The fakest faker of them all.
Impression
I wasn’t looking forward to the fallout, and it looks like it’s only going downhill from here. It was a sombre episode, and I can’t shake the feeling that something is changing – or that some sort of turning point is happening. All of the previous arcs in the first season were largely self-contained, and the most important thing that carried forward was that Hikki was making progress with his relationships with other people. And it all seemed fairly settled, until now when these relationships are going in the opposite direction – almost even symbolized by how he, by complete chance, ran into that little slut from his middle school. It feels like everyone except Yui is making things worse for him, including Hikki himself. Actually, Yui is the only one trying to fix things, and that in its own way may be making things worse. If it was her at the centre of all the tension, I don’t think she would have turned up to the clubroom at all. It’s worth noting that Hikki is visibly down, too. With his other noble acts of sacrifice, he never really seemed to care much – and his moodiness this time is, of course, because it involved Yukinon and Yui getting upset with him. It’s starting to diverge from the purpose behind his ideals – the idea is that there was no point trying or holding any expectations because he would only feel sad when they were betrayed, and being sad is something he wants to avoid. But if he’s acting to protect the superficiality he told Yukinon he hated, then change is happening after all. Hikki didn’t have to hurt poor Komachi though. She was only trying to help ;_;
I’m not really a fan of Isshiki Iroha. It’s partly because I think her entire cutesy act is just an act, and partly because I’m wary of superficial people and superficial things, given that it seems to have been the running theme so far this season. It’s also hard to work out exactly what her situation is and how she got into it, although I suspect they’re tell us soon enough. Is it that she’s genuinely popular and well-liked enough to have lots of people nominate her? I doubt that. So then they’re doing it out of spite? Iroha did mention she was acquainted with Hayato as the soccer team manager. Or is it something in the middle? I can easily see someone socially advanced like her giving into peer pressure from her friends. It’s the same old request for the Service Club though, and 8man offers the same old answer. Iroha wants to resolve her situation in a way that results in the best outcome for her, but without suffering any social repercussions that may arise. As in, she wants to maintain her appearances and reputation and lose in a way that doesn’t make her look ‘super lame’. To that, 8man says that he’ll bear all of that stigma and blame for her. Yet again. Yui’s silent look of betrayal and understanding was super painful.
Even before she asked who was going to write the campaign speech, she knew. No, it was because she knew that she asked. Yukinon is certainly voicing her opposition to Hikki’s methods far more than Yui is, though. Even if she can’t openly admit why she hates them so much, and tries to give a string of logical reasons, I’m so glad she cares – that she cares about him enough to try to discourage him from hurting himself even more for the sake of helping people his philosophy goes against helping. It was probably all she could do to say that they were going their separate ways – because if she agreed, she’d be not only watching him self-destruct but also working with him towards it. I think it’s the first time we’ll see Yukinon actively work against Hikki in order to save him, and it’ll be really interesting seeing how that unfolds. If I can take all the drama that comes along with it.
The last major thing I wanted to mention was that of Haruno. It looks like she’s undergone a makeover like some of the other characters, but it doesn’t change the fact that, to me, she’s the fakest faker of them all. I like Nakahara Mai, but I can’t stand Haruno. To an extent, it’s smoke and mirrors with everyone except Hikki, Yukinon and anyone who decides to let their façade drop for a bit, but it’s particularly bad with Haruno. I was almost scared when she stopped smiling for just a few seconds and said it was lame that Yukino wasn’t going to run for president. I don’t know what she wants, or why she does… what she does. It’s something to do with killing time and getting some entertainment from the people around her, but it was just torment for Hikki to have her continually prod that bitch so that they could have a bit of a laugh at his expense. And she has Hayato under her thumb as well. I was almost expecting him to break when she kept pouring gallons of oil onto the fire. Not like said bitch was any better – everything that came out of her mouth was ridiculously entitled and arrogant. What an insufferable little shit. Not seeing her ever again would be exactly what I’d love, but I don’t see Hikki catching a break any time soon.
I couldn’t remember who Haruno was for like three minutes because her design was really different. I appreciate her violent-maroon dyed tips though. But I despise her as much as before:) She’s the fakest little female dog around, seriously. And as for Iroha? Definitely another annoying superficial faker. I agree with you, it seems unlikely that she’s actually that popular to have 30 people play this prank on her. I noticed how she said something like, “People always say I’m ditsy and clumsy” or whatever. That totally reminded me of Ami-tan from Toradora! and I thought of that line, “What do you think of a person who calls themselves an airhead?”[Taiga to Minorin] “They’re the lowest/worst/can’t be trusted.”[Minorin to Taiga] (idk it was something along those lines). If you put that quote into use, it would mean that Iroha is a faker [like Ami was] who tries to seem cute or popular or something but has a different personality than the one that lies on the surface or an ulterior motive. Or maybe she just wants to become even more popular. Who knows? But gosh there’s been a lot of shallow requests lately concerning social status/quo issues. Then again, I do kind of admire that part of Yahari because unlike other animes where everyone is nice or later on becomes nice or super popular and everyone is class is friends, it exploits more realistic social issues, legit popular kids, how everything isn’t always unicorns and rainbows, and the “social hierarchy” or whatever. It’s good to keep it real sometimes.
I found it ironic though how the phrase “situation normal” was mentioned several times, and the one of the English names for this contains the acronym SNAFU (Situation Normal: All F***** Up). I guess that was a direct reference to how their “normal” is seriously messed up.
I wasn’t sure for a second either, and honestly it was her personality that made it click for me. I guess I’m okay with her new design, but for a show about social issues a nice design and a pretty face won’t cut it if she has a toxic personality on top of it all. The day that Haruno drops her mask (if ever) will be the day I start thinking of her more favourably, no matter whatever lies underneath. I don’t think Iroha is as bad, but only in the sense that she’s easier to see through and is more likely to reveal her true self eventually – and yes, if you identify yourself as ‘ditsy and clumsy’ it’s pretty much self-evident that it’s an act you’re trying to put on. It’s been a while since I’ve watched Toradora but I do remember Ami – she was okay in the end, I think. At least, I don’t remember minding.
I’m not sure how “My Teenage Romantic Comedy SNAFU” was coined (it sounds like something Commie would do, not sure if they used it first) but I agree – it’s ironic that Hikki tries to assert to Totsuka that the situation is normal, when in reality it’s the worst it’s been in a while.
Because he’s the hero society deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So we’ll hunt him. Because he can take it. Because he’s not our hero. He’s a silent guardian. A watchful protector. A dark knight.
;_;
I don’t really hate her but I think you’re right about Isshiki. Notice how when Hachiman looks at her she goes all cutesy. And notice how Hachiman’s radar goes off. Remember Hachiman was able to see through Haruno’s Fortified Armored Shell-like mask? He can tell.
It’s kind of funny to watch Yukinon make all those pauses and get all emotional and then watch everyone staring at her. But it’s not just that she wants to prevent him from hurting himself. Remember their conversation this episode. As you know, Hachiman’s become a hypocrite. He’s becoming what he hated. Hachiman’s methods are very superficial. He only prevented Tobe’s confession that time. But if Tobe were to try to confess again as he didn’t want to give up, the same situation would occur. Hachiman never got the heart of the problem which was that Ebina wasn’t ready to open up and Tobe didn’t really understand how Ebina felt. The heart of the problem here is that interest in the student council is very low. Anyways, Yukinon is pretty upset with Hachiman because the one thing she had in common with him is now gone.
“Hachiman: If (a dummy candidate) is elected, what would happen to the student council afterwards? If you think about the far future, there isn’t really any meaning in doing so and it isn’t really a good means (of solving the problem).
Yukino: If that’s true, what meaning is there in your way of doing things?
Hachiman: Speaking of just this time for the time being we can avoid (Isshiki being elected). After a vote of no confidence in the election following the special election (Isshiki) will drop out.
Yukino: Just this time? No, that’s wrong. You did the same thing last time too and avoided (the heart of the problem).
Hachiman: And was there some sort of problem?
Yukino: I thought the one who said that there was no sort of meaning in things with just that sort of superficiality was you…”
Yep. As I said, Hachiman saw through her act. “Ideals are ideals. They aren’t reality.” Actually on second thought I hate both Isshiki and Haruno, because I hate those type of people that act nice for a week or so just to get under your skin and then use you. Hayato may not look like it, but he’s actually pretty observant. The fact that Hayato came and is under her leash pretty much means that you don’t want to defy her.
Poor Yukinon. I do sympathize – for someone like her, who is as socially inept as Hachiman is but in a slightly different way, I’m sure she valued the odd, if slightly dysfunctional relationship they had. And I think she grew to respect Hikki’s hate of superficiality as well. Maybe it wasn’t the best time and place to confront him about it though, as hard as it might be to say – it was in front of the two people who came to them for help, at least one of which is perfect example of the superficiality Hikki has now taken steps towards accommodating. I don’t know much about Meguri.
I felt sorry for Hayato. Somehow it felt like he was even more pissed than usual after he was left alone with Hikki and Haruno – two people whom he can afford to stop smiling incessantly at on the surface. The way his smile immediately dropped once the other girls had gone out the door – wow, Oregairu has become quite good at conveying things through expression, both with that and with Yui’s stare of realization. I remember Yukinon and Hayato knew each other when they were little, so it must have been then that he got acquainted with Haruno. Doesn’t look like it’s been a healthy relationship for him.