Reviewed on September 2, 2021 – December 14, 2021
Use the table of contents below to choose specific topics of your choice, or simply read through the whole article! (Pro Tip: use “Alt + Left” to return to the table of contents!)
- Episode Review
- Ep. 1: My Senpai is a Bunny Girl
- Ep. 2: On First Dates, Trouble is Essential
- Ep. 3: The World Without You
- Ep. 4: There is no Tomorrow for a Rascal
- Ep. 5: All the Lies I Have for You
- Ep. 6: The World You Chose
- Ep. 7: Adolescence Paradox
- Ep. 8: Wash it All Away on a Stormy Night
- Ep. 9: Sister Panic
- Ep. 10: Complex Congratulations
- Ep. 11: The Kaede Quest
- Ep. 12: Life is a Never-Ending Dream
- Ep. 13: The Dawn After an Endless Night
- Verdict
BEYOND THIS POINT: HEAVY SPOILERS
There will be examination of major story elements, such as a focused analysis on certain events nearing the middle or end of the work-
Episode Review
Ep. 1: My Senpai is a Bunny Girl
Reviewed on September 2, 2021
For a series with such an absurd and suggestive title, girls with designs that are the epitome of “anime schoolgirl”, and light-hearted synopsis (for the first Light Novel volume, anyways), Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai is surprisingly tame and mature.
And it went beyond my expectations; this isn’t simply a series about cute girls, it’s about real social commentary conveyed through the touches of supernatural elements. Of course, a single episode isn’t enough to paint whether this show will effectively convey its themes, and there certainly isn’t a grand premise at this point, but I certainly want to know more about the characters.
The main character, Sakuta, is already a refreshing sight to behold. He’s laidback but perceptive, often witty but caring, sometimes rude but ultimately not trying to get into trouble. He’s not a horribly mixed bag of emotions, rather, his personality is defined. Like Shoya from A Silent Voice, he’s a protagonist that feels like he’s already seen the worst in his life. A character that already resolved their “Shonen” storyline and just happened to wander into another conflict later in life.
As for Mai, we haven’t seen the entirety of her problems, but the extent of what was shown often leads me to feelings of sadness and uncertainty. I think certain viewers who simply wanted to watch a light-hearted harem comedy with cute girls have already dropped out; this is a show that feels more like reality, and because of that, I can see why it may feel a bit boring. As suggested by this first episode, the dynamics of storytelling—small interactions, extended dialogue between characters, common urban backdrops and locations—are more aligned to the strengths of the light novel format.
If there’s anything I appreciate, it’s that the series has no reason to make drastic art changes or caricatures, or incredibly outlandish characters. Likewise, the music finds the right balance of uneasiness and serenity. As first impressions go, this first episode certainly defied my expectations and holds a lot of promise for the series. That said, I’m going to have a hard time convincing people that the show isn’t actually degenerate.
Ep. 2: On First Dates, Trouble is Essential
Reviewed on September 7, 2021
If the first episode is to garner interest in the show, the second episode is to color the approach of the series—the atmosphere of the setting, what aspects the comedy relies on, and the underlying personalities of characters. Episode 2 retains the promise the previous episode hinted at, though certainly reveals a few unexpected things.
If there was a series that I can immediately pinpoint for similarities with Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai (I still think this is an absurd title), it would be Steins;Gate. The scene at Kamakura beach, in which Mai’s existence has seemingly disappeared altogether from her mother’s memory, as well as Sakuta’s voice & email seemingly replacing Mai’s, harkens back to the kind of disorientation I felt when it came to Steins;Gate. Seeing the shifts in worldlines accompanied by Okabe’s increasingly realization that he has gone too far was something quite tense to experience; while I believe this series won’t pursue that degree of dramatic storytelling, I’m equally surprised that it has already approached the idea of a character’s existence completely disappearing.
Like Steins;Gate with its time travel, the concept of the Adolescence Syndrome in this series creates a well-needed tension and wariness for surprises amongst the otherwise comfortable interactions between characters. That duality in structure, between a mature presentation and immature dialogue, is what makes a show with entertaining characters still grounded by reality.
Even when the scenarios and dialogue between Mai & Sakuta in this episode are no different than the common shenanigans found in romance-comedies, slice-of-life, and harem animes, the visual direction never leans into fanservice and cheap shots. No complete butchering in art styles, abrupt changes in backgrounds, or cheesy noises—despite its use of outlandish tropes, the series manages to keep it natural, tame, and (mostly) mature. And this is important, since this is a conversational series that needs its dialogue to be strong, funny, and engaging. This is the same reason why we could take the cast of Steins;Gate—at its core, a bunch of otaku outcasts with often undesirable traits and stupid antics—so seriously.
In that regard, I like to believe that this series’ characters also hit that balance between sincerity and stupidity. Sakuta is more or less a playboy than a pervert, but his behavior is far less irritating to see unfold compared to other characters like him; a part of that is because I always feel he’s suppressing his true self with that false, laidback attitude. Because certainly, we know he’s willing to help a lost child find her mother, help Mai get back into the showbiz (and thus back into reality), and help Kaede when it came to her bullies. We can see his frustration when Mai’s mother couldn’t even remember her own daughter. Then again, he just kicked the butt of some random girl.
As far as similarities go with Steins;Gate, I can imagine that this series is also going for a “multiple girls, multiple routes” approach. Still, Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai is setting up to be more romance than science fiction, though those short discussions with Futuba provide a necessary depth to the series and its world. While I still think this is better off experienced through the original light novel format, due to its dense conversations and lack of dynamic action, I appreciate the general direction this anime adaptation is going for.
Ep. 3: The World Without You
Reviewed on September 9, 2021
Marking the end of Mai’s “arc”, the series seems to be shifting into another case of Adolescence Syndrome, this time with the “Devil” girl. Admittedly, I am not enthusiastic about the potential “oh, what girl can we go help out and save?” approach, as if this was a weekly show with no soul. I hope the series doesn’t become as a simple as jumping between girls and falling in love with them superficially. That said, given that characters like Futaba and Mai have already been appearing in many episodes, I doubt the show can simply make them disappear (that would be very ironic). I suspect the series will play smart and use this time to further develop Sakuta and Mai’s relationship, along with her mysterious condition.
That said, Mai will certainly be sidelined for the next few episodes in favor for this “Devil” girl, though I don’t think Sakuta will easily forget Mai’s existence. Because what this episode showed is that characters are nearly impossible to hate. Sakuta is the epitome of a playboy, but his perseverance to keep himself awake, keep Mai’s existence alive, is one that reveals his ultimately endearing character. Even in these short three episodes, we know and feel that both Sakuta and Mai care about each other. Their love is, by no means, superficial.
I also like the subtle, smart details with other characters. For instance, Futuba wrote a note for her future self to give to Sakuta, because she knew that if her hypothesis was correct, she would forget about Mai. It shows that she really cares about Sakuta’s predicament, despite how unbelievable and baseless it may seem. Although I’m essentially spoiled for what’s to come (darn you, ending song on YouTube!), I hope characters like Futaba have more time in the spotlight.
For a series that has little to no action, and relies on small interactions and intimate conversations, Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai is surprisingly engaging to watch. Though if you rather read dialogue and watch action, then perhaps it’s best to steer clear of this show (and perhaps opt to read the light novels instead). But for what is it right now, I’d say the show has been an enjoyable experience.
Ep. 4: There is no Tomorrow for a Rascal
Reviewed on September 10, 2021
I’m ecstatic to say that the shift between girls wasn’t as bad or obtrusive as it could have been, and I like how the scenario still manages to keep Sakuta and Mai’s closeness, all the while showcasing the predicament of Tomoe Koga.
This first-year girl is someone with a fierce personality yet also timid when it comes to social pressure. It’s a bit scary to see how much her friend group dictates the behaviors and actions of her life, especially when it comes to the immediate need to reply to texts or the constant worrying about being embarrassed, being alone, or being shunned by her peers.
That parallel to Kaede is, of course, why Sakuta decides to help her out, which I think is another great character quality of his. Because Sakuta is not the all-caring protagonist found in dating sims, but simply a selfless person who selfishly makes amends to the past (how he is trying to help Mai because she looks like Shoko, how he is helping Koga because she is in the same situation as Kaede).
I wished the time loop predicament could have been prolonged, but I suspect that something will happen later in the scenario. Regardless, time goes by quickly between episodes, so much that it’s hard to realize that a month has already passed from Ep. 3. This snappy pace often feels like a fair amount of details from the light novels are being abridged in this adaptation, but right now, I don’t think it’s significantly affecting the experience.
Ep. 4 essentially reassured that romance is an integral aspect of this story’s atmosphere, though I would have preferred that the science-fiction concepts did not stay within Futaba’s lab. I’m getting the feeling that the paradoxical concepts like Schrodinger’s Cat and Laplace’s Demon are only used simply to color the Adolescence Syndrome. I wouldn’t expect these concepts to be explained in depth or become dramatically complicated. Similarly, it seems that supernatural elements, such as the time loop, are equally light, if not, a simple tool to progress character dynamics and relationships. At its core, Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai is about the interactions between high school students and their struggle with problems engrained with society.
Aside from that, I think by now some viewers might have questioned why the ending was so basic and unimaginative, even to anime ending standards. But now you know why. It seems that each girl will be walking down the beach in a different time of day, while the song’s singer changes to the respective girl’s voice actor. This is a solid way to show progression in subject matter and keep a rather simplistic ending refreshing to watch.
Ep. 5: All the Lies I Have for You
Reviewed on September 10, 2021
A continuation of the Laplace’s Petite Demon arc, this episode proved to be fuller than expected. Even though this series has no overarching goal as it is wandering into the next conflict, the show is still keen to progression and productivity. Because amid the central idea of Sakuta’s fake relationship with Koga, the episode throws up a lot more conflicts: the love triangle between Futabe, Kunimi and his girlfriend, the tightrope relationship between Sakuta and Mai, and the Koga’s struggle to be an ideal girl. And I won’t be surprised if Koga suddenly turns back time because she’s not willing to accept Sakuta and Mai’s relationship.
Even when the supernatural elements are nonexistent for this episode, the wide range of character dynamics keeps the show engaging; there’s something fun in watching Sakuta act so reprehensible yet endearing. He hits the right balance of a character with enough quick wit and confidence in knowing has a flawed mind. Like most of these characters, you’d have to try hard to dislike them. That said, characters like Rena, Yosuke, and Kunimi’s girlfriend often have this one-faced display on them that causes most viewers to perceive them as simple cardboard “villains”.
When it comes to dialogue in general, we’re mostly treated to the common high school antics. If you have seen any high school movies or shows, the dialogue in Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai is barely anything special. However, the magic comes from the delightful characters, scenes of intimacy, and presentation of dialogue.
I wouldn’t have continued to watch the show if Sakuta wasn’t that witty yet genuine guy, or if Mai wasn’t that assertive yet caring gal. Unlike the more immature high school shows around, this show’s characters have enough believable layers to them in which both its comedy and drama feel realistic. Couple this with scenes in which two characters converse, fight with words, and come to understanding—suddenly, the viewer knows how intimate and meaningful their relationship is. Especially since the show doesn’t shower its funny moments with cheap flairs or overexaggerated expressions, depictions of character relationships are often tangible and raw.
Of course, this kind of visual approach can be seen as boring by many: if it’s a cartoon, why not exaggerate to get the point across, all the while treating the audience to more exciting movements? Why not have fun with the show, given the age and status of its characters? To that, I think I can offer some explanation: this is not a high school anime, this is an anime that happens to focus on high school students. The show is beyond the playful, superficial antics that the media paints high school to be. Instead, the show offers a realistic outlook of high school culture, and the pressures that result from this society.
Viewers who understand this can still enjoy the series, still laugh when Sakuta kicks Yosuke’s shin, still smile at the often-outrageous dialogue that Koga and Kaede spit out. Those simply looking for heart-thumping romance or laugh-out-loud comedy might be better off watching rom-coms or (more direct) harem anime. But as it is now, Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai finds the right balance between stupid and smart with its character, its dialogue, and its approach to storytelling. Even if this show is outside my comfort zone, it still manages to be a solid experience every episode.
Ep. 6: The World You Chose
Reviewed on September 25, 2021
Despite the lack of fantastical action or incredibly detailed animation, there is still movement in the series. Even though discourse between two characters is the primary storytelling tool, I can’t help but feel engaged with whatever’s unfolding.
This series has some invisible factor that I have yet to fully comprehend: I’m not enthusiastic about the girls in swimsuits or bunny outfits, but I’m enthusiastic by how this fanservice is never the forefront of the episode; I’m rolling my eyes at Sakuta’s perverted antics, but I’m equally enamored by his witty quips and serious devotion to understanding others; I’m not wowed any episode so far, but I’m confident to say the series is a solid experience. Once again, the title could have resulted in something much worse.
Unfortunately, I’m starting to see that the anime adaptation is reliant on the pacing and progression of the light novel; there’s not much room to change or improve upon, it seems. Working a 180-page scenario into a set of three 20-minute episodes is not necessarily a challenge, but how each episode begins and ends is where things can a bit dicey. This adaption isn’t necessarily a step-up from the original source but stands alongside it. To reiterate once more, those who love to read may find a better experience with the light novels; those who are already accustomed to the sight, sound, and atmosphere of a TV show should watch the adaption instead.
Even though the looping of the day before summer break felt quite rushed, there’s enough time for developments between characters to feel authentic. This was achieved by a secret weapon: the monotonous moments amid the main conflict—Sakuta studying with Mai in a bunny costume, meeting with Futaba to discuss Laplace’s demon, or chatting with Kunimi on a train. Because these characters are always present and engaging with Sakuta on the screen, there’s never a development that feels unexpected…
And then comes Shoko; yes, she was mentioned before, but just like Koga, her appearance is out of nowhere. Unless the next episode slows the pace, it’s obvious that the next adolescence syndrome will revolve around Shoko. From that tiny interaction at the end, Shoko’s syndrome appears to revolve around some form of amnesia.
But oh boy, Mai and Shoko; I have no idea how Sakuta can handle this one.
Ep. 7: Adolescence Paradox
Reviewed on October 1, 2021
With everyone expecting a scenario with Shoko, the series instead turns your head around to an issue that was building up in the background: Rio Futaba & her dual-self predicament. I certainly was not expecting this kind of adolescence syndrome, and this one is a lot more mysterious than Koga’s. Add that to how much of a confidant Futaba has been for Sakuta throughout the series, and I’m already more engaged than the previous scenario (sorry, Koga).
Unlike Koga’s arc, which often felt idealistic and isolated from other characters, the start of this new scenario seems to embrace a shared universe, an overwhelming presence of a wide, moving world: Sakuta navigating the minefield relationship with Mai, the now-frequent appearance of Kaede, the questions of the 7th-grade Shoko, the predicament of two Futabas. When Koga’s predicament seemingly paused the world around Sakuta and herself (which is the point, I guess), Futaba’s scenario seems to keep pressing forward no matter what. When anyone could have stopped watching the series after Koga, this episode presented so many storytelling threads that have interwoven and locked in your attention. To stop watching now is to leave yourself hanging.
There’s certainly an aspect to this episode that feels a bit too degenerate and unproductive, to my tastes. Throughout the explanation of quantum entanglement, the camera hovers over an exposed Futaba for little to no good reason; one could suppose this obtrusive look onto her body hinted towards the obscene pictures her fake self (or is it real self?) is showing to the world. But for the most part, this show isn’t necessarily inventive or wise with its visual screentime.
When it came to the complicated explanations from the visual novel, the Steins;Gate anime (if I must compare again) would often accompany scientific talk with visual metaphors—a sponge being crushed in order to fit through a hole (a person being dismembered in order to fit through a black hole), two ropes hanging in parallel (to represent two parallel “worldlines” or existences). In these cases, there is understanding beyond the written/spoken word, fully realizing the visual possibilities of its medium. In Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, staring at Futaba’s body does nothing to help inform the idea of how two physical bodies of the same person can exist. Certainly, couldn’t they have used the mirrors or fog of the bathroom in some regard to represent two Futabas “being observed”?
With four girls and one boy in a single room, I suppose the creators couldn’t pass up the opportunity to create the common harem dialogue and scenarios. Even so, for who the characters are and how they interact with each other, I still find myself enjoying the series.
Ep. 8: Wash it All Away on a Stormy Night
Reviewed on October 7, 2021
I was surprised that Futaba’s arc ended on the second episode, when the other girls’ scenarios took three episodes. Then again, Futaba’s conflicts have been building up throughout the entire series. Regardless, the pacing for this episode is noticeably quick, perhaps constrained to the source material and the 12-episode anime guideline. While moments were still just as impactful, there’s not much room to breathe and take in the dialogue. I wouldn’t have minded abridging the opening if it meant the episode had an extra minute or so for pacing.
Admittedly, the setup for the risky social media account was underdeveloped and a bit out-of-nowhere. Once again, I feel the lack of time caused this segment of the scenario to feel rushed and unreasonable to the viewer. But after the account is deleted, when the trio—Sakuta, Futaba, and Kunimi—hang out with firecrackers, that’s when the scenario feels just right. Especially ending with the callbacks—the three of them watching the fireworks, Futaba finally wearing a yukata, and her original intent to confess her feelings to Kunimi—it’s hard to hate this bittersweet conclusion for Futaba as a character.
And this time, the adaptation uses the most out of the visual frame. The camera is actually using the mirror on the bathroom, Futaba’s body turns out to be relevant to the scenario, and parallels between the two Futabas are always present—snapping the fish snack in two and biting it the same way, transitioning from the hand fan to the electric fan. Likewise, I appreciate the symbolic merging of the two Futabas through their mixed fashion styles by the end.
Now, there are a few thoughts forming in my head on how someone like Sakuta could exist. A part of him doesn’t hold back with his words and actions, but another part of him is willing to lend a hand to any girl in existence. But these contradictory behaviors are signs of a complex character and the series does a good job explaining why he helps out these girls in the first place. Still, it makes more sense for Sakuta to be helping a longtime friend of his compared to some random girl he met (I’m so sorry for picking on Koga so much). This is the only reason why I don’t find that rainy bike scene to be far-fetched.
The next two episodes will likely focus on the blonde pop idol, with the last two episodes finally focusing on Shoko. Especially with how many female friends Sakuta basically has now, I wonder if the future scenarios can manage to bring them all together. Because the worst thing the series can do is throw them away and pretend that they never existed, that they never impacted Sakuta’s life whatsoever.
Ep. 9: Sister Panic
Reviewed on October 15, 2021
There’s some sort of disengagement with this episode. After seeing how this series rolls, this scenario with Todoka lacks ambition. When Sonny Boy often experiments to a fault, I’m starting to see that this series primarily focuses on lowkey situations. This is not bad by any means, but Futaba’s predicament was just more mysterious, for instance.
The episode begins immediately with the next case of Adolescence Syndrome: Mai’s little sister, Todoka, has seemingly swapped bodies with Mai. There’s no time for shock, ambiguity, or confusion; the first half moves so quickly, in which the heated exchange between Mai and Todoka comes off as overly dramatic than impactful.
But as we move onto the second half, the scenario was allowed to breathe, and the predicament unfolds a little more naturally. I appreciate that this episode managed to get all the previous girls on the screen, adding to that larger, expansive world I was looking for. Then again, their contributions to this scenario were nothing more than simple one-liners.
If my shoddy writing wasn’t enough to tell you, there’s nothing in this episode that is of interest or that we didn’t already know. For the most part, this series doesn’t warrant a boatload of words or analysis; I think this is the reason why I perceive this adaptation to be on par with the light novels. Anyways, the sister inferiority complex is a common experience in real life and on the screen, and Ep. 9 doesn’t go beyond to surprise you. I’d say this is the closest contender for the “worst” episode, but it’s certainly not a grievous episode to watch.
To say the least, it ended on a cliffhanger, though I think this is a setup for something comedic than bone-chilling. To me, the next episode might conclude Todoka’s arc halfway through and then begin with the final arc (a scenario revolving around Shoko) in the second half.
Ep. 10: Complex Congratulations
Reviewed on December 11, 2021
To think that I would take so long a hiatus. I didn’t intend to have a two-month break, though I didn’t forget much about the scenario at hand. Regardless, I’m not engaged with this “arc” at all, though Episode 10 was certainly a lot better than the previous one. While less about solving the Adolescence Syndrome and more about resolving relationships, the final scene did a good job keeping the viewer interested in what is to come.
There’s not much to speak about this episode, but having read the first light novel, I think I can further clarify my belief about the interchangeability of the light novel and anime. For once, here’s a few distinctions:
1.) The pacing of either medium is botched. The light novel fits the form factor of a book, but dawdles too long with unproductive jokes and doesn’t intend to wow the reader with wonderful prose. On the other hand, the anime is quick to a fault; there’s clear development between characters and within dialogue, but there’s never any time to dawdle around, to allow the viewer to believe that significant time is passing in between heated discourse.
2.) In the light novel, Sakuta is more evidently characterized as a pervert—and much more despicable than how the anime portrays this protagonist. How they present Sakuta’s personality is more laidback, chill, and charismatic (something about seeing his face and voice, rather than reading about it), where the light novel drives down Sakuta’s clear intentions and focus on sexual topics surrounding women. After seeing the sexually suggestive narration of the light novel, the anime’s more omnipresent lens feels much more comfortable and makes Sakuta a more likeable character. I’m surprised that the anime actually feels more toned down than how the light novel originally was.
Which leads me to my conclusion: anyone who watched the anime first can appreciate the light novel’s extra pieces of dialogue, moments, and clarity that the adaptation often speeds through; however, anyone who read the light novels first might be bothered by how fast-paced the anime can feel. Of course, familiarity and preference of the medium will ultimately determine how you experience stories, but I will say that the anime gets the point across much more efficiently and effectively. Especially since the light novels only got translated in English up to where the anime stopped in the story, you might be better off watching the anime instead.
Ep. 11: The Kaede Quest
Reviewed on December 12, 2021
Although this episode doesn’t feel as cohesive as the previous scenario, a common theme is perhaps going to bleed into the next episode: the overbearing past. In this viewing, the conflict was two-fold: Kaede overcoming her fear of the outside (a remnant of her trauma) and Sakuta coming to terms with the “real” Shoko’s reappearance.
Although I was honestly shocked by the revelation at the end, I wonder if the series had ever dropped a hint towards this fact. And structurally, the focus on Kaede seems incredibly overdue, almost to a point of apathy. But given how Kaede was always there, albeit sidelined like Futaba, I think exploring this character is a welcome turn of events.
It’s unfortunate that the series must fit into the 12-episode structure, because the three-episode arcs (for Mai and for Koga) were more natural and reasonably paced. I’m shocked that a character like Koga, who has no relevance whatsoever to Sakuta’s life, technically had more screentime over characters like Futaba. Especially for the latter half of the anime, where each girl’s arc is now a two-episode saga, the development for characters can feel a bit cramped and ineffective.
Similarly, the series often tries to create cliffhangers with certain revelations, only for that “important” conflict to be resolved immediately at the start of the episode. For instance, Ep. 10’s ending suggested that the Mai-having-a-boyfriend conflict would be prevalent in this episode; but a simple scene at the beginning closed this potentially challenging issue that could have spiraled into more meaningful interactions between Mai and Sakuta. But even with this nitpick, none of the show is bullshit; that “scandal” photo still remained relevant in making Kaede’s old friend, Kano, into finding her.
Overall, the episode presents a few revelations that could become something quite exciting to see unfold: the bullies of Kaede’s past have seemingly disappeared, almost subjected to the same Adolescence Syndrome as the bullied; Kaede’s memory loss could be a result of trauma, or perhaps a more supernatural explanation; the mark that appeared on Kaede’s neck during her fever could point to how her syndrome had never been resolved, much like how Sakuta’s scars have never healed either. With so many details to explore, I don’t think the last episode can adequately explain it all. Will the creators decide to cut things off? Can they even pull off a satisfactory ending at this point? Or perhaps they’ll find a proper conclusion in the movie?
An aside: the music is what got me into this series but isn’t the reason why I keep watching. I know fox capture plan can make stellar, entrancing compositions but Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai is not the right show for them. I appreciate the calm piano ambience, but neither the scenes nor composers are willing to use their music for anything but atmosphere.
Ep. 12: Life is a Never-Ending Dream
Reviewed on December 13, 2021
You know, it’s been a while since this series has given me a predicament that just feels unresolvable, lest it ends unfavorably. With Mai’s arc starting the series strong, and Futaba’s arc upholding the series’ worth, Kaede’s arc seems to be ending the series just as engaging. The feeling of not knowing how the scenario can end is something that the arcs of Koga and Todaka lacked.
But even so, the episode is still plagued with the issue this anime adaptation faces: everything is moving too fast. Especially with how we can see the days of November passing at such abnormal rate (a single day is summarized, at times, under 30 seconds), this episode is noticeably compact and in return, a cluttered viewing experience. Despite this, I can understand: 24 episodes would have made the series too slow, and 13 episodes simply is more effective with costs and time. Preferably, the series would be perfect if each girl’s arc took 3 episodes each (resulting in 15 episodes total, or 18 episodes total if we include Shoko… more on this later). I am curious how the rest of the light novels handle the story’s pacing; unfortunately, I think neither the original nor adaption finds the perfect pace of events.
Within the narrative, Kaede’s predicament is perhaps the most intriguing case of them all—not without some issues. This dual-layered Adolescence Syndrome—loss of memory and scars inflicted from society—seems impossible to be backed by Futaba’s science explanations and edges closer to the more fantastical elements of the series. Since the show has attempted to put some logic in each girl’s Adolescence Syndrome, Kaede’s case is beyond anything Sakuta (and the viewer) has encountered. It is possible that Kaede’s loss of memories is independent from the bullying-scar predicament, but in general, this scenario feels like the creator is pulling too many cards at once.
Regardless, Ep. 12 finally shows the past of Sakuta and Kaede. If there were any eyes rolling when we first saw the Little-Sis-Loves-Big-Bro relationship between the two, this episode at least provides some reason for how this dynamic came to be. I can find some rationale in Kaede loving Sakuta, the only person who seemed to care for her after their father had to take care of their mother, after everyone she knew was still searching for “Kaede-san”. Sakuta’s genuine concern for Kaede is what led to her big-brother-centric worldview, as well as the rejection and fear for the outside world (it’s an unconscious reaction from Kaede who, for instance, automatically jolts whenever a phone rings. And yet, it’s also a conscious decision from Sakuta who, for example, removed her cellphone and fostered an environment without social interaction—not including himself).
And as much as he often tries to shrug away her lovey-dovey affection, the final scene certainly sets in place his true feelings. When “Kaede-san” returned, we know that a part of Sakuta wanted “Kaede” back. After hearing the deeper, confident voice of the original Kaede, a part of me wanted the “Kaede” we had been acquainted with since the start of the series—the girl with a timid voice but a determined heart. Yet, the greatest irony is that Sakuta initially wanted Kaede to regain her old memories. So, should Sakuta be happy that Kaede has “returned”? Or should he lament the departure of that panda-loving personality? Now, this is the kind of uncertain dilemma that other scenarios after Mai’s arc just didn’t explore far enough, not enough to be summarized simply as “Sakuta helps a girl in trouble”.
I am confident that the next, and final, episode will be a resolution for Kaede’s arc, but I’m uncertain whether Shoko-san is still a relevant character for this anime adaptation. Will her presence simply end as an elusive, distant embodiment for Sakuta’s change? Or will the anime end with some kind of resolution between Sakuta and Shoko? For me, I’d prefer if we had Ep. 13 focus entirely on Kaede, with some conclusion for Sakuta and Mai—with Shoko’s predicament (if any) being reserved for the movie. The only issue with my thinking is that it leaves the younger Shoko enigma unresolved, not accounting for media beyond the anime adaptation. In general, the series put themselves in a sticky situation, and I don’t believe it can cleanly resolve all loose ends with one episode left.
An aside: the animation and selection of shots for the past few episodes have been more dynamic to the eyes. Perhaps this has always been the case, but I noticed that there’s a good amount of attention with using close-ups and a variety of fields of views to maintain visual interest on the screen. Especially for a series that tends to talk more than act, the adaptation does a fair job making this “inactivity” feel engaging and entertaining.
Ep. 13: The Dawn After an Endless Night
Reviewed on December 14, 2021
It is so unfortunate that the series ended on such an abrupt note. There’s so much to be explained—Shoko as a character, Sakuta’s scar on his chest—as much as Futaba tries to give some sense of closure. As far as my perspective stands, Shoko is pretty much the embodiment of bullshit, and I hope the movie could potentially give some reason towards her existence (especially since the movie seems to revolve around light novel volumes 6-7). With how expensive it is to buy the movie blu-ray, or how impractical it is to watch the movie online, I think individuals might be better off watching the anime series, and then heading onto the light novels from volumes 5 and onward.
Anyways, the first half attempts to conclude Kaede’s arc through a montage of previous scenes that feels, at times, less sincere and more of a cost-effective solution. The second half then attempts to conclude as much as possible within 9 minutes, which is also unfortunate, because one of Sakuta’s most vulnerable movements was immediately barred from further development or significance.
The ending leaves a different kind of unsatisfaction—not because everything didn’t end well, but because not everything was resolved. I want to watch more, learn more about the characters and the loose ends of the series. Even when the series pleasantly surprised me for how sincere and “normal” it was, I’m underwhelmed by where the anime decided to stop in the narrative. I can only hope that the movie provides a more all-encompassing ending.
Verdict
EYE LIKE
CRITICAL RATING: 7.5/10
RASCAL DOES DREAM OF REALISM:
Defying expectations for its outrageous title, the adaptation excels at showcasing genuine chemistry between the main character and the girls he encounters. Despite having simple scenarios, unfavorably fast pacing, and an unconclusive ending, the show is worth watching if you want something more laidback and intimate –
Episode Breakdown
| 5 (A) | 4 (B) | 3 (C) | 2 (D) | 1 (F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 | 9 13 |
| Total Score | 50 / 65 = 76.9% (5-point benchmark) 50 / 52 = 96.2% (4-point benchmark) |
| Favorite Arc(s) | Ep. 1-3 Ep. 7-8 Ep. 11-13 |
CRITICAL EYE 