#i'm not a arajin hater

[mobumi]

Although I liked the episode, it was the best so far and got me invested, I need to rant about something...

First let me just say that I don't hate Arajin at all. He's a fun character despite his bullshit. I criticized him in the past but I know that Bucchigiri is a comedy and Arajin is allowed to have flaws 'cause he's a dumb teenager. That being said, he was so fucking horrendous this episode. Usually he's annoying but it's more in an unserious way than anything else so until now I found him kinda unlikable but I liked how he was different from other shonen protagonists.

This episode, his attitude didn't make sense. We saw how he somehow got friendly again with Matakara (Matakara more enthusiastic than him), but they were back being on good terms at least. He even helps making the welcome back party for Mitsukuni, teaches Mata how to make gyozas, etc. Like overall, he cared enough to want to help him whether he considers him a friend or not. Arajin also knew how important Mitsukuni coming back was for Matakara, last ep he realized that it hasn't been easy for him and he showed some concern.

So yeah, Arajin still acts like a dumb teenager with a crush, but his character development was slowly growing. So in episode 8, suddenly all that happened before don't seem to count in his development. Arajin learns that Mitsukuni got stabbed and might die, but his first reaction is annoyance?? He's clearly irritated and uncomfortable, and later dismisses Mata's pain, pretends that he only cares about Mahoro. We expect him to be a little more shocked than that, even if he doesn't know how to act or what to say. His reactions are mostly insensitive to the point that he acts like he's the victim and everything is Matakara's fault for making him feel uncomfortable about the situation or idealizing him, instead of idk say some kind words to Matakara like a normal person. It wasn't the time to unbag all that on him, but at least he confessed everything to him...

The thing is I don't understand this change in his character's arc, especially after everything that happened at the beginning of the episode. It's sudden and doesn't make much sense at this point of the story. It's true that Matakara should have tried to get to know the new Arajin and stopped holding on to this perfect vision he had of him, but it's not proportional to what Arajin is doing to him. His brother is dying and he has no comfort from the person he considers his best friend. Like I understand that Arajin feels guilty, has his own trauma and whatever, but this is not about you bro, not everything's about you. You can't have tantrums when someone close to you (even if he's not as close as before) is going to lose his brother and all you do is giving him your emotional bagage and even more pain. I DON'T GET IT.

Ok rant's over, but yeah I was pissed about this even though I loved that episode! I like how realistic Arajin can be, but this is not logical at all to me. Yeah, it's probably on purpose for an eventual confrontation between Arajin and Matakara, but it was very sudden, the pace and writing are all over the place with Bucchigiri. One moment it flows well and the next we're going back and forth. It's so frustrating, just make your point already!

I'm living for the drama though and still curious about it all. I want more of Ichiya and I do find Matakara and Arajin's complicated relationship interesting. Looking forward to the next episode!