[Digital] Aoihana - Sweet Blue Flowers Episode #03

[The Great Bear]

Review by Greg Smith

Mania Grade: B-
* Audio Rating: NA
* Video Rating: NA
* Packaging Rating: NA
* Menus Rating: NA
* Extras Rating: NA
* Age Rating: 13 and Up
* Region: All Region
* Released By: Crunchyroll
* Running time: 25
* Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen
* Resolution: 480p (720p also available)
* Series: Aoihana

In Summary:

This episode was a great improvement. While Fumi still gets misty-eyed, she did not have any major breakdowns or crying fits. That's a welcome change of pace. Akira's story gets more interesting as well, since she might be the target of Kyoko's affections, though one has to wonder it is genuine interest or just a rebound romance. If you like your yuri, this series will be your thing. If not, then look elsewhere.

[musouka]

Originally Posted by The Great Bear

Akira's story gets more interesting as well, since she might be the target of Kyoko's affections, though one has to wonder it is genuine interest or just a rebound romance.

That is why I was raging over the Crunchyroll translation in the other thread. While there is room for interpretation, I read the line as Kou being interested in Akira, which the next scene would better imply in his praising her as being cute. Personally, I rather like that pairing, and sort of hope it comes to fruition. (Nothing against Fumi/Akira, and I won't be surprised or upset if they end up together either, there's just something about Kou/Akira that I find appealing.)

[The Great Bear]

Originally Posted by musouka

That is why I was raging over the Crunchyroll translation in the other thread. While there is room for interpretation, I read the line as Kou being interested in Akira, which the next scene would better imply in his praising her as being cute. Personally, I rather like that pairing, and sort of hope it comes to fruition. (Nothing against Fumi/Akira, and I won't be surprised or upset if they end up together either, there's just something about Kou/Akira that I find appealing.)

I think it would be an interesting move, as the opening animation had pretty much made many automatically assume that Fumi and Akira would be a pair. It's more interesting if that's just a red herring and the reality is that Fumi and Akira are just good friends, and have other people that they are romantically involved with. Having Akira's partner be a guy could leave some room for amusing misunderstandings, since as far as we know, Fumi has not "come out" to Akira, and if Fumi told Akira that she went on a date, Akira could innocently ask, "So, what's he like?" And we could see Fumi stumble around as she decides how much—and what—to tell.

But, we'll see where things are actually heading.