Recap: Yui is having problems separating herself from her old group. After Yukino helps her find the words to stand up to them, they go back to the clubroom to find an old classmate of Hachiman’s, still as weird as he was back in middle school. He wants the Service Club’s help in one of the most thankless jobs ever, critiquing. Considering who hes asking this of, he takes their thoughts pretty well.

I think I’m starting to understand what SNAFU is supposed to be about. Amidst the snarky characters and strange “Problem of the Week” formula the Service Club seems to be set on, there’s a real critique on how humans form relationships and cliques, especially in a hierarchical environment like high school. I personally loved the beginning of the episode where it showed Yui’s apprehension in leaving her own clique due to the social pressures put on by its leaders.

That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the second half as well. I was worried that with an established 3 man band we wouldn’t be seeing much else in the realm of characterization, but Yoshiteru was a pretty fun personality. I liked that they established quickly that he’s simply just someone who likes to talk with flair, someone who just enjoys the classic chuunibyo personality and not someone lost in it. It would appear revealing the main character’s Chuu2 past is really becoming a staple of embarrassing backstory, and I love how easily Hachiman was able to brush it off while still acknowledging he still acts a little immaturely.

I was wondering how they’d have such a bombastic personality react to something as realistic as harsh criticism, and I have to say I was impressed. For as much as the club tore apart his novel he was pretty calm and understanding. That’s something people, especially high schoolers, definitely have a hard time taking in stride. I still am pretty optimistic as to how SNAFU will turn out as the season goes on, so stay with me as I’ll be continuing my coverage.