Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki: Jaku-chara Tomozaki-kun

[shinta|hikari]

I think Mimimi is jealous. I dunno about the others.

[neflight86]

Of bookworm girl, being of use to Tomozaki, or just in not being in the spotlight?

[shinta|hikari]

Of bookworm girl and Tomozaki getting along and seeming very close.

[neflight86]

8

Oh yeah.... that's the stuff!

Mimimi is the best contrast to Tomozaki overall, in my opinion, and they play so good off each other that there is no visible tension except... you know.

[neflight86]

9-10

I feel sort of bad for Mimimi being left hanging like that, but she doesn't seem to mind too much, and now that the blue haired cat is out of the bag, Aoi's cynicism in the face of this new possible romance comes off as especially broken. Tomozaki failing to navigate this elegantly is more, to me, a product of his social training being incomplete. I'm so glad he's not a blubbering fool now that feelings are out in the open, even when punching above his own weight, so to speak. Speaking of, I enjoyed the reprimand from Mizusawa about the self depreciating comments Tomozaki has learned to lean on. He made good points about it getting tiresome when the people around you don't buy it and comes off as humblebrags even when not intended.

As for Kikuchi and her rewrites, I find it fascinating that both she and Tomozaki have the acumen to see through the subtle misdirection Aoi puts on a front with. I'm dying to figure out what caused her to be this way.

[neflight86]

11

I really admire how this show can effectively break down some pretty heady concepts in ways that make sense easily. The difference between an author's ideal and a player's is about as murky as you'd expect, but the delineation here makes sense and isn't the usual 'anime said so' hand waving. Kikuchi is trying to mold herself into what would make the world slightly nicer(more ideal), reflective of her gentle nature, while Tomozaki and Tama had some self-satisfying reasons to pursue change. Aoi remains a mystery, but Kikuchi's similarity may provide a clue about that.

Tomozaki analyzing and figuring out even his place in how Kikuchi's behavior might not be for the best is another layer of goodness this show's writing is under no obligation to achieve. Mizusawa continues to provide the on point insight that triggers Tomozaki's deductions and makes him a good 'workhorse' companion that greases the story without putting all of the instructional duties on Aoi- especially now that she's shifting to more of an enigma challenge going forward, I think.

[neflight86]

12

It hurt to see Tomozaki realize that he would rather date Kikuchi as he helped her reconcile her insightful desire to change with the reality that it isn't feasible to her character given how she is. It was a beautiful scene up to that point, and I enjoyed the level headedness (as always) of Tomozaki's arguments bouncing off of Fuka's somewhat idealized vision for herself. I still prefer Mimimi, but perhaps I'm more upset he has to choose one to begin with. Fleshed out characters can do that. I expect she will reject him as she hasn't seemed to give much thought to romance, much less with him, but it would be a growing moment, and an excellent climax for this season. Also worth mention is that these feelings; the realization of attraction, and Mimimi's own acceptance of Tomozaki wanting another, were communicated thoughtfully by the character acting; no exposition or dialog. It's great to see and some of my favorite scenes in anime go similarly because they establish strong emotions.

Can't wait for the next episode.

[shinta|hikari]

I hope it is the opposite. He talks to Kikuchi to say he likes Mimimi, and when he wanted to say something to Mimimi, it was to confess, but she cut him off. That would be a nice twist.

[neflight86]

That would be a great twist, but I don't know if it would make much sense as Fuka hasn't made any moved toward Tomozaki, so there's nothing to 'clear up' with her in regards to her feelings, so I expect he has decided to pursue her.