Re: Episode 16
So we have one Kud episode left, then four one-off stories in the TV broadcast.
Is that enough time to deal with:
- Satoshi's complex towards Houtarou. He did "admit defeat" after a fashion, at least to himself, in this episode but I don't feel like that's really the end for him. This could be wrapped up next episode, but I don't think it'll get at the real extent of the issue if so.
- Mayaka's manga club issues. I see a path towards Mayaka getting a better understanding of Kouchi's motives and history, and I suppose the rest of the club could just fall in line afterward, but it would have to be a quick change of heart. This would all probably be instrumental in resolving her excessively self-critical outlook too. One of the main reasons she's so hard on herself, and so hard working, is probably the need to constantly fight against half the members of her own club. Perhaps the poor girl could relax a little if she didn't always need to be on edge, waiting for the next nasty comment or childish prank.
- Eru's recently disclosed feelings of being left out - I feel like this could develop into a significant issue based on that scene in this episode. At least I would really like it to be. Perhaps it was just done to be cute, in a "look how quickly her mood can change!" sort of way (and it was cute, so success if so) but I really, really want there to be more there.
- Aneki's... everything. Will we learn something significant about her, or will she remain a deus ex aneki, a mysterious, playful, force of nature without a face? I'm actually okay with either. There's an appeal to aneki just manipulating Houtarou while smiling trollishly and half-obscured by a convenient piece of scenery. But if there's something more, some backstory, I bet it would be fascinating too.
- The romantic relationships. If these don't reach a conclusion, that's not going to kill the show. These characters are a joy to watch regardless, whether it's friendship or relationship. But I am absolutely dying for Eru or Houtarou to confess to the other because it would result in the most magnificent explosion of adorable, flustered, blushing madness this world has ever seen. I'd also really, really like to see Mayaka and Satoshi take a step forward, because they really do need each other. Mayaka realizes how much she needs Satoshi, but wants to keep up the strong facade and hates any sign of weakness in herself. Satoshi I don't think realizes it yet, but he really needs someone to make him feel special right about now. They're as perfect together as Eru and Houtarou are. Just, in two very different ways.
Oddly enough I feel like Houtarou is the one who needs further development least. Maybe that's just an illusion cast by this arc's more intense focus on Mayaka and Satoshi, which has taken the spotlight off any of Houtarou's lingering issues. I suppose he does still need to get out of his sister's shadow, and the conclusion to the Endroll arc wasn't a particularly happy one for him.
But I'm skeptical we'll get any of this in detail. With the novels incomplete, there probably isn't a conclusion to any of this yet, and there's only so much we can do in a handful more episodes.
Ah, if only there were 8 novels out and four cour to work with. The potential of this series is off the charts. I feel like it's going to disappear right at its prime.
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