Ernest

how did she get her hands on Melania’s hat??

the (literal) light switch moment was really good. I’m kicking my feet over here 💓

I like that they played around with narrative timelines (when things are revealed to the audience vs. when they happen chronologically). Fingers crossed Kuroe can ship the new kaiju with Manatsu, she deserves to be happy too 😭

somehow I’m just putting together the usual symbolism/themes behind a circus–rejects/pariahs, “freak shows”, found family, etc. … this episode especially, all these themes are so relevant. I’m very impressed that Maria’s height was actually a relevant plot point (and also appropriately circus-themed, with “dwarfs” being a common staple of circus shows historically)

even in an AU, that’s the US healthcare system–if you have medical issues just pray for a stranger to take pity on you >.>

(also, nice little detail that Svietlana didn’t go to the confrontation with Nanami)

I thought it was a little weird that Nonna wasn’t getting much characterization; given she’s a main character it made the show feel a little sparse? I did enjoy anime Nonna though, and I’m looking forward to next season 🙂

it’s a cute detail that Gallie imagines Winged Uncle as looking like Shirotae

accurate representation of cats destroying birds >.> keep your cats indoors people

neat that the Kingdom of Randall also has a Matterhorn

it was kinda nice to see that it’s not like Vicky was cold and unfeeling before, but instead the only reason she even kept going was for her family.

the stylized manga panels worked really well in this episode, I think, except that one shot with Chloe getting smooshed and disappearing–that one just looked weird to me

something something Irish potato famine

It’s a clever touch that they’ve reframed the story such that we’re not looking for the performance to be great or anything (we’ve already seen it a couple times now), but instead for Mizuka to be enjoying herself. It places less emphasis on the animation and more on the storytelling, which is probably easier to pull off.

Plot-wise, we kept getting “they finally pulled this off… but then this other bad thing happened”, which is just good writing, but also it helps make the handwavy-er plot points (suddenly their performances are super good!) feel more earned. … I hope Maria is okay…

still not sure how to feel about the random fanservice-y shots…? they’re not really sexualized, except what Manatsu did with her phone…

they seemed like they were hinting that Manatsu would find some other Harugon to date. Kuroe-chan could introduce them and return the wingwoman favor :P

Writing-wise, it’s really interesting that (for now) the role of “truly loves you even if you look like a literal monster” goes to Manatsu, instead of the more-obvious Minami. Strangely enough, I think it actually makes it more believable, because outside of her fetish/kink she’s just a normal person. And even though she’s a good friend, she’s not romantically interested in Kuroe, so her love of Harugon is less motivated/biased than Minami might be. I’m fascinated to see how they reconcile this, and where they go from here!

depends on what you’re looking for :p

I think this is technically seinen, but the story is very shoujo-coded. It’s a sweet romcom with a very green-flag ML. The relationship progression is decent, the supporting cast is fleshed out, and there really isn’t any miscommunication drama / will-they-won’t-they – the catch is, there is a lot of that re: the FL’s whole kaiju thing (very much like classic ultraman, actually).

The kaiju sequences are CGI, but they don’t really break my immersion. The camerawork/direction is pretty good. I’ve really liked the writing so far; they haven’t been afraid to tackle complex issues (most recently, makeup) while leaving space for nuance.

it must be like how gym bros try to make their chicken as bland as possible

it broke my heart when Jeffery had to say Vicky didn’t tell him anything…

I think trusting Nonna to come back is a form of vulnerability, which is why Vicky is having such a hard time with it :c

Nonna herself has been more of a supporting character, not actually getting that much focus devoted to her, but she got a decent amount this episode. The screen time she does get is very efficient at characterizing her though, and she really steals the show.

I liked Baron Hanson’s little subplot more than I expected. They didn’t get redeemed–their actions were unquestionably selfish and entitled–but their actions were understandable, and it seems like they were able to begin to heal (especially if the items they sent were originally Dolores’s or intended for her).

it’s kinda fun (and way less frustrating) that the typical rom-com miscommunication plot device gets replaced with straight-up not communicating (due to the premise); and all the main characters are pretty competent besides

I like that we’re explicitly stating the goal that Mizuka’s character arc is and always was about, and also giving us a more concrete “roadmap” for the rest of the season

Ouka filling up the empty seat next to Mizuka is a cute (and symbolic) touch

The over-the-top effects / reaction to Svietlana & Shizuku’s performance feels kinda hamfisted–not that I don’t like sincere portrayals, but rather it felt like an attempt to paper over something that clearly should’ve been (and textually was) conveyed naturally. I wasn’t expecting breathtaking animation, but that sequence did pull me out of the moment a bit.

I love that there’s a 2x “being good doesn’t mean you’re good at teaching” thing going on here, both with Mizuka -> Sunflower Circus, and Lotus Circus -> Mizuka. … hold on, isn’t “technical virtuoso needs to learn basic soft skills” just Bocchi the Rock >.>

if they’ve been making all their phone calls from phone booths, then it means it’s basically impossible for anyone else to contact them (their spot getting taken seems less silly now too)

and I guess the yellow brick road reference in the opening song was intentional! neat

I love how the show has been constructed narratively–we’ve explored the supporting cast, and now we’re coming back (at the halfway point) to deconstruct Mizuka. The writing questions our previous understanding that she was “the best”, and teases that “the Lotus Circus” will get expanded upon. I was kinda expecting it to just stay backstory, so that’s a pleasant surprise. c:

the comedic timing is still top-notch (beats to let things sink in, everyone talking at once, deadpan “in installments”, etc.)

I appreciate that this show is modeling good communication between partners; I’ll take as much of that as I can get

that, plus we get some character development for her mom this time; I wonder if this is going to set her up even more to oppose Kuroe’s dad (also, surely that phone call he made is going to factor back in to the plot at some point?)

This episode was strangely fanservice-y; it wasn’t gratuitous or anything but we did get multiple separate moments without more than incidental justification (+ Manatsu’s boob window at the very end??)… I guess it could just be a cute part of the romance, but it was odd enough to notice. (funny that this week’s episode of Love Unseen also had some, albeit extremely tame by anime standards)

I was half-expecting Minami to suggest Kuroe come over to his house lmao

does her transformation have a refractory period? … she seems to be able to handle a lot more emotion after she de-transforms

it almost feels like mommy cat is nervous to see him again, and is subconsciously making excuses not to–it’s so cute ;-;

damn, I guess horseriding isn’t tomboy territory…

I dunno how justified it was supposed to seem, but taking a child from her mother because “she looks like my dead child” (even if plot-logic says this means there’s a good chance she’s the same person) is so fucking sick and heinous. It does fit with what we know about some Ashburian nobles… I really really hope they don’t reveal Nonna as actually being their daughter, because it would distract from that point (assuming Nonna is just going along to shut them up).

I know the episode is purportedly about “holding on” (to Nonna & in general), but most of the episode seemed to be about giving her reasons/ways to leave. I guess it makes sense that to set up Vicky making the choice to stay, it needs to be established that she has absolutely no reason to stay apart from her own free will. The contrast was pretty stark when she talked about wishing for her tranquil days to last forever, and then immediately establishing a means to escape on horseback. She’s going to have to pick one, even if she truly wants both :/

not lost on me that she was talking about the blush not working, only to immediately blush… I see what they did there

I love that we’re getting even more makeup discourse (and also touching on revenge porn??). It’s awesome that we’re getting payoff for Rairi’s backstory instead of that just being an exposition thing. Her moment feels so earned (even though it’s only been 2 episodes!) because we’ve been shown her “true self” since the moment she walked into that classroom, and I just 😭😭😭 it’s so great, I’m so proud of her

I love that it’s the people around her that really lifted her up, and I’m so glad she found people who weren’t shitbags and were willing to reciprocate what she was putting out

last thing: if you’re boating, please wear life jackets, people >.>

the time-skipping fairy-tale vibes work so well for a story about planting crops and seasons passing; this series is the perfect vehicle for telling a story like this

I love that (unlike humans) they’re not planting food, but instead literally planting “happiness”/“community”. I would guess this is probably intentionally parallel to the overall story, and how Momma cat raised all her children, and now nekoryuu is doing the same

Fantasy languages in media generally sound kinda silly to me, but they do have the benefit of not making VAs attempt to pronounce a real world language… I guess the better more believable of a conlang it is the more of a pass I give it (e.g. phonology/orthography rules, custom grammar, etc. instead of just word substitution)

It feels like Vicky is doing all this not just for her own conscience, but to tie up loose ends? She’s clearly preparing to leave now, and all the foreshadowing hints at some kind of conflict between Jeff (& the Ashburians) and her old organization. All I ask is that Nonna gets to play some kind of role in the climax, given that they’ve been gradually building her up in the background…

not the only thing, but one thing that reliably gets me to cry is someone making a sacrifice for someone else who doesn’t realize/comprehend what is happening, and lashing out at them (e.g. starving mother saves some extra food for her child, but the child is angry at her because it tastes bad)

I liked the camerawork this episode. The two shots that really stood out to me were the tight shot on Akane’s mouth (when she was talking instead of listening), and the lingering out-of-focus shot following Akane (trying and failing to see into the trees).

I like that they’re talking about animal abuse (since circuses have a lot of history with that). The question I have is whether they have other animals? surely the elephant wasn’t their only act, if Mizuka says they were known for their animal acts?