AnoNatsu 3: Reaching Out and Clearing Misunderstandings

Oh the PAINNNNNN when that happens.

AnoNatsu wasn’t anything special for the first 2 episodes, but it was still pretty cute and heartwarming. The third episode, however, was a great romantic comedy in my eyes and I look forward to the upcoming episodes. What I found notable about this episode (aside from the great comedy and stalking tendencies of Lemon-senpai), was how fast the love polygon was established solidly (more than just a blush here and there) and how quickly Kaito and Ichika cleared up their misunderstanding. It doesn’t waste any time.

This episode uses the physical act of reaching out one’s hand to represent the desire to have your feelings reach out to another person, and through it we see Mio coming close to confessing to Tetsurou and Kanna almost confessing to Kaito before Lemon-senpai reveals herself.

There was also the misunderstanding between Kaito and Ichika left over from when he wanted to confess to her but was stopped, though the two interpreted it differently. Kaito thought that he was being rejected, while Ichika though that he found out she was an alien and would call the MEN. IN. BLAAAAAAAAACCCKKKKKKKK! to arrest her.

After Kaito ran away to avoid confronting her and they ended up in the park, they tried to talk but since neither was being specific they had a long misleading conversation. Misunderstandings really irk me in anime, as it is used very often as an annoying plot point which can cause problems spanning several episodes. AnoNatsu, however, cleared it up really quickly, and they quickly realized that their secrets were different.

The ending scene for this episode was brilliant. It looked like a typical target-of-affection-jokingly-asks-if-they’re-the-one-the-protag-likes-and-laughs-it-off-without-any-progress scene, but here she actually realizes that it’s her.

She was about to laugh it off, but when Kaito didn’t respond she realizes that she’s the one that he likes.

The fast clearing of the misunderstanding and the quick realization is what makes AnoNatsu special. Most romantic comedies drag misunderstandings on forever. Usually it takes 10 episodes for the protagonist to realize that they like someone, then ANOTHER 10 episodes for the other person to realize their feelings, leaving barely any room for the relationship between the two to develop. AnoNatsu doesn’t waste time with that, and now with the misunderstandings out of the way the real stories can begin.

Well, that’s assuming they don’t pull a dick move and start the next episode with Kaito or Ichika denying it and setting everything back to square one. If that happens, I’m gonna be so pissed off and call the MEN. IN. BLAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK! on them.

What about you, my dearly beloved readers, what do you think about AnoNatsu?