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To be honest, when I saw the beginning of this episode, I didn’t expect it to end like this. Sometimes I feel like I’m watching two different shows. We get a meta school life comedy where the characters get into very self-aware, wacky situations, like the whole hypnotic part at the end. Interesting? certainly. Does it feel a little too silly even for this craziest show? Oh, absolutely. If anything, Yuki’s self-awareness can backfire because she knows how a situation like this could end, which would be unfair to the other parties involved.
We then get to the beginning of the show, which shows the quiet family drama brewing beneath the surface. I love the way Yuki talks to her grandfather, who waddles out the door like garbage. His sarcastic compliments to Yuki, how he tries to make Kuze an entitled brat, and how he makes the whole situation about him strictly enforceable. The shot of the mother’s face in particular is also great. She looks tired and you know she doesn’t agree with any of this at all.
The middle part of the episode with Nonoa and all the personal conversations was probably the best way the show handled the mix. Good dialogue and character growth going on, while teasing some tropes like hiding in a room while important conversations are happening (although I’m not the only one curious about what exactly Arya would do if they didn’t) interrupt). I love Nonoa as a character and wonder how she progresses parallel to Kuze. They both put on airs while displaying skills that go far beyond their appearance. If there’s another debate soon, I’d like to see them go head-to-head. Overall, this is a mixed bag of episodes.
grade:
Arya sometimes hides her feelings in Russian Currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
Disclosure: Kadokawa World Entertainment (KWE) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kadokawa Corporation and the majority shareholder of Anime News Network, LLC. One or more companies mentioned in this article are part of the Kadokawa Group of Companies.
