How do you rate episode 8?
What is Pseudo Harem like? Community Score: 3.8
©斉藤ゆう／小学館／疑似ハーレム製作委員会
This episode was just pure serotonin injected straight into my brain. After last week’s fake finale, there was a big question mark as to what the rest of the show would be about, but in Pseudo Haram’s favor, they’re really exploring territory that most romances don’t dare to touch! Here we actually have two main characters…in a proper relationship! Scandalous, I know! The episode starts with Eiji introducing Rin to his mom as his girlfriend and they make it a point to see each other every week since they don’t go to school together anymore. I was surprised at how natural it all felt, although I don’t think anyone used the terms “boyfriend” or “girlfriend” throughout the episode. It almost felt like the show was trying too hard to create something similar to what was established in the first episode while also making it clear that they’ve both come a long way since then.
While not as strong, there is an overarching theme of what it means to grow up in this episode since Eiji is about to enter college, which is often considered a major step into adulthood. Rin feels like she's falling behind even though she can't really do anything about it other than skipping a grade, and Eiji makes it clear that even if their circumstances change, they'll still have their childish moments. Those playful, childish moments are what brought them together in the first place, so while the fear is justified, the show also proves that everything will be okay.
I will say that the final bit about a classmate asking Eiji out at college felt a little out of place. I know it was supposed to pay off the idea that Eiji's improved fashion sense might backfire on Rin since he can now get all this attention when she's not around, but the way it was presented felt really awkward. It felt like the writers wanted to introduce a small conflict and then immediately backtrack. Honestly, that part of the episode felt like it was cut the most. This was one of the lighter, smoother episodes we've had, but I'm curious what other avenues the show will explore in the remaining episodes.
Rating:
Pseudo Harem is now streaming on Crunchyroll.
