Wait. WHAT? Girls do that too?! WHAT?

——

So this week, we focus on Iori and Inaba’s mental blocks or problems or whatever you want to call them. And while I feel that packaging them together into one episode cheapened them individually, they were much more universal than Yui’s. Iori’s very real existential crisis wasn’t too surprising because of all the snippets of her life we’ve seen thus far. Her strange agreeable nature around her mother and general mood shifts were pretty powerful in terms of transmitting that information. And Inaba’s trust issues isn’t a big surprise either, but it was fun to see her open up a bit. Iori’s story was explained a bit better because more was shown and not told, but both were great to watch. If it wasn’t for the fact that the whole point of this show is to have these five people get to know each other, I’d say that nothing was happening. But even then, it’s a good thing; watching good characters is really fun, ya’ know?

Again, we see interests forming centered around Taichi. And again, I don’t really mind watching it happen and I’m not entirely sure about why that is. I do know that I enjoy none of these girls liked him romantically before the show started and none of them try to force anything to happen. I wish I could say this was the norm instead of the exception, but anime seems to justify interest, romantic or otherwise very poorly. But since Kokoro Connect focuses on character relationships, having said relationships feel better and realer is a great thing, even if it should be expected. Anyway, up until now, most of the story have been character driven — having these five drive the “plot” by getting to know each other, either by switching bodies or by helping each other out. It seems like next episode, Balloon Vine or whatever will start messing with them, if that preview at the bridge is anything to go by.

For a show that’s so introspective and thoughtful, this show has been really gripping. Just goes to show that quiet shows devoid of action can be just as good as adventure ones.

GO Rating: 4/5