Nagatoro and her senpai Naoto clash mind-to-mind in Episode 4, and Naoto’s victory states much about him and the relationship with Nagatoro.
The next contains spoilers for Season 2, Episode 4 of Don’t Toy Beside Me, Miss Nagatoro!, “Why Not Come Inside, Senpai-kun?,” now streaming on Crunchyroll.
Don’t Toy Beside Me, Miss Nagatoro! has came back during the cold months 2023 anime selection, and as with the very first season, Season 2 mostly involves the hiyakasudere Hayase Nagatoro pestering her senpai to playfully vent her romantic feelings for him. Usually, Naoto Hachioji the senpai is around the defensive, however in Episode 4, he and Nagatoro possess a fairer fight.
Naoto and Nagatoro don’t typically argue or yell at one another. Rather, their clashes are gentle and indirect, for example with fighting games. That is what they did in an earlier Season 1 episode, and today, they are in internet marketing again — having a prize at risk. If Naoto wins, he can acquire the advantage on Nagatoro, but he may not be the kind to complete this type of factor.
Naoto & Nagatoro Fight on Even Ground
Episodes 3 and 4 both involve Naoto, also known to many figures as Senpai, going to the Nagatoro household after learning that Nagatoro caught an awful cold. After meeting her hiyakasudere big sister Misaki, Naoto finally meets Hayase, after an uncomfortable first encounter, she cordially welcomes her favorite senpai towards the Nagotoro house. Initially, both of them feel awkward and unclear about themselves, particularly with Misaki teasing each of them, however Hayase invites Naoto to some couple of models of the favorite fighting game. After winning the very first couple of fights, Nagatoro causes it to be intriguing and provides a prize if Naoto can beat her hanging around: she’ll simply tell him one personal secret.
Naoto and Nagatoro also trade verbal barbs throughout their digital clash, that is usual for them. Naoto usually just attempts to escape Nagatoro’s hiyakasudere wrath, however, he stacks up to her together with his words and gaming character alike — an uncommon illustration of Naoto giving just like he will get. It’s just like a very watered-lower Kaguya-sama, with two amorous teenagers using methods and deflections to convey themselves without giving an excessive amount of away, as well as for once, Naoto wins. He keeps Nagatoro distracted lengthy enough for that game timer to achieve zero, with Naoto’s character winning automatically. He brushes off Nagatoro’s PG-13 recommendations for the prize and rather asks to understand her name, that is more significant of computer may appear initially.
The Romantic Connotations of Naoto’s Request
For a lot of Western anime fans watching Nagatoro!, Naoto’s request may appear trivial. He simply really wants to know Nagatoro’s name, that is his concept of a harmless and harmless prize for winning a round within the fighting game. Nagatoro plays it awesome and pretends it’s really no problem, however for each of them, it really is. Japanese names work differently than Western ones, and not simply due to the family-personal name order. Typically, two casual acquaintances, for example classmates, will call one another by their last names with proper honorifics, otherwise titles for example senpai, and first names should be “unlocked,” in this way. Not only anybody can call every other given Japanese individual by their name.
Addressing someone by their name is one thing that’s socially earned, also it suggests closeness to that particular person, even closeness. Some anime figures create a big fuss about allowing someone they are fully aware to make use of their name and could feel bashful when they are known as because of it. This type of scene required devote Komi Can’t Communicate, for instance, when Shoko Komi permitted Tadano to her “Shoko” at least. Now Naoto may perform the same goes with Nagatoro after his rare victory against her, but he will not really press the problem.
Naoto is really a total dandere, as well as as he has got the advantage on Nagatoro at least and puts her around the defensive, he’s a shy youthful gentleman who will not push things simply because he is able to. Ultimately, in Episode 4, he does not call Nagatoro by her name, but because he’s walking home, he states “Hayase” to themself anyway, showing he did learn it in the end. For Naoto, this minor victory is sufficient, but for the near future, Nagatoro shall just be Nagatoro, his obnoxious underclassman — and never quite yet his intimate girlfriend Hayase.