Hi there of us, and welcome again to Fallacious Each Time. At present we’re privileged to be checking again in with a household everyone knows and love, a household which solely appears to develop stronger and extra preposterous with each passing episode. That’s proper, we’re returning to the adventures of Rentaro and his soon-to-be 100 girlfriends, their ranks only in the near past bolstered by the addition of preliminary girlfriend Hakari’s mom Hahari.
With Rentaro now courting a fellow scholar and her mother on the similar time, there may be successfully no identified boundary for the approaching absurdity. After all, much more preposterous than 100 Girlfriends’ premise is the truth that it really, constantly demonstrates the basics of mutually loving relationships, demonstrating extra readability of affection and fidelity of consideration than many conventional romances. As I’ve mentioned earlier than, 100 Girlfriends’ secret weapon is that Rentaro himself is completely charming; removed from the nebbish creeper harems typically set as viewers surrogate, Rentaro is definitely simple to fall in love with, and constantly proves himself a paragon of romantic gallantry. With the household safe and the long run vivid, let’s return to 100 Girlfriends!
Episode 13
We open with a refresher from God on soulmates, the ostensible motivation for this entire 100 Girlfriends undertaking. I really admire that this quest was principally by no means talked about exterior of the primary episode; the present isn’t about fantastical obligations, it’s in regards to the charming means of fostering bonds between people. The story must be character-driven, not gimmick-driven
“A humiliation of bitches.” Rentaro would by no means say that, however I admire the punwork by the translators
A pleasant energetic “girlfriend crew assemble” minimize as the primary season’s heroes take the stage. 100 Girlfriends is usually a reasonably aesthetically reserved present, largely impressing by way of the detailed still-frame articulation of characters’ eyes and hair, however productions at all times are inclined to put their finest foot ahead for season openings
Our second OP really learns additional into the concept that that is really a bunch track the girlfriends are all sharing, even together with interlude sequences of all them bickering over who’s fucking up or hogging an excessive amount of consideration
That itself factors to a different of 100 Girlfriends’ foremost strengths – the truth that Rentaro’s girlfriends aren’t simply related to one another by way of him, they’re really a bunch of shut buddies with a number of distinctive bonds of their very own. This operation gained’t work if it’s simply Rentaro trailing 100 followers, it needs to be a completely, collectively loving polycule
That’s a lesson much more reveals might take to coronary heart; not that each foremost character must be in the identical romantic polycule, however that relationships should be outlined laterally in addition to in relation to the protagonist. I’ve seen too many reveals the place it looks like not one of the characters would talk if not for the protagonist appearing as translator
And now we’ve acquired Rentaro in a monkey go well with for some purpose. One other key Rentaro energy: he’s definitely gallant and may be manly when he must, however he’ll by no means ever put his personal ego over the happiness of his girlfriends. If a monkey go well with is what his real love needs, that’s precisely what she is going to get
So it appears this season will a minimum of embody an athlete, a food-lover, an ojou sort, and a bashful lady whose bangs cowl her eyes. Rikito Nakamura clearly being pressured to stray farther from the default harem sorts as we stretch in direction of a dozen heroines
Playful translations typically – Hakari’s “all of you” is translated as “girls and girls,” an added joke that matches naturally into the scene
And naturally, our self-aware heroines are already congratulating themselves for reaching season two
“When was the final episode of season one, after we began courting Rentaro-kun?” Oh my god. They’re really making season two’s growth time a dramatic hurdle to beat
Hakari in fact commissioned Kusuri to develop a drug to counter this three month relationship ennui interval. These two are far too highly effective collectively – Kusuri has essentially the most harmful expertise of any girlfriend, and Hakari by far essentially the most harmful thoughts
However then Kusuri’s drug explodes, and yep, we’re in a physique swap episode. Physique swap episode, everybody!
It is sensible – 100 Girlfriends typically spends an episode or two establishing a “new regular” with every girlfriend earlier than transferring on to the subsequent one. After all, on this story’s case, “new regular” nonetheless means one thing like a bunch Freaky Friday expertise
Everyone seems to be determined to keep away from getting sued for Your Title copyright infringement. This ridiculous manufacturing
Fairly a enjoyable train for the voice actresses right here; Shizuka with Nano’s affectation is admittedly one thing
Hakari-in-Nano is in fact keen to make use of this chance for nameless horniness. Advised you she was essentially the most harmful girlfriend
In true Rentaro trend, he instantly acknowledges her as Hakari, however takes her flagrant efficiency at face worth. Our pure and sincere boy
Numerous delightfully contorted expressions and playful smears as Hahari and Karane run wild of their new our bodies. 100 Girlfriends’ narrative is outlined by buoyant, jubilant power, and these aesthetic methods are basically the visible embodiment of that tone
Shizuka-in-Karane might be essentially the most excessive reversal, and the present will get a superb gag out of that. For Karane, staying quiet and fidgeting would imply she’s so indignant she will be able to’t even converse, however for Shizuka that’s simply the usual state of affairs. A joke that underlines how this Freaky Friday idea calls for a sure diploma of multifaceted characterization; in case your characters aren’t affiliated with a selected array of habits patterns earlier than the swap, there can be no drama or satisfaction in seeing how they specific themselves in new our bodies. A credit score to 100 Girlfriends’ characterization, and in addition a lesson that applies to narrative twists on the entire: “audiences should be invested in a given state of affairs for a twist/alteration on that state of affairs to really feel significant.” Many, many narratives lean on “however what you thought was true was really false!” with out working to make sure the viewers was invested in that ostensibly true first situation. Twists haven’t any energy with out preexisting viewers buy-in!
Seeing Hakari making Kusuri’s chipmunk expressions feels virtually perverse one way or the other
After which we get Hahari-in-Kusuri petting Rentaro and calling him a superb boy. We’re constructing a high notch “I hope this doesn’t awaken one thing in me” episode right here
They finally elect to reorient themselves by way of out-of-body kisses, which is able to presumably ship their souls first floating into the air after which returning to their authentic our bodies. Look, when you wished an excuse to all kiss Rentaro, you can have chosen one thing much less far-fetched than that
Apparently Hakari’s physique has its personal inside horniness era engine, as Kusuri finds herself overwhelmed by lust
Smol floof Karane and tsun-tsun Hahari. We’re ringing within the season with a full-length train in hole moe
“It was thrilling, however I actually such as you all higher the best way you might be.” The one method this might have ended – Rentaro loves his girlfriends for who they’re, and that love solely grows as he learns extra about them. You don’t want gimmicks like this to keep up the fervour in case your fundamentals are robust; it’s at all times good to attempt new issues, however the strongest {couples} love one another for who they’re, not who they need one another to be
With reintroductions concluded, we meet our subsequent girlfriend, who’s presently trudging by way of the halls with eyes hid, hoodie up, and headphones on – about as “don’t speak to me” posture as you can conceive
Only a flourish of fourth wall breaking right here, as Rentaro bumps into the dialogue balloon explaining why he’s shopping for lunch
As at all times, the eyes and hair are 100 Girlfriends’ high visible precedence. Our very first glimpse of this new lady is dazzling, along with her hoodie accent colours mirrored in her eyes, and only a contact of sentimental focus across the hair to attract our consideration all of the extra absolutely in direction of these eyes
“Huh, you bought an issue?” Properly, since Karane was among the many first two, I suppose we’re due for an additional adversarial girlfriend
She’s apparently a center schooler, and in addition forgot her pockets. Gallant however not overbearing, Rentaro gives to separate his lunch along with her
Clear visible conveyance of her letting her guard down as she removes the hoodie-headphone combo
Proper, that is our food-loving lady. Her love of meals is put within the starkest doable phrases by way of a reference to Ghibli meals, essentially the most luxurious slices of bread and egg in animation historical past
She admits she will get hungry simply and cranky because of this, apologizing for her earlier habits. Already we’re transferring past particular person archetypes to extra absolutely realized experiences, emphasizing how persons are greater than single, secure affectations
She’s such an obsessive foody that she really makes use of the hoodie and headphones to dam out potential cravings
“It’s the least I might do for the meals.” As at all times, Rentaro’s affection isn’t based mostly in instant bodily attraction, however in his admiration for the passions of the individuals he loves
Sadly, he doesn’t even get her title earlier than she reverts to hangry mode
“Why am I at all times like this? I get cranky and take it out on others, leaving myself alone.” Like Shizuka, Nano, and Kusuri earlier than her, this lady wants not only a boyfriend, however a group that understands and appreciates her. The Rentaro Household is actually changing into a bunch house for misunderstood women
And naturally, Rentaro learns to attach along with her by talking in her personal language, and truly making one of many sandwiches she’s been craving
“You say you get hungry too simply, however I feel that’s why you may love meals a lot.” Rentaro’s appreciation of his girlfriends’ quirks helps them to simply accept and even love themselves extra, which is principally the essence of a satisfying relationship. It might probably’t be one-sided – Rentaro isn’t benevolently showering affection on his lessers, he’s serving to the individuals he loves perceive how particular they’re
“Sharing a meal with somebody having fun with their meals makes it style that a lot better.” A truism that applies to way over meals; when you affiliate with individuals who discover pleasure in what they love, that pleasure will shine on you as effectively
Thus our latest girlfriend really pops the query herself. Alright, you would possibly wish to sit down for this subsequent half, lady
Her title is Kurumi Haraga
“What have we acquired this time? Punk? Magical lady?” Karane can’t even fake to be stunned anymore
“Hungry, hungry GF.” “That’s not an aesthetic.” Look, we will’t all be as apparent as your tsundere self, Karane
“I don’t spend time with you all as a result of I have to. I do it as a result of I like you all.” Nano of all individuals gives the punchline, and the elemental promise of the Rentaro Household
And Executed
Thus our latest girlfriend is acquired, and the stage is ready for a preposterous group meals struggle! Properly, I didn’t anticipate us to truly cost throughout a girlfriend acquisition within the first episode, however I suppose issues are a contact simpler when the path to a woman’s coronary heart is so clearly by way of her abdomen. Regardless, I’m glad that Karane now has a fellow Grumpy Girlfriend to bond with, and stay charmed by how effectively 100 Girlfriends manages to show the real fundamentals of wholesome, mutually enriching relationships regardless of its utterly ridiculous premise. You’ve stolen our hearts once more, Rentaro!
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