Summary
This week’s episode shifted the focus to Carol and Misaki’s relationship, giving viewers plenty of laughs, drama, and even some emotionally vulnerable moments while contrasting Tomo and Jun’s relationship.
We recap the Crunchyroll anime series Tomo-Chan Is a Girl! Season 1 Episode 9, “The Angel’s True Face,” which contains spoilers.
Tomo-Chan is a Girl! Season 1 Episode 8 was filled with more than just the fireworks, with sparks flying between Tomo (Rie Takahashi) and Jun (Kaito Ishikawa). Although he’s still confused about his feelings, Jun slowly embraces the budding romance between him and Tomo. While his hangups involve strength and equality, Misuzu (voiced by Rina Hidaka) appeared to have issues with the growing relationship, wondering how she would fit in the scenario. Luckily she seemed to get over her insecurities by the end of the episode, but that doesn’t mean things couldn’t change as time goes on.
Tomo-Chan is a Girl! Season 1 Episode 9 Recap
The episode opens with a young Misaki explaining that he was a gloomy, friendless child. His mother informs him that his cousin Carol has come to visit, calling her an “angel.” This upsets Misaki until he looks at her and finds himself enamored, agreeing that she is an angel.
Wanting to be stronger, Misaki joins the Aizawa Dojo run by Tomo’s father. Although he thinks Misaki looks weak, he says he can tell there’s more to him than he seems.
Since Tomo’s family seems to believe in “training in the extreme,” they thrust Misaki right into his first match, having him take on Jun. After cutting Jun’s cheek with a barely missed punch, Misaki passes out.
Why does Misaki want to get stronger?
Misaki wakes up in Tomo’s bed, and she apologizes for how intense Jun was. She then asks Misaki what made him want to get stronger in the first place, wondering if it has something to do with Carol. Misaki admits he’s always wanted to be there for Carol but never had the strength to be there when she needed him most.
Tomo tells Misaki it does not matter strong he is or if someone is better at something than him because there are many different kinds of strength.
How does Misaki feel about Tomo?
After expressing that he would like to be the kind of guy Tomo could show off to her friends at the dojo, Carol asks Misaki how he feels about Tomo. He responds that he is unsure but thinks he sees her as a role model and hopes to be worthy enough to stand beside her someday while blushing.
Misuzu overhears Carol asking Jun to hang out, wondering if she plans to meddle. As she begins to warn her against it, Carol asks Misuzu if she still thinks everything will work out regarding Jun and Tomo.
Carol and Jun hang out.
Jun and Carol hang out at the park after school. Jun comments on Misuzu and Tomo, which prompts Carol to tell him that she doesn’t think she will be hanging out with them anymore. When Jun asks why she admits that she said something mean to Misuzu earlier. She’s also doing something mean to Tomo that doesn’t; Jun tells her not to underestimate Tomo but agrees to continue hanging out with Carol against his better judgment.
In his room, Carol admits to Jun that she likes someone, but the relationship does not seem to be going anyway. Jun is unsure of what this has to do with him, to which she responds that it is his fault and she would like it if he takes responsibility for his part.
Why does Carol kiss Jun?
Wanting to “torture” him, Carol leans over and kisses Jun’s cheek. He begins to panic, which worsens as she straddles his waist. The entire time she messes with him, she jokes about how he must do the same with Tomo, and if Jun’s not careful, he’ll lose her forever. Jun immediately pushes her off, leaving to rush to Tomo’s place.
Carol apologizes to Misuzu the next day before revealing that her plan to try and make Misaki jealous seems to work at least a little. Misuzu begins to wonder how Misaki feels about Carol, choosing to confront him and ask. Reluctantly, he admits that he is in love with her and has been for a long time.
Why won’t Misaki tell Carol his true feelings?
Misuzu is not surprised to hear Misaki likes Carol, having already figured it out. She instead wonders why he won’t admit his feelings to her and insists on ignoring hers. Misaki acknowledges that he finds Carol intimidating because she’s strong, and he’s not. He’s never seen her vulnerable before and thinks that has skewed their relationship dynamic, so Misuzu agrees to try and make that happen for him.
READ: Tomo-Chan is a Girl! Season 1 Review
To get Carol to show her more vulnerable side, Misuzu lies and tells her she has no chance with Misuzu. Although we do not see her full reaction, Carol sounds upset as she accuses Misuzu of being a liar before leaving school.
Tomo-Chan is a Girl! Season 1 Episode 9 Ending Explained
After hearing she left, Misaki rushes to Carol’s house to check on her, only to find her crying. He realizes then he’s been seeing her as some goddess, as opposed to just another young girl, and goes to apologize. Before he can finish, Carol attacks him. He tries to explain that it was a misunderstanding, with Misuzu trying to help by giving him a push. When Carol does not seem to understand, he admits he is in love with her. Carol says it back, admitting she has no reason for why and can’t remember when it happened, just that she always has.
The next day at school, Carol thanks Misuzu for helping her.
The deeper into the season this show gets, the better it gets as it explores the characters and peels back their layers. On the surface, they seem like they will be one-dimensional caricatures or stereotypes, but they’re more complex than I expected from a high school romantic comedy. I think that helps the show shine because it takes a simple plot and makes it feel much bigger and more overwhelming. It’s exactly what having a crush in high school felt like, with the elevated emotions, the constant confusion, and the feeling like these relationships are your entire world.
This week’s focus on Carol made her character more than just the butt of a joke or the comic relief. With Tomo and Jun being the “main” couple of the series, I liked the conflict that Carol and Misaki brought for a moment. Still, I also enjoyed seeing their relationship get resolved quickly. I think having an established couple in the group is not only what Tomo and Jun need to put things in perspective, but it will add another hilarious dynamic to it as well. There seems to be a theme of strength in this series, and I’m hoping that Jun seeing that strength doesn’t merely have to be physical will give him the push he needs.
What did you think of the anime series Tomo-chan Is a Girl! Season 1 Episode 9? Comment below.
