Daijoubu

This series is about a girl, Hikari, who’s always #2 to a guy (Kei) who’s always #1, so she is always challenging him in different tasks, but coming in as #2. It reminds me of the song that goes, “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better, I Can Do Anything Better Than You.” I sense a potential music video here, lol. Anyway, I think Hikari must be particularly stupid in the challenges she is selecting. I would advise her to use something like: “I challenge you to a breast-feeding contest!” He could never win that one! But Hikari is also dense in not noticing Kei’s feelings for her. While this is par for the course for these kinds of shows, she is totally not using her most powerful weapon against him! She could reduce him to #2 and have him licking her shoes, but then she wouldn’t be the kind of kind hearted and innocent heroine these shows require.

I don’t like elitism too much (unless I’m the one being elite, that is!), and the ridiculous separation of the top seven students into their own classroom (in a greenhouse? wtf!!!) is nonsensical! This show links the characters’ position in society (as children of the wealthy) with their superior qualities, effectively endorsing some kind of natural aristocracy. And, in the first two episodes at least, those below them, even in the student council, must resort to underhanded tactics to try and win, implying that they are not only less accomplished, but morally deficient.

But I do like to try and find good things when I can. I actually liked the way, in ep. 2, Kei is trying to protect Hikari and she just doesn’t get it, thinking only of their rivalry. The whole fight thing is ridiculous (their opponents conveniently seem to disappear in the middle of it just so our main characters can share a tender scene), but I can imagine Kei could have probably broken their handcuffs earlier if he’d wanted to, but was just using the circumstances as a way to keep her from fighting. Of course, why he would suddenly start worrying about her at all, when she can clearly beat up anyone besides him, is a mystery…