Honey and Clover ep.02

April 23, 2005 | 16 Comments

I always watch the 2nd episode of a new series with a bit of trepidation because normally the quality of the 2nd anime episode goes down a notch from the 1st episode. Thankfully, that does not seem to be the case here. The water-painting look remains consistent and as a result, gives a rather pleasant overall look, especially when compared to other anime on offer this season. It also helps that the series has some of the best music collection in each episode. The most impressive part of the series, however, is the fact that the anime story still flows smoothly even though some parts of it has been modified from the original manga. The writers have really done a good job in ensuring that some of the comedic storyline from the early volumes are combined together with the more serious plot of the later volumes. Anyway, check out Bluwacky's blog for more opinion about this episode.

This episode itself begins with Takemoto and Mayama looking at Hagu's footprint. Their teacher/Hagu's uncle, Hanamoto Shuuji, informs the two that it was Morita who took Hagu's footprint. The two boys immediately feel sorry for Hagu especially since Morita has been hounding Hagu for the last few days with various vegetations for Hagu to pose with. I have to say that Yuji Ueda is so good in this scene. His laugh is quite disturbing and makes it seems as if Morita is a lecherous older guy chasing after a little girl....oh, right. :) Anyway, in order to vent her frustration, Hagu has been working hard on her artwork. Upon hearing this the two boys asks Shuuji for a permission to see Hagu trying to create her artwork, thinking that it's some kind of a cute painting.

Imagine their surprise when Hagu's artwork turns out to be a very well-done clay sculpture. Shuuji tells the boys that the statue is supposed to be displayed at a lobby of an art museum in Yokohama. On top of this, there's a gallery owner who's been impressed with Hagumi's work. Shuuji himself is always impressed with Hagumi's work and often talks with the gallery owner about the kind of world Hagu sees with her eyes. Later on that day, Takemoto tells Mayama that Hagumi's talent kind of surprised him. He admits that he entered art school without thinking about the kind of job that he wants or what he will do in the future. Because of this, he panic a little bit when he saw Hagu's talent. Takemoto feels that everyone else, including Morita and Mayama has some kind of aim in their life.

Mayama, however, tells Takemoto not to worry too much about it and just try whatever he's interested in since he's only in his 2nd year. Besides, there are things that one can figure out just by trying it oneself. Mayama then moves on from the subject by suggesting that Takemoto invites Hagu and everyone for next week's Teppanyaki party. Because of this, the two come to visit Hagu and find her in the process of creating some kind of 'wish-list' book. In the middle of the conversation, however, the three are interrupted by the arrival of a student who recognises Hagu and immediately calls her 'Korobokkuru'. It turns out he saw her picture at a website that displays her pictures in various pose with vegetations. Takemoto and Mayama immediately realises that this is the work of Morita.

Hagu is disturbed and angry about this so she ends up throwing things at Morita when he comes to the room to give her a foot-like paper weight made out of her footprint. Hagu then storms out of the office and accidentally bumps into Ayumi, who's in the middle of carrying a newly-made pot. The pot falls to the ground, causing it to become shapeless but Hagumi quickly fix the problems by making a sculpture out of the now shapeless pot. Meanwhile, Takemoto tries to invite Morita to the Teppanyaki party but Morita tells him that tonight he may have to go out for about one week. Takemoto promises Morita that they'll wait for him. Once Morita leaves, however, Mayama comments that Morita probably won't come back for the party. Takemoto, on the other hand, believes that the guy will come back.

While an unknown character is seen picking up Morita with a car, Ayumi is seen busy creating more clay pots. She, however, stops immediately upon seeing Hagumi arriving. Fast forward to what presumably a week later, Mayama wonders if Morita will really come back soon. He advises Takemoto to just start the party without Morita. Takemoto, however, tells his friend that he prefers to wait for Morita so that Morita won't feel lonely/left out. This for some reason reminds Mayama of a woman called Harada Rika. Elsewhere in the city, Morita is seen looking really tired. He, however, immediately perks up upon seeing a pair of shoes that look similar to the one that Hagu wanted. Unfortunately for him, the shop attendants don't like his unkempt appearance and eccentric way of testing the shoes.

Having said that, they immediately begins to worship Morita upon finding out that he can buy the 32,000 Yen shoes with cash. Wow, that is around 320 US Dollars. Is there anyone who actually buys such expensive shoes? Back at the college, Shuuji is making a phone call to presumably the gallery owner he was talking about earlier. A montage of Ayumi and Hagu talking to one another accompanied by a contemporary Jazz song then follows. Hmm, I hope this song will be on the OST when I buy it or I'll be throwing things like Hagu. Anyway, it also seems that Shuuji knows Harada Rika. Fast forward to a couple hours later, Morita comes back to the school looking tired. He, however, manages to give a discounted meat as a present for Takemoto's Teppanyaki party and the shoe to a terrified but now excited Hagu.

Upon seeing the shoes, Hagu becomes really happy and starts to dance around. Morita, on the other hand, suddenly collapse due to exhaustion. Because of this, Takemoto has no choice but to carry him back home on his back. Mayama is impressed by this display of loyalty from Takemoto, commenting that it reminds him of a famous dog called Sabu. Anyway, while on their way home, Takemoto tells a sleeping Morita that Hagu looked very happy with the present that she probably forgives Morita by now. When he says this, however, he suddenly imagines Morita looking at Hagu with tender eyes. Upon imagining this, Takemoto feels some kind of a pain somewhere but simply assume that the feeling is just him feeling hungry instead of him being jealous of Morita giving present to Hagumi.

Impression:

I am glad the anime did a good job on what I consider the selling point of this series when I first read the manga: the conversation between Takemoto and Mayama inside the noodle shop. Every time I see that scene, it makes me wonders about my goals in life. Unlike Mayama or Takemoto, I have completed my university studies and yet I'm still confused as to what I really want to do in life. I'm at that point in life where I wonder if the job that I have right now is the kind of career I'll like to have for the rest of my life. Sometimes I envy those who knows what they want to do or those who already love their profession. This is why I'm taking late-night courses. I was hoping that one of the things that I learn will become the sort of profession I'd like to have.

Unfortunately, nothing has inspired me so far because I always work from 9 to 5 and then I go to late night courses after that. Whatever time I have left I use for blogging. By the time I finish all of them, I'm too tired to think about what careers I truly want. So here I am in Japan partly with the hope that somehow I'll be able to figure out what I really want to do. If I think about it, I guess this is some kind of running away from reality. I am not sure that by going here I'll be able to find the solution to my problem but at least it's nice to just have a break from work. Anyway, this is why I ended up liking the series right away when I first read the manga. It's nice to see an anime that reflect my current situation at the moment.

© memento 2003