Sunday 25 May 2014

Isshuukan Friends Episode 8

The strength of a good romance show I think comes down to actually wanting and believing in the central relationship. It's a problem I had with ToraDora to the extent that I couldn't enjoy the show's final stages. Happily, I'm glad to say that I'm not having that problem here at all.

Episode 8 in review

Let's face it, this show has been nice to us for the last few weeks. Hell this entire second act has concentrated on showing us the many joys that Fujimiya has been missing out on, with the occasional pang of pain. Making more friends, having fun with them, making memories, all of the normal things that a teenager should be doing. And critically, Fujimiya constantly remembering that not only is Hase the one who to some extent enabled that, but he's also a major part of that fulfilling life that Fujimiya is living now. We underlined that theme last time, but what does Fujimiya think of Hase? Let's find out I guess.



Opening on our couple sitting on a bench together is a lovely way to ease us into this episode. Hell to follow that up with that lovely little set of vignettes, showing us all the moments that made me cry was great. I love a show that makes me feel, and this show is revelling in just how good a job it's done. Also, karaoke Hase is best Hase. 

BONUS SONG FOR YOU.

Hase failing to admit his feelings for Fujimiya is an ongoing theme with this show. He's a mixture of wanting to pursue her, wanting to support her, and being absolutely terrified of rejection. All of it makes him feel like an incredibly real  teenager. His disappointment at Fujimiya wanting to go to the beach with all of their friends was so damn real. Speaking as an old fogy in his twenties, this shit hurts to remember, but I'm sure I've felt exactly like that before.

Once we were at the beach, basically Brain's Base were just showing off. This show was just fucking beautiful to look at.



Aesthetics from Brains Base have been great this season (see Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou for further reference) but this show is just beautiful. And the serenity of the surroundings carried over very well to the actual story.

Using the beach setting to show the character's opinions in a clearer light was a lovely touch. The show wanted to push them apart and have them questioned. Whilst Fujimiya is so pure, in that she isn't sure about her feelings,  Hase is still refusing to admit. They are moving towards each other without either knowing it, and it's really lovely to see.


As for the final scenes on the beach, I thought it was a terrific visual metaphor for the stage that Fujimya and Hase are at in their relationship. Hase supports Fujimiya, and hell Fujimiya keeps Hase going. Him catching her as she fell was a perfect mirror to her wrapping a towel around him earlier in the episode. They eblong together. We all know it, THIS SHOW NEEDS TO STOP TEASING US!



And to come back to the aesthetics, somehow, they've made a still frame montage look lovely. Fireworks are again a great visual metaphor, specifically with Hase and Fujimiya sharing a light. They burn together, can they just hurry up and get to that? 

The final moments revealed our final cast member and really signified the end of this arc. I'm sure that dark times are ahead, but this show strength has always been to show us a silver lining. The humanity and the believability in what is a show with a silly premise has really made me trust it. I am sure it's going to hurt me. But I can take it. I know it'll be worth the pay off.