EDIT: You can start by reading my past comment or my new comment, just got it finished and I'm whipped to tell you there's a formula to counter your Irie-hate meter, well if you try to project different perspectives or try to hypothesize situations. SPOILER BY THE WAY!!
I've stopped this anime awhile ago (I only lasted 9 episodes because I feel sick of seeing everyone except Irie's mama) because of Irie's "Highschool" personality, but stuff gets lighter until we get to his "Doctor/ Father" personality. I'm not going to debate or anything, but from a perspective of mine, I get him. As much as possible I don't want sticking to stereotypes in MBTI as it doesn't justify his past toxic attitude, but as an INTP who has seen a lot of extremities with other types, especially in fiction, his cold, strictly planned, almost isolated and prankfully rude front in his younger years was his immature stage as an INTJ.
He's isolated from everyone because he was always praised and fawned over that he had gotten tired when he was young, he's cold to the point of ignorance towards other's feelings just because he has it all, and strictly planned because he got his own decisions planned ahead and almost no one can stop him (well, except Kotoko who truly rumbled him). I can't say much with his rudeness, maybe it runs in the blood (if you watch episode 25 I know you'll get it).
That front cracks every episode even when it seems like he reverts to his old self. Most of the feelings that should be available when "they feel a special attachment" aren't present most of the time because he hadn't feel those before, as expected of the guy who only had the best oppportunities.
But as the series progress, btw I stopped in December (was just a one/two day marathon till I can't take the secondhand embarrassment anymore) and continued this August! The formula I was talking about is just this: Take your time getting off, this anime is like a narrow-hole test, it'll be tough at first but when you actually warm up to it, your understanding gets better and wider. Wait, that analogy sounded weird tho but, MOVING ON!!!
ON THE OTHER HANDDDDD
Kotoko's an ENFP, even tho she's all over the place, she got this charm and dedication that Irie lacks. As a feeler, I can see how much she really gave her pushes even though it was childish. I may not be able to approve it in real life but I wished I had that kind of courage too, just the courage part aight. Just this: what Irie lacks, Kotoko fills in. Their splitting contrast is what gave birth to this awkward situations. The absolute truth is not in there, but it gives enough justification in their decisions, thoughts, and actions in fiction.
Irie Naoki has gotten mellow and caring through the years, an Kotoko has gotten more reliable and lovely, through all the romance genre I've seen, this kind of progress may need more time and chapters but I didn't mind the pacing, it was well-kept.
I'll just be honest with everyone, I will always understand that Irie is a hard nut to crack to the point of despicable, but I'm glad I finished it. Irie and Kotoko changed for the best, they learned their adjustments and compromises and worked through it, that is why I forgive Irie now.
I hope you'll be able to forgive him as well, his character was honestly well-written. His flaws and acknowledgment of his mistakes gave me the bullseye. I won't compare it to any romance anime, but if you ever plan on watching this, even if it's a pain, try to give yourself some time to warm up to him.
(I hate that I like him now but to be open-minded is always my forte, his character logically made sense when fiction levels are cranked up). If you've read this through till the end, hehe just so we know the reason I endured it was also because Irie's seiyuu is Hirarin (Hirakawa Daisuke), listen to Aoki Kodou and you'll get it 🥲💔💕.
OLD COMMENT: Honestly, I'm going back to give Irie a chance but even if I haven't watched it for almost a year, I still feel the secondhand embarrassment when Kotoko does something that'll make me feel angry at Irie more.
I'm gonna play the devil's advocate here by saying: Kotoko does indeed give me a reason to become a bit like Irie, but not to the point of being rude. For me it's understandable that Kotoko has to change but not in Irie's mold, but rather to give herself some self-respect. Irie acts like that because Kotoko is helpless and a bit of a trouble magnet, though her earnest and hardworking attitude is what keeps Irie close to her (since she really will do anything not just because he has it all). On the other side, that's why his mother was also into Kotoko, brains over brains will not clash well because of his complex and pride, Irie can't be talked out of his way with intelligence so he had to be hit by heart and actions. His toxicity is still a piece of stain in his image, but I hope when I watch this, his attitude should fizz out, so is Kotoko.
Btw, I stopped by the moment when they all turn to College, I'm gonna leave a statement here that her friends were hella embarrassing to me, so is Kotoko, I understand Irie's irritation towards her a liiiiitle bit. |
