This episode feels a lot more normal than the first one, if only because it doesn’t jump across Horimiya‘s chronology. Basically, the gang is waiting in anticipation for sports day. Miyamura is partly in the camp of not wanting to participate though with Hori’s encouragement, he gains some enthusiasm for the event. While sports day is being saved for the next episode, I am already surprised that this is not in the original series. It sounds like a good opportunity to have the cast in some fun antics and it allows you to see more of the positive effect Hori and co. has on Miyamura’s life. It could kill two birds with one stone and the original series could’ve used it to work around its limited run time.
Aside from sports day anticipation, the theme of this episode appears to be Sakura (Reina Kondo) suffering. One thing she is not looking forward to for sports day is the cheerleader routine she has to participate in. She feels she has no rhythm and she finds the whole thing embarrassing. While practicing the routine, Yoshikawa passes by and lends her a hand. Given the overall context of the series, this moment feels awkward and ironic. To be fair however, the show could’ve used this moment to make Yoshikawa more sympathetic and her conflict with Sakura more impactful.
After that, we’re treated to a self-contained interlude where Sakura has to deal with Sengoku and Remi’s terrible cooking skills and lack of common sense during Home Ec. This has nothing to do with sports day and it’s why I think Sakura suffering is a theme for this episode. Without it, I don’t know what place this segment has apart from chronology. That said, I actually find this segment to be the most enjoyable in the episode. It does feel a bit far-fetched for the show but it manages to get a laugh out of me thanks to Sakura’s bewilderment towards her friends.
The last segment of the episode has Hori painting some sports day sign in Yoshikawa’s stead. Mizouchi (Haruki Ishiya) passes by and gives Hori his blazer so that she can stay warm. Miyamura later shows up and he trades Mizouchi’s blazer for his own in a bit of jealously. I honestly forgot about Mizouchi and I finished the original series a few days ago so that’s saying something. The dude was barely prevalent in the last season and his one-sided crush with Hori feels repetitive given, that role was previously filled by Ishikawa. Frankly, I don’t know if I really want Missing Pieces flesh out his character. That said, I suppose Mizouchi fulfills his role well here as it is interesting and refreshing to see Miyamura be jealous for a change, especially considering that envy is usually Hori’s “wheelhouse”.
Watch Horimiya: The Missing Pieces on Crunchyroll and Funimation
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