I didn't really like the beach arc of Ano Natsu, but at least it had a few interesting revelations and plot progression.
Mio finally starts to fight for Tetsurou! She also reveals why she was going no-pan last episode. Mystery solved! What's with Director Nagai Tatsuyuiki and these weird scenarios...
Kaito makes his move after Ichika gives him a signal. Pretty daring and a bit out-of-character, though his nervousness and the awkward attempt at the kiss grounded it in reality. Of course, Kanna had to butt in and destroy this moment, as if saying "It's too early in the story for this kiss!" I'm torn between wanting to see Kaito's relationship with Ichika proceed, and wanting to see Kanna succeed...
Mio returns in the next episode with a new hairstyle! Definitely prefer the newer, more confident Mio.
Kanna's cute じゃじゃん！was very quickly overshadowed by Ichika's elegant summer yukata. Don't worry Kanna, you're still cuter in my books! Though overly-excited Ichika comes quite close...
Kanna is clearly unable to enjoy this moment alone with Kaito when she senses no reciprocal feelings at all from her signals.
Mio gets a pleasant surprise, though not on purpose...
Again with this camera angle. I was a little surprised that Kaito dashing off to Ichika's rescue (and leaving Kanna to fend for herself) didn't draw a single tear from Kanna. It's all just building up inside her now, waiting to explode...
We finally get to see more of the sci-fi elements of this show. Kaito really goes beyond the call of duty to protect Ichika.
Faced with the same situation that left her stranded on Earth in the first place, Ichika is reminded of the danger she poses to these humans... How many more times must Kaito die for Ichika...?
Some back story for Kanna and Kaito here helped build their characters... a little bit. Actually, so little is known about all the characters in this show, and yet we can connect with them somehow? Perhaps its just the situation they are in and the general themes of this show that are keeping it alive. This short flashback was also foreshadowing something much bigger later on. Much like how mangaka Kishimoto uses flashbacks to help build an emotional connection with a certain character before killing him or her off. Of course, it doesn't go as far here.
A brilliantly emotional moment. Kanna essentially admits defeat, provokes the enemy, and runs away crying. That close-up of Kanna's tears is no different from Taiga's from Toradora (classroom Valentines' chocolate scene) and Menma's from AnoHana (seeing her own altar).
And much like Toradora, one kiss is never enough. This seals the deal on this couple pairing. Kanna will never get a chance. With only 3 more episodes to go and the main romance already tied up, it can only go downhill for Ichika and Kaito from here.
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