

In the beginning of episode 13 of [_Anime de Wakaru
Shinryounaika_](http://myanimelist.net/anime/27911/Anime_de_Wakaru_Shinryounaika),
Ryou's face is partially covered by a triangle with the SMPTE colour bars:

[![Ryou's blocked face, when the characters are introducing
themselves](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Yeukg.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Yeukg.jpg)

At first, Ryou just keeps talking as if everything is as expected. But then he
seems to notice this blocking his face, and so he tries to step away from
behind this triangle so that he isn't blocked by it, though the triangle
follows him around:

[![Ryou stepping to the left to dodge the
triangle](https://i.stack.imgur.com/yuK0v.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/yuK0v.jpg)  
[![Ryou stepping to the right to dodge the
triangle](https://i.stack.imgur.com/dkgYM.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/dkgYM.jpg)

In either situation, neither Asuna nor Himeru seem to paid any mind to the
triangle with the SMPTE colours.

Then, it simply goes away, and it's as if it never happened. No one makes
mention of it again, nor is it explained.

**Was this a reference to something else I missed?  
What was the meaning of having partially blocked Ryou's face with a triangle
with the SMPTE colour bars?**


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2015-08-05T09:29:02.207
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2015-08-05T19:26:03.553
2015-08-05T09:38:29.147
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question
anime-de-wakaru-shinryounaika
Why do SMPTE colour bars block part of Ryou's face in episode 13?


They don't explain this well in the manga either (they are irregularly-shaped
panels), but it's assumed to be related to Himeru's social anxiety from the
previous episode. It's possible that this is a way for her to cope with
speaking to Ryou, by imagining his face to be covered.

[![第35回「睡眠時無呼吸症候群に気をつけて！」](https://i.stack.imgur.com/FKdTym.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/FKdTy.jpg)


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2015-08-05T19:26:03.553
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answer