i liked that episode.
First off- So really, it's clear as day Manaka has a thing for the surface guy, i like they developed this so fast here, normally im one for slow and steady for she is laying it out there, sucks for the main guy but he's a dick so no worries xD
I find it funny she doesn't realise it yet though, i mean really, she is desperate to have that fish back just because he said it was pretty, she is fishing for compliments here (no pun intended) which in it's self is partly affection showing through but she gets flustered by reading the guys name, kind of weird but there you have it xD
Moving on
Akari, i like this thing happening here. One thing this anime did well here was the whole 'you can't leave or your banished' thing - some say it's dumb but i like this concept as it's rather old, that's what makes it great. Normally it fails and feels dumb but remember, not many live in the sea now and they all used to, so having such a old tradition is quite fun, especially one which makes people choose 'land or sea', it's actually more 'love or sea' but not in all cases. Anyway i like this old tradition thing as it sure stirs things up, especially how it was brought up to their group xD
To be fair i do actually LIKE something about this guy (yes i actually found something good about him o.o), i like how he is dedicated to the sea, yeah he is a prick about it but i like seeing how he is dedicated to standing by it and doesn't like how surface treat em, it is good to see he is someone who stands by the water life. I mean Manaka clearly belongs on land, and the others show no real concern either way so he has this one and only good trait... i guess.
See the main guy is good at one thing, he does a great job shining out how that other guy is so much better a person than he is. Though in a way i like he is prick, makes change from the main being the 'good guy' stuff, well that and i like watching him fail xD
Still no idea why his other friend has a thing for him, (yeah i can't remember the names) he isn't nice to her but she should get with her other friend :)