This episode is definitely my least favorite. There are so many things wrong with it.
Firstly, I feel extremely bad for Kano. She did absolutely nothing wrong, she just helped Kitamura when he needed it, she couldn't guess that he would fall in love with her. Her words are harsh, but she clearly means well, and she's not obligated to answer to Kitamura just like that, he made a fool of himself and dragged her into it, she did what she could to prevent the situation from worsening. The result ? She got beat up and called out by Taiga, leading her to be forced to face her own inner pain. What happened to her in this ep is quite insane when you think about it, and yet she's been portrayed as the one in the wrong. She's not. She didn't even let Kitamura get the wrong idea, she didn't know he felt that way about her at first. She really did nothing wrong. I'm glad she left, not because I dislike her, but because she deserves way better than what she got at this school.
Now, there's the whole thing with Kitamura himself. He is just so pathetic. I know that's the point, but at the same time he is somehow also portrayed as a poor, desperate guy who did nothing wrong. And his reasons for doing what he did are completely disproportionate. I can't bring myself to feel bad for him. Ami and Kano are totally right about him, he is incredibly immature.
Also, he is so insensitive. He knows that Taiga loves him, and after friendzoning her and then flirting with her, he confesses to someone else in front of her, not just once but twice ?! How am I supposed to actually like someone like him ?!
Now let's talk about Taiga. Seriously, anytime I start warming up to her, the show makes her fall back into her unbearable abusive self. What exactly was that ending ? Okay, she deep down knows that she might not be doing the right thing, but first of all : can't she figure out by herself how wrong that really is ? Second of all : why doesn't Ryuuji tell her so ? Why does he just let her bully everyone ?
And okay, she is emotional and reacts accordingly, but I think we've arrived to a point in the show were she really should start learning about dealing with her feelings a different way. And actually, even if that happens now, it's a bit too late for me given how everyone let her do whatever she wants for 16 episodes.
Also : can't she realize that Kitamura barely did anything for her ? Ryuuji's the one who did everything ! She might be in love with Kitamura, it doesn't allow her to be so ungrateful towards anyone else.
And finally, Ryuuji. Oh my gosh, this guy, I feel such an intense urge to slap him in the face. Until now, I actually liked him, but this ep just made me realize that I can't stand his hero complex anymore. I can't stand how he always believes he knows better than others what is best for them, how he always gets into other people's business, and how he somehow feels so superior he just calls out everyone without trying to understand why they react the way they do. And worst of all, he doesn't evolve. He didn't learn anything from this event with Taiga's father. The show is so afraid to make him change, it's becoming insufferable.
And one last thing : did Ryuuji and Taiga actually guilt-trip Kitamura ? Okay, this jerk deserved it but let's just imagine that he doesn't : is that okay to do that ? Of course it's not !
I still like this show, and this awful episode somehow doesn't make me want to change my rating, but I'm still angry. Plus, the lack of Ami and Minori has been strongly noticeable in this episode, they're actually the only two characters that I still truly care about. I hope they won't disappoint me. |