In opting to cover three series this spring, it seems my eyes were bigger than my stomach. The whole self-quarantine thing increases free time, but it also decreases motivation, at least in my case. In order to get back in the saddle, I’m going to start with some low-hanging fruit and make a list post, ranking the six segments in these two Kaguya-sama episodes from worst to best. It’s very possible that my ordering is just the inverse of the conventional one (since I’m indifferent to, or simply dislike, the parts of the show for which others go gaga). If you’re prepared for Wooper’s Kaguya-sama Catch-up Session, hit the jump and get to readin’.
#6: Kaguya Wants to Be Confessed To (episode 4.2)
I expected more from a chapter that shares its series’ name. It wasn’t as funny as its domino effect of misunderstandings might have allowed, nor did it reach the touching heights of episode 3’s best moments. This segment wasn’t bad by any means – in fact, coming in last place despite being relatively engaging is a testament to how good these two episodes were. Still, its outsized conclusion strayed pretty far from the show’s typical formula. Kaguya-sama usually goes for high-intensity exchanges in a confined environment, but with the student council room temporarily unavailable, a would-be private chat becomes an eye-rolling, campus-wide spectacle. What I did like quite a bit was Kaguya’s acceptance of Shirogane’s present *and future* requests, implying her awareness of his crush. That was a great way of leveling the playing field after Shirogane trumped her in the previous episode.
#5: Miyuki Shirogane Wants to Gaze at the Moon (episode 3.1)
Points for the Hana Yori Dango and X-Files references, but watching Kaguya’s mind melt at close contact with Shirogane isn’t my cup of tea. There’s undeniable humor in the way he foils her plans to fluster him by doing the same thing, but Aoi Koga’s squeaky accompaniment turns the whole thing into a sideshow. I’ve always preferred her ability to balance haughtiness and vulnerability, rather than the extremes to which her vocal chords can be stretched. But before I spend the rest of this paragraph talking about voice acting, I want to mention how vital Kaguya-sama’s animation is. Watching a fantasy Shirogane rush to pull his jacket overhead and offer it to a chilly Kaguya really highlights her overactive imagination. The president’s agitated arm motions as he cleans the windows the next day communicate his embarrassment to an almost painful degree, as well. This is an area where this show has historically excelled, so its continued success in season 2 is a relief.
#4: Miko Iino Wants to Set Things Right (episode 4.3)
This was our introduction to new character Iino, Shirogane’s rival in the new election arc, but Chika was absolutely the star. She’s been taking a lot of jabs from the rest of the group lately – they all laughed at the idea of her running for president, and Shirogane ignored her offer to be his speechwriter. Was it any wonder, then, that she switched allegiances so quickly when Iino started to heap praise on her head in this chapter? Everything to do with Chika’s betrayal was a hit, from her melting into a bashful puddle to her sudden change of heart upon seeing Iino’s ugly campaign flyers. It strikes me that the writing here aims to push characters into new territory, then snap them back into place once it’s mined that new ground for laughs. Chika becomes the butt of the cast’s jokes, and is given a temporary ego boost before returning to earth. Shirogane pulls one over on Kaguya, but is quickly humbled after she one-ups him with the whole school watching. It’s a fine line to walk, but so far it’s working nicely.
#3: The 67th Student Council (episode 3.2)
This was actually one of my favorite portrayals of Ishigami so far. He usually maintains an attitude of boredom and aloofness, but his exclusion from the rest of the gang’s stroll down memory lane forced him to break character in a satisfying way. Imagine being so eager to share in your friends’ reminiscence that you subject yourself to death by paper fan, and you’ll have an idea of his thought process here. The show doesn’t indulge in “remember when” mode for too long, though, as this chapter was also tasked with bringing the current student council term to a close. The dim lighting, the exclusion of characters’ eyes from the frame, the hug between Chika and Kaguya (restoring some much-missed closeness to their friendship) – all of it set me up for a little wave of emotion as the former council members bowed in honor of a job well done. Anime comedies that can make me laugh are rare; rarer still are the ones on Kaguya-sama’s level, which can dip into heartfelt territory without missing a beat.
#2: Kaguya Doesn’t Want to Say It (episode 3.3)
Speaking of heartfelt territory, this one was highly introspective, which was fitting, since it came right on the heels of the tearful goodbye I was just discussing. That’s not to say it was devoid of humor, as Kaguya’s inability to choose a mode of address for Shirogane was lots of fun. Her timidity in reverting to “Kaichou” even after he had relinquished the title is among my favorite readings here, and the popsicle stick figures (a Kare Kano reference, perhaps) are a fresh take on Kaguya’s scheming mentality. But ultimately, this one was all about her plea for Shirogane to run for president again. Everything leading up to that moment establishes that he has no reason to seek a second term. He’s received his letter of recommendation, he’s taken off the heavy aiguillette that came with the presidency, and he’s free of the crushing workload that the office demanded. Kaguya knows that it would be selfish to ask him to dive back into that position, but in a moment of honesty, she does it anyway. That Shirogane mocks her with an already-completed application form hardly matters; she allowed herself to be vulnerable, and was rewarded for it. Love this chapter.
#1: Ai Hayasaka Wants Him to Fall for Her (episode 4.1)
The number one spot was a close call between this one and my previous pick, but honestly, who am I to deny Hayasaka her rightful place at the top? She makes the show better whenever she’s on screen, and the series has exhibited restraint by keeping her appearances to a minimum, allowing us to savor each one. The cold open, which culminated in rumbling tensions between Kaguya and Hayasaka over the latter’s seduction abilities, had me immediately invested in the episode. All the little details about her (she watches elephant stampede videos and builds PCs in her free time) were so funny, because she’s such a stone-faced enigma that we have no reason to doubt them. And of course, the way her usual unflappability transformed into bubbly charm when she got down to business was the best kind of gap moe. Hayasaka isn’t just pretty as a picture – she’s strategic, targeting Shirogane’s appreciation for hard work and desire to help others. I almost couldn’t believe it when he turned her down, because I’d have folded like a cheap school uniform. You picked a good one, Kaguya.
This might actually be the longest thing I’ve written for this site, despite my intention to ease back into things with a low-effort list. Oops! Yesterday wo Utatte post tomorrow, probably – see you then if you’re down.
