Storyboard artist: Takakazu Nagatomo
Episode director: Moe Nakahara
Scriptwriter: Teruko Utsumi
In my review of the first episode of You and I Are Polar Opposites, I said that I didn’t care much for its central relationship. Episode 2 fixes that with a parade of moments so sweet I couldn’t stop grinning like an idiot.
Suzuki and Tani are a couple now, which means lots of new experiences: things like figuring out how to behave around your partner’s friend group, discovering new sides of your partner, going on a date, being honest yet considerate, and so on. The throughline of “being true to yourself” isn’t forgotten either, and I loved that there is a scene that tackles this with a hamburger meal. As someone who has worried about eating hamburgers in front of friends in the past, Suzuki’s hesitation to just dig in felt relatable, and the scene manages to deliver a healthy message with its conclusion while reminding us that Suzuki is a ridiculous goofball.
©阿賀沢紅茶／集英社・「正反対な君と僕」製作委員会
The pacing remains fast, so events zoom by and we don’t necessarily delve into or linger on every single thing (for instance, we see Suzuki’s circle being accepting of Tani, but don’t get to see them properly hanging out beyond an early interaction between Tani and the incredibly affable Yamada). However, the episode succeeds in feeling believable and sincere with its depiction of Suzuki and Tani’s early steps as a couple. We see their insecurities, their positive affirmation of one another, and how receiving compliments from a loved one leaves you floating on cloud nine. It’s lighthearted, but meaningful.
The comedy and liveliness are also on point. Suzuki’s energy is off the charts in this episode — our heroine gets stylistically depicted as a silly, quirky creature multiple times, with various levels of deformation and abstraction. Her goofiness shines even more with Sayumi Suzushiro’s vocal range (especially when she affects deeper voices) and palpable enthusiasm.
As for Tani, Episode 2 got me to warm up to him a bit. While the first episode already displayed that Tani isn’t robotic at all times, these new events deliver more of his lesser shown sides, like his heavy embarrassment when his romance-related search history is spotted by Suzuki. It allows him to feel more human while remaining as a counterbalance to our lively heroine.
Towards the end, Suzuki adopts the form of an abstract bear-like shape that radiates with so much joy, she illuminates the unlit space around her. That’s what You and I Are Polar Opposites Episode 2 feels like — something so positive and joyful it repels the darkness.
Screener provided by Crunchyroll.
