Hana-Kimi ‒ Episode 8
Hana-Kimi Episode 8: A Disappointing Dip in Quality
The latest installment of Hana-Kimi has left much to be desired, particularly for those familiar with the source material. This episode, unfortunately, falls into a category of being noticeably flawed without possessing the redeeming quality of being entertainingly bad. The source manga holds a special place for many, and it's disheartening to witness this adaptation struggling to capture its essence.
Animation Woes
Animation quality continues to be a significant issue. The episode is riddled with peculiar camera angles, abrupt jump cuts, and awkward split screens. While some might interpret these choices as artistic, they appear more as cost-cutting measures to avoid animating complex movements. A prime example is the scene where Sano removes his shirt. Instead of animating the action, the sequence is depicted with a static split screen and a third still frame. This kind of shortcut might be forgivable if the overall visual presentation was more polished, but sadly, it isn't. Details like the ocean resembling blue gelatin and Nakatsu's obvious pasting against computer-generated backgrounds further detract from the viewing experience. A particularly egregious example is when Makita rescues Mizuki from unwanted attention at the beach, his mouth doesn't even move when he is talking. This lack of attention to detail conveys a sense of indifference toward the production. It lacks the spark that made the manga's comedic elements so enjoyable.
Makita's Long Game and Mizuki's Naivete
Makita's behavior in this episode raises some questions. It wouldn't be surprising if he orchestrated the beach harassment incident to position himself as Mizuki's savior. He's definitely playing a long game, softening her up with acts of kindness. Since Mizuki doesn't experience gender dysphoria, being mistaken for a boy doesn't seem to bother her as much. This allows her to forgive Makita's patronizing behavior. He has reduced the obviousness of his flirtations. Sano is suspicious of Makita's actions, but Mizuki only sees a kind older boy. It's hard to fault her for missing his intentions, as she tends to see the best in people.
Jealousy and Gender Identity
However, Mizuki's reaction to Tamami Kagurazaka's flirtation with Sano is frustrating. Mizuki believes Tamami is succeeding simply because she has larger breasts. It's evident that Sano is uninterested in Tamami, who constantly chases and clings to him. Mizuki watches jealously as Sano has to physically hold Tamami's wrists to keep her from grabbing onto him. While physical restraint is generally unacceptable, Sano's actions are understandable in this context, as Tamami ignores his repeated rejections. Mizuki's lack of emotional intelligence is becoming increasingly apparent. Kagurazaka, surprisingly, displays emotional intelligence. He notices Mizuki's lack of her usual energy and suggests she is giving up because of Tamami's physical development. In Umeda's absence, Kagurazaka is the one to point out Mizuki's silliness.
Stepping back from the animation issues, it becomes clear that Mizuki's distress might not be solely about losing Sano to Tamami. She is upset that Tamami can flirt with Sano openly. Despite cutting her hair and crossing an ocean to be with him, Mizuki cannot make the same moves because she believes Sano still sees her as a boy. Bust size and forwardness are irrelevant. Tamami gets to embrace her femininity, while Mizuki cannot.
Final Thoughts
Episode 8 of Hana-Kimi suffers from poor animation and a lack of attention to detail. While some character interactions offer glimpses of potential, they are overshadowed by the overall lack of quality. The episode highlights Mizuki's naivete and her struggle with gender identity, but these themes are not explored effectively enough to compensate for the technical shortcomings. It earns a community score of 4.3. Hopefully, future episodes will show improvement.
