6.024 minSeason 1 • Episode 12
LatestFutaba sees Kou's vulnerability for the first time, then sends him home to where his brother and father are waiting. As the three of them sit around the dinner table, Kou finally tells them how he feels. The next day, Kou's friends notice something different about him. At last, the class term ends. Their shining summer is about to begin!
At the end of her first year of high school, Futaba Yoshioka suddenly has a chance encounter with her first love, Kou Tanaka. Three years ago, he transferred schools before she was able to say how she felt about him. After meeting each other again, Futaba realizes that he has gone through many changes. He acts more cool and even had his last name changed to Mabuchi. Gradually the two rekindle their love while piecing together what had happened in the time that they were apart.
Writing
Kou's family trauma unfolds with painful restraint.
Acting
Yuki Kaji's voice work captures guarded vulnerability perfectly.
Direction
Visual metaphors for emotional distance hit hard.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The name change from Tanaka to Mabuchi reflects Japanese family registration laws; Kou took his mother's surname after their parents' separation, a detail many international viewers miss.
Maaya Uchida and Yuki Kaji had never led a romance anime together before this; their chemistry reportedly convinced producers to cast them in later projects.
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