11.29
For reference, I’m currently caught up with the series and am only behind in terms of making entries on them. Really digging the series so far, though I do have something of a minor gripe. The episode starts off with a chase scene between Rikka and her sister, and we see what I can only assume to be Rikka’s after school free-dress which… works oddly well. Usually I think of the Lolita style to be one of those things that just doesn’t translate well into real world situations, but she actually pulls it off. Then again, she’s an anime character. Then again again, she’s an anime character with rather prominent thighs, which for reason I equate to being more realistic in comparison to most anime character designs. Just saying that I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some kind of blog out there that keeps track of Rikka’s outfits since, and I’m saying this in the most non-creepy way possible, she looks pretty good in them.
What better way to better flesh out a new character than with a dream sequence? The first episode already proved that the team behind the series knows how to get inside the mind of a high schooler that takes her delusions to a whole new level; it’s good to know that they can get into the head of a typical high school boy with just as much ease. Sure, Yuuta’s dream was incredibly typical and if it were done in live action I’d feel like it was as shallow as a goldfish blow on the surface of the sun, but there’s just a certain amount of charm in Chu2 where I’m willing to look past those things and see it more as a spoof than anything else.
And to have it followed up by Rikka waking him up was just more icing on the cake. I said it last entry, but I really like the Clarissa and Sam type of relationship the two have going right now. Rikka comes and goes into Yuuta’s room as she pleases, but if Yuuta honestly had a problem with it, he could just lock the door (or call the police even) but he doesn’t. It’s one of those instances where actions (or I guess a lack of action) speaks louder than words.
Add to that that Yuuta was actually able to notice Rikka’s forehead bandage and even asks about it. Even better is how the whole bandage imagery works its way to the end of the episode and acts as a sort of initiation of sorts into Rikka’s odd, odd home life.
I will say, as socially awkward as Rikka can get, they sure go out of their way to make her as redeemably adorable as they can at times. I mean, she just meowed in unison with a cat… that’s wearing wings!
And on the subject of these wings, I’ve seen similar ones on Koromaru in Persona 3. I take it it’s a Japanese thing? If so, they sure beat the wing accessories us American pet owners have.
Really like this shot. In a way, both Rikka and Yuuta’s sister tugging at Yuuta’s sleeve could suggest how childlike Rikka still is. On the other hand, a the blatant and unfiltered opinion of a child could just be what Yuuta needs to get over his 8th grade syndrome shame.
I just realized that Yuuta’s desk isn’t a window seat which, according to the laws of anime, means you’re nothing but an extra in someone else’s show. Kinda interesting to consider keeping in mind that that’s essentially what Yuuta wants out of his high school life.
Did I mention how I love how this anime really gets the inner mechanisms of a high school boy? I wouldn’t say the conversation with Shinka was painfully boring, but it did seem to purposely stay in this sort of drab zone due to Yuuta’s fear of being too weird. And then Rikka pops in and ruins everything. It’s just so perfectly executed!
I will say, while I enjoyed this whole gag of Rikka purposely misinterpreting Yuuta’s “take it off” comment, I did find it a bit out of character… at least out of character in terms of what I would expect of her two episodes into the series. When she’s not absorbed in her delusions, Rikka is usually 1) being cute, B) wearing her heart on her sleeve for the sake of well deserved feels, or $) a combination of both. So to have her not only take a shot at Yuuta, but do so in a rather risqué manner was a bit baffling. Funny, but baffling.
I feel like Kumin-senpai represents every normal person ever and Yuuta is just too absorbed in his own problems to realize this. Upon seeing him fangasm over Rikka’s gun (yes, bad wording of the situation is bad) she didn’t really have a look of disgust at all. Rather, she seemed more in awe of him for not only being able to be himself around others (at least for that short moment in time) but to also be able to find a niche for himself that he can so readily identify himself under.
It’s funny to think that the fight scenes, as over the top as they are, aren’t the best parts of the series. Then again, that could be the old fogey in me speaking and no longer being fazed by popcorney action, as intentional as it may be. I found it more enjoyable just how willing Touka is to fight her younger sister, since she figures she won’t respond to anything else.
… then Yuuta walks into her life and she realizes this is the weirdo that spouted nonsense the floor above her and figured she’d blackmail him into neutralizing Rikka’s 8th grade syndrome. Though even two episodes in, I think we can all tell that even without the blackmail, Rikka has become a part of Yuuta’s life whether he wants to be or not.