sided mirror-like barrier with her fists, and Cocona reciprocating, screaming back Papika's name even louder. When Papika and Cocona reunite, they intertwine fingers, looking at each other with joy◊ and relief◊.

Episode 10

• The episode starts with Papika walking up to Cocona, intending to have a serious conversation it seems, although she halts when she realises that Cocona is soundly asleep.
  • Later, Cocona wakes up to Papika's coat draped over her shoulders◊ and sees that Papika is asleep, her hands holding hers, her head against her shoulder. Cocona smiles, and warmly calls out the girl's name in appreciation, waking up to see her by her side.
  • When Papika sleep talks and calls out Mimi instead, she abruptly stands up and snaps "Too bad! It was me!" much to Papika's confusion.
  • Papika tries stopping her from leaving and grabs her hand.◊ Cocona tries to get Papika to explain who is Mimi. When Papika is unable to provide an explanation regarding Mimi, Cocona coldly tells Papika to let go of her and leaves.
• The later confrontation between Cocona and Papika seems to be based off of jealousy and betrayal that had been building up for the past few episodes. This emphasized by how Cocona looks really hurt when Papika reveals that Mimi is/was her partner and a precious friend.. She accuses Papika of using her as a substitute, to which Papika replied that she "likes her for her"◊, but her words fall on deaf ears as Cocona claims that she hates them all and runs away.
  • This conflict between them seem rather similar to the usual love triangle plot line, when the current girlfriend finds out/becomes insecure about a past ex.

Episode 11

• Papika's main objective is to find Cocona.
• When Papika confronts Mimi possessing Cocona's body, she immediately demands Mimi let Cocona go. Mimi then shoots Papika with an Armor-Piercing Question of which one does she really want, Cocona, the original Mimi, or the Mimi she sees before her.
  • Papika's resolve isn't truly damaged until Mimi switches into Cocona's voice repeating Cocona's previous declaration of her hatred towards Papika for believing everything was a lie.
• At the end of the episode, Papika declares she will save Cocona because she love, love, love, loves her. Yayaka seems pleased to hear her say that.

Episode 12

• Papika answers Mimi's question from the previous episode stating she wants to save both Cocona and the Mimi she knew.
• Papika loved Cocona since the day Cocona was born.
• After Cocona finally regains her senses, she reaches out to Papika and declares she loves her. This is the first time Cocona ever said she loves Papika.
• When Cocona and Papika transform again, it looks like they were wearing wedding dresses.
• In the preview for the final episode, Cocona tells Papika she will never leave her again and they should finish this together which Papika readily agrees to. They are also in-sync when concluding the preview while other times it was anything but.

Episode 13

• Cocona confesses that she doesn't want to go on any adventures without Papika by her side.
  • Before this they both shout that they love each other.
    Cocona: I love, love, love you!
    Papika: You love, love, love me!
• The last shot of the show is Cocona snuggling against Papika as they head out for another adventure.

Cocona and Yayaka

Episode 2

• Yayaka seems to be bordering on having a crush on Cocona. She seems to be on the defensive when she first meets Papika in Episode 2, and she stops herself before she says anything when she and Cocona talk in the nurse's room.

Episode 3

• In this episode it is revealed that Yayaka is part of another group/organisation that participates in collecting the fragments, and her reluctance in letting Cocona be involved with Papika could stem from conflict in interest, if her friend were to join the opposing group.

Episode 5

• When Yayaka tries warning Cocona◊ about the true nature of the world, she leans in rather close. Cocona is visibly flustered, and actually closes her eyes◊ as if expecting something, presumably under the effects of the world. When Yayaka realises that they're being watched by eerie figures, the faceless school girls, she brings her face close to Cocona's once more and tells her to "play along", before continuing speaking, unfazed.

Episode 8

• Yayaka leans in at the beginning of this episode as well. She brings her face really close to Cocona's◊, seemingly to observe her current state. Cocona heavily blushes.

Episode 9

• A large part of the episode focuses on how Yayaka and Cocona became friends. Originally, she became Cocona's friend to observe her for the organization, but she eventually truly became Cocona's friend.
  • Take note that Yayaka's suggestion to "run away" and enjoy themselves in the hospital is near identical to that of the "bad boy" Papika from episode 7. It was all based on Cocona's mind...
• It reveals that Yayaka is in fact jealous, and resents Papika for having seemingly replaced her by Cocona's side. The fight between Papika and Yayaka in that episode more or less revolves around retrieving the amorphous and Cocona herself. Throughout that episode, despite Yayaka insisting that the amorphous takes priority, she ultimately chooses to protect Cocona in the end, dropping the fragment.

Episode 10

• Cocona is crushed when she learns the truth about Yayaka observing her.

Episode 11

• Yayaka becomes dedicated to saving Cocona.

Episode 12

• Yayaka declares that Cocona is who she treasures the most. This causes Yayaka to transform for the first time. Yayaka's transformation has an affect on Cocona and is a step towards Cocona breaking free from her mother's control.

Misc

• Episode 3 has this big time with The Baroness character, Welwitschia. She has tons of girls in bondage from head to toe fawning over her, Cocona blushes when she sees her naked form, and she touches Cocona very intimately when she tries to take her fragment◊, which by the way, is located in her inner thigh.
• Mimi and Cocona, which also seems to get mixed with Parental Incest overtones. In episodes 10 and 11, she takes Cocona to Pure Illusion with the intention that she'll stay there with her forever.