- "If we could learn to understand each other's feelings and compromise more, everyone would be happier." Perhaps, Saki. Though it is much easier said than done.
- "Do your problems have something to do with love?" Yuuta is so obvious that even Megane-san has sensed it.
- "I know I need to forget the whole thing. But I don't think I can." Well Yuuta, something as notable as your first love is very difficult to forget.
- Sorry, background character, but you aren't important enough for Saki's affections. Though Saki's claim that she has no crush seemed to be a denial of her own feelings.
- Megane-san is surprisingly perceptive. Despite not having bonded with Yuuta for long, she managed to figure out a few things about him.
- When Saki brings up Yuuta's escapade the previous night, I'm not surprised that she assumes Shiori must have been with him.
- "I think I have very strong feelings for you." Mad props to Yuuta for having crossed the red line that many an anime protagonist failed to cross. Though Saki tries to initially rationalize this as something else other than Yuuta falling in love with her.
- "Whether you have feelings for me as my brother or something more, I'm okay with it. Whichever it is, I'm happy." Woah, slow down Saki. We are now moving way faster than Rent-a-Girlfriend did in 3 seasons.
- "If I know you're with other girls, I might get jealous and anxious." Well, thanks Saki for finally admitting to Yuuta what we've known for a while.
- "...that kind of jealousy isn't only between lovers. I think it can happen between siblings, too." And we're back to Saki trying to rationalize things.
- So Yuuta and Saki are going to work out their feelings... together. Are you sure these two are anime high schoolers? Their final conversation sounded very mature when compared to what happens in your typical anime romance.
------------------------------
Overall series impression:
Gimai Seikatsu was a breath of fresh air for this season. It is one of the most grounded anime I've seen in a while. Although its approach with its subject matter might feel a little bit too grounded for some viewers that it may come across as boring. And I can totally understand that.
For its lowkey subject matter, I was surprised that the show's visual presentation really punched above its weight. While it is not Makoto Shinkai levels of detail, you wish that your run-of-the-mill live action soap opera made this much effort in their presentation.
If there was thing I did not like about the show, it would be its fixation on montaging or fast forwarding some of the light hearted moments. Stuff like when Maaya was playing games with Saki and Yuuta. Or the pool party. I get that the anime is trying to be serious, but not at expense of minimizing the amount of levity in the series.
For those tired of how your typical anime romance plays out, or wants a grounded, slow burn romance, I highly recommend giving
Gimai Seikatsu a shot.
As for those who wanted a far more lighthearted tale featuring Yuuta and Saki, may I turn your attention to
the official Gimai Seikatsu Youtube channel. With 283 videos that have English subtitles, there is a ton of additional material to check out. I would say that the Youtube channel is the place for the series' lighthearted side, as it showcases all those moments of levity that the anime failed to feature. Hell, characters like Maaya and Maru have far more screentime on Youtube than in the anime. Though admittedly some of the skits that were made are of dubious canonicity in relation to the anime/light novel, namely due to how outlandish and fanciful they are, such as:
-
That time when Yuuta somehow possessed Saki's body
-
Yuuta and Saki switched bodies Freaky Friday style
-
Yuuta and Saki getting stuck on a deserted island (
Part 2,
Part 3)
-
Yuuta getting imprisoned on charges of being a spy
-
Saki getting possessed by an evil spirit, and Yuuta having to save her by winning a card game (
Part 2)
-
Yuuta and Saki wake up after 300 years, and find themselves in a post apocalyptic world straight out of Terminator. (
Part 2,
Part 3)
-
Yuuta and Saki get lost in the mountains,
and have an encounter with a yuki-onna.
Also, somehow Maaya and Maru get lost in the mountains alongside the stepsiblings.
While I personally would love to see a Season 2, if there isn't any... well at least
Gimai Seikatsu is still pumping out videos on Youtube.