You and I Are Polar Opposites Episode 1 blitzes through areas most shows could have stretched out into a whole season or more, and, by 22 minutes into the episode, Suzuki and Tani have both already said they like each other.
The opening episode of this series doesn’t waste time creating artificial tension or dragging out the «will they, won’t they» question; it answers that question up front, which allows it to focus on what happens when two people who are as different as Suzuki and Tani decide to be together.
Suzuki’s Morning Routine and Hidden Feelings
The episode starts with our lead character, Suzuki, getting ready for her day. She spends time fixing her hair and putting on her makeup, all while practicing how to greet people in front of a mirror.
Suzuki knows how to adapt to any setting she finds herself in. The way Suzuki adapts to what others say and do around her is impressive. Suzuki seems to know exactly how to respond to different people based on what they say to her.
In You and I Are Polar Opposites Episode 1, Suzuki has a major crush on Tani, who is quiet and reserved, while Suzuki is cheerful and outgoing. Suzuki has tons of friends, and she can socialize easily with other people. Tani is the opposite; he is withdrawn, and when Suzuki tries to talk to him, he hardly reacts.
The Class Divide in You and I Are Polar Opposites Episode 1
The premiere establishes that Suzuki and Tani occupy opposite ends of the classroom social hierarchy. She has a lot of friends and is always in the middle of the activity. On the other hand, Tani is such a loner. He speaks very little, doesn’t engage much with class dynamics, and doesn’t really care about them.
However, even with these differences, Suzuki really likes Tani for the things that he has that she does not have. She likes the way that he is so honest with himself and others, without worrying about what other people think of him.
You and I Are Polar Opposites Episode 1 shows Suzuki as a person who is limited by her desire to please others. Every word from her mouth is carefully chosen for the audience. Although her true feelings occasionally rise to the surface, she stifles them before she can authentically convey them.
The Misunderstanding
The next day at school, things fall apart quickly. When Suzuki’s friends ask about her ‘relationship’ with Tani, her people-pleaser side takes over, and she denies that anything ever happened between them. She laughs it off, preserving her social mask, even though it goes against what she really feels.
Sadly, Tani overheard Suzuki. He takes what he heard as a public, big-time rejection from Suzuki. The episode shows his internal turmoil as he processes what feels like rejection, with loud, anxious thoughts filling his previously quiet mind.
The Confession Scene in You and I Are Polar Opposites Episode 1
After getting some confidence and gathering courage, Suzuki approaches Tani about her miscommunication. Instead of using her typical character mask, she tells Tani how she really feels about him. She tells him that she does like him, and what she said to her friends was not what she meant.
In turn, Tani responds honestly to Suzuki. He tells her that he likes her too, and he has for quite a while. So here are the two of them actually being honest with each other and showing their mutual feelings toward each other.
By the end of You and I Are Polar Opposites Episode 1, the two characters are pretty much a couple. In most romantic comedies, the build-up to the couple getting together takes place over the course of an entire season. But this show does it in just 22 minutes.
Review of You and I Are Polar Opposites Episode 1
I gave You and I Are Polar Opposites Episode 1 the benefit of the doubt when I first saw it. I’ve seen this type of romance anime before; always template-like, girl, falling for the shy, quiet type. So initially, I was just like “meh.” But after seeing the premiere, I had a completely different take on it due to all of the colorful graphics and inventive animated techniques it contained.
The super quick pace of the program fits nicely with its structure; it doesn’t require philosophical analysis of its ideas regarding authenticity and performance. It just needs to get Suzuki to confess, and it does so without dragging on forever.
I came for the visuals and stayed for the visuals. If the love story gets as good as the set design and cinematography, this show is gonna be something really awesome. But either way, You and I Are Polar Opposites Episode 1 is a nice, calm rom-com that’s easy to digest and has an easy vibe.
