English Dub Review: Horimiya “You’re Here, I’m Here”

 

 

Overview (Spoilers Below):

The group visits a bookstore after school. When the couple goes to check out Yuki suggests the new gaming magazines to Ishikawa. Ever since Hori and Miyamura started dating Yuki and Ishikawa have been together more often. One day Sakura bumps into the two while they’re taking out the trash. As a result, her shirt gets dirty because of a cup of tea. Ishikawa gets her his jersey and she asks Yuki if they’re dating. She thanks Ishikawa with cookies for letting her use his jersey. Meanwhile, Hori notes how Yuki lets things she wants or loves slip from her fingers. Yuki takes up the hobby of baking and her first attempt ends in disaster.

Then Miyamura goes to Hokkaido for five days for a memorial service. Over the course of those days, Hori feels lonely as she notes Miyamura’s absence in various aspects of her life. In Hokkaido, Miyamura’s phone runs out of battery. When he returns home he goes through his messages and sees Hori’s text. He runs out of his apartment and meets Hori who hugs him. The girls have a talk and Hori brings up the fact that Miyamura and her watch horror movies together. The other girls give Hori advice to ditch the scary movies before Miyamura ditches her. Therefore on a rainy day the two watch horror movies together she tries to act scared but it fails. The couple has a heart-to-heart talk and they make out after.

 

Our Take:

This week’s Horimiya episode expands on the minor characters and Hori and Miyamura’s relationship. There’s Sakura’s crush on Ishikawa and Yuki’s habit of letting go of the things she wants or loves.

Crushes aren’t anything new in high school animes. However, Horimiya shows a realistic perspective with Yuki as she sees Sakura’s crush on Ishikawa. The moment when Sakura asked if they were dating and her relieved look at Yuki’s response shifts Yuki’s thoughts. How the camera trembled as if we’re seeing the inner turmoil from Yuki’s perspective was great. Her reaction means that she also views Ishikawa in a romantic sense. However, she knows that Sakura is a good person. She doesn’t throw out the cookies that Sakura gave her no matter how jealous she is. Instead, she takes up the hobby of baking and while it doesn’t turn out right the group encourages her. Ishikawa notices the bandages on her fingers and he motivates her to continue baking.

On the other hand, Sakura is trying her best with the courage she has to thank Ishikawa. Her talk with Sengoku on Remi and his relationship with her was nice. The trio is growing to be a fun dynamic to see with Hori’s group. Sakura’s crush on Ishikawa is cute and I enjoyed how she thanks him with sakura-flavored cookies. Their conversation does bolster her feelings for him which continues their interactions.

Our main couple’s relationship takes another step with the latter half of the episode. It’s the little reminders like getting two drinks that make Hori lonely without Miyamura. Those minor details are effective at conveying their relationship to me. After the failed attempt at acting scared, Hori confesses her insecurity about not being like other cute girls to Miyamura. Miyamura reassuring her with his words was heartwarming. Then they make out which has a surprising result when Miyamura shows Shindo the bitemark Hori gave him. Her claim is a bit extreme, but it goes to show how Hori won’t forget the little things.

Afterward, we get Sota showing a picture he drew of them together. Sota asks if Miyamura’s going to take away his sister from him. It’s a touching scene with the implication that the kid knows something in their relationship has changed. Miyamura’s words on asking for Kyoko rather than Sota’s sister reassure Sota. Even though their relationship gets serious they’re still going to be his big sister and brother. Admittedly I do have to wonder if Sota heard them making out which spurred on the question.

Overall the episode was good at expanding the relationship between the characters. I look forward to seeing how the anime will continue the interactions with Ishikawa, Yuki, and Sakura. One way or another someone is going to end up with a bittersweet experience.