+ | N o v a s t o r m | +

Rating: 8.3/10 & 8.7/10

Impressions:

Hmm so it’s been some consecutive per-character episodes, meaning that each main character gets the spotlight for an episode to further develop their character and perhaps a little more of their past. Yukari takes episode 8 while Mariya takes 9. As Mariya is by far my favourite character, episode 9 has been my favourite episode so far, and it is the least foolish as well. However, because of that, I am already sad at the notion of a Mizuho x Takako pairing. The happy-go-lucky, fiery childhood friend is so much more fun than the aggressive, tsundere student council president and classmate, and a more fitting companion of Mizuho as well, in my opinion. I was quite touched at her story though, as hers is the only one so far that has some intelligence in it. Mariya, seeing Mizuho step forward by herself without her, is worried that she is losing her. Soon, Mariya won’t be needed, and the dreadful feeling of loneliness will kick in. (And wow those childhood pictures are cute, though Mizuho is definitely a girl in all of them; no questions asked).

However, Yukari’s story is rather crap. Her melancholy begins so suddenly that it’s hard to believe the episode before, she is still cheerful and happy. This is what happens when the development of characters are squeezed into individual episodes, instead of spread out evenly throughout the majority of the first half of the series. At least with Mariya’s problem, there is a catalyst that triggers her sudden unhappiness (that being Mizuho agreeing to perform in the play). And while Takako got some development in the previous episodes, her real issue is starting to surface, in the form of her confused self and seeming infatuation with Mizuho. Fainting with a kiss of a kiss on the cheek is a bit much too, but I guess for the purpose of emphasizing her feelings, this is necessary. So now the direction which has emerged in this show is probably the relationship between Takako and Mizuho (one which I wholeheartedly disapprove of). And of course, I can already see Takako finding out that Mizuho is supposedly a guy, though I wouldn’t believe it unless I got some solid, visual proof.

Popularity: 12% [?]