English Dub Review: Tsukigakirei “Kokoro”

Who?

Spoilers Below

Akane and Kotaro are officially together! So this is when they start having regular conversations, right? From the way things start out, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Kotaro’s hair isn’t curly, Chinatsu is acting weird, and Akane and Kotaro are still just looking at each other. They don’t know what to do. At home, Akane googles “middle school dating” and asks her sister, “so, uh, what do you do in a relationship?”. Kotaro looks toward Yahoo Answers and learns that they should hang out in the library. He texts Akane to make plans, then flails around on his bed. It’s pretty adorable, really.

The next day at the library, Chinatsu happens to show up before Akane can get there. Of course, there’s trouble when she sees the two of them together. Kotaro and Akane really like each other, but why can’t they have a normal conversation when Kotaro and Chinatsu can? So the main couple squeaks at each other again, and Akane is obviously mad. Kotaro’s only real crime is looking guilty and not apologizing. He should have done the opposite of those two things.

Later, Akane gets a bad run time in track club and Hira’s there to give her the support she needs. I know I said I didn’t want any love triangles but it’s sort of looking like at least one person made the wrong match here. It just so happens that they’re all reading a book in class called Kokoro which is about a love triangle, so something’s definitely about to go down.

Chinatsu and Kotaro are getting even closer since she’s started to go to his “cram school” to study. He doesn’t seem very into her, but I guess she could be a threat. Akane and Hira look good together, though. I might start rooting for them.

All Kotaro wants is to spend some time with his girlfriend, which is understandable. He invites her over to the bookstore to talk. He finally apologizes for the library situation. This is the second time he’s already had to apologize. I know they’re small offenses, but that’s still a lot. So, Akane, I know you like him, but are you sure about this one? It’s okay, I get it. Just watch out.

Kotaro gets brave again and grabs her hand. It is admirable – for as much as this isn’t working, they’re pretty determined to make it work. Just then, Akane gets a text from Chinatsu, who admits that she likes Kotaro. Really?? Chinatsu is that clueless? Just last week she had this all figured out. And with that incredibly frustrating development, the episode ends.

This is certainly the most invested I’ve gotten in this story. Akane is so sweet and really wants things to work out but she keeps getting hurt. I’m glad Kotaro is being brave but he’s also a doormat. I don’t think he deserves either of them. That’s just my opinion, and I’m sure most viewers are still rooting for these two main characters to stay together. Maybe I’m just protecting my own heart from when this inevitable anguish comes around. Either way, it’s safe to say this show has gotten me hooked.