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Overall | Art | Animation | Character Design | Music | Series Story | Episode Story | Reviewer | |
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Rent | Stretch | [series:4833#628] | ||||||
While most anime have very superficial characters who speak with their actions, here we are introduced to a large cast of ones with complex feelings. Yanami had known Sousuke for twelve years, but now he has fallen for pink-haired Karen, a transfer student from the UK. Yanami (dark blue hair) seems to be OK with this as long as Sousuke is happy in the end. Komari Chika (dark purple-ish red) is a member of the literature club and likes club president Tamaki Shintaro--but he already has a girlfriend. Dark skinned Lemon Yakishio likes Mitsuki, a sort-of friend of Nuzumizu, but he, too, has a girlfriend, Chihaya Asagumo. This is looking to be the sort of show which will require a lot of concentration to keep track of everyone, but the rewards are looking to be in proportion to the effort. Episode two introduced us to two more romantic triangles, the ones involving Mitsuki and Shintaro. The school nurse seems to be taking an interest in these romantic power struggles and has mistakenly concluded that Nuzumizu and Lemon are in love. The episode also gave us a cheap 'Oops I touched your boobs (or your boobs touched me)' moment, something I had been under the impression this show wouldn't stoop to. Anyway, the theme seems to be that some girls give up too easily in figurative fights for boyfriends out of a desire to not be seen as troublemakers. In episode three the literature club goes on a weekend retreat and the three girls tag along to either be near or far from certain guys. Though she hadn't originally intended to do so, Komari dares to confess to Shintaro. I found myself having a little trouble remembering who each girl hopes to match with, but that's probably my fault. The episode and series in general was amusing. But while the title talks about there being too many 'losing heroines', isn't Anna really the only one we've met as of episode four? Komari and Lemon haven't pretended to support the romance between their intended boyfriends and some other girl. Anyway, as might be expected Komari gets turned down (in a wishy-washy manner) by Shintaro. Rumor has it that Anna and Nukumizu are a pair since they keep eating lunch together, and maybe they are. I had assumed he would remain an observer and would not get directly involved in any of these romances, but maybe not. His sister quickly jumps to the conclusion that he has a girlfriend. In episode five Asagumo suspects that Mitsuki is cheating on her because he has been seen going around with Yakishio. Asagumo also behaves like a genuine losing heroine though her true feelings are pretty obvious. In episode six yet another character enters losing heroine mode. Lemon gets jilted (sort of) by Mitsuki and everyone else goes into damage control mode, though their concerns may be unwarranted. Lemon, Misuki and Asagumo deal with their problems in an unusual way--they get honest with each other. Asagumo meets Lemon and we aren't told what they say, then Lemon meets Mitsuki and we are. In episode eight we largely take a break from the romance as the Lit Club needs to prepare a display for the upcoming school fair. The third-years will be leaving soon and Komari has been proposed as the new club president. It looks like we are switching from a Lemon arc to a Komari one. For now, there's a school festival to be organized and romance takes a back seat. The festival takes place in episode ten; this is the last time senior Shintaro will be taking any part in a club activity, and Komari speaks with him. She knows their romance is not to be, but wants some closure. In episode 11 Komari is expected to make a presentation before the student council, but isn't very good at speaking before an audience. Nukumizu tries to help out but may have done more harm than good. The thought occured to me that this series was rapidly nearing a conclusion (12 episodes, right?) yet there was no sign of a climax approaching. In the final episode Yanami stages a fake date to shoot photos that will convince others that she has a functioning boyfriend. And, maybe she does, though it wasn't completely clear. I wonder if a second season might be in the works, because there was a distinct lack of a climax, at least for two of the three girls. Or, is learning how to deal with rejection in itself their climaxes? This was an amusing show, and what happens to Yanami was tantalizing, but in the end it just seemed to peter out. Last updated Friday, October 18 2024. Created Tuesday, August 20 2024. |
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