Prior to Ami’s appearance, Taiga reminded me of all the worst characteristics of J.C. Staff KugiRie loli-tsunderes, particularly ZnT Season 2′s Louise whose behaviour rubs off very very badly against my own personal traumas. From the Rainy Blue arc in MariMite, I began to associate hair drills with evil, bratty Ojousama type charas and so I had been rooting for Kanako over Touko this season even though it was hopeless in view of the determinism of the ED.

But I had to change the way I thought of Taiga and Touko after seeing other sides to them, such as Taiga’s Christmas good girl mode and Touko’s dedication to her craft in drama. After learning more about their personal family histories. After seeing how the people around them were changed by and changed along with them.

And thus came to be happy with their Good Ends and to be happy for them. Good job!

If Minori had been voiced by Nakahara Mai, I bet the word would have been USODA!!! Marvellous scene at the end of Ep 23 – who wouldn’t snap if all the responsibility had been dumped on your back, behind your back?

And now to the main and serious business of All Hailing Kawashima Ami:

Confession to Taiga via Ami first. Because she is that awesome.

Breaking down in front of Ami only. Because she is that awesome.

The offhand remark about the end of Minori’s dream of a bisexual harem with both Taiga and Ryuuji. What an awesome idea.

Mobile phones: Communication of the Rebellion. I really Laughed Out Loud at the class’s reaction and Yuri Full of Tanaka Rie Goodness sensei’s reaction.

Awesome Ami calls Minori out on her shattered dream of a bisexual harem yet again…

I was concerned too but I Waited for Subs FTW. I actually found myself thinking about the parallels with Genshiken Ch 53; it’s so fitting that Ryuuji understands Ami’s character so well but still hasn’t got a clue about her feelings. Or perhaps he understands her so well that he knows better than to get a clue – like Saki’s relationship with Madarame, ignorance is truly bliss.

In conclusion, we need an Ami spinoff OVA or series. Because she is that awesome.

©2012 hontou ni sou omou?. All Rights Reserved.

この世に偶然は無い、あるのは必然だけよ。

Thus spake Lupus:

Dear Seleria, Because I’m such a BADASS LIGHT NOVEL READER, I must reveal the true reason why Taiga was “out on the street just in time for Minorin to see.” It wasn’t entirely co-incidence. After being told by Taiga that Ryuuji was going to confess to her, Minorin wanted a final confirmation that Taiga didn’t like Ryuuji, so she went to Taiga’s place. Lo and behold, she sees Taiga going emo and screaming “RYUUUUUJIIIIII WRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY”

Another reason why good comments are as good as gold, blogs are all the more richer for them.

My initial understanding of the scene was also like Seleria’s – that Minori had stumbled on Taiga’s outburst. And it made me think less of her rejection of Ryuuji. Knowing that she had been waiting, to confirm her suspicion, made her rejection seem less impulsive, more considered.

And while I’ve been royally eating my hat for initially stomping on ToraDora, this was a bad storyboarding lapse.

Totali’s reading (ambiguous)

She runs out of her house to scream Ryuji’s name, but unknown to her, Minori has seen this from not far away.

Aroduc’s reading (coincidence)

At least Minori shot him down at the end after walking in on Taiga screaming out Ryuuji’s name in the street like some kind of psychotic killer.

Omni’s reading (coincidence)

unbeknownst to her, she’s seen by Minori. Though shocked, Minori doesn’t let Taiga know that she’s there

If it wasn’t entirely clear to the three best BAD ASS RAW WATCHERS too, I’d say the fault is with the anime rather than the viewer.

My suggestions:

Further back. Show Minori’s darkened head and shoulder silhouette from behind.

Take cover, Minori! Whatever happened to cover and concealment when camping? Look, there’s a lamp post reserved for you over there.

Please don’t look so shocked. Yes, it’s still shocking to see for yourself but you had a clue. Which was why you were waiting here in the first place. Frown a bit too?

Would a whispered "やっぱり" been too heavy handed?

Cover and concealment. This pillar is reserved for Kushieda.

P.S. Agree with Seleria that Minori should confess to Taiga already.

©2012 hontou ni sou omou?. All Rights Reserved.

And she just stole my heart when ToraDora SOS opened straight to her sighing, clicking her tongue and going: も～う！ 亜美ちゃんちょうちょうちょうちょうだるいんだけどう、まじで。

Easily the funniest chara in the omake. All hail Gourmet ni Ami!

P.S. I wouldn’t mind trying tarako spaghetti.

©2012 hontou ni sou omou?. All Rights Reserved.