Aharen-san wa Hakarenai | Episode Two and three: Weird show, great characters.

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The second episode of Aharen-san wa Hakarenai was definitely a weird one. I think this has a ton to do with our characters Matsuboshi Raidou and Reina Aharen. In the previous blog post I mentioned how the first episode of Aharen-san wa Hakarenai very much felt “Komi-san(esk)” I still think that is true in some respect. Obviously, Komi-san is a lot more deliberate in its approach while Aharen-san wa Hakarenai is a lot more toned back.

Not to mention, Aharen-san wa Hakarenai has two socially awkward people while Komi-san has Komi. But I personally think having two socially awkward people as the main protagonist is a lot better than having one person as the socially awkward one and that’s where I think Aharen-san wa Hakarenai has the edge in my mind.

Since we have two socially awkward people, much of the episode resolves around them. You don’t really have other character budding in to make the episode what it is. When you have two individuals who share similar personalities, I think it provides for a better all around dynamic because it’s a lot more predictable.

Matsuboshi tries his best to understand Reina, but cannot help but overexaggerate the goals and ambitions of Reina. Like Matsuboshi sees Reina as a ‘master chief’ because of her cooking, but earlier in the episode he also thinks that Reina is part of a heavy metal band because her hair was literally standing straight up. Which in itself is pretty weird, but oddly entertaining. The conclusions Matsuboshi reaches aren’t always expressed openly but the mere fact that he thinks of these things is pretty funny stuff. Then we have Reina and her many quirks which made this episode pretty funny. In a way episode two very much felt like an episode where Matsuboshi spends most of his time taking care of Reina because she seemingly cannot take care of herself.

What I liked most about episode two was that everything about it was very lighthearted. While the episode did have its moments, for the most part, the episode was very much a chill and relaxing one. This is something I really enjoyed. Relaxing but funny episodes are always great ones in my mind, especially when you have two characters who weirdly compliment each other very well despite being very similar at the same time.

This dynamic is an interesting one because even the most simplest of things, like applying chapstick or fixing bedhead can turn out to be the most complicated thing known to man, and you know what? That’s something I very much like indeed. I am looking forward to everything that is to come.