Honey and Clover: Chapter F

February 26, 2006 | 31 Comments

Dekita! Sorry it took longer but I had to attend a family get-together weekend, so I didn't have much time to do any kind of writing. Anyway, this episode does not disappoint and will definitely join the rank of other excellent Hachikuro episodes. The animation is actually not as good as the one from Chapter.L but beggar can't be chooser. The important thing is that the storyline and the humour are still spot on. While I wish the series can go on and on, I think it's probably a good idea if the series end on a high note. Of course I won't refuse to watch a second season if there is any but this episode seems to be a good point to end the series. For now I am just looking forward to see the live action movie and can't wait until it is released 4 months from now.

Anyway, the episode itself opens with Yamada and Hagu looking happy because they've just created some kind of woolen cover for their teapot. The function of the item, which is named 'Pukkun', is to ensure that the tea inside the pot will stay warm. Meanwhile across the city, Miwako is crying upon seeing a picture of Yamasaki in a men's fashion magazine (which is a parody of Men's Non-No). Her colleague, Takaido, wonders why she wails like this so Nomiya asks him to take a look at the magazine. Takaido is surprised upon seeing a picture of Yamasaki and even more so when he recognises the shirt that Yamasaki wears. Apparently the shirt was purchased by Miwako when she was working in Asakusabashi. Miwako decided to give the shirt to Yamasaki so that he'll look ridiculous. She even went out of her way to give it on his birthday, just for impact. Miwako, however, became extremely disappointed when Yamasaki doesn't look bad wearing the shirt.

This does not mean that Miwako has given up her idea to make fun of Yamasaki. She decides to go to Nakada the next day so she can buy an even more ghastly shirt for the guy. Yamasaki is surprised and embarassed to get another present from Miwako. Unfortunately he's too grateful to notice the 'Evil' mark that appears on Miwako's forehead. He, however, becomes horrified upon finding out that the T-Shirt that Miwako bought him features a giant robot in it. The poor guy tries to protest but quickly withdrawn his objection when Miwako glares at him. However, one month later, Miwako finds out that her evil deed has backfired once more. Apparently the magazine thinks that Yamasaki is daring for wearing such a bold anime shirt (Mazindaiga X?). Nomiya and Takaido try to convince Miwako to stop her evil ways but she refuses and continues to buy one tasteless shirt after another for Yamasaki. However, this only reinforces Yamasaki's position as a fashion leader.

Despite this, Miwako still refuses to give and remembers that next week she and Nomiya are going to Nagoya. Fast forward one week later, the two are seen arriving in Nagoya late at night. This means that the shopping arcade is already closed down since it's already past 9pm. Nomiya, however, tells Miwako that they can return to the shopping arcade tomorrow morning then take the 5pm Shinkansen to go back to Tokyo. As the two walk over closed shops, Nomiya stumbles onto a specialist clothing shop called 'Wada'. He thinks the place will be perfect to find that ugly clothing for Yamasaki. So the next day, the two rush off to the shop before 5pm. Upon arriving there, they are shocked at the price of the shirts on sale. An ugly boat-motif shirt can cost them 13,000 Yen. Miwako, however, is fixated on a Jaguar-motif shirt which costs 28,900 Yen. Nomiya quickly warns Miwako that the shirt is too expensive. Besides, the other shirt will do the job just fine.

Miwako eventually agrees to get the other, less expensive shirt but when she finds out that Yamasaki doesn't look bad in it, she immediately decided to purchase the Jaguar-motif shirt through telephone. Nomiya and Takaido are disturbed to see this latest development. Takaido is especially feeling sorry for Yamasaki. However, they should not worry about this because the magazine ends up choosing Yamasaki as style champion. Miwako, who realises that all of these times her attempts to make Yamasaki looks bad only makes him a style champ, becomes dispirited. Yamasaki, however, doesn't know this. He even tells the magazine that the truth is, he should thank Miwako for providing the clothes. He even admits that he has a crush on her! Nomiya seems to feel sorry for Yamasaki but now he's actually suckered into joining Miwako in her cause. The two plan to go to Osaka to find their next 'present' for Yamasaki.

The second part of the episode basically happens after Morita returns from the US. The episode begins with Mayama looking smug after successfully creating a perfect strategy during a game of Shogi with Shuuji. While Mayama goes on to talk about how he didn't expect Shogi to be interesting, Shuuji grumbles about the fact that Mayama gets to work together with Rika. Despite this, Shuuji tells Mayama that Mayama shouldn't come and play Shogi with him after work since he's sure that there are other, more interesting things that Mayama can do. Mayama mentions that he's actually been invited to Goukon (a drinking party that is more like a blind date). Shuuji becomes excited to hear this and laments the fact that he never went to one. That's why he is pissed off when Mayama tells him that he didn't go because he's gone to that sort of event when he was 'young'. Shuuji wonders if Mayama tries to pick up a fight by saying that.

Before any violence can happen, however, Takemoto enters the room with Hagu so Mayama asks the two if they want some roll-cake. When Hagu about to enjoy her portion of the cake, however, Mayama asks her if she's been to Goukon before. Upon hearing this, Shuuji perks up while Hagu suddenly becomes disturbed, suggesting that she's never been invited to one. Takemoto immediately protests Mayama for asking such a weird question. Mayama apologises to Hagu and tells her that he's just curious. Shuuji, on the other hand, laughs happily in the background and tells the two boys that Hagu has always been shy ever since she was young and she's already a university student now. Takemoto and Mayama can only lament Shuuji's insensitivity. Thankfully Shuuji quickly changes the conversation to Yamada, thinking that someone as cute as her must have gone to a Goukon. Upon hearing Shuuji's words, however, Mayama looks depressed.

It turns out that Mayama at one point got in trouble in a Goukon when two girls found out that he's the one that Yamada was talking about. Apparently at one point Yamada went to a Goukon but she ended up getting drunk and told her broken heart story involving Mayama. This effectively ruined the life of the party. The guys ended up feeling sorry for her while the other girls got completely ignored. The girls even got as far as crying, begging and submitting petitions to Mayama so that he'll accept Yamada's feeling. LOL. Actually, it's not funny because afterwards, Yamada mistakenly thought that Mayama has been playing with her friends' heart, as shown in episode 3. This is the real reason why Mayama is reluctant to go to Goukon now. Shuuji can't help but sympathise with Mayama's plight upon hearing the horrific story. Because of this, he decides to change the subject to interesting event that has happened in Mayama's office.

The story then returns to Miwako's attempt to ruin Yamasaki's fashion status. Mayama tells Shuji how at one point, Miwako found out from Yamasaki himself that he has got an invitation to go to Goukon because of his reputation as fashion champ. Yamasaki actually tries to tell Miwako that even though he's happy to be invited, he actually already has someone that he likes, implying that it's Miwako. Instead of getting the hint, however, Miwako was burning with the desire to ruin Yamasaki's Goukon experience, prompting Nomiya to advise Yamasaki to give up on Miwako. Nomiya was right. Miwako's evil truly knows no bound because she ended up dressing Yamasaki to look like Lupin the 3rd. However, she's extremely disappointed as usual when Yamasaki ended up having a ball in his Goukon party, reciting some famous Lupin's lines. Because of this Nomiya asks Miwako to give up. The guy probably looks good in a Saint Seiya-like costume.

Besides, he wondered why she wanted to do this to begin with. After thinking a little bit, Miwako revealed that she wants to laugh at and looks down on Yamasaki. And then later on, she'll try to comfort him so that Yamasaki will appreciate it. Upon hearing this Nomiya wondered if Yamasaki really wants anyone like Miwako. Shuuji becomes really horrified upon hearing this story too. Because of this, he and Mayama decide decide to cheer for Yamasaki. The two then continue playing Shogi until the time shows 1.30am, not realising that Takemoto and Hagu have gone home. The two are about to continue the game right until dawn until they suddenly hear Morita telling them not to stay up late like this. They are horrified to know this and becomes annoyed when Morita tells them that they're not young anymore. The episode then ends with Yamada and Hagu walking together on an evening only to see Yamada's father wearing their beloved "Pukkun" as a hat.

Impression:

I am glad to see the series still capable of bringing in the laughter. The entire Miwako and Yamasaki saga was entirely hilarious. Although in reality, I highly doubt any fashion magazine will choose anyone wearing such ghastly shirts as a trend-setter. If that kind of thing happens, the magazine's editor would have been fired a long time ago. Or maybe not, considering the kind of clothes that fashion magazines often consider as 'on the edge'. This episode also revealed Miwako as an evil schemer. However, it seems she has a very bad luck in this matter. The second half of the story, which seems to be an original story, seems to be equally funny as well. This is a rarity for an anime series. I like how this story explained why Yamada was angry back in episode 3. I didn't really enjoy the entire Shogi game part of the story because I don't know much about the game itself. But thankfully, the main focus of the second part is on the blind date and not the game. Overall, this is another awesome episode and I think I'll miss the anime for good now that it's really over.

© memento 2003