Impression:

This episode represents Christmas in the Summer in more than one way. The obvious one is the fact that we got a Christmas episode in late June. They are making Dung proud. Another way that this episode represents Christmas in the Summer is the fact that this was a gift. We are all in that odd state where we are waiting on the new season to  come out and the specials just aren’t doing it for us. This full-length episode that gives us more canon development is just what the doctor ordered. Let’s enjoy the holiday cheer.

That is a good question.

This is the driving force in the episode. Even though they started going out, there has been no actual development between Yuuta and Rikka. No holding hands, kissing, or dates to speak of. I guess it is rough when neither party has any actual experience in the dating field. Well, it is Christmas and that means the two lovebirds should have plans. Unfortunately, that is not the case, but their friends are there to help. The group plans a Christmas party that is going to be held at Dekomori’s house. Do you remember the car and driver that she brought with her at the end of the first season? Well, we got true confirmation that she is a rich girl. The gang ends up at a crazy mansion with banquet hall and everything. The events of the evening are pretty simple. Some odd costume changes, a crazy card game, and two girls getting drunk. That last part is pretty common in anime. There was some fancy cake that got the best of Rikka and Dekomori. What does that mean? Rikka passes out and Dekomori yells at Yuuta for stealing her master. Well, the night wasn’t completely ruined.

Damn you.

Any fans of Kyoto Animation should know that you don’t really get the kiss scene that you want when you want it. There are some exceptions, but the fan service that I actually like is just a tease. After Rikka wakes up, Nibutani talks to her about the lack of development between her and Yuuta. Luckily, Yuuta takes Rikka home early and they end up on the date that the young man planned on. Yuuta bought tickets to a Mississippi style cruise and the two spend the night looking out at a beautiful scene. Yuuta comments on the fact that they haven’t really progressed, but he states that he wants things to develop naturally. A kiss would have happened if a foghorn didn’t go off. Then, what could be described as an adorable, but unsatisfying, style of handholding is interrupted by a drunk Dekomori and the rest of the gang. In a clumsy scuffle, Yutta and Rikka almost kiss. You hear a kissing sound, but that is because Dekomori fell onto Nibutani. Everyone goes home and the Christmas cheer is felt by some.

This picture deserved to be at full size.

Current Opinion of the Show:

I really enjoyed this. I think a lot of us have been feeling as though this series ended years ago because we needed to see more. This episode was both good and bad in that regard. It was good because it was fun to watch. I think all fans of the series should enjoy it and it was nice to se Yuuta and Rikka almost getting somewhere. Almost being the key word. Things were fun. Nibutani and Dekomori were hilarious and we got to see more of the “big sister Nibutani” that started towards the end of the first season. Dekomori and Rikka are really starting to rely on her. I guess that Nibutani has found her role in the series. The bad is the fact that this is one OVA that is going to leave me with series blue balls until the second season comes out.

Calm down girl.

I guess that this is a pretty natural reaction. Even though Dekomori wants Rikka to be happy, she is starting to feel left out. This can happen when your friends start dating people. Getting drunk helped Dekomori let out her true feelings and I assume that this will be a recurring theme in the series moving forward. Do I have anything negative to say about all of this. I don’t like Isshiki for some reason. His character is just kind of annoying in my eyes. I think that wraps up my list of complaints. I can’t wait for the second season to come out.

It is June.