It seems kind of odd to compare Kao ni Denai Kashiwada-san to Kao ni Deru Oota-kun to Sanda. I mean, you could hardly imagine two shows more different thematically. But they do have one very important thing in common. They’re focused on that peculiar stage in life when kids are perilously balanced between child and young adult, and they do a fantastic job of depicting the emotions involved. The results manifest differently of course, but it’s a complicated subject so that’s no surprise.

I kind of see Oota as a little boy being dragged against his will into adolescence by Kashiwada, and by his own feelings. As such he needs to convince himself he’s still playing soft toss when in fact he’s playing hardball. Want to invite the girl you like over to your house? Invent a trap to scare her scenario. Want to tell said girl how you feel? Say something juvenile first so you can make up for it. Obviously Akito (yes, we got the name) inviting Kashiwada over is a huge step, as is telling her she’s special. I have to think there’s some sense of intent here on Akito’s part, even if he’s not aware of it consciously.

A lot of important stuff comes out of this visit. Sure it’s dangerous to have a girl in your room. But Akito’s lucky he has a big sister – he’s used to playing it safe (I feel you, Bro). Kashiwada snoops through the stuff that falls off the shelf in the poltergeist stunt (LOL). She sees his “Defeat Kashiwada” notebook, as well as his elementary school yearbook. She also sees his reference to his mini-car as his “treasure”, so when he gives that to her at the end of the visit, she knows it really means something to him. But seriously, Kid – offer the girl some tea or something…

Maybe the most significant thing that comes out of this is that “special” moment, though. Unplanned maybe, but maybe not totally. First off it’s a big deal for Akito to abjectly apologize – very out of character. And, well- you tell a little lady she’s special, that means something. We bridge from that to the cherry blossoms, which means we’re starting a new school year and the kids are now presumably third-years. Kashiwada loving sakura is no surprise – she has pink hair and wears pink nail polish. And her inviting Oota to view them with her is as big a deal as him telling her she’s special.

Tadokoro-kun tagging along might be seen as a classic third wheel situation, but I think it’s kind of OK. It takes the pressure off the other two. He’s also clearly a wingman here and a KashiOota proponent. He’s a little blunt but again, with these two goofs I think that’s actually helpful. But what’s with all those beans, though? The invitation to view the sakura again next year (high school) – proffered after Oota suggests that there are plenty of spots outside the school to do so – is pretty impossible to misinterpret.

Finally a body-switch chapter (at last). A trope to be sure, but with this series’ hook how could you not go there? We know for a fact that Akito-kun was having this dream, which is just further proof he’s obsessed with Kashiwada. But was she having it too? Fun to speculate but in the end not important, I suppose. I know this adaptation is based on a finished manga and when it ends, that’s that, but I sure would like to see how things progress for these two adorable doofuses in high school and beyond.