Yeah, one more like that and we’re definitely done.
As I’ve noted, the fast-forward button usually means the end is nigh for any series I’m debating coverage on. It got a serious workout this week. The warning signs for where Komi-san wa Komyushou desu could go off the rails have always been there – I’ve made no bones about it. But this was the episode where they took over the car and drove it straight into the ditch.
One issue I’ve had all along with this series is that the premise is basically dumb to begin with, and totally unbelievable. But if it could treat Komi-san’s condition with dignified humor, OK – I can get past that. But Yamai Ren is a deal-breaker. I hate characters like her. I hate her. And I hated every scene she was in, and every line of dialogue Hidaka Rina uttered. None of it was funny, not remotely (and neither was the health check bit, for that matter). And when the episode tried to pay it off with her apologizing at the end, that was the steaming turd on top of the platter of industrial waste.
The bit at the end where Komi-san managed to speak long enough to tell Tadano she wanted to be his friend was fine. The rest of it can suck it. I love Watanabe Ayumu’s direction here – most of the time, anyway. But with material like this it’s a classic case of lipstick on a pig. I won’t drop a series that gave me three intriguing – albeit very inconsistent – episodes based on one awful one. But whatever slack was in the rope is gone, that’s for sure. See you next week – after that, I have my doubts.
Derrick
November 1, 2021 at 1:31 pmLOL Yeah the manga sucks.
It’s fucking weird how animanga world can display profound tales like Monster, and at the same time producing weird things like Redo of Healer.
Bryan
November 1, 2021 at 8:22 pmI’ll say that, rest assured, that Yamai’s introduction is probably the most shaky part of Komi’s early chapters. I don’t think anything after this gets as shaky as this does.
Guardian Enzo
November 1, 2021 at 8:44 pmThanks for the reassurance, but it’s hard to imagine anywhere but up from there.
ahnold11
November 7, 2021 at 2:09 pmI am getting really strong ‘kimi ni todoke’ vibes off this show, a series that i truly adored, even thought it also could be quite bizarre at times. (Socially awkward protagonist maybe? Also misunderstood by their class). It’s the sincere moments that make it worth it (the ending of the first episode caused me to tear up due to how touching it was). The premise is insane, but I find myself onboard because it’s what “komi” wants. The quirkyness and style is entertaining and endearing. The comedy definitely dips into the trite/cliched fairly frequently though, I agree it’s very much hit or miss.
This episode was also a miss for me. I just can’t muster up any sympathy for a character like that. It actually went to a more dark place then i thought the “kidnapping for comedy” bit was going. Reprehensible and I’m not sure the show is going to give that any suitable resolution. But I guess you could argue that from a character like komi’s perspective, who is also damaged in her own way, she might take a “who am i to throw stones” perspective and be quick to forgive. But as an audience member it’s just hard to stomach the definite lack of propper consequences.
I’m gonna stick this one out, if only for the fact that the komi-tadano relationship, but I do hope this is a low watermark for the season. I can mostly ignore a flimsy plot, but that means the characters have to pick up the slack, and there isn’t much room left for despicable characters that don’t get their just desserts. Still i haven’t watched an on-air series in a few years so the fact that this one caught my interest means they are definitely doing something right. Fingers crossed they zero in on the charm and downplay the less interesting parts.