This episode is all about awkward couples getting things off their chest. It’s all about saying what you need to say — what you should’ve said — a long time ago. And yet, Inako clearly hasn’t spoken to Kihachi since the incident on the boat. When he comes up in a conversation, all she can do is pout. These kids are so awkward. Continue reading →

Seeing Yosuke towering over Inako at the ball to celebrate their impending marriage, the contrast couldn’t be more apparent. She’s decked from head to bottom in traditional Japanese wedding garb. He dons a flashy purple suit. The anxiety at the heart of the story has always been a steady undercurrent since the first episode, but never has it been laid bare like this for us to see: can Japan modernize without losing its national and cultural identity? Continue reading →

Jinemon finally gives his daughter a way out: if Inako truly doesn’t want to go through with marrying Yosuke, then she and Kihachi need to hand over the Electrical Catalog. Whaaaaaat? Continue reading →

We open this week’s episode with Inako being more done up than usual. She’s draped in a furisode (long-sleeved kimono), and her hair is arranged in two rather childish-looking side buns, which does not scream “I’m old enough to be married.” Nevertheless, we soon find out that her “betrothal ceremony” is coming up, and she’s not the least bit happy about it. Continue reading →

The episode starts with Kihachi watching Inako taking one of her shamisen lessons only to cut immediately to the kids at an amusement park. Yosuke apparently extended them an invitation. Every week has come with a new invention, so… is Kihachi going to invent an electric guitar or something? Maybe even an electric shamisen. Continue reading →