Overview (Spoilers Below): Ouka’s gone AWOL, and the gang must figure out what’s going on.
Our Take: We have another sister who’s gone missing, and no fake-out is going to solve that shocking cliffhanger, unlike what happened with Minami two episodes ago. This time, it’s Ouka who’s taking a seemingly harmless trip by herself but never comes back. This revelation signifies Ouka as another character who is not who we thought they were, an element that continues to play a role in the show’s improving second half following Minami’s surprisingly heartfelt development. While the episode itself may not hit some of the same emotional beats as Minami’s personal dilemma, it does provide another spark in the warm “familial” dynamic, mainly for Arata and his “twin sister”. Initially, we learned that Ouka is taking a trip to Yamanashi for a few days. However, she was actually at Mount Fuji with her mother’s earrings in her possession. The actual reason for this trip was Ouka’s desire to find her soulmate, like her parents who first met at Mount Fuji. You might be thinking that hiking Mount Fuji is a dangerous trek, and you’re probably right, especially when it’s extremely misty outside. Fortunately, it didn’t take Arata too long to find and retrieve Ouka. This trek delves deeper into Ouka’s complex feelings for Arata as she grapples with the hope that he might be her soulmate—or perhaps someone else entirely. More importantly, it reveals that Ouka isn’t as outgoing as everyone believes, highlighting her fragile nature in her quest for love. Ouka’s inner struggles are pretty similar to Minami’s. We can wear smiles and pretend everything is fine, even when things are going wrong, but eventually, we all feel the need to express our true emotions. Based on the episode’s ending, it’s possible that Ouka would have plenty to explain to the family once she’s back home safe. I still find myself surprised that we went from a rom-com featuring an innuendo-filled concept in the first half to a family drama about depression in the second half. It’s still a tonal shift I didn’t expect, but regarding the direction and voice cast, it’s also one that I didn’t mind in the slightest.