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「好きとキスの距離／役者じゃない」 (Suki to kisu no kyori / Yakusha janai)
“The Distance Between Fondness and Kisses / Not One of the Characters”
Ah Fridays, nothing like the feeling of rest, relaxation, and the satisfaction of two nights off with no work the next day (praise be to engineering office work). Also the joy of getting more Yagakimi, but I think we’re all on the same page when it comes to that one, especially when the show is set to start kicking into high gear.
As mentioned before, Yagakimi, while not lavishly adhering to yuri romance convention, still retains the general aspects and this episode revealed them in all their glory. Seiji obviously is the big one, the first person to actually glimpse the budding girls love slowly coming to a head, and the one (besides Sayaka) who could catalyze the start of any drama. This development should prove no surprise to anyone, romance always needs some form of driver and the easiest method is tension, whether that be through direct competition or the risk of social humiliation. To Yagakimi’s benefit though, Seiji is not likely to follow the same well-trodden path. The kid as self-styled is one more concerned about observation than actual involvement, he enjoys the story but never wishes to see himself play a part. Of course this doesn’t prevent him from choosing to push matters along if they stall—i.e. if Yuu bluntly rejects Touko—but if to tease a little Yagakimi won’t be going down that route. The focus here will remain firmly on our main duo and the actions they themselves take.
Part of the reason for this rests in Yagakimi’s other development this week with Yuu’s mental shift. Again no real surprises here—the girl was always going to creep towards attraction eventually—but in a quiet, organic manner? Definitely interesting. While falling in love through shared moments and curiosity sounds more than a little cliché, it is often the manner through which actual relationships are created and sustained. Touko of course may be the one coming onto Yuu and creating that curiosity, but Yuu is the one who openly allows it. No matter how much Yuu doesn’t profess to feel and thinks Touko’s love is a drag, part of her is thinking she might ignite a spark with one more touch, just one more kiss—it is as Seiji mentions a sign Yuu feels more for her new friend than she realizes, especially when Yuu is concerned more about how discovery of that affection will affect Touko than herself. For all that our pig tailed cutie professes to be unable to love, she’s got all the symptoms and no cure in sight.
How Yuu comes to realize and act on her love will be the next big thing in Yagakimi, but to get there is first going to require a little push or two, and that means conflict isn’t too far on the horizon. Pepper that angus boys and girls, things are about to heat up in here.
Very compelling episode, there seems to be frequent subversion of expectations. Usually an accidental onlooker would present some form of conflict which thankfully isn’t the case here. Maki could be an actual asexual/aromantic character since he has no interest at all in participating in romance which opposes Yuu’s desire.
He comes across that way doesn’t he? Honestly wouldn’t even be that surprising if he was, I’ve known a few guys like that who given their family setups weren’t really interested in love because they knew inside and out how girls worked. Kind of weird thinking about, but as I understood it they didn’t find any satisfaction in being effectively handed something for me—more fun in being the puppeteer than the puppet.
Maki is a rare good male character in yuri show.
really enjoying yuu and touko’s dynamic! wonder what happened 7 years ago…
Oh don’t worry we’re going to find out very soon 😛
I’m reading the manga and my theory was right.
It’s not hard to guess.
But now I don’t really know if the story will do something with that.
We are all Maki.
“Wakarimasu”
You know, it’s was said a few times that Yuu is easy to go with the flow. Maybe she will go with Maki’s flows convincing herself to feel more for Touko than she actually feel’s, at least for now. Her being concerned with the repercussions for Touko isn’t necessary a sign of her caring that much, not in that way, about Touko. Couldn’t also be a bit of guilty? After all, despite being Touko the one to make the advances is Yuu who is allowing, “it’s her fault”. Her concerns may comes from guilty for her actions instead of just her feelings about Touko.
That butterfly symbolism made me thing that maybe Maki’s actions will unintentionally damage that frail relationship.
Could certainly be guilt, but if it was I’m not sure Yuu would indulge Touko’s desires that easily. Guilt would very likely have Yuu reject Touko outright in order to avoid any unsavoury situation or go all in on the relationship, but Yuu is still straddling the fence which suggests something else is also guiding her actions at the moment.
And plot thickens
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https://randomc.net/image/Yagate%20Kimi%20ni%20Naru/Yagate%20Kimi%20ni%20Naru%20-%2004%20-%20Large%2028.jpg
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Wow, all the individuals in the student council are great looking characters. Aside from looks, they also have different interesting personalities. The interactions between the group are very compelling to watch indeed.
This has been excellent. There are no wasted scenes. Everything seems to have a purpose, from the directing, animation, background, and soundtrack, to the character interactions. I guess I’m lucky to not have read the manga. I’ll probably read it after this ends.
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For now, I am very satisfied with each episode. This should keep me in company till Liz to Aoi Tori becomes available.
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Very much appreciate your time writing about this show Pancakes.