SEASONAL PRATTLE
The fourth showing of The God of High School is here, amazing in its way to story-tell and texture characters while maintaining complete ignorance when it comes to the fundamentals that make those aspects effective. Episode four is sheerly all over the place, not only feeling largely disjointed given how episode three ended but being totally shaky in terms of tone and pace as well. On the surface, as parched for characterization and firmer narrative as this show has been, an episode that emphasizes the ongoings of our leads’ lives like this one should’ve been a very nice addition – but this series’ script just isn’t up for it.
The plotting around Mira’s marriage lands as far too superficial and hasty to actually feel for her character and the pressure that she and her family face, inevitably falling short as dramatically effective when the dust settles. And if that wasn’t bad enough, Han’s story that proceeds comes off as completely tacked on – only finding itself unfolding in our closing minutes almost as if it was an afterthought. It’s been fairly clear in the last couple of weeks that when it comes to writing The God of High School isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but come on now, this is just sloppy telling even with that consideration.
Oregairu 3 (4)
“Still rewarding even after a second watch, and one that’s quality speaks for itself scene in and scene out.”
Oregairu has always carried a rather considerate display of character acting and emotional discovery: When the series wants to position its cast in a particular dramatic light no matter how dim or bright, it has no problem at all executing that, and the sequential results come across as very clear to viewers. In short, its level of touch is strong and an essential prowess that makes this latest installment of Oregairu so effective – beautifully acting as a live extension to Yui’s headspace from episode two while still soundly sliding the prom dilemma and all its residual hangups forward. This is the type of episode that’s still rewarding even after a second watch, and one that’s quality speaks for itself scene in and scene out. Very well done.
Deca-Dence (4)
“A good balance between its craft aptitude and steady scripting”
Pushing onward, Deca-Dence’s fourth performance doesn’t disappoint – showing a good balance between its craft aptitude and steady scripting which inevitably makes for a pleasing run. Early on the former piece of this balancing act is on display: Deca-Dence is quick to remind viewers how confident it is in motion as Nastume’s attempt to rescue Pipe is a dynamic one, fluent and loaded with the type of spatial awareness you would expect from this series’ personnel.
Post rescue poised writing takes over. Episode four held its own over a variety of tonal planes and feels especially comfortable when it came to working Natsume’s headspace. Compounding on that this particular chunk of narrative is easily digestible with reasonable hooks, and the little ins and outs of charter writing, whether it’s just conversational choices or positioning, all pitch in to put a bow on it. It’s an overall good time here!
Kanojo Okarishimasu (4)
“Offering one of the most sincere and needed monologues all season long”
Kanojo Okarishimasu delivers its latest affair, demonstrating the fact that its ability to character write well beyond the usual bounds of its genre space wasn’t a one-off fluke. Early on Kazuya continues to make personal strides forward, as episode four not only paints his prior relationship with Mami to better understand his infatuation and desire to get back together with her, but has him making practically every move he should to rectify his current situation – including openly breaking up with Chizuru.
As pleasing as it is to see him reflect and grow from his previous behavior, actively making things right, Kibe’s part of our content clearly steals the show. Not only does he call out Mami’s toxicity for what it is, but he completely breaks down Kazuya, gives him some “tough love” in the process, and winds up offering one of the most sincere and needed monologues all season long. You know your episode is good when even your secondary cast is stepping up and knocking down their parts like what we got here.
