Hey of us, and welcome again to Improper Each Time. At this time I figured we’d cease again with Rentaro and the gang, and see how his sacred quest to amass 100 girlfriends is continuing. Although this manufacturing has usually managed to mix preposterous farce with some unexpectedly considerate reflections on communication and wholesome partnerships, I’ve to confess that it has been completely lunacy ever since our newest girlfriend Kusuri joined the image. Together with her fondness for Rentaro solely matched by her ardour for mad science concoctions, Kusuri has propelled our polycule by one preposterous predicament after one other, culminating in an episode-long Resident Evil parody courtesy of Kusuri’s kiss-mania serum.
Contemplating I’ve had a number of readers outline this collection when it comes to its pre- and post-Kusuri tone, I’m guessing that issues are solely going to get extra ridiculous from right here on out. It appears possible the present will primarily shift into two main modes: a considerably extra emotionally grounded fashion for the person wooing episodes, after which the utter chaos of the final episode for the group escapades. Regardless, my major hope is 100 Girlfriends maintains its prospers of real thoughtfulness concerning the crafting of an trustworthy, mutually enriching bond. That’s the key ingredient that truly makes this present particular, so let’s see how Rentaro manages this balancing act as we get again to the motion!
Episode 9
We open with mournful violin strings and a darkened room, whereby it seems that Hakari is having a tense dialog along with her mom. Oh my god, we’re going there, aren’t we. Rentaro goes to must date Hakari’s mom too
What a preposterous, whimsical method to the inherent emotional disconnect of harem storytelling. Incessantly such exhibits star a boy who simply wanders round “fixing” numerous women after which departing from their life, however in 100 Girlfriends, each arc’s heroine finally ends up becoming a member of the general group. It’s definitely a novel method – there are exhibits the place women are simply picked up after which dropped (Clannad), exhibits the place every romance is a distinct timeline (Yosuga no Sora), and exhibits the place the protagonist is cut up into a number of characters to facilitate simultaneous adjoining romances (Amagami), however I’ve by no means seen one the place each woman is simply dated without delay. I suppose the closest factor could be College Days, however that’s mainly the polar reverse of 100 Girlfriends tonally
We soar from that ominous opening to the “Lovezono Flower Park,” the place Rentaro and his 5 girlfriends are having fun with a leisurely date
A menace swiftly emerges within the type of the park’s “Bouquet Toss” occasion, which permits one fortunate couple to get their pictures taken in wedding ceremony apparel. That is going to get bloody
“That wedding ceremony gown has been my dream since I used to be little.” The fascinating factor about Hakari is that, as a result of she was mainly the primary romantic accomplice launched, she’s truly one of many least outlined outdoors of her attraction to Rentaro. Her ardour isn’t studying or science, however romance itself, and that places her in a extra fragile, much less meaningfully outlined spot with loads of room to develop
Contemplating the opening scene, it appears possible sufficient that her personal mother and father’ marriage was a failure, and thus she craves for herself the dream she by no means noticed realized by her mother and father
We’re launched to the “Gorilla Syndicate,” a biker gang led by an imposing pigtailed lady. This present’s portrayal of “undesirable, lustful ladies” continues to be its most disappointing side, a collection of low cost gags that fly immediately within the face of its basic emphasis on celebrating love and loving individuals for who they’re
Hakari suggests preventing collectively every now and then drawing tons for the images later, a commendably diplomatic tactic
The group agree that Shizuka ought to stand again lest she get trampled by the group. See, these laudable offhand lodging are the present’s common method to private variations
Oh my god, Shizuka simply diligently hopping and waving their “Rentaro Household” banner is so lovable. She is one in every of this present’s strongest weapons
And now we be taught the vice-principal is the one tossing the bouquet. Sadly doubling down on the regrettable stuff this episode
Karane bravely defends Hakari from the Gorilla Syndicate, and assumes her closing tsundere type as a fellow hooligan. Actually hoping we get extra distinct inside bonds like that between Karane and Hakari; if this “household” is to really feel convincing and mutually supportive, it will probably’t simply be a collection of tethers connecting all the ladies to Rentaro, it must be an online of affection and loyalty between all of them. And energy dynamics apart, fostering such an online will solely result in extra compelling, various drama ultimately
Oh no, Shizuka’s been blown into the sky! Yeah, she’s the perfect
Shizuka makes the catch, and is safely cushioned from the autumn by the ability of boobs
Unsurprisingly, Hakari has truly marked the successful lot, however plans to permit another person to attract first with the intention to allay any suspicion. So presumably whoever attracts first will simply win it outright
Nope, she truly wins anyway! I figured this could be the purpose the place we placed on some strain with the intention to pressure her to elucidate the dream driving her, however apparently the opposite shoe isn’t dropping simply fairly but
“Ah, I see. Another person ought to take the picture. That manner she and Rentaro-kun can look again on it as a fond reminiscence.” So presumably her mom has forbidden her from courting, and thus she’s now seeing this complete state of affairs as a misplaced trigger. This can be a very charitable perspective from her, all of the extra so as a result of she clearly cares a lot about these tangible signifiers of romance. I’m fairly completely satisfied to be getting this exploration of Hakari’s persona, and actually hope we proceed to get check-in episodes like this to flesh out the prevailing girlfriends
Kusuri apologizes for being egocentric, and states she’d be completely satisfied to see Rentaro and Hakari get an image collectively. Simply what I hoped for – the ladies establishing unbiased bonds of belief and companionship between one another, changing into as essential to one another as Rentaro is to all of them
It’s humorous, this can be a criticism I typically stage at shonen narratives, whereby the primary crew typically have relationships with the lead character however not one another. One cause for One Piece’s success is that the Straw Hats all really feel like real buddies, not simply fellow appendages of Luffy
And impressed by Kusuri’s instance, Hakari suggests all of them take the image collectively
Nano appears to have adopted Shizuka, as the 2 maintain getting paired in group settings
“It’s at all times been my dream to put on this gown and take this picture with the one I really like.” Presumably Hakari believes that is the closest she’ll ever get to a contented marriage
And now the opposite shoe drops, as Hakari requests that Rentaro break up along with her
“I ought to discuss to her, and determine the explanation.” The introduction of dramatic new battle like this returns us to our conversational fundamentals, and Rentaro’s certainty that communication will undoubtedly bridge the hole between their views. Simply what I prefer to see, and a comforting affirmation of intent after the lunacy of the final two episodes. I typically desire farce as a garnish for human drama, not as the primary course
“Hey, Kusuri’s not the one one who pees.” Granted, Kusuri is certainly excellent in manageable parts
Kusuri and the others’ persevering with dialog fades into background banter as Rentaro frets, a sublime manner of preserving corner-panel gags with out slowing down the energetic drama
Hakari lives in a mansion patrolled by guards
She informs him her mom came upon about their state of affairs, and is planning to have her switch faculties fully
“I can eliminate a teenage rat such as you anytime I want.” Man, including this girl is definitely going to fire up the group dynamic
“I’ll by no means let some five-timing maggot who’ll solely carry you sorrow have you ever.” Admittedly, this complete state of affairs most likely doesn’t look nice to any of the related mother and father
“No brains or brawn. No cash or energy, both. You’re only a child. What are you aware about making somebody completely satisfied?” Rentaro beating himself up over that is additionally a welcome change, emphasizing how though his pure instincts are literally fairly mature when it comes to emotionally supporting others, he’s nonetheless too younger to have full confidence in these instincts, or the ability to at all times act on them
And so he gathers his forces, saying his plan to elope with Hakari. After all, all the opposite women demand to hitch in on the plan
And Carried out
Thus the gang units forth on a courageous rescue operation! Effectively, a pair gags apart, this was just about precisely the episode I hoped for – a tonal reset after the preposterous Kusuri shenanigans, recentering the present on elementary questions of what it means to be a supportive accomplice, and making certain the assorted members of the Rentaro household truly really feel like all of them care about one another. Diving deeper into Hakari’s fears and Rentaro’s insecurities added some welcome texture to each of them, whereas permitting the remainder of the gang to reveal their dedication and love for one another. 100 Girlfriends is an unlikely combination of earnest emotional drama and complete nonsense, however episodes like this reveal simply how compelling that pairing may be. Onward to save lots of Hakari!
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