Good day of us, and welcome again to Mistaken Each Time. Right now I believed we would test in with Rentaro and the gang once more, to see how his holy mission to accumulate 100 girlfriends is progressing. Look, it isn’t like he is a chilly flirt or something; as is obvious from the suspiciously simple world-building, all these girlfriends are doomed to everlasting unhappiness if he would not discover them and handle their issues. It is a heavy load, however given Rentaro’s deft navigation of his first two true loves, I am assured he’ll succeed.
Rentaro’s distress apart, 100 Girlfriends stays an entirely charming, totally ridiculous riff on the romantic comedy conference, frequently innovating on the core joke of “what if we performed this fantastical polycule utterly straight, full with hovering string preparations accompanying every ridiculous romantic threshold.” ” It would not appear to be there’s a lot larger than the comedy but, however comedies do not essentially want a thematic spine; the faces are good and the jokes are snappy, making it an brisk watch regardless. Let’s have a look at how Rentaro does together with his third destined love!
Episode 3
“The Silent Princess, the Knight and the Samurai.” Since we encountered this latest pal on the library, I assume this title means she is an avid reader who frames the occasions of her personal life by way of the tales she loves.
And certainly, we start with the story of a princess who “is aware of that her future is to be alone.” So she clearly has problem opening as much as folks and in addition makes use of tales to course of her personal emotions
A sleek reduce on the princess’s hand leads us again to the library and assures us that that is certainly the thought means of our new woman
Man, that is going to be an ungainly dialog. Rentaro determined that he wouldn’t reveal the true nature of his quest to make sure that his girlfriends didn’t really feel like they had been being compelled right into a relationship, however which means he should promote one other ninety-eight girlfriends individually. on the prevailing crowd
So we now have the very attractive go-getter Hakari, gyaru tsundere Karane, and now this shy bookworm. I’ve a sense we’ll run out of harem archetypes lengthy earlier than we even get near 100 of those women; Rikito Nakamura will convey new archetypes to life over the past fifty years
“I did not anticipate to fulfill a soulmate right here and now.” Statistically, even for those who had 100 to seek out, it is unlikely you’d have stumbled throughout it naturally every of your soulmates. Though I suppose a part of the definition of soulmate might embody somebody who is of course in your periphery, which is a reasonably vital prerequisite for a romantic relationship.
“I’m the governor of this nation.” Apparently she communicates by quotes from her favourite books. And she or he’s additionally a librarian, which looks like a tough mixture
She’s additionally ridiculously fluffy. The animators do a wonderful job of conveying how she is basically wrapped in her uniform like an enormous blanket, whereas even her hair appears to utterly overwhelm her physique.
“What is going on on right here!? Is it no speaking within the library!?” A giant a part of Rentaro’s attraction comes from the best way he instantly assumes in any new scenario that he is the odd one out, and that no matter occurs is totally regular. That is additionally how plenty of these relationships work : He meets these women the place they’re, by no means ignores their wishes and works arduous to make them really feel comfy and included.
“She discovered it most troublesome to speak to folks.” ‘Sorry, I did not know. Are you able to assist me?” Sure, I did not problem her about her problem talking, only a fast apology for the misunderstanding and proceed to deal with her usually. I suppose if there’s an early theme rising, it is primarily to has to do with how Rentaro’s “superpower” is simply being a good, thoughtful one who genuinely needs to make folks blissful. The story idea would have you ever assume he is a lech, however he is truly the alternative of most harem protagonists: somebody who at all times places others earlier than himself and at all times makes everybody really feel comfy.
“Do you will have any suggestions? My favourite style is romance.” Presumably that is what she needs most: to easily be handled the identical as everybody else, regardless of her communication issues
She lights up when requested for solutions and begins working across the library in her hamster-like method
“No, you picked these for me, so I need to learn all of them.” One other main energy of Rentaro is his utmost dedication to reciprocating any acts of kindness or affection from these round him. Nothing is ever not appreciated by Rentaro
After Rentaro is thwarted by the necessity for a library card, the brand new woman provides up her personal treasured ebook. A transparent gesture of religion, as it is usually her car for language
Her identify is Shizuka Yoshimoto
In the meantime, Rentaro’s First two girlfriends are busy researching recipes to dazzle him. How is he going to seek out time to romance all these new women whereas maintaining his current girlfriends blissful? One Rentaro can solely accomplish that a lot!
Shizuka’s ebook tells the story of Princess Io and her knight Kamakura
I admire how the scenes of the ebook’s story are literally animated otherwise, with extra dramatic shadow and post-processing lighting results, in addition to much less rounded, extra practical character designs. A pleasant option to create some separation between the 2 dramas, and to visually mirror the tone of this novel’s prose
Additionally attention-grabbing that Shizuka has a voice in her tales, however not in actuality
Extra nice results animations accompany some dramatic close-up compositions as Io is protected against a dragon’s breath. Even the boarding has now shifted, switching to partial close-ups to convey a way of dramatic influence to the present’s often sitcom-adjacent medium pictures. I really like how a lot this employees invests in making Io’s world really feel distinct, which in flip displays Rentaro’s absorption into Shizuka’s beloved story
Additionally ostentatious use of sentimental focus, which is certainly a success in current self-serious motion and fantasy. Apparently nothing makes a scene really feel as dramatic as blurring all the things however the speaker’s face
I really like Rentaro sobbing as a result of he is too caught up within the story
Glorious portrayal of a nervous second for Shizuka, as she opens her bag and divulges the second a part of her story, concurrently excited to share it and anxious on the thought that Rentaro will not have an interest
Her nervous faces are additionally excellent. Extraordinarily vibrant hair
Her freaking is one other instance of this present’s new strategy to character artwork, the flat shadows and give attention to angular limbs. Few drawings, however glorious, personality-rich particular person drawings
The strategy looks like a more practical model of what low cost ‘movement comics’ like Manner of the Home Husband search for; capturing the particular enchantment of the unique’s line artwork and remaining comparatively easy to supply, but providing a compelling animated world
“You at all times flip by the pages and discover the best phrases to say very quickly. You most likely know that ebook just like the again of your hand.” Recognizing and celebrating Shizuka’s passions and skills
“I’m not worthy of such reward.” In fact, Shizuka is used to being criticized for her passions and insecurities, not celebrated
‘Solely the world I noticed by right here gave me respite.’ No marvel she pertains to the remoted princess
And whereas he would not perceive why others would keep away from her, he instantly realizes that this implies loads to her, so he decides to do one thing about it. An vital lesson is that you just respect the emotions of others, even for those who can not determine with their origins. Will Rentaro train a era of readers to be extra thoughtful romantic companions?
Later on the library, Shizuka struggles to succeed in the ebook ‘Love, Taiyaki, and Me’ that led to her first assembly with Rentaro. A transparent visible metaphor, with Shizuka making an attempt to succeed in past her consolation zone, spurred on by Rentaro’s encouragement
A number of days later, Shizuka lastly overlooks Rentaro whereas hanging out together with his two girlfriends, and assumes he would not have time for her or for studying.
Oof. Brutal flashbacks of Shizuka being shamed and abused for her communication points. Additionally a lovely composition once we return to her reflection on these reminiscences, crouched and remoted inside the austere pillars of the college path. The solar is available in from Rentaro’s route, however Shizuka has turned away and may’t imagine she will be able to stroll within the daylight.
That lighting motif continues within the subsequent scene, when Rentaro returns and claims he needs to pay Shizuka again, accompanied by cuts to the daylight filtering in by the window.
Oh my god, my boy. Rentaro personally rewrote your entire first quantity as a digital file in order that Shizuka might extra simply talk with a text-to-speech app. He’s actually a courageous knight!
Plus he did all of it by typing it into his rattling cellphone, the idiot
“I am unable to even think about how arduous it’s so that you can discuss out loud. So I am unable to convey myself to power you to do this. However… I needed to make it simpler so that you can talk with others, and I hope this helps, even a little bit.” Understanding that others are fighting totally different issues than you, even invisible ones, respecting these issues and dealing to resolve them reasonably than judging them for his or her variations. Rentaro is de facto only a stand-up man
“It is not as a result of she’s my soulmate, or as a result of I’ve to save lots of her life, or something like that. I actually, actually simply…” It is a difficult line to navigate, however actually the one approach this story will work: real, spontaneous love with every new girlfriend
And the reason to his two earlier girlfriends truly works out properly! A minimum of Hakari is wanting ahead to it
And completed
Properly, that was an ideal episode! After two episodes that largely targeted on the inherent ridiculousness of this premise, and mocked a number of delicate targets within the romance and harem genres, it was beautiful to listen to that 100 Girlfriends can even produce some genuinely considerate, dramatic materials. Rentaro’s bond with Shizuka felt earned regardless of this present’s pure contrivances, and I used to be significantly impressed with how the present dealt with Shizuka’s communication points. 100 Girlfriends rapidly reveals that, regardless of Rentaro’s pure tendency to seek out soulmates wherever he appears, his factual strengths are his attentiveness, concern for the wants and emotions of others, and his dedication to creating the folks he cares about blissful and comfy – you understand, all that “simply being individual” stuff that really makes for a wholesome relationship. I am actually beginning to imagine he’ll make all these women in love blissful!
This text was indignante attainable by reader assist. Thanks all for all the things you do.
