Nope, we’ve got cheap romance anime to watch!
Blue Box Ep. 27
Hearing that Yumeka was the one who got Chinatsu into basketball, Taiki takes it upon himself to unravel the mystery: why did Yumeka quit basketball? Could it really be as simple as she claims? That she hated Chinatsu? Well, the episode gives us plenty of clues. Even when they were little children, Yumeka said to others, “I was born with talent, so I don’t know what it feels like to look up to talent, but I do admire [Chinatsu’s] ability to work hard.” This sounds like praise, but Yumeka’s facial expression didn’t match her sentiment. Then at the end of the episode, she whines, “What are you going to do with your life if you just keep focusing on sports? What’s the point of continuing such grueling practice everyday? It’s not like you’re making the pros.” You play sports ’cause it’s fun. You try to go to nationals because setting a goal and trying to achieve it is admirable. So I don’t have high hopes for Yumeka’s story. I think she quit because she saw a kid have more passion for basketball than she ever did, and ultimately, passion trumps natural talent. But that’s fine, isn’t it? We don’t have to love our hobbies 100% of the time.
Take this stupid blog, for instance. Have I gone on plenty of hiatuses in the past? Yup. Do I wish I had the drive and passion to have kept writing for Moe Sucks continuously for the past 17 years? Of course. But for most of us, that’s just not realistic. Our interest in our hobbies can wax and wane, and that’s normal. At least I didn’t quit completely; doing so would just commit myself to the other end of the insane spectrum. Yes, there are exceptions like Chinatsu, whose passion will never waver. It’s equally stupid, however, to pin your reason for quitting the sport on someone else. Just admit you don’t personally love basketball as much as Chinatsu, and that’s a you problem.
Sadly, Yumeka is the type to get violent, so I’ve already deemed her a horrible person. Anyways, a few minor observations before I close out this write-up:
- I like the fact that Yumeka’s boyfriend reprimands her for being a jerk. Usually, when these characters start hating, their friends just stand there and do nothing.
- Taiki has a cavity, so he needs to go to the dentist. Who should he find working as a receptionist at the dentist’s office? Yumeka. Isn’t she about the same age as him and Chinatsu? Do they really let kids do that kinda work? Wouldn’t she be handling sensitive patient information? I don’t really know though, so I won’t press this point.
- This is one of the many reasons why I can’t stand characters like Taiki.
- Even worse, Hina still thinks she has a chance with Taiki. Oh my god, he’s gonna be practicing on Christmas Eve instead of having a lovey-dovey moment with Chinatsu! I’m in! Nah, that’s cringe, girl.
I’m Dating a Dark Summoner Ep. 2
Our contentious couple is so busy arguing in the middle of a dungeon that they walk right into a trap. Lemme guess, since they’re stuck there for the time being, they’re just going to while away the hours by having sex? Well, I was almost right. It turns out Amona’s imp summon can unlock the door to their prison, but it wants to see them fuckin’ as payment. The imp even conjures up a large bed, because who would wanna do it on the hard dungeon floor? Not these two! The problem is, even with an incentive, no one wants to make the first move, because it would make them seem like the bigger pervert. Pfft, if wanting to sleep with my girlfriend makes me a pervert, then so be it. I don’t get what the problem is.
The Cold Sato-san is Only Sweet to Me Ep. 1
I know the second episode came out today, but I have to work in the morning! I can only write these episodes up at night when I’m actually free!
Please Excuse My Younger Brothers Ep. 14
At the start of the episode, we get to see Syu take his high school entrance exams. Guess we’ll see if he gets to attend the same school as his older siblings.
Raku has to once again help his substitute teacher break up with her terrible mooch of a boyfriend. He does it by grabbing her phone and pretending to be her new boyfriend. Sigh, where is this story trying to do with these two characters? She can’t be stupid enough to risk her career over a student, right? For now, the woman says she’ll focus on her career, but this is anime we’re talking about…
As for Ito and Gen, she actually confesses. To her credit, she actually manages to tell him that she loves him. Love is a bit much, don’t you think? Nevertheless, he tries to play it off. Of course you love me! We’re family! So she spends all night talking to him about it, just for Gen to avoid her over the next few days. Is he too dense to understand her feelings? Or is he too shocked? Eh, probably a little bit of both.
Thanks to Raku, the two of them end up going to an amusement park. It’s practically their first date. Trapped in a ferris wheel cabin when the ride conveniently malfunctions, the two have no choice but to have a proper talk. That’s when Gen asks if Ito was joking when she confessed to him the other night. What’s the punchline, Gen? No, seriously, what is supposed to be funny about a young girl staying up all night to confess her feelings? Nah, this guy is just an idiot. But that’s where the show cliffhangers us, so come back next week to see if these two stepsiblings will start dating (gag).
Firefly Wedding Ep. 1
Ranma 1/2 (2026) 3rd Season Ep. 2
I would give up on any girl who acts like Akane. Deep down, she worries that Ryoga’s training could potentially result in Ranma getting beat pretty bad. Even during the actual fight, she calls out to Ranma whenever anything happens. But then she’ll also go and cling to Ryoga from time to time. Oh, I don’t think she’s deliberately trying to make Ranma jealous. Even so, life is too short to be consumed with jealousy. If a girl brings that ugly side out of you, then it’s just not meant to be.
In fact, I want to see a show where the tsundere character horribly fails — where being tsundere just means mistreating the person you like, so they completely reject you and walk away. But I suppose a story like that should just be a one-off. Once they get rejected for good, the story’s over.
Anyway, it’s a delayed response, but Ranma eventually takes the bait. As a result, he is more determined than ever to win the upcoming bout. And for what? For a girl who can’t even admit that she sucks at cooking. Don’t get me wrong! Her being bad at cooking is not the problem. I’ve always done most of the cooking in my relationships anyway. I don’t need my partner to cook for me. Akane’s inability to accept her own faults, however, is the real problem. Every future fight will become unnecessarily drawn out because her pride ends up getting in the way.
We get a bunch of training scenes, but because this is a romance, they’re not getting stronger to defeat Perfect Cell or whatever. It’s just for bragging rights. Even worse, it’s not like the winner will necessarily win Akane’s heart. She has the right to love whomever she wants, even if they’re a loser who loses a duel. So yeah, I can’t help but see this conflict as entirely pointless. It’s such a shame, because the animation is pretty good. Still, fighting for the sake of fighting doesn’t carry any weight with me. You still have to fight for a good purpose. And well, Akane’s kinda…
If it really matters, Ranma technically wins, but Ryoga is still technically in Akane’s arms. In fact, it kinda bookends the episode…
