REVIEW: ‘Yakuza Fiancé: Raise wa Tanin ga Ii’ Episode 6 — “If You’re Indifferent, Then I’d Rather Be Hated Part One”

Yakuza Fiancé Episode 6 continues the previous episode’s slow pacing and relaxed atmosphere. It reveals more details about Kirishima, extends the dynamic between the protagonists, and introduces another interesting character. The episode begins with Yoshino (Hitomi Ueda) and the recently introduced Tsubaki (Reina Ueda) on a call about Kirishima. Yoshino laments that she isn’t sure if Kirishima (Akira Ishida) is obsessed or in love with her, revealing that they never discuss anything other than food and current events. Tsubaki then suggests that it’s best that she at least talks to him to find her answers.

The next scene sees Yoshino still contemplating her relationship with Kirishima and spots him in the school halls being hit on by some girls. A conversation starts between them, and Yoshino learns Kirishima has no male friends but is always being hit on. We also learn that Yoshino is the only one he considers a friend and is willing to converse with. Yoshino asks if he is fine with wanting to marry his first and only friend, to which he responds yes.

Like many times in the anime, these first scenes in Yakuza Fiancé Episode 6 do an excellent job of expanding Kirishima’s character in a highly subtle way through conversation alone. These revelations also align with Kirishima’s previous acts regarding his infatuation with Yoshino and explain the constant attention he gives her.

The next scene shows a party for individuals in show business and introduces a new character, Shiota Nao. She is a former child actress with numerous accomplishments who returns to Japan from the United States. We learn she plans to return to the limelight by starting as a newscaster on a major network. We also learn through her inner thoughts that despite her reserved and kind demeanor, she is a lot more calculating and vindictive than she looks and is unsurprisingly tied to Kirishima, who’s also attending the party.

Nao’s friends share some unsavory rumors they heard about Kirishima and his connection to a mysteriously disappeared model. Their conversation is interrupted by Kirishima, who walks up to them and starts a conversation. Through the conversation, we learn that Kirishima is well-connected and familiar with the showbiz world and is likely attending this party as part of his Yakuza duties or for some ulterior motives.

Nao’s friends introduce her to Kirishima, and the two share a look suggesting they’ve already met. This turns out to be true, as the next scene shows Nao’s inner monologue, explaining how she met Kirishima three years ago in presumably middle school. Despite knowing he has ties to the Yakuza, she got intimately involved with him. Later, the two meet again, and she apologizes that they must pretend not to know each other. Kirishima then gives her his contact info and leaves a perplexed-looking Nao.

Kirishima returns home, and Yoshino asks him to accompany her to Osaka now that it’s summer vacation. He agrees and even pushes the date forward after meeting Nao, who also intends to be in Osaka during the same time.

These scenes introduce Nao, a new character who seems not to be tied to any crime syndicate, and her relationship with Kirishima, whose connection with many women so far appears to be primarily sexual. However, they fail to explain the importance of this character and introduce her in a very rushed way. The previous scene supports the rumors of Kirishima’s previous relationship with a model who went missing. It’s likely the Yakuza has something to do with it, and the same may happen with Nao now that Kirishima has his sights set on her.

Afterward, Yoshino and Kirishima arrive in Osaka and head to her favorite Okonomiyaki stand, where they meet Shoma(Kôji Yusa), who is waiting for Yoshino without her knowing. Kirishima and Shoma share a cold look, but their meeting is distracted by some older ladies who find Kirishima attractive. After a short and humorous meeting with them, the two head to Yoshino’s place with Shoma. Kirishima and Yoshino head up to Yoshino’s room, and they share a bonding moment as Yoshino talks about her past and gives a very eager Kirishima a small doll she made as a child.

Meanwhile, Nao discusses another nasty rumor about her ex-boyfriend, the son of a media company executive. A model for said company was forcibly taken to a hotel, and rumors have it that her ex-boyfriend’s friend was the culprit.

Her friend then advises that she ignore the rumors or get a tough-looking boyfriend in case her ex or someone associated with him targets her. This prompts Nao to contact Kirishima. Kirishima leaves Yoshino with Shoma and tells her he’s staying at a hotel, which confuses her.

The next scene shows Nao and Kirishima after they have been intimate. She asks him why he’s in Osaka, to which he lies and says to see her. He then asks why she contacted him, to which she lies and says she just wanted to see him. However, he admits that though he doesn’t have a girlfriend, he does have someone he likes. The episode ends with Nao spying on Kirishima’s phone, and she sees his wallpaper of Yoshino.

Yakuza Fiancé Episode 6, while not as slow as the previous episode, is one of the less exciting episodes of the season so far. While the episode does a great job of expanding on Kirishima’s character, the introduction of Nao as a character was executed blandly compared to other characters, and the overall episode only feels like one to build up the coming episodes. This is mainly because significant plot points, such as Shoma’s investigations into the Somei family and his thoughts on a looming Yakuza war, have yet to be referenced for several episodes.

As such, Yakuza Fiancé Episode 6 is a bit disappointing to those expecting some major progression. Production-wise, however, Studio DEEN maintains the anime’s animation excellence, chiefly seen through the lovely city backgrounds in this episode.