Nitpick: did Haruka’s school always use the School Days Desks(tm), with two to a seat? I thought they had theirs in classical style. Otherwise, for some reason, I am getting that ‘back to normal’ feeling with Okawari, compared to last episode.

What’s interesting is that here it felt like Chiaki got a bit o’ the Banchou-ing on herself. Even though all the classmates called her “Princess” instead. We got some weird camera angles of Chiaki as well, I must say, during the hamster sequence.

Never knew there was as many character parallels between Haruka’s and Kana’s schools and character sets; both have the energetic idiot (kind of a Kana-alike) in the friend group – the ones that stole the juice to drink in this episode. Not to mention, there’s a lot of talk about Haruka in both. I do like all this Banchou stuff.

In other news (i.e. yes I am blogging this live), Kana called Fujioka to the roof; it’s too bad we didn’t get a nice tease on that sequence. It was amusing though, the contrast between Kana’s picture of Exciting Banchou Window Washing and Fujioka’s unenthusiastic efforts.

Submarine IV <<< Ninomiya & Sensei: The Game. Having just come off watching Kaiji, I’m trying to figure out the rules of this game that is so much more complicated that canon Battleship. Sonar, depth charge, torpedo, mine plant…zawa zawa!

The Kana-dan? Spawn the Haruhi parodies, do it!

In conclusion – and I say in conclusion because suddenly, it’s the ending and I didn’t quite have enough witty thoughts to give any order to this – this episode has conclusively proved that there needs to be an episode where all of the Minamis are Banchous. Haruka proved herself last season, and Kana and Chiaki showed some serious potential here too.

Oh, and the episode was good too.

Would have to agree with many sentiments that it feels like Minami-ke on fast-forward, which doesn’t work quite as well. Somehow I feel Special Talent Haruka would have been a show-stopper in the other version.

Also, Kana cries.
Also, Haruka’s chest now qualifies as an underseat floation devices.
Also, Fujioka goes all depressed when he sees the girl he likes naked.
And now, for the number one reason why everyone thinks Okawari sucks…no Sensei!! or NINOMIYA-KUN!!

Well, it wasn’t horrible, to be honest. First half didn’t really click but once it got into the second half it started to hit its stride. There were good moments (overflowing spring, ping-pong, “what’s your relationship with Chiaki”), gender swapping Touma and Makoto (plus bonus Fujioka) is still gold, and Kana proved that long hair is always win. Did they take three baths in one day, though? Must be a really comfortable onsen.