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I don't know what to say but XDDDDDDDDD

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https://youtu.be/F4l_cQoOV1E?si=Vaf-vcj7n3TEYGI7

Now that Oomuroke: Dear Friends has been released on blu-ray and for streaming, us people in the West are finally able to get our hands on it. I was able to watch it, and would like to share some of my opinions on it.

Before anything, you should know that the movie is essentially a compilation of adapted manga chapters. Owning all 7 volumes in Japanese, I was able to follow the script and key frames almost word for word.

If you have read the omrk manga, you would know that it is a collection of vignettes from the lives of the Oomuro sisters. Disconnected, short (looking at that one chapter where it’s essentially just Misakichi posing) and lacking an overarching narrative in its slice of life. Now that has its own appeal. When I’m feeling down or bored, I could pick up a volume and read my favourite chapters to lift my mood or such. Though I don’t think the format really fit an adaptation onto the big screen.

Firstly, the chapters aren’t really designed to be consumed all at once as a slice of life manga, which is somewhat rectified by the animators’ decision to split the work into two movies. And secondly, the short movie length really can’t encapsulate the entirety of omrk’s character driven narratives. For example, Nadeshiko’s girlfriends barely get any screen time, same with the Furutani’s. Characters are named, given a couple minutes of screen time and then forgotten about. So after watching the movie, I was left somewhat disappointed.

In my opinion, omrk would have worked much better as a collection of short animations, or perhaps as a 6 episode mini series. Or perhaps it should have constructed some entirely new narrative free from the manga. The ‘movie’ format just feels far too restrictive.

Another thing about the movie, I seriously believe that no one other than people already invested in omrk or yuru yuri would enjoy it. In the 40 minutes run time, there is no way to form an emotional attachment to any of the characters to actually care about the cdgct happening on screen.

Criticism aside, the animation itself wasn’t so bad. The three sisters are animated very nicely, and all the background scenes are gorgeously drawn. It was also fun to see the animation imposed into the real world during the movie’s intro, its style, I believe is an Easter egg pointing to volume 3’s inside cover (underneath the dust jacket). Voice acting was also very nicely done, with the seiyuu perfectly embodying the personalities of all characters portrayed.

Soooo yeah. These are my opinions on Oomuroke Dear Friends. What do you all think?

Who is Nadeshiko's girlfriend?

https://preview.redd.it/o04kih7ov0vc1.jpg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b8e36511e68e53536f5980d1b2946610944bb96b

One of my favourite things about Yuru Yuri is that there's a mystery for the readers to try and solve. Though the answer hasn't been revealed yet, there are enough subtle clues as to who Nadeshiko's mystery girlfriend could be. We know that it's one of Nadeshiko's three friends, but which one? I'm going to add my own takes onto who it may be based on the clues we got from the manga, Oomuro-ke, the spinoff to Yuru Yuri which focuses on Sakurako and her two sisters, Nadeshiko and Hanako.

We have three possibilities. Ai, Megumi and Miho. Now for a while, I just assumed it was all three of them as it seems like the easiest answer. Even Namori-sensei, the author of Yuru Yuri and Oomuro-ke, poked fun at this possibility given how cool Nadeshiko is. But now, I feel that'd be it - too easy. So I will try to go through each candidate on who is the one most likely to be the girlfriend.

https://preview.redd.it/xpywq3xsv0vc1.png?width=629&format=png&auto=webp&s=77fecc55f31d853bdaa5cc99e88c043a062d2816

First we have Megumi. Now while there isn't a whole lot of evidence to support Megumi being the girlfriend, there are still a few subtle clues. Nadeshiko constantly teases Megumi about being low on cash, and makes it a playful running gag with her. This may be just something friends just tease each other about, but if they were going on dates, one would simply always be low on cash, causing the other to pay up. If this carried on, the one is bound to tease the other about it, and make it sound more playful to cover up the relationship. Of course, it's canon that Megumi is a masochist too so Nadeshiko teasing her could either just her way of being flirty without making it obvious.

Next, we have Miho. Now Miho and Ai are ones who have more evidence to support who Nadeshiko is dating. Miho is AGGRESSIVELY flirty towards Nadeshiko, to the point where she doesn't even care the other two are there. Now at first, you may think that, "Oh, maybe Miho has a massive crush on Nadeshiko and she is just oblivious to the fact?" But since this is a secret relationship, Nadeshiko's going to pretend she doesn't notice in order to keep their relationship discreet. So Miho will keep making advances while Nadeshiko keeps pretending she doesn't notice. This could very easily be a cover-up in a way of hiding their relationship, while still being a little open about it. Sometimes, and very rarely, you will see Nadeshiko blush at these advances. So while the flirting COULD be one-sided, it could just be that Miho is one who doesn't like to hold back. It also helps that she's canonically a sadist so she probably takes pleasure in being aggressive in public and seeing Nadeshiko try desperately to play it cool.

Last, we have Ai. Now these two have so much evidence that it almost becomes painfully obvious. They know a lot about each other and have several hints that they go to places on their own together. Also, compared to Miho and Megumi, Ai seems to have a very affable distance towards Nadeshiko. However, Nadeshiko seems very interested in Ai's tastes. Now with the fact she can easily hide their relationship, the two purposely walk next to each other a lot, making their relationship less obvious. Then there is a moment where the idea of them sharing a bath is brought up, and Nadeshiko becomes very embarrassed. Now, if they were just friends, this wouldn't really be a problem. A lot of girls like to bath with each other and have no shame about it. But if there's any romantic subtext involved, then yes, there would be slight embarrassment. You're seeing your love/crush naked and you will be naked too! It will definitely be a little weird and a little embarrassing! After Nadeshiko gives in, Miho suddenly implies she will be joining, and Ai is now shocked and surprised. This was meant to be Nadeshiko and Ai's time together, but Miho is making things awkward. It's clear that Ai plays it very safe, which is why Nadeshiko seems the most open with her.

In conclusion, the two most likely candidates are either Ai or Miho. But considering Ai has more evidence and subtle scenes that imply she's the girlfriend, I'm definitely leaning more towards her. Miho might just simply have a huge crush on Nadeshiko and is trying very hard to be with her. Megumi doesn't have enough evidence which is why I'm ruling her out. Personally, I wouldn't mind if it's Ai anyway, because I think Megumi and Miho would make a great couple. Megumi is a huge masochist and Miho is a huge sadist so they're just very compatible with each other.

TL;DR - It's most likely either Miho or Ai, with Ai having more evidence and subtle hints on it being her. I wouldn't mind though, because I think I like Miho with Megumi more anyway.

https://preview.redd.it/8sc80d8vv0vc1.png?width=724&format=png&auto=webp&s=65da9eaeb04145b669ba98ad249df965592f873c

So yeah, that's my own theory on this topic. How about y'all? If you've read the manga, or even seen the movie (Which also seems to have very small subtle hints), which of Nadeshiko's friends is the mystery girlfriend?

https://preview.redd.it/hqm4qsrwv0vc1.jpg?width=833&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=83e77f875b1fce650277ab5e312887c08dc1b6d7

Series Sauce: Yuru Yuri and Oomuro-ke

Artists: Oomuro-ke manga by Namori, Naraba Yueni, Official art by Namori and Suzuki4160

I personally do since they appear frequently in both the manga and daily art.

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