For the first few pages I had a thought: "this feels like a death flag" but then I immediately dismissed the thought as just paranoia from being so anime-brained. In any other series that would have been fine but I made the mistake of forgetting who the author is.
The only thing that gives me hope is that the manga is nearing the end and Ruby dying (or going into a coma or something) would be the dumbest decision narratively and would utterly ruin the story. But I try to avoid thinking from a meta perspective.
Maybe Aqua will successfully save Ruby and tie up his guilt from failing to save Ai, and they just arrest the attacker instead of having another revenge arc.
I realise that's the point but I want to highlight it anyway. This isn't yet another formulaic isekai. The story doesn't revolve around Sensei. I love how the solution to all otherworlders isn't to write a story and then banish them, but rather an actually compelling narrative conclusion. Suzuki returned to Earth after growing as a person, but nothing would change if Kaibara went back since he's long past the point of redemption.
When I heard his backstory I was thinking "ugh, is this the explanation?" but I also had a feeling that Sensei would never accept such a story, so I was thrilled when he straight up called Kaibara boring! Naturally, all the pieces fell into place when I saw him hand Tama the glowing book and any remaining doubts I had about this anime were erased.
It looks like the anime is now ahead of the manga. Ngl I forgot that the source material is actually a light novel.
Yuki saying that Kuze is the greatest talent produced by the Suou family gives me really bad vibes. There's definitely more to why Kuze chooses not to exercise his full capabilities than just his own reasoning. It gives me Ayanokoji vibes except Kuze's issues express differently.
Taniyama feels like a very interesting person. I wonder why Kuze seemed so wary of her because ordinarily no matter how capable she may be, she didn't seem like she'd be an actual threat to Kuze. I can definitely see how the author was inspired by Kaguya sama.
Maybe it's just me, but I feel like there's something off about the animation. I can't quite figure out what about it bothers me and it's confusing me.
Anyway it looks like Ayase cleared the test and found a job. Nice. Also Narasaka is annoying.
Now this is what an adaptation should look like. Play into the strengths of the medium and elevate the source material. It really hits different from the manga. The abstract sequence felt like it used the momentum up to that point to take me on a ride with Melt as he grew as an actor. It fits perfectly both in universe and from a meta perspective since this is also an adaptation.
Next up, the showdown between Kana and Akane. I'm excited!
Holy shit Naori is so powerful it's almost scary. That self-confidence is blinding. Her position in this love triangle really does feel looser as her friend said but in all honesty, I believe her comparison of Jun to that pudding. If she really wants something, she'll get it. She just cares more about nerding out and having fun.
Also wow Jun's friend said some crass shit but somehow managed to be the voice of reason. Dude knows what he wants and doesn't care about putting on airs. I respect it.
Well isn't that cute. It's nice to have a drama-free chapter once in a while. Aqua is smiling a lot more and Ruby is truly enjoying her idol work for it's own sake. She also doesn't seem to have an unhealthy attachment to Aqua/Goro anymore. Just a normal sibling relationship.
The last page is my favourite but this one's a close second.
Bocchi looking confident? How rare. I feel strangely motivated after seeing that.
Ame's oshi is amazing. I usually find Bocchi very relatable but clearly she's way stronger than me.