English Dub Review: Akebi’s Sailor Uniform “There’s No School Tomorrow, Right?”

Overview (Spoilers Below):

Komichi decides to invite Erika over during the weekend. But she doesn’t know how to ask, so a week passes before she realizes it. After realizing that Komichi is acting suspicious, Erika invites her to the school library to find out what’s going on.

Our Take:

Making friends is usually the easy part, especially when you’re Komichi. But inviting them over to hang out outside of school? Well, that’s the tricky part, especially when it’s your first time doing it.

The episode sets the scene outside of school for the first time since the show started (mainly during the second half), hence the title. Here, we see Komichi attempting and failing to invite Erika over to her house during the weekend. However, they later agree to go fishing, which happens to be Erika’s first time doing so. After that, they went over to Akebi’s house for Erika to change clothes, where the latter was greeted happily by Akebi’s sister and mother.

The episode offers a nice change of pace regarding the setting yet still maintains the formula involving a student being inspired by Komichi’s kindness. More importantly, it joyfully represents the process of having someone from class over to hang out beyond the school grounds. It usually becomes nerve-wracking since you’re more comfortable hanging out with your friend at school or a workplace. But after having the guts to do it, the nerves start to ease as you adjust to this change. At least until your family tells your friend embarrassing things about you.

This is one of the things I liked about Akebi’s Sailor Uniform so far. It’s the relatability of going through specific experiences during adolescence, mainly asking a friend from school over to their house. It may not be a perfect representation, but it compensates with its heartfelt and humorous moments, particularly Komichi’s family embarrassing her in front of Erika. My only issue with the plot is that the house leaking problem felt unnecessary. At first, it felt like it would pose a situation for Komichi while inviting Erika over, but it just came and went after the first half and was never brought up again. It makes for some funny situations, but I don’t think it needed to be in the episode.

Overall, the sixth episode of Akebi’s Sailor Uniform delivered a relaxing and joyful break from the school activities in the previous chapters. Despite its pointless plot element, the episode did a solid job providing more development for Komichi and Erika and showcasing the situation thoughtfully and honestly. It could pave the way for more subtle adventures of Komichi and her friends outside of school grounds, which I wouldn’t mind seeing more of sooner or later.