Moé Moé Rabu

YES! This isthe one episode that I have been waiting for in this entire show, the Nanaka episode. Plenty of awesome Nanaka moments and many that I’ll probably only remember until the next anime season, but I have many mixed feelings in regards to this episode. From what I have seen of the series so far, ithas been a some what drag with the whole Yoshiyuki and Koko pairing and with the occasional Minatsu story development, however with this being a Nanaka episode, I feel as this really doesn’t do her justice, but more so I was hoping that this episode would introduce at least some drama to rock the boat.

Impressions

The development of Nanaka’s growing feelings for Yoshiyuki I personally find a little too quick. Perhaps if it went over two episodes then I would probably be satisfied, but also because I want more Nanaka screen time, but given that this series is only 12-13 episodes, we couldn’t see that happening. Although if there is one thing I liked about Nanaka’s development was how she came to terms that she does like Yoshiyuki and that she took a step hoping that he would respond. Unlike Kotori, who kind of let things go as they were, Nanaka has the confidence to take a chance. Between Kotori and Nanaka, I find Nanaka to be the better of the two. Sure they’re the same character type, but Nanaka’s situation is much more tougher than Kotori’s. Nanaka’s main confrontation was her growing feelings for Yoshiyuki, but also whether she would betray her best friend in order to gain that one bit of happiness. Kotori only had to compete against a non-blood related sister and a cousin, so who do you think had it easier?

But in the end, Nanaka stopped going forward, but not because of her risk of destroying her friendship with Koko, but she came to the realisation that it’s a one-sided love, and it would stay unrequited. But I am disappointed that she didn’t go for that little extra push as really, I think she would’ve made Yoshiyuki into putty. Speaking of Yoshiyuki, I can’t really decide if I find him respectable in not taking Nanaka, or the fact that he may be pretty dense in not realising Nanaka’s feelings. Sure enough he’s been faithful to Koko, I give him points for that, it’s just that he himself is unsure he actually has feelings for Koko. Also the whole Yoshiyuki being at the school and rescuing Nanaka as a coincidence to be totally crap and it pisses me off to a whole new level. I would’ve preferred if Yoshiyuki eventually found out and went to look for her, but this comes back to the point of him being pretty dense.

Now that Nanaka has stepped back, I do hope that she won’t disappear from the rest of the series now or that she’ll only make minor appearances, but I don’t think it’ll happen. But with the conclusion of this episode, I came to a realisation. The Shirakawa character will never win and will always get jipped. It’s a cold hard fact and we’ve seen it in Da Capo, even MORE so in Da Capo Second Season, and once again right here in Da Capo II. If I want my Shirakawa character stories, I’m better off playing the game until I burn myself out, or even read the Da Capo II Imaginary Future manga (which I have the first cvolume for somewhere).

Anyway, this was an enjoyable episode, much to my distaste in the short length and presentation, but truly, this is the best episode thus far of the series, and because of this episode, it gives me a slight nudge in wanting to buy the DVDs. Still kind of undecided on that one, but I’ll see by the end of the series.

Now for a new poll! Yes, haven’t had one in a while. Normally I would’ve asked if you were Yoshiyuki,would you dig into the Nanaka buffet, but I want to see what people think from the Nanaka perspective.

[poll=3]