SEASONAL PRATTLE
We’re hopping right into this week’s lead: The consistency that Kaguya-sama has in churning out polished, smartly imagined episodes is outright a highly reliable strength at this point, and a trend that I hope doesn’t end any time soon. Again this latest twenty-minute offering is packed with choice cuts and sequencing that does wonders for the original material – riding various embellishments that nail Miko’s public speaking anxiety with ease all while back boned by a convincing flow of writing that naturally lent itself in making her sympathetic. Kaguya-sama has already shown to possess the dialogue selections and cast texture to make more serious, character-driven episodes like this effectively work – but its competent craft when doing so just makes it so much more of a potent watch. Another good showing!
Kami no Tou (7)
“Cast dynamics find plenty of smaller, yet fun moments that help build chemistry”
After an episode of questionably paced content, it’s pleasing to see Kami no Tou reel it in a bit and produce a more concentrated episode even if there are still some parts that feel glazed over. Narratively, it helps that seven is hassle-free when unpacking its opening information on the princesses, and following up on Anaak and Endorsi – utilizing stringless exposition and straightforward framing to accomplish that. And complementing it, Kami no Tou’s cast dynamics find plenty of smaller, yet fun moments that help build chemistry through the scouting deadline circumstances. However, where seven more blatantly finds itself in trouble is in its final minutes: The game of tag on a whole isn’t exactly delivered the cleanest, with noticeable pieces that likely could have been explained/executed better. Satisfying all in all but it would be nice to get a more complete effort next week.
Kakushigoto (7)
“Worked hard to articulate this series’ typical brand of adorable”
A very warm episode of Kakushigoto this week, composed of a mixture of tiny scenes that worked hard to articulate this series’ typical brand of adorable. With that in mind, this turnout doesn’t particularly concern itself with its comedic side. There’s a reasonable amount of gags to still get by, but seven largely propels itself on pure wholesome beats headlined by its puppy content until its closing seconds that are always dramatically charged. And while that might not be ideal to some, it’s still good to know that Kakushigoto can be pretty rewarding even when the comedy is pushed to the back burner like it is here.
Gleipnir (7)
“Smoothly sliding viewers deeper into the story through key vignettes”
Good showing from Gleipnir, easily coming off as better constructed and told than its turnout seven days ago from start to finish. It’s an obvious big advantage that this latest episode brings a healthy amount of pertinent information to the table in a quickly digestible way, smoothly sliding viewers deeper into the story through key vignettes regarding Elena and giving a good look at what Shuuichi’s power can really do along the way after encountering Subaru. And that “look” was plenty applaudable as a structural highlight in its own right. On multiple occasions so far, Gleipnir has displayed the directorial prowess and craft aptitude to make critical sequences pop – a set of intangibles that definitely didn’t take the day off here.
Yesterday wo Utatte (7)
“Bloated, child-like dramatics and logic”
Wrapping this up, Yesterday wo Utatte resumes with a mild turnout, finally showing some harder signs of life as it relates to progressing its relationships after weeks of cliché scenario writing and plot contrivances. Unfortunately though, getting to those signs is a middling experience: Viewers have to wade through the bloated, child-like dramatics and logic that Rou presses on Shinako, culminating in a variety of pushy actions and a hug that generates a largely predictable outcome for much of its run. When the dust settles, seven’s biggest takeaway – and arguably salvaging factor – commences in its final minutes with Shinako’s aloud confrontation of her own hangups and sequential invitation for Rikuo to come into her place. A silver lining on an episode that needed it, and hopefully the jumpstart for this series to begin stringing together competent performances.
