Subculture Anime Blog

Ami’s assets revealed! ..uh….again.

Summary:

Ryuji and Taiga see that the sun has risen, recalling that they were both unable to sleep because of what they saw the previous night. Yusaku walks in on the two as they discuss ways of scaring Minori, so Taiga quickly tells a lie about Minori actually liking horror. Seeing that the two were supposedly only trying to give Minori a present, Yusaku suggests that he and even Ami should help. As Ryuji prepares lunches for everyone a bit later, Minori appears to offer her help. When Ryuji notices how good Minori is at preparing vegetables, she credits this to things like having to take care of her little brother. Minori in turn notices how good Ryuji is at cooking, suggesting that his future wife would be very happy. This almost brings Ryuji to talk about their previous conversation, but Minori quickly tells him to keep this a secret from everyone else. Minori expresses that she is glad that it was Ryuji who she let these things slip to, but the nearby pot overflows to further change the subject. Not far away, Ami has been listening in on the conversation.

Ami is late joining with the rest of the group later, so Ryuji goes to check on her. This leads to him to meeting her in an attractive bikini, as well as falling victim to her usual flirtatious personality. Ami eventually wonders why Ryuji goes through such lengths to please Minori, and when he refuses to say why, she declines to help him with his plan. Yusaku also learns about this when he meets Ami outside, then leading him to make preparations on his own. By the time Yusaku returns though, Ami brings Minori’s interest to one of her caves on the resort. Despite the frightening atmosphere that the cave has when the group reaches it, Ryuji and the others quickly find that Yusaku’s idea of frightening things are not very effective.

Ryuji eventually comes across material that is very similar to what had appeared in his room the previous night, then confirming that Yusaku did not plant it. This frightens several members of the group, and when Ami decides to leave, the members are split up. After Ryuji follows Ami for awhile, she lies by telling him that they are lost. This allows Ami to see how scared of a person Ryuji actually is. Ami then gives her opinion by saying that Ryuji is unfitting for Minori. The two’s personalities were too different, not providing the type of equality that they would need to stay together. Ami almost suggests who Ryuji is more fitted to be with, but the two then hear screams coming from Minori and the other group.

When Ryuji and Ami meet up with Yusaku and Taiga, they quickly express that Minori had disappeared further into the cave. Yusaku soon follows her path, but seemingly suffers the same fate. Taiga enters screaming as well, but when Ryuji and Ami follow, they finally learn that Minori and Yusaku have been playing a trick on them. Back inside the house afterwards, Minori explains that she had noticed Taiga and Ryuji’s strange actions from the beginning. With this, she had Yusaku help her to make payback. Minori also reveals that she really does like horror, only expressing her fear of it so that people would more likely try to scare her.

Outside while everyone enjoys fireworks in the night, Ryuji brings up the conversation he was having with Ami previously. He tells her that he would certainly be lonely if she were gone, but also suggests that it would be more natural to wonder if she would be lonely. When Ami states that she has never thought about this before, Ryuji suggests that she should. Ami guesses that Ryuji believes that they are equal, before simply leaving with the suggestion that he can be kind at times. Ryuji then meets with Minori, who wonders why he tried to scare her. Minori easily sees through Ryuji’s initial response, as she notices that he is the type who only thinks of other’s well being, so Ryuji finally says that he wanted to help her find a ghost. Minori decides that she wants to know more about why Ryuji would do this for her, noticing his kindness, before suggesting that they search for UFOs next. At the sight of fireworks in the distance, Minori suggests that they have certainly found some. Unknown to everyone else, Taiga seems a bit bothered with Ryuji’s interactions. When the group returns to the town, she follows him home as usual.

Preview: Yuri comes up with evil plans at the cultural festival.

Impression:

Despite still having quite a bit of focus on Minori, this episode ended up being more of an Ami one to me. I still believe Toradora is shining with its ability to make us truly feel a relation to all the characters, with each little conversation having something nice to pull out of it. Ryuji’s implication that Ami is a loner was something I took particular note of, since I seem to play a similar role within my own group of friends. Isn’t there always the one who actually likes to remain distant despite caring for everyone? Ami also plays the role of an observer most of the time, which is very fitting to the character. Her easily seeing that Ryuji isn’t fit for Minori was really nice too, though I can only wonder if she actually has a desire to pursue him despite Taiga’s presence.

Minori even started to break out of her silly shell for awhile, even though it only lasted for a few seconds. She gets more and more ridiculous by the week, but it’s pretty obvious that she has more to her character under the surface. (I remember too.) Taiga’s finally showing some signs of jealously was great, and it looks like this is going to cause more of the usual trouble next week.

Notes:

• Friendship power anime!
• Onion in eye. Ouch.
• Kono dojiko me! Kawaii JANEKA.
• OH YO.
• Exercise: the true defeater of evil.
• USO DUH.
• Ami likes to be slapped by slimy things.
• No, that’s not a UFO. Silly head.