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"Beware The Sweet Trap That Tries To Lure You In" and "Hold On A Second, Familiarity and Carelessness Can Be Fatal"
SAYA IS A MAN DESTROYER!
Episode 11
Careful With Your Delusions
I think the best part about the opening portion of this episode is how little anyone seems to take Momoi seriously. Clearly it’s hard enough to have him around at the workplace, but even the people who put up with him on an everyday basis don’t really seem to care very much when he seemingly gets kidnapped. Perhaps that’s why he was so ready to be taken by that little girl and start a new life, but I’m more inclined to think he just belongs in the baka faction of the characters in this series. Regardless, the result is a good laugh at Momoi’s expense (I would have taken the plaid one too, fufu), though it’s unlikely his bunny self-esteem will ever be the same again.
Ahoges, Ahoges Everywhere
Hasebe is quickly reaching a place reserved in my heart for the likes of Mashima Taichi, a hellish place where good people fall for people thick as walls, and where they seem destined for the kind of torture we can’t stop watching. Of course, Hasebe’s predicament is still hugely amusing, and Lucy does seem to be getting the message a bit better than usual, though she’s still in enough denial to send the poor guy reeling. Momoi isn’t the only idiot in the ward office, though I fear for Hasebe’s mental health at this rate of progress. Come on Lucy, you can get over that naivety! Oh wait, we don’t actually want that, it’d be boring! Unless it happens in a timely finale, of course.
Saya, Destroyer of Confidences
I can’t express how much this mini-arc made me laugh, and how much I find I have in common with Saya, though perhaps not at first glance. Saya doesn’t really get her time to shine when surrounded by all the weirdos and brighter personalities, but she’s not quite as quiet and normal as she seems to come off when old ladies aren’t cornering her down. She has herself a rather pessimistic outlook on life, Saya does, and it comes equipped with a sharp tongue to lash at those who are being a pain. Of course, pointing out others’ faults doesn’t much improve her own situation, or at least, it doesn’t until it makes Tanaka out as more human than she’s previously thought him to be. A bit of a pain in the ass he might be, but Tanaka’s not a bad guy (I don’t think anyone in this series is), and he definitely has his charms. Saya’s outlook and bluntness might be a tad detrimental to her state of mind on occasion, but maybe just this once it’ll help her find something to get over her previous regrets.
I think the best part about the opening portion of this episode is how little anyone seems to take Momoi seriously. Clearly it’s hard enough to have him around at the workplace, but even the people who put up with him on an everyday basis don’t really seem to care very much when he seemingly gets kidnapped. Perhaps that’s why he was so ready to be taken by that little girl and start a new life, but I’m more inclined to think he just belongs in the baka faction of the characters in this series. Regardless, the result is a good laugh at Momoi’s expense (I would have taken the plaid one too, fufu), though it’s unlikely his bunny self-esteem will ever be the same again.
Hasebe is quickly reaching a place reserved in my heart for the likes of Mashima Taichi, a hellish place where good people fall for people thick as walls, and where they seem destined for the kind of torture we can’t stop watching. Of course, Hasebe’s predicament is still hugely amusing, and Lucy does seem to be getting the message a bit better than usual, though she’s still in enough denial to send the poor guy reeling. Momoi isn’t the only idiot in the ward office, though I fear for Hasebe’s mental health at this rate of progress. Come on Lucy, you can get over that naivety! Oh wait, we don’t actually want that, it’d be boring! Unless it happens in a timely finale, of course.
I can’t express how much this mini-arc made me laugh, and how much I find I have in common with Saya, though perhaps not at first glance. Saya doesn’t really get her time to shine when surrounded by all the weirdos and brighter personalities, but she’s not quite as quiet and normal as she seems to come off when old ladies aren’t cornering her down. She has herself a rather pessimistic outlook on life, Saya does, and it comes equipped with a sharp tongue to lash at those who are being a pain. Of course, pointing out others’ faults doesn’t much improve her own situation, or at least, it doesn’t until it makes Tanaka out as more human than she’s previously thought him to be. A bit of a pain in the ass he might be, but Tanaka’s not a bad guy (I don’t think anyone in this series is), and he definitely has his charms. Saya’s outlook and bluntness might be a tad detrimental to her state of mind on occasion, but maybe just this once it’ll help her find something to get over her previous regrets.
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Episode 12
Let’s get this date on the road!
Personally, I found this episode to be both very sweet and slightly infuriating. There are some things, particularly on the part of Chihaya, which I found somewhat irritating, and others (on her part as well) that were downright adorable; of course, the entire episode doesn’t focus on Chihaya, but that doesn’t change how she colored some of what should have been the lovelier moments of the long-awaited date.
What Makes A Good Partner?
Perhaps what annoyed me most was Chihaya’s attitude toward dating and toward Ichimiya. Clearly we know by now that her image of a good boyfriend is somewhat romanticized, and that she’s frustrated that Ichimiya won’t get the hints about what she feels is wrong about the relationship. But I find this to be flawed as well; as airheaded and naive as Ichimiya can be, is it really so hard for Chihaya to open up and talk about what bothers her, rather than waiting for him to get the clues? And even more so, what’s this about “a good boyfriend knows how to treat a woman”? A good boyfriend is a good boyfriend, it’s not about how much he coddles or protects you as a girlfriend, just as being a good girlfriend isn’t someone who waits hand and foot on her boyfriend. Shouldn’t a relationship be about two people who love each other for who they are, rather than how close they come to your storybook romance ideal? I think Chihaya genuinely does love Ichimiya, and that she’s lonely because sometimes it looks like he doesn’t take their relationship as seriously (something I can definitely fault him with, but not one-sidedly), but I think in some ways, she’s missing the point. What she needs to do, more than anything, is sit down with Ichimiya and talk about what upsets her and why.
Cuteness Overload Alert
That being said, Chihaya is also the source of one of the cutest cuddly scenes I’ve seen in some time, which is especially amusing as it’s the aftermath of a failed attempt to coerce her slightly out-of-it boyfriend into sleeping with her. In addition, she’s also the person behind Lucy’s lovely one piece for her date with Hasebe, though this also bothers me a bit; if Lucy doesn’t want to wear a skirt, why does everyone feel the need to coerce her into doing so? But regardless, she does end up looking very nice and the date itself is quite the shipping fest for those of us with vested interest in Lucy and Hasebe’s relationship. Hasebe seems to be quite at the end of his rope when it comes to Lucy, to be honest, and I would find it very pitiable indeed if he did not succeed in getting through to Lucy somewhat. So seeing their date come together fairly well, despite that fact that it’s cut short, is quite smile inducing, whatever else didn’t sit quite so well with me this episode.
The Moment You’ve All Been Waiting For…
Yes, I’m pretty sure nearly every single one of you saw it coming; we all knew it was Hasebe’s father who was responsible for Lucy’s name since episode one, and we were all just waiting for the moment to come when it would be revealed, if indeed it ever would. As amusing as that is for us, however, this really sucks for Hasebe. Lucy’s name complex is definitely severe enough that she tends to attach some of her self worth to it, and it has a huge impact on her confidence in dating at all. Add to that the fact that Hasebe is directly related to her life’s suffering and you have a huge conundrum; will she be able to overcome the history and hatred of her name and allow that spark of attraction she’s finally found to grow into a genuine and obvious interest in Hasebe? Or will poor Hasebe continue to suffer for his easygoing life?
Let’s get this date on the road!
What Makes A Good Partner?
Perhaps what annoyed me most was Chihaya’s attitude toward dating and toward Ichimiya. Clearly we know by now that her image of a good boyfriend is somewhat romanticized, and that she’s frustrated that Ichimiya won’t get the hints about what she feels is wrong about the relationship. But I find this to be flawed as well; as airheaded and naive as Ichimiya can be, is it really so hard for Chihaya to open up and talk about what bothers her, rather than waiting for him to get the clues? And even more so, what’s this about “a good boyfriend knows how to treat a woman”? A good boyfriend is a good boyfriend, it’s not about how much he coddles or protects you as a girlfriend, just as being a good girlfriend isn’t someone who waits hand and foot on her boyfriend. Shouldn’t a relationship be about two people who love each other for who they are, rather than how close they come to your storybook romance ideal? I think Chihaya genuinely does love Ichimiya, and that she’s lonely because sometimes it looks like he doesn’t take their relationship as seriously (something I can definitely fault him with, but not one-sidedly), but I think in some ways, she’s missing the point. What she needs to do, more than anything, is sit down with Ichimiya and talk about what upsets her and why.
That being said, Chihaya is also the source of one of the cutest cuddly scenes I’ve seen in some time, which is especially amusing as it’s the aftermath of a failed attempt to coerce her slightly out-of-it boyfriend into sleeping with her. In addition, she’s also the person behind Lucy’s lovely one piece for her date with Hasebe, though this also bothers me a bit; if Lucy doesn’t want to wear a skirt, why does everyone feel the need to coerce her into doing so? But regardless, she does end up looking very nice and the date itself is quite the shipping fest for those of us with vested interest in Lucy and Hasebe’s relationship. Hasebe seems to be quite at the end of his rope when it comes to Lucy, to be honest, and I would find it very pitiable indeed if he did not succeed in getting through to Lucy somewhat. So seeing their date come together fairly well, despite that fact that it’s cut short, is quite smile inducing, whatever else didn’t sit quite so well with me this episode.
Yes, I’m pretty sure nearly every single one of you saw it coming; we all knew it was Hasebe’s father who was responsible for Lucy’s name since episode one, and we were all just waiting for the moment to come when it would be revealed, if indeed it ever would. As amusing as that is for us, however, this really sucks for Hasebe. Lucy’s name complex is definitely severe enough that she tends to attach some of her self worth to it, and it has a huge impact on her confidence in dating at all. Add to that the fact that Hasebe is directly related to her life’s suffering and you have a huge conundrum; will she be able to overcome the history and hatred of her name and allow that spark of attraction she’s finally found to grow into a genuine and obvious interest in Hasebe? Or will poor Hasebe continue to suffer for his easygoing life?
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