Nazo no Kanojo X episode 5

A beach episode!? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Ha, ha ha, actually, this episode wasn’t too bad, not the best, (beach episodes rarely are) but, it served a purpose to the overarching storyline so I can’t really complain! During this episode it seemed as though Tsubaki realised just how attractive his girlfriend was for the first time. Seriously, Urabe has a smokin’ body, (I’m allowed to say that ‘cause I’m a girl myself) I’d kill for a figure like that! Up until this point what attracted Tsubaki to her the most was how peculiar she was, it was a quality which set her apart from the other girls but, this episode proved there’s a physical attraction too.

Whilst, on the surface, Nazo no Kanojo X would seem to have you think all boys are perverts, (as evidenced by the Phys-Ed class scene after the OP credits) the fact that Tsubaki first came to like Urabe for her quirky personality rather than her body- only just beginning to notice it now that he’s been with her for quite some time, despite the fact the opposite sex’s body is usually the first thing you notice when you really begin to foster an interest in ‘em- makes him difficult not to like! He’s quite the pure-pure shounen really…

So, that’s another development in their relationship and, whilst it may seem a superficial one at first, it’s OK- the show’s already devoted plenty of time to exploring and strengthening the bond between them, so now it’s come to exploring the attraction between them it feels genuine rather than sordid. I’m so glad they did it in this order!

First-time-relationship nerves? Ty-chama thinks so.

This episode also had me consider, what with Tsubaki plucking up the courage to invite Urabe to the beach, who really wear the metaphorical trousers in this relationship? Who’s really pulling the strings here? Urabe would be the obvious answer but, is she really? If you think about it, it was Tsubaki who first tasted her drool, Tsubaki who first confessed, Tsubaki who first provoked Urabe into strengthening their bond in various ways, and Tsubaki who asked Urabe out on their first date. Perhaps our young, male protagonist is more in control than he thinks, perhaps Urabe is actually the more reluctant element in the relationship? But, why would Urabe be hesitant to drive the relationship forward without prior encouragement from Tsubaki? That’s an easy one! This is probably her first ever relationship, and although she appears confident, she probably has but a vague idea of how to behave around her new boyfriend. I like this theory- it makes Urabe seem a lot more human, a lot less space alien.

Heh heh, yeah… Not much to say on the actual events that occurred whilst the couple were at the beach- it’s all stuff you’ve seen before! Instead, let me share with you a few of the thoughts I had during this episode:

For some reason the sweat licking bothered me a helluva lot more than the drool-sucking. Do you guys even know what’s in sweat!? It’s not just water you know, sweat also contains lactic acid and urea, a chemical found in urine. I know you like Urabe, Tsubaki but, I still wouldn’t have licked her lactic acid-y, piss chemical-y sweat if I were you!

Urabe mentioned her Dad during this episode. For some reason it never occurred to me she might have parents. I wonder what they’re like? I’m imagining a Japanese Adaams family here.

Why do the Japanese opt to eat hot noodles at the beach? It always seemed a peculiar food choice for a place you’d visit during hot weather. Wouldn’t you rather eat something that’d cool you down? Where are the ice-lollies or Slush Puppies!?