Kotoura-san Discussion Thread

[FUNiOP]

琴浦さん

A school love comedy. Kotoura Haruka is a 15-year-old girl who can read people's minds. She has been suffering from troubles caused by her mind-reading ability, and her parents got divorced as a result. She moves to a new high school but tries to keep away from her classmates. Manabe Yoshihisa, one of her classmates, accepts and appreciates her ability and she begins to interact with her friends with his help.

Animation studio: AIC Classic

ANN Entry (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=14722)
Official Site (http://www.kotourasan.com/)
Crunchyroll stream (http://www.crunchyroll.com/kotoura-san)


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[FUNiOP]

Quite the turnaround from the depressing first half of the episode to what appears to be the rest of the series. I guess that was a bit of a troll beginning, but it looks like they'll be keeping some of that serious background material to build the characters and their stories throughout the rest of it. It's definitely nothing special, but this season doesn't seem to have much to offer, so I'm sure just being alright is enough that I'll watch every episode.

[Fencedude]

Wow.

I was expecting nothing from this show and it ends up delivering one of the best first episodes of the season. Really amazing voice work from Kanemoto Hisako as well.

THE SUFFERING

[HitokiriShadow]

Uh well. That sure was some backstory. Goddamn, Haruka's face after her mother shoves her away is one of the most heartbreaking things ever. The backstory left a bit to be desired in execution and was perhaps a bit excessive (particularly the cat part), but boy it sure does grab you.

The show was very cute once it got back to the present. That was an amusing way of getting her attention and the scene in her apartment was pretty cute. Very good first episode overall.

The seiyuu cast for this is interesting, I think. We have Kanemoto (Cure Peace, Ika Musume) as Haruka and Manabe is voiced by 12 year veteran Fukushima Jun. What's that, you haven't heard of him? You don't remember his incredible performance as "3rd Year Student" in Angel Sanctuary, Boy B in Boogiepop Phantom or Leo in FMA? Yeah, despite being around for quite a while, he's had very few roles. Then you have the much more recognizable Hanazawa Kana and Shimono Hiro as supporting characters along with almost total newbie Kubo Yurika, who's most noteworthy role is in Love Live.

[ookamigirl]

Poor Haruka, what awful parents.
The whole mind reading thing ruined her childhood.
First half was depressing, but then everything changed.
Manabe sure was a clingy friend, but also funny.
I thought this would be stupid and boring, I was wrong.
Will be watching this one!

[something]

Episode 1:

- Haruka can read minds. That always, always brings unhappiness.
- Wow, she really needs to learn a new superpower: SHUTTING UP.
- Holy shit what the the fuck is going on.
- Well that was the most thorough and brutal and relentless emotional beat-down of a character I've ever seen in a mere 10 minutes.
- So I guess the main reason her power is so troublesome is that she can't easily distinguish between what people say and their thoughts? Sometimes it seemed like that was the case, other times she was quite obviously aware that they were two different things. It's not really clear.
- Now to figure out just how quickly it's going to try to transform into the show we see i, the OP... Hopefully not too quickly, I'd like that to be something that is earned, after how much effort the story just went through to depict how completely utterly broken Haruka is.

- Lead male is perfect for her because his head is empty. >_>
- Surprised it took even three weeks for people to stop trying to talk to her.
- Man. Manabe's personality would be very annoying in most other shows, and might eventually get annoying in this, but for now at least, I actually really like him. She's so incredibly far gone that I don't think anyone but such an oddball could possibly open her up.
- Hahaha and this is also the best/most appropriate use of a perverted fantasy ever.
- ...Well there's one positive use of mind reading.
- Alright yeah she says she can't control the power at all, which means she sometimes can't hell the difference between what she should and shouldn't be hearing. I think that's more when she was younger, though, and now she can tell the difference. It's just that she didn't care anymore. She wanted people to stay away.

That was really damned good. I don't know how long it can keep up the drama, and I guess maybe it shouldn't because there's only so far you can go with it, but I really loved this episode. Watching Haruka re-integrate with society with the help of a pervert and some weirdos should be a lot of fun, and this show just put itself pretty high on my list of shows to pay special attention to in Winter 2013.

[Nico87]

Great first episode and I'll definitely stick with this one. I like that Haruka isn't all "check me out, I can read people's thoughts!", and I love how Yoshihisa is so impressed by her skill and so easger to get her attention ("Mornin'!" x 5 and the other stuff) after all the bad stuff she's been through.

The manga has only two volumes (soon three) which is a positive for me 'cause like hpulley said on another forum, stuff like Tonari no Kaibatsu-kun will have twelve volumes and the anime only adapted the first four. It's apparent that TKK was more of a wait-and-see with regards to a second season while Kotoura-san can only adapt two manga volumes. Not that Kotoura-san can't turn into a 5960 volume manga, but you get my drift. Makes much more sense to adapt what you have instead of adapting 25% of something and hope for enough sales to make a second season. I know the final volume of TKK will have a OAD, but who knows what that's going to be (my guess is a anime semi-original ending of some sort).

[Draneor]

The first half was very rage inducing and inflamed my misanthropy. None of humanity, except the grandfather, appears to be fit to live.

As for the second half, it was quite the contrast. That Yoshihisa is a pervert slightly annoys me. But even though he's hardly as bad as many, in this specific context it bothers me even more.

You have a girl who went through hell, betrayed by all, no one understands her, and no one gives a damn. That she hasn't yet slit her wrists is a miracle. All of a sudden Yoshihisa appears and accepts her as she is. How else could Haruka react to that but be happy? Humans are social creatures and not meant to live alone. Unfortunately, he also wants to sleep with her. Given Haruka's current state, I can't but see that as predatory. I don't know what direction the show is going to go, but it would seem difficult to produce a healthy relationship. And quite frankly, after all that, I don't know if Haruka could have one any time soon.

And that's why I wish he wasn't a pervert. Because it could have been a touching story of befriending someone different, rejected by society. Instead of befriending someone because he wants to sleep with her.

[something]

And that's why I wish he wasn't a pervert. Because it could have been a touching story of befriending someone different, rejected by society. Instead of befriending someone because he wants to sleep with her.
This strikes me as a deeply cynical reading. Isn't it obvious that while he is sexually attracted to her (which is an natural urge, not something you can really control, particularly when the other person can read your mind) he also cares about her as a person? There have to be less troublesome lays than Haruka, if fucking is all that matters. Besides, you've seen enough anime to know that there's simply no way he's going to be written as anything other than a Very Nice Guy. It would be some phenomenally shocking genre-bending for him to turn out to be a "predator" who is manipulating her for sex - in fact, the very premise of the show makes such manipulation impossible!

Frankly he's just what she needs right now. I don't think she would trust anyone who acted "normal" around her, because she's so used to being betrayed. Manabe on the other hand seems incapable of artifice (which is another reason why I think you have to take him at face value when he says he wants to help her and be her friend), which is kinda the whole character dynamic they're going for.

Regarding the first half, I think it's too much of an oversimplification to say that everyone around Haruka were simply horrible people. While we understand why Haruka acted like she did, to everyone else she just seems like a really nasty rumormonger with a creepy ability to know things she shouldn't know, and say things she shouldn't say. Even if what she said was always true, being true does not always mean it is appropriate to make it public. For example, the girls talking about boys they liked - Haruka was unambiguously in the wrong there, even though it wasn't her fault, per se. Being around someone like Haruka would be absolutely terrifying to any normal person, because we all have secrets we don't want others to know.

Her parents are obviously a much trickier case. It went by quickly, but I think the show did a good job of showing how deeply her behavior destroyed her mother, and how hard her mother tried to get her help. This doesn't excuse abandoning her, and I'm not going to nominate her for mother of the year by any stretch. But I think the depiction of her as emotionally weak is set-up for where they're going with her in the future - she's in the OP, so it's safe to say she'll be back in Haruka's life before the end. The only question is whether she'll earn the right to come back... I'm most certainly not giving her a free pass on that, to be clear.

As for the father, he gave up much sooner and had no major redeeming qualities depicted. I think it's safe to assume he's completely out of the picture now, and we should have no sympathy for him.

[Nikopol]

Ohhhh, wow, surprisingly excellent first episode. Only gave this a chance, after reading a review on some blog pretty much only by accident.

So they get the break the cutie trope out of the way in the first ten minutes. That was hard to watch, they went all out, even showing the last straw, when she didn't even get to have a friend from the animal world. Maybe it was manipulative, but it effectively made me accept and understand the emotional walls she put up around herself. It's amazing enough, that she kept going after all that. Well, the plot kind of needs her to, but still.

So now i'm wondering, where this show will take us and how they choose to balance the drama and the comedy. Especially after a show like Chu2, which imo had some problems combining these two aspects and bringing them to a satisfying finale.

[Draneor]

This strikes me as a deeply cynical reading. Isn't it obvious that while he is sexually attracted to her (which is an natural urge, not something you can really control, particularly when the other person can read your mind) he also cares about her as a person? There have to be less troublesome lays than Haruka, if fucking is all that matters. Besides, you've seen enough anime to know that there's simply no way he's going to be written as anything other than a Very Nice Guy. It would be some phenomenally shocking genre-bending for him to turn out to be a "predator" who is manipulating her for sex - in fact, the very premise of the show makes such manipulation impossible!

It is a cynical reading, but one I think the text can support. First, Yoshihisa's early attempts at friendship were rebuffed and Haruka stated quite clearly that he should stop. He ignored what she wanted and pursued her anyway. It came across as somewhat stalkerish. The charitable reading is her was trying to save her; the other is her desires don't matter to him. Secondly, he wasn't just attracted to Haruka--he was fantasizing about her being naked while on the rooftop. Imaging someone being naked while talking to them shows a lack of respect for them as a person. I fully concede you can't control what biological signals fire in your brain that indicate attraction--but you can control what you do with them. But at that specific moment, there was a huge discrepancy between what he said and what he desired which caused me to question his motives. Lastly, that he was aroused when she was crying came across to me as somewhat creepy. The show didn't really do anything with this last bit so I won't dwell on it.

As you noted, it's highly unlikely the show will treat these as anything but jokes. Yoshihisa will be after all a Nice Guy (despite being a pervert) so it will work out (assuming it keeps a somewhat serious tone and does not descend into pure comedy).

[something]

Secondly, he wasn't just attracted to Haruka--he was fantasizing about her being naked while on the rooftop. Imaging someone being naked while talking to them shows a lack of respect for them as a person.
But he did that intentionally as a last ditch effort to get her attention (and to confirm that she could read minds). Remember everything started from that "1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks" scene. When he noticed everyone else had given up talking to her, he decided to step in. Not because his penis told him so, but because he saw a new classmate shutting herself off from the world, and being shut off by the class.

[FUNiOP]

Well I haven't seen Sasami-san@Ganbaranai yet, but I kinda can't imagine this not being my top anime of the season at this point. I really never imagined it possibly being this good, but it looks like this is a constant level of quality. I'm glad Manabe went off on Moritani and told her that he loved Kotoura, but it looks like she'll be joining the club, so I imagine the next episode will have her apologizing. I wasn't sure how well Mifune's plans are going to work out when Kotoura can read her mind, but she's a good person with some similar baggage, so it looks like that's going to be a good relationship. I'm surprised at how well they're working the dark backgrounds into this seemingly light story.

[bear]

I'm surprised at how well they're working the dark backgrounds into this seemingly light story.
This show just whipsaws the emotions. One moment I'm laughing my head off (Kotoura getting bodily carried off to the ESP society), the next we've got a suicide of Mifune's mother. So far it's working but they are certainly doing a highwire act to keep both going the way they are.

Muroto looked like something out of the Adams Family, but I really started to like him.

[HitokiriShadow]

Yuriko is a great addition to the cast. Hanazawa~ Willing to be manipulative but not at all cold-hearted, quickly realizing her mistakes and becoming a great senpai and friend for Haruka.

Bullying is often obnoxious to watch in anime, but this episode went through it quickly and avoided anything too unpleasant (no dead animals or beatings or "lost" panties or anything like that). The serious side of this episode was much better than the first with nothing gratingly problematic.

Haruka continues to be adorable. So many cute faces. Also, Solid Haruka. Fission Mailed.

Also, Manabe really impressed me in his confrontation with Moritani by how far he went. "Your mind is so disgusting it made her barf." Ooooouch.

I liked the first episode quite a bit, but this shoots the show ahead of a bunch of them. Of course, this kind of thing can change episode by episode, but whatever, damn good episode. I was a little worried when I heard that the show was going to be keeping the "people are really shitty" aspect but this gives me much more hope that it won't be an issue going forward and that the show can strike a good balance.

[Fencedude]

'dat Hanakana. And lol Shimono Hiro.

Anyway, really good episode, the humor and drama was balanced better. Really impressed by Manabe, once again. Looks like Moritani is going to be a regular character, so hopefully she lightens up.

[ookamigirl]

Kotoura seems to become popular.
ESP research society just came and took her LOL
Well, that club seems perfect for her.
Just hope they won't abuse her power.
I knew something bad would happen.
Manabe really stepped up, I was surprised.

[Nico87]

Loved the second episode and it's a good thing that they continued with more flashbacks. I love that in character development. Gets us to know the characters better and what they've been through.

[Nikopol]

And with another very good episode, Kotoura-san is now in fourth place on my list for this season, overtaking Maoyuu.

I'm very worried, if they can keep the balance between drama and comedy and bring both to a good ending, but i'm more than willing to find out.

And Manabe: you actually stood up for someone else. You, sir, have balls and you're my hero.

[Draneor]

Mifune's a pretty good character and even the president was a good addition to the cast.

[something]

Episode 2:

- Huh, Haruka sure turned around quickly. So much so that I expect they're setting up something bad to happen. But they could also be trying to depict the giddy afterglow she's still feeling at making a friend for the first time in many years.
- "You can read minds can't you?" "Of course I can't." Hahha OOPS. And yay Hanakana.
- Haruka just got omochikaeri'd.
- Yuriko accepted Manabe a lot quicker than I expected. :sd:
- That's an impressive setup for the middle of a school hallway.

- Yuriko is awesome. NO ESCAPE.
- I love when Haruka stifled a laugh at Manabe.
- I also love when she blushes when he thinks something nice.

- ...Uhhhhhhh. Holy shit. Yuriko has some fuckwd up backstory which I'm sure we'll get in all its detail soon enough.
- Okay this is going to be an ongoing problem with the show, I think. Yuriko is lying to Haruka. Which should be totally impossible. And which Haruka would pick up on in any other circumstance. But plot convenience requires that Yuriko get away with this, at least for a little while. I dunno maybe Yuriko has very good control over her thoughts, but it's still kinda BS. Hopefully we don't get a lot of this "Haruka can always read minds, even against her will, except when PLOT".

- Heh, she has to see to "aim" her ability.
- Aaaaaaaaand things go downhill fast. Moritani is pretty horrible.
- Escalates into full on bullying with all the usual attacks.
- Goood good, I was worried they'd make Yuriko way too single-minded about getting her revenge, but she seems to quite legitimately care about Haruka. This isn't what she wanted to happen.

- FUCK YEAH, I was going to complain a little bit about how they're starting to go overboard with Manabe's perversions for comedy's sake (it's fine sometimes, but it wasn't needed at least half the times it was used this episode). But then he totally chewed out Moritani and it was gloooooooooorious. Not just said "Gee you meanie, I'd prefer you didn't do that" but pretty much told her she was a terrible human being. No mercy! Respect +100.

First episode wasn't a fluke, this show is genuinely awesome. I just hope someone slaps Moritani around a bit more before she joins the club. I'm not ready to forgive her just yet.

It's also great to see this show getting a good reception in preorders too - it's shot up into the top 100. Nobody expected it to go anywhere in sales before the seasons started (2ch estimates like 1000 or 2000 or something) but it's clearly the major dark horse candidate of Winter now.

[FUNiOP]

How the hell did they tell this kind of story in 4-koma format?

I expected Moritani to redeem herself in this episode, but she just got worse, and Kotoura just proved to have the patience of a saint, more than Moritani deserves, and now the possibility of the five being a happy group looks like it's going to have to wait at least a few episodes. I really want it to be one week from now.

Also, the opening is amazing, especially the "koshi koshi koshi", "demo demo demo", "yoshi yoshi yoshi", and Kotoura singing along with the last part. So good.

[Ingraman]

Wow...

How the hell did they tell this kind of story in 4-koma format?
Unless I've forgotten some series, it's definitely different from all the 4-koma anime that I've seen so far.

I really want it to be one week from now.Yeah, the OP shows that things will improve, but watching Kotoura break a little after healing so much was hard. ;_; I'm not surprised by her reaction, given her life so far, but ... <sniff> I'm more interested in Manabe's past now, with how much of a fight he was seemingly able to put up against presumed experts (or do they just not know how to fight outside a dojo?).

This series is definitely import-likely, but with the first BD not out until April, I've got two months to see how things progress before I need to decide.

[HitokiriShadow]

Yuriko is amazing, easily my favorite HanaKana character in a while. She's sooooooo much fun. Her "he's still eating convenience store bento WTF is wrong with you" stare was hilarious.

The karaoke scene was great. The "oh my god, she's an believably horrible singer" thing has been done many times before, but it was quite fun here, with Yuriko and Manabe's cheering turning to woe and Haruka's adorable reaction at the end.

And Haruka is just incredibly adorable in general. So many adorable blushes and stutters and "OMGWTF am I seeing in this guy's fantasy?!" faces. And occasionally a very nice deadpan and/or critical "you pervert"

Then there's Moritani. What a bitch. I'm not looking forward to the "we forgive you, now let's let bygones be bygones and all be friends" thing that's inevitably going to happen... oh, probably next time.

Though there's another, uh, minor little issue to deal with, since Kotoura is FUCKING GONE now. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh, this is usually an annoying situation whenever it comes up. I think I might be less bothered by this than in most cases because the she show's drama side has been on the iffy side the entire time. Hopefully and presumably it will be dealt with fairy quickly next time. By the end of the first half at most, maybe earlier.

[ookamigirl]

Manaba & Kotoura. Nice pair.
Going to the club room alone was maybe not the best idea.
Kotoura's mind reading ability is not always a good thing.
Still, those two really fit in the club ^^
Moritani's jealousy went too far this time...

[bear]

How the hell did they tell this kind of story in 4-koma format?


Good question. They've managed to squeeze so much angst and drama into three measly episodes too. I knew this one was coming but how Haruka reacted was a shock but is understandable in hindsight. I'd also forgotten that Manabe had trained at the dojo with Moritani hadn't he? Yuriko is still trying to be hardass but Muroto has her number. He did scare the hell out of me when he was teasing Haruka, but I really want to know more about him.

[Fencedude]

Christ what the fuck. Just what the fucking fuck.

I just...WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HARUKA?!

[Draneor]

Yuriko and Haruka's conversations were, by far, the best part of the episode.

Manabe tried to protect Haruka, and take all the pain on himself (see last episode too). It, of course, didn't work and he just ended up hurting her even more. I'll give him credit that he realized this (even if his hyper-sexuality annoys me). Question will be what he changes so it doesn't happen again. You can't have a relationship with someone and never hurt them (or ignore that they don't want you to be hurt either). Honestly, I wouldn't mind if the show ended here.

Mori, well, there are actions I don't believe you can be redeemed from. I'm sure the show will disagree. Also, call in sick if you have a known telepath in your class.

[Damius]

Well, this sure was definitely a really good episode. The drama in it sure was something else, especially the first 10 minutes. I'm looking forward for more of this and I really want to follow Haruka.

[something]

Episode 3:

- How dare they draw an aiaigasa... and forget the hearts!
- Oh haven't had enough, Hiyori? I'm totally up for Yoshihisa telling you what a horrible person you are again. I'll never get enough of that.
- Deredere Haruka is so damn cute. And Yuriko is making full use of the one way telepathy.
- ...Daichi is right, Yuriko could never cut it as a villain. She's too naturally nice.

- Oh, good. The generic setup would have been for Hiyori to send her goons after Haruka and create some really obnoxious rape or threat or rape scenario, which would have pissed me off because it's such a ridiculous leap to think that the guys at her dojo would do that just because she asked. Having them go after Yoshihisa instead, while still bad, is at least different. And a lot more plausible, since they'd want to protect Hiyori.
- But man, she is utter human trash. On every level. How the hell are they going to convince me to accept her as a member of the club later on, which no doubt she will be?
- Uhh, so Yoshihisa is really strong?

And then, uh, wow. That escalated in an instant. She jumps straight from "it's my fault" to packing up and moving the hell out, goddamn. I guess next episode will be about finding her and bringing her back.

[bear]

Episode 3:
- But man, she is utter human trash. On every level. How the hell are they going to convince me to accept her as a member of the club later on, which no doubt she will be?

I'm assuming that we'll see contrition, repentance, conversion and penance. Think of St Paul or St Augustine. We may see her become Haruka's champion defending her even from Yuriko. And she may have not done anything similar to this before and it was her friends egging on her jealousy and frustration with her family situation that pushed into a stupid act. I'm not justifying what she did. It was heinous, but people can change.

[Draneor]

I'm assuming that we'll see contrition, repentance, conversion and penance. Think of St Paul or St Augustine. [...] And she may have not done anything similar to this before and it was her friends egging on her jealousy and frustration with her family situation that pushed into a stupid act.
I believe there is a point that, once you cross it, nothing you every can do will ever not make you utterly horrendous trash not fit to live. That it's often easier to make evil choices is, quite frankly, not important to me because most people don't go around making them (i.e., almost all of us get angry--very few of us beat up their child out of anger). Understanding can only get us so far--at some point we have to decided whether we want to live with those who gleefully jump 1,000 feet over the line of what is right.

The whole bullying started because Hiyori was jealous of Haruka spending time with Manabe (her crush). But when Manabe made his opinions clear, she decided that, if she can't have him, no one can. I don't buy she didn't intend for him to end up in the hospital--it should have been clear what the outcome of sending a bunch of thugs after him would be (I'll note, in the manga, apparently they stab him and put him in a coma so the anime was toned down). Yeah, it sucks that she lives in her own fantasy world where others always listen to her and she always gets the outcomes she wants, but I can't sympathize with her. Being spoiled is one thing. Trying to get someone killed (even if she didn't realize the implications) is another.

Now, I fully expect Haruka to accept Hiyori's apology when it does happen because, if anything, Haruka is queen of blaming herself for other people being shitty. But that doesn't mean I, the viewer, have to ever forgive her.

[FUNiOP]

I'm glad Moritani apologized, but it can never make up for the shit she's done.

I do like how Kotoura's mind-reading destroys her tsun front and brings her dere out into the open for Manabe. Very clever and funny, as is most of this show's work on its great premise. I still can't believe this was a 4-koma manga; it's not even as episodic as plenty of series that aren't based on 4-koma.

It does make sense that it's only 12 episodes, though. They're moving things along very quickly.

[ookamigirl]

Kotoura bolted.
Manabe was all wishy-washy about it.
That guy needs more incentive in life.
It's a good thing the club president is persistent.
At least they managed to find her rather quick.
Her grandfather is a pretty much a perv though.

[Fencedude]

Goddammit Moritani don't make me like you. Why did that work so well?!

Also, this really could have been the end of the series.

[bear]

Manabe being dragged down the stairs by Yuriko cracked me up.

Moritani did hire a detective to find her so she really was serious about her apology, but I'd hope for a little more contrition from her Maybe we'll see that in the next episode.

Ok, I got my explanation of how the priest relates to Haruka.

Didn't like the grandpa. One major pervert in the show is enough. Damn, he's rich.

Manabe is a real mensch one second and a total pervert the next. Just want to pound lumps on him sometimes.

[stardf29]

Well, that episode worked well, not only to bring Haruka back to school but also to mark the changing point for Hiyori's character. I know some people will think she got off too easily for all that she did, but I'm always willing to give people a second chance if they've genuinely changed, and that does seem to be the case for Hiyori.

On the other hand, I think the show went a bit too far with Grandpa's perversions. Hopefully he won't come up much more in the rest of the series...

[HitokiriShadow]

Grandpa is a creep. Please let us never see him again.

Moritani.... ehhh. I'm still uncomfortable with her joining the group of friends after the shit she pulled, but it was competently executed by this show's standards, and the show's silly approach to drama makes it easier to swallow than in most shows, I guess. I'm not entirely happy with it, but I can live with it.

Yuriko continues to be the best, and one unambiguously great part of the show. She's sooooooo much fun. Such delicious HanaKana. And her "Gotcha!" scene when she caught Haruka was particularly amusing.

Also, Yuriko and Muroto are such a married couple.

[Draneor]

Well, the monk was actually a genuinely decent human being. Amazing!

Whatever character the grandfather had in the first episode due to supporting Haruka when her parents abandoned her was stuffed into a blender and ripped to threads. Sigh.

Moritani's change was neither believable nor do I think it makse up for what she did. For that matter, I don't think the show dealt with Haruka always blaming herself for other people's faults.

Also, Yuriko and Muroto are such a married couple
Yeah they are. Although, I'm not convinced they have any feelings for each other beyond friendship.

[something]

Episode 4:

- Even the ocean hates Haruka. :sd:
- Alright Yuriko, time to slap Manabe back into shape.
- Time for a field trip to abduct Haruka and bring her back. But first, crashing at a shrine with a dude who loves ESP and such.

- ...Manabe and Haruka's grandfather are a little too similar.
- Way to ruin a nice moment, Manabe. But the capture scene was hilarious.
- What. Moritani, that was wholly inadequate. But I guess if Haruka is okay with it... >_> I also found it pretty hilarious how Manabe doesn't indulge in any of the sentimental stuff, he's just brutally frank with her. :sd: That's certainly one way to put his personality to good use.

[something]

On the other hand, I think the show went a bit too far with Grandpa's perversions. Hopefully he won't come up much more in the rest of the series...
Sometimes this show feels like the equivalent of a visual novel that really wanted to be an all-ages story but shoehorned in sex scenes "because it's just what you have to do".

I don't have a problem with Manabe being a big pervert, I thought it played very very well in the first episode or two as a way to set him up as someone Haruka could trust. But now that's over, she already trusts him, and the repetitive perversion scenes are losing any meaning beyond fanservice. Throw her grandfather in the same archetype and it doesn't work any better. If they continue to push too hard with this aspect it'll make my decision of whether to not import this a lot easier...

[Damius]

- Oops… Haruka made a mistake… She answered she can’t read minds while reading her mind.
- Yuriko wants Haruka in her club…and she accepts Manabe too.
- That club room… from the outside… it's unique… even more inside a school.
- Yeah… you may not run away Haruka. Yuriko sure is amazing!
- Haruka is happy because she made new friends. I hope they will still be forever.
- Ouch… we just saw a second of Yuriko backstory…
- Damn… Moritani is definitely horrible…
- Well, Yuriko feels like it’s her fault and she feels bad for Haruka.
- Wow! I’m impressed at how Manabe deal with Moritani.
- Haruka in a box!
- Don’t you know it already Haruka? You can’t escape!

Yuriko is definitely a fantastic addition to the show. And yeah, this show continues to be really good. I hope it still be this good for the following episodes.

[FUNiOP]

OH GOD SUMMER VACATION I AM SO EXCITE THIS IS GOING TO BE AMAZING

As for this episode... Mori! I'm so glad that Moritani joining the group has resulted in everyone constantly picking on her. It's the best way to make up for all the shit she's done, along with keeping her in the story as a good guy. After all, if they just did away with her, we wouldn't get to see everyone have a laugh at her expense for the rest of the series.

Mori!

[ookamigirl]

Kotoura moved back.
Looks like she really likes Manabe after all.
Even Moritani joined their little club.
She only joined to be close to Manabe.
The sleepover was kinda nice.
School festival was fun to watch.

[HitokiriShadow]

That was pretty uneventful compared to the previous episodes, which is a good thing since they had enough drama to carry an entire season. I'm hoping we don't get any more major drama for a while, preferably at all (but we know Mom is going to have to come back in the picture at some point).

This was cute and fun, with lots of Kotoura cuteness and Moritani proving that she's a good addition to the group (if we just ignore the serious bullshit she pulled and easy she got off for it). And yay for repeat gags.

[Fencedude]

Haha. The entire episode was based around bullying Moritani. Can't say she doesn't deserve it.

[Draneor]

This is the first episode that felt like it was based on a 4-koma. Kind of like a poor person's Azumanga. There were some amusing moments (lol, at Haruka always getting hit by boxes when she thinks something naughty or not nice about Mori). And a few not so amusing moments. The new ending song was interesting.

Probably best I pretend like the drama from the previous 4 did not exist. Shame, since I found the drama to be, by far, the most interesting part. Comedy not so much.

[Damius]

- How could they forget the heart! Hehe.
- Daichi needs to pay for teasing Haruka and he does. Thanks Yuriko.
- I like to see Yuriko teasing Haruka, since because of that Haruka is embarrassed so even more adorable.
- Time for some Karaoke… good luck Haruka!
- So, Hiyori send the guys after Yoshihisa… and she proves to me how evil she can be… and I won’t forgive her for what she did.
- Then…. Haruka thinks it’s her fault… and she moved out already? The ESP members need to go after her ASAP.

[something]

Episode 5:

- Show's over!

- Okay fine let's continue.
- Well, I'm glad Hiyori is working to earn her redemption, even if I'm going to hold a grudge for a while yet. I did like seeing her defend Haruka in front of the class, although I don't blame them for being confused by her turnaround.
- I also think it's really interesting and unusual for the lead male to be so down on Hiyori. He flat out treats her like an enemy instead of doing the usual "I'm nice to everyone all the time no matter what they do" thing, which gets tiring after a while.

- And now Hiyori and Manabe start fighting over Haruka lol.
- Nice imagination, Manabe.
- MORI power.
- Whee, party at Haruka's place.
- Heh, Hiyori cooking fail.
- Hiyori using-scary-movie-to-hit-on-guy fail.
- Hiyori MORI MORI MORI fail. Heh, Haruka cannot stop laughing.

And then Haruka relay race fail. Well, this may be the start of the class warming up to her.

Mori mori. Mori? MORI MORI! Also, lol new ED now that the club is together.

[ookamigirl]

Summer vacation.
It's really nice watching this kind of episode in the middle of winter.
Moritani is a weird one. Keeps balancing between good and bad.
Watching them explore that abandoned hospital was fun.
Haruka's grandpa is a serious freak.
Beach fun part was pretty LOL

[Fencedude]

Well that was wacky! But it looks like mama is returning, so it seems all the drama isn't over with yet.

[HitokiriShadow]

Grandpa much more tolerable this time, as spent his time making Moritani suffer instead of being a pervert about his granddaughter. Moritani in a the burning cage was particularly amusing.

Other than that... well, Yuriko is still the best, but otherwise it was decent but unremarkable.

[FUNiOP]

Swimsuit episode. For an episode with so much focus on that, and with Grandpa present throughout the entire thing, I was pleasantly surprised that we didn't have to deal with any of the shit we got from him last time. He's still very obsessed with his granddaughter, but it's not as explicitly creepy this time. Plus he joined in on abusing Moritani, which was definitely necessary with as much as Kotoura is slacking.

Oh shit, the bitch mom is back. Looks like the next episode won't be about that, though.

[meruruchan]

Being flat-chested is suffering.

[something]

Episode 6:

- Heh. Told off by Manabe again and denied summer vacation by Haruka. There's nothing like constant failure and emotional distress to make an unlikeable character more likeable. Mori Mori Mori!
- Stupid Muroto, Yuriko gained good weight!
- And wait where is Moritani...?
- Oh there. Heh, Haruka you're such a kind person. Always looking out for MoriMoriMori.

- Ohhhhh yeah, annoying grandpa.
- ...Though it's fun seeing him mess with Moritani. =D
- Uh then he just drops them off at an abandoned hospital, alone, late at night.
- A scared Haruka is adorable. I understand how you feel, Yuriko.
- And suddenly the hospital turns into an amusement park...
- Hahaha Moritani in jail.
- Just how filthy rich is Haruka's grandfather?

- Beach time. Bikinis! Yuriko looks as great as you'd expect. Moritani is surprisingly nice (even Manabe can't come up with an insult). And lol at Haruka's "Don't Look!" shirt.
- Yay Haruka swimsuit. It's cute, and fitting.
- Manabe faces his greatest challenge. With enormous effort, he passes the test. Good job, Manabe.
- Awww, the fireworks scene was cute.

And then an ED about Haruka's boobs, or lack thereof. :sd:

A lot of shows could learn a lesson from this show about redeeming seemingly irredeemable characters. I've gone from loathing Moritani to her being one of my favorite characters in almost no time.

Post-ED:
- Haruka's mom. Hmmmmmmm.

[Damius]

On the other hand, I think the show went a bit too far with Grandpa's perversions. Hopefully he won't come up much more in the rest of the series...

I think the same... It was not needed, not fun. I have a hard time understanding the purpose of it... I just hope we won't see him ever again.

[Damius]

- Manabe you should follow Yuriko when she asks you to.
- Well… Manabe is on fire; let’s hope it’s enough to find Haruka.
- So Haruka is with her grandfather.
- Wait… Haruka’s grandfather thinks like that… Did we really need that? Not at all...
- Now her friends need to hurry even more to save her from that grandfather…
- No… Manabe… that was a really nice scene… she was about to join you… but then… your thoughts changed…
- Well, Moritani did hire a detective to find Haruka and apologize to her. Well, this is a step in the good direction for her… but that is not enough to make me forget her.

[tytan88]

Extremely powerful show. The balance between drama and comedy will be tricky line to walk and I give them props for having the courage to walk it. I prefer anime to take risks even if they fail at it because it progresses the arts.

I like Manabe because he realizes he needs to be honest about who he is to someone who can see what he is thinking. If he said he didn't have those thoughts he would be lying.....all guys have those thoughts! But he chooses to be straightforward with her and I think that is huge for a girl in her state. His yes is yes and his no is no.

People fear someone who can genuinely read your mail and will find an excuse to attack those who can. People don't like to see how they really are. But now that she has someone to support her I feel better for her, because she can survive the storms that will inevitably come.

[tytan88]

I've been attacked the way Kotoura has been attacked and that was hard to watch. Thank God she has friends to back her up. Even if they make mistakes sometimes(as in the case of Mifune), better to have them then not. Its brutal to be alone at school under the weight of attacks like that. It takes years to recover.

[tytan88]

was the last one hard to watch??? This one was even harder. I've where Manabe was so many times. Kotoura shouldn't blame herself. For a girl like that I'd go through that again and again. Nobody deserves to be treated like that.

[tytan88]

Its interesting to compare the attempt to redeem a bitchy character Moritani in this one to Masuzu inOre no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru. This one works a lot better I think because Moritani is straightforward in admitting her problems. I think the honesty sits better with me. But its an interesting comparison of how to approach things.

I also love Manabe's Goku like power up of perverse thoughts. Its a great distraction from the intensity of the drama.

[tytan88]

Kotoura being a klutz is mandatory for her character type. Her friends making her run anyway is mandatory for them. I get the feeling these shows are a lull before the "Mom coming back" storm. So I'll enjoy them while I can.

Loved the sleepover and the simple things that a girl like her has never had. You don't realize how valuable they are until you meet someone who has never had them. I never had someone decorate a room for my birthday until I was over 40 years old(I never had friends when I was young) and I didn't realize how important that was to me.

[FUNiOP]

Oh my god!!
Good pronunciation!

Oh man, I really wanted to see what was in the box. Great ED this time, though. I really like what they're doing with those.

Also, crazy hallucinogenic naked sexual antics. What?

[ookamigirl]

Manabe and Haruka's grandpa are really similar.
Both of them are equally perverted LOL
When Manabe fed Moritani her food I totally ROFL-ed
Moritani's cooking is dangerous on many levels.
Pretty fun episode this time.

[FUNiOP]

I was wondering if we'd get new ED every time now, but it looks like they're sticking with this one for now. That's fine, because it's a very good ED.

And then the post-ED scene made sure to keep us excited for next week. Other than the question of when and how Kotoura would get her powers back, there was nothing to keep you interested like that when the ED started, so that was a nice touch. I'm definitely curious to see where things head from here.

[ookamigirl]

Kotoura down with a cold..
Manabe's perverted thoughts were LOL
Her mind reading ability was off and he totally used it.
No matter how much of a perv, he's still a great friend.
Kotoura & Manabe date was pretty awkward, but sweet.

[HitokiriShadow]

Well, that was mostly cute, though Manabe was pushing it when Kotoura was sick.

And then Kotoura gets her psychic abilities back. With the worst timing possible, apparently seeing a murder.

[Fencedude]

The last scene made me laugh.

Sorry. But it did.

[Damius]

- Lot of boxes fall on Haruka and THE END! Well OP.
- Hiyori is defending Haruka in the class and she joins the club. Will you be able to make me change my mind about you Hiyori? (even if I won’t forget what you did?)
- Hiyori has powers.
- Party at Haruka’s place!
- Haruka wants the picture to be deleted… Manabe wants a poster of it.
- In the end, she got it on her phone and she is so happy.
- And yeah… MORI!
- The class is cheering for Haruka!

[something]

Episode 7:

- Mixed bathing: failed.
- They struck oil...
- ...Morimori's cooking makes people very horny. Why yes I'll allow Haruka x Morimori.
- Well Haruka's mom sure doesn't regret her behavior.
- HAHAHA oh man, the morning after is even funnier than the chaos last night. Haruka, poking Morimori's eyes won't stop her mental fantasies.

- Manabe has gone silent. Maybe you could, like, go to his house, Haruka.
- But then Yuriko wouldn't get to have as much fun and we can't have that can we? Stalking time!
- おっπ!

- o_O Muroto looked older as a kid than he does now.
- I'll never understand the "I'm going to go silent and not talk to you or see you for weeks so I can make some money to buy you a present" trope. Somehow I think she would have valued those weeks of hanging out more than whatever you could buy her. Especially when the girl in question is extremely sensitive to feelings of abandonment.

Still, really really sweet scene at the end. Nicely done.

[something]

Episode 8:

- We've jumped a month, to October.
- Haruka gets a fever and loses her psychic ability. I wonder if that always happens, or just now.
- And that means we get some unrestrained fantasizing.
- Heh, Manabe has to pass his greatest challenge yet.

- Ah her ability is still gone even after she recovers. If we had a few less episodes left I'd think that was the final story conflict, but I'm guessing she'll have it back by the end of this episode.
- It's a date that's not a date. Blushing Haruka is always adorable.
- "Langery" shop.

- Please Yuriko, can you even convince yourself that you're as scheming as you like to think? I sure don't buy it.
- Woah, Muroto's eyes were visible for a second.

Well that was cute.

Edit: Oh whoops, post-ED stuff. And uhhhh wow, okay. That was a very Kotoura-san-like turn of events. Jeeze.

[HitokiriShadow]

- I'll never understand the "I'm going to go silent and not talk to you or see you for weeks so I can make some money to buy you a present" trope. Somehow I think she would have valued those weeks of hanging out more than whatever you could buy her. Especially when the girl in question is extremely sensitive to feelings of abandonment.


Here makes sense though, because the person he's giving it to can read his mind. So its much easier to just avoid her entirely than to try to constantly not think about her birthday or the gift. Doesn't mean it was a great decision on his part, but at least here there's a decent reason for it.

[ookamigirl]

Serial attacker on the loose.
Manabe almost stayed Haruka's home.
"Luckily" Moritani saved her.
Everyone was kinda on edge about that attacker.
The appearance of Haruka's mom was a surprise.

[FUNiOP]

And another cliffhanger. Well that should contribute to feeling some sympathy for Moritani. That hasn't really happened for me yet.

And I guess Kotoura's mom will follow something of the same path as her.

[bear]

Damn what a show. Watching Manabe pull his pervert act to get the mom to react was.... inspired? noble? idiotic? brave? That was one of those scenes where i just wanted to cheer. He may be an idiot and a pervert, but he'll always be there for her. Kotoura now knows her mother does still have feelings for her.

[Fencedude]

This show is just so hilariously bipolar.

Also what the fuck are you doing Moritani?

[Ingraman]

Kotoura's mom is still at least 1% mom! ^^ Or maybe Manabe just brings out that kind of reaction in all women. A bit of tease with Kotoura's reaction to that guy, though. Everyone in formal attire. ^^;

The female police detective was reminding me somewhat of ROD the TV's Maggie Mui. ^^;

[mk2000]

The female police detective was reminding me somewhat of ROD the TV's Maggie Mui. ^^;

I was humming R.O.D. the TV theme every time she came on :sweat:

[Damius]

Haruka's mom at the end... Well, that was a nice episode with some cute moments. I can now say that I definitely changed my mind about Moritani. One of my favorites now.

[HitokiriShadow]

So I guess a serial killer is a bit too dark for this show, they're just getting "sent to the hospital". I suspect the tall detective woman is the criminal.

Then we finally see what we've been waiting for: Haruka encounters her mother again for the first time in about 10 years. It wasn't the most pleasant of experiences, as expected, but Manabe managed to get an interesting reaction out of her.

And then another WTF post-ED scene. I wonder how in the hell this will get explained.

Also, twintail Yuriko. I prefer her normal long-hair look, but it was nice to see. That dress was quite nice too.

[ookamigirl]

Kotoura was happy about seeing her mom.
Moritani got arrested? That was a surprise.
Looks like the attacker rumors backfired on Moritani.
So they decided to look for the criminal themselves..

[FUNiOP]

Saw that cliffhanger coming from a mile away. At least it keeps me wanting to watch the next episode.

[HitokiriShadow]

Tsukino has been all but confirmed as the killer, as I originally suspected. I just don't wonder how its going to even pretend to explain how Kotoura didn't see that in all that time she spent with her, especially since Tsukino didn't know Kotoura could read minds at first.

[bear]

Tsukino has been all but confirmed as the killer, as I originally suspected. I just don't wonder how its going to even pretend to explain how Kotoura didn't see that in all that time she spent with her, especially since Tsukino didn't know Kotoura could read minds at first.

I'm convinced it's her but OTOH it might be a massive troll. All the evidence seems to point to her (police baton, no friends, stay out of police business, her telling them not to go to a specific place, watching from the shadows...), but maybe it's a setup to get them to act as bait?

[something]

Episode 9:

- Man the opening to this episode confused me quite a bit until I remembered how the previous episode ended. :sd: And that woman really looks like she would be Manabe's mother but I wonder if she's too young.
- "This isn't the time to get perverted." Haruka, do you think you could tell that to the writers? Manabe's perversions are way out of place right now.
- Though he improves after that. Nice to see him taking things seriously when Haruka is so scared.
- <_< I spoke too soon. Well, a little is okay, just be reliable when it really matters. Which he usually is.
- lol Haruka fear meter.
- Heh, I kinda knew it wouldn't be the attacker at the door but didn't have Mori in mind. She totally makes more sense as a bodyguard, though.

- Maybe the tall woman is the attacker. All we see of them is an arm, mostly covered in a sleeve so we can't even determine gender.
- Of course if she is, it shouldn't take too long for Haruka to find out.
- Jeeze the nasty rumors about Haruka spiral out of control in no time. That's a bit extreme.
- And I guess this is where Yuriko's darker ambitions start to come out. She wants to use Haruka to catch the culprit and prove ESP powers to the world. This is also where Haruka's mind-reading ability gets all selective for the purpose of plot convenience. There's a lot of that.
- Of course Morimori is going to do something rash before that can happen...

- Twintailed Yuriko. =D
- Then Haruka's mother shows up. Okay, totally not how I expected them to be reunited.
- Ahhhhh, that moment when Haruka is about to run away but find three hands at her back to give her courage. Awwwww.
- Some well-timed perversion from Manabe; even if he didn't think it through quite that cleverly, it sure defused the situation well.
- And then Haruka's mother does something motherly - sort of.
- Also I guess we can add mom's new boyfriend to the list of suspects. Just because everyone newly introduced is a suspect.

Post-ED:
- Well there's zero chance this is what it looks like but it caught me off guard anyway. This show is nuts.

[something]

Episode 10:

- "Moritani-san's been... arrested?!" ::cue super genki OP:: Uh.
- Oh, ok yeah the tall woman is obviously the attacker. They just flashed back again to the person walking by Haruka and they have the same rolled up sleeves as she does.
- Poor detective guy. Haruka chose all the worst things to reveal. :sd:
- But somehow still doesn't catch on to Yuriko's intentions, or the likely attacker's. Or maybe she knows exactly what Yuriko intends but feels obligated to help.
- Oh great. Moritani arrested, Manabe off sulking somewhere. Haruka completely unprotected, and the attacker knows she can read minds and thus is very dangerous.
- Uhhh and the attacker is right behind her. Well this is aiming for a hell of a cliffhanger. And man if Tsukino isn't the attacker that's a hell of a red herring.
- Oh well nevermind they confirm it's her right after, heh. And huh, she didn't make a move right there. Coming up soon then...
- Mori is out of jail, yay.
- Tsukino just baited them so hard. Uh oh.
- Okay wait, what the hell is Yuriko's plan anyway? She baits the attacker, it works, and then...? Are Mori, Karuka and Muroto going to beat him up? ...Actually I guess Mori could. >_> But her strength is more for comedic purposes, perhaps not something that would hold up when confronted by an armed attacker in a serious scene.
- One thing that can be said for Yuriko is that she's not just manipulating Haruka without a conscience. She's putting herself in the most dangerous position of all.

Quite dangerous, indeed.

No Post-ED segment this time, and I think I'll skip the preview. It's impossible to do a next episode preview for an ending like that without spoilign something.

[Fencedude]

No Post-ED segment this time, and I think I'll skip the preview. It's impossible to do a next episode preview for an ending like that without spoilign something.

They actually did manage it, interestingly.

[FUNiOP]

To the surprise of absolutely no one, Tsukino is the criminal. I was worried about how much of a plot hole it would be for Kotoura to have no idea even though she could read her mind, but I suppose multiple personalities is a better explanation than anything else could be. One more episode. Let's see how much they can resolve with Kotoura's relationship with her mother.

[HitokiriShadow]

So, it was split personality after all.

This arc, particularly this episode though some of it tying to how last episode played out, was pretty dumb. Glad its over and we're not ending on it though.

Also, I was really annoyed that Manabe apologized for his "your mind is so filthy it must have made her puke" line. It was his shining moment and he was entirely justified in saying it.

[ookamigirl]

Clash with the attacker was more funny than serious.
Kotoura needed some confidence boost.
Don't think leaving Manabe out of it was the best choice.
Moritani finally showed some courage and confessed.
Looks like there is still some hope left for her.
Everyone seems to be more or less paired up now..
Manabe played the role of the hero rather well.
Tsukino being the culprit, never saw that one coming.

[something]

Episode 11:

- Well, nice save by Muroto but that was a big load of failure. Silly kids. Having a plan is usually a good first step.
- Haruka really needs to cure herself of this self-loathing. But oh well I guess she needs to stupidly put herself in danger so Manabe can rescue her or something, since he missed the latest party.
- And there's Tsukino. This is still a massive massive troll if they try to make the attacker be someone else.
- Ah, nice that we don't just have Manabe rushing in to save her immediately. Because now we instead get to watch Moritani very nicely cap off her character arc, both as a girl in love with Manabe and as Haruka's friend.
- Awww, very nice Muroto/Yuriko scene too.
- Okay, no attempted red herring with Tsukino. Which is good, sometimes pulling a twist out of nowhere isn't the best choice.
- I see they're going to try to explain the inconsistencies with mind reading as Black Tsukino being a epressed alternate personality Haruka hasn't been directly exposed to before. Weeeeell... okay, I suppose that works. It's better than just not addressing the annoying inconsistency at all.
- Uhh ok. I think Haruka just exorcized Tsukino.

So plotwise that was a little silly but the Moritani and Yuriko scenes were really good.

But resolving issues with Haruka's mother in just one episode? I really don't know how that is going to work.

[Damius]

- I wonder what is in Morimori's cooking….
- … Haruka's mom…
- And yeah… the morning after.
- What is happening to you Manabe?
- It’s not an invasion of privacy it’s just stalking.
- Moritani life at home is quite difficult…
- So that is why he gone silent… Oh well. He could have found a better way to do it.
- At least, Haruka is really happy now.

[Damius]

- Haruka can’t read mind when she is sick…
- And she still not has her power back when she is not sick anymore.
- Of course, that’s not a date, everyone around them doesn’t believe them and here they go walking like robots.
- And yeah… Haruka psychic ability is back at the worst possible moment.

[ookamigirl]

ESP Research Society meets its end.
Lots of flashbacks this time.
Kotoura's awkwardness was really cute ^^
This anime was pretty fun though.
It was a good combination of fun, romance and drama.

[FUNiOP]

No, Kotoura, it is not your fault that your mother is a piece of shit. I really wish that didn't have to end with her thinking that. Give me an OVA episode with her mother completely reforming and becoming the mother she always needed, along with openly and profusely apologizing and I'll accept her redemption at least a little. I'd like to believe that the manga had a better resolution to that issue, but OH YEAH, it's a 4-koma manga. So I still have no idea how it could've had over half the content the anime had, and I have to assume that the anime basically made up all that stuff. So for that, I have to give the anime a lot of credit, because its best moments must have all been original, or at least so heavily modified and added to that they may as well have been original.

Unfortunately, the moments that really made me emotional were all in the first few episodes, so I ended up liking the series a lot less than when it started. This was inevitable given the kind of story it was, though, so I'm just happy that I got any of that at all from this series, because I certainly never expected it based on the premise and source material format.

So yeah, good stuff. Just... not as good as it used to be. A shame.

[stardf29]

I think for what it's worth, it was at least satisfying to see Haruka stand up to her mother, complete with pillow beatdown.

Otherwise, this was a solid ending. Maybe the situation with Haruka's mother was presented a little too conveniently, but the confrontation was worthwhile. Everything else was pretty nice, too.

Final Thoughts

Early on, this show surprised me for being a far more in-depth show than a 4-koma romantic comedy should be. This did make me have big expectations for the show, so to say that the show didn't quite keep up with those expectations at the end is... well, not that big of a deal. Sure, it means Kotoura-san is only getting a score in the low 10s instead of the high 10s, but in the end, I still really, really liked this show. I think the key to its success is really that the early episodes not only were amazing in their own, but they also set up the relationships between the core cast such that the following slice-of-life episodes and the ending episodes, for all they may have lacked in the sheer emotional power of the opening episodes, were extremely pleasant and heartwarming in their own right. This is all to say, I really appreciate what Kotoura-san did as a show.

Final Score: 10.3/11.0 - Outstanding show. It may have missed the extremely high expectations set by the opening episodes, but not by that much.

[Damius]

- Crime Scene Investigation.
- “This is not the time to be perverted” Thank you Haruka.
- Fear meter.
- Moritani is the bodyguard. Great.
- And more rumors… Poor Haruka…
- Moritani feels responsible and wants to do something about it...
- Twintailed Yuriko. And that dress. Really nice.
- Haruka's mother is here…
- Haruka’s friends are behind her back to give her courage. Awwww.
- Nice reaction from Haruka's mother on Manabe. Nice.
- And… that ED scene…

[Damius]

- Moritani has been arrested…
- The detective guy probably believes Haruka can read minds now…
- Yuriko wants to use Haruka’s powers to catch the attacker… this can be really dangerous.
- And what is also dangerous, is that she is going home alone… even more now that the attacker puts her hand on Haruka’s shoulder…
- On the good news side, Moritani is out of jail!
- Tsukino called Haruka…
- And well... Tsukino attacked Yuriko...
- Cliffhanger…

[something]

Episode 12:

- The ESP Society is dead. Long live the New ESP Society.
- While it happens all too suddenly, Yuriko apologizing to Haruka was a very sweet scene.
- But what's a little annoying is Haruka just being like "Yep I knew everything" even though she totally gave no indication of knowing what Yuriko was up to before.
- Hahaha, Yuriko flipping out over Muroto. Poor Haruka.
- But Haruka gets her revenge. :sd: They have a lot to complain about with their sort-of boyfriends.

- Suddenly mom. >_>
- Yeargh, one episode is not going to be nearly enough to redeem her for me. Nice to see Haruka get angry though.
- Slap dodge and push and pillow punish! Haruka is unstoppable!
- So it's amusing watching them hit each other with pillows but I really can't buy that this puts their relationship right all of a sudden.
- "Oh mom cried after being a horrible monster and abandoning me. It's my fault for not understanding!" ...What?
- Then some nice scenes and it's over and stuff.

Ehhhhh... The rehabilitation of Moritani worked very well because we had so much time for it to play out. But mom? Not really. What happened could have worked (especially Haruka flipping her shit at mom), if we had been pushing towards it with half a cour of dedicated focus. But now it just feels tacked on.

I commend this show for trying to go a bit beyond standard romcom, but I'm not really sure it got where it was trying to go. Oh well, it was still pretty decent, in a 7/10 "not really in import contention" sort of way.

[Damius]

- Well, nicely done Muroto.
- As always, Haruka feels that it’s her fault… and here she goes on a walk outside alone…
- And we get a nice scene when Moritani confessed. And she also said that Haruka is her friend. Nice way to close her character arc.
- Followed by a nice Yuriko/Muroto scene.
- So it was split personality…

[Damius]

- ESP Research Society is disbanding…
- Well, New ESP Research Society is here.
- Yuriko is feeling sorry for using Haruka, which gives us a nice scene.
- And well… yeah… here is Haruka’s mom.
- Come on… Haruka… it was not your fault…
- Well, the Haruka and mom reconcile scene didn’t work for me. I would have preferred for them to 1. Take more time for it or 2. Didn’t care about it at all.
- And then some nice scenes to end the show. Would have been great if Haruka and Moritani would have end together.