It has been exactly a year since I last blogged you, noitaminA shows, and this time again it’s another romance drama. Unlike Scum’s Wish last year, however, Ameagari has one simple premise, but it executes the idea with such grace. This second episode is even stronger than the first, setting the stepping stone for Tachibana and Kondo’s relationship. Now, big elephant in the kitchen so you know where I stand on its most “problematic” aspect. I don’t have a problem on the suggested relationship between 17 year old girl towards the 45 year old man. It is neither fantastical premise (It’s uncommon, but such relationship exists; and it’s easier than you might think when a junior having a crush on their senior), nor is it illegal or morally deranged. The age of consent in Japan is, curiously enough, 13 years of age. Granted that each province in Japan provides their own law in order to protect underaged children (usually about 16 year of age) from sexual abuse, but sexual tension is never the intent of Ameagari. At this moment, my gut telling me Tachibana falls for the wrong guy, but it’s not DUE TO their age gap.
What raise this little romance drama to the top of its genre is the excellent production values. While Ameagari never exactly stand out, the quality is amongst the best this season has to offer, simply because how the audiovisual storytelling and smart framing contribute neatly to the tone and the theme of this romantic story. Walking on such a tricky premise (ya know, a love story with such age difference already raise a yellow flag out of the gate), it’s remarkable that there isn’t any real misstep so far. I was impressed by Ameagari’s eye for details in those seemingly insignificant moments. For example, I love every moment of the one-minute entrance of this second episode where we simply follow Tachibana in the train to her workplace. There is a nice contrast between her and other girls her age, there is an attentiveness to the everyday life of our protagonist, and the music score is pitch perfect to bring the atmosphere out (weird consider how much I was put off by Violet Evergarden’s score). Or the scene where Kondo drives her to the clinic, we could see his stuffs in the backseat: a ball, a jump rope, and a bunch of umbrellas. What do they tell about his personality? A lot I say. As we know last episode he prepares extra umbrellas in case of his co-workers held up by the rain. At least he seems like a truly kind person.
It helps that both our main Tachibana and Kondo are immensely are relatable and likeable bunch, in that order. The entire plot so far is told by Tachibana’s point of view, and like everybody her view is peppered by her own subjective perspective. Moments where she has a chance to talk to Kondo feel purposely light and hopeful. Scenes involving her and the track feel sad and nostalgic, and moments between her and her classmate Yoshizawa feel overly nonsensical and comical. The latter especially due to the fact that she doesn’t care one inch about her friend, but doesn’t she realize he’s in the very same situation with her regarding their crushes? For Kondo, so far Ameagari successfully frames him as a goofy likable kind man, the man who would go out of his way just to make sure that his co-worker is safe and sound. The majority of plot progression this week centres around Tachibana gets herself injured again after sprinting to the guy who forgot his phone, so Kondo takes her to the clinic and goes house-visit the next day. Tachibana has gotten loose around him, a sign in which he himself notices, but the real plot-changer comes afterward, when she actually confesses to him, and he dodges it. What a smart way to get out of the problem, Kondou, although I suspect he still doesn’t really get it. No matter, we have 9 more episodes along the way, but from what I have seen in the first two episodes (near flawless accomplishment), there will be a lot of good materials to look forward to.