Sentiments are tested within Tonari no Kaibutsu’s third outing, and it appears what was thought to be so simple was truly much more complex – not only that, it appears adversity is hounding after the leading male.
This is a highly unconventional episode, not simply in respect to the series, yet in general – carrying what is definitely a one of a kind delivery of story. What was believed to be one way manages to quickly become undone through another – albeit in a manner not convoluted, rather, merely complicated. Yet the series follows up on that with quite a smoothly paved string of developments – although at that point, all is quick to escalate towards the uncertain and questionable.
As with the previous spectacle, this one also starts off immediately where the prior left off – a facet which seems to be standard of the series seeing as it has occurred twice consistently. Of greater importance, however, would of course be the events which come thereafter – our heroine did admit her love, although she seemingly wasn’t as much of a steam rolling force as one may have thought.
Her straight faced expression immediately implodes into embarrassment once she becomes aware of what she’s just admit aloud – yet she’s left with greater concerns. Hearing her confession, Haru asks if she’d “like to go out” with him – although having realized what she’s done, she opts to go tsundere and say she was merely lying, which despite being an obvious fib in itself, Haru responds strangely by expressing his relief.
The fellow who loves her is relieved to hear she doesn’t love him – of course indicating something isn’t quite proper.
Yet we return to that situation later on, as for the time being, the series makes a fairly lighthearted transition into a subtle albeit sharply clear showing of friendship. The circle of companions who surround our leading pair increase by a count of one man, and one chicken. The baseball player of last episode who took the chicken returns it to the school as it seems he couldn’t give it shelter after all. However, permission is granted that the chicken can remain as a “class pet” of sorts – and what follows is an amusing group trip.
An adventure is undergone to a local hardware store with the purpose of procuring items to build a chicken coop – and besides the lover pair, the ridiculously cute girl is present as well, as is the baseball player. Four individuals, of whom three we know to formerly have had no friends, now all share a common bond of relation – and it’s truly easing of the heart and soul to see them all come together, with a particular point to praise being how the series does it briskly yet without a hard concentration on the matter.
One is left feeling relaxed as result of how gently the series rolls along – even more so when former enemies become friends as well, and the group of companions expands even further.
With a fine day approaching its end, then comes night – the scene shifts to one flooded with darkness, yet still lit intensely with emotion. Haru and Shizuku are alone as Haru is taking our heroine home – although along the way, the fellow begins speaking of how his life has been nothing but idealistic ever since he met her, and this in turn leads her to burst.
Throughout the episode, she’s been confused – circling around the idea of how she should have replied to Haru, and why is it that he took comfort in hearing that she doesn’t love him. Now however, our heroine faces the truth – and decides to accept whatever is to come of it.
Shizuku, for a second time, confesses her love – yet now doing it in a manner fully cognizant, brave to the consequences whatever they may be, and with greater conviction than before. And after this, she asks Haru of his feelings – questioning his words of earlier.
It is here in the episode where the series becomes shocking – Haru says he loves our heroine, yet not necessarily in the same way she may love him. The intricacy is perplexing – there’s multiple forms of love indeed; each varying in intimacy; expectation; and clarity; although how exactly is it that Haru loves our heroine? The matter is mind-numbing – but of the few positives, it seems our heroine doesn’t mind specifics so long as she’s still with Haru, and the potential remains in place.
Making everything even more so troubling – Haru receives message of a fellow who has returned, which prompts Haru to spend the night at our heroine’s home. The person who has come seems to be someone Haru is closer to than he’d like – and it’s a character who actually resembles him identically.
Misfortune seems to be rising – yet this has its benefits, as individuals tend to waken to their surroundings when met with the worst. Essentially, cloudy skies may serve as a catalyst for Haru and Shizuku’s romance assuming the two can overcome them.
Oct 17, 2012 @ 12:00 CDT
If they do this anime right, they could turn this into something like Clannad.
Oct 17, 2012 @ 12:23 CDT
I don’t thinks so, this show is about romance and friendship. Clannad leans more on family, friendship, meaning of life and well, life in general. Unless we’re only talking the first half, in which there’s a better chance.
Oct 17, 2012 @ 17:40 CDT
I concur with you – Clannad is much different.