The Dangers in My Heart Season 2 episode 6 has aired and it’s truly one-of-a-kind, probably even one of the best showing of the romance genre in anime. As someone who has watched a lot of romance anime, I’ve found that those climactic moments of confession often etch themselves into my heart. Kaguya-sama’s three-season-build-up for Kaguya and Shirogane’s insane confession, Sakuta’s impassioned declaration of love to Mai in front of the entire school to witness in Bunny Girl Senpai, Taki writing the words I Love You instead of his name to Mitsuha’s hand in Your Name, and Kaori’s heartbreaking letter to Kousei in Your Lie in April – each of these moments where just filled with raw emotions of love and a symphony of heartbeats.
There are surely more confession episodes out there that are as impactful, but I’m here not to talk solely about them or confessions in general. Rather, this week’s episode of The Dangers in My Heart became one of the pinnacle of romance anime episodes, and it wasn’t just for a confession scene.
There’s no question that this anime is the undisputed best airing show right now, consistently holding the coveted top spot in our polls. However, it wasn’t always like this. The Dangers in My Heart was never a hyped title to begin with as it was pretty low-key. After premiering its first episode last April, it barely got any attention despite how good it was. It even scored somewhere around 6 on MyAnimeList which makes it a slightly below-average anime.
So how did The Dangers in My Heart manage to rise up and establish itself as one of the top anime right now? It’s simple: through incredible character development like no other. From the first episode of the series, I already described Ichikaw as a cringe dork– you know, the type who’s always lurking in the background, lost in his own little world. Initially, I figured he’d stick with this chuunibyou-esque persona for the entire series, especially since I expected the main appeal of the show would be the quirky chemistry between him and Yamada.
Watching Ichikawa’s gradual growth throughout each episode was truly remarkable and quite unexpected. Every step he took outside his comfort zone, every interaction with Yamada and her friends, and every “karte” moment he had, all contributed to shaping him into the person he is today – a true “giga chad.” And in episode 6 of The Dangers in My Heart Season 2, his character development reached its peak.
When he was asked to give a speech in front of the entire school, it was a surprising move for someone who deems himself an introverted loser to accept it. But at that time Yamada was right beside and at first glance, it was the reason why he took the chance. Love can make people do crazy things after all, and Ichikawa was no exception. Not only did he practice his speech diligently, but he also went the extra mile, getting a haircut, rehearsing every night with his mom and sister, and even having moments with Yamada for extra practice. However, despite all his preparation, Ichikawa still remained true to himself. When he forgot the script for his farewell speech, I knew it was a pivotal moment for him.
The tension and nerves were getting to him – after all, public speaking is daunting even for extroverts. For someone as socially awkward as Ichikawa, the prospect was downright terrifying, and facing such a situation without a script seemed like a recipe for disaster.
Despite all the odds stacked against him, Ichikawa rose to the occasion, proving that 18 episodes of anime were more than enough to undergo significant character development. As he stepped onto the stage, his ideal self asked him: Who believed in him the most? His teachers? Friends? His sister? Or perhaps the girl who is a danger to his heart, Yamada? It was none of these. At that moment, Ichikawa realized that the strongest believer in him was none other than himself. And with that realization, he achieved like no other romance protagonist has barely shown – self-love.
I’ll admit, the concept of believing in oneself might seem cliche, but for someone like Ichikawa, a nerdy chuunibyou, to find that inner confidence was truly inspiring. Throughout the series, he often struggled with self-doubt, but when the moment called for him to stand tall and face the crowd, he was there, fully embracing his identity and self-worth. It’s truly amazing and it made me tear up after realizing how a journey it was seeing this boy become a man.
What’s even crazier is that, a peak moment like this wasn’t the only highlight of the episode. In fact, it wasn’t even the standout “karte” moment. What took this episode further beyond greatness was Yamada’s understated confession. From the very first episode, Ichikawa faced one rival above all — his senpai Nanjo. While Ichikawa had stood up to him on occasion, Yamada was also there at times to shut him down even further. In this episode, it was the final nail in the coffin, and The Dangers in My Heart Season 2 episode 6 depicted it in a truly breathtaking manner.
The simplicity and subtlety of Yamada’s “confession” held multitudes within it. All she did was reject her senpai’s love yet the way she subtly revealed her feelings by holding a trinket from Ichikawa added a whole nother level of cinematic and romantic feel. And once the Karte 18 flashed into the scene, it was already over. The Dangers in My Heart had already won our hearts.
To be honest, I never anticipated this series would gain such popularity. When I first started watching it, I could see why some might lose interest early on. Personally, I stuck with it because I’m a fan of the romance genre, and the idea of an odd middle school couple intrigued me. My favorite voice actress also plays the lead role of Yamada and I couldn’t miss her second major role. Admittedly, the slow pacing might deter some viewers, but surprisingly, that’s what made The Dangers in My Heart where it is today. It has a tedious pace, but all the interactions and the development came off very naturally to the point that a lot can relate.
Of course, while most of us don’t have the levels of cringeness of Ichikawa, such as his desire to “murder” a classmate, nor do we have the model-like physique and beauty of Yamada, it’s when they reveal their vulnerabilities that we truly connect with them. Whether it’s Ichikawa battling anxiety or Yamada grappling with insecurities, The Dangers in My Heart excels at humanizing its characters. When Ichikawa planned out a flowchart in this episode to navigate his conversation with the barber, it might seem excessive to most of us. However, beneath this odd behavior lies a universal sense of vulnerability that resonates with many of us.
It’s surprising to see how The Dangers in My Heart encapsulates a blend of elements that not only captivates the heart but also resonates deeply with the soul. When you combine altogether these intricate details, exceptional character development, an unconventional couple dynamic, a great array of cast, and a banger opening song into a seemingly simple and weird show — what you get is a series that poses a real danger to your heart.
The Dangers in My Heart Season 2 episode 6 screenshots taken via Bilibili
©Norio Sakurai (Akita Shoten) / Boku Yaba Production Committee
The comments are temporarily unavailable for maintenance.