(Subtitled version) This episode is a bit of a study in contrasts -- there's a lot of solid plot material to work with, some good scripting, but also some very questionable writing as well. Episode 6 tries to carry on the sombre attitude featured in Episode 5, but also tries to add some silly comedic devices to lighten things up. (Comic relief is not always a requirement, guys!) There's a neat little look at an important issue plaguing Japanese households -- the conflict between wanting to carry on with one's own life plans, versus the pressures of continuing a family's traditions and desires. It seems that both Mitsuru and Miya have similar problems to contend with.

Yamaguchi Kappei makes another appearance as Koizumi Tenma, Igarashi's boyfriend. I find his voice almost as annoying as Toshihiko Seki, though in this episode, it works -- his self-assured characterisation really provides the impetus for Miya's internal conflict. Once again, there are some neat transitional devices, and there's one scene that brings a big grin to my face -- when Mitsuru does a number on a shoji screen. I've always wanted to do that! (Especially since I used to get into trouble all the time for poking fingers through the paper partition... *sigh*) Incidentally, I felt that the more interesting story here was Mitsuru's home life rather than Kazuya's pursuit of Miya, though the story really does centre around Kazuya. There is some really annoying, overly-melodramatic background music near the middle, but the episode ends with a well performed, touching ballade. - AN

(Dubbed version) I really didn't want to watch this episode, considering the high level of standards set by the previous five. Perhaps I'm building up a tolerance to bad acting, but I was able to sit through the whole episode without reaching for the scotch bottle. The school marm at Shinohana is a lost cause, however, and like his Japanese counterpart, Jim Malone (Tenma) goes overboard in his role. Still can't recommend it, but this is the best of the six. - AN

(Subtitled Version) Episode 6 is the last of an all too short series. Here we have the second part to the story about Miya and Kazuya with more detail about Mitsuru's background. While Kazuya is the main character, I find Mitsuru the more interesting character. There is also a secondary story in this episode about Mitsuru and his home life which is more interesting than the one dealing with Kazuya and Miya in my opinion. This story develops Mitsuru's character and explains why he stays in the dorm when his family lives in Tokyo and introduces the rest of his family. Even so, this episode is again very good and there are still more humourous moments scattered throughout. (How many people do you know of that actually get a fever from being love-sick?!) The overall story however is, as in Episode 5, a bit more serious with Kazuya trying to get to talk to Miya. There is another nice song in this episode right at the very end which is on the vocal CD. While the animation in the episode is, as per usual, not the best, there is a really good blank look that happens when they go to the hospital which is just priceless. -JYN

(Dubbed Version) I'm not sure but I think I've been developing a tolerance to the voice acting and everything else that has driven me up the wall in the previous dubbed episodes. The voice acting has gotten better and is at least tolerable although it's still not what I'd consider acceptable. Even so, this is the best episode of the six for the dubbed series, with a decent story, the translation is fairly loose and the dialogue is more idiomatic. While the dubbed version of this series is definitely not on my recommended list, this episode is almost tolerable. - JYN