Hana-Kimi ‒ Episode 7
Hana-Kimi Episode 7: A Step Up, But Still Facing Challenges
The seventh episode of Hana-Kimi manages to be one of the better installments since the series premiere, despite the anime's ongoing struggles to capture the manga's original charm. While the animation remains subpar, it's at least consistently bad, a step up from the outright disastrous animation of previous episodes.
Dorm Life Disrupted
The central conflict arises when the dorms close for break, leaving Mizuki without a place to stay. She hesitantly declines offers from Nakatsu and Sano, fearing her secret will be exposed. Instead, she turns to Dr. Umeda for help, who emerges as a standout character in this adaptation.
Dr. Umeda's Modern Appeal
Stripped of the manga's problematic elements, Umeda shines as a mentor and confidant. He's not simply a "gay bestie" providing feminine support. Instead, he's a well-rounded queer adult with an active social life, a boyfriend, and a clear dedication to work-life balance. This portrayal is a refreshing update.
A Beachside Getaway
A fortunate intervention by Umeda's sister, Io, Nanba-senpai's mother, leads to Mizuki, Nakatsu, and Sano working at her beach guesthouse. This change of scenery injects new energy into the narrative and gives Mizuki a more active role. However, being a 90s shoujo manga, the paranoia surrounding potential "sex pests" feels justified.
The Introduction of Makita
Enter Makita, a college student and fellow guesthouse employee, who immediately becomes a source of trouble. His aggressive flirting and persistent attempts to expose Mizuki's true gender create a significant issue.
Modern Sensibilities Clash with Outdated Tropes
Makita's behavior highlights the challenge of adapting Hana-Kimi for a modern audience. His insistence on misgendering Mizuki, despite her presentation as a boy, is deeply problematic. While the original manga may have framed this as simple disbelief, it now reads as transphobic, a stark reminder of how societal understanding of gender has evolved.
The Problematic Nature of the Conflict
This plotline hinges on Makita's belief that Mizuki is a girl, despite her protests and attempts to present as male. The narrative struggles to reconcile this conflict with contemporary sensibilities, as removing the transphobic element would unravel a core plot point.
A Minor Antagonist Done Right
Despite these issues, Makita functions effectively as a minor antagonist. His presence creates conflict and raises the stakes, a welcome change from the often-stale dynamics of other characters. He is definitely preferrable over Shizuki, who tries to control Mizuki. Much like action series need arc powerful enemies, romcoms need jackasses to shake things up. Kagurazaka may have filled that role once, but now he feels more like Sano's rival.
Small Victories
Other elements of the episode work well. Nakatsu's comical feud with a toddler provides some lighthearted moments. Even though he's almost an adult, it's hard not to retaliate against a three-year-old sometimes. The change in scenery also refreshes the plot.
