Ep 17. The Thing I'm Missing Is a Destination

Tomoko Takemiya's Honey and Clover is a heart-warming anime series that deals with the struggles and triumphs of young university students in their quest for success and self-discovery. In the seventeenth episode of the first season, titled "The Thing I'm Missing Is a Destination," the characters continue to navigate their way through relationships, art, and uncertainty about their future.

Yuta Takemoto, one of the main characters in the series, is still trying to find a sense of purpose in his life. He has always been fascinated by architecture and design, but he struggles to find his own unique voice in this field. As he works on his latest project, which involves creating a scale model of a city, he begins to question whether he has what it takes to succeed as an architect.

Meanwhile, Takemoto's friend and classmate Hagu Hanamoto is still grappling with her own artistic pursuits. Hagu is a gifted artist, but she is often too self-critical to truly enjoy her own work. In this episode, she begins to work on a new painting, and struggles to find inspiration for her subject matter. As she tries to break out of her artistic rut, she also begins to confront some of her own insecurities about her work and her relationships.

The episode also focuses on the relationship between Mayama and Rika, two older characters who work at an architecture firm. Mayama has had feelings for Rika for some time, but he is too afraid to express them directly. Instead, he continues to work by her side, hoping that she will eventually return his affections. Rika, for her part, is aware of Mayama's feelings, but she is hesitant to act on them, fearing that their age difference and work relationship might complicate things.

As the episode progresses, the characters continue to grapple with their own doubts and fears about the future. They all share a sense that they are missing something important in their lives - a destination, if you will. But as they support one another and work together, they begin to see that the journey itself might be just as important as the destination.

Overall, "The Thing I'm Missing Is a Destination" is a thoughtful and introspective episode that reflects the themes of the series as a whole. It is a testament to the power of friendship, hard work, and perseverance in the face of uncertainty and insecurity. Whether you are a fan of anime or simply enjoy a well-crafted story about young people finding their way in the world, this episode is definitely worth a watch.