Episode 8 – You and I Are Polar Opposites

The final couple of episodes have been heavy on the connection (or lack thereof) drama, so we have been due for an additional episode that is largely operating on attraction. This is not to say that it’s very devoid of something critical. It even presents some temporary glimmers of promise for anybody holding out hope for Taira and Azuma as our subsequent pair of destined opposites. Nonetheless, for essentially the most half, it isn’t delivering in a lot past the present’s ordinary low-stakes comedy and a few cute character interactions. Whereas I can not say this episode was the funniest or cutest in any of these regards, it actually will get the job completed, and the little drama we do get is simply sufficient to mark this down as one other good one.

May as effectively begin by getting the Miyu-and-Tani relationship parts out of the best way. Whereas they have been fairly charming, there wasn’t an entire lot occurring in them past that. The primary chunk of the episode sees them occurring a photograph date, and to be trustworthy, it is most likely the weakest. Regardless of Miyu’s enthusiasm about taking some photos along with her beau, it seems neither of them is all for taking them. Miyu is extraordinarily self-conscious about the potential for trying un-cute in entrance of Tani, and usually prefers to make use of picture filters.

In distinction, Tani himself seems to be like a deer within the headlights, so awkward about taking photographs that he cannot be bothered to pose for any of them. It’s a little humorous to look at Miyu attempt to strike the fitting poses for a photograph sales space whereas poor Tani stands there. There is not a lot comedy to be mined right here, and there is not a lot to this entire date past watching these two be cute collectively for a few minutes. It is charming sufficient for what it’s, nevertheless it wasn’t fairly as memorable as a few of their different interactions.

Their final phase within the episode is no less than rather a lot funnier, although a lot of that is because of watching how embarrassing each Miyu and her household will be. This one sees Miyu inviting Tani over to her home, just for her mother to start out going overboard the second he walks within the door. It is clear virtually instantly that she has no concept easy methods to act in entrance of him, and it is nice watching her making an attempt desperately to play it cool by providing meals or asking the place he lives, solely to stumble over each dialog starter. Miyu herself would not fare a lot better: when she lastly will get Tani away from her mother lengthy sufficient to have him come hand around in her room, she realizes she now has to cope with having a boy in her room. Due to that, we’re handled to a delightfully awkward couple of minutes the place these two are determined to search out something to speak about, just for Tani to interrupt the ice when he reminds Miyu that he would not actually know easy methods to take the lead with dialog and opts for a hug as a substitute. Once more, it isn’t one among their sweetest or funniest moments as a pair, nevertheless it’s tender sufficient to work. The episode does no less than finish on a good punchline when Tani runs into Miyu’s dad, who manages to be solely barely much less awkward in dialog when he learns in regards to the boy his daughter introduced residence.

Had this been all we received, I’d have chalked this up as a barely weaker episode than ordinary, nevertheless it’s saved by its center portion, the place Miyu and the others all determine to go bowling. Comedy-wise, we get some sturdy visible humor as everybody exhibits off their bowling types, and Miyu particularly demonstrates that bowling would not rank amongst her many skills, as all her poses and makes an attempt to construct up her power solely find yourself sending the ball straight into the gutter. It additionally offers some good bits of drama with Taira and Azuma, although it has much less to do with any romantic potential between them and extra so of their method to social conditions. Each have the misfortune of operating into some previous classmates from center college, and Taira, being his ordinary mopey self, spends a lot of the night hoping he will not be observed. On the identical time, it is shortly identified that they know he is there however are merely making an attempt their finest to faux they do not. Humorous as these implications are, it is much less so for Azuma, who has some historical past with them.

One of many boys within the group is her ex, who dumped her for one of many different ladies from the group. When a distinct man within the group tried to catch Azuma on the rebound, she discovered herself interested in him, solely to find he was making an attempt to go after a second lady within the buddy group on the identical time. She ghosted Azuma earlier than the connection might go anyplace. It is only one large chain of awkward pressure, and whereas she would not let her annoyance present on her face, their makes an attempt to speak with Azuma as if none of that occurred make this entire reunion much more miserable for her. Azuma’s state of affairs right here is fairly tough, which makes it all of the extra stunning when the heavens cut up, as for the briefest of moments, Taira manages to really discuss some sense. Whereas Azuma’s intuition is to maintain up appearances and grumble to herself, Taira rightly factors out that she ought to be indignant about how she’s being handled and should not let individuals stroll throughout her on this method. Whereas that is nonetheless largely framed inside Taira’s tendency to be brutally trustworthy, it is nonetheless one thing that Azuma wanted to listen to, and having him say it so plainly provides her pause to re-evaluate her previous relationships and the way fast she is to let herself get the brief finish of the stick if it means avoiding battle.

It is a actually sturdy second for the 2 of them. Whereas it isn’t framed in an overtly romantic gentle, it does no less than reveal how these two may truly be good for one another, as having somebody like Taira in her life is likely to be good for stopping Azuma from letting herself get taken benefit of, whereas Azuma’s extra informal method to social relationships might preserve Taira from continually being in his personal head. Nice as all that sounds although, if it is the top objective, we’re a good distance in the direction of getting there as any modicum of maturity displayed by Taira is nearly instantly undercut when he spends the following day apologizing to her for daring to rise above his station and provide unsolicited recommendation when he is naught however a lowly worm who can barely deal with being round different individuals. The self-deprecation right here is as humorous as it’s relatable, nevertheless it’s clearly going to be one thing he has to handle in some unspecified time in the future if there’s any likelihood of those two being greater than Miyu’s pair of dour mates. Nonetheless, the truth that I am rooting for Taira to succeed right here in any respect is proof of simply how effectively this present is managing to stability its opposites, so whereas these two may need the longest path in the direction of any attainable relationship, it is no less than trying increasingly more prefer it’ll be well worth the funding.

Score:

You and I Are Polar Opposites is at the moment streaming on
Crunchyroll.