What started out as a seemingly silly episode in which Hajime and Arashi break the metal bird on top of the cafeteria and muscle guy being ordered to buy women’s underwear, it gradually turned out to be an episode that added even more depth to Kaja and Jun’s characters. I really must say that Jun is one of the most convincing cross-dressers out there, because for once she has a very solid reason to act as a boy, compared to most of the other cross-dressers, who seem to be only there for fan-service.
In this episode you could really see that she feels insecure about regular girls: she doesn’t like their style and fears that she might end up as the same. While the source of it is still unknown, but it seems to be strong enough for her have to endure the other side of the coin: Hajime’s abuse. It’s also strange that Jun’s classmates didn’t feel like stereotypes at all.
And at the same time we learn that Kaja is very uncomfortable among men, due to the way she was raised in her time. She’s probably fine with Hajime because he only has eyes for Arashi, but when those students showed up she really came into a situation she never was in before. The episode then continues as she tells how she believes that she appeared in this time for no reason, and that they’re just there to relive their summer. Jun then however, realizes that they’re both just thinking too much of others, and refuse to think about themselves. Basically, what Hajime and Arashi have been doing all along.
There also was a lot of building up in this episode. We now know that Arashi and Kaja died on the same day. It probably was because of a bombing, but I doubt whether it was that simple. We also know now why Kaja came back, but what about Arashi? We have yet to see what her regrets are, and she’s very good in hiding this. On top of that, there has to be some sort of role for the muscle-guy, has there?
This series will probably be only thirteen episodes long, since Shinbo seems to have yet another show scheduled for Summer, plus the original manga only seems to have released three volumes so far. If this is true, then we’ve just passed the halfway point of this series, and there are actually lots of ways for the creators to settle this series. Let’s hope that everything can come together.
Rating: ** (Excellent)
Very nice episode for Jun and Kaja and the visuals still are very good.
Very good series and a charming episode. Compared to Maria Holic, NnA has the balance of comedy and a good dose of drama each episode. Definitely one of Shinbo’s good works. Will watch Bakemonogatari next season if NnA will have an awesome closure.
And can anyone tell me more about those cameos that appear at the end of each episode, will ya? I only recognized RK on one of the episodes.
Good review. And I agree, both Arashi and Hajime are doing something really much smarter than compared to Jun and Kaya. I love how they enjoy each other, have fun at playing games and just spending their time cheering up each other. At the same time it is hard to watch Jun and Kaya.. 🙂
However, there is yet to know the story about the relationship between Hajime and Arashi… oh man, i love how both of them act ! 🙂