Subculture Anime Blog

OP: “Aozora loop” by marble – Same song, new animation. I like this a lot better than the previous one, and the girls kissing off screen probably hints towards some change.

Summary:

After more progress on the script he is writing, Kouichi thinks to himself that this is all thanks to Yumi. Looking at his hand, he can only think of the time they recently spent together. Meanwhile, Yumi is troubled about saying something to Kouichi. Mao finds that Kouichi has completed the script while walking to school with him, and correctly guesses that this has something to do with Yumi. The two then pass by Asuka, quickly becoming surprised at her injury. Nana and Narumi appear shortly afterwards, revealing specials lunches to help Asuka cheer up. Asuka accidentally drops her bag, but this is quickly picked up by Kazuki. Kazuki offers to carry it for her until they reach the school, making Asuka blush as he walks ahead. Eiji sees Mao looking out of the window in their classroom, as she thinks about Kouichi’s words from the morning. Mao tells Eiji that she was thinking about summer break being upon them when he greets her, but Eiji is only able to think about Mao’s previous pondering about Kouichi. Asuka is knocked over at the end of the closing ceremony, but she is luckily caught by Kazuki. Asuka can’t help but notice Kazuki’s looking at Eriko afterwards, however, while he is surprised that she was there. Arriving at a stairwell together, Asuka takes the chance to express Kazuki’s kind qualities. She goes on to wonder why Kazuki and Eriko are on good terms even though they are in different classes, but Kazuki is unable to give her a clear answer. Asuka is finally able to make Kazuki admit that he likes Eriko, however, before being left alone at the bottom of the stairs.

Akira praises Kouichi and Yumi for their work on the script, noticing how obviously well they are getting along. Kazuki meets Eriko in her usual room, and begins talking about summer break with her. Eriko states that she has never had a problem with summer work like Kazuki has, before stating the obvious that she cannot do his work for him. The two quickly decide that there would be no problems with meeting during the summer, so they exchange phone numbers with each other. When Eriko receives Kazuki’s number, she simply leaves while promising to meet him again. When class ends, Yumi asks to go home together with Kouichi. Mao meets Eiji outside the school while he is on the phone. He reveals that he has taken the day off at work, before quickly leading Mao off. Asuka sits on the side lines while Kazuki is at soccer practice, but she is only able to think about their conversation earlier. When Kazuki asks Asuka for advice, he quickly finds that she has not been paying any attention to his moves at all. Kazuki expresses his hope to play for Asuka’s share too, before returning to practice. Asuka takes his words in a different light, believing that she can take advantage of any slight hope she has as well.

Mao wonders where she is going with Eiji while they are on a train, but he only tells her that she would know when they get there. Mao expresses her surprise that Eiji took the train, but he states that it is ok from time to time. While eating at a burger shop with her, Kouichi believes that it seems like he and Yumi are going out. Kouichi is reminded of Mao’s kiss when Yumi touches her lips, causing him to wonder in panic why he would at such a moment. When Kouichi asks if Yumi would like to do anything, she replies that she would like to ride on a boat with him. They end up doing so, but Kouichi quickly gets into an awkward position with Yumi. Kouichi only apologizes, but Yumi mentions the effect this boat is suppose to have on couples afterwards. Meanwhile, Mao and Eiji have arrived to their destination next to the sea. Eiji treats Mao to some burgers that he had heard of from a previous visit, as Mao notices that she may not have properly looked at Eiji before.

Kouichi takes the chance to hold Yumi’s hand while walking with her, and she suggests that they play in the arcade they pass by. Kouichi wonders if they should go after spending quite a bit of time there, but Yumi desperately asks for more time. Spending time with Eiji at the beach, Mao buys some popsicles from a vender. The woman working there wonders if Eiji is Mao’s boyfriend, making Mao think about this to herself. Eiji leads a wondering Mao to a view of an amazing sunset above the city, making her thank him for brining her. When Mao wonders why, Eiji expresses that it is because it looked like she was not doing well. This makes Mao realize that Eiji has been looking at her all this time, as she places her head on his shoulder. Yumi spends more time with Kouichi as it gets later in the night, but she finally reveals that she will be transferring. In tears, Yumi expresses how panicked she was about not being able to see Kouichi anymore. Kouichi replies by promising that he will continue to see Yumi while wrapping his arms around her.

Preview: Summer Holidays? In America we call that…..forget it.

Impression:

Oh man, the half way point definitely points towards change for the good. I knew something was up when I saw the new OP, and it looks like things are finally moving forward. I think I put down Asuka in one of my earlier impressions, but she is totally growing on me now. I think I am being tricked by her massive amount of blushing, because I really want to see more of her. Seeing Eriko smile so easily was just as awesome, and I laughed at her quick demanding of Kazuki’s number. I really liked Asuka’s thought of taking any chance she can, and it makes me realize that Kazuki’s story won’t be as static as I originally thought it would be. Eiji definitely knows what’s up too, since he finally made some moves. His finally making Mao realize his feelings was great, but it better stay that way.

The most progress was obviously made by Yumi, as she finally revealed to Kouichi that she will be transferring (it only took like four freaking episodes). I think we all saw it coming with her clingy actions towards him though. I unintentionally laughed really hard when Yumi said she wanted to ride a boat with Kouichi, and I don’t think I really need to explain why. The actual boat scene also gave me a ton of Zero no Tsukaima vibes (I remember when that show was good, JCStaff). Watching the arcade scenes gave me some weird feelings too, cause I recently realized how much I suck at claw games as well. I’m kind of annoyed that Kouichi wouldn’t kiss Yumi at the end of this episode, while we just got some of that “turning into a pretty painting” crap instead. Oh well.

By the way, there’s a new ED by Suara too. The animation is the same though, so I didn’t bother to cap it. It’s decent, but I probably haven’t heard enough yet to really judge it. I’m kind of glad though, because the last song was starting to annoy me for the wrong reasons.