Ao Haru Ride – 06

Ao Haru Ride-wakuwaku

Yuuri’s really interested in Futaba’s stories

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What can you do when your new best friend tells you that she’s fallen for the guy you’re kinda falling for? I don’t think that Futaba would pull out The Cars at this point and I can’t think of any “I wish my friend’s boyfriend was my boyfriend” songs offhand.

Staying out of the Way

Ao Haru Ride-Closeness you can't hide

Trying to prove she doesn’t like him just backfires

Futaba’s clearly preoccupied with the thought that Yuuri’s moving in on Kou, but she’s trying to not let on her disappointment. Yuuri’s even worried that she’s made Futaba mad or that she’s interested in Kou too. And here’s where Futaba’s off the cuff reactions get her in trouble, with her quick denial that she’s interested in him. It’s too late by then to take it back, especially with Yuuri’s happy reaction that she doesn’t have competition from Futaba.

Ao Haru Ride-Worry about others

Even so, Yuuri’s worried about whether Kou likes Futaba

And Futaba really is happy for Yuuri that she’s in love, because Yuuri’s really cute when she’s in love. So she’s trying hard to not be in love with Kou. But I think we all know how well that goes. You can’t love someone you don’t want to, and you can’t not love someone you love. Generally something has to happen to effect a change like that.

He’s Not Helping

Ao Haru Ride-What to do

Everything she does is thinking about him

And meanwhile, all the things that are happening are pushing Futaba the wrong way. She tries to diss Kou, and ends up in a headlock from him, making Yuuri all jealous of their closeness. She tries to get Kou to leave early by doing the Class Rep assignment by herself, but he won’t leave her to do it (making Yuuri wish she was the Class Rep for a minute). She tries to turn in the worksheets herself, so that Kou will leave without her, but he waits at the shoe lockers. It’s almost like he wants to spend time with her! Funny thing about that…

Ao Haru Ride-So Cool

If he’s gonna be hanging out there all hot looking and stuff, what can Futaba do?

And because she can’t seem to get away from him, her growing feelings for him are not leaving her alone. Finally, she tries to put it to the test, or more makes someone else make her decision for her: Getting on the train, she fakes forgetting something, and says “If he stays on, I won’t love him, if he gets off, I’ll keep loving him.” And of course, at the last moment, she pleads in her head “I want him to get off the train!” She didn’t want the decision made for her. She knew what she wanted. And it’s probably the truth that no matter what Kou did, she’d keep loving him. But he did get off the train.

Ao Haru Ride-The Test Ao Haru Ride-He Stays

She tried to test herself, but won / failed completely

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Even though she feels a little bit bad about it, Futaba’s going to win Kou and Yuuri’s not. I initially wrote “win Kou away from Yuuri” but the truth is that Yuuri never had a chance. Who’s the one that Kou keeps spending time with? The one that he keeps waiting for? I really love the way they’re playing him in the show. Yes, the main character is Futaba, but what I think we’ve been seeing the last episode and a half is Kou trying to win Futaba in that way that guys do: being around, being thoughtful for her, spending time with her. So often we see that in the ‘unrequited love’ type of thing, where the girl doesn’t really want the guy to be there. But when a pair of people are both interested in each other, it’s more like this. I’m trying not to think too far in the future when they’ll screw up the story with stalling shoujo tactics, and just enjoying these two falling in love now.

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Proving that you don't have to be young to love anime, I enjoy all genres and styles of shows. If it's not hurting anyone else, you should never be ashamed of what you like!
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10 Responses to “Ao Haru Ride – 06”

  1. JPNIgor says:

    SO CUTE, STOP IT I WILL DIE FROM MANLY MOE STUFF AND I CAN’T AFFORD TO DO IT.

    I don’t have any words besides that it was a great episode. Dammit.

    • Kyokai says:

      ^ Your first line was pretty much my reaction while reading the manga. The reason I am staying away from the anime. >>;

      • JPNIgor says:

        But it’s so good! D= Even though I just keep butting my head against the wall whenever it gets too cute.

        • Highway says:

          Heh, it can’t get too cute for me.

          • Di Gi Kazune says:

            Hehehe. Both of us must have immunity to Cuteness then? 😛

            • Kyokai says:

              Same for drama, is it then? 😛

            • Di Gi Kazune says:

              Speaking of cuteness and drama and immunity… I thought someone would be doing…

              Love Stage!!

              Never in my life would I have though yaoi and excessive cuteness come together in one package.

              Well… boku no pico may come close…

        • Kyokai says:

          Cuteness and the drama gets me. And let me tell you, you haven’t seen nuthin’ yet.

          • Highway says:

            This type of drama I don’t mind, and in fact revel in. Now, if Futaba goes TOO long without telling Yuuri, that would be problematic, but seems like that will happen next episode (next next episode after this post).

            • Kyokai says:

              Keep waving your flag and I’ll just keep watching from the sidelines till season ends. Teehee.

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