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Impressions:

I’m not sure what it is about this show but it never fails to entertain me and keep me interested. The age swapping incident seems to have been completely forgotten now, since everyone is quite comfortably accustomed to their new lives. Karada has gotten mighty used to cooking and cleaning, doing trivial chores and taking care of everyone in the household. Likewise, Shouko, though initially felt irritated for being treated like a child (let’s not forget her mind is still of an adult’s), has finally warmed up to conscience and persuaded herself to join in the fun with all the other kids. I would really like to see Shouko in class though, if she ever goes to school. How old is she meant to be now? If she’s the same age as the kids she was playing with, she most definitely is younger than Karada before the change. Now this leads to how old Karada is now. Even though her mind is that of a child’s, her body should be fully functional as a woman, which means she could fall in love with someone any time now. And that’s probably what’s going to happen. It will definitely spice things up. Tetsu is far too young to do anything to her, though he does look older. The other candidate would be Hiro. They’re not even related, are they, or are they cousins? Even so, I hear that it’s not that abnormal for cousins to get married in Japan…

Even though there is no twisting plot or menacing cliff-hangers, I find myself wanting to see the next episode more than some of the other strong series this season. If I were to rank the shows purely on that, it would go Kanon, Code Geass, Asatte no Houkou, D.Gray-man, Death Note, and the rest. If there were only two categories to place the Fall shows in this year, ‘Good’ or ‘Bad’, Asatte no Houkou would definitely be in the good category, and I’m sure the majority of those who’ve seen the show would agree with me. I’ve found that some of my Naruto-centric friends like this show quite a lot, though they’re still pretty stubborn about how shounen shows are better than other genres. Asatte no Houkou, a slice-of-life with a twist, always resonates a warm feeling with its cheery character designs, bright and water-colour backgrounds and nice usage of lighting for sun rays. I especially like bright and eccentric characters, and although she doesn’t fit that description perfectly, I think the new addition this episode, Kotomi, livens the show up by a tenfold. Previously, the only truly cheerful person would have to be Touko, but she doesn’t get enough screen time. I hope Kotomi gets increasingly involved with the plot and interacts with the main characters more.

I really have to say that Shouko looks really cute without her glasses, or more specifically, the scene during the night when she was sleeping between Karada and Hiro, and gazing around at their sleeping faces. I originally thought that she would become distant with Karada before making up, but it seems like there isn’t anything to separate the two. Shouko no longer shows many signs of longing for Hiro, since her body chemistry wouldn’t be the working the same, and her occasional scolding of Hiro are more likely a product of her remaining grudge. I think the only thing Shouko has to worry about is restarting her life and actually making friends this time. It’s Karada, Hiro and Tetsu who have some more serious things to deal with. I hardly think Karada and Hiro can continue on as brother and sister. There just has to be something more going on, unless something emerges to stop it. Also, the preview of the next episode shows Karada and Tetsu together, but it is still unknown whether Tetsu actually finds out about Karada’s secret. He would surely be devastated if he did, but that could well and truly turn into burning desire for her body too…Eh, I went too far. Anyway, what I’m saying is that there is plenty more emotional distresses to get through, and that’s what’s powering this show.

Plot Outline:

- Karada prepares breakfast as Hiro and Shouko get out of bed
- Shouko goes out and watches some kids playing
- A girl, who is revealed later as Kotomi, tries to get her to play with the other kids, but she refuses and runs away
- This is most likely because she is not used to having company, as she was quite a loner when she was a kid
- Hiro tells Touko that he’s found Karada, but she won’t be returning for a while
- That night, Shouko reflects on how her new family has come about
- The next day, it is revealed that Kotomi and Tetsu are cousins(?) and that they are pretty close to each other
- Outside, Shouko gives Hiro another talking to
- That afternoon, Shouko finally makes up her mind to play with the other kids and has fun until dusk
- Hiro and Karada come looking for her, and the worry that Karada had felt was quite obvious

Preview:

Next episode – #6
Confrontation of Karada and Tetsu!

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