The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Episode 7 Review - The Best Bros
Never mess with the mom friend. They know how to fight and will throw punches if their friends are insulted or are in danger. Ayato is also at kneecap breaking height, meaning he’s more vicious than he lets on. I’m glad that there’s a lot of Ayato focus in this episode because he’s actually my second favorite character. My three favorites are Saku, Ayato and Kaoruko.
What I like about the ongoing conflict between Rintaro and his friends is that Rintaro isn’t the type only prioritize his love interest, but he cherishes his friends too. I like that he felt envious of the close relationship Kaoruko and Subaru had and wishes that he’d have something similar to what they have. Like I mentioned in a previous review, this story does a great job having the side characters be integral to the story and not just be devices for the main characters to talk to every so often. They’re as important to Rintaro’s development and character as his crush on Kaoruko is.
One thing I really like is that Rintaro is always trying to do his best to not overstep boundaries and be considerate of the girls. He doesn’t want to overwhelm them as he knows about Subaru’s disdain towards boys. He’s always asking permission. On one hand, I get that it’s because he’s never had people he could be close to before and it’s because he doesn’t want to squander his efforts to not want to give up.
The scene with the delinquents was meant to be a source of conflict, but they’re absolutely disgusting from how they just make assumptions about Rintaro to touching Subaru’s hair without her consent. Ugh. That once happened to me when I was in high school and it was a very unpleasant feeling (the person touching my hair was a girl). I’m glad Ayato beat the snot out of all of them. They totally deserved it for disrespecting Subaru’s boundaries and judging Rintaro.
Still, it was finally nice to see the friends patch up things and for Saku to apologize to Rintaro. Both are super awkward, so they’re not good with words, but it all makes it more sincere when they’re pouring their hearts out. It makes me wonder if these four will continue being friends even after graduating from high school. I hope they do, even if they all take different paths in life.
Regarding the boys’ teacher Mr. Tsukada, he’s voiced by Chikahiro Kobayashi, who’s also in The Summer Hikaru Died as Tanaka. I was surprised when I saw the cast list at the end, by the way. Also, I was also surprised to see that Takeo Otsuka was in the episode, yet I don’t know who he voiced…
I guess my only gripe about the episode is the fact that Clover Works went too verbatim with the manga and not added in an anime-exclusive Ayato fighting scene. He fought them all off off-screen in the manga. It would’ve been nice to show the stuff they did in Wind Breaker for this episode, but alas—the romance and slice of life are the main focus… I need my Ayato breaking kneecaps scene. Regardless, I enjoyed this episode! Let me know your thoughts on it!
