「格安の物件」 (Kakuyasu no Bukken)
“Cheap Property”

I never thought that a show like Yakumo would make me question the basic fundamentals of how anime girls worked. Being that this week’s episode was a lot more laid back then the previous two I found it crazy how much they focused on how seriously girls take their looks (where did the “shinrei” and “tantei” go?!). For instance, why do girls in anime shake their hair as if it was messed up? Before they even put their hands in their hair to fix it, it never looked like it needed to be fixed to begin with. Or when they talk about putting on makeup to look pretty – with or without makeup they look exactly the same! Either I can’t tell the difference between when Haruka is wearing makeup or when she’s not OR she looks perfect all the time, which if were was true she wouldn’t even need makeup! Of course, all of this doesn’t matter because all anime girls never look ugly. Perfect complexion, perfect eyes, perfect hair, perfect everything. Take Haruka for example, she looks extremely cute to start with. With that off shoulder top to her stylish pink hair, I don’t get why anime girls even take the time to question things like this. =_+

Back on topic there was not much of a mystery this week but a lot of character development made up for it. Starting with Yakumo, I knew I was right when I said that he was slowly coming out of his shell. Even though he still takes every opportunity to mock Haruka, he is finally beginning to openly show how much he cares about her feelings too. Especially when he seemed extra mean to her this week it was touching when he actually apologized to her after noticing how depressed she looked. Haruka also seems to be showing more affection for Yakumo each and every episode, getting closer to him physically and emotionally – to the point where she’s found Yakumo’s weak point! By weak point I mean the spot where Yakumo will literally jump and cower in fear if he’s touched there. Kind of like when a girl pokes you on the side and if your ticklish you start to spaz out. Gotou also got some screen time this week. After shining a bit of light into his personal life, it seems that he is having trouble at home. Not only from his wife, but if these magazines are any indication, problems with trying to have a child. This really struck home with me since I really would like to become a father in the future and I would probably go crazy if I learned either my future wife or I couldn’t have children (knock on wood). I can only imagine what kind of stress Gotou must go through when he thinks about these things – especially when he looks like a very caring person inside. But Gotou also being the manly man he is, doesn’t take crap from anyone and I loved the way he handled himself when a policeman questioned him for looking suspicious at the park. “I’m your colleague you idiot.”

Overall this week’s episode was pretty good in my opinion. But coming from the guy who loves slice of life type shows, most of you guys probably found it pretty boring. I enjoyed learning a little more about Gotou and it was refreshing to see that all the progress with Yakumo’s ability to be open with others hasn’t been for naught. He even managed to compliment Nao on her new cardigan. With a smile! If I had to describe Yakumo, I think I could say he is a “tsundere”? I don’t use words like this too often as I’m afraid I’ll mess up and get called out by you guys in the comments, but I feel pretty safe calling him a tsundere. Other than the fact that it feels really weird to think of a male tsundere he fits the description perfectly right?

 

Preview

14 Comments

  1. I liked this episode as well. I agree totally with Takaii’s obsevations about the episode. Gotou sat there in the kid’s park with a look on his face only a person that longed for children and doesn’t have any can have. Parents in the park might have mistaken that longing look as that of a predator and had the police question him but his look was to have children of his own not desire to take theirs. I hope him and his wife and work out their problems and move on. Adoption or foster care are always an option.

    Karmafan
  2. nice episode… though true it doesn’t feel so much as what the name of the show would suggest…
    I am interested in what the preview shows though… apparently we will see the woman who is working with Yakumo’s father again… and a surprising red eye from Yakumo? seems like next episode will be more intense one way or another… 🙂

    jrj
  3. I don’t get why anime girls even take the time to question things like this. =_+

    Because in the anime, they’re “real” lul…
    Thus the mimicry of girls and makeup talk in real life,
    though they’re hardly going to go to the trouble of actually showing it…
    Who wants to see imperfect 2D depictions, you’ve got reality for that right?

    Likewise, you have to go through :effort: in one way or another to look that good IRL…

    Tiggerz
  4. In RL, not surprisingly, most guys dont really care about makeup etc., and hate when it is overdone. There are two background stories running now, one of Yakumo X Haruka, and other of Gotou and his family problem. Plus a side story of Gotou’s sidekick and miss reporter, but this is unlikely to turn dramatic. Given Yakumo’s evil father targetted Haruka once already, I can see her being used again to try and turn Yakumo to the dark side. As for Gotou’s story, it can turn important later too.

    ewok40k
    1. On the other hand, while I don’t care for makeup, I love it when it’s done right. Makeup at it’s core is to highlight a girl’s good points and making good points look better is always a plus. Hate when it’s overdone though.

      And I think they show the fussing over their looks in anime because it’s something that the girls in Japan empathize with. The amount they fuss over looks (try looking for a non-blond shampoo commercial or a shower gel without bleach in it) makes it natural for their ‘role models’ to do the same. If not, they would be too perfect and the girls wouldn’t empathize with them as much.

      SpacyRicochet
  5. Nice post as always 🙂

    As u said this episode was kinda boring with not much in the main plot except a few character developments.
    Well my personal opinion is that Yakumo should have stayed in his old cool self…that suits him better!

    Fai D Fluorite
  6. haha about the whole anime girl issue i think they were trying to make them look more realistic because honestly there’s a LOT of girls that do that in real life. it can be annoying at times but it happens haha

    reyan16

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