Recap: Another flashback episode reigns supreme as we go deeper in to the Yoshino-Aika-Mahiro triangle.

I’m really struggling to decide what to write about this show anymore. I get where they’re going for the most part. They want their somewhat pretentious Shakespearean influenced magical drama and their weird japanese high school drama. The problem is I really don’t care about this love triangle that has been set up between our main pair and the dead Kana Hanazawa. Unless it has some significance to the magic plot I really don’t see its purpose in the storyline other than to solidify backstory and illustrate our character’s motivations. Problem is, for the most part I could understand the motivations pretty clear without all these details to go with it.

I guess I should have expected as much from a shounen show, but I am also a little peeved that this episode’s title is basically a bait and switch. I’m fine with them teasing this romance out further, but if you have an episode titled “First Kiss” it shouldn’t be about how Yoshino fails at attaining that. Really all this episode did was make Yoshino that much more unlikeable. I’ve been content to have him as the protagonist sofar, he’s the outsider that the viewer can relate to and helps put a worldly frame to this fantastical magic war. It kinda makes him out to be a pussy in all honesty. Look at that header picture. See how he has his girlfriend to himself in the mood, and what does he do? Just lays his hands out and waits for her to do the work. Have some backbone, dammit!

I think what we’re supposed to get out of it is that Yoshino wants to be with Aika, but he feels guilt for his involvement with her knowing that Mahiro has feelings for her. It does put the whole revenge aspect in a bit more of a believable context, even if it still is making Mahiro Hamlet for Hamlet’s sake. I do admit that showing Yoshino and his prior weakness does seem to contrast his present self, who is planning  and scheming outside Mahiro’s influence, but at the same time confirming it by staying by Mahiro’s side and letting himself be pulled along on this revenge quest.

I’m not sure what Tempest is trying to accomplish sometimes. Episodes like these and you’d forget it’s the kind of show that had fast-paced magic fights and the other Shakespearean influence, The Tempest metaphors. I guess part of me is bummed that a flashback episode means no screentime for my favorite princess, but alas I hope I’m not the kind of person that needs a VA to enjoy a show, even if it does help. With Mahiro locked and loaded its looking to at least be promising with a big mage fight imminent. Samon and his gang versus the duo and the Japanese military. Looks like it’ll be quite the show.