#IMadeFriendsWithTheSecondPrettiestGirlInMyClass

Ok, so Umi is the sort of girl who would REVEL in the worst that #Monsterdon has to offer.

Oh, and Maki definitely has…issues left over from his parents’ divorce, and we’re now seeing Dad back in the picture as well.

Maki definitely has a good relationship with his mother - he’s worried about her health, and whether she’s overworking.

And then he bumps into his dad in a shopping centre on Christmas Eve…awkward much and roll credits…

#IMadeFriendsWithTheSecondPrettiestGirlInMyClass

OOOF.

#IMadeFriendsWithTheSecondPrettiestGirlInMyClass

I commented some time back about Maki having a mother involved in his life, unusual for anime, but it turns out the reason his dad ISN’T in the picture was a divorce, and one that was nasty enough to leave trauma in the form of occasional nightmares.

So, yeah, Maki WANTS to commit to Umi, but he’s got…issues.

#IMadeFriendsWithTheSecondPrettiestGirlInMyClass

KISS! OK, on the cheek, but we’re firmly into romance territory at this point…and it feels natural to be here. Umi getting confirmation that, yes, she comes FIRST with Maki made that feel like a natural step.

I do like the character work in this show, it flows well.

Yeah, Maki is being greedy on Umi’s behalf: he wants her to keep his friendship with Umi AND wants her to keep her friendship with Yuu.

#IMadeFriendsWithTheSecondPrettiestGirlInMyClass

Yuu is also a nice girl however, and I think is now moving firmly into #ShipperOnDeck territory

It wasn’t until middle school that Yuu outshadowed her, and she started getting a complex about being the SECOND prettiest girl…and Maki is a fundamentally decent guy who will put Umi FIRST.

#ImadeFriendsWithTheSecondPrettiestGirlInMyClass

#IMadeFriendsWithTheSecondPrettiestGirlInMyClass

Looks like we’re getting some back story, and thus far it seems that Umi has ALWAYS been a nice girl.

And that Yuu, was initially the outcast until Umi became her first friend.

Meanwhile in #IMadeFriendsWithTheSecondPrettiestGirlInMyClass there’s good news and bad news.

Good: Both Umi and Yuu do NOT like bullying, and took steps to address it.

Bad: Umi DOES have issues/a complex about being regarded as the SECOND prettiest, and she’s about to spill the details next week.

The Hope: This show has had solid character work without, so I’m moderately confident it can resolve this next week. Probably through Maki being a decent guy (he fundamentally is).

#ImadeFriendsWithTheSecondPrettiestGirlInMyClass Oh hey, parents who are actively involved in their kids lives (and embarrassingly so)!

Also, it looks like BOTH of the prettiest girls in the class are also very nice girls, and they’re not about to put up with bullying…