lgbtqi – Anime QandA

Make The Yuletide Gay – ‘DAKAICHI -I’m being harassed by the sexiest man of the year-’ Episode 13 Review with Irina & Matt

Make The Yuletide Gay – An Anime QandA Review of DAKAICHI -I’m being harassed by the sexiest man of the year- Episode 13

Episode 13 of me and Irina’s collab reviews on DAKAICHI, I’m represented by the bold text while Irina (from I Drink And Watch Anime) is not in bold.

And we’ve made it to the finale, Irina, what an adventure this has been! We giggled, we sometimes didn’t giggle, there was this one time I was hungry! What a ride!

With things all but wrapped up with the previous episode there was thought as to whether this would be a filler episode, and well… it’s a Christmas episode so that probably counts! It felt like filler to me. We revisited all the major characters for a cameo and got little recounts of the story. If there’s ever a season 2, I really don’t see this one being anything else than filler.

I know you’re not the biggest fan of Christmas episodes so you must have been wary going in? A little, coupled with Dakaichi’s track record for non plot episodes and yu had the potential for something truly awful…

On the plus side unlike the Hawaii episode which looked like a hurried mess, this episode was one of the better looking episodes! And that was the first thing I noticed. Actually no, the first thing I noticed was that despite being essentially filler, this episode thematically bookendshe series by stating out with Takato fuming over being voted no.2 guy I want to spend Christmas with, under Junta. That was a nice touch and made the episode feel much more consistent with the series and as a proper finale. Also the art was on par with what we’ve see. There were a few quite nice scenes at that. You are going to have a great time picking our screencaps. The only animation low I really noticed (there were a few inconsistencies throughout) was the passionate kiss behind the car. That looked so weird!!! They’ve kissed before, it was always nicely choreographed. This time it kinda looked like a kid smooshing action figures together. Was that the second the budget ran out?

“Now kiss” *smoshes flat faces together*

So the plot of this episode is minimal, but cute, Takato wants to make the perfect Christmas for Junta but isn’t sure how and leaves it to the last minute to try and come up with ideas. It’s very much a traditional romantic comedy plot but I liked it. I thought it was super sweet. And it allowed Takato to shine, being essentially a one man show for the most part. It really showed him at his best. Petty, impatient a little selfish and also lost, vulnerable desperately trying to make Junta happy. He’s a good character! Layered like an Ogre…

I liked that we got to see literally every character that’s appeared on the show appear for a brief cameo, contrived as it was it was still nice to check in on everyone. That’s sort of a filler standard trope. A bit of non sexual fanservice so everyone gets to see their favourite chara.

Then it turns into a missings person hunt as Takato can’t find Junta anywhere! Except he’s been following him all day and even dressed up as his taxi-driver just so he could watch Takato fuss over him. I mean, is it stalking if you’re in a relationship with the person? Or is it just cute? I guess it depends the mood you’re in when watching something like this… What did you think of Junta’s whole plan? I didn’t get it? I mean I know Takato is self absorbed but he never once looked at his driver? They were together all day. I didn’t think about it too hard. I was silly but hey, the episode as a whole was rather sweet so I went with it.

And it turns out Junta is some sort of expert at Christmas and has rigged up Christmas lights at their favourite ‘makeout’ spot and has bought dozens of presents and even went to the trouble of brewing his own hot chocolate and putting it in cans. Is there anything he can’t do?! He’s also very very strong. I mean he often carries Takato around like he weighs nothing. I know Takato is delicate and all but he’s still a fully grown man only slightly shorter than Junta. My point is, Junta’s a super powered alien. I’m calling it for season 2.

I don’t know how I feel about this episode. On the one hand it’s cute and fluffy which is always a good feeling for a Christmas episode but ending a series on what is essentially a filler episode is a bold play in my opinion. I mean maybe they felt obligated to make a Christmas episode because of the proximity it had to the airing date but even so I can’t help but feel this was the wrong choice for a last episode. Am I being too much of a Grinch? What did you think Irina? Well this is the type of fanservice episode you often see as a wrap up in reverse harems and well…I like them. I like to have a small, happy, consequence free episode at the end of the series where you get to see what everyone is up to. It’s the extended they lived happily ever after epilogue. Like the grown up kids in Harry Potter who we see for just a minute and they’re all grown up and married with kids.

Any idea who these three were supposed to be? New characters from the manga maybe?

This type of thing doesn’t sit every story but in something like Dakaichi, where their relationship is nothing for fire and ice, seeing them settled down a touch and ding something as mundane as celebrating Christmas together is nice. The audience can leave the series comfortable in the notion that these two crazy kids are going to make it because they have a bit of proof.

It does make me wonder why we had to bring up that ominous red head last episode. Are they really trying to get a second season? The show has been pretty popular….

And seeing as this is the finale, what about your thoughts on the show as a whole? It was much more enjoyable than I expected it to be. The highlight as far as I’m concerned is still Junta’s fantastic flashback episode. That single episode, couple with Takato’s powerful charisma as a character (no way he would ever be no. 2) is what elevated the show in my eyes. It’s my favourite that we’ve watched together though not my favourite of the season. I agree! Look at that, us, agreeing on something for once!

How about you Matt? Or are you going to keep us in suspense until your full series review? Nope, no full series review, least not in the way I usually do (I’ve got different plans for how I’ll wrap up each show I watched this season ~stay tuned~) so I’m happy to give my thoughts right here! It should come as no surprise that this show was well out of my comfort zone, this was my first yaoi and as such the first time I’ve watched a show with a 90%+ male cast and what’s my main take away from that? It wasn’t nearly as intolerable as I was expecting. In fact I liked this show more than a couple of other shows I watched this season that would normally be considered in my ‘wheelhouse’ so put that as a win! I don’t know that i’ll ever go out of my way to watch a yaoi again but then again I wouldn’t say no if I was asked! The best compliment I can give this show is it was endearing and entertaining and I mean what more could you ask for in a show like this?!

And that’s it for DAKAICHI, thanks to everyone who read through our collaborative review! And thank you, Irina, for putting up with me for another collab! I look forward to whatever show we end up reviewing together next!

Previous DAKAICHI Reviews:

Cute Boys Doing Each Other – Episode 1 Review
Matt and Irina Stare At Pretty Men – Episode 2 Review
Attack On Tight Man – Episode 3 Review
Where’s The Manservice? – Episode 4 Review
When In Doubt, Add More Hot Boys – Episode 5 Review
All’s Well That Ends Well – Episode 6 Review
Setting The Scene – Episode 7 Review
Intermission – Episode 8 Review
Opening Night – Episode 9 Review
3rd Act Break (Up) – Episode 10 Review
Killing Scandals With Scandals – Episode 11 Review
All’s Well That Ends Next Episode – Episode 12 Review

If you liked my post and want to support my content, please consider supporting my Patreon page, or donating by buying me a coffee on Ko-fi!

Keeping Each Other Afloat – ‘Bloom Into You’ Episode 13 (Finale) Review

Keeping Each Other Afloat – An Anime QandA Review of ‘Bloom Into You’ Episode 13 (Finale)

What’s the show? Bloom Into You, Episode 13 (Finale).

So how’s this episode? It’s surprising…

By which you mean? I’m surprised by its non-ending—not that I was expecting any kind of closure, one of my commenters assured me of that fact that weeks ago. I’m surprised by the confidence this show has in its audience. Also I’m surprised by how good it still is, actually scratch that, this show has proven itself more than capable at this point. The point I’m trying to make is that the show doesn’t force a ‘fake’ ending and it’s still a satisfying finale. Even if things are left more or less ~in the middle~ of two stories.

You don’t think your being too forgiving? Maybe. But I prefer the show to not rush towards a conclusion it’s not ready for just for the sake of an impatient TV audience, this is roughly the midway point of the manga, the mangaka has estimated an end date in 2019/2020 so maybe we’ll get a second season then.

Right so what happens in this “non-ending”? In the first half Yuu and Koyomi go to everyone’s favourite gay cafe to work on the amendments to the play’s script and Koyomi tasks Yuu with coming up with a title. Afterwards Sayaka and Touka come to the cafe after the other two have left and they have a deep discussion about Touko’s sister—we don’t see the conversation and that works in the show’s favour I think. Also because we already kinda know what Touko’s sister was like to Touko because Touko plays that role everyday. Then after they leave Riko, their teacher stops by to pick up Miyako the coffee shop owner from work so they can go home together and the two have an “interesting” exchange.

Oh? And what do you mean by “interesting”? Well turns out our favourite gay couple are both actually bisexual. Which I mean doesn’t change much, but I tell you what it’s good to see bisexual characters in an anime who are in a stable relationship and not presented as sexually aggressive or perverted. Also turns out, when asked her preferences for either men or women Riko says she prefers men which elicits a comical reaction from Miyako. Riko then elaborates by saying it’s “different” with her and that she’s just fallen for her. And it reminded me of the best character and moment in ‘Citrus’ when Sara explains her bisexuality to Yuzu by saying “it doesn’t matter if I’m in a relationship with a boy or a girl, it just happened to be a girl this time.” More of this in our anime please!

Hard to argue with that. Anything else? Yes of course that’s only half the episode! So Yuu invites Touko to go to an aquarium and watching these two have about as a ‘normal’ a date possible for them was so heartwarming and adorable. And the episode doesn’t end with some forced cliffhanger or dramatic moment or angsty misunderstanding it just has a quaint little montage of all the characters over the end credits and that’s it for Bloom Into You (for now–hopefully)!

Such a simple gesture but it means everything.

Right then, overall thoughts on the final episode? I could absolutely understand a person being underwhelmed by this ending. Especially as how nearly half the season has been building to a stage play that’s yet to eventuate in the narrative. But as for me I’m more than happy with what we got, it’s a beautiful, low-key and heartfelt episode that makes me want to watch the series all over again.

Previous Bloom Into You Reviews:

Love Takes Time – Episode 1 Review
The Flower Blooms Alone – Episode 2 Review
Strength In Vulnerability – Episode 3 Review
The Ever Watchful Gardener – Episode 4 Review
Study Buddies – Episode 5 Review
Scenic Roots – Episode 6 Review
Garden Of Secrets – Episode 7 Review
Rainy Day Feelings – Episode 8 Review
Racing Hearts – Episode 9 Review
Playing The Part – Episode 10 Review
Life Imitates Art – Episode 11 Review
Last Minute Rewrite – Episode 12 Review

If you liked my post and want to support my content, please consider supporting my Patreon page, or donating by buying me a coffee on Ko-fi!

Last Minute Rewrite – ‘Bloom Into You’ Episode 12 Review

Last Minute Rewrite – An Anime QandA Review of ‘Bloom Into You’ Episode 12

What’s the show? Bloom Into You, Episode 12.

So how’s this episode? I feel like there was a cohesiveness to this episode that felt very satisfying, not that other episodes haven’t been but with the emphasis being on the play they are rehearsing for and the fact that the play is mirroring Touka’s real life made for richly compelling viewing.

Okay that’s good. What specifically happens in the episode? Yuu feels a distance growing between her and Touko, whether it’s just Touko doing so intentionally because she doesn’t want to smother Yuu with affection or unintentionally because of the revelation about her deceased sister last week—she feels it nonetheless. After the study camp is over Yuu takes the initiative and invites Touko to come over to her house and up to her room. Touko is hesitant, saying if she comes up she won’t be able to “hold back” but Yuu doesn’t care because she wants exactly that, she wants to be closer to Touko in every sense of the word. The scene with them on the bed goes from insanely sensual and intimate to heartbreakingly honest as Touko once again repeats her plea “please don’t fall in love with me” before adding “because I hate myself and I couldn’t be with someone who loves something I hate.”

Ouch. Indeed, but this ‘declaration’ is the impetus for Yuu to take action. After Touko leaves she gets in contact with her friend Koyomi who is writing the script for the stage play and requests that she change the ending of the play.

How’s that going to help with Yuu and Touko’s relationship though? Well Touko believes that she has to pretend to be a ~better~ person than she is and that the person she has to be is one to be found out there. Which is more or less the decision of the character she plays in the play. What Yuu proposes is that she doesn’t pick any of the personalities that her friends and family assign for her but rather be the person she is now and learn to live and grow with that version of herself.

Why does she look so evil? She means well, I swear!

I guess that could work, but it might also not. True, but Yuu doesn’t have many other options available to her. The only way Yuu can get Touko to accept her burgeoning love for is to get Touko to love herself for who she is.

So with only one more episode left do you think things will get wrapped up nicely? Do I think we’ll be at ‘happily ever after’? God no, as much as I’d love to see them as a ~proper~ couple, there’s no way this story is near that point. So all I can do now is patiently wait the finale and then anxiously hope for a second season!

Previous Bloom Into You Reviews:

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Life Imitates Art – ‘Bloom Into You’ Episode 11 Review

Life Imitates Art – An Anime QandA Review of ‘Bloom Into You’ Episode 11

What’s the show? Bloom Into You, Episode 11.

So how’s this episode? It’s complicated. Not my feelings for the episode—it’s excellent as to be expected. No it’s the episode that throws up a bunch of convolutions and complexities but they all come about naturally and none of them feel contrived or overwrought and that’s no mean feat!

Okay so what’s it about then? The student council has gathered for a 3 day/2 night ‘sleepover’ at the school to better prepare for the the upcoming play. And seeing as the only girls staying the night are Yuu, Touko and Sayaka that means they’ll be bathing together for the first time and sleeping in close proximity for one another. The bath changing/bath scene and the bed time scene are two of my favourites so far from the perspective that almost all the drama is happening in each of the characters minds. Sayaka wanting to confess her feelings, Touko wanting to look at Yuu’s nude body and Yuu wanting to be able to reach out and touch Touko. All that’s happening in their heads while on the surface they’re having to seem calm and collected as if nothing at all is wrong. It makes for compelling viewing that’s for sure!

And does anything happen between any of them? Well, no, but that’s the way of things. Plus as much as I would have liked something to happen, it makes sense that no one acts on their feelings right now—though something that happens late in the episode makes me think something will in the next episode!

What happens? Well a little context first, their supervising teacher Riko sensei invites a member of her theatre troupe to talk to them all and give them some pointers. But as it turns out, he’s an alumni of the school and in fact was not only in the same grade as Touko’s deceased sister but was also in the school council under her presidency. Touko asks what she was like, her curiosity about other people’s perceptions no doubt spurred by the play that’s covering similar subject matter and to her shock she learns that her sister was far from perfect.

Sayaka’s got the look like something more gay was going on here than in reality.

In what ways? In very Japanese ways, at the risk of generalising having a girl who looks perfect but is actually a bit frantic and uses her fellow student council members to help copy summer homework she didn’t do hardly screams “omg she was a completely different person than I thought.” But that’s because I live in Australia where academics and being the ‘model student’ aren’t held to the same high standard of importance as they are in Japan. That said I still did feel for Touko, the look on her face when she realizes she didn’t know the ‘real’ version of her sister is pretty saddening.

And what’s this moment you were sliding to earlier? Oh right. So while the others are having fun letting off fireworks Touko confides this new revelation not in Yuu but Sayaka. Not maliciously mind you, she just happened to be the particular shoulder to lean on in that moment. But the look on Sayaka’s face when Touko says “I can tell you these things” makes me think Sayaka is going to use this as the green-light to confess her feelings. Which, well if she does, isn’t going to go well for the poor girl since Touko’s still obsessed with Yuu. But maybe it’ll give Yuu the necessary push to be honest with her own desires and bring Yuu and Touko closer as a result? We can only hope…

Overall thoughts on the episode? Wonderfully deep and rich character moments mixed with the shows usual charms makes this another top-tier episode, not much else to say but that!

Previous Bloom Into You Reviews:

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Killing Scandals With Scandals – ‘DAKAICHI -I’m being harassed by the sexiest man of the year-’ Episode 11 Review with Irina & Matt

Killing Scandals With Scandals – An Anime QandA Review of DAKAICHI -I’m being harassed by the sexiest man of the year- Episode 11

Episode 11 of me and Irina’s collab reviews on DAKAICHI, I’m represented by the bold text while Irina (from I Drink And Watch Anime) is not in bold.

So here we are with another Dakaichi review, ready for you weekly dose of problematic sexual advances? I know I am! I get pretty regular helpings of those so this is probably my favourite version of it!

First of all, I kinda disliked how ambivalent Takato was about their break-up, like I get that Takato wanted to handle it all himself but I mean at least talk to Junta about what’s going on, yeah? That’s what people in healthy relationships do, though I guess the mistake I made was presuming this was in any way a “healthy” relationship! Like I mentioned last week, the contrived breakups are one of the romance tropes that annoys me he most. At least here Takato had a logical reason that makes perfect sense. And I agree, a relationship built on almost constant harassment probably shouldn’t be considered “healthy”, as much as I have grown to like the two of them together.

Looks like a shot out of cologne commercial.

Call me naiive but I’m not sure I got why Takato let Junta have “one more night to do what you want to me” before breaking up? Is it because he presumed if he didn’t he’d have his way with him anyway? Or is this ~normal~ for break-ups? Break-up sex? Unsurprisingly I haven’t had many relationships on my time on earth… I get that this was way to throw i some extra sexy fanservice but the whole time I was like, why? Who does that? What’s the point of this? Why would Junta agree and in such a way at that… This is weird. It’s a show…these aren’t real people. What I’m saying is that it killed my suspension of disbelief.

Something you mentioned last week, about “homosexuality being a non-issue” here in whatever alternate reality Japan this is pretty much was on-the-money, much to my surprise. The fact that the photographer didn’t see any value in the ‘kiss photo’ between Junta and Takato because they were ex-partners at that point seemed like a massive plot contrivance if this took place in ~our~ heteronormative version of reality. The social norms towards sex are really confusing in this universe. Most of the time it seems a given that everyone is either bi or pansexual. Not Junta has no issue about sleeping with women (occasionally for his career) and being attracted to Takato. Everyone swoons over Junta regardless of gender. So when Junta suddenly starts dating a woman, no one at all, including Takato, even mentions it. But it’s also inconsistent. Whenever a guy hits on him (like Usaka this episode), he keeps saying that he’s a man. Implying that attraction between two men is at least unusual. But then in the same scene Usaka relents simply by saying he can’t have sex with someone he’s been watching over since he was a child, making the homosexuality issue completely irrelevant again. It’s very uneven.

The scenes with the suave smoking producer guy (whose name I can’t recall and can’t find in a 3 second google search) were quite interesting… though swerved into ~problematic~ territory super quick too. I liked that Takato was at least trying to play the ‘alpha’ card in this situation even if it didn’t amount to much. His name is Usaka!!! I just said it. I’m useful! I don’t know what an alpha card is so sadly I can only contribute the name.

I don’t usually find anime men attractive, but Usaka… I like.

And then the scenes with the paparazzi guy (man I’m terrible with names) I didn’t expect to get a ‘tragic backstory’ for him… I mean as tragic as unrealised artistic potential and regret for ruining people’s lives can be. But I mean, I guess I appreciate the sentiment? I’m in two minds about the paparazzi subplot, on the one hand in my mind there was a lot more ~juicy material~ to mine from such a story so I’m at least a little underwhelmed by what we got. But then again what we got was somewhat unexpected! I am fairly indifferent about the character himself but I do really like the fact that they are giving him an actual personality, not just a plot device obstacle. However, I do like the narrative use of fame as a roadblock to their romance. It’s a natural fit, not too imaginative but easy to develop and flexible enough to yield a lot of potential. I also really enjoy that their respective careers remain so important. Too often, romance stories tend to make the romantic relationship the only important thing in the characters’ lives and tat often feels shallow. Here, there’s at least more that one angle to take.

So Junta’s decided to date his female co-star on his new project to divert attention away from Takato in the “tabloids”. Smart move? Maybe. But even though they painted this woman as something of a ‘cougar’ who goes through a lot of younger men, I still kind of felt sorry for her? I mean she’s being used by Junta, but then again, I’m probably not supposed to be caring about her. I guess that’s the problem with a (relatively) straight male watching a Yaoi series, I latch onto the bit-part female side characters… I agree. We don’t know what the long term plan is but so far, this seems downright cruel to Yurie (?). Unless this is an agreement and she knows what’s up and is also using this for publicity, or even because she wants to help young love. Unless she knows exactly what’s going on though, I can’t see how this can be resolved without Junta looking like a jerk. Well…except if he’s just in love with her… but nah.

Why do actors having coffee together look so French?

And then we get a scene with (oh god, I can’t remember his name either) guy who tried to rape Takato but didn’t and looks a lot like Junta just with a bad haircut. Not Junta!!! Ayagi I think. He gets my prize for “most improved” as in I no longer want him to fall into a wood chipper.

So a lot happened in this episode and it was entertaining and even kind of heartfelt towards the end. But I’m not sure where I sit on it, a part of me thinks that Takato was a bit of sweetheart for risking his whole career to save Junta’s, but another part of me thinks that’s ~totally~ out of character for him! But then again, love makes us do crazy things and it’s quite clear that Takato loves the heck out of Junta. Ok so plot wise, like just dispassionate story, this episode was kind of dumb as far as I’m concerned. It was the usual people running around doing inexplicable stuff for no reason. Feelings or whatever… BUT I liked it. It was very well paced, flowing perfectly from one scene to the next with just enough emotional manipulation to keep you vested but never so much as to become annoying. The characters are intriguing and I wanted to see what happened to them (not so much what they would do because…nonsense!). It was a more visceral experience. With my personal tastes, I would have preferred to see more calm trust building and just happy times with our two leads but I guess you need some duh-rama. In any case, the director is quite good.

She kind of looks like Takato so maybe *that’s* why Junta’s dating her?! (I know that’s not the reason…)

Anything else you wanted to add? There’s only one episode left right? How are they gonna wrap it up. This feels still very unfinished a story.

Actually I’m pretty sure this is a 13 ep season so there’s still time! (maybe… probably?)

Thanks for reading and make sure to catch next episode’s review on Irina’s site!

Previous DAKAICHI Reviews:

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Playing The Part – ‘Bloom Into You’ Episode 10 Review

Playing The Part – An Anime QandA Review of ‘Bloom Into You’ Episode 10

What’s the show? Bloom Into You, Episode 10.

So how’s this episode? So this episode addresses something so intrinsically human about relationships that a lot of anime of its ilk (i.e. romance anime) fail to properly address that I couldn’t help but be impressed by it.

And what’s that then? Selfishness. And I’m not talking the kind of over-dramatic, relationship-ending selfishness that a lot of shows might indulge in, no i’m talking about ~comfortable selfishness~.

I’m not sure I know what that is? Oh of course you do, you know that feeling when you become so complacent of something that you begin to subconsciously test how far you can push someone, be it your parent, or sibling or teacher or friend or lover. A lot of the time I don’t think it’s born of a particular malice, rather just boredom of the routine or even something of a power-struggle. Everybody likes to think they are the top dog in whatever respective partnership they are perceiving and being ~comfortably selfish~ with someone is often a great way to test the proverbial waters.

This reminded me of DAKAICHI so damn much lol.

Okay. So is that all this episode is about? Of course not, it’d be a dull affair if it were limited to just so. A considerable chunk is afforded to ‘the play’ which is rapidly becoming the focus of this anime. Koyomi has finished her script for the play and is reluctant to let it be seen by others, she does inevitably and we get a quick rundown of the plot and characters–it’s a far more deep and sophisticated story than I’d expect from a high-schooler but then again a high-schooler’s mind is free to run away moreso than an adults. Also Koyomi is smart and incredibly perceptive too so I shouldn’t have been too surprised…

What’s the play about? It’s about an amnesiac who’s in the hospital and visited by three people, her younger brother, her classmate and her lover. Hearing about herself from these other people gives her three distinctly different interpretations of herself and by the end of the play with her memories still not returning, she has to decide which version of herself to be in order to get on with the rest of her life.

Yeah that is pretty deep for a high school play. And who’s playing the roles? Well Touko is obviously playing the lead role as the amnesiac, the two boys on the student council are playing brother and classmate, while Yuu is relegated to a minor part of the hospital nurse. Its Sayaka who is taking on the juicy part of Touko’s lover which is bound to cause some stirrings from a lot of people involved!

I asked for more of teacher x cafe owner and the gay anime gods were listening!

So overall thoughts on the episode? Even though this is something of an in-between episode there’s still a considerable amount of depth to the events. The moment with the wishing tree stands out, its a small and subtle scene but carries such emotional weight and its devastating that Yuu is unable to even bring himself to admit that she wants to be able to initiate things with Touko, let alone even write it as a wish on a damned tree. As always, Bloom Into You is an exercise in restrained, understated brilliance.

Previous Bloom Into You Reviews:

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Racing Hearts – ‘Bloom Into You’ Episode 9 Review

Racing Hearts – An Anime QandA Review of ‘Bloom Into You’ Episode 9

What’s the show? Bloom Into You, Episode 9.

So how’s this episode? As always it’s low-key brilliance, but there’s a single moment that’s the centerpiece of the episode that was so devastatingly beautiful that I can scarcely bring myself to talk about it.

Well that’s hardly going to make for a good review–how about talk about what this episode is about first and then maybe you can make some headway on “the centerpiece” later. Sure, so it’s coming up to sports festival time and Touko is getting more affectionate than ever, making out with her in the sports shed a bit before Yuu insists they stop. She tells her she’s banned from kissing her until after the sports festival–Touka agrees but on the condition that Yuu initiates the kiss next time they do it. The day of the sports festival comes, and its just jammed packed full of these cute little scenes from so many different characters on the show, it’d be almost boring to list all of them. My favourite though were Koyomi the writer discussing her troubles with writing the script for the play and Miyako the cafe owner coming to visit for girlfriend Riko who is participating in the teacher’s relay race. There’s even a lot of great back and forth between Akari on the basketball team and Touko as they size up before their big relay race. Which leads in to…

You want a kiss pic? You have to scroll to the end of this review for the good stuff!

Ah the all important scene, so let’s hear it, what was so good about it? So after Yuu completes her portion of the relay race she’s watching Touko run and as she’s watching this beautiful girl; the sun glistening off her sweat streaked cheeks, the wind rushing through her hair and the determined but effortless look on her face she finally realises that she does in fact have feelings for her. There’s no need for any words, no over-bearing inner monologue, just the way everything disappears from her vision but Touko and then the look on Yuu’s face. It’s just utterly perfect and at the same time absolutely heartbreaking.

Oh? Well Touko doesn’t want Yuu to fall in love with her and yet it’s happened (more or less) and as beautiful as it should be, it’s a moment tinged with an inevitable heartache for one or even both. It makes for powerful and compelling viewing and somehow even manages to top the ‘river’ scene from Episode 6!

So what happens after that then? Obviously Yuu doesn’t say anything about these burgeoning feelings but Touko is still ~DTK~ and after the sports day is over corners Yuu in the sports equipment shed again. It’s a scene that’s somehow both romantic and explosive but also kind of awkward and uncomfortable… but that’s a good thing, I think?

What do you mean? I mean in a narratively rich and dramatic way, obviously it sucks for Yuu to have to be in this situation–afraid to confessing to new feelings because of being shut out by Touko who just wants Yuu to remain the same ‘loveless’ entity. In some ways there’s something controlling and predatory about Touko’s behaviour–she only wants Yuu to basically be her doll, to come along and kiss and hug whenever she wants, never to grow beyond that. I mean that’s probably a harsh reading of Touko’s character but nevertheless it makes for an inherently watchable drama!

Poor Yuu, ~figuratively~ drowning in her doubts.

Anything else you want to add? I don’t mention it enough in my reviews (mostly because I’m rushing and forget things) but music plays a big part in the episode especially the insert song that accompanies the ‘big scene’ in the middle. It’s a gorgeous piece of music with some thought provoking lyrics and it just adds to the brilliance of that whole part of the episode.

Overall thoughts then on the episode? I don’t know if this is my favourite episode, in hindsight it may well be just because of how much of a turning point it was and of course how well made it is but I think there have been more visually distinctive episodes (such as the aforementioned Episode 6 that was straight up art), this one is a bit more visually simplistic but what it makes up for in spades is genuine emotion and that’s something that’s a lot harder to come by than pretty pictures.

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Opening Night – ‘DAKAICHI -I’m being harassed by the sexiest man of the year-’ Episode 9 Review with Irina & Matt

Opening Night – An Anime QandA Review of DAKAICHI -I’m being harassed by the sexiest man of the year- Episode 9

Episode 9 of me and Irina’s collab reviews on DAKAICHI, I’m represented by the bold text while Irina (from I Drink And Watch Anime) is not in bold.

Well thankfully last weeks ~unpleasantness~ (namely poor animation/art, a pointless story and padding for time) seemed to have been a fluke as the quality we’ve come to expect from this show returns. Though that makes last week’s flaws even more glaring by comparison… There was still a few hiccups. The flashback scene with Chunta pinning Takato against a wall zoomed out and all the crew looked like half formed blobs, but it was still night and day, I’ll give you that. I don’t think Dakaichi has a phenomenal animation budget but last week showed us that it could have been much MUCH worse…

So this episode has quite the fractured timeline, jumping from Takato’s birth (where the nurses where all swooning over how cute of a baby he was) then running through his childhood years in a hot-minute before introducing a very important woman in his life, his grandmother–an acting legend who happens to bare a striking resemblance to current-day Takato. You’re touching on a few points here. I enjoy non linear storytelling A LOT, but I do think this episode lacked a bit of focus. Or rather the pacing was off. Some scenes went off for too long while other moments were breezed over. Takato and his grandmother being good example. I think they could have shortened the actual play and spent a little more time with young Takato and his grandma to really make us feel their relationship.

He’s a cute little shota! Ahem, I mean child.

Minor squabble aside, I really did enjoy the idea that Takato’s inspiration and probably ultimate rival is his Grandma. Too often these women are relegated in service role, only there to bring comfort to the characters. To have one as a fully realized independent character was awesome and to see and grandma, grandson relationship as a driving force is unusual and very interesting to me. He fact is, the character could have existed and been just as relevant without being Takato’s grandmother, simply a mentor, but the relationship makes it that much more interesting.

It was interesting to see ‘Takato–the early years’, and at first I was worrying “what’s the point of this, how’s this going to tie into the current narrative!” but I shouldn’t have been so dismissive as it turns out, but we’ll touch on that more later. The vain, insecure and petty side of Takato is one of my favourite things about him. It was great to see that he was always that way. Fame intensified it but it’s part of who he is. I liked that.

There’s even sexy times too! This episode had everything!

We get to see some of the events of the excellent Episode 7 but from Takato’s perspective, the scene where he first met Junta and was eyeing him up his “stats” like ‘The Terminator’ was great! Rashōmon! Events retold from different perspectives is one of my all time favourite narrative ploys. I always love when it gets used (go see the fantastic Jet Li movie ‘Hero’ if you haven’t), and this was no exception. In fact, I would have dedicated an entire episode to it. As it was, I did really like how narcissistic Takato is. The same story was so much more introverted when he tells it. He was the star of Chunta’s recollection and he still is the star of his own. Love that guy!

I’m glad we got to see a fair chunk of the stage show and that it’s seemingly a very extravagant production what with all the back projection stage graphics. It seemed like an interesting show but more than that the little bits of Takato’s inner monologue as he’s thinking about Junta were a great touch. I’m divided. I did like seeing it a lot but as I mentioned above, I think it went on a bit to long. There are other threads in this episode tat i would have liked to see go on for longer instead.

And then we get the ~revelation~ (at least from Takato’s perspective) that Junta was the one who carried him to hospital when he was sick, and then the revelation to us the audience that Takato’s kind of been in love with him since the beginning(?) that was the impression I got from those scattered bunch of scenes. I’m not sure about love, but the connection runs deeper that first expected. Takato is a proud guy and a classic tsundere so being in a way indebted to Chunta changes a lot.

So looks like paparazzi guy is *finally* (maybe) going to make some ~drama~ after being introduced way back in Episode 6.

I didn’t think we’d need more characterisation for Takato, like I’m fairly sure both of us were pretty much fully on-side with Takato but somehow this episode made me like him (and also them as a couple) even more than before. The strongest parts by far was when the two were together and for that I have to give kudos to the series. It made their relationship seem tangible and comforting. I really didn’t expect that from the two first episodes.

Overall I’m not sure I liked it quite as much as Episode 7 but it was pretty close! I like how narratively tight it was, despite seeming disjointed at least in terms of cutting back and forth between different time periods. In clumsier hands this could have been a confusing episode but I feel like the pulled it off with a deft hand. Not only that there were even a couple of moments that brought a tear to his eye, like when Takato finishes his opening night performance and he sees a fleeting image of his deceased Grandmother in the crowd. I know I liked episode 7 better. I still like this one but 7 was just fantastic. To me this episode was good, with a lot of nice touches but there was something a bit off in the pacing. The end however was so sweet it made up for any hitches.

Takato’s grandmother. G-g-g-ghost! No but seriously, I shed a tear or two…

What about you Irina, anything else you wanted to add? The next episode preview hinted at a possible breakup and I hurt my eyes rolling them…. I don’t know if you play a lot of dating sims, the contrived uber dramatic breakup is sort of an otome trope and I pretty much always hate it. I’m weary….. the classic “third act break-up” hopefully it’ll have a purpose and not just be pointless drama—only time will tell!

Thanks for reading and make sure to catch next episode’s review on Irina’s site!

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Rainy Day Feelings – ‘Bloom Into You’ Episode 8 Review

Rainy Day Feelings – An Anime QandA Review of ‘Bloom Into You’ Episode 8

What’s the show? Bloom Into You, Episode 8.

So how’s this episode? Surprisingly(?) the action is focused on Sayaka again—or rather she’s involved in the episodes events way more than I expected.

Is this a good thing? Absolutely! Not only does it make last weeks episode feel even more relevant but it creates a much richer and complex ~atmosphere~ around the whole show. Not only that, there’s a little pre-credit sequence where Sayaka comes face-to-face with the first girlfriend she had who dumped her over Summer break by dismissing their entire relationship as “a phase”! And the bitch ex-girlfriend gets some Japanese style shade thrown her way, that is to say still polite as heck but oh so satisfying to watch!

Okay, so what about the rest of the episode? We get a couple of really interesting scenes between Sayaka and Yuu and I didn’t expect to enjoy the sometimes sassy sometimes tense chemistry these two have together. Also one of the scenes takes place at a not-McDonalds restaurant and I know this is a weird thing to hone in on considering everything else but I feel like this is the first time I’ve ever seen someone in an anime eat a Hot Apple Pie (or Japanese seasonal equivalent) at not-McDonalds.

That is weird, you’re weird. I know. So anyway the two of them talk about Touko and the play and I do wonder whether the drama between these two–or rather the simmering ~almost~ drama will ever reach a point that Sayaka has an outburst or a confession or both! Though at the rate this show is moving I doubt it’ll happen this season, but I can hope!

You want drama between them? I want a release, that’s all. Like, I hate that Sayaka has to be stuck in this ‘holding pattern’ for the lack of a better term, she needs to confess her feelings for Touko, get rejected and move on with her life. Sayaka deserves happiness too!

I ship them as friends. *Just* as friends!

Anything else happen? Of course. It’s a rainy day and Yuu’s forgotten her umbrella, after a couple of opportunities to share an umbrella fall through who comes to the rescue but her knight in shining seifuku–Touko with an umbrella built for two. The two have a cute but inconsequential walk home until they stop under some cover for a rest and then there’s an awkward moment. Yuu uncharacteristically shows some affection towards Touko which in any budding relationship would be a good thing, but as we’re reminded Touko doesn’t want Yuu to fall in love with her because of her messed up ideas about what ‘being in love’ means. It’s a bitter-sweet way to end the episode because while Yuu is clearly beginning to feel something which is good, it might end up pushing Touko away as a result, which is bad, not just for the two of them but for us watching too! Nobody needs a third act break-up arc, that shit is played out my friend!

So overall thoughts on the episode then? It’s great–more of the same–but great!

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