Nope, no backtracking now. Stay on course! I’m not a big fan of dating within the office, especially when there’s a power imbalance. But if you’re going to commit, then commit. This is, however, just the start of the episode, so of course, Kamegawa gets called away before he can properly explain his intentions. Afterwards, Hotta has to spell things out to Kannawa. She should’ve just done this from the start. Meanwhile, Kankaiji tries to advise Kamegawa to finish the damn job. And Kankaiji’s right: Kannawa is the sort of person who won’t believe that someone likes her. After all, she has completely abandoned the idea of making friends at work, so do you really think she would have enough of an ego to believe that Kamegawa likes her on her own? No way. Kamegawa needs to stop dancing around his feelings like some besotted schoolchild, waiting and hoping that their crush — their senpai — notices them. He needs to smash through Kannawa’s defenses like… I dunno, Nemesis from Resident Evil 3 or the Kool-Aid Man.
All I ask for is no mind games. Look, just date. Just accept the other person’s earnest feelings, return them, then start dating. It’s not complicated. It’s not, as they often like to say, rocket science. You just have to hang out, do fun stuff together, and maybe hold hands once in a while. After all, this is anime, and we all know couples in anime can’t have blatant PDA onscreen. But eventually, biology will take over and stuff happens! Again, just date. It all starts there. So naturally, I’m cringing at Hotta’s idea of a strategy meeting. Why do we need a strategy? Kamegawa confesses, then Kannawa accepts. What strategy do you need for that? But I guess I should wait and see what the girls come up with.
Ah, Kamegawa’s chickening out. I understand his line of thought: things are awkward between them, and he’s the cause of the problem. But there are two ways to fix this: finish the confession or brush it aside for now. Unfortunately, he’s taking the easy way out. Not only that, the easy way out can be misread as him taking the confession back, which, naturally, can cause an overthinker like Kannawa to spiral. So tch, Kamegawa is fumbling this badly. Luckily, she reacts with anger instead of sadness. Would I have loudly confronted him in front of all my coworkers? No, of course not. Again, I wouldn’t date a coworker in the first place. Nevertheless, I’m tired of all this pussyfootin’ around. Just rip off the bandaid and get your feelings all out on the table. I like what Kannawa’s doing here… just not the timing and location.
Buuuuut she won’t let him confess. She can’t handle a confession. Instead, she proposes a three-month trial period. Sigh. That’s just a roundabout way of dating. Dating is nothing but a trial period for two (or more if you’re into that sort of thing) people to get to know each other. But fine, it’s progress. It might not be ideal form of progress, but it’s progress nonetheless. It’s what we can expect from an awkward senpai like Kannawa. Hell, this is the “strategy” that Hotta cooked up (in bed of all places), so I guess I should give her some credit. There is, however, still nearly half of an episode left, so what exactly are we going to do with the rest of our time?
Watch these two idiots go on a date, I guess. There’s innocent flirting, so that’s a start. Like I’ve said before, these two might as well be high schoolers. But whatever, that’s anime for ya. 90% of the time, the romance is sickeningly pure. The other 10%? Nothing but stepsiblings banging each other left and right. But I digress. As far as Kannawa and Kamegawa are concerned, that’s it. That’s all she wrote. This is the end of their story, because these two certainly don’t have enough chemistry to carry a show without the “will they, won’t they” energy. During the credits, we get some art that never worked its way into the story proper. I guess that’s kinda cool?
Would I recommend this show? Even if you’re looking for this exact sort of thing — a light-hearted romance with little to no drama — My Awkward Senpai is still pretty damn forgettable. It just doesn’t have enough substance to be your primary form of entertainment. On the other hand, if you’re busy cooking, playing a game, doing chores, knitting on the couch, or whatever it is that you’re doing, and you need something playing in the background to fill the air, then I guess My Awkward Senpai can serve as decent fodder.
Stray thoughts & observations:
- In a harsher, more cynical show, Kannawa would be the target of pick-up artists or just sleazy men in general. I mean, she has no experience and she’s pretty naive. We’ve seen her freeze up when put on the spot. Kamegawa had to save her that one time a random director tried to hit on her (see: that business trip episode). But in the happy-go-lucky world of My Awkward Senpai, we thankfully don’t have to worry about that sort of thing. I only bring this up, because realistically, Kannawa is too attractive to be ignored by literally everyone for so long. A lot of unsavory dudes might not want to wife her, but they’d certainly want to score with her. A more realistic, more depressing show would have a Kannawa who is wary of Kamegawa’s intentions at the start of their working relationship.
- These coworkers are asses. They freeze Kannawa out for the vast majority of the series, and now they’re gossiping about her and Kamegawa. Just no shame whatsoever. I would’ve preferred a series where these characters were a little more well-rounded. My Awkward Senpai‘s biggest problem is that it’s so focused on the main couple that you barely have any side characters. Hotta only started showing up midway through the series. Meanwhile, Kankaiji and Kamegawa’s sister joined the party very late.
- I rolled my eyes at both Hotta and Kankaiji smiling with approval while Kannawa embarrasses herself in front of everybody. Yeah, girl, go ruin your professional reputation! I’m not saying that Kannawa deserves to be judged harshly for creating a scene at work. But it’s going to happen. That’s just how the world is. People do not mind their own business.
- He is so underdressed. A fucking hoodie? Really? For your first official date with your precious senpai? He looks like a little kid running up to his mommy.
- These two have decided on ramen for their date, but not where to get said ramen. Sheesh. Yeah, that wouldn’t work for me. I don’t wing stuff. I’m a planner. I wouldn’t agree to meet up unless I know exactly what we’re doing.
- What are you even talking about? You’re just looking at the storefronts. At least look at pictures of the food you’re about to eat! Or read customer reviews!
- Bro… if you’re going to ask for consent to even hold her hands, at least ask before you do it.
- Nothing screams first date like waiting in line in the dead of winter for a bowl of ramen. Also, all that slurping once you finally get to sit down and dig in? Mmm, so romantic!
- Now you look at the menu?! After you’ve picked the spot? What the fuck is wrong with these kids?
- Oh my gawd, it’s an i-i-indirect kissu~! First, you’re grown ass adults. Second, who swaps both the bowls and the utensils? I’ve let friends try what I’m eating, but I certainly don’t give them my knife and fork when I do it.
