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Impressions:

While I think the episode is of less quality than previous episodes, the story takes a break from fun and cheery things to a more serious and sullen turn of events. Instead of Yuuji going after Kazuki as she changes or whatever, as he normally does, they have a pretty serious fight and end up making each other say that they hate one another. While this is obviously not true and they will resolve this for sure sooner or later, it shows that the show is definitely capable of depicting a serious romance. This is one thing harem-romances seem to lack, but this show is not a harem…I think. I don’t suppose Kazuki’s sister can be considered a third candidate for Yuuji can she? Right now it’s only Kazuki and Chihaya. Both are clearly interested in Yuuji, and while he adores Kazuki for now, he becomes closer to Chihaya, who also approves of his perverted behaviour…to an extent. What makes it worse is when the two finally fight in the end. I have no doubt that Yuuji will end up with Kazuki, unless the producers decide to make this a show where no romances are resolved and they go on being ‘friends’…*sigh*.

I said before that the quality went down, but I think the quality wasn’t that great in the first place. The voice-acting is also quite terrible…there’s just not enough emotion. I also don’t like the drawing style that’s been used with the characters. Firstly, like I’ve said in earlier posts, I don’t like how the face gets wider at the cheek in semi-frontal shots. The eyes look bad too. Another thing is they look incredibly flat from 45 degree shots. Surprisingly for me though, this doesn’t bother me as much as normally. It’s probably because I like the overall feel of the show, and the plot is becoming more interesting now anyway. I don’t want to see episodes of events that don’t support the main storyline. For example, episode 3 featured Marie and Niina with the main roles. While developing character is essential in a good Anime, Tonagura! doesn’t have enough episodes to do that. Marie is not very important, and Niina even less. Although the three main characters right now – Chihaya, Kazuki and Yuuji – all have apparent and solid personalities, it’d be better if episodes were focused on their developing characters rather than lesser characters.

Brief Summary:

It’s a new day and Kazuki and Yuuji go through their usual cat and mouse chase early in the morning. As they in the school grounds heading for class, they run into Chihaya who pulls her usual act on Yuuji, trying to win him over. She even tells her about her new panties and asks him to take a look at them. This attracts everyone’s attention. The students around them are quick to deduce that Kazuki and Chihaya are fighting over Yuuji, which embarrasses Kazuki, but not the shameless Chihaya of course. During lunch, Chihaya and Yuuji become much closer after learning of a few things they have in common. Kazuki becomes discreetly jealous of this. Before lunch ends, Chihaya reminds Kazuki that she’s going to visit her tomorrow as it will be a holiday.

The next day, Kazuki oversleeps and remains asleep even when Chihaya comes. Because of this, Chihaya decides to visit Yuuji’s place. When Kazuki finally wakes up, Chihaya tells her that she’s been with Yuuji since she came. Kazuki is quite surprised they were alone and nothing happened. She goes to Yuuji’s room with Chihaya and finds his room in utter catastrophe (by that I mean it was incredibly messy). Kazuki ends up making it spotless shortly after and asks Yuuji to take his pictures upon a previous suggestion. Chihaya reveals to her that he doesn’t take scenery pictures, but of girls he’s met over his travels. Kazuki is appalled at this, but Yuuji becomes serious and tells her he takes pictures of girls because he likes taking pictures and just wants to capture their beauty – nothing harmful in that right?

After this, everyone decides to take some pictures with Yuuji, except Kazuki who is still sulky over everything that’s just happened. Niina overhears the commotion and dashes down to their residence and joins in on everything. And so, everyone has fun as Yuuji takes their pictures, except for Kazuki who just quietly trudges off, sulking. She does, however, feel bad for telling him off earlier for taking photos, as she now realises he does indeed love taking them. When everyone else realises Kazuki is no where to be found, they decide to ‘attack’ her. The girls barge into her room as she is changing. It is obvious she had been changing for the photos, but denies this. Yuuji then leaps in through the window and decides to take a picture of her in her underwear. This is when the problem starts.

Kazuki gets increasingly upset with Yuuji, while he becomes more thoughtful and less teasing. He even obeys Chihaya when he tells him to leave her alone. Later, when Kazuki doesn’t show up for her photo, Yuuji approaches her at the balcony, wanting to take a picture of her. She refuses with tears in her eyes, saying that she isn’t cute anyway. Then Chihaya runs into her and convinces her to take a photo. However, she thinks she looks lonely by herself in the photo and tells Yuuji to join her. She gets really pissed now and Yuuji apologises to her, taking all the blame for upsetting her. However, Kazuki remains stubborn and says it’s best if she wasn’t here (with Yuuji and Chihaya). This makes Yuuji unexpectedly angry and he tells Kazuki he hates her. Hurt, Kazuki replies how anyone would in this situation; she tells him she hates him too.

Preview:

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