English Dub Review: SING “YESTERDAY” FOR ME: “A Spring Storm”

Overview: Shinako (Michelle Rojas) and Rikuo (Aaron Campbell) move their relationship forward by getting romantically involved, but some hurdles arise in that of Rou (Dallas Reid) and Haru (Jill Harris). 

Our Take: Haru’s place gets broken into and Uozumi stays the night to be a “comforting” presence for her. He is such a grumpy stiff and that plays so perfectly with her upbeat, cheekiness, making for a continuously charming dynamic. Despite all they have in common, it does bring up a fair question: Why the hell is she interested in this bloke? 

The small step that Rikuo took with Shinako pays off in dividends in his relationship with Shinako. There’s been a fair amount of time that has passed since then, and while their last development is a strong case for how they progressed, it would have been more compelling had there been longer time spent on them as a couple. With how much will-they-won’t-they moments they have shared, it would have made for a more gratifying result had they had been allowed just as much time to revel in it. With the next episode being the finale, it is not possible and damn shame.

Although, with those complaints aside, they are great together. In the spirit of celebrating their time, for the moments we get, they are so natural with each other in how much they lovingly poke and prod at their quirks or are honored by the little things they do for them. Shinako is still moving slowly with her still adjusting to being in a relationship, not having any physical interaction with him, showing she is taking those baby steps to move forward. Adding more to the complications is that they keep the nature of their romance a secret from Rou and Haru to preserve their feelings. It better characterizes the struggle of their relationship and whether the foundation is even strong in their secrecy. 

When Haru does find out the truth, it is heartbreaking for her in seeing them together, not getting a proper discussion. It is also just brutally awkward for everyone involved in the entire love triangle bearing witness. We see how much that pain manifests in her quitting her job at the Milk Hall. 

As for the happy couple, Shinako takes heart in Uozumi merely being there for her. It is sweet and wholesome but her taking it very slowly coupled with her indecisiveness, begs the question of whether or not she is emotionally ready to have a significant other. In an emotional heart-to-heart, they are interrupted in Rou walking in on their intimate moment making for an intense reveal. Their relationship may not last long but I will take every bit of pleasure in the meaningful material we were lucky enough to get here and every bit more in the distress it will cause Rou.