First Impressions / Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko

「哀しむ前に声を出せ」 (Kanishimu Mae ni Koe wo Dase)
“Say Something Before You Get Sad”

That first arc wrapped itself up fast. Quite fast. It’s a shame really. I was hoping that the end of this arc would’ve happened at the end of the episode, as to let the emotional d’awwwwws settle in. Instead, we’re rushing into the next arc, with the obvious fact that our two heroines have already fallen head-over-heels for Youto (though it seems he hasn’t fallen for either of them…yet).

Casting aside pacing issues for the moment though, HenNeko does make some admirable steps in giving depth to its story. Instead of completely demonizing Azusa’s “bullies” and making it a story of retribution, we get this deeper tale of misunderstanding and sensitivity. I’m sure many of us immediately took disgust to those two well-tanned girls last episode due to their attitude and mannerisms; some well-placed music and cinematography can frame an innocent-looking greeting into a wave of sarcasm. But that’s absolutely not the case. Even though they sound like insensitive brats, and granted they are a bit insensitive, in no way were our “bullies” malicious–just unaware. Hell, they even took notice when Youto stood his ground, realizing the mistake they unwittingly performed. Suddenly instead of the stereotypical elitist, fake, and insensitive antagonists, we are left with a conflict of communication where no one was trying to hurt the other.

This was enough to hurt Azusa; as a person that takes trust seriously, she couldn’t bear the pressure of having to doubt her “friends”, and as such explains much of her current situation. There was great potential to expand on this idea further, but I’ll be mildly satisfied that they made Azusa so adorable in those last few minutes of the first half. At least there isn’t any misunderstanding from Youto, who used the last of his facade-less figure to completely friendzone Azusa, after stealing her away no less. However, with friendzoning came a blunt yet assuring truth she could rely on. No character here is perfect and no one is either in the complete right or wrong, but at least these characters know when they’ve made their mistakes. It felt weird at first seeing Youto lay it all out for Azusa, yet it was touching–honesty and admittance to wrongdoing is always a welcome trait in romantic comedies.

Despite it being a great place to end the episode, we quickly move forward to the next set of problems our other heroine faces: Tsukiko’s inability to express emotion. I appreciate the way that they expanded on Tsukiko’s backstory, but I just couldn’t help but think, “Why would she choose an oni mask first? Are you that oblivious!?” It’s humorous and silly, but man, it’s hard to think that people can mess up that badly. Either way, cat mask or oni mask, Tsukiko’s desire to become more adult-like runs deep in her veins. Little though does she fail to realize how important it is for elementary school teachers to express a wide variety of emotions, whether it involves storytelling, empathizing with students, or making the classroom environment a warmer place to be. At least the cat mask was a good first step in having her learn what’s most important for teaching kids–not scaring them away from you.

At this point though, the focus shifts again, away from the schoolteacher aspirations and the affection-struck Azusa to a new topic: the cold and strict Tsukushi. Judging from what issues the episode hit on today, we should expect that Tsukushi has a significantly deeper side to her that we can’t see. Heck, I’ll even claim that she doesn’t actually hate Tsukiko, but rather, like Azusa’s “friends”, gave off vibes that were interpreted in an incorrect fashion. After all, if Tsukushi hated her sister, why would she be concerned if Youto were going on a date with her? If the anime continues at the pace of this episode, we should see soon enough how Tsukushi actually feels about her sister in the next episode, and whether or not she has the unrestrained emotions her sister longs to have back. With all the main characters presented so far, who else would have Tsukiko’s feelings other than her own older sister?

While a well-executed episode in terms of developing characters and continuing excellence in the art, the pacing is a bit unnerving for me. There isn’t any time to digest any of the past arc material, and it seems like the next episode will follow suit at this rate. Points are lost in failing to properly allocate time to the interpersonal relationships between the characters, as it seems Youto is able to effortlessly have the main girls fall for him without much effort. Despite these rocky missteps, the series has done well for its first three episodes, and as such I eagerly look forward to how the group dynamics will work out once the entire cast is introduced.

 

Preview

32 Comments

  5. I’ve started reading the manga also, it has 17 chapters currently (if I’m not mistaken) and there are some interesting differences and some more jokes, for example in the taxi, the driver is funny in that situation.

    With the speed they are going in probably 2 or 3 eps they will pass it and I’ll be left hanging again because I have no idea what the story is on the novel 😛

    diaz
    Reply

  7. Another great episode, while not as funny as the last two- it provided great character development for both Tsukiko and Azusa, and of course, plenty of HNGGGGGG moments as the cuteness factor of those two are off the charts. =3
    I’m a little confused to how Youto was able to find those two girls and talk to them, as he didn’t interact with them whatsoever in episode two… Is this something that the light novel actually explains? Or did I overlook something?
    Asides from that minor issue, Henneko easily passes the three episode rule- and I’m eager to see where the show goes from here!

    katsudon
    Reply

  9. It’s pretty funny that the show almost seems like it’s a promoting a shipping war by splitting the episodes into Tsukiko and Azusa centric halves.

    And I can’t be the only one who was disappointed they cut out the taxi drivers reaction when Youto kidnapped Azusa from the manga. That scene made me burst out laughing when I read it the first time.

    Kuntzy
    Reply

  10. I think the coloring was really nice. A lot of scenes with Azusa were usually brighter colored while the ones with Tsukiko were largely darker, as if visually showing their (present) personalities of tsundere and indifference respectively.

    HalfDemonInuyasha
    Reply

  11. yoto still trying get to talk to azusa but not open the door even tsukiko tried but no door open so yoto meet tan girls about what they said to azusa.

    give reveal azusa was victim of being bullied cause to skip school a lot & plus they made a lie about a field trip which in cost that azusa have trust issues with people.

    so yoto finally hear it all decide bust the door get azusa to outside meet stony cat had some talk & make-up cue azusa make a wish yoto got his facade back with azusa now starting to trusting people again with yoto.

    tsukiko give recall past memory wearing mask meet yoto before the wishing give masking wearing is all for kindergarden kids she want have fun & be a teacher to them.

    so forward to now give tsukiko see yoto & azusa all patch-up then show yoto her pic designs of cat story give another flashback masked-cat give yoto can’t recall yet wonder what is tsukiko prob with steel queen?

    b.i.t.w.
    Reply

  14. While I like the show, I find Youto’s personality grating which brings it down somewhat. We know who got Youto’s facade, but the only candidate at this point for Tsukiko’s is (as you pointed out) her sister unless they’re going to introduce someone else. That brings up the question of why her sister “needs” those feelings.

    Bear
    Reply

    1. While I can’t really explain how that would even work. I’d thought it was the cat itself which had gotten her expressions which is why it seems to have a different expression whenever they go to the hill. And honestly before it as just smiling but this time it seems to have its mouth completely open. If what I say actually turns out to be the case I hope they realise it soon because they really should notice it after only going there a few times. Otherwise I have no idea though I doubt it’s the sister.

      HakumeiJin
      Reply

    1. A bit too laid back to allow someone to barge into her daughter room, lug daughter over his back, and then even offer to call a cab to take him wherever he’s taking her daughter. lol

      Anonymous
      Reply

      1. The anime omitted some parts, so that it basically looked like that Youto was like some guy who visited Asuza the day before and that was it.

        In the manga it made more clear that he visited Asuza several times and Asuza’s mother said to him the first time that Asuza is always speaking about him. So basically it’s implied that Azusa’s mother assumes he is Asuza’s boyfriend or at least that he and Asuza are very close.

        Thus the mother’s behavior was somewhat more understandable, although still quite laidback.

        Akoriko
        Reply

  16. Just for certain curiosity of the people who are watching this omega moe show… Who do you think is more cuter or your fave…

    Let’s see, Thumbs up me if you’re for Tsukiko, Thumbs down me if you’re for Azusa. (or just simply post)

    BaKaYaRou
    Reply

  18. It’s really hard to pick which of the two is the cutest. Can he have both of them instead? Pretty solve the problem of picking only one for Youto. lol

    Will the steel king be added in his harem?

    Vaans
    Reply

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