First Impressions / MM!

「そんなこんなでカップルバカップル」 (Sonna Konna de Kapparu Bakappuru)
“With This and That, The (Stupid) Couple”

And just when I was beginning to wonder where the Mio loving was, we get hit with this date episode centered around Mio. While in the end I really couldn’t tell whether Mio was really beginning to like Tarou or not, the little shots of her being embarrassed from their date was much appreciated, as one can tell from all the Mio-centric blushing shots in this week’s image table. The blushing isn’t all little Mio has to offer, with her getting pissed off to the point of looking almost like staple yangire Rena when “Ojou-sama mode” Tatsukichi mentions her size challenged breasts again. With that in mind, Tarou should probably be careful not to trigger Mio’s Bad End and be sure to select the “wipe the ice cream off her face” option, less we have another unhappy Sekai on our hands. Or would that be Yuno, who looks suspiciously worried during Mio and Tarou’s weekend escapades?

Of course, how can we have a Mio flag episode without proper drama being included as well? Admittedly, Mio’s story so far hasn’t touched me as much as Yuuno’s, but that could probably be attributed to not a whole lot of it being explained this episode. From what I can gather though, it appears Mio’s body is weak and as result she hasn’t been able to do a lot of the fun things other kids her age have gotten to, which leads to Michiru-sensei using Tarou as a scapegoat for Mio to experience those events. I really wish the episode had gone deeper into Mio’s past and fleshed out her character in a manner similar to what was used for Yuno, but I’m assuming they’re leaving the rest of Mio’s story for a better time and place. Still, I really want to know what could make Mio so eager to experience life that she would give up her first kiss to Tarou without hesitating, and even dress up as a bride while doing so. To me, it didn’t appear as if she truly liked him until after he ran in the rain for her, and even then I can’t tell if she honestly developed any kind of meaningful feelings for Tarou. While Yuno’s feelings for Tarou are fairly clear, it seems that the series will continue to have an air of vagueness around Mio’s feelings for Tarou, which broadens the possible routes for development and makes for an interesting dynamic, to say the least. That aside, the irony here goes without saying, but I just have to point out how funny I find the fact that Tarou originally joined Mio and Yuno’s club to get himself help and has ended up being the one dealing with their problems; such is the life for a dedicated and morally strong MC.

This is also the first episode that we weren’t introduced to any new characters, which I’m totally fine with since it somewhat fleshed out a member of the existing cast. Although, it appears a new challenger will be showing up next episode, this time sporting some kind of paranoia, if the exorcism Tarou is seemingly being subjected to is any indication. I wonder if we’ll have another Matsuoka Sakiko on our hands?

 

Preview

26 Comments

  2. Damn son, I’m surprised Tatsukichi consented to acting all lovey-dovey to Tarou. and why a miko outfit? (not that I’m complaining) Seems like shows these days cut the bullcrap and dish out the kisses within the first four episodes, though I’m still hoping for a YuunoxTarou ending

    sunsona
    Reply

    2. Probably someone related to Mio, could be a foreboding of things to come. I like how the writers didn’t delve into Mio’s past as extensively as with Yuuno so that there’s still that shroud of mystery why Mio has a superiority complex. We know the roots of Yuuno’s fear of men and it has been somewhat resolved with her ex-bf being beaten and blackmailed, but Mio’s character is still unravelling… can’t wait to see the next episodes!

      chizwhiz
      Reply

  5. I think that she gave up her first kiss because she didnt have a meaning to it. When a person lack social experience a person will think of theoretical bases just like a role playing game. but aleast in the end, Mio finaly know what love is.

    Croosboy
    Reply

  6. I thought Tatsukichi was just trolling around, when Arashiko didn’t even thank him in the previous episode but appear at the background.
    Seems like he’s not in this episode, by being a TRAP.

    FlamingYu
    Reply

  7. Actually she was weak because she spent the date hiding her exhaustion from sleep deprivation, which she mentions early. If she really were weak naturally, there’s no way she could keep up her sadistic methods.

    The reason why she didn’t have many friends when she was younger was probably from simple antisocial tendencies.

    Phosphatide
    Reply

  8. Everyone in this has some sort of problem. In a way it makes things interesting but I feel that I will get tired if they try to resolve everyone’s problems.

    Even though this was not as enjoyable as the previous episode, it was still fun to watch.

    ClementIV
    Reply

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