First Impressions / Gamers!

「星ノ守千秋とアカウントハック」 (Hoshinomori Chiaki to Akaunto Hakku)
“Hoshinomori Chiaki and Account Hack”

It’s Chiaki-pain all the way down. Then Uehara makes it worse.

It’s undeniable that we, the massive nerds who watch anime, are meant to sympathize with Chiaki. That Tendou isn’t completely marginalized is testament to how much effort has gone into making Tendou goofy and weird herself, but this episode was all about Chiaki, and most specifically, Chiaki’s pain. Or really, our pain over Chiaki. It was bad enough seeing her freak out and deny her feelings, but to have her shunt the focus off on her little sister to torpedo her own chances was painful to watch. If you wanted us to sympathize with Chiaki even more, show, mission accomplished. Now stop with the pain!

This episode does show why Konoha had to be introduced, even if it was done in a haphazard way. Last week’s pacing problems are what made this week’s episode work, because without that groundwork Konoha would be a total deus ex machina, and her buying the erogame would have been out of left field. The necessity is confirmed, even if the delivery was still off.

This was a fun episode, though as usual Tasuku is the X element that throws everything into a tail spin. From him still making Keita think that he likes Tendou, to him making a hella confusing phone call to Chiaki, Tasuku is like the anti-harem protagonist: every decision he makes with the ladies is the wrong one. Actually, that doesn’t sound that uncommon. Let’s try this: every decision to makes with the ladies goes badly for him and them. There, that works. There ain’t no overpowered Kirito moves that can save him from this.

This episode still packed in plenty of laughs, but it was less zany than usual. I think that’s good though. We need valleys to earn the peaks, and as far as more deliberate, sympathy-earning episodes go, this was still pretty darned funny. I worry for the punch they’re winding up, though. Not that it won’t be good. I worry how much it’s gonna hurt. (Possibly from laughing too much!)

Random thoughts:

  • To Chiaki’s comment on the chronic pain of creation: too true. Also see the old Kevin Smith quote, this time in illustrated form. In this, this silly cartoon ain’t making anything up.

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ED2 Sequence

ED2: 「恋のprologue*」 (Koi no Prologue*) by Luce Twinkle Wink☆

End Card

31 Comments

    1. To be fair, he’s also 100% of the reason that anyone is moving anywhere. Without him they’d all be sitting around being lonely and too afraid to make any movements.

      The dude is chaos, but sometimes you NEED chaos as a catalyst to move forward.

      Koji
      Reply

    2. Un, minai furi ni shite okou~~~ Sou, ore wa nani mo minakatta, zen zen. Daijoubu, naisho ni shite ageru kara ne? wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

      That very instant was the most hilariously awkward thing that happened in this episode. That must’ve been uh… yeah… Must’ve been really somethin huh? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

      Nishizawa Mihashi
      Reply

  5. lol at Keita being both quite observant and totally dense at same time at implications of his observations…
    double LOL at imouto making herself mess of conflicting emotions, and having Keita “take responsibility” by being hit
    triple lol at imouto trying to keep puregirl facafde towards the oneechan
    …and succeeding so far
    quadruple lol at Tasuku managing to blow up everything AGAIN

    ewok40k
    Reply

  6. Chiaki: “Nobe and Mono are actually my sister, Hoshinomori Konoha!”
    Keita and Konoha: “What?”
    Me: (*facepalm*)

    Also, seriously Konoha? You’re just gonna go along with Chiaki’s plan and pretend to be Nobe/Mono? (Well, it could be interesting if Konoha turns out to be another spanner in the works and just blurt out the truth that Chiaki is Nobe/Mono.)

    https://randomc.net/image/Gamers/Gamers%20-%2009%20-%20Large%2025.jpg
    So it’s the same game with an “all-ages” and “R-18” version… (LOL at Konoha getting busted by Keita, though.)

    https://randomc.net/image/Gamers/Gamers%20-%2009%20-%20Large%20End%20Card.jpg
    Splatoon reference?

    Incognito
    Reply

      1. Console platforms have restrictions against adult games, so you only have the adult version as an option for PCs (and Android, I think?). I don’t remember if it’s de facto or de jure, but any ports from a R-18 PC version to consoles edit the adult scenes in some fashion.

        SK
        Reply

  8. It’s Ako!! 😀

    https://randomc.net/image/Gamers/Gamers%20-%2009%20-%20Large%2001.jpg

    but to have her shunt the focus off on her little sister to torpedo her own chances was painful to watch. If you wanted us to sympathize with Chiaki even more, show, mission accomplished.

    I digress. By lying to herself and Keita (and hereby shooting herself in the foot), I feel less sympathetic, though it was funny to see her attempting to be tsun and failing, resulting in:

    https://randomc.net/image/Gamers/Gamers%20-%2009%20-%20Large%2005.jpg

    Magnus Tancred
    Reply

    1. Oh, that’s why I got a Deja-vu feeling there!

      I wonder if we will get some sort of “conclusion” in the last episode. I mean the LN is still ongoing (?) but at least don’t leave us filled with misunderstandings.

      youkai
      Reply

      1. School Rumble. That was the most potential comedy manga which turned into an endless slapstick of misunderstandings.

        At least in this series, the author managed to put a few characters together (although through misunderstandings).

        banzemanga
        Reply

  9. Stilts you nailed it with one sentence bro

    Still, Chiaki could’ve just shut up and Amano may be dumb enough to not figure it out look at how he’s been throughout this series lol but seriously can’t help but be interested in the sister than poor Chiaki who just tsun-ed herself to my best girl list.

    Kaineng
    Reply

  10. I just marathoned this all show yesterday. Enjoy it so much even if all these good kids with low self-esteem and no idea how to communicate can also be painful to watch.

    Also, I feel bad for Chiaki. That outfit with the suspenders. *fans self* If Keita doesn’t want I’ll take her.

    GoukaRyuu
    Reply

  13. I’m not very fond of love triangles. I can’t say with objectivity, but it feels like a lot of the time triangular relationships consist of sensual lust and chasing after an idealized relationship that will fulfill the individual; in other words, selfishness.

    I begrudgingly accept that in the case of Gamers!, it’s working here. It helps that the romance and relationships featured in this story are the comedy, as it takes away the strain of drama.

    What makes it work the most is that the characters are a bunch of loveable dorks that just want some meaningful companionship, and you couldn’t possibly fault anyone for wanting that. Nobody really wants to hurt anyone, characters want to see other characters happy; hence some of the five assisting with their friends’ relationship issues.

    While I do prefer Chiaki and Amano wind up together (though, that’s pretty much in doubt when you have a self-aware show having its own characters actively ship them together), in the end I just want them all to be happy, and I don’t care how as long as its satisfying.

    J_the_Man
    Reply

  14. With this episode, i think it’s finally time i tackled who i think the end couple should be. For me, i have to pick Chiaki, but that’s not because i think Karen is not deserving of Keita’s affection. I just think it’d be refreshing to see more shows not let the leading female protagonist who is put on a pedestal always be the chosen girl; gotta switch it up every now and then you know? I assume the author who wrote this story is going to have a real hard time picking between Karen and Chiaki; especially since he went out of his way to make Karen so lovable that he may not have the balls to pull the trigger and have Chiaki be the winning girl.

    The thing i like about Karen and why i think her character is so appealing (at least to me) is that she wears her emotions on her sleeves. There’s this very tender vulnerability about her; a girl who is madly crushing on a guy who makes her feel a certain way about her video gaming passion that she has never experience. She is very conscientious about how to approach Keita and in doing so, motivates herself to be emotionally dexterous so that she can convey her feelings in a sincere and honest way. In short, Karen is very proactive about what she wants and that along with the other things i’ve mentioned are very respectable qualities to have; it’s why I’m so endeared to Karen. She’s worked hard to convey here innocent and pure feelings towards a guy who others would give her weird looks for dating (and the beautiful thing is that she doesnt give a fuck….well, because she’s kind of awkward herself). Also, i think it’s a plus (and the main reason why so many people consider Karen best girl) is that she is full of such delightfully cute expressions when she embarrassingly tries to communicate her insurmountable feelings to Keita.

    Overall, I think Karen’s dynamic with Keita (or the way i see it going) is a solid foundation for which to consummate a relationship because who she is as a character challenges Keita to try harder to overcome his meekness. There a sense of improving oneself that Karen invokes out of Keita (although I’m not quite sure if this is implicitly because Karen has this depth of character or it’s because of how high of a pedestal Keita places here; I’m still trying to figure that one out). For all intents and purposes, having two people who seemingly have fundamentally different philosophies about gaming come to realize that they can from one another is a an aspect of connection and human communication that make relationships meaningful; and in that regard, Keita and Karen being an item has some merit.

    However, there’s something about Chiaki and Keita’s bond that resonates with me more. Sure for those who want to see Karen and Keita be an item, you can argue that Chiaki and Keita can work as just friends; and you’d be right. But you’d also be neglecting the fact that sometimes, good friends make the best romantic and ideal couples. For me, the greatest of relationships are predicated on the heartwarming and dynamic relationship between two people who are absolutely comfortable with one another. Two people who can converse with each other about anything and everything. Who can get lost in each other just talking about the things they love for hours and gaining so much for each other’s company. Two people who have an excellent back and forth; two people who not only motivate each other but confide in one another as well. Chiaki and Keita have that comfortability with one another and the potential to enrich each others lives both intellectually and emotionally as a result of this inextricable bond that they share. The fact that they can be so close to each other while seemingly hating each other is a testament to how harmonized their personality frequencies are and . They have the potential to learn to be better people together and shine incandescently as people. This potential exists with them in a way that it doesnt quite exist with Karen and Keita (granted if Chiaki and Keita can learn to accept each other’s perspective’s; which I think is a theme the show should definitely tackle by allowing them to explore their burgeoning feelings for each other) and i think it allows these characters to be a bit more interesting to watch as people. With Karen and Keita’s relationship, I sort of see it plateauing in the sense that maybe Karen may find herself not being able to relate all the way to Keita and vice-versa . Perhaps they can overcome that but who knows. Any way that’s my two cents on that.

    sonicsenryaku
    Reply

    1. *A corrected version*

      With this episode, i think it’s finally time i tackled who i think the end couple should be. For me, i have to pick Chiaki, but that’s not because i think Karen is not deserving of Keita’s affection. I just think it’d be refreshing to see more shows not let the leading female protagonist who is put on a pedestal always be the chosen girl; gotta switch it up every now and then you know? I assume the author who wrote this story is going to have a real hard time picking between Karen and Chiaki; especially since he went out of his way to make Karen so lovable and endearing to the audience and Chiaki so compatible with Keita.

      The thing i like about Karen and why i think her character is so appealing (at least to me) is that she wears her emotions on her sleeves. There’s this very tender vulnerability about her; a girl who is madly crushing on a guy who makes her feel a certain way about her video gaming passion that she has never experience. She is very conscientious about how to approach Keita and in doing so, motivates herself to be emotionally dexterous so that she can convey her feelings in a sincere and honest way. In short, Karen is very proactive about what she wants and that along with the other things i’ve mentioned are very respectable qualities to have; it’s why I’m so endeared to Karen. She’s worked hard to convey here innocent and pure feelings towards a guy who others would give her weird looks for dating; and the beautiful thing is that she doesnt give a fuck (that partly might be because she’s kind of awkward herself). Also, i think it’s a plus (and the main reason why so many people consider Karen best girl) is that she is full of such delightfully cute expressions when she embarrassingly tries to communicate her insurmountable feelings to Keita.

      Overall, I think Karen’s dynamic with Keita (from what i see so far) is a solid foundation for which to consummate a relationship because who she is as a character challenges Keita to try harder to overcome his meekness. There a sense of improving oneself that Karen invokes out of Keita; although I’m not quite sure if this is implicitly because Karen has this depth of character or it’s because of how high of a pedestal Keita places here; I’m still trying to figure that one out. For all intents and purposes, having two people who seemingly have fundamentally different philosophies about gaming come to realize that they can learn from one another is a an aspect of connection and human communication that make relationships meaningful. In that regard, Keita and Karen being an item has some merit.

      However, there’s something about Chiaki and Keita’s bond that resonates with me more. Sure for those who want to see Karen and Keita be an item, you can argue that Chiaki and Keita can work as just friends; and you’d be right. But you’d also be neglecting the fact that sometimes, good friends make the best romantic and ideal couples. For me, the greatest of relationships are predicated on the heartwarming and dynamic relationship between two people who are absolutely comfortable with one another. Two people who can converse with each other about anything and everything. Who can get lost in each other just talking about the things they love for hours and gaining so much for each other’s company. Two people who have an excellent back and forth; two people who not only motivate each other but confide in one another as well. Chiaki and Keita have that comfortableness with one another and the potential to enrich each others lives both intellectually and emotionally as a result of this inextricable bond that they share. The fact that they can be so close to each other while seemingly hating each other is a testament to how harmonized their personality frequencies are.They have the potential to learn to be better people together and shine incandescently as an item. This potential exists with them in a way that it doesnt quite exist with Karen and Keita (that’s granted if Chiaki and Keita can learn to accept each other’s perspective’s, which I think is a theme the show should definitely tackle by allowing them to explore their burgeoning feelings for each other) and i think it allows Chiaki and Keita to be a bit more interesting to watch as people. With Karen and Keita’s relationship, I sort of see it plateauing in the sense that maybe Karen may find herself not being able to relate to Keita in a fulfilling way and vice-versa; that perhaps their infatuation for each other is just that; an intense crush/infatuation, which is different from deep love. Perhaps Karen and Keita’s relationship will develop into a solid romance; who knows. Any way that’s my two cents on that.

      sonicsenryaku
      Reply

  16. Everyone, including his girlfriend thinks he’s a cheating playboy. XD
    https://randomc.net/image/Gamers/Gamers%20-%2009%20-%2036.jpg
    Got some good intentions, but the execution of his schemes are hilarious. I do feel for his complicated feelings in resolving the Chiaki x Amano x Tendou love triangle.

    Wonder how she got Konoha to play along?
    https://randomc.net/image/Gamers/Gamers%20-%2009%20-%2021.jpg
    The first part of ep. 8 really was necessary it seems. I don’t think it would’ve worked if they introduced her during the pool episode. First impressions really helped from my point of view.

    theirs
    Reply

  17. I feel like this episode just took a totally different route. It seems like everything is in Chiaki’s favor now. Now after her lie and Tasuku messing up everything, there’s gonna be another big confusion and misunderstanding

    lunascha
    Reply

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