Ep 3. Since I'm Not Popular, the Weather's Bad

Tomoko continues to struggle socially in episode 3 of WataMote season 1, titled Since I'm Not Popular, the Weather's Bad. The episode opens with Tomoko reading a magazine article about a way to make friends. Despite her skepticism, she decides to give it a try and ends up asking her little brother, Tomoki, for advice on how to appear more approachable. He suggests that she try smiling more often and wearing different clothes, which Tomoko takes as a way to improve her popularity.

However, when Tomoko arrives at school the next day, she finds herself feeling even more alienated than before. She becomes increasingly paranoid that everyone is staring at her and judging her appearance, even going so far as to hide her face with her hood during class. When the teacher asks her to take off her hood, Tomoko becomes extremely nervous and begins to experience chest pains.

As the day goes on, Tomoko's anxiety only gets worse. She becomes convinced that the bad weather is a sign that she is destined to be alone forever. She spends the rest of the day trying to find a way to alleviate her boredom, including trying to make conversation with a girl in her class who she thinks might be interested in her. However, the girl quickly becomes annoyed with Tomoko's rambling and dismisses her.

At the end of the day, Tomoko is left feeling even more alone than before. As she walks home in the rain, she begins to cry, overwhelmed by her feelings of isolation and hopelessness.

Despite its focus on Tomoko's struggles, episode 3 of WataMote manages to inject some humor into the story. From Tomoki's teasing to Tomoko's exaggerated reactions, there are plenty of moments that will make viewers smile even as they sympathize with Tomoko's situation. The episode also features some interesting commentary on loneliness and social anxiety, reminding viewers that these are universal experiences that can be difficult to navigate.

Overall, Since I'm Not Popular, the Weather's Bad is a poignant and relatable episode that explores the pain of feeling like an outsider. Fans of the show will appreciate the continued focus on Tomoko's struggles, while newcomers will be drawn in by the relatable themes and engaging storytelling.