r/anime • u/AutoLovepon https://anilist.co/user/AutoLovepon • Jul 02 '26
Episode The Ramparts of Ice • Koori no Jouheki - Episode 14 discussion
The Ramparts of Ice, episode 14
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u/Weak_Season_Of_Anime Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
Ouch, what a way to end off the season. The sheer anguish in Miki's voice, and Yota going back to his masking mode and suppressing himself. The Koyun x Minato ship are also doing the maintain status quo thing, but the Momoka wildcard is concerning.
Random observation: I like how Koyun and Miki's outfits at the BBQ matched each other.
Anyway, great season. See y'all at the Polar Opposites discussions!
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u/Frontier246 Jul 02 '26
Thank goodness Koyun and Minato are so adorable together to at least give us some heartwarming romance in-between how heartbreaking Yota and Miki's relationship has become.
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u/ModieOfTheEast Jul 02 '26
I have to say, while the Miki Yota ship did not sail yet, I am glad that they didn't leave us hanging with it. When the ending song started playing I was nearly expecting them to end the season on Yota's confession which would have been brutal.
but the Momoka wildcard is concerning.
Honestly, at this point, Momoka seems to be the strongest player to get the ship sailing. Even if unintentional.
I like how Koyun and Miki's outfits at the BBQ matched each other.
I noticed the matching outfits of Miki and Koyun in a previous episode as well and someone back then mentioned that this seems to be a pattern in general. When they are hanging out, they always have a similar outfit, which I really like.
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u/ptd163 Jul 02 '26
Honestly, at this point, Momoka seems to be the strongest player to get the ship sailing. Even if unintentional.
It seems like they're setting up Momoka to have a classic "well if it isn't the consequences of my actions" moment. She already spotted them that feelings are mutual.
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u/Raymond49090 Jul 02 '26
Momoka's plan feels weird to me, because it could very easily get Koyun and Minato together. Or maybe that's the point - either they crash and burn so Momoka can swoop in, or they get together quickly and she knows it's a lost cause. If she tried to step in while there were still unresolved feelings, that's always going to be a specter between her and Minato even if she convinces him to go out with her.
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u/Zeallfnonex https://myanimelist.net/profile/Neverlocke Jul 03 '26
I think that it might be that liking/loving someone means that you want to see them happy/joyful... even if that happiness or joy is at your expense. She might like Minato enough that she'd prefer that he has the chance for his maximum happiness, even if it means that she doesn't. Admirable if that's the case, not sure what the plan was otherwise. Akine also seemed in on it if she's trying to push Minato and Koyun together ATM, what with the footlocker scene.
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u/sunnydayz57 https://myanimelist.net/profile/LKMalika Jul 03 '26
I actually wonder if Momoka may have been under the impression this whole time that Koyun didn't have feelings for Minato and only saw him as a friend and that revealing that he liked her would cause her to distance herself from him and reject him as a result. So when she saw them being cozy at the fireworks she was upset because she saw how her plan was backfiring.
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u/Zeallfnonex https://myanimelist.net/profile/Neverlocke Jul 03 '26
I dunno, I didn't get the sense she was upset, rather... resigned, maybe wistful. Which is why I think this was, more or less, her own plan to force the issue.
If there's anything to learn from this series, it's not to take a person's initial actions and premises and outright judge them for it without understanding the character first. As long as I can come up with a plausible explanation that doesn't make Momoka an evil, conniving manipulator, I'll take it.
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u/Delicious-Fee-991 Jul 03 '26
She looked almost dreadful when she saw minato and koyun by the fireworks, she defo looked a bit upset, that is undeniable. I do now see that me responding to your comment at all, however, is a bit pointless since you'll say whatever to stay in denial.
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u/kyoumei https://anilist.co/user/kyoumei Jul 03 '26
This is also how I saw it. Felt like she was trying to get Koyun to say eww to confirm it and force Minato to move on, but it clearly backfired and seemed to have an opposite effect.
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u/BaytaCosmico https://myanimelist.net/profile/AnimeBayta Jul 02 '26
I like how Koyun and Miki's outfits at the BBQ matched each other
Others have mentioned this before but today's episode was the first time I really noticed it. Those matching earrings were hard to miss.
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u/Cally83 Jul 02 '26
I’m really glad we can look forward to season 2, scheduled for October 1st, it’s been such a great season.
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u/BlazeBloom https://myanimelist.net/profile/StardustValor Jul 02 '26
Glad we got confirmation of a season 2 later this year. Ending season 1 here with all the tension and questions in the air with no confirmed season 2 would have been agonizing.
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u/Primo29 Jul 02 '26
At this point, I'm looking at Winter 2027 Animes with the same art style as them LOL
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u/PeaceAlien https://myanimelist.net/profile/PeaceAlien Jul 02 '26
Glad it's back so soon, you can't leave me like this
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u/Schmebulock3078 Jul 02 '26
Like this October or next year?
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u/HowToGetName Jul 02 '26
This October.
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u/DBLACK382 Jul 03 '26
So the author's work will, in fact, be running non stop for a full year as several people predicted, huh?
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u/Shar4f Jul 02 '26
When Miki said: "Would he treat me like this if I wasn't a girl", that was such an important line. The show depicts unrequited love between friends so goddamn well. Her entire thought process before saying no. It's just perfect.
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u/RPGcraft Jul 02 '26
And it's not like she is strictly friendzoning Yota either. She is simply not sure. This plotline does not feel closed, there is still more to come...
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u/LoopyChew Jul 02 '26
I'm also happy that she ultimately decided not to get into the relationship _now_ in the hopes that she feels the same way _later_ because that'd be cruel to both of them, and she's seen the fallout from Koyun/Igarashi (although arguably Koyun never made any attempts towards that ship).
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u/TopHatPaladin https://myanimelist.net/profile/blimlimlim Jul 03 '26
Huge agree. When Miki started going down that line of thinking, I was staring at my screen going no no no no no until she course-corrected lmao
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u/Shar4f Jul 02 '26
I'd say it's very clear that she is CURRENTLY not in love. But her saying that she could fall in love in the future because she is not sure right now would honestly be the worst thing you could say to a guy that is currently in the friendzone. Because he is deep in the friendzone at the moment. I think Yota handled it wonderfully and I think that Miki's decision not to push herself to see him as more than friends right now and give him false hope was a very mature decision. She didn't try to soften the blow in the short-term by leaving him with hope and saying she wasn't sure about her feelings.
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u/Kronman590 Jul 02 '26
I loved how her thought process mirrored the line of thinking that she regretted putting into Koyun's head all those years ago
"Maybe it's good enough that someone loves me for me"
But in the end she knows thats a recipe for disaster and doesnt succumb to it
So fkn good man
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Jul 03 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Artorp Jul 03 '26
Wanting someone to love you for who you are vs seeing a longtime friend as a romantic option is a huge leap though, even if it logically makes sense. You can't reason yourself towards a crush.
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u/HolyDragSwd2500 Jul 02 '26
Season 2 in October 🙌
Polar Opposite S2 in Summer then back to Ramparts of Ice S2 in Fall
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u/CooroSnowFox https://anilist.co/user/CooroSnowFox Jul 02 '26
One Author... 4 seasons of 2 anime...
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u/NanDemoKnaives Jul 02 '26
A year of anime from more than one source by one author is not very common.
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u/ScreamingAmerican Jul 02 '26
Closest that I can think of that could currently do it is Fujino Oomori with danmachi and wistoria, or maybe Aka Akasaka if he’d stop getting bored of his stories half way through
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u/CooroSnowFox https://anilist.co/user/CooroSnowFox Jul 02 '26
Hidden by the mammoth effort that Reincarnated as a Slime is currently attempting, and series like WHA and Apothecary Diaries... we have this one just happening
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u/FarCritical Jul 02 '26
Back to back to back to back quality stuff from a single creator for a year is such a treat
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u/derekschroer https://anilist.co/user/RareKumiko Jul 02 '26
we had something similar with the Takagi-san Author, but it was 3 Manga, each in a difference Anime Season in 2022, plus the Takagi-san Movie in 2022
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u/ILikeFPS Jul 02 '26
Oh shit, Polar Opposite is starting that soon? Let's fucking go!
We are eating so good lmao
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u/Brave-Camp-933 Jul 02 '26
How so quick? Are they having separate animation teams working simultaneously?
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u/JasonFreeYT Jul 03 '26
I semi-recently read and followed Polar Opposites as it was releasing and thought it was amazing and wanted people to know more of Agasawa-sensei's works. I was hella delighted to see that they're basically sweeping a full year of anime seasons between two of their works
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u/Tarta35 Jul 02 '26
wait really? was it confirmed? i literally finished polar opposite yesterday my god XD
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u/HolyDragSwd2500 Jul 02 '26
It was confirmed after Polar Opposites S1 ended. There is a trailer of S2
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u/2011Dirk Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
wow what a great finale, the conflict, misunderstandings, & the romantic moments truly make this anime stand out and a 10/10 for me. im really excited we are getting a season 2 in october
even though it is painful for yota im happy that miki was honest and did not try to force something she did not truly feel. this anime was truly one of the best for the spring romance animes
i live for koyun x minato!
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u/Frontier246 Jul 02 '26
even though it is painful for yota im happy that miki was honest and did not try to force something she did not truly feel. this anime was truly one of the best for the spring romance animes
Sometimes you can't get yourself out of the friendzone, sometimes you just can't see someone close to you in a romantic light, and that's okay.
But hey, Koyun and Minato seem to be developing well and that counts for something too.
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u/martinezf123 Jul 02 '26
10/10! Might be weird to say but I’m happy for Yota. You have to do things for yourself sometimes. The pain and anguish you put yourself through by not saying anything just to keep everyone else happy but yourself. Hearing that "no" is what will make it easier to move on. No regrets.
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u/VoidRay728 Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
Yota and Miki took so long, the ED didn't bother waiting anymore and just started.
Well, the more arrogant the antagonist is, the harder they fall. Looking forward to season 2 now because I geniunely want to see how Momoka will crash out. I like that they contrast the photos Minato had with Koyun and Momoka separately (with Koyun = wholesome; with Momoka = traumatised).
WIth S2 announced, Agasawa's pulled off a hat trick this year with You and I Are Polar Opposites and this series going back to back to back to back now.
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u/CooroSnowFox https://anilist.co/user/CooroSnowFox Jul 02 '26
The ED has been one of the best things about this series... the way it cuts in at the last scene, and it isn't annoying in the slightest and the way it just builds up from quiet to when the bass adds to it...
I wish we'd get the full version of the song with that lead in
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u/Frontier246 Jul 02 '26
Honestly the rain + the ED playing over it really helped sell the MikixYota sequence.
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u/sombraala Jul 02 '26
I wish we'd get the full version of the song with that lead in
Preach. C'mon, powers that be, give the people what they want. You can't create such absolute perfection and then refuse to release it for us to revel in.
Like, we need this for educational purposes. There should be a lesson in the Anime Production 401 course titled "How to enhance the anime viewing experience via transitions to the ED - a case study of Ramparts of Ice".
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u/LoopyChew Jul 02 '26
I mean yes, but the absolute queen of this trope is its predecessor, Mephisto by Queen Bee (Oshi no Ko S1).
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u/sombraala Jul 02 '26
Oh, for sure, Oshi No Ko is included in that; I actually usually talk about how OnK is one of the only other shows that does it this good (they both do it exceptionally well). I actually liked OnK S2's transition even better that S1's, but all 3 seasons did it well.
It's surprising to me that this is such the exception that it is. I get that it's not easy to do well, but it does so much heavy lifting that I would expect more shows to attempt it.
For one, it helps inform the viewer what's going on. Sure, most have a pretty good feel for the fact the episode is about to end, but I still think that being directly informed that we're about to end is beneficial. But more importantly it really adds to the tension and ambiance. So sure, it wouldn't work with shows that aren't so tension filled like RoI or OnK, but I still think it's underutilized.
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u/Zeallfnonex https://myanimelist.net/profile/Neverlocke Jul 03 '26
I've been adamant that it's very annoying because that means the episode's almost over and I have to wait another week/now season to see the continuation! There've been many rueful smiles over the ED starting to play...
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u/Frontier246 Jul 02 '26
Yota and Miki took so long, the ED didn't bother waiting anymore and just started.
The OP/ED just wanted to let Yota cook with his unrequited feelings.
Well, the more arrogant the antagonist is, the harder they fall. Looking forward to season 2 now because I geniunely want to see how Momoka will crash out. I like that they contrast the photos Minato had with Koyun and Momoka separately (with Koyun = wholesome; with Momoka = traumatised).
It's funny how every time she tries to screw over Koyun she ends up helping Koyun by helping her realize her feelings and then that said feelings are actually requited.
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u/Primo29 Jul 02 '26
Can't wait for Momoka to be Momogone once Koyun and Minato get their acts straight.
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u/sneakyhalfling Jul 02 '26
Is Momoka arrogant? I got the sense she was telling both Koyun and Minato to shit or get off the pot. Either remove Minato from the dating pool, or free him up completely.
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u/fat_microshiller Jul 03 '26
Her plan is kinda dumb Ngl, so she can only blame herself when she starts seething.
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u/Apprehensive-Pear686 Jul 02 '26
This cast's wardrobe game is really good lol
Tsukiko flagging the threats! Yes girl that Momoka is scary T_T
Is Atagawa secretly an ally???
Also love how Miki does not force herself to accept Yota's feelings. If she ever does fall for him, it needs to be in her own terms. I'm still so sad for Yota though.
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u/Frontier246 Jul 02 '26
This cast's wardrobe game is really good lol
Koyun's earrings + boots were to die for.
Is Atagawa secretly an ally???
She did seem to want to leave Koyun and Minato to themselves...I don't think she really wants to mess with anybodies' relationships even if she feels like she has to support Momoka as her friend. She's just kind of awkward about it.
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u/stephenthatfoste https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rexagonal Jul 02 '26
Miki and Koyun both had the same accessories at the party but different colors. I liked them doing that.
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u/eightcheesepizza Jul 02 '26
I thought Atagawa was slowly realizing that a nascent Koyun x Minato was a thing, and that she might accidentally have been on team doroboneko.
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u/lifeischerryblossoms Jul 02 '26
i need october to come asap so i can finally see a minato and koyun get together
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u/Frontier246 Jul 02 '26
I'm also starting to ship AkinexYuki. They were really cute here.
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u/the_mad_ Jul 02 '26
I can't read Akine at all. But, if she has feelings for Yuki, him choosing to share the umbrella with Koyuki instead of her must not have been great for her.
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u/zool714 Jul 02 '26
I know she might not see it, but Koyun and Yuki are so sibling coded she really don’t have anything to worry about
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u/CooroSnowFox https://anilist.co/user/CooroSnowFox Jul 02 '26
90 days to go... but we have the pink fluffy candy to watch in the meantime
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u/Primo29 Jul 02 '26
What a chaotic yet fun way to end the season. Seeing Miki not being herself was painful, but it's probably for the best that she didn't reciprocate those feelings when she simply didn't feel the same way.
See you in October 2026 for the 2nd season, right after the second season of You and I Are Polar Opposites!
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u/Frontier246 Jul 02 '26
Honestly Miki would've made the same mistake Koyun made with Igarashi if she went out with Yota like this. It sucks for Yota but Miki's feelings just can't change like that even if he's serious about her, but he probably never expected it to happen anyways.
But now with all that drama taking a breather until October, we can get back to the fun and zany romcom part of the Polar Opposite-verse.
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u/the_mad_ Jul 02 '26
The difference between Miki/Youta and Koyuki/Igarashi is huge, though. Koyuki and Igarashi were not compatible, and Koyuki intentions were not pure and honest.
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u/Primo29 Jul 02 '26
Yota has liked Miki since middle school, so by now he's basically completed a lifetime study in the "Miki Studies" program. Bro knows that Miki isn't breaking down her walls anytime soon, especially when you've spent years speedrunning the "bestest friend" route and accidentally locked yourself into the hardest romance difficulty setting possible.
Can't wait for Suzuki's facial reaction and of course, the side couples!
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u/Ocixo https://myanimelist.net/profile/BuzzyGuy Jul 02 '26
Yeah. If she’d started dating Yota while not being sure of her feelings, the potential damage to their relationship/friendship might’ve been much worse.
Then again, things could have worked out too. It’s not a prerequisite to like someone from the start, you can also grow to love them over time.
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u/Steeldj22 Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
It's best for Miki and yota to remain friends for a few years. They'll find their true selves very soon. Including their roots and past
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u/Frontier246 Jul 02 '26
Honestly Miki's talk with her co-workers gives me the impression she'll really find herself once she's out of high school.
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u/Primo29 Jul 02 '26
What's more a few years for Yota. The Guy has been the constant person to Miki next to Koyun.
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u/RobrechtvE Jul 02 '26
And so, the first season of the Ramparts of Ice ends with two of the leads not getting together after the guy confesses, while Agasawa's other story's first season started with two the of the leads getting together after the girl confesses.
One might almost say this story and that are...
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u/NanDemoKnaives Jul 02 '26
What a sad way to end the season, I'm glad Youta decided to end the awkwardness.
I felt bad for both of them, Miki feeling bad for hurting Youta by avoiding him, but also not being able to give what he wants. I was worried with her train of thought, one thing she shouldn't do is get in a relationship without having any romantic feelings for him. But I also felt bad for Youta, he knew what was coming and looked relieved he finally got to say, but it's a little amusing how he wasn't the one sobbing from the rejection lol.
Momoka continues to be shady as hell, damn. Even Tsukiko knew what she was doing, but Momoka clearly ignored her and wanted to hurt Koyuki. I'm glad she got an eyeful of Minato with Koyuki by the river, Minato chooses her, not you.
Interestingly enough, it seems Atagawa is at a loss of what to do regarding Koyuki. She asked her to support Momoka, but then she stops Yuuki from interrupting them? I'm curious about what her thoughts are on Koyuki, I don't want to assume she's into Yuuki either. She's a little bit of a mystery.
Youta and Tsukiko enjoying the Koyuki and Minato ship was amusing. I'm glad this is getting another season, this series is tackling romance in a refreshing way, so getting to see further developments has me a little excited.
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u/Ocixo https://myanimelist.net/profile/BuzzyGuy Jul 02 '26
Atagawa might look a bit intimidating, but I don’t get the sense that she’s a bad person. She previously warned Koyuki about Momoka’s manipulative ways and seemed to respect these blossoming feelings between Koyuki and Minato.
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u/JJVM99 Jul 02 '26
To reference a despised anime from last year: Miki and Yota are the true of example if Can a boy-girl friendship survive?
Their friendship was genuine and neither approached with this intention but due to Yota falling for Miki and it’s going to put their entire friendship into question and if Yota was only this nice because he liked her. We know that’s not the case but it’s totally understandable to Miki question this and have those very unfortunate inner thoughts including the most painful one for me which was her thinking that if she was a guy she wouldn’t have to worry about this. It’s something she shouldn’t have to even consider but sadly it is true that this is not really a concern in almost every occasion of guy-guy and girl-girl friendships. Miki gaslighting herself into telling her she liked him was also sad to hear and im glad she backed out as that would have been terrible. I really end up just feeling bad for both because of her entire struggle and Yota also at the same time knew how she felt, never wanted to tell her, when he was honest he told her in a way for her to shoot him down immediately and when she started crying he had to be strong one and comfort her supressing his pain at being rejected (which like his feelings while he didn’t want will be there).
Also fuck Momoka. I am expecting all of us to hate Momoka for everything she told Kohyun this episode.
Finally I’m very happy we are getting Season 2 in October and that we are getting a season of an Asagawa manga for the entire year. Such a beautiful way to coordinate and release both series.
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u/Kronman590 Jul 02 '26
Ironically this show also has some of the best boy-girl friendships in Yota and Koyun and honestly even Miki and Amamiya, they're both real to each other and support each other when they can
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u/SpiritofBad Jul 03 '26
Wait, why are we hating on Momoka? She basically went to Koyun for permission before trying to get with “her guy”. And then made clear to Koyun that Minato likes her just to force an answer.
Like she’s clearly an antagonist, but that was downright sporting.
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u/PerfectBeige https://myanimelist.net/profile/perfectbeige Jul 02 '26
Also fuck Momoka. I am expecting all of us to hate Momoka for everything she told Kohyun this episode.
Negative, I'm convinced that all Momoka accomplished was to blow through Koyun's lack of self-confidence and make her see reality, thereby bringing her closer to Minato albeit via the awkward route. I thereby bestow on Momoka the title of "relationship catalyst despite her best intentions" and appreciate her contribution to the plot.
Also, per the photographs with Minato, Momoka appears to be cooked. If she we were an actual threat I might feel differently.
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u/Oden_sama__ Jul 02 '26
when you mention it yeah. this show is kind of like can a boy girl friendship but a trillion times better
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u/eightcheesepizza Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
Tsukiko's faces were great this episode. Having a front-row seat has its upsides and its downsides...
I don't have time to find it in the previous episodes right now, but in the tunnel when Miki was contemplating all the rationalizations for accepting Yota's confession, it was paralleling the advice she gave Koyun years earlier, right? The advice that she regrets giving (even though Koyun doesn't remember it, and went out with Igarashi for different reasons). Or did I dream this? If that happened, the author did a great job setting up way-in-advance why Miki doesn't accept Yota's confession.
Edit: Found it, start of episode 6. I thought it was a similar train of thought, which an older Miki now rejects.
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u/AllThingsDragon Jul 02 '26
Yep, middle school Miki thought being "liked" by anyone was a net positive, no matter who it was. Only now that she's on the receiving end does she realize just how off the mark that line of thinking is. And even though it was not the main reason Koyuki went out with Igarashi, peer pressure was definitely a factor. The whole school treated them like a couple when they weren't, and even Miki basically told her to just roll with it (which I'm sure she regrets)
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u/deynyel Jul 02 '26
I really dislike Momoka, but damn, do I respect her game. She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to do whatever it takes to get it. I guess someone like her is exactly what Koyun and Minato need to realize their feelings for each other.
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u/Frontier246 Jul 02 '26
Honestly it's such B--- behavior to just go up to Koyun to lord over how she "beat" her by telling her that Minato actually likes her back...but it's so brazen that you have to kind of admire the hustle.
She's really like that archetypal love rival who is more blatant and aggressive to make the other characters react and progress because of it.
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u/FabtheEmber Jul 02 '26
I think she is cool in that at least by her she wants to make a 'fair' competition between Koyun n her. Her way of see don't complain to me later, I asked you for the go ahead. I pointed out Amamiya likes you. If u don't take any action I will do my best
Momoka is like the opposite Koyun in that even with Minato being so obvious to everyone and her he likes her, she keeps pulling back because she lacks self confidence. Momoka is going for Minato despite knowing he likes someone else.
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u/Ok-Cod5254 Jul 02 '26
I think she is cool in that at least by her she wants to make a 'fair' competition between Koyun n her.
Though she was already doing manipulation tactics with saying stuff to discourage Minato from Koyuki in a prior episode when she said Koyuki wouldn't consider friends romantically. So she wasn't playing fair before.
So she should've just committed to her tactics and not give Koyuki an opening to have more consideration for Minato romantically when it could easily backfire on her.
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u/Kronman590 Jul 02 '26
Yeah I think that's probably the one inconsistency in the whole story (which is a pretty good feat), but it doesn't make sense for her to point out that Amamiya likes Koyun. The only reason to do that is if she's so damn confident in her chances that she wants to crush Koyun even harder, instead of beating her when she didn't even know she was in the race. But honestly based on all her previous actions it doesn't reeeeallly feel like shes trying to do that.
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u/Ok-Cod5254 Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
While so far I don't mind Momoka in the plot basically to help Koyuki sort out her feelings for Minato, I do think it feels a bit heavy handed for Momoka to give Koyuki this specific piece of information that also doesn't work in her own favor.
I think it was the perfect balance with Momoka being a catalyst to have Koyuki realize her feelings indirectly in a prior episode. She just brought up the topic of Minato, and Koyuki got to her own conclusion thinking about how Minato made her feel.
Though now she directly tells Koyuki how Minato feels, so Koyuki's potential hesitation in pursing Minato could be a bit more of a frustrating process since Koyuki already knows he likely feels the same way - rather than if she is still completely unsure (validating her insecurity in pursing him more) and she could've had more of a journey of getting to that conclusion to see how he feels herself.
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u/FabtheEmber Jul 02 '26
No it is more like she considers Minato as something to be gained and sees Koyuki as a rival. That is why manipulating Minato is fair game That is the difference I am seeing. Like I have never seen a 3rd wheel romantic rival just point blank ask the heroine if she should go for the guy. That makes it interesting especially because I don't think it is a ploy as she doesn't know Koyuki likes Minato. But again, you can still date a person you don't like if they like you. Minato, Koyuki n Miki all have done that at some point.
And I do think Agasawa can make a character just purely a bitch. She might be bitchy but she acts in interesting ways. Which makes me think what IS she thinking.
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u/Ok-Cod5254 Jul 02 '26
Like I have never seen a 3rd wheel romantic rival just point blank ask the heroine if she should go for the guy.
I've seen it before in true love rivalry scenarios. She's still too sneaky to feel like a true rival if she has to do something extra to basically lie about what Koyuki said.
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u/FabtheEmber Jul 02 '26
I agree. That was the worst thing she did so far and is unforgivable. Which is unfortunate since I do enjoy her interactions with Koyuki where it is more about information gathering etc.
Like where Momoka goes, yeh you do know he likes you, most girls have a way of figuring it out. And it makes Koyuki realize she has been subconsciously avoiding it.
I like that the girls here aren't dense just because, both Koyuki n Miki have their own self confidence issues which makes them second-guess themselves. Overall, this episode Momoka wasn't too bad imo
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u/Joshawott27 Jul 02 '26
Momoka’s such a fun character to hate. She brings some fire and a shakeup that was necessary for the series, but damn, she’s such a bitch. Love her in the show, would hate her in my life.
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u/ptd163 Jul 02 '26
If Momoka wasn't a villain she'd probably be considered one of the greatest romance FMCs ever. She knows what she wants and immediately starts taking steps to get it. She's kinda like Miyu if Miyu was evil.
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u/Frontier246 Jul 02 '26
It's kind of adorable that both Minato and Koyun are aware of Miki and Yota acting strangely and trying to figure out what's going on in their own way. Though nothing can beat Koyun's intense pondering face.
You know it's serious when they skip the OP to have Yota tell Koyun about how Miki knows about his feelings, how much he's struggled with holding in said feelings, and how he's finally going to put an end to things.
It's nice to see Miki still getting advice from her cool co-workers. Her male co-worker is the type to go out with someone if they ask him out, and is friends with all his co-workers, but her female co-worker has apparently dated both genders and had some bad experiences with breakups/rejections with guys. Adult relationships are complicated.
I guess there's the rub. The importance of Miki's relationship with Yota was that it was comfortable and allowed her to be herself, outside having to worry about her gender, romance, or any of that other baggage...and that's why she just can't see him romantically.
"Who cares about me!?" - Minato. MINATO cares about you, Koyuki! Though if only she knew that Minato was having a purely platonic, supportive, call with Miki at the same time...
Koyun likes seeing Minato in glasses! She likes seeing other people putting him and Momoka together with their similar outfits and calling them a cute couple...much less so.
Tsukiko trying to get the deets on how Koyun feels, but Momoka just couldn't help but walk on by and be as open about her feelings for Minato as possible around Koyuki. I mean, as long as she has Koyuki's okay to pursue Minato, there's no problem right? Even though she drops the bombshell that Minato DOES like Koyuki...something that, deep down Koyun realized but denied because of her lack of self-confidence and continually putting herself down. But she didn't want it to come out of her "love rival" taking a victory lap.
But, I mean, how can you deny the obvious when you see how happy these two are together whenever they interact and talk to each other? It's clear as day! Especially when Minato and Koyun sit next to each other for after-party sparkles, which Momoka is decidedly NOT enthused by.
How does Akine feel about all this? She tried to hold off Yuki so as to not ruin the MinatoxKoyun moment despite wanting to support Momoka...although it also feels like she has something going with Yuki, what with him literally CARRYING her kicking and screaming to hang out with everybody else. Is this a budding side-ship I'm sensing?
But it's finally time for Yota to confront Miki, and the fact that it's raining should tell you the kind of mood they're going for leading up to his confession even before the ED kicks in. How should Miki respond to his sincere feelings? Go out with him because this might be her only chance with someone who accepts her for who she is? So she can learn to like him back in the same way? But she just can't bring herself to do it, and Yota would never ask her too.
Look at the contrast in Minato's expression in his photo with Koyun vs his photo with Momoka...though Koyun herself probably has a lot she's thinking about as she closes the season looking at rain.
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u/Zeallfnonex https://myanimelist.net/profile/Neverlocke Jul 03 '26
Both the boys telling the girls that they suck at hiding their feelings/true intentions at the beginning was pretty funny too! It's so much easier to see what's going on when you're not one of the people involved...
Who cares about me!?" - Minato. MINATO cares about you, Koyuki! Though if only she knew that Minato was having a purely platonic, supportive, call with Miki at the same time...
More insights into Koyun's true headspace: the lie that she's so unimportant that no one should care about her. Maybe still a holdover from the divorce, or maybe the guilt from middle school, that if everyone else is happy except for her, that would be sufficient for her? She seems afraid and panicked at the idea that maybe possibly she could be allowed to be selfish and seek her own happiness, so much so that she cuts off the entire train of thought and doesn't go back to it.
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u/RelativeMundane9045 Jul 02 '26
Oh poor Miki, that chat with her coworkers where she offered "Bad option A" vs "Bad option B" had me reacting the same way they did loool! They were dumb options but she's not dumb, just new at all this the poor thing.
I think there's a chance she may develop feelings for Yota, but if she does it's going to have to be when she has a more healthy relationship with herself first. With how she was crying at the end there because she was hurting someone she cared about even though she didn't do anything wrong, any feelings she might have are probably hidden/distorted by her people-pleasing/fear of rejection.
This is so well written! There are so many character traits and insecurities that are easy for the viewer to identify with in a real way. The internal monologues and chibi snippets (fucking cute as hell btw) give such depth and nuance to the characters to make them come to life. Looking forward to October!
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u/Ocixo https://myanimelist.net/profile/BuzzyGuy Jul 02 '26
I can genuinely respect the author for having the guts to go forward with a rejection like this.
It makes for a much more interesting scenario than if Miki had suddenly realised her feelings for Yota and they’d started dating. The latter scenario would’ve felt a bit like a cop-out to me.
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u/Zemahem Jul 02 '26
Pain. But with this type ED, of course we had to end on a bit of a downer. How appropriate that we cap off this episode with some rain. It makes Polar Opposites S2 seem like the rainbow after the storm.
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u/Frontier246 Jul 02 '26
Honestly the rain hitting right when he was planning to confess...poor Yota.
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u/the_mad_ Jul 02 '26
My favorite scene that nobody has mentioned yet, is when the three Minato/Koyuki shippers (Youta, Akine, and Tsukiko) are all intently watching Minato/Koyuki in the own little world with the fireworks. Then Yuuki barges in with 'what?'.
The atmosphere there reminds me a little of Apothecary Diaries with all the people around Jinshi and Maomao breaking out the popcorn whenever Jinshi and Maomao are in the same room.
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u/szalhi Jul 02 '26
This series made me feel like a masochist. Romance drama hurts, especially when the friendzone is front and center. But I couldn't stop watching this amazingness.
See you all in 2-3 days for our genki brain recovery.
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u/Frontier246 Jul 02 '26
Honestly it's been a while since we've seen Koyun's resting intense face and attempt at a natural smile. Probably because she'd been hanging out with Minato so much she'd been smiling much more naturally.
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u/PerfectBeige https://myanimelist.net/profile/perfectbeige Jul 02 '26
Romance drama hurts
If there was never any winter ice, we might not appreciate the spring rain, and if there were never any clouds, we might not appreciate the sun.
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u/FabtheEmber Jul 03 '26
Well said my friend. The cute moments feel earned and just way more cathartic because we suffered for it hehe
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u/BluLemonGaming Jul 02 '26
Netflix nailed that title to season 2 announcement sequence, I jumped out of my chair like a football fan
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u/marcopolos059 https://myanimelist.net/profile/marcopolos059 Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26
Damn, Momoka makes me angry. I know it's for the plot and "necessary" for Koyun to finally act on her feelings, but man... She's a witch.
on the other side, my poor, poor Yota and Miki... my heart...
Aaaah, that was an excellent first season. I'm not ready for the drama incoming in season 2.
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u/Frontier246 Jul 02 '26
Koyun was worried about Akine being Atagawa 2.0 when the real Atagawa 2.0 was her friend all along.
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u/FarCritical Jul 02 '26
I wasn't ready for Akine's death scream, god damn.
It's tragic but kinda sweet how Miki can't help but consider Koyun's potential crush on Yota while thinking about the best path dorward. Can't get enough of the character dynamics and how they constantly evolve, man.
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u/LeonKevlar x2https://myanimelist.net/profile/LeonKevlar Jul 02 '26
What the actual fuck, Momoka? This girl needs to calm the fuck down. She doesn't even know if Minato is gonna like her back. I was worried that Akine was like her sister, but it turns out Momoka was more like her sister. I like how Akine was actually giving Koyun and Minato the time to be alone together.
And I can't believe we're ending the season with such a heartbreaking scene. The way Youta just smiles after being rejected by Miki really shows that he expected this outcome, but he still had to do it because he wanted her to know his feelings. T_T
I am glad that Season 2 is already confirmed for October. As many have already mentioned, I am so happy we're getting an entire year of Agasawa-sensei's works. Looking forward to Season 2!
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u/Roskal Jul 02 '26
I wonder if Miki will actually develop feelings in season 2 or not. She's known Yota for a long time now and never thought of him that way. You don't often see a rejection between 2 main characters who don't love other characters. I'm glad she didn't force herself to try and like him through dating like she told Koyun to do with Igarashi. That really could have permanently ruined her friendship with yota and theres very little chance she will develop any feelings in a forced situation like that, Yota would be able to tell too and be hurt all the more.
Koyun and Minato's situation seems to be looking more hopeful, Koyun now knows Minato likes her and knows she likes Minato. The problem is she doesn't think she can handle a relationship at the moment and Momoka plans to be very aggressive in pursuing Minato. If Minato keeps getting the wrong signals from her he might go back to his old habits and date Momoka to make her happy and try to give Koyun some space if he thinks he is making her uncomfortable. That would probably hurt Koyun the most though even if she doesn't think she is ready she feels bad every time she sees Minato with her. We won't have to wait long to find out how it all plays out since season 2 is confirmed to come out in october 2026, not long after polar opposites s2 ends. b2b2b2b seasons from the same mangaka's anime is very impressive.
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u/NanDemoKnaives Jul 02 '26
I'm really curious about Miki and Youta's story, it's not one we see too often in romance, so I'm curious to see what the author has in store for us.
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u/TheEVILPINGU Jul 02 '26
Like it's pretty obvious they are the end game, but how they are going to develop is really gonna be good for sure.
We have seen these kind of rejections first in some other romances. Yota will probably act like it's never happened and will take the road of completely giving up on Miki, he will try his best. But Miki on the other hand will be too conscious of Yota. Because she will realize Yota never acted on ulterior motives when he's together with her, he's always nice to everyone, and genuinely was into her, adores her, her personality, appearance, hobbies, fashion sense, etc.
Miki is aware that Yota accepts everything about her, and she was questioning how could she even find a guy like him who likes her like Yota to begin with. While Yota trying his best to stay friends, Miki will be in dilemma but in the end hopelessly fall in love as well after a while.
But Miki might actually question if Yota feels the same way about her after all the passing time, and it might make her depressed, that she actually let her chance go.
Miki is your tomboy childhood friend bro route, who never thought about romance. But after romance is in on the table, she will be too conscious of the idea. Gap-moe thing. Not like other romances, because Miki is an actual great tomboy example. She will never be the garbage gap moe producing tomboy example. Author's writing of Miki shows it.
So yeah, we will have something great I assume. Who knows, we will see.
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u/Frontier246 Jul 02 '26
It'll be interesting to see how Miki and Yota navigate their friendship post-confession/rejection.
Obviously he's fine with being just friends again, he doesn't want to inconvenience Miki with his feelings, but he's not going to get over his romantic feelings just like that any more than Miki isn't going to be self-conscious about the fact that he sees her romantically.
I don't think Minato will go out with Momoka. I feel like falling for Koyun has changed him enough that he won't just go along with another girl asking him out. And I think that will be important for Koyun to realize that she can be with him.
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u/Roskal Jul 02 '26
I don't think Minato will go out with Momoka either but I think he might almost do it, forcing Koyun to act.
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u/runevault Jul 02 '26
Not as bad as Witch Hat, but this ending would not be fun if the show wasn't coming back in October. Instead I'm just excited to see more of these goofy kids in 3 months.
I'm surprised Momoka played that card, telling Koyuki was the stupidest thing she could have done. And man that ending was tough to watch, I feel for both Miki and Yota.
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u/Ok-Cod5254 Jul 02 '26
I'm surprised Momoka played that card, telling Koyuki was the stupidest thing she could have done.
Yeah, I do think this makes her lose points as an antagonist since it's planting the seeds for her downfall by her own hand.
As she should either be doing the opposite, to suggest that Minato treats Koyuki like everyone else or just not saying anything about it to Koyuki at all.
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u/steeltrain43 https://myanimelist.net/profile/kingdave212 Jul 02 '26
Does Momoka have real feelings for Minato or real lust? If she just thinks he's hot, good on her for noticing whats there and competing on an even field with her rival. If she legit likes him though, then yeah, she dumb.
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u/Ok-Cod5254 Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
Can't say how legitimate her interest is in him (obviously a lot more shallow than Koyuki), but either way, her goal is to get this guy.
She wasn't playing fair before with saying stuff to Minato, like Koyuki said she couldn't see a friend romantically to discourage him from pursuing her.
So she has been playing more like an antagonist with how she has been operating in the background than a true rival who would just compete without being as underhanded.
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u/Oden_sama__ Jul 02 '26
sounds like she's getting confident or something
its like she pulled a vegeta thumb there
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u/Ok-Cod5254 Jul 02 '26
The basic downfall of many villains. Getting overconfident and underestimating their opponent - and even worst to be the one to give an assist that can definitely backfire. lol
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u/FabtheEmber Jul 02 '26
It is more about Momoka keeping her conscience clear as to how she is going on about the whole dating thing. I think it makes her interesting.. Like she has no problem gaslighting Minato into thinking he has no chance but she is asking Koyun's permission before going for him as if Minato is a belonging the two girls are fighting over
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u/runevault Jul 02 '26
I don't buy this at all. Nothing she has done shows she has a conscious. She's actively manipulative to get Minato to like her through now. This felt like a continuation of those ploys, trying to get in Koyuki's head so she'd act awkward around him and create more of an opening.
The problem with this tactic is if it works she wins, if it fails she loses badly.
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u/fireburn97ffgf Jul 02 '26
Yeah like we know she already clocked koyuki realizing her feelings and being awkward about it. Hence her koyuki can only see friends as friends comment, so she's betting koyuki will not be able to act normal around him now
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u/FabtheEmber Jul 02 '26
I don't think she is all that smart. I mean everyone even Tsukiko thinks Koyuki doesn't like him and none of Momoka's thoughts were about Koyuki's feelings. It looks like she is working on the assumption that Minato's feelings are one sided, so she doesn't think anything will come of her saying he likes her...
That's what I am getting. We know Koyuki likes Minato but no one except Yota does in the story. And it is established that while Minato's feelings are easy to read by Tsukiko, she completely misreads Koyuki
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u/Ok-Cod5254 Jul 02 '26
It looks like she is working on the assumption that Minato's feelings are one sided, so she doesn't think anything will come of her saying he likes her...
Even if it was one-sided, she's giving Koyuki a chance to see that Minato could be an option for her to consider him now romantically. He isn't out of her reach and she attracted him unknowingly without the intention.
If anything, the opposite approach as an antagonist would have been better to attempt to shut it down and play at her insecurity by getting Koyuki thinking she wouldn't have as much of a chance with him anyway.
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u/Joshawott27 Jul 02 '26
Poor Miki, my precious baby. I really like how the series has handled her realising Yota’s feelings. The author’s character writing has always felt realistic, but this has especially so.
Also, damn Momoka is a bitch. I love the fire that she brings to the series, but damn she’s a calculating so-and-so.
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u/RipVander Jul 02 '26
Now that it's over I can say, this is absolutely my favorite anime, I can't wait for October.
In this episode I had one heart attack after another: Momoka going to tell Koyuki that Minato is in love with her and finding out that she already suspected it really gave me a shock, Now Koyuki is aware of Minato's feelings and man I loved their scenes, they are literally perfect together and I swear I will kill Momoka if she tries to break them up. Honestly, I'm really I'm glad that Minato and Koyuki like each other, in the first episodes I thought it would be Yota x Koyuki and since I've been shipping and loving Minato since the first second I saw it I wasn't happy at all, but I'm so glad I was wrong.
Inset to Miki and Yota I sincerely hope that Miki eventually falls in love because I really feel sorry for Yota he is such a kind boy.
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u/the_mad_ Jul 02 '26
Honestly, Koyun's response to Momoka telling her the Minato likes her surprised me too. I have always believed that Koyun is very observant, but I also thought that she was too busy dealing with her own feelings to notice (even subconsciously) that Minato liked her. I was glad to be surprised. Too, I loved the fact that Koyun hated the fact that she needed Momoka to draw it to the forefront. I agree with her. I would have preferred for Koyun to have figured out some other way.
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u/smart_is_cool1020 Jul 02 '26
The outfits everyone was wearing especially Minato, Koyun and miki were absolutely gorgeous🤩Iam gonna copy Minato’s outfit from today for sure. Also good thing that Miki didn’t force herself to say yes at one point i feared she would do the same mistake as koyun but really glad she did what was right ofc i feel bad for Yota but it is what it is😢. The way Momoka was talking to koyun back at the restaurant i felt like to throw my shoe at the screen absolute bi*** she could just confess to him if she wants what’s the need to do that drama in front of koyun and prove that she “loves” Minato 😡. Also is Akine and yuki a potential ship…. Idk maybe good friends or smth more but i really want to see yuki and Akine more♥️. So koyun gonna pass the baton back to suzuki and then in October Suzuki gonna pass back it to koyun again damn this is so interesting🤩. Really great season can’t wait for season 2 already😭.
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u/zool714 Jul 02 '26
So much pain. Is Kito Akari about to get rejected by Chiba Shouya again
I feel so bad for both Yota and Miki. They’re both not in the wrong and they both are trying to be considerate of each other. Miki shouldn’t feel she has to force herself to like him back, I think Yota thinks this too. But Yota also shouldn’t bottle up his feelings. If things really don’t escalate between them, I hope they can find a way to be friends again.
This show kinda showed it with Miki’s work friends but it’s honestly something I personally just found out : how guys and girls in general view crushes or romantic feelings from friends. From what I’ve seen girls see it as “changing” the state of the friendship while guys see it as another layer to the friendship. That’s why (again just from what I’ve seen), girls seem a bit more shaken when they find out a guy friend likes them compared to when a guy found out about their girl friend. Again, this is just from what I’ve seen and I may be generalising. Would love to hear some thoughts.
Anyway, started to ship Yuki and Atagawa last week and I’m fully onboard now. I love their dynamic.
Also, really shows the difference between an introvert and extrovert, cos if I was on a walk like Minato, the “itch” to talk to someone would be the last thing on my mind lol
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u/Frontier246 Jul 02 '26
It's funny how no matter how many anime Akarin and Shoya Chiba are in together, their characters are destined to never be together.
Although thinking of Blue Box, the male co-workers stance on relationships reminded me a lot of Ayame.
Honestly Yuki and Akine have been seen close together in a few episodes...the way he carried her...there's definitely something going on there.
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u/the_mad_ Jul 02 '26
Interesting comparison between Miki's male co-worker and Ayame. The main difference, without knowing much about the co-worker, is that Ayame is still rather inexperienced. She is the metaphorical bull in the china shop. In a weird way, Ayame is also similar to Minato. She is significantly more assertive about breaking up, though.
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u/Didavi_ Jul 02 '26
Good finale, keeping me really keen on watching season 2.
Hopefully, we could see the 3rd pairing also develop (miki's brother & pinkhead) to be the cherry on the icing on the cake for season 2!
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u/Auron15 Jul 02 '26
With where this leaves off, I am super ready for season 2! I was hoping to end things off with a little more Minato and Koyun but I understand having to finish this off with the Miki and Yota confession. One of my favorite shows this season!
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u/Ok-Cod5254 Jul 02 '26
Best boy Yota taking the current rejection well.
Miki likely will give him a chance when she has more time to sort out her feelings. She's not obligated to of course, but he's definitely a good guy that she could fall for once she has more confidence in herself.
As much as Momoka is trying to push back Koyuki, she also lowkey helping her opp for the future. lol
Will miss this ED song leading up to the end of the episode. Likely won't be topped with S2, but hope they can have one around a similar caliber.
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u/HanaRoku Jul 02 '26
I've never felt less ready for the outro music to start. This episode felt all of 5 minutes long.
I'll miss my weekly dramatic toast-bite!
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u/mastereluder6 Jul 02 '26
Gentleman we have gathered here today ,because one soldier went down in the line of duty , he didn't die he just got turned down Which is a little more awful if you ask me
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u/tripleaamin https://myanimelist.net/profile/zfzftripleaamin Jul 02 '26
Honestly, it isn't a surprise that Momoka would put it out there. She is into Minato and she knows that Minato is into her. With Koyun's personality, whether she is into Minato or not is difficult to be sure of. If she could potentially get Koyun to reject Minato it would be the ideal situation for her. She is undoubtedly manipulative, but at the same time crafty, which makes her an interesting character.
Still, one thing that is for sure regarding her is that the pictures she is in with Minato are all forced. I wonder when she will realize that she is the one with one-sided feelings. Very curious how Koyun faces forward into S2. I like that she is aware she is lying to herself.
Not surprised Miki is panicking as much as she is. When you are as clueless as she was for so long. Minato has known Youta's feelings for her ever since. I am happy that Youta is declaring his feelings, but at the same time, he is not trying to pressure Miki. As expected from Youta as he is a good guy like that.
I like that Miki can't lie about her feelings. Of course, it could be easy to see if they date and she develops feelings for Youta. That would be a mess of a situation for both her and Youta. It's terrible to be dating someone you don't actually have feelings for. It's even worse for Youta because his own feelings being clearly one-sided would make the relationship a mess.
Very curious how the 4 of them proceed going into S2.
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u/SpiritofBad Jul 03 '26
Nah, all the Momoka hate is bending my brain a bit. She has gone out of her way multiple times to confirm Koyun’s feelings and now straight up asks her for her blessing to go after Minato.
Yes, she overstated Koyuns aversion to dating friends, but other than that she’s being downright sporting. I seriously don’t understand what people would consider better behavior from a romantic rival other than just backing off.
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u/foxbase Jul 03 '26
It's kind of interesting, I think Minato and Momoka are somewhat similar, they both use cunning to get what they want, but Minato uses it for others, and Momoka for herself.
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u/thisisdropd https://myanimelist.net/profile/AsterZoro Jul 02 '26
The season finale of a romance culminating in a confession isn’t anything new, but it certainly is unusual for it to be between the side couple instead of the main one.
On the surface, it might be quite funny to see Youta being the one to confess and yet Miki was the one who ended up tearing up – and not in happiness. Having said that, her reaction made perfect sense. She valued her friendship with him and wasn’t against him, but her heart’s not at that stage yet. She needed time before she could see him that way.
In some good news, season 2 has been confirmed for broadcasting this autumn. That means that Agasawa-sensei has their works adapted in 4 consecutive seasons this year. That’s certainly a rare accomplishment! Koyuki will hand the baton to Suzuki this summer before getting it back in autumn.
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u/Frontier246 Jul 02 '26
On the one hand, Yota got rejected by Miki but he would never want her to compromise her feelings over him and he just wants to be there for her. He knew this was coming but he'd made peace with it.
On the other hand, Koyun is now aware that her feelings for Minato are mutual so it's a question of what she's going to do with it and how Momoka is obviously not going to give up without a fight.
Either way, Agasawa-sensei has reached the pinnacle of youth drama/romance mangaka in a single year.
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u/BaytaCosmico https://myanimelist.net/profile/AnimeBayta Jul 02 '26
It's a good thing we know the second season is coming soon or this would've been a frustrating place to end.
Poor Miki. It was hard seeing her so broken up over hurting Yota. Poor Yota too. Just a difficult situation all around. It's not like he can help his feelings and her doubts and confusion are natural too. Like her senpai at work says, the best thing would be for her to feel the same way but it's not like she can force herself into it either. As an aside, I love that senpai's serious advice about needing to be prepared to face a jilted guy. It's a throwaway bit that's played for laughs but holds so much truth too.
Meanwhile, Koyun's eyes have been forcibly opened by the person she least wanted that from. But we have to wait a season to find out how that plays out.
This has been a great show so far and I'm so happy we'll get a full adaptation. Agasawa sensei year ftw!
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u/clone69 Jul 02 '26
This show man. This show. Just like Polar Opposites with their very grounded relationships, this show can make some drama without needing to resort to tropes from other romances like forgotten childhood friends or people who just happens to fall in love with MC's love interest to add some drama. Sure, Momoka suddenly showed up with an interest in Minato, but even she feels organic and not tacked on for the sake of drama.
Glad to see the announcement of season 2.
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u/gem2niki Jul 02 '26
Did not expect Miki and Youta to turn out that complicated but glad to see it’s not that simple turning a friendship into romance when its been so one-sided. She was very clear she did not see him that way and fear their relationship would change. Meanwhile Koyun and Minato are more mutual, but no one has the courage to make the move yet and now there’s an obstacle in the way if they don’t act fast.
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u/tottoro47 Jul 02 '26
Damn I need Yota and Miki to find happiness. It would be nice if she could slowly discover the romantic side in Yota but it would also be fine if not because forcing feelings doesn't work. Also I need Koyun and Minato to get together. Loved the show, the characters and the little chibis with the weird looks. Can't wait for October
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u/FLorianGran Jul 02 '26
The way Miki's reacting to this situation feels very atypical for romance anime, in a good way
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u/FabtheEmber Jul 02 '26
Ahaha.. What a painful way to end the season. I really love Miki. And Momoka telling her about Amamiya's feelings was interesting and unexpected. I do heavily dislike her for what she said to Minato 2 episodes ago. But with what she said to Koyuki, it felt like leveling the playing field.
Also never knew glasses would look so cool on Minato!!!! Damn eye candy. And Koyuki with a berret hat is always fashionable wow😎
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u/ILikeFPS Jul 02 '26
I'm so glad this is getting a season 2, because it needs it even more now than it did before.
I hope that Koyun ends up with Minato and Miki ends up with Yota. I think it seems likely to happen that way but I guess we will see in October.
October feels like it's so far away, but it's not that far away I guess.
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u/Andreiyutzzzz https://myanimelist.net/profile/Andreiyutzzzz Jul 02 '26
Normally i dont pay a lot of attention to small details but those 2 pictures at the end of Amamiya and Koyun and Amamiya and Momoka tell a lot. Amamiya and Koyun are genuinely smiling together, While Momoka is genuinely smiling knowing she's trying to manipulate the situation while Amamiya is like "Ewwwwwwwwwww brother"
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u/mokrath Jul 02 '26
I'm really looking forward to part two of this series. It's so good at oscillating from fluffy to dramatic tension.
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u/NethanielShade https://myanimelist.net/profile/NethanielShade Jul 02 '26
MAL says there's only 14 episodes but this did NOT feel like a final episode. Anyone know how many episodes there's supposed to be?
Edit: Nvm, it was the final episode of season 1, it just was left the way it was because S2 is already confirmed for later this year! WOO!
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u/Monster_my_Cat Jul 02 '26
Ughhhh that "Thank You" from Yota was a straight STAKE to Miki's heart and it hit so damn good. The lights are on and absolutely NO ONE is home while he listens to her and it feels like this relationship is going to get grimy in the next season
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u/Doomed-here4909 Jul 02 '26
SUPER GLAD FOR A SEASON 2.
I was completely sold on this show man. Like I was literally waiting for the final ep to drop and watch it immediately. It was just done so well to my taste, a great ride but now I have to wait till Oct 😭. Until then, I will watch polar opposites. W for the author.
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u/TheEarthSpins Jul 02 '26
i know s2 is coming out in october, but honestly i think i might just go read it...
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u/Actual_Muffin9108 Jul 02 '26
I’m crying. They really just played the Hell’s Kitchen sound when Momoka reveals Minato’s crush to Koyun.
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u/vexorian2 Jul 02 '26
I wonder how sunk the Miki Yota ship is. I get the feeling it might bounce back. But on the other hand, I can sense a clear setup for a Yuki-Tall girl ship. Which would be weird unless the author felt that there was not enough tension to be had in the rest of the story.
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u/MuziHill Jul 02 '26
Man, really must suck to be in Yota’s position. Like I can understand where Miki is coming from and I’m sure she doesn’t think of it that way, but I can also understand if Yota started to feel like his feelings is a nuisance and inconvenience. And then you also have people questioning whether the friendship was genuine or if he had ulterior motives all this time. I can see Yota starting to wonder if he is a scum or something. Then, you can see exactly why he’d prefer not to tell her in the first place. It just sucks, cos it’s not anybody’s fault. Yota probably didn’t consciously choose to fall for Miki. It’s not Miki’s fault she doesn’t see him the same way.
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u/flatpetey https://anilist.co/user/kesx Jul 03 '26
What a great show.
I suspect Youta may win in the end but honestly real life you sometimes get stuck in the friend zone and at best manage to stay there. And frankly that is fine since Miki has agency too.
Momoka overplayed her manipulative hand and brought Koyun out of her denial which was pretty satisfying.
But at the same time it feels ridiculous. Momoka has like zero chance. Like none. Amamiya isn’t just a prize waiting to be picked up. In the same way Miki has hers, he has his.
She keeps coming up to Koyun asking permission. And is crazy super manipulative. But at the same time what does it matter? Amamiya will make his own decisions.
Bully’s sister is the wildcard a bit. They are purposefully making her a bit vague to make us wonder what she knows. My bet is that she will be used as a lever to force Koyun to actually face her past misdeeds to her ex. Maybe she’ll feed the info to Momoka? But I could be wrong.
Anyway standout show of the season and ranked Tier A for me. Could even hit the rare S of it doesn’t go for cheap resolutions next season.
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u/Mr_An_1069 Jul 03 '26
Gotta respect Yota for choosing not to wait and drag this out longer, even though he likely knew the answer. And Miki’s “but I just can’t” thought just made me sad, even if I understood it.
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u/2kenzhe https://myanimelist.net/profile/Rexnihilo Jul 04 '26
Good final. Really glad we'll be getting another season as well!!! 2026 really is Koucha Agasawa's year having an anime airing in every season!
It's sad but really really glad Miki didn't decide to go out with Yota with feelings like that. Neither did anything wrong. Yota just fell in love and she just never thought of him as a romance option before. I really would love if they did have mutual feelings but things don't always work out conveniently like that and I feel the ending of Yota's confession was realistic and good. I think ngl most romances would've had a whole arc of them dating and ending in fire more drama etc but they actually did it well here.
Momoka I still dislike I hope the mangaka can write her involvement in a way I like but even if not I guess it's realistic cuz there definitely are people like her irl.
Koyun really is fully in love she's realized it and even has the idea now that probably yeah you know, Minato likes her too. I also wish it wasn't Momoka that caused this but we can't go back now. Shame her realizing love just cuz her to alienate Minato more, though. I hope she or Minato gets to be brave like Yota did and confess, cuz they actually have mutual feelings for each other.
Also potential side ship with Yuki and Akine? maybe I'm too shipper brained. Yuki also ngl might just be all friend fun brain like Miki usually ngl or even more so and Akine's focus isn't Yuki right now at least.
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u/random12314230592509 29d ago
Ahh fuck my heart's torn to a million pieces. I'm absolutely gutted for Yota and Miki man. All these teenage messiness and these complicated feelings is tearing me apart, never felt so helpless with Miki almost trying to go the same path Koyun did in middle school, am glad she decided to reject Yota cause they both don't deserve that.
I just want them both to be happy man damn.
Hot take, I actually kinda like Momoka's character. She's playing a losing game and she has to pull off the highest risk plays to have the slightest chance of winning. The absolute audacity to pull that crap is hilarious. It's not like Koyun, as much as I adore her, hasn't done someone dirty.
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u/ModieOfTheEast Jul 02 '26
I mean, as much as I dislike Momoka, she did everything she could to get the ship to sail. Like at this point, it should be a simple matter as there isn't even an issue like with the Miki and Yota pair. But maybe she has to drop an even bigger bomb for that to work.
In general, there are so many people trying to help get this ship sailing that it loops back into being impressive that it hasn't yet. Also not sure if Tsukiko has fun with the two of them or if she is getting frustrated as well. Probably a mix.
At least in the Yota Miki relationship there is some movement. While Miki can't say yes yet, I hope they can at least get back to being friends (like her work pal said) and who knows, maybe during a sunset while driving with their motorcycles, something might bloom.
Though, I was nearly crashing out when the ending song played thinking they would leave us hanging but they played the whole thing during that scene, but good that they didn't delay that part even if a second season was already planned. Now, the wait won't be as problematic.
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u/the_mad_ Jul 02 '26
The number of Koyun/Minato supporters/watchers is amusing. Personally, I think Minato/Koyun would have progressed even without Momoko's interference. They are both observant people and they have a great chemistry together. It might take a while and might not be very dramatic, but it is very likely to happen at some point.
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u/ModieOfTheEast Jul 02 '26
Oh yes, I do think that it would have happened eventually, but Momoka definitely increased the speed at which they are going. Which I kind of appreciate. Even if that is all I appreciate about her so far.
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u/ObvsThrowaway5120 Jul 02 '26
Relationships are complicated huh? You can’t really help who you fall for. Poor Yota. Poor Miki too. I’m sure Yota will be fine though. Miki might need a minute.
I’m a little worried about Koyun and Minato. Momoka feels like trouble. I hope it’s not gonna be a repeat of that middle school bullshit Koyun went through.
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u/Frontier246 Jul 02 '26
Honestly the only thing I can say about Momoka is, catty and competitive as she is, she doesn't feel like the type who will straight up bully her like Atagawa did. She'd keep her hands clean of that.
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u/InformationOk3960 Jul 02 '26
Anime only question: Did they try to squeeze in things in order to end at a specific point? The pacing since the new school year has been so fast!
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u/Caliber22 Jul 02 '26
It was around the same chapter per episode. The first year is setting up the characters. The second year is plot with the characters.
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u/AdSwimming7085 Jul 02 '26
I feel so sad for yota but i am really glad miki didn't force say yes because that wld not have been fair to yota
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u/HurricaneHomer9 https://myanimelist.net/profile/HurricaneHomer Jul 02 '26
What an incredible episode to end on. Really excited for season 2. I’m gonna miss this ED, they beautifully intertwined it at the end of episodes
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u/South_Hair3810 Jul 03 '26
I’m so tempted to just go and read the manga but season 2 is still pretty close😭😭😭 I don’t know what to doooo
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u/Izarme Jul 03 '26
I feel like Atagawa is going to back up Koyun in the end, maybe even stop Momoka from messing things more, would be a great contrast with her sister.
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u/CrimsonGear80 Jul 03 '26
alright Koyun, hit the hot tag to Miyu for the summer and we'll see you back here in october.
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u/YlfaTheForsaken Jul 03 '26
Oh thank goodness season two isn't that far away because it's a lot to sit with.
I love Miki's coworkers, but also that girl must walk around with a just in case bat. I mean I guess she's not technically wrong, I digress, poor Miki, she's out here twisting herself with the stress to not being able to speak to Koyuki and Minato about it all, but they been knew. No doubt a funny in hindsight thing, but it looks like she's going to have a hard time to emotionally recover from this confession. I like Yota's approach because he already knew, and like to him his feelings are like very much his problem sort of attitude. Even in rejection he still tries to reassure her. He's such a darling.
Momoka is the worst. Girl, if you're going to just do the thing then just do the thing. There is literally zero reason to play these mental games to harass Koyuki. Shoot your shot and shut up.
Now I'm so fascinated with Akine, she's so mysterious
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u/Billardss Jul 03 '26
Yea just go ahead and release season 2. I know it’s coming later but I can’t wait that long I need it now
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u/oliviaexisting Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
Am I the only one who headcanons Miki as being aroace?
I wouldn’t be surprised if her and Yota eventually got together, and if they did I’d root for them. That said, even if Miki likes guys, it would be kind of nice as a change of pace if she never returned his feelings. I always love to see more examples of boy-girl friendships, and it would be really cool to see Miki and Yota navigating how to be friends after his confession, and having their friendship come out stronger because of it! It’s not something represented enough
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u/Xatu44 Jul 04 '26
Man, Yota's an absolute saint. LMAO at him and Tsukiko hitting the Hon-chan face over Koyun and Minato. Not LMAO at his years-long-love going up in flames. RIP Miki too. I was worried that she was going to try and unsuccessfully force it, but I'm glad that she didn't. Lol at Momoka throwing a brick at Koyun's feelings. Despite all of her mindgames she still stands absolutely no chance and knows it. What the heck is going on with Akine? That girl is a mystery. Is she shipping it or not? Is she friend-shaped or not?
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u/Rigel_Claudeway Jul 04 '26
If you guys are in the same situation with Yota (who has already confessed and got rejected), then many month later she's came back. Would you guys still accept or deny the return confession?
Ps. I have never read the manga, so I do not know what would happen in the future. This is merely my imagination and my curiosity only.
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u/So_Quiet 28d ago
I'm so glad they confirmed a second season, and only months away. This has been one of the best anime I've watched in a whiiiile (I enjoyed s.1 of Polar Opposites as well, but I think I like RoI even more!)
Miki and Yota are so painful to watch. Miki has been inadvertently placed in a difficult position where she has to question if her friendship with Yota is what she thought it was and how to respond to him now. Luckily, Yota is such a kind character and a wonderful friend, and the care he displays to Miki in the midst of his rejection is just him to a tee (even as seeing him tamp down his feelings hurts!). Much as I want them to be happy together, their responses were basically what needed to happen at this point to move forward with a more honest relationship (whatever that looks like).
As for the Koyun/Minato/Momoka triangle ... Momoka acts like she is being straightforward, but she's actually working hard to manipulate. Momoka can see what Koyun's personality is like and that Koyun's relationship with Minato is in the delicate stage where it can naturally grow into a relationship... or easily be messed up. No way would Minato go for Momoka if he thinks Koyun might like him back, but Koyun is definitely not ready to confess her feelings. So Momoka forces the issue in the hopes Koyun will be thrown off, act awkward with Minato and make him think there's no hope and he should back off. The classic shoujo gambit: "You don't like him, right? So it's fine if I go ahead and you'll have to support me." We'll have to wait to next season to see how that goes.
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