English Dub Review: Aharen-san wa Hakarenai “It’s Christmas, Huh?”

Overview (Spoilers Below):
After a surprise birthday party, Aharen and Raido make plans to spend Christmas together.

Our Take:
This week’s episode features Aharen and Raido celebrating not one but two special occasions, both of which are met with the same awkwardly humorous results we have come to expect from the series.  The first of the two has Raido and his friends celebrating Aharen’s birthday, only to realize that the couple share the same birthday.  Afterward, the episode celebrates the holidays early, even though we are still in the midst of warm summer days, as Aharen and Raido hope to spend the winter break together.  Unfortunately, those plans have changed due to Aharen’s fever, leading her to a delirious misunderstanding between her and Raido.  Additionally, it resulted in Raido meeting Reina’s mother, Ai, for the first time, although the meeting could have been under better circumstances.
I have mentioned numerous times that the series has always been known for its bizarrely comical mishaps between Raido and Aharen, making for a relaxing and humorous experience in the rom-com genre.  However, when the right opportunity arises, it takes a few moments away from the misunderstandings they encounter to emphasize the heart of their relationship, primarily through their developing arcs.  “It’s Christmas, Huh?” proves this further, though it also may tease big changes to come that’ll affect their future together.  One significant factor is that Ai informs Raido that Reina plans to attend college in another city after graduation, putting them at risk of separation.  How it’ll come into play in later episodes is difficult to tell, but I can say that it makes this distinct relationship that much sweeter.  It’s been said that when you truly love someone, then nothing can come between you and your loved one, not even distance.
This was one of the elements proven in this episode, whose massive heart and amusing charm serve a more significant role than what seemed to be another typical holiday-themed outing.  The exchange-diary segment drew out the biggest laughs for me, primarily Raido writing his diary as a demon lord, proven effectively by Ben Balmaceda’s vocal range.  The moment when Raido misunderstood the apple tree picture as a demonic ritual was also pretty funny due to its misguided and amusingly dumb nature, which is quite common regarding Raido’s crazy imagination.  By retaining the show’s uniquely offbeat and laid-back tone while keeping its heart intact, the episode is a wonderful early Christmas gift for fans of the source material.