English Dub Review: Convenience Store Boy Friends “December”

Child rebellion.

Overview:

This is a direct follow-up from last episode, which was a good call, as we really didn’t need a filler this time around. The last episode ended with Honda snapping at Mami, and her reluctantly admitting that their relationship wasn’t going to work out. They can’t really figure out what to say, so they spend most of their time avoiding each other.

Honda takes some time to look at himself and his actions. He admits that he snapped at Mami when it wasn’t her fault, and he says that he lacked the strength to actually go forward with what he wants. He was very uncomfortable with his mother remarrying, but he didn’t want to say anything and act like he was against her decision. He calls himself a coward for being unable to express his feelings, and Mami admitting that she misses him acts as a catalyst for him to put himself forward.

Altogether, Honda analyzing himself and acknowledging that he has a lot of growing up to do is a really positive thing. Not many people can do that, and fewer teenagers can do that too! He’s come a long way from the rash, impulsive person in the first few episodes. Unfortunately, his discomfort regarding his family seems a little out of the blue. We know that Honda was uncomfortable with his stepfather, but his strained relationship at home seemed to be more from the absence of his mother. His stepfather never appears on screen, so we don’t see how Honda reacts in his presence. The thing we are shown is his mother’s late working times, and how she often has to leave Honda by himself, alone so that she can do her job. His family stresses seem to come more from his mother not being there for her son, not necessarily the conflict with her remarrying. If that was to be a major conflict, it should have been shown on-screen significantly more.

On the other hand, Mami’s family has turned into helicopter parents, who follow her and constantly call her whenever she’s outside. She feels extremely pressured by them and doesn’t feel like she can speak up. Even when Mihashi and Mashiki invite her over, she has a curfew and has to leave in an hour. However, she works up the courage to ask her parents to stay out a little later, so she can spend time with Honda. This is a gutsy move, especially from someone as timid as Mami. It’s a minor rebellion, but she admits that what she wants isn’t necessarily what she wants.

Altogether, this episode tackled some good themes. Some were stronger than others, but a decent job overall.