Sensei has not gotten tired thinking of ways to push and pull Yukino and Hachiman into becoming human beings, and her latest plot involves them once again doing things for other people and even the whole school. A bit transparent, perhaps, but the two reprobates do not mind, since they're having fun with their once-again customary banter. Yukino looks more alive than she ever has, and Hachiman fills his role as wearily persecuted expertly. And Yui is the emotive, adorable third wheel. So of course they agree to help.
Wherein is encountered what I'll bet is a quintessential Japanese high school problem: making a school event crazy mad fun while considering absolutely everybody's feelings. In Sensei's words, "They've been anal about feelings this year, so we've got a ton of restrictions." And she torpedoes every idea, prompting Hachiman to sarcastically retort that this approach won't work, so they should go find people instead, people who can be used. "It's a universal law that someone who can be used will be used until they burn out and die. Meanwhile, no raises for them." Cue a violent agreement from Sensei, and it is agreed they will outsource. Presto! Fait accompli!
The standard shenanigans ensue, their team has a glorious victory, but the triumph narrative is subverted because Hachiman gets caught cheating. He's a loner, so "I didn't think anyone else was watching." Yukino and Yui both were, however, and the former gets flustered when Yui figures that out. She quickly takes refuge in banter, but the viewer already suspects what she would deny to everyone, especially herself.
A halcyon episode, in a way: the three are solid friends, and have made more progress in thirteen twenty-minute episodes than most characters do in a cour of twenty episodes of an hour. Only the hints of the dramatic conflict next season will have are intimated, and only just. There is very little that could destroy the friendship these three now have, but the seeds of it have been sown.
Wherein is encountered what I'll bet is a quintessential Japanese high school problem: making a school event crazy mad fun while considering absolutely everybody's feelings. In Sensei's words, "They've been anal about feelings this year, so we've got a ton of restrictions." And she torpedoes every idea, prompting Hachiman to sarcastically retort that this approach won't work, so they should go find people instead, people who can be used. "It's a universal law that someone who can be used will be used until they burn out and die. Meanwhile, no raises for them." Cue a violent agreement from Sensei, and it is agreed they will outsource. Presto! Fait accompli!
The standard shenanigans ensue, their team has a glorious victory, but the triumph narrative is subverted because Hachiman gets caught cheating. He's a loner, so "I didn't think anyone else was watching." Yukino and Yui both were, however, and the former gets flustered when Yui figures that out. She quickly takes refuge in banter, but the viewer already suspects what she would deny to everyone, especially herself.
A halcyon episode, in a way: the three are solid friends, and have made more progress in thirteen twenty-minute episodes than most characters do in a cour of twenty episodes of an hour. Only the hints of the dramatic conflict next season will have are intimated, and only just. There is very little that could destroy the friendship these three now have, but the seeds of it have been sown.
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