S.A - Special A ep.07

May 19, 2008 | 14 Comments

This is probably the best episode that have come out of this series. Seeing the other characters getting so much screentime is definitely better for the story since they are the more interesting and amusing part of the series. It still doesn't make either Hikari or Kei more likeable but at least they make the series a lot more fun that it normally is. I remember being bored out of my mind last week but that's not the case with this episode. Every moments are filled with insane plan from Akira's devious mind. It's like watching an episode of Road Runner with Akira being Wile E. Coyote whereas Kei is the Road Runner. The only difference is, I usually root for Road Runner whereas in this one, I wish Akira manages to somehow defeats Kei with one of her traps. It's really annoying when that monster just keeps plowing like a robot.

Episode 7

In the aftermath of what Yahiro said that night, Hikari is still embarrassed to be around Kei while Kei wants to know what Yahiro said to her. in order to cheer up Hikari, Akira suggests a trip to Europe but Tadashi wants to go on a survival trips in the woods. Ryuu naturally wants to go to a place with a lot of animals but Jun and Megumi are against it. They'd rather tie him up against a Gondola while they sing some song. Must be some kind of new kink that I wasn't aware of. Kei suggests they resolve this with a contest, in fact he'll let the second place to decide where they'll go. Having said that, he wants Hikari to tell him what Yahiro said if he wins. During the competition, Akira gives herself, Megumi, and June an advantage by letting themselves using rollerblades and bike. Ryuu and Tadashi, however, have to carry heavy stone in the shape of old people. Kei himself is strapped into a chair and a straight jacket to ensure he can't go before anyone else. In addition to this, she gives herself, Jun, and Megumi a chance to run first whereas Ryuu and Tadashi have to wait 30 seconds. Hikari has to wait for one minute while Kei has to wait for 2 minutes. In addition to this, Akira has devised traps for Kei.

Jun and Megumi, however, have another plan: they want Ryuu to lose so that they can be with him. In order to do this, they pretend to pass out on the street to stop him. Once that happens, they pretty much latch themselves onto the poor guy. Creepy kids. Eventually, it's time for Kei to make his moves but Akira already prepare some traps like a basket on top of Hikari's onigiri. This is so lame. Once Kei is trapped within, Akira pounds the basket with a baseball bat. Scary. Despite this, Kei manages to destroy the basket so off with the 2nd trap: a picture of Hikari on top of what is clearly a traphole. Unfortunately Kei manages to jump out of the hole. Even tomatoes-spewing giant robot which supposed to resemble Hikari fails to stop Kei on his track. Angry with her failed attempts, Akira decides to send the animals to attack Kei (crocs in the river, rocks-throwing bear, etc). She then tries to stop Kei with a lion in the middle of a bridge but the lion befriends Kei as well. In her frustration, Akira detonates the rocks which holds the bridge together. Thinking that Kei is finally dead, Akira pretends to mourn for him before finally laughing and enjoying victory, claiming that Hikari is finally hers.

Unfortunately for Akira, Kei somehow manages to survive the explosion and even manages to save the lion itself. He then goes on his merry way to catch up with Hikari. Not surprisingly, Hikari lost as usual so she has no choice but to tell him what Yahiro said to her the other day but she tells Kei she'll only say it once. Thankfully for her, just as she said it, Tadashi crashed through the window with a motorbike, muffling whatever she was saying. Kei is pissed off about this and beats up Tadashi. In the end, Kei decides to ask her if what Yahiro said makes her uncomfortable but since it doesn't, he's fine with it. This causes Hikari to realize that Kei was worried about her whereas she's just concerned with herself so she apologizes to him. Because of this, she tells him the truth: that Yahiro said Kei loves her. Kei's got the worst case of butterface upon hearing this. Hikari, however, thinks that can't possibly be true since they're rivals, upsetting Kei in the process. The episode ends with Akira beating up Tadashi because he destroys her table set. And oh, Kei looks extremely disappointed as well.

Highlights

* Akira likened Hikari's situation with Kei and Yahiro to Red Riding Hood being chased by the wolf and what looks like a pedobear. What a big teeth you have, grandma!
* Tadashi's face being crushed by Akira's legs. I do not endorsed DV but this looks fun in that anime violence kind of way.
* Ryuu's animalistic fantasy being pushed away by both Jun and Megumi. Well, I guess threesomes are more healthy than bestiality.
* Ryuu being tied up to a Gondola while Jun and Megumi plays their music. Jot this down as one way to inflict pain on someone.
* Kei's serial killer costume. The word "Pittari" comes into my mind when I first saw it.
* Noticing that Hikari's so-called onigiri turns out to be a bowling ball.
* What is it with female villains that they always half-covering their mouth while laughing like a banshee?
* Pedobear gets the scare of its life only to find that it's just a false alarm.
* Akira collecting the dust, pretending that it's Kei's ashes. Hilarious.
* Tadashi ruining Hikari's confession with his entrance. Nothing satisfies me more than seeing Kei's disappointed face.

Impression

For once, I really enjoyed the episode. Seeing Akira going out of her way to ruin Kei's chance to win the game was fun. Especially since nothing seems able to stop that monster. I especially enjoyed her plan once it starts involving wild animals. The expressions on the bear and the lion were extremely fun to see. It's also amusing to see a forest and a valley somehow exist not far from the school. I don't know how's that possible if the school is actually located in a major city like Tokyo. But I guess this is the part where one takes logic out of equation and just enjoys the silliness. Speaking of silliness, seeing Akira going nuts after Kei was 'killed' was pure joy. Her character is such a psycho when it comes down to Hikari that sometimes I wonder if she and Kei will start throttling each other's neck to win Hikari. The thing is, I don't think she's actually attracted to Hikari. I think she just finds her cute like a girl finds a doll cute so in a way, Hikari is like her precious toy. It's not surprising that she doesn't want to share with someone like Kei. And yes Kei, please die already. I almost vomit in my mouth when I saw his butterface after Hikari told him what Yahiro said. I'm glad Hikari thinks that can't be true.

Preview

Next week: a typical holiday episode.

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