Last week's promo was deceptive...

Hanasaku Iroha - 14 [HorribleSubs]

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What initially appeared as a shameless beach episode turned out to be an incredibly satisfying episode in terms of character development all around. Also, Yuina finally being drawn into the fold as a primary character.

I liked this episode for a lot of reasons. On the lowest level, there was the humor of Nako being obsessed with swimming, Minko being shy, harassed by Ohana, and embarrassed by boys. But far better was the plight of the other inn and Yuina's motivations.

The inn was a nice contrast to Kissuisou. You really got the feeling that Ohana's grandmother really knows what she's doing in the business, even though their inn struggles from time to time. As evident from Yuina's speech right at the end, Fukuya's proprietress also understands the true purpose of the business. Ohana, Minko, and Nako all understood the stark differences in their inn and this one. Fukuyo treats its workers like trash, and they correspondingly show the same respect to the customers and the business. There was an obvious lack of care that Yuina's fiancé displayed. He was treating the business like a factory rather than a customer service organization and it bit him in the ass. Too concerned about the bottom line and success than the overall atmosphere of hospitality.

I think the girls caught on that a more intimate inn like their own has the advantage there. Even with all the technology and modern facilities, it does not make the hospitality job any easier, if anything, it is harder because they can handle that much more business, and the workers aren't as devoted to any single group of customers. They can't really get to know their visitors the way Kissuisou (and probably Fukuya) can.

What impressed me the most was actually Yuina. They've spent all this time building her up as a nonchalant, ignorant, flippant, ditz. Even down to her manner of speaking. Yet she's actually anything but a ditz. We've only seen her as someone who appears to have no interest in her family's inn's wellbeing, more eager to enjoy her own life. We're not wrong there. That's exactly what she is. However, she's far more perceptive and informed than we were led to believe. She knows about the workings of an inn and she seems to know a lot more about the management of one than the audience, Ohana, or Minko ever suspected.

Thinking back after her speech, you could see the spots where she was judging her fiancé on his ability to run an inn. He has modern facilities, but doesn't seem to understand a thing about the proper management. Yuina apparently is quite well informed, and made her choice. It's kind of refreshing that she knows she doesn't want any part of being a proprietress despite knowing proper management skills. There are simply other things she wants to do rather than be shackled by the family business.

Still, I'm sure this isn't the end of development for Yuina. Ohana is going to meddle. I just know it.