A fusion of the beach and curry chapters in the manga. Two other significant set of changes centring on Yasuna and another on Asuta.
One the former, manga Yasuna invited everyone along (for the curry dinner at her house) because Hazumu only shows her brightest smile in front of everyone (including Tomari) but not when she is alone with Yasuna. Here in the anime, Yasuna’s reason is that she wants to learn more about Hazumu and the presence / interaction of friends will help with that. Again, I like how Yasuna has been developed in the anime - this time, she’s very straightforward with Tomari which Tomari reciprocates by confessing that she likes Hazumu too at the end of the episode. This has been called a declaration of war but I tend to see this as Yasuna and Tomari ironically building a rapport over their one common interest - Hazumu. While they are rivals, they also have come to recognise how serious the other party is about Hazumu thus creating a bond of mutual respect. I hope.
With respect to Asuta, the anime played up the nanpa defence incident. In the manga when Asuta rides to the rescue, the two guys back off quite quickly, assuming that Asuta is Hazumu’s boyfriend. In the anime, it is more drawn out with Asuta more or less being forced to lie about it and Hazumu pressed to confirm it to get rid of the guys. Geez, don’t you guys understand what “No, go away!” means? Asuta also gets some form of resolution regarding his tortoured feelings about Hazumu. The manga interrupted Asuta’s confession with the Namiko Falling Into the Sea incident but mercifully in the anime, Hazumu unknowingly shots Asuta down by declaring him to be a good buddy. Which after initial disappointment, Asuta seems relieved to accept and confirm. I hope this means that the Asuta Mooning Hazumu gags will recede. Other than the Oogling Perv Dad, the Cruelty to Asuta was another irritant in the manga.
Next week looking forward to see how the anime polishes up and elaborates on Ayuki’s story. The episode title “見ているだけ”, which quotes Ayuki, is very much my own SOP as well.
This has been called a declaration of war but I tend to see this as Yasuna and Tomari ironically building a rapport over their one common interest - Hazumu.
I agree wholeheartedly with this statement, and in general with the idea that the anime develops the characters better than the manga. Though the idea of Yasuna and Tomari in a no holds barred cage match battling it out over Hazumu amuses me to no end. ;)
Well, with the official ‘declaration of intentions’ here, at least they both know that Hazumu won’t get terribly discommoded or upset by anything that they do, since they (at least appear) to be heading for an above-board, straight-out contest for Hazumu’s confessions rather than a backstabbing, underhanded campaign to cut one another down in Hazumu’s eyes… which would probably wreck Hazumu somewhat, emotionally. At least this way, they’re putting Hazumu’s welfare above all else… or that’s how I’d interpret it.