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Impressions:

That was unexpectedly good, and now that I think about it, it’s even more unexpectedly good. What I mean is, I didn’t expect to like the episode as much as I do now beforehand, and now that I’ve watched it, I’ve realised just how slow the pace is; yet I still liked it. What I felt at the end of this episode was almost the same as the end of last episode, as practically nothing has advanced physically. However, I understand that this episode is mostly about the two girls coming to realisation that their sudden change is real, and about them trying to come to terms with it. It would be a very frightening experience and frankly, I though both girls didn’t act as dramatically as I thought they would. I didn’t mind that though, as reacting too badly would’ve destroyed the sadness and anxiety the show has about it. I’m sure it would’ve felt out of place if the both started screaming and went into madness. In the end, Shouko and Karada may have begun healing but the new problem of facing her brother arrives.

Like I said before, the pacing of this episode was slower than I expected. Since this series is only 12 episodes, there really isn’t much time to waste, although it’s true that being a drama show, a lot of it would be dedicated to the character’s emotional problems and stresses. Karada spent the entire show sulking or trying to contemplate what had happened the night before, but didn’t really get anywhere because she broke down again in the end when Hiro didn’t recognise her. (Heh, the situation Karada and Hiro are in remind me heavily of Higurashi’s Satoko and Satoshi, especially how the younger sister feels like a burden to the older brother and just wants to grow up/be stronger to support him etc). Shouko is obviously the calmer and more in-control one, but you can only begin to imagine the turmoil she must be in inside. She is sure to break down any moment now and pull herself away from everyone else. Her state of mind before the incident was also bleak, as she was still getting over Hiro dumping her.

It’s interesting to see Shouko helping Karada this episode. It was pretty obvious that Shouko didn’t like Karada before they switched ages, as Hiro had left Shouko for his little sister. Selfishness is in everybody so it isn’t abnormal for her to be angry that she was dumped because of Karada, but for some reason she tends to change her mood very suddenly sometimes. She’s probably just depressed and she’s trying to be strong in a crisis like this by helping Karada out, who although is an adult, still has the mind of her child self. I was also surprised by the preview of episode 3, as it revealed Shouko didn’t wish to start her life again by becoming a child. I was under this impression from the beginning, though it seems it’s wrong. I’m sure Shouko felt deep down that it would be better to become a child and start again, but hasn’t realised the intensity of this wish which is probably still bottled up inside her. So, there you have it, a show revolving around the complex dilemmas of two unstable girls/women with one cause: Hiro. He will definitely be an important part of resolving these problems.

Plot Outline:

- After the shocking swap of ages, Karada breaks down and starts crying
- Shouko remains composed and takes Karada to her apartment
- Still in denial, Karada takes a bath before going straight to bed
- Hiro goes looking for Karada but cannot find her
- He tries calling Shouko but she won’t pick up the phone
- The next day, Karada doesn’t show up at school, worrying Tetsuya
- Tetsuya goes to Karada’s apartment looking for her but finds the door unlocked with no one inside (Hiro had unlocked the door the night before in case Karada returned and has stayed outside the entire night looking for her)
- Hiro returns and runs into Tetsuya, who asks him about Karada

- A short while later, after discussing the situation with Tetsuya and Touko, Hiro remembers the place where Karada had gone to make wishes often
- At around the same time, Karada realises her being an adult was because she ad wished for it at the little shrine
- She runs there with Shouko tagging along and finds the stone which she prayed to in the form of dust
- She explains that since the wish was granted, the stone fell and shattered (or was it the other way around?)
- Hiro shows up at the wishing area and spots Karada and Shouko
- Both girls are startled by his sudden appearance and worry about what he would think about the problem they had found themselves in
- However, Hiro doesn’t recognise them and runs back home
- Karada is devastated and wonders what she’ll do if Hiro doesn’t recognise her
- Once again, Shouko remains composed of herself
- In the preview of the next episode, Shouko wonders why she had become a child as she didn’t make such a wish when Karada made hers

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