Kou has weird friends.
What They Say:
“PAGE.8”
At the end of her first year of high school, the main heroine, Futaba suddenly has a chance encounter with her first love, Tanaka Kou. Three years ago, he transferred schools before she was able to say how she felt about him. After meeting each other again, Futaba realizes that he has gone through many changes. He acts more cool and even had his last name changed to Mabuchi. Gradually the two rekindle their love while piecing together what had happened in the time that they were apart.
The Review:
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
Blue Spring Ride is stringent to its theme. This is one really easy reason to point at as to why it is so good. It has focused for almost two episodes on Futaba’s hesitation in telling Makita that they BOTH like Kou. She’s not, however, distressing about whether or not to tell Kou she likes him. Why? The focus is on identity. When you like the same guy as your friend, you’re comparing yourself to herself. It’s an internal thing. When you confess your love, it’s a little more external. You have to be comfortable with yourself to a certain degree, of course, but you’re asking the person you love to be comfortable with you. You’re asking THEM to accept YOU. Futaba was asking Makita to accept Futaba as she is—the one who loves the boy Makita loves.
The only confession isn’t Futaba’s. Murao comes forth with her teacher loving antics as well. I like the idea of Murao as a character within the dynamic of Futaba, Makita, and Kou. However, both she and Kominato have had little to do since the camp. Even now, her confession serves more Makita’s character than her own. The scorn Makita received was not granted as she never told Futaba one word about Murao’s crush. Makita is a nice person and we never SEE that until this scene. We see the sweet girl who likes to look cute.
It’s demonstrated also when Futaba confesses. Makita talks like two friends in love with a pop star, not like two friends in love with another friend. She says, “So from now on, whoever succeeds, no hard feelings on either side, okay?” and it’s absolutely touching when she says that. All the worry falls from Futaba’s heart in an instant. She didn’t have to worry whether it would hurt Makita because A. Makita is a good person that B. already accepts Futaba completely, good and bad. These three are friends for life and the doughnut scene solidifies that.
When the two walk away from each other, they’re hurt. Makita lies and says she has to go to the restroom. Futaba realizes what a good person Makita is (the little time Futaba and Murao had together may very well have convinced Murao to make her confession). Makita cries. She says, “Let’s both be in love with him, fair and square.” She so freaking genuine, it hurts.
I just noticed this on the flashback, but when Futaba’s old, bitchy friend Asumi comes back, the show returns to their lunch table. That is so representative of their relationship, it’s ridiculous. Asumi and Chie sit at their desks eating lunch. Futaba is the one that’s accepted into that circle. She never gets her own desk, a third desk to pull up to the others’. She’s always the outside with her friends “only by name,” as Kou says. The desks themselves can represent the acceptance of each other as friends.
In Summary:
The episode also featured Kou and Futaba wandering town. It did almost nothing for me. But the first half of the episode was so strong, I can’t help but loving the whole thing. The Kou/Futaba stuff solidified a few things about Kou and that’s it. 1. He has some tact (“To have someone I call a friend say that makes me sick”) and 2. He loses the tact REAL QUICK (“Forehead?”). It’s the same old song and dance that we’ve seen from the two the whole series. After being the reason I kept with the show—hell, reviewed the show at all!—they have quickly become the least interesting main plot thread ever.
Grade: A
Streamed By: Crunchyroll
Equipment: PS3, LG 47LB5800 47” 1080p LED TV
