SEASONAL PRATTLE
We have a smaller batch of coverage this time around, but it’s still kicked off with a choice that should come to zero surprise. Kaguya-sama’s fourth episode is just too strong not to be up top here as the lead entry, somehow crafting a stronger performance than its highly exceptional outing just seven days ago. Four’s balance of fun, fluent scenario writing, keen direction, and fitting expressional work even around passive beats are obvious highlights – being particularly gratifying in the way they deliver Hayasaka’s segment early on and more so when it came to the facets of the campaign speech request. Iino’s introduction is no slouch either, with a good showing of chemistry and graceful comedic timing that only further reinforces this episode as a beauty from start to finish.
Kami no Tou (5)
“Coming up short both in narrative design and delivery”
After a streak of episodes that brought continuous improvement, Kami no Tou takes an easy step back in an underwhelming turnout, ultimately coming up short both in narrative design and delivery. The only real positive scripting of this episode, Khun’s scheming and general antics, unfortunately gets overshadowed by the surprisingly anticlimactic fight Rachel’s trio offers in their debut – a letdown that in itself would be chased by the poor patch of writing that’s Bam’s ex machina ending to the crown game entirely. If that wasn’t bad enough, for the third week in a row, Kami no Tou deploys what’s now become a very worn-out, seemingly never followed through cliffhanger that essentially consists of implications and framing that Rachel and Bam will finally be able to confront each other to close us out on. Hopefully, next week’s episode gets back on track.
Hamefura (5)
“Running the gauntlet of expected exchanges”
This was a wholesome showing but unfortunately, not one that’s decisively applaudable in any structural department. Thus, episode five ends up more as “okay” than “good”- running the gauntlet of expected exchanges when it comes to Katarina and her childhood companions with no notable flair, and only really finding moderate payoffs in executing Maria’s sad, yet narrow, backstory. Hamefura is a lightly amusing show with upside for its genre space, but episodes like this do raise the question if this show has a much higher ceiling than what was offered here. Katarina casually stealing romantic events with little friction only has so much juice.
Listeners (5)
“Unclever references stuffed in between pretentious love quips”
In case you were curious, Listeners is indeed still a dumpster of a show as it pertains to story fundamentals and this latest Prince flavored episode doesn’t change that outlook one bit. This series remains to be hilariously terrible at pacing, the broader gears of execution, and the particulars when it comes to establishing the thorns its more pertinent plot beats need to be investable. The results here? A batch of loosely conceived part-time work plotting, another unappetizing fight against shallow Player opposition and a whole bunch of unclever references stuffed in between pretentious love quips from “Denka”. Ouch.
