After the intense ending of the previous episode of Love and Lies with Takazaki and Yukari kissing under Ririna’s supervision and wholehearted blessing, I’ve been waiting for this episode with a certain excitement. Unfortunately, as is usually the case, good episodes are being followed by milder ones, just like the one today.
Japanese Original Episode Title: 恋の科学
This episode’s plot starts with Yukari being visited at home by Ririna to host some representatives from the ministry that are coming to check on them and the progress of their relationship. On their way out, they announce that they are headed to Takazaki’s house, which makes Ririna and Yukari automatically assume that Takazaki finally got her notice and will know her assigned partner by the end of the night. Yukari freaks out and Ririna slaps sense into him. The following day, Yukari tries to confront Takazaki but doesn’t seem to find the right moment to do so. He runs into her and Yusuke having an intense conversation and later manages to ask her what happened last night. She denies everything and kisses him, professing her love, but later meets with a mysterious girl that criticizes her lying habit. Ririna invites Takazaki to a family camping with Yukari, and he invites Yusuke who doesn’t want to hear one bit about that, so he asks Yukari to buy him dessert in return for coming.
Yukari looks manly: Finally, for the first time, Yukari looks a bit different than the whiny little wimp we usually get to see. In the beginning of the episode, his back looks broader and he seems significantly taller than Ririna. Cute.
Ririna is cleaning: This made me like her so much more. Her desire to impose order in Yukari’s space is exactly what I would do upon entering a messing room. Well done, girl.
Ririna is creepy: She’s perverted enough already manically observing Takazaki’s and Yukari’s relationship, but when she talks about her relationship with the anatomy model I just… cringed. I mean, to each their own, right?
Another ‘accidental’ fall: Can we please stop doing this in any anime ever? Please? It’s not romantic, original, or sexy. And it is completely unrealistic. Please.
Love and appearance: Loved the fact that the Ministry people mentioned that appearances are not taken into account when matchmaking people. Believe it or not, when looking for a partner, we are rarely attracted to how they look but rather to how they behave and how familiar we feel with this behavior.
Takazaki’s address: A bit cheesy how out of everyone’s house they were headed to Takazaki’s right after Yukari’s, and even more how they had to ask him in particularly how to get to her place. I understand the plot need to be filled somehow, but come on, make an effort.
The kiss scene: With the curtains blowing in the background and the light pushing in from the windows, so beautiful, so romantic. I’m such a sucker for that sort of thing.
Yusuke is a psychopath: Superficial charm, lack of empathy, feeling of self-importance… the list goes on. He really does act like a psychopath. He also looks like one, from time to time.
Kaitai Shinsho: I was reminded of this thanks to the reference to the anatomy model in Ririna’s memories. It’s an Edo period illustrated look on the human anatomy. Highly recommend it.
Red String of Fate: The ‘Red Strings of Science’ as the matchmaking program the government is using is called, is referring to the Red String of Fate or Marriage, an Asian tradition according to which soulmates’ hearts are linked with a red string. Hence all the red strings in the beginning of the show.
Orwellian-style marriage: Am I the only one reminded of George Orwell’s 1984 when watching how the matchmaking in this society works?
So Yukari is a wuss, Takazaki a compulsive liar, Ririna a pervert, and Yusuke a psychopath. And something is up. There’s definitely a background story we are unaware of, as we can easily assume thanks to the appearance of the random girl who chats with Takazaki on the bench. I’m pretty sure the Ministry had something very special to tell her. Can’t wait for the next episode!
Did you like Episode 4 of Love and Lies? Let us know in the comments below by using either the forum or the Facebook tab! Join us in our new forum and let’s talk about our favorite series! Also, don’t forget the rest of our Summer 2017 reviews!
NEXT TIME: Risky Love (命がけの恋)
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