Quote:
Originally Posted by Kazu-kun
The core of being a tsundere is not being honest about your feelings. For example if Shinka's asked if she cares about Deko, she's going to deny it (and Deko would deny it too). Of course, the passive-aggressive behavior is part of the trope as well, but not being honest about your feelings is definitely the main feature. But Shinka is always honest and upfront with (and about) Yuuta. Sometimes she's harsh with him (like in this episode), but that's because he can be really exasperating sometimes. Being tsundere is something different.
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Being dishonest of your feelings is a necessary, but not sufficient condition to be a Tsundere. If it was a sufficient condition, a shrinking Violet who could not spit out her feelings to some she has a crush on is a Tsundere - which I don't think is in anyone's conception of the Tsundere.
No, another necessary condition for a Tsundere is a contrast between two modes of behavior - a harsh and aggressive mode of behavior, and a tender, gentler, softer side to the character. It is this second condition that makes me identify being a Tsundere to her friends.
Furthermore, said feelings need not necessarily be romantic. Nibutabni is clearly fond of both Rika and Yuuta as friends, but with regards to Yuuta, the true depth of their friendship goes unacknowledged by both sides, but in Nibutani's case, it's characterized by altering between being a supportive and true friend for Yuuta, and being harsh to Yuuta.
Finally, even if Nibutani wasn't a tsundere, much of her dialogues resembles that of a Tsundere - think of how she flips between trying to wash her hands of the situation, and then doing a 360 and getting involved once again.
At no time was I implying that Nibutani necessarily have romantic feelings for Yuuta. Perhaps, in another world, if Chuunibyou was a VN format, it's possible to see how Nibutani and Yuuta might have fallen for one another. But in Chuunibyou, Yuuta's relationship with Rikka has closed all other romantic probabilities. However, given the dynamics between Yuuta and Nibutani, there's indeed quite alot of chemistry.
I think the closure of any romantic possibilities, and the idea of chemistry is the core of this season. Satone knows that all possibilities for a Romantic relationship with Yuuta has been closed. Rikka distinctively feels the inferiority in romantic chemistry between her and Yuuta, which is driving her actions this season, including the pursuit over the "Dark Flame Dragon."
I am glad that this thread and forum particular has not yet embraced the "this season is useless" mentality that seems to have taken hold in much of the International viewer-base. If the purpose of the season was to demonstrate how the Confession is not the end of the story, it has succeeded dramatically.
Kyoani has done wonders avoiding the temptation to drag Chuunibyou into a cliche harem story with their excellent handling of Satone and Nibutani. Even Rikka has gone through character development, with her insecurity over the true depth of her relation with Yuuta. And in many ways, fathering Rikka has actually made Yuuta even more mature this season, in a way that feels very natural.
Perhaps the main short coming of the season has been that, at this time, we don't have a clue how a Post- Chuunibyou Rikka would develop. I think the lack of a hint of how Rikka is going to develop a personality that can function as an adult has motivated the "Rikka's Chuunibyou is bad" chorus I've been hearing this season. On the other hand, I get the sense that Rikka is an extreme introvert who only manages to overcome her introvertness by a mask of Chuunibyou. She is struggling to negotiate an identity, while seeing her peers forge ahead in creating dynamic, and interesting identities that can function well in society. I think the concern is that Rikka has no real personality beyond that Chuunibyou, other than the highly withdrawn, harmless and reclusive girl.
The scary thing is, I think Rikka might end up constructing her identity around her relationship with Yuuta. Which means if anything ever happens to Yuuta, Rikka would be a shattered wreck of herself, as the basis for her identity disappears. Dark thoughts... dark thoughts. It does say alot when Dekomori is further along in constructing her identity than Rikka.
Indeed, if Chuunibyou's purpose is a coming of age story on the theme of Identity, the second season is a worthy successor of the first, dealing with ideas of identity that emerged from the social dynamics that are generated by the fact that Rikka and Yuuta are couples. Infact, the second season has been much kinder on the secondary characters than the first - Shinka and Dekomori develops significant depths, even Kumin starts becoming more than a one dimensional one trick napping pony. And Satone Schichimiya is a wonderful addition to the cast - Kyoani really when very far navigating around the pitfalls of introducing a new character, and avoiding easily reached for cliches.
Infact, Satone, Shinka and Dekomori could easily form an entertaining and deep slice of life cast, even without their Chuunibyou personalities. Shinka as the straight lace over achiever, yet solid pillar, Satone as the dynamic Genki Girl who tries to live life to the fullest, and Dekomori who has a formal Ojou personality with trollish tendencies, which in reality hides a girl with a rough and brash, attention-seeking personality.
Finally, if Dekomori ever married, the poor bloke would probably quickly discover that the marriage interview personality is a sham. That would be a very entertaining story on it's own.
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