Itazura na Kiss - Episode 14

Waaaah! It finally happened! Irie finally gave in to Kotoko’s persistent pestering and agreed to marry her. But, man that episode moved quickly! So much happened that even the OP was forgone just to gain that brief extra minute-and-a-half. For once, though, I’m not going to complain about pacing. I simply enjoyed this too much.

I never followed the original Itazura na Kiss manga - something I regret more and more with each passing episode of the anime - but at the same time I’m glad for not knowing what’s going to happen next. I mean, I really didn’t see that wedding happening. At least not until the series finale. At a guess, I probably would have said that the rain scene would result in tears (the sad type) and perhaps Kotoko would have settled for Kinnosuke. It would have made for a predictable ending, sure, with Kotoko and Irie finally realising their suppressed feelings for one another sometime around episode twenty-three. In fact, this episode could have slotted in later on pretty inconspicuously.

But I’m so glad it didn’t. In truth, the only remaining problem is how to fill the remaining half-season. With Itazura na Kiss so far setting the bar for drama and watchability as high as it has, it would be awful for what’s left of the series to become dirtied by frivolous filler story. Or worse; if the premise were reversed, repeating episodes one to thirteen by switching Kotoko for Chris and Irie for Kinnosuke. That would really be bad. Like, honto ni bad.

However, I haven’t read the manga. And whilst I’m sat here worrying about how the best anime of the season could descend into the depths of cliché and repetition, I bet those who do know how the story is going to progress are smiling like conceited Cheshire cats, patiently waiting for their next animated instalment. I think I’ll follow suit.