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Impressions:

Asatte no Houkou has now become one of my favourites this season (I haven’t said that before, have I?) There was quite a less than noticeable quality drop, but since the mood of the story changed for a much more light-hearted one, I found myself enjoying the episode more than the first two. However, I hope that the mood will switch often since I like the sad, serious drama occasionally as well. I didn’t think I’d like this show when I was doing my season previews, but when people started blogging about it and complimenting it, I decided to give it a try. And another thing, it was only after Garten mentioned that Shouko has the same voice actress as Alice from Pumpkin Scissors that I decided to look her up. And it seems like she’s doing 6 series this season! That’s a lotta work. The seiyuu, Shizuka Itou, is voicing the main roles of Asatte no Houkou (Shouko) and Pumpkin Scissors (Alice), as well as minor roles in D.Gray-man (Linali), Happiness! (Saya Kamijo), Negima!? (Misa Kakizaki) and Yoake Mae yori Ruriiro na Crescent Love (Wreathlit).

More of the characters’ pasts are revealed this episode, the most important probably being the fact that Karada isn’t really Hiro’s little sister. Apparently, she’s a cousin and was adopted by Hiro at the age of two after her parents died. It’s also revealed how close Hiro and Shouko were before they broke up (I mean, they were REALLY close – they were as good as married). Now I can see why Shouko was so upset about being dumped, and I even think Hiro should’ve stayed with Shouko. He had sacrificed what was definitely the love of his life for a toddler who he didn’t even know. But of course, if that happened, this show wouldn’t exist in the first place. I liked this episode for its focus on Shouko, since she has become so cute now (much cuter than Karada as a child). She’s also being quite stubborn. Now that her body has become that of a child, her mind is slowly catching up, even though she refuses to think like a kid. However, no matter how stubborn she is, she’s unconsciously beginning to act more like a kid.

Although this episode has been the most enjoyable, I do hope for some more interaction between characters. Next episode, Karada has to face Hiro (who should now know what had really happened with Shouko and Karada), but she also needs to face Tatsu (was that his name? Karada’s classmate who seems to have a crush on Karada). Some more of Tatsu’s mother would be good too. Shouko should also get some interaction time with the other characters, as she seems rather isolated. Apart from that, maybe some more drama, such as Shouko and Karada getting into an argument or something. I don’t expect much more, but if the show goes into physical problems instead of emotional ones, such as getting lost in the forest or something (lol like that’s gonna happen), the interest level of the show would go way up. Of course, I don’t mind if nothing like that happens, as I am already enjoying the show a lot as it is. It’s a shame this show isn’t a double-season series. However, being a short series reduces the risk of severe quality inconsistencies. Oh, and one last thing, I was wondering whether the OP sequence would change, as it doesn’t seem like chibi Karada isn’t going to make much of an appearance, unless the whole age swap thing takes up only half the series.

Plot Outline:

- Karada takes Shouko out to get some new glasses (or rather, Shouko directs Karada to take her out to get new glasses…)
- The two then go clothes shopping (and Shouko has some fun with her new dress!)
- They also go and buy some new furniture and have them delivered to Shouko’s apartment
- At night, Shouko tries to decide whether to message and tell Hiro about her and Karada’s situation, but decides against it
- The next day, Hiro, Tatsu and his mum are at their restaurant when a delivery man comes and asks them to direct him to Shouko’s address
- Hiro leads him to her house and after everything is delivered, knocks on Shouko’s door
- Shouko comes out, not expecting Hiro to be there and pretends she is Shouko’s little sister (at the time, Karada is out doing who knows what)
- Hiro and Shouko have dinner(?) together and talk, before Shouko gets all upset and runs out the door

- She makes it to the little rock shrine before Hiro grabs her
- She has a flashback about when Hiro had dumped her, and it seems it really was Hiro who was the harsh one
- Hiro had promised to return to Shouko (during university or something like that) after attending the funeral of Karada’s parents
- However, after a year, Hiro sends a letter to Shouko telling her that he won’t be coming back
- Shouko breaks down and starts crying before finally trying to tell Hiro that she is the real Shouko
- Before she can convince him, he reveals to her that Karada isn’t really his sister
- Karada is his cousin and he had taken her in when her parents died (she had been two at the time)
- The two return to Shouko’s apartment, where Karada had returned and is preparing dinner
- Karada is quite surprised when she sees Hiro, but to make things worse, Shouko tells him that the grown woman before him is his little sister
- During the preview of the next episode, we see a bit more of when Karada and Hiro had met

Preview:

Next episode – #4
“Please believe me…”

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