I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class – Episode 1

Content Warning: Fan service

What’s it about? Maki Maehara is a high school boy who hasn’t made any friends at school and primarily eats alone.  After going through his awkward self-introduction in class, he’s befriended by Ami Usanagi, the “second prettiest girl in class.” Thus Maki’s journey to making friends in school begins.

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I wasn’t a fan of the title for this series.  It puts a huge emphasis on Umi being considered a consolation prize rather than someone who’s worthy of being liked based on being herself.  It’s unfortunately a reminder of the ranking systems that high schoolers tend to create for themselves as a way to establish a set hierarchy, and especially unfair to teenage girls who already feel self-conscious and pressured to conform to society’s unrealistic beauty standards.   

Maki’s immensely shy, which doesn’t make his teenage life any easier.  I do genuinely like that Umi reaches out to Maki after school in order to befriend and talk about their shared interests. 

It’s also a realistic depiction of how often teens have different friendship circles in school and outside of school because they don’t want to be honest about what their actual personalities and interests are.  It shouldn’t be controversial for Umi to like drinking soda, playing video games and watching B-movies, but both boys and girls are shoved into uncomfortable narrow definitions on what they should like doing in their spare time.  

I’m not a fan of the few times the camera tries to leer at girls from the legs all the way to their chests.  Thankfully, it doesn’t happen often, but when it does Umi tries to make a joke about Maki being a pervert, which doesn’t land very well. 

Having said all of that, this is a very bland and generic high school story with the potential of romance.  There’s nothing wrong with this premiere, but it would’ve been nice if there was something more exciting to talk about aside from the protagonists expanding their friend group. 

It seems like Umi’s friendship with Yuu will probably be relevant, but I’m hoping it’s not going to develop into a messy love triangle. It seems like this could develop into a story where platonic friendships are equally as valued as romantic ones, even so, it’s best not get my hopes up.  

Aside from minor issues, this is a perfectly fine premiere about high school teens trying to make friends and figuring themselves out.   It’s not the most groundbreaking show, but it doesn’t have to be and sometimes we need a show that’s just bland over another low-tier isekai.  This show isn’t for me, but it might pique our readers’ interest.  Check out it and let me know how it turns out.