Summary:
Yamada, who is reeking of alcohol, is taken home by Miwako after a Ferris wheel ride in Yokohama with Nomiya. Mayama, after heard about it when Nomiya called Miwako early in the morning, feels relieved because he knows that Ferris wheels are something Nomiya holds close to his heart. In her workshop, Yamada, who is still feeling depressed over her unrequited love, is confronted by Morita who makes her realize that she was the one being worried about. Crying, she counters back by saying that he left for an entire year without contact. Morita simply apologizes, holding her hand and comforting her. The next day, Takemoto discusses Hagu-chan’s future with Hanamoto-sensei. She apparently wants to live in the countryside, earning enough from art to get by. Morita, who walks in on Hagu-chan in front of two blank canvases, is able to guess what direction she’s going and rushes to question Hanamoto-sensei on why he’s allowing her to go that way. Morita believes that she can be much more, but Hanamoto-sensei says that famous female artists are typically unhappy in life. Their argument starts Hanamoto-sensei thinking about what is really best for Hagu-chan’s future. At Fujiwara Design, Mayama is the topic once again. Nomiya is really starting to feel that he and Mayama are alike and learns that Mayama looks up to him as his ideal self. Back at the college, Yamada’s sensei advises her that working hard can produce the answers you’re looking for. Elsewhere, Takemoto finds Hagu-chan crying in front of the two blank canvases. He leaves without speaking to her, knowing that there’s nothing he can do or say to make things better.

One of the relationships that I originally thought would happen was the Morita and Yamada relationship, a prediction based solely on this promo image (where they’re holding hands). I had all but lost hope for that happening until this episode. It’s still rather unlikely, as Yamada is quite in love with Mayama, although the possibility grows by quite a bit. But if Honey and Clover is working towards an “everyone is paired up” ending (which I highly doubt), then this could be another step towards that. But like I said, I don’t think that’ll happen, mainly because there’s not enough time for them to develop a relationship…though the production crew is welcome to surprise me.
Though there is no insert song for this episode, I liked the episode all the same. We get to see Morita get serious not once, but twice. He really cares for both Yamada and Hagu-chan, though it remains a mystery to me how far his feelings for either girl go. Nomiya and Mayama also finally came to terms with each other as Nomiya realizes how much they are alike, and Mayama feels more comfortable about Nomiya’s intentions towards Yamada. Lastly, I enjoy the style that this episode displays, particularly the use of the black cards. Those cards allow us to not only hear the characters express their feelings, but we also get to read another facet of what they are thinking.
Though there is a preview in the ending sequence (like there always is), there is not a “Next Episode” spot at the very end. Instead, there is an ad for the new Paradise Kiss series starting up in October.
Closing Thought: Honey and Clover OST comes out Wednesday!!!

12 Comments

  1. This particular scene between Morita and Yamada further reinforces how strong their friendship is, rather than highlighting the possibility of romance with her, I think… Morita thinks of himself, not as a romantic suitor, but as a mother to her (this was made clearer in the manga, I think :D) and is very much protective of her. He teases her about Mayama, but he’s sensitive to her feelings, which you could see in the earlier episodes when he watches her reactions when being near Mayama, and tries to push her to him as much as possible. He cares for her the same way Mayama cares about her, but neither are in love. In short, they share a very strong bond, but a bond that is unable to include one more element: the love that he feels for Hagu from the very beginning. 🙂

    Becky
  2. Not the part where you see the empty refrigerator, did you actually see a screen where it said “next chapter.21”?
    C1 cut out the ParaKiss promo from their sub, so theirs ended off after the sponsors screen.

  3. omg……..r y guys craze or wat!!!!!

    wat do u mean BOOOOOORINNNNG
    is nic k….
    n…meaningful……
    u jaz don understand da dialog….
    n da song is cute….
    wat an idiot!!!!

    luv honey n clover!!!!

    pigletgirl6011
  4. I think Morita is suitable to be Yamada’s lover. ^-^
    I mean, they seem to get along pretty well and they’re very good friends.
    I also have this feeling that Morita likes her more than just a friend ‘coz he’s always there and comforts her when she’s very sad. ^-^

    NaHiKo

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