Ep 1. Confession

In the first episode of Tsuredure Children, titled "Confession," viewers are introduced to a diverse cast of high school students as they navigate the ups and downs of young love. The episode is broken up into multiple short vignettes, each focusing on a different pair of characters.

The first couple we meet is Saki Kanda and Haruhiko Takase. Saki has a crush on Haruhiko, but doesn't quite know how to confess her feelings. She tries dropping hints, but Haruhiko is entirely oblivious. Saki nearly gives up hope until a stroke of inspiration hits her and she decides to be more direct.

Next up are Chizuru Takano and Takurou Sugawara. The two have been friends since childhood and Chizuru is secretly in love with Takurou. However, she's afraid to reveal her feelings and risk losing their friendship. Takurou, on the other hand, is also harboring feelings for Chizuru but is too scared to confess. The two dance around each other, dropping hints but never quite connecting until a fateful encounter brings them closer together.

In a more comedic segment, we meet Ayaka Kamine and Takeru Gouda. Ayaka is initially annoyed by Takeru's persistent attempts to win her heart, but she slowly begins to see him in a new light. However, just as she starts to warm up to him, Takeru puts his foot in his mouth and ruins the moment.

Other couples introduced in this episode include shy gamer couple Jun Furuya and Yui Minagawa, cool guy Masafumi Akagi and cute but ditzy Ryouko Kaji, and the somewhat awkward couple of Chiaki Uchimura and Kana Iijima.

Despite the varied personalities and circumstances, all of the couples in "Confession" share a common struggle: the fear of rejection. Whether it's Saki struggling to find the right words to confess to Haruhiko, or Chizuru and Takurou trying to navigate their feelings while preserving their friendship, each couple is grappling with the same fear. The episode explores how this fear can make it difficult to be honest with oneself and with others.

Beyond the theme of confession and rejection, the episode also touches on the awkwardness and uncertainty of young love. Many of the characters are unsure of how to proceed, or second-guess themselves after making a move. For example, Jun is nervous about meeting Yui's friends while Masafumi worries that Ryouko might be out of his league.

Despite the challenges, however, the episode ultimately ends on a hopeful note. Ayaka and Takeru kindle a tentative romance, while Chizuru and Takurou finally confess their feelings to each other. While not every character gets a happy ending in this episode, the various storylines leave viewers eager to see what will happen next.

In conclusion, the first episode of Tsuredure Children, "Confession," is a charming and lighthearted look at young love and the struggles that come with expressing one's feelings. With a diverse cast of characters and multiple storylines, the episode keeps things fresh and engaging throughout. While the fear of rejection and uncertainty of young love are certainly universal tropes, the show manages to breathe new life into them by exploring them in such a relatable and heartwarming way. Fans of romantic comedies and slice-of-life shows will undoubtedly enjoy this delightful series.