I realize that Ritsu was sick and delusional and whatnot, but I hate that episode, it felt WAYYY too forced and I didn't like anyone during that that one, just made me cringe.
I mean, I don’t think they we’re supposed to come off as likable during that episode
There was a reason why Ritsu was a lot pushier than she usually is, there was a reason why Mio was a lot more exasperated with Ritsu.
From the start, Azusa’s narrative set it up basically saying “we all usually get along, but this episode is gonna be about a crisis between us.” And it was! Like, from the very beginning, with even the episode title, it told us that this episode is, for the most part, gonna be out of the norm as far as series tone. It was going to center around a conflict, not just everyday jokes and activities.
In my on real like experiences, and most peoples too I’m sure, when you’re in a quarrel with someone, neither party is really ‘likable.’ that’s like the basis of most conflicts, is a difference in opinion, or personality clash, or whatever, so even though it seemed like no one came off as likable as they usually do, I think that was the purpose of this episode
Being ‘forced,’ I also kinda have to disagree with
I’m guessing the crisis and the way they acted was the part that felt forced?
OKAY I JUST DID A QUICK SKIM OF THIS EPISODE SO IT’S FRESH I GOT THIS
So the beginning of the ep started of them reminiscing of their first festival, right? and how Mio fell and showed her undies to everyone. So that’s point number one that I track in this episode that i think it’s trying to show, is showing how far Mio has come in a year
Point two is the girls trying to come up with a name for their band, but not being able to agree, thus starting the first underlying theme of disunification and ‘crisis’ between them (that will later be more portrayed through Ritsu and Mio)
and then the third point is the fight between the homodachis that is meant to show both sides of point one and two
SO POINT ONE. The times Mio gets angry at Ritsu in this episode is when Ritsu is like, pulling her away from the lefty bass guitars, when Ritsu is a bit overly enthusiastic with making sure Mio knows of her presence (because of her jealousy with Nodoka.) Both of these major times is supposed to show that Mio does not need to rely on Ritsu as much as she did in the beginning of the series (like in the beginning when they we’re having 1st year memory moments.) Mio has relied on Ritsu for like, what, 7ish years since then? And relied as in heavily relied where Ritsu is literally her rock and basically the sole person she will go to and feel almost solely comfortable with
This episode is i think (someone correct me if it’s not) the first episode Mio has outwardly shown she doesn’t need ritsu as her sole reliance. Cause 2 episodes earlier, Mio’s thing was she knew NO ONE in her class and was literally brought to the point of tears (of relief) when she saw someone she knew (Nodoka.) And spending an ENTIRE day in the classroom on the one person she knows, probably spending break and class projects or partners of downtime together, naturally Mio getting more comfortable with Nodoka (someone whom she already trusts, and knows is responsible and is one of the few people she knows with a solid head on her shoulders.) So wanting to have lunch with her is not only supposed to show that, but show that Mio doesn’t always need Ritsu by her side, that she can make her own friend.
WHICH IS SUPER BIG FOR RITSU. somethign i’ve pointed out in the past is that as much as Mio is used to relying on Ritsu, Ritsu is used to Mio relying on her. And seeing Mio not put her first and choosing Nodoka, twice in the ep, over her is probably a very new feeling she has not had to deal with for almost 8 years.
Ritsu freaking RIPPED UP Mio’s literature culb application so that Mio could continue to stick by her side in the light music club RITSU NEEDS MIO AS MUCH AS MIO NEEDS HER (ALMOST BORDERLINE UNHEALTHY AT TIMES I WOULD SAY)
So this episode showcasing Mio’s newer independence, I personally don’t find it very out of character for Ritsu to act a bit childish. It’s a new feeling she doesn’t know how to deal with, and asserting herself further to Mio and be like “MIO MIO MIO, REMEMBER, I AM HERE, LIKE RIGHT HERE, NOT NODOKA, ME RITSU” is like the only way she knows how to default
And with Ritsu being like, pointedly more annoying then usual, and Mio not understanding why Ritsu’s being so stupid (she literally says ‘baka ritsu’ like 3 times in the episode like chill mio) is also not helping their situation. Mio’s kinda like brushing off ritsu’s behavior (like when she cuts practice short) and just attributing it to ritsu being dumb because like, i’m pretty sure she just doesn’t understand why Ritsu is being dumber than usual
Okay those we’re like points 1 and 3 being but together, but what I’m trying to get at is that all of this episode (including the point 2 disunification) is set up to not be just a normal 4-koma laughs episode
It’s meant to bring the girls (kinda) down, so that by the end of the episode when Ritsu and Mio make up (and that whole scene of Mio and Ritsu in her bedroom) is one, supposed to show us that despite this conflict, little thigns like Ritsu recognizing Mio’s step is supposed to show us really how strong their bond is. And then the next scene is them all coming back in together (the 5 of them) and going past the disunification and become Houkago Tea Time and build that strengthed bond so that for the next episode, we really do feel the depth of their friendship in the final episode
it’s like that thing where people say “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”
well, i mean, no one was presented with a death situation here, but this episode is kinda like the “what doesn’t kill you part” where the band is supposed to not be as happy and joyous and together as one as the rest of the season, in order to make them stronger for the next episode and beyond
and arguably, that could feel ‘forced.’ but i liked it. Not all friendships are going to be 100% conflict free. Especially in a group of 5 teenage girls, it’s rare that everything is as smooth sailing (just speaking from experience from previously being a teenage girl,) so I actually really appreciate and eat up (LIKE, THIS IS THE STUFF I LOVE IS THE DRAMA AND HURT UGH THAT’S MY FAVORITE IT HURTS SO GOOD) that this extra sideline was added
BUT AGAIN JUST MY THOUGHTS!
I stand by this series so hard, and i think like 97% of the decisions, even the super miniscule ones, that Kyoani made for this adaption are so purposeful and build this series to be as good as it is. SO really dynamic stuff like this episode i REALLY enjoy because it’s real stuff that happens! jealousy is a real thing, especially for the homodachis that have not had someone come between their super tight bond in like, 7 years
SO YEAH I RLY RLY LIKE THIS EP BUT I’M ALSO A SUCKER FOR THIS STUFF SO TAKE WHAT I SAY WITHA GRAIN OF SALT
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