Rintaro and Kaoruko’s study date begins, but Subaru steps in after to plead her case..
Video Review
What Stands Out About This Episode?
It Starts at the TOP
Subaru’s decision to stop Rintaro from seeing Kaoruko is the result of the toxic culture of the adults at Kikyo. Prejudice is a biological mechanism for survival, so what is naturally there to protect us has hurt us as we become civilized. However, hate is something that can be nurtured for better or worse. This episode introduced a very important detail from Subaru’s request to tell Rintaro to stop getting involved with Kaoruko because it would hurt her standing at Kikyo. She even acknowledges that Rintaro doesn’t seem like a bad guy either. Subaru’s action is not only just for her own, but for the protection of Kaoruko’s reputation and future opportunities as a top student—it is because the adults at Kikyo have continued to foster this exact mindset. Kids and teenagers just don’t become this absolutely disgusted, angry and dismissive of the Chidori students unless there is an environment that actively promotes this. Playing devil’s advocate, you really don’t want to associate with those that would “bring you down.”
The turnaround for our impression of Subaru from mean girl VIXEN, to a friendlier and even docile-like maiden is something like a “tsundere” archetype. She literally acknowledges everything she did wrong, almost like how Rintaro fed into the stigma between Kikyo and Chidori students in episode 2. Most importantly, she apologizes and acknowledges all of her wrongdoing. Still, even figuring this all out from her first-hand experience of how Rintaro treated Kaoruko, defended her and got her acknowledgement later that he is a「優しい人」, Subaru thought about all of the senseis’ wrath that will likely lead to major obstacles for Kaoruko. Once again, Subaru is acting in the best interest for Kaoruko’s future, but it is because of the “social divide” implemented and maintained by the powers that be.
Romantic Heartbeat
After a few episodes at the start of a story, you start to pick up some trends with how a story presents itself. “Formulaic” feels like a word with a negative connotation, but the word or phrase I’m looking for here is a story’s “heartbeat.” Make no mistake, the foundation of this story rests on the shoulders of this building romance between Rintaro and Kaoruko. The deeper the bond, the more it’ll affect those closest to them like in this episode with Subaru going to ask Rintaro to stop seeing Kaoruko, and with Saku, Ayato and Shohei finding out that a girl left him a note.
The storytelling does a good job making sure we dive deep into the pure attraction of Rintaro and Kaoruko, based on their mommy cakes loving hearts. They can see the true qualities between them, beyond their “uniforms.” Like any romance, you have to feel invested in their love as one that is easy to cheer for, so the plot can come in to rip out hearts sideways.
The formula seems to be capturing the audience’s hearts with Kaoruko’s personality shining with love, respect and the most endearing EMOTES! With Rintaro, it’s just him realizing that to break people’s assumptions of you—you have to continue to show your kindness that will reap the reciprocation you seek like with the two munchkin girls on the train and like with our munchkin waifu, Waguri. Each time they interact with each other, from the “Mommy Cakes” Shop, to the library bench, to a cafe restaurant—it always yields one massive reward of fulfillment that grows one step closer to them being official romantic partners, but allows them to navigate each other’s friend groups and eventually the school itself.
Please check out my previous posts where I dive into the overarching themes and message behind this story.
Between Kaoruko and Rintaro, there is a better understanding that there is a culture of hate and prejudice between the Chidori Public School full of dummies versus the elites of Kikyo Private Academy. This building relationship is about shattering that social divide. Like I mentioned prior, it shook Subaru to the core to prevent Kaoruko’s relationship from forming with Rintaro because of the social consequences, rather than the pure love and joy she had just witnessed from outside the cafe. As of right now, Saku and the others represent the other side of the spectrum, but it’s quite clear from Shohei’s interactions that the Chidori and Kikyo problems are unwillingly placed on them and it is mostly coming from Kikyo in what we’ve seen so far.
Miscellaneous
- This episode covers manga chapters 5, 6 and 7
OTAKU SINH 
Unfortunately for all Netflix subscribers, this work will not be available until September 7. For some reasons known only to the Devil and his minions, Netflix decided to not stream this work when it was actually streaming in Japan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They ended up releasing it in Japan first and some regions in the east got it the week after with Eng subs too.
LikeLiked by 1 person