High Score Girl II - Episode 03 (Release Discussion)

Man, this episode... Holy shit. What a fucking gut punch...

Coming into this season the drama was initially feeling rather tired for me, but after thinking on it I can't disagree with any of it on any rational level at all--everything makes complete sense in regards to these characters and their behaviour here--and the execution is so good too... And I feel like with this episode especially I've been completely won over here.

You watch this realising it's completely hopeless for Hidaka, which makes this continued drama feel tiring - but the girl's young, and she's in love - and the show makes it clear she knows it's hopeless as well, as shown by her desperation ramping up and up as she continues to be denied and confronted with the truth... This episode was her finally resorting to going all out, and using absolutely everything she has to use (pressure, tears, sex appeal, seduction...), and man was it tough to watch...
She does obviously notice how Yaguchi is becoming more and more unhappy spending all this time away from Akira, and she does also see that no matter what she tries Yaguchi doesn't show any of that same interest and excitement he has in Akira, with her.

But, despite all this, he isn't ever actually putting his foot down against her either. And after all this time, he still isn't with Akira despite his apparent love. What's Hidaka to make of this? Could he be indecisive? Not really. But you know how love is when you're very young. You latch on to any slim hope you can find. And this all leads me to my main point and my main realisation with this season - this arc isn't even about Hidaka in the slightest, instead it's actually about Yaguchi, and him stepping up and realising HIS feelings; and making the choice that needs to be made here. Things wouldn't have ever gone like this if he were honest to himself and others from the start. And he's gotten this naive girl who takes so much after him (in video games and in behaviour), all wrapped up in his faults too.

But now, finally, with the end of this episode and this situation he's found himself in--where he has absolutely NO where to run to from these two people and their feelings in-front him (the core theme of his character, by the way - is constantly running away from and never confronting difficult things. Largely, towards arcades and games for the escapism... Recall back to his early school days with his grades - the only thing that EVER got him out of completely failing was the appearance of Akira) his hand is forced--and I think things will be changing from here.

In the end, this is a coming-of-age story. And Yaguchi more than anyone, has to grow up now and make some adult decisions!

Also, unrelated, but can I take a sec to say just how much I absolutely adore the OPs and EDs for this show? They tug at my heart every single time...