Recap: Awkward tension looms as Yukino and Hachiman haven’t talked to each other since he learned the truth of his accident. Yui once again tries to connect with him, but it would appear he only has eyes for Yukino. Why can’t they just get back to focusing on social commentary?

Once again, I find the romance to be the most frustrating part of this romantic comedy. It just seems like such a tease to have Yui in this show when they seem to be making it perfectly clear Yukino will remain the main love interest. It just serves to make episodes like this a lesson in frustration. Not only has Yui been far more amicable to him, but she’s had so much more focus as far as the romantic angle goes it really seems cheap. In no way would I gleam from the way Hachiman’s conversations with Yukino go that he thinks so highly of her.

I complain, but to be honest they snuck in some smart commentary here and there again. The most obvious was the bit with Yukino and her friend from class. It’s such a high school thing to do by judging you by who you’ve got with you, and it works perfectly in this scene. I like that Hachiman actually acted awkward in front of them. For being someone who supposedly has bad people skills, he hasn’t really shown much awkwardness, its always more been his cynicism. It’s kinda humanizing seeing him shy away from the conversation like that.

After meeting with Yukino’s sister, we get another insight into sibling relationships. I honestly feel that is some of the least focused on relationships in anime, but they really do have a big effect on your life. How older brothers or sisters succeed or fail puts pressures on the younger siblings. It’s been a common thread among younger siblings I know that nomatter how much they might not get along, they still find themselves seeking their approval.

As with Yui a few episodes back, next episode’s obviously going to be the patch-up between our two main characters. I have confidence this show can still pull off something like that well. I understand some of my disappointment is heroine bias, so as long as they go about it properly I know I really have nothing to be upset about. With the light novels still unfinished, I am worried as to how non-commital the ending will be. Romantic comedys usually suffer most from disappointing endings when the source material isn’t over, and I can’t help but feel the same fate is in store for SNAFU.