NegaPosi Angler – Episode 05

Episode Synopsys:

Hiro receives his first paycheck, and is wavering between paying back some of his debt or spending it having fun.  His co-worker Kozue helps decide the issue for him by bringing him along shopping for new fishing gear.  She pushes him towards buying some gear of his own, including some top of the line items that put his savings right back to zero (much to Takaaki’s frustration).  He also goes fishing with the group, and learns some new techniques.

Episode Review:

A slow episode, and something of a strange one as well.  In terms of what actually happened, there isn’t too much to say – Kozue and Hiro went shopping, Hiro bought a bunch of gear, Hiro went fishing.  The show continues to move at a nice slow pace, taking some time to go over different styles and techniques for fishing.

Perhaps the most surprising thing I learned was that whatever they’re using for bait… can bite you?

While I may not be terribly familiar with fishing, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen it done with ordinary earthworms, which don’t bite or look nearly as unsettling as whatever those are.  Maybe they don’t have earthworms in Japan, or this critter is better bait?

These interesting details aside, what I found strange about the episode was that I couldn’t tell how I was supposed to feel about the plot.  Kozue’s encouragement for Hiro to go shopping and buy a bunch of gear is portrayed as her being aggressive but also leading, in a way that’s framed like Hiro is tricking himself into thinking she’s romantically interested in him.

Half the time I found myself feeling “What a dope, Hiro is reading way too much into her words”, a feeling that is reinforced whenever Takaaki lectures him about blowing all his money without even attempting to pay back his debt.

But then Kozue admits she’s pushing him into buying stuff, because he seems like he wants the gear and she’s just helping him be more honest about it and get what he wants.

This back and forth happens twice over the course of the episode, and by the end I just felt confused.  She’s definitely doing it on purpose… but it’s to help him be more honest, and that’s good?  Or he’s a dummy for being led on and not paying back his debt, and that’s bad?  I guess it can be both at once, but it didn’t leave me feeling satisfied.  To be clear, though, I’m still enjoying the show and look forward to the next episode.  And hey, all that fancy gear will probably (?) come in useful.

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