I love how this show at first sight can make it seem that an episode isn’t really going to contribute to the plot, and yet time and time again it proves you wrong. Every single episode, although slow, has contributed to the plot and none of them have felt wasted. This episode too: I first thought that it was going to be a strange filler in which Kou and Aoba’s families spend the Christmas Vacation at some sort of a spa resort. I was wrong.
It turns out that they were invited to the place at which Aoba’s grandparents live. They used to play there during summer vacations when Wakaba was still alive, so this was an entire episode stuffed with nostalgia for both Kou and Aoba. And finally we get the first direct and solid clues that they’re into each other! Hah!
For both of them this becomes clear through jealousy: Aoba really gets jealous looking at an old book of photos in which Kou and Wakaba are really close to each other. Kou on the other hand gets in trouble when an old childhood friend of Wakaba shows up, and suddenly gets Aoba to smile like she never showed at all. Since we’re talking about Adachi here, it’s very likely going to take some more ages for both of them to realize this, but I really wonder how he’s going to let this play out. Especially since the new guy looks like that second pitcher of Touch whose name I can’t remember, and he turned out to be a challenge for Tatsuya to overcome for completely different reasons. What especially surprised me about him was how Aoba totally didn’t act tsundere when she met him.
Rating: ** (Excellent)]]>
Cross Game – 19
Eh, Aoba was jealous, but it’s because Wakaba keeps hanging around Kou 😛
the story’s got a LONG way to go yet, though I think the manga is getting close to the end now.
Cross Game really has become one of Adachi’s better work, I’d definitely rank it up there with H2 and Rough.
Eh, Aoba was jealous, but it’s because Wakaba keeps hanging around Kou 😛
the story’s got a LONG way to go yet, though I think the manga is getting close to the end now.
Cross Game really has become one of Adachi’s better work, I’d definitely rank it up there with H2 and Rough.
I just spent the past two days really focused on catching up to Cross Game, and while doing that I realize how enjoyable the show can go.
You are right, it seems that every episode may not contribute to the plot, but usually it can be one scene, line, or the entire episode. Even at the slow pace of the show, I haven’t found myself bored or wishing I wasn’t watching it.
I can’t wait to watch 19. 🙂
well then, i guess i’ll watch this anime from the beginning:)
Oh~ a new love interest for Aoba!
… except that if I’m not mistaken, they’re family, right?
>_>;
Don’t expect too much from the new guy. To be honest, I don’t know why Adachi even introduced him only to be forgotten a few chapters later.
At least we get another small movement in the AobaxKou relationship. This is probably the second episode were the two seem to be coming to terms with their feelings. The new guy looks like Aoba with blond hair. Hopefully the design is intended to show familiar relationship.