灰原くんの強くて青春ニューゲーム

Yep, this is not to mention the massive hanging bridge effect the 2 bonded over thanks to the whole thing Hikari's dad. Miori really has not many chances. Uta at least got first move advantage 3 times in a row by confesion, date and a kiss. That girl really has 0 fear of pushing onwarrds. But even then on a rough spot even with a passive Hikari. Now add Hikari and Natsuki begin more proactive and Miori chances plumet to absolute 0.

I confess I didn't expect Hikari to rise to the level she did, but as she said, she doesn't want to lose to Uta, so I thought it was valid. Honestly Hikari had to start getting aggressive if she wants to be able to compete with Uta who is an unrelenting power forward when it comes to her feelings for Natsuki. She held herself back because of their friendship, but Hikari can't deny her feelings for Natsuki any more. And damn, Miori really decided to shift her focus to Reita, although I feel like they won't end up together. I kind of got the vibe that Miori was intentionally trying to avoid Natsuki and maximize her time with Reita to avoid her real feelings. I feel like that's a budding issue that's going to need to be addressed.

Ok, this episode was reasonably balanced and so wholesome. Seri somehow really won me over in that singular conversation, not for best girl, but just a good friend character for Natsuki, especially both geeking out over their shared music interest, and also Hoshimiya and Uta indireclty competing and pouting over who knows Natsuki better. As for the trip, just really well done, the guys not being voerly pervy, everyone genuienly having fun, Hoshimiya wanting a genuine swimsuit opinion, Natsuki getting an intimate moment with both girls, realising he can't keep running. I almost got annoyed at Hoshimiya feeling unfair, given it went against her previous 2 episodes, only for her to correct to beautifully at the end, we got the fireworks at the beach, and we finally getting Natsuki in the school band; I can't wait to see him shred like in the OP

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks that. Idk, picking Uta would also cause a stir for their group relationship, especially with Tatsu. And yeah, i could see it that even though Natsuki still considering Uta feeling, Hikari would be the one winning at the end. Again, don't get me wrong, Uta is a good girl, but for heroine races Hikari and Miori has a higher chances for me. Yes, Miori, somehow i think she also like Natsuki in romantic way.

Well that was a decent beach/summer break episode. All the girls had great swimsuits, but I liked Serika's the most. She also gets bonus points for her twintails. The girl's casual clothes were good too. Unless we get something out of left field and find out that Miori and Natsuki actually do like each other and are just in deep denial of their feelings for each other I think Miori is out of the running. Seems her feelings for Reita were real not just because she couldn't have Natsuki. That leaves two challengers left in the Natsuki Bowl. Hikari vs Uta. Neither is going to back down so this will probably get messy. Especially because as of yet Natsuki seems unwilling to choose. That is until you remember that Natsuki x Hikari was confirmed by the little girl at the beach so now Uta has no chance.

In Natsuki's previous playthrough, he had no friends, no social life, and nothing worth looking forward to during Summer Break...but it's completely different now, especially when he gets to see Hikari in her trip outfit! Of COURSE he ends up sitting on the train with Hikari and Uta together, who are looking at him and only him. But at least there's Serika, there to be quirky cool blonde beauty and ask all the direct queustions like how Uta is clearly into Natsuki. Meanwhile Hikari has Natsuki's entire character bio she can recite from memory. Also she's TOTALLY not bothered by how Natsuki and Uta were together during the festival. The best way to de-fuse awkward romantic tension? Bonding with Serika over music! Natsuki wasn't the next Jimmi Hendrix but he DID get into music enough that he and Serika can gush over the same artists and be on the same wavelength musically. Now it's the other girls' turn to be thrown off! Was Miori really just looking out for Natsuki and finding an excuse to sit next to Reita...or did she not want her own feelings mixed up with Uta and Hikari's while sitting with Natsuki? Either way, Natsuki thinks there shouldn't be any problem with Reita and Miori getting together. But is that true? The guys are all (understandably) looking forward to seeing the girls in swimsuits and they're ALL worth the wait! They all look so cute (and hot)! MiorixReita and UtaxTaysuya pair up leaving Natsuki and Hikari alone and to be self-conscious around each other...especially when their skin touches and they check each other out in their swimsuits. That random little girl defintiely approves of this ship. Top 10 anime betrayals with Uta rooting for Natsuki instead of Tatsuya, but props to Uta for staying true to her crush. Meanwhile Yuino is everyones' mom and Serika does the BEST sand castles! Someone should definitely take a pic of that. Hikari getting Natsuki alone so she can hold his hand...definitely hard to imagine there's a non-romantic reason why she did it, especially when she realized she was betraying Uta in the process...even though she still wanted to hold his hand. What would Summer without fireworks? Look at Uta dual-wielding fireworks! Or Hikari immediately glomping onto Natsuki when she gets freaked out! Tatsuya is REALLY going to need to work that belly off. Uta really is a sweetheart, wanting to give Natsuki a present for his birthday and just using it as an excuse to think about him even more than she already is....though will her efforts fizzle out like the fireworks did? While Natsuki is trying to figure out what he should do about his love triangle situation...he and Hikari spend some time together on the beach, with Hikari looking deep into the sea as a writer. As fact bleeds into fiction and they recreate her romance novel, Hikari stands in the sea looking as divinely beautiful as possible and declares that she won't lose to Uta and acting like she's promising to confess to Natsuki during a full moon. Is this a full on declaration of war from Hikari!? Lucky Natsuki getting birthday presents from BOTH Uta and Hikari...but he's also getting recruited into Serika's band.

Did I miss something, why was Hoshmiya allowed to go on the trip? Her father forbade her and punished her and it left with her agreeing to read her writing but she was never said to be allowed on the trip. Did she just ignore him and go. Also has Hondo been on before? I don't remember her at all even though she seemed to know at least some of them well enough to go on the trip. She's very blunt, asking inappropriate q's and rubbing Haibara's abs. I also thought it was really odd that Hondo asked him to join a band, like she hasn't even seen him play? I don't even think she cares if the band gets off the ground and she's asking him out in a way. Also I wonder if the train ride was the first time Uta and Hoshimiya found out each other both likes Haibara. Uta looked like she was going to bitch slap Hoshimiya when she knew all those facts about him and I don't think Hoshimiya knew Uta went with Haibara to the summer festival until then. That was hilarious though when Hondo asked Reita if he and Yuino were dating and he in a more polite way essentially said "none of your damn business" 🤣 I felt bad for Tatsu in this episode. Uta was cheering for Haibara in their swimming contest and he looked like he couldn't swim at all because he was so shaken.

Did I miss something, why was Hoshmiya allowed to go on the trip? Her father forbade her and punished her and it left with her agreeing to read her writing but she was never said to be allowed on the trip. Did she just ignore him and go. Also has Hondo been on before? I don't remember her at all even though she seemed to know at least some of them well enough to go on the trip. She's very blunt, asking inappropriate q's and rubbing Haibara's abs. I also thought it was really odd that Hondo asked him to join a band, like she hasn't even seen him play? I don't even think she cares if the band gets off the ground and she's asking him out in a way. I'm guessing he was inspired by her story enough to give her permission. Serika was first introduced in the study session episode (back in episode 3, I think?) and she's been seen with Miori a few times.

Natsuki mentioned that Sei valued strong-willed people who could think for themselves (even if not necessarily in the context of hiring them into the company), and Hikari mentioned her and Sei having similar taste in books, plus, Sei himself admitted he used to be rebellious in his youth, so yeah, I think thereʼs a chance he actually liked Hikariʼs novel and they somehow sorted out some of their family issues, at least for now.

Interesting way to do the swimsuit show off moment for the girls, slide in what you'd think would be still frames but have them animated anyway. Haibara being so damn wishy washy, there's one girl here you're basically always looking at when nothing else is going on and it's not the gremlin. With Hikari declaring outright that she won't lose to Uta maybe we'll get some progress by the end of the season (we probably won't). At least Miori and Reita are making their own progress, and considering how often Uta was roughhousing with Tatsu maybe he'll manage to pick up the losing heroine if and when Hikari wins. New band girl was fun and quirky, hopefully she's just here for the music and not to also join the harem.

The quality is insane this time! Definitely the best episode so far!! What's wrong with her? How can her choice of outfit so great !! Can't get enough of it... How dare they skipped this cute little creature swimsuit showcase ?! From shoulder to this and this? It's getting lower and lower, eh. Wait, she wants more?! Even random kid ships them ... As balance as it should be... When I thought Hikari overwhelming cuteness is too op and unbeatable, Uta just takes it up to another notch ... There's only one route here...

I really appreciated this episode. It's something simple, but also kinda rare in anime imo, having the characters be so... natural? idk how to explain. But in trips like these, you don't do always the same thing, people act differently, you often are splitted in sub groups, a lot of sub interactions happen. I feel like many animes do these kind of stuff in a very robotic way, as if the "group of friends" was a singular entity. I like having the blonde girl being more alone, but not lonely nor feeling left aside. I like Natsuki having micro interactions with Hikari, other micro interactions with Uta, in a very natural way. Also, the moment where they held hands gave me a thrill in my stomach. I miss that kind of situations for myself. Such a good feeling when you have a crush on someone

The new person (Serika) is Mioriʼs friend and was introduced studying with Miori in ep. 3, shown hanging out with Miori at Tanabata festival in ep. 6, then Uta mentioned sheʼd love it if they invited her on their trip in ep. 7. She hadnʼt been properly introduced to Natsuki (and the story is narrated from his perspective), but sheʼs always been there, just in a different class and consequently not a part of Natsukiʼs friend group.

I'm surprised Hikari swam w/ the sarong on. Damn, Tatsuya stuffed himself w/ a lot of meat. This is the 1st time I saw a beach BBQ in anime w/ rice being served. Serika's a blunt one & now she wants to form a band. She even formed a sand castle for 2 hours. So Hikari's officially thrown her hat in the ring. It's cute Hikari wrote a short story for Natsuki for his birthday. So Natsuki's blonde in Hikari's story. That thumbs up from that little girl though.

And so, summer. Which of course means the beach and a barbecue. She's saying a lot about him... How'd she come to that conclusion? Oh, that explains the ED. So, he's talking to her about music. And so, swimsuits. So, he's complimenting her swimsuit. Meanwhile while they're having their couple time... Playing with sand... That's a professional sandcastle. And so, barbecue. Indeed he knows that about her. And so they're alone together. Handholding! Oh, does he like Uta instead? And so, fireworks. So, now Uta has said she's got a crush on him. Something he'll really like? What's she doing there? Couldn't sleep? She wants to rewrite her novel? Not a man of many words, huh? So, a love triangle.

Idk man, I do like this anime, but what initially grabbed me was the time travel aspect. He went back like 8 years, yet it barely feels relevant outside of the occasional flashback about how much of a loser he used to be or why he knows certain things. It kind of reminds me of Bokutachi no Remake (if anyone remembers that), but even that spent more time showing how the protagonist’s actions were changing the future. I guess I just wish we got more of that here. The time travel feels more like a hook than an actual plot point. I’d love to know how different the other characters’ lives were in the original timeline, how much he’s actually changing reality, or why he never seems curious about how the time travel even happened. Maybe it’s something they’ll explore later, but right now it feels like you could replace the time travel with a simple “high school debut” or a self-improvement story like Tomozaki-kun and not much would really change.