Tomo-Chan Is A Girl: Season 1/ Episode 12 “Goodbye, Best Friend” – Recap/ Review
HAS THE MOMENT FINALLY COME? Will Tomo and Jun be on the same page and, dare I say, enter a relationship?!
HAS THE MOMENT FINALLY COME? Will Tomo and Jun be on the same page and, dare I say, enter a relationship?!
| Aired (Crunchyroll) | March 22, 2023 |
| Director(s) | Makoto Sokuza |
| Writer(s) | Megumi Shimizu |
| Previously Noted Characters | |
| Jun | Kaito Ishikawa |
| Tomo | Rie Takahashi |
| Misuzu | Rina Hidaka |
| Akemi | Watanabe Kumiko |
| Ferris | Oohara Sayaka |
| Misaki | Rina Hidaka |
| Goro | Nomura Kenji |
| Carol | Sally Amaki |
Recap
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Love Overload – Jun, Tomo, Misuzu, Akemi, Ferris, Misaki, Goro
It’s time for “Cinderella” to be performed, and Tomo’s parents are there, Carol’s mom, Misuzu’s, but not Jun’s. But Goro, while there for his daughter, also takes note of Jun, even if he is playing a tree. All eyes are really on Tomo and Misuzu, and they win the hearts of damn near everyone. Thus, Tomo becomes massively popular, and everyone side-eyes Jun since they don’t see him as worthy of her.
But, despite how people look at him, he pushes forward and makes unexpected moves towards Tomo. He asks her to dance, be alone together, and eventually, he confesses to her. Tomo’s response? To run and avoid Jun and anyone who brings up the subject.
Allow Me To Apologize – Misuzu, Tomo, Jun, Carol
Tomo’s reaction leads to many people realizing that things have gone unsaid for too long. For example, Jun apologizes to Misuzu about their relationship and to sweeten the deal, compliments her, and even falls for a trap she lays out to regain some of the dignity she lost when he dumped her. Also, Misuzu finally apologizes to Tomo for influencing her into thinking she had to be more girly to be liked by Jun and any boy. Heck, maybe girls as well.
Yet, the most impactful apology comes from Jun to Tomo regarding his ignoring his feelings and hers. He has had a crush on her for years, suppressed it, ignored it, and didn’t acknowledge how hard that sometimes was on her. For that, as expected, she punches him, runs away, and calls him a dumbass. Which she regrets, and Jun tries to make up for.
So This Is Love? – Tomo, Jun
However, with both confessing their love, so comes the question of what is next? Tomo doesn’t want to lose her best friend while gaining a boyfriend, and Jun doesn’t want that either. So he proposes that she gain a title rather than lose one. She’ll be his best friend, rival, and a slew of other things, alongside his girlfriend, and this is agreed to.
We don’t see a kiss or anything, though.
Things To Note
Question(s) Left Unanswered
- Where was Jun’s mom to support him being a tree?
What Could Happen Next
- Likely a setup for a second season where we see them go from being best friends, with certain boundaries, to exploring intimacy in a whole new way.
- Jun and Tomo’s first kiss
Review
Notable Performances or Moments
You Earn What Is Given
A lot of shows, throughout a season or series, seem to do fan service more than real development. In “Tomo-Chan Is A Girl,” nothing feels done for the sake of a pop or to get someone’s eyes blaring. The idea here appears to be showing a girl with masculine qualities still interested in a boyfriend, feminine camaraderie, and experiences without compromising the fact that she is competitive, athletic, loud, and aggressive. At no point in Tomo’s journey does it feel like she is just given something for the sake of hope.
Even when Misaki gives her a compliment, it isn’t made into this thing that should be seen as a milestone. It’s more so encouragement. And it isn’t just her, but with Misuzu, while she is shown to be feminine, at the same time, she can be quite cold-hearted, petty, and manipulative. But, as seen through Carol, that is what makes moments when her guard is down, and she lets you hug her or see her cry truly notable moments vs. things done for shock and awe.
Heck, even with Jun, his journey to eventually admitting his feelings was earned. He seemed to truly not see Tomo as a girl at first, but slowly the truth unraveled until it was clear he was avoiding seeing her as a girl because of his fears and insecurities. Which thankfully, he has gotten past, thus allowing us to finally see the two communicate reciprocal feelings.
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