Short Synopsis: Touya helps Misaki with her story, while Yuki records her new song.
Episode Rating: 8/10 (Excellent)
I really have hardly anything to say about this episode. It was over before I knew it, and mostly spent its time building up for the future episodes. My brain feels kind-of empty after watching this episode, which quite possibly is a good thing.
This episode was all about Tooya, spending time with Misaki, while trying to keep this a secret from Yuki. The only real cheating that Touya has done so far is with Yuki’s manager, though at the same time, I think that Yuki isn’t going to be happy when she finds out about how Touya has been spending his time with all these girls. Oh, and the creators did give Hirano Aya a small chance to sing in this episode. She did it quite well, and remained within her subtle voice. I also liked how the producers made Yuki do the song over and over. Most of the times in these idol-anime, the lead characters get these songs immediately right after one or two takes, while in reality it probably takes much longer to get a satisfying result.
Maybe I’m just not the right audience for this show, but Touya just strikes me as an idiot. Is it wrong for me to think like that? I mean, if he knows he’s going to have to lie to his girlfriend about the things he do… why does he do them in the first place? If he cares about her, why the hell is he so wishy washy when it comes to rejecting other women coming on to him?
At the end of the day, using the excuse that she’s busy doesn’t even make sense, since it’s obvious that the one who’s too busy to bother making an effort is Touya.
That said, does it make any sense for ANY of the girls to go after them? True. Girls go after idiots. Good looking idiots tend to have more luck. However, in Touya’s case, he has done absolutely nothing deserving of any of the girl’s attention.
From what they’ve revealed thus far, they all like him for no particular reason, and thus any drama that entails because of their supposed affection for him just feels forced, and comes off as superficial or unnatural.
As for the episode itself. Again, Yuki’s manager just comes off as a nymphomaniac using yuki as an excuse to make a move on Touya. Touya accepting her invitation was already far fetched, but him failing to stop her before she initiated the kiss was him just being way too indecisive.
On Misaki’s front. I know she likes the guy to the point where she doesn’t care if he has a girlfriend, but seriously, Touya must be completely dense as to be able to ignore all the freaking hints pointing to the fact that she’s trying to bait him. Ordinarily, a woman wouldn’t call you up just to cry about her life issues unless your her bf. No, not her bff, but her BF. Yet, she called him up, and she asked for his help. Even worse, she shows up in front of his apt. and he lets sleep over while she’s at it too?
This might just sound like bias and unjustified hatred from a bigot who doesn’t condone of cheating, but hell… I’ll be damned at anyone who actually LIKES Touya at the current point in this series, when all he’s done is unknowingly screw over his best friend, broke promises, and LIE. If Touya wants to be friendly with the girls around him, he should make it clear that he has a girlfriend, and thus does not want misunderstandings arising in their relationships. I highly doubt he’s committing all these acts with the presumption of Yuki not being the jealous type either (if he were, then where would the need to lie be :(), so in the end, he’s just being an intolerable playboy who’s willing to let any woman come on to him.
Honestly, this angle on Touya’s life might reflect some real life behavior of some people, but it certainly isn’t an angle that’s appeasing, or even entertaining. It’s more infuriating than anything, especially for the perpetually single. In all honesty, this show might have been more bearable if Touya wasn’t already hooked up with one of the girls. But the fact that he is just makes his actions and personality infuriating.
Well, that sums up my hatred for Touya. I’d have commented more on the contents of the show itself, but honestly, there just isn’t much to comment on aside from the fact that Touya’s an ignorant unfaithful assshat. I’m interested in who the high schooler really is, and what role she plays in all this, as well as the enigma that is Rina, since her motives at this point are just totally unclear. I don’t know if Rina has the hots for Touya, or if she’s just trying to make sure he doesn’t mistreat Yuki. Either way, her cryptic actions combined with the possibility of her having ulterior motives are the main reason I’m still looking forward to this show which for the most part is dry as hell.
That’s the tl;dr version of what I think. A shorter version would look like this:
“Touya’s a stupid assshat undeserving of any attention or love. Rina is awesome. Totally fucking awesome.”
Actually, I found Misaki’s introduction and interest for Touya a bit more interesting and realistic than Rina’s.
Part of Touya’s magnetism is that he’s very accomodating and a good listener towards girls. Misaki’s being in deep trouble plus her past relational problems make her a good candidate to try to monopolize Touya as much as possibe.
I’m also starting to stand better Touya’s undecesiveness, he’s basically a laid back guy that takes whatever life throws at him, and he’s consistent as a character.
The only characters who keep me confused are Rina and Haruka. I don’t get what kind of games Rina’s into, except perhaps trying to counter her own loneliness by guetting over friendly with her colleague’s boyfriend.
As for Haruka, I don’t get own the loss of her boyfriend translated to an interst for Touya, but perhaps later episodes will explain this better
My reaction was:
Yuki – she finally sang and we heard. (Personally, I liked it, but Eiji was…meh)
Touya – why is he giving love advice and criticism? (He really meddled and lied big time. Some hero)
Yayoi – can’t there be a rational way to solve it?
Rina – Rina? Where? (She walked away when she saw Yayoi. Does that mean she supports Yuki’s relationship? I think so)
Mana – ??? (I don’t consider her a Goddess. Maybe a loli, but not a Goddess)
Misaki – I already knew there was something off with Tanuma, but not off the cliff type.
Akira – I support him. He’s the more sensible one even if he has less screentime.