Of course, the last episode finally gave us the reconciliation between Sawako, Yano and Yoshida, with the promise of some after-school ramen for the trio of new-found friends. However, come the start of this instalment, we learn that this never happened properly due to the ramen shop being closed - However, the good news is that Sawako gets invited to eat out the following Saturday, much to the delight of her parents, astonished as they are that she's finally found a friend.
So, off goes Sawako to eat with her friends, and as the episode progresses so they are joined by Ryuu, before the girls suggest that he invite Kazehaya along so that he doesn't feel left out. Eventually, this all-important phone call is left to Sawako to make, and needless to say Shouta wastes no time in coming to join the festivities.
While this might all feel like a bit of an anti-climax after the raw emotion of recent episodes, this was another wonderful instalment of Kimi ni Todoke, albeit in a very different way. Most notably, the dynamic between the set of friends portrayed here is genuinely fun to watch, from Kazehaya being teased mercilessly (and struggling with his jealousy) through to Ryuu's deadpan delivery and all the way onwards to Sawako's naive yet adorable excitement and enthusiasm when it comes to all of the new experiences she's taking part in. Quite simply, it's enough to leave you with a big grin on your face, and that's exactly what I was left with come the end of this episode. This might not be the kind of episode you think back upon and remember with fondness (I've found myself thinking about the past couple of episodes of this series and getting a lump in my throat a few times of late), but in its own right it's a beautiful and gentle thing - Once again, it seems that Kimi ni Todoke can do no wrong in my book.
This episode left me a little unsatisfied, but not because of the change of pace. Is it just me, or did the animation get worse in this episode? The constant caricatures of Sawako and company seemed forced (yeah, the view changes based on her perspective of events, but a chibi is also a lot cheaper to draw...).
ReplyDeleteShows like True Tears, Toradora, Bakemonogatari, and Kimi no Todoke are so satisfying because they manage to engage us both visually and emotionally. I hope that Kimi no Todoke maintains the story quality and regains the visual quality it's shown up to now.
I was grinning like an idiot for the whole twenty minutes. I love this show.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't intending on watching this show to begin with, but your reviews changed my mind and I'm glad they did.
ReplyDeleteSome of episodes 4-5 were a bit over the top to me as I caught myself talking to the screen telling Sawako to man up and say what's on her mind, but 6 made it all good again.
I loved this episode as a great change of pace and I'm pleased to see that Sawako looks to be realizing her feelings for Kazehaya extend beyond admiration. Really looking forward to next week.
Like JW says above, it's pretty much hopeless trying to criticise a show that has you staring at a screen for 25 minutes with a grin all over your face. Watching this show dissolves some of the layer of cynicism that many of us have developed. Often the statement "youth is wasted on the young" is depressingly true, but this show says it doesn't have to be that way. The characters in Kimi ni Todoke are people who aren't wasting their youth.
ReplyDeleteHigh points - the teasing of Kazehaya, which was both funny, touching and slightly alarming at the same time - is he going to lose it? (No, but if Yano had kept going . . .). Sawako's small steps on the road towards adulthood - we're all supporting her, but goodness, it's going to be a slow process. The poor girl is going to carry on being a slightly "difficult" character, but that's what makes good character development. If she'd changed into a a bright and sparkly heroine in an episode or two, this wouldn't have been such a good anime. Let's hope the quality keeps up - I can live with a bit of dubious animation as long as the story and characters are treated with respect.
And Ryuu was just awesomely cool again.