After last week’s brilliant opening episode I wasn’t sure how this week’s would be able to meet the expectations I had of it but, I needn’t have worried because this episode was also pretty outstanding! It followed on from the theme of Urabe deconstructing Tsubaki’s more traditional concepts of love and what being in a relationship is all about but, as par in Nazo no Kanojo, in a pretty unusual, strangely tender way.
The episode started off slow, focusing on Tsubaki trying to progress through these stages in a relationship laid out by his friend: introducing yourself to the girl, communicating with her, holding hands with her, with little success. Now, this wasn’t particularly exciting to watch but, I think that may have been the point. It wasn’t all that exciting to watch because that’s such a stereotypical, conformist way of going about developing a relationship and that’s something Urabe, and therefore, this show condemns.
But, the episode vastly improved when, during one moment, everything clicked. Going through these set stages wasn’t what was important- being in a relationship isn’t about doing what everyone else is doing but, finding your own, unique way of strengthening the bond you have together. I love how Tsubaki had been struggling through these stages for a good 11-odd minutes of the episode only to have Urabe make his entire efforts look ridiculous by highlighting the above idea in just one sentence: “We do have our bond.” It was a very nice moment.
The following scene where Urabe went about proving, and strengthening, their bond was strangely tender. I’m sure if you were to try describing it to someone outside of the Nazo no Kanojo X circle they’d think it some sort of kinky, fetish thing but, it wasn’t played up to be like that at all- it was all just Urabe’s way of expressing how she feels towards Tsubaki. If she were completely confident in what she was doing that scene, undoubtedly, would’ve felt completely different but, she was, (self-admittedly) quite nervous, helping to contribute to the aforementioned tender feel of the scene. It contrasted quite nicely with previous scenes where she was made to seem almost mecha-like, (stop laughing!) Seriously, it was like *touch*, ACTIVATE URABE BATTLE MODE. I’m not sure what all of those shots to those bugs was about though. They were obviously trying to shove in another visual metaphor but, I’m not sure I got that one.
Their bond was further proved, I think, when during the next scene Urabe was able to deduce the contents of his dream simply by tasting his drool. Nice that she’s able to worm her way through his unconscious mind like that! I’m not sure what the significance of the dream world is as of yet, we all know dreams are the desires of the unconscious mind but, do Tsubaki’s have any significance beyond showing his fantasies over Urabe? I’m not sure but, even though we’re only two episodes in I’m already inclined to feel as though nothing in Nazo no Kanojo will be as straightforward as that!
Watashi Wa Bucho!! 
Judging by the art and you mentioning bugs were shown, I can only deduce this is done by Shaft. Correct?
Did this Urabe transform into a fighting robot and breath fire on people?
Incorrect, Hoods Entertainment. I hadn’t head of them before this- turns out all they’ve done is ecchi crap but, they’re actually doing a decent job with Nazo no Kanojo so far!
Shame you have that thing against drool- I reckon you’d really like this! Don’t you think you’d become de-sensitized to it after a while? There is a lot of it!
Ah. I’ve seen a few of their shows. Their ecchi is usually very extreme so for it not to be to bad in this show is an odd thing.
I doubt it. I’ve seen several shows where they do it a few times and I always get so grossed out by it.
Gross she tasted his drool 😛 Are they going out?
^ Obviously didn’t read my previous post, and doesn’t know Nazo no Kanojo means My Mysterious GIRLFRIEND
Go away