Ginger Ale is a Force Majeure
Anzu sees Junta practicing baseball with his teammates and decides not to join in because she’s worried that Riri will try something.
Anzu thinks about how she would feel if Junta wasn’t under Riri’s spell. She wonders if he would fall in love with her if he weren’t under her influence. Anzu bumps into Riporin and Amin, who she hasn’t seen in a while. They decide to meet up at the Zarigari café. Once they arrive, they exchange some greetings and discuss their childhood experiences.
Anzu recalls playing video games with the boys. She recalls playing Cat Ranger with a boy named Tonta, who was a chubby kid. Riporin confirms that Tonta is actually Junta. As Riporin and Amin talk about Junta, Anzu recalls her time with him. In their flashback, Anzu invites Junta over to her house to play some Cat Ranger. Anzu’s frustrated that she didn’t remember Junta’s real name. ..
Anzu admits that Junta attends her school and invites him to join her, Riporin, and Amin. Junta arrives, and Riporin and Amin are stunned by his good looks. They invite Junta to attend their reunion, but it takes learning that Anzu will be attending the event for him to consider going. Amin makes an offhand comment about them dating and the two freeze up. ..
Anzu is returning home after a day of shopping when she meets Riri in their girl form. Riri explains that her feelings for Junta are real and of her own volition. Junta, who Anzu used to hang out with in elementary school, turns out to be a fake childhood friend she created. Anzu is angry at Riri for creating this fake relationship, but Riri says it’s her fault for not recognizing him as the real Junta.
Wizards can’t manipulate emotions, otherwise, Riri would’ve used his magic on Anzu. Riri tells Anzu that they set her up to meet Junta during her freshman welcome ceremony. When Junta attempted to meet with Anzu, she completely ignored him. To make matters worse, Riri reveals Anzu’s been doing this to Junta numerous times.
Anzu is frustrated with Junta for not being able to interact with his friend Anzu. He argues that if someone like Anzu can’t be forced into a relationship, then they’ll never realize what they’re missing and will continue to pass up opportunities. Junta concedes and agrees to help Anzu with his baseball practice.
Riri’s goal is to make Anzu’s love life matter more than her three favorite things. Anzu throws Riri out of her room, so she can change. In the past, Anzu asks a boy where Tonta is. The boy tells her that he left early. The boy tells her Tonta’s not interested in playing Cat Ranger with her, but she thinks he’s bluffing. In the present, Riporin and Amin discuss things with their old pal, Ryuya.
Anzu arrives at the bowling alley, and everyone is surprised to see that she’s not wearing any cat-themed clothing. Anzu makes fun of Ryuya’s height, angering him. The group head to the bowling alley, where Ryuya says they’ll be forming two teams consisting of boys and girls. The losing team will have to tell everyone their first crush’s name. Anzu accepts the challenge and plans to be her team’s captain. ..
Anzu uses her hatred for Riri as motivation to win the game for her team. As the boys line up and share their first crushes one of them admits to having a crush on Amin. She rejects him on the spot. Ryuya hesitates to give his answer, as we can assume by his demeanor that he had a crush on Anzu. He blurts out that he had a crush on his kindergarten teacher.
Ryuya begs his team to let him play another game, but they decline because Yamaguchi, the boy who admitted having a crush on Amin, is devastated. They participate in air hockey, and the loser has to buy the winner’s ice cream. The boys lose again and buy the girls ice cream. Enraged, Ryuya challenges Anzu to a singing competition. Anzu defeats Ryuya by ten points.
Ryuya and Anzu discuss Ryuya’s anger for losing as the others in some singing. Amin and Riporin expose Ryuya for cheating on a girl, and he feels ashamed. Anzu gets a text message from Junta, letting her know he arrived. The boys wonder who she’s referring to as Amin tells them it’s Tonta. Junta arrives, and everyone’s surprised by his glow-up.
Everyone is happy to learn that Tonta became a well-adored baseball player and praises him for his rewards. Amin tells everyone that Junta and Anzu are a couple, but Junta says they’re not a thing. Ryuya mocks everyone for groveling at Junta’s feat. Ryuya tells Junta he doesn’t like how he’s flexing his appearance in front of everyone. Anzu tells Ryuya to cut it out because Junta worked hard to get to where he is now.
Ryuya is frustrated and leaves the room after Anzu follows him. He apologizes for ruining the mood and plans to head home. It’s pointless to get jealous of him since Anzu never finds him boring. Anzu tells Ryuya that she likes his cynical personality because it makes him a fun person to be around. She promises their friends will understand his feelings and doesn’t want to turn against him.
Ryuya tells Anzu he’s still the same guy he remembers when they were kids. As Riporin, Amin, and Junta eavesdrop on this conversation, Ryuya tells Anzu that he has a crush on her. Anzu tells him she wouldn’t date a cheater. Although Ryuya agrees, he admits that he couldn’t stop thinking about Anzu while he was with them. Ryuya asks Anzu if he would have a chance to date her, and Anzu blushes. ..
Anzu tells Ryuya that she’d rather be with someone she can trust even when they’re apart. Ryuya asks if she’s talking about Junta while Anzu tries to paint the picture of her not knowing Junta likes her. In the corner, Junta loses all momentum while Ryuya tells her it’s obvious that Junta’s liked her since they were kids. Anzu tells Ryuya that she can only consider Ryuya as a friend.
Ryuya and Junta laugh and poke fun at each other as Riporin, Amin, and Anzu depart. Ryuya tells Junta that he lied to him about Anzu not wanting to play Cat Ranger with him when they were kids. ..
After the development, Junta never spoke with Anzu again and moved away. Junta says it’s okay since he’s been spending more time with Anzu now. Ryuya says he’s not giving up on claiming Anzu’s heart despite knowing Junta likes her. The episode concludes with Ryuya and Junta heading back to the song booth, where a rejection party awaits them. ..
The Episode Review
This episode of Romantic Killer had more drama and tension than the previous one. This focused on Anzu and her reunion with former friends. It was great to see Anzu spend time with her friends, participating in many teenage-like activities. While many may not like that Anzu’s still delving into her hobbies to some degree, she’s shown some growth since her introduction. ..
Anzu has decided to dress up for the reunion, instead of going as she usually does and spending time singing, playing games, and getting competitive with others in person. This change in character has given me a similar joyous energy that I felt when I stood up for Tsukasa.
This anime handles her character wonderfully. Fans will be delighted to know that Junta’s character finally received some needed depth. While Junta could’ve played a better role in this episode, getting more backstory regarding his connection with Anzu isn’t so bad. I would’ve preferred the anime to give Junta some elements of Ryuya’s backstory, though.
The Junta character is okay, but his lack of depth and motivation prevents him from being a formidable rival for Anzu’s love. It was bothersome seeing Ryuya admit his emotions to Anzu’s character this early on while Junta had many chances to do so. With only three episodes left, I don’t know if the series will be able to convince people that Junta is a perfect match for Anzu.
Despite his sappy background, Tsukasa is not as impressive as Kyohei. While this episode had enough laughs and drama to keep you hooked, these issues keep it from swinging a solid home run. Let’s hope the next episode can push the drama and tension further and actually involve our protagonists instead of one-note characters. ..
