First Impressions / Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu

「裕人さんのにおい…」 (Yuuto-san no Nioi…)
“Yuuto’s Scent…”

With the help of the Christmas season, Yuuto and Haruka have managed to get back to their lovey-dovey ways. However, that doesn’t mean they’ve let up on the service shots, including several of Haruka up top.

I don’t think they had to go this far with Haruka, but maybe she was cold or something. It’s still a rather impressive sight, seeing that she had a bra on and all. Anyway, the situation following Yuuto’s collapse from overworking himself begs the question, “Who changed him into his pajamas?” Was it our new medical unit Nogizaka maid Yukinohara Maria (Takamoto Megumi, Winry in the FMA remake), or perhaps Haruka and Mika? While I’m sure Mika would’ve loved undressing her beloved “onii-chan”, my bet is on Hazuki since she’s the head maid and incapable of feeling awkward about anything. Fan-service aside, there was actual development between Yuuto and Haruka like I mentioned above.

So having made no money from his butler job, Yuuto ends up working a bunch of city construction jobs in order to buy a Christmas present for Haruka. Crunched for time, he ends up working multiple jobs and overexerts himself him in the process. For his efforts, he manages to buy Haruka a moonlight ring for Christmas, plus go down on one knee and nonchalantly slip it on her left ring finger. (Is this a proposal!?) I guess it should go without saying that Yuuto took a page out of Morisato Keiichi’s book for this one (see Ah! My Goddess OVA).

Before getting there, we had the obligatory Christmas party that even Gentou attended. In a very predictable manner, Akiho was there to keep him in check with the help of Alice. While I can’t help but feel that this recurring gag is getting old, Akiho did surprise me with her self-packaged Christmas gift bit. Alongside this, we had Riko and Yukari getting drunk and naked as usual, while Shiina, Ryouko, and Mai were busy giving us some Christmas service of their own. Satou Rina (Shiina) was also singing Jingle Bells at one point of the episode.

Being the big tease that they have been with this series, I guess it’s unsurprising that they didn’t let Yuuto and Haruka kiss this time either. It felt like a waste though, being Christmas and all. However, the scene at the end was pretty sweet, along with the fake snow Hazuki and the others had planned out. The necklace Haruka gave Yuuto also resembled a merging of the letters “h” and “y” (for obvious reasons). In any case, this week made strides to go back to what the first season was known for. Whether or not they plan to keep it up though, I don’t know.

 

Preview

27 Comments

  8. I really want to take my mind of seeing Haruka’s nipples, because I was actually disturbed when I saw that. In every other show, I would find that hot, but not here, because this show does not deserve to be an ecchi show. This seasons till in derailment mode. If this was in The CW, this would be cancelled. Of course, this is Anime, so it’s never canceled.

    Also, why a Christmas episode NOW?! WE’RE APPROACING HALLOWEEN!

    Let. The Fanservice. Go. Away. Diomedea. NOW.

    Mesousa
    Reply

  10. OMG, they actually did something (other than the stupid shit they usually do). I really don’t mind the rampant fanservice as much as the normalcy between Yuuto & Haruka. If the silly fanservice can get them into situations like this more often then bring it on. I guess yall forgot how MFing boring this show got last season, waiting 12 episodes for one lousy kiss. It really was a waste for them not to have kissed in that situation but with the 4 on-lookers right over them you know it wasn’t going to happen.

    They really need to get away from ALL pests in order for any kind of fireworks, especially Haruka’s father. That ape had way too much screen time in this one. I swear, if Yuuto grows silly sideburns, a mustashe, takes a slash to the left eye, & starts carying a katana, I WILL FIND HIM!

    Megas
    Reply

  12. I still like this series and look forward to it every week. There was a bit too much fan service this episode. Once in a while is OK. Just not every episode. Leave that for Queen’s Blade or Sora No Otoshimomo.

    This is a sweet romantic comedy anime series and it should stay that way to be a change of pace from the other fan service shows out there.

    Splash
    Reply

  13. generally, high fanservice means a response to low ratings and/or strong competition, and a ploy to boost dvd sales. this show has sora no otoshimono, nyan koi etc as competition in the romcom genre, so fanservice is used to get more views. i believe code geass r2 did this as well, as its ratings were relatively low (compared to the first season that is, as it was still amazingly popular). still, if this series just stayed away from cliches as much as possible like the first season did, this one wouldn’t need service to get views and dvd sales. it’s unfortunate, really.

    CMac
    Reply

  14. This has gotten boring to me ever since it went linear. The possibility of a Shiina ending has been hit in the back of the head with a shovel and buried in a ditch somewhere.

    Not saying it’s bad though…just mediocre.

    dmo
    Reply

  23. The anime is planned quite aways ahead of its airing. I doubt the ratings showed they were low so the next day they added fan service. It must have been bumped up some after the 1st year ended to try and get better ratings.

    Splash
    Reply

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