Howdy of us, and welcome again to Improper Each Time. Right this moment I assumed we’d revisit the drama of 100 Girlfriends, and see how Rentaro is doing together with his quickly rising assortment of girlfriends. Our final journey noticed the reticent Nano be a part of the crew, who regardless of her acknowledged choice for “effectivity” couldn’t deny our boy’s real, compassionate affection. And so our polycule will get its latest addition, with the shy Shizuka, stormy Karane, and eternally sexy Hakari.
Very like Shizuka’s addition, Nano’s arrival necessitates one other cooldown journey because the expanded group works to determine their new collective social dynamic. This isn’t merely a method to unfold out the addition of additional girlfriends, nor a technique of “stretching out” the story—these interstitial escapades truly embody the guts of 100 Girlfriends, which is basically dedicated to making sure that companions don’t simply really feel like prizes to be received after which forgotten, however like newcomers to an lively and collectively loving neighborhood. It’s simply as necessary that Nano feels as comfy with Shizuka, Karane, and Hakari as she does with Rentaro, and I’m betting this poolside nonsense will affirm simply that. Let’s start!
Episode 6
“Everybody’s favourite: the swimsuit episode.” 100 Girlfriends strikes a pleasant steadiness between celebrating harem tropes whereas quietly elevating them, discovering real human emotion in typically superficial, self-indulgent norms.
As we start, Karane is judging potential swimsuits. These floppy socks are a wonderful design function, positively the most effective improvements in gyaru trend
“Additionally, I am not the sort to put on these cute swimsuits.” This scene presents a welcome exploration of Karane’s fears, with out the defensiveness she often adopts. I hope we get extra of this because the present goes on — extra asides that includes a number of of the women with out Rentaro, increasing on their extra nuanced characterization and highlighting how they’ve lives and emotions separate from our boy
“Once more, this cute stuff won’t ever go well with me!” Ridiculously, it additionally looks like 100 Girlfriends goes to delve into one of many richest veins of romantic drama that even conventional one-on-one anime romances by no means get to: the fixed angst and lively communication that comes with any ongoing relationship. Romance is not resolved when you admit your emotions; that is truly the place the work of higher understanding and supporting one another begins
I suppose that is one of many benefits of the construction of this present: as time goes on, it’ll turn out to be increasingly in regards to the work of actively sustaining relationships, slightly than simply the preliminary courtship.
“Perhaps Rentaro will prefer it.” So we now have a transparent hurdle to beat: Karane attaining a happier self-image by the emotional assist of Rentaro and the others.
The opposite ladies all have swimsuits that match their personalities: Hakari with frills, Nano modern and Shizuka with the traditional college swimsuit
Nonetheless insecure, Karane hides below a big shapeless gown
“We must always do that if we’re all up for it.” Regardless of her typically grasping pursuit of Rentaro, Hakari is fast to counsel calling it off if Karane cannot take part.
I’ve a sense that is going to be an issue after we begin stacking thirty or forty girlfriends. Even simply getting my D&D group collectively is a planning nightmare.
“We’re not shut sufficient for me to fret about you but.” Nano in fact tells it like it’s
Wonderful expressions as Shizuka spins round in her floaty. They clearly perceive that they’ve a gem on this cute fluffy fool
In the meantime, Hakari, who’s fondling her breasts, urges Nano to plant Rentaro’s hand on her breast. I assume that is probably the most environment friendly execution of this courtship ritual
Whereas Nano and Hakari practically kill Rentaro with their boob theatrics, Shizuka floats helplessly downstream. It is your obligation to guard the smallest members of the herd, ladies!
Yeah, sorry Shizuka, nevertheless it’s already clear that your bullying is without doubt one of the only sources of humor on this present. This minimize of her helplessly kicking her toes whereas her floaty retains spinning in circles, utterly uncaring of her efforts, is simply the essence of comedy
She washes up as a castaway on an remoted island of the whirlpool. The lifetime of a Shizuka is certainly a trial
In the meantime, Nano and Hakari are not less than quasi-bonding over their shared incapability to offer Rentaro correct mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. It could be a pleasant second if Rentaro wasn’t, you already know, dying
“This mental quest, my thirst for jugs, is my life’s objective!” Belief 100 Girlfriends to offer an elaborate however completely ridiculous backstory to these normal “guys hitting on the heroine by the pool” moments that pop up in each harem or romance
Truthfully, I feel we may do with out these predatory characters (I simply noticed Name of the Night time provide a way more constructive tackle the trope), nevertheless it’s nonetheless enjoyable to look at Nano poke their eyes out
Nano gallantly presents to achieve their consideration, however her sacrifice relies on a misunderstanding: she believes that as a result of she is the most recent buddy, she can also be the least cherished. Rentaro would by no means try this!
With this information in thoughts, Hakari stands up for Nano and declares that neither of them needs to take care of these intruders. Yeah, that is the form of factor I hoped for – with Rentaro out of the way in which, the women study to speak and belief one another, identical to Karane inspired Shizuka to embrace her true emotions
“In the event that they’re each your folks, then kiss them! You do not have an issue with that, do you!?” Oh dude, you don’t have any thought what you have invited
Every kiss is given a swish gradual pan that celebrates this present’s delicate strategy to portraying each strand of hair. I’ve famous it earlier than , however I stay impressed with how successfully this adaptation mirrors the strengths of its supply materials; the aesthetic energy is basically break up between these lush stills and the goofy super-deformed faces, neither of that are notably taxing when it comes to lively animation. Anime adaptation is basically a recreation of compromises primarily based in your studio’s sources, and 100 Girlfriends strikes a wonderful steadiness, with the restricted fluidity of the animation hardly ever undermining the influence of the romance or humor
“That is no time to be useless!” Pack your luggage, Rentaro
“It is nice to go for the eyes.” Rentaro continues to search out new issues to understand about these ladies
Along with main Rentaro to Nano and Hakari, Karane can also be the primary to marvel what occurred to Shizuka. She appears to be settling into the position of regular girlfriend-sitter
Shizuka is rewarded for truly utilizing her voice with a princess drag by Rentaro. Nicely, that is three of the 4 mates kissed, time to assist Karane along with her physique picture points
Gallant as ever, Rentaro frames his concern for Karane as him additionally eager to take a break from the festivities. Relatively than name consideration to her discomfort, he merely states that he’d slightly spend a while by the pool.
Actually unbelievable noise from Miyu Tomita as Rentaro removes Karane’s poncho
Oh my god. Rentaro reassures Karane about her breasts by saying, “I can solely get so near you,” since breasts get in the way in which of such a good embrace with Nano or Hakari. How does he do it?
And prepared
Nice work, Rentaro and firm! I used to be glad that this episode confirmed my expectations, providing a wide range of small private moments that bonded Nano and the opposite ladies collectively as true mates and confidants, not simply fellow lovers for Rentaro particularly. I actually didn’t predict, nonetheless, that Karane would have physique picture points, which truly turned out to be the episode’s strongest dramatic materials. However that, too, was in step with 100 Girlfriends’ uncommon nuance of relationship drama; for romantic relationships aren’t simply declarations of intent; they’re lively practices, an ongoing technique of serving to your family members turn out to be happier and extra authentically themselves, and in doing so, affirming how a lot you like one another and enriching one another’s lives. Whereas many harems depart beforehand “conquered” members to languish in a form of glad romantic stasis, 100 Girlfriends is, of all reveals, decided for example how one can’t merely assume your lively associate’s happiness—you should work to guard it with them, and in doing so, be sure that your mutual love continues to flourish.
This text was loopye made potential by reader assist. Thanks all for all you do.