If Alan hadn’t clued me into it in the preview post comments, I would have had no idea going into this ep that Uchi no Otouto-domo ga Sumimasen was two cours. And after watching this episode I still might not – if you’d told me it was the finale I would have felt no reason to not believe you. Multi-cour anime are very much the exception these days, especially outside of the really big commercial powerhouses. It’s certainly a pleasant surprise – I have nothing else carrying over and as weak as the season looks (spoiler for non-patrons) I might be starved for watchable series.

I could have bought it after this episode because it had a very end-y feel to it of course. Just as Otome Kaijuu Caramelisier did and Reiwa no Dara-san seems likely to. If this was just a matter of timing the adaptation was very lucky, because the manga couldn’t have given them a more natural transition point. Nothing is resolved, but a lot of things were brought to the table that changed our perception of events. Hell, the parents even deigned to come home for the holidays – but who the hell rings the doorbell at their own house?

Are things weird between Gen and Ito? You bet your bippy, and he seems to be enjoying that a bit too much. That “accident” exchange in front of the kiddos was deliciously cruel on his part. Raku has pretty much figured it all out of course, but Ito is still determined not to pursue this line of thought any further. Back at school Mafuyu is back in the picture, and he always adds a nice strain of troll to proceedings. “Prince Siscon” definitely hit was too close to home for Gen. But of course Mafuyu is feeling things for Ito himself and that makes much of this a cover on his part. And I mean, he’s not her stepbrother so really, she’d be better off if we’re being honest.

Gen demonstrates a rare moment of vulnerability with Mafuyu. He’s aware that he’s not especially good at social engagement and understanding people. Mafuyu is older, seemingly “normal” in the conventional sense – something that has appeal for Gen. So he asks what that even means, and in response Mafuyu invites him to a mixer. But the hidden truth is that he did so hoping Ito would intervene (of course she does) and he could engage with her more. Whether he means to or not – and I think he’s not sure himself – Mafuyu is helping clarify things for Ito and Gen. The jealousy she feels is impossible to write off anything but what it is, no matter how hard she tries to deny it.

The mixer was never going anywhere, but it does confirm for Gen that “normal” doesn’t work for him when it comes to romance. And having Ito crazy jealous over it prompts a “seriously, just how much do you like me?”. An immature thing to say but hey, he is a kid. These two are still hopelessly confused and conflicted here and refreshingly, I don’t feel confident about how it’s going to play out. They do like each other, them getting together is extremely problematic but not outright taboo. Right now all options seem to be on the table.

Mom and Dad do come indeed home for the holidays. I confess that as written I find them to be kind of pathetic, especially him. A big deal is made about Xmas decoration and such, which Ito is led to believe is about presents (guilt would have taken care of that). But after everyone goes to bed Gen confides to her that in fact, his mother passed away on the 25th and made him promise that the family would be jolly on Christmas Eve. It’s one of the most emotionally honest moments we’ve seen between the two of them, and it had nothing to do with romance – maybe a clue as to where this is headed in the second cour. A cour I’m heartily glad we’re getting, because I’ve come to like this show quite a bit.