After browsing this forum for a little while, I thought I'd make an account and express my thoughts.
I've been reading a lot of posts lately where members don't associate To LOVEる Darkness with the original To LOVEる and Motto season. I can see why many people would think that way, but it couldn't be farther from the truth. I will admit, I was *worried* about this happening about halfway through Darkness. It really pissed me off.
I do respect everyone's opinions and I enjoy everyone's thoughts, and I think it takes a little analysis to really see the continuity from season 2 to season 3.
When I say I *do* associate To LOVEる Darkness with the previous seasons, it suffices to say that the plot is similar to the previous season and is continuous and that the theme remains the same. One could argue that the entire story is trying to say that hiding one's feelings is futile; it is best to show your true colours.
I'll start off with the story line (plot): Rito starts off unable to act appropriately around girls. It appears he cannot even *talk* to Haruna in the first half of the first season. As things progress, we see him nearly able to confess his love to Haruna (the first important time was in episode 2 of Motto To LOVEる), and he DOES say it in the final episode of Motto. He may have not actually confessed, but the important thing is that he *thought* he was confessing. This shows how dynamic Rito has been. Could he have done anything like that in the first season? Absolutely not. But he *did* do it at the end of the second season. He also confesses his love to Lala, so we already have dealt with Lala and Haruna. The plot is far from complete (i.e., the harem plan is not finished), but it's progressing.
Now on to Darkness. Remember I am trying to illustrate the continuity from the first two seasons to the third one. The plot is clearly similar to the first two seasons; indeed, the harem plan is really taking off. It's not something Rito would have even thought about in season one or two (and he didn't conceive the idea himself anyway), but now at the end of the third season, we see that he does consider it. This not only shows characterization, but also that the plot has not changed at all. The story is about Rito's love for each character and to create a harem for him. This harem plan has remained in place since the first episode of the first season, albeit very subtly at first.
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Now, to complete my argument, I'll show that the theme is identical and has not changed. Again, hiding your feelings is futile and it is best to express how you feel. Since we have already established the love between Rito, Haruna, and Lala, Rito would have to show his feelings for the other characters. How many times did we see Rito in these kinds of situations with the other characters? The most obvious one is with Yui. She begins to show a liking towards Rito, and they get closer as the season progresses. Even Oshizu explains in episode 4 (or somewhere around there) her realization of Rito's caring side and from there, begins to show an interest in Rito. And of course, Yami. Season one showed her trying to kill Rito on numerous occasions. Season 2 did the same, but it also showed episodes where they were hanging out with one another, getting along. Season 3 starts off the same way, but in the latter half of Darkness, more often do we see Yami *helping* Rito than hurting him (like in OVA 2, where she saves him from falling). Edit; added this important point: What about in the 10th episode when Yami completely opened up to Rito?! How she admitted she wanted to "embrace him"? So each character is beginning to show their *true* feelings towards Rito. I need not argue that Rito's true feelings are coming out. For example, in OVA 2, he admits that Nana has her own charm and he looks at her in a different light (when he talks about the look on her face).
Clearly, Darkness has not diverged at all from the entire story line, and the author is trying to portray the same message as they did in the first two seasons. Thus, I conclude that To LOVEる Darkness can most definitely be associated with the previous seasons, in the exact same manner that Motto To LOVEる can be associated with the first season. They are no different, once you really analyze things. If there is another season, I would not hesitate in calling it a "fourth season" of To LOVEる, as opposed to a "second season" of To LOVEる Darkness.
I personally think it is foolish to say that Darkness is fundamentally different than the previous seasons (I'm getting the idea that a few people think this way). I understand that many people think a certain season is better than another, but that is not the point here. I may have liked one season better than another, but it doesn't change my statements above. Many people have talked about how the first season had too many filler episodes, and was boring at times. I agree, but putting those opinions aside, it doesn't change my overall argument above.
Just to make clear, my post isn't meant to encroach on anyone else's thoughts or beliefs. But this is a damn convincing argument!
So what do you guys think? Too long, didn't read? Or am I on to something? |