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Given how the story has unfolded after 4 volumes (which is roughly the first season)--that is, regarding who has and who has not been getting narrative attention and for what reasons--I wonder just how much more time Pink-sensei's been getting by the time Volume 12 rolled around.
Also: that Imoto-chan isn't above Maid-senpai is absolute nonsense. Check the voter rolls. How many dead people voted?!
Could be that it was always intended to go for a two-season-length run, just not all in a row. (Rather than it getting greenlit for another season when the numbers came in for the first season.) Real Girlfriend did exactly that, not that long ago, and ran as Episode 13-24 even though it was called the "second season." Kind of like how some American cable shows would do, say, two batches of 7 and 7, running in the Fall and the Spring, as one full season. (And alternate the time slot with another 7 and 7 show that ran Winter/Summer as a full season.)
Or maybe they saw early on that it was doing well and agreed to a second season then to capitalize, but knew the logistics weren't in place to roll right on through for another 12 episodes.
Or maybe the people assigned to the first season got a really, really unreasonable directive at the end of season 1.
Could be that it was always intended to go for a two-season-length run, just not all in a row. (Rather than it getting greenlit for another season when the numbers came in for the first season.) Real Girlfriend did exactly that, not that long ago, and ran as Episode 13-24 even though it was called the "second season." Kind of like how some American cable shows would do, say, two batches of 7 and 7, running in the Fall and the Spring, as one full season. (And alternate the time slot with another 7 and 7 show that ran Winter/Summer as a full season.)
Or maybe they saw early on that it was doing well and agreed to a second season then to capitalize, but knew the logistics weren't in place to roll right on through for another 12 episodes.
Or maybe the people assigned to the first season got a really, really unreasonable directive at the end of season 1.
That is true looks like the pause for a season format has been replaced by a new 2 small season format after all kono oto Tomare is doing the same thing in this season
I've missed you, show. I mean, I've been reading the manga, so it's not like you weren't around at all, but...all the same, I missed you.
Also: thank you for opening with some Ogata love. That was seriously lacking, at the end of Season 1, so I'm quite glad they stacked (heh) the episode with her. (Actually, to that effect: I thought the test score/bra size joke totally worked. I also think it probably shouldn't have, so hang a gold star on that one, creative team, 'cus you pulled off a difficult comedic put, there. Well done.)
And then to get a hot springs escapade out of it as well! In which we not only got some fun character stuff from all three of our love interests, but also a reverse-hot springs tried-and-true gag: the girls were in the wrong bath and had to get secreted out before being noticed by the sundry fellahs who showed up--and, as an extra trope bonus, the boys started the "so who are you crushing on???" conversation. We were certainly spoiled for riches, in this premiere.
Well, minus not having a Pink-sensei scene (...or an Imoto-chan moment), but there's plenty of time to get to those. I'm just glad we got to spend some laugh-inducing time with our core three. (And very little time with Maid-chan, who I still think should be written out of the series.) So, all in all, a very good start to the new season.
But...what was that summer montage of EVERYONE GOING TO THE BEACH WE THAT WE DIDN'T GET TO SEE?!?!?! I'm assuming that's the "Specials" episode that hasn't come out yet. (Read as: "That had better be the 'Specials' episode that hasn't come out yet, or so help me God...") But why tease us like that?! You never give another man's wife a foot massage--and you DON'T TEASE ABOUT A BEACH EPISODE!!!
So glad to see more of this show. That bra size joke should not have worked as well as it did, and i loved it. Now the one thing this episode lacked was best girl, Sensei. So it was a slight dissapointing start in that department, but otherwise i enjoyed it a ton. Praise fun hot spring episodes.
the godly, pure and omnipotent power of the blush won me over :D
Also: I really like her as a character and from a story-telling perspective. She seems like the only one that would actually help the protagonist instead of needing his help plus she gives me the same vibes Halo from Spice and Wolf did. As in: she seems like a real character, not a tsundere/dandere/teacher/childhood friend etc trope.
I suppose, in the very strictest of senses, that's the case: she's the only character who is in a similar position to Nariyuki, studying-wise--in that she's the only one who has also struggled and taken it upon herself to get better mostly under her own steam. And, because she's a couple of years older than he is and has been struggling with get-into-college studies longer than he has, she has experience with certain scenarios that he does not.
However, if we're being fully serious, I don't see her adding much to a potential relationship with Nariyuki. In that I don't see her being the one to help draw out his best self. (Nor do I see him doing the same for her.) I think they're imbalanced.
I think there's a much stronger case for the main trio, with either Furuhashi or Takemoto probably offering the best chance at that more harmonious, balanced coupling.
No, wait--best doesn't mean only, in this context! I LOVE YOU, OGATA!
