I generally leave the harem series to Stripey but as this is the Asa-chan episode and I am an Asa fan, here I go. This episode is important in the way that Rin recognises Asa as an attractive girl for the first time after the whole school is ablaze with the rumours of the popular Takizawa’s confession to her. In Stripeyrian terms, this establishes the Basis of Attraction (BoA) for Rin towards Asa which is an indispensable part of any credible relationship. While I think it is highly unlikely that Asa-chan will get her guy (not aggressive enough a la Kotori in DC and DCSS), I do hope that somehow she’ll put up a good fight so that at least she can be happy that she wasn’t too passive and let the guy slip through her fingers.
I also wish to contend with the view that Asa is truly happy with the status quo even though she expressed that she wishes to enjoy it for a while longer. Yes, she is happy now. But I think it is because Rin has not chosen anyone yet. And probably because his hidden past has caught up with him yet. Much angst down the road I see.
At this point, her inertia seems to be based on that as well as on assumptions like she thinks Rin cares more for Kaede than her (and expresses her jealousy gently to him about that), she knows that there is a lot of competition for Rin (doesn’t want to antagonise the rest of her friends) and that Rin simply does not think of her as a girl and potential lover. With this episode, some of that last assumption has been chipped away although Asa-chan typically covered herself well again.
About covering up, I’ve never really objected to fan service but I didn’t enjoy it very much at all for this episode and with respect to Asa. Which is why I did not screencap the maid-waitress uniform or the toilet scene. Guess this is my way of telling how much I really like a character. :P Another miscellanous note - the insert arrows with the character speaking with the character being spoken to in the main background is quite a cute touch in this series.
Well, the toliet scene was actually from the Shuffle! game…which the anime seems to be following for the most part. I’m not saying it was necessary for the show, but it keeps it in line with the game.
Ah, I see. I don’t know anything about the game.