School Rumble: Season 1, Episode 1 - Pounding Heart at a New School Term! Struggle with a Love Letter! Zooming on Bicycles! (2004)

The episode begins with Harima Kenji, a high school delinquent, feeling nervous as he prepares for the new school term. He is determined to confess his feelings to his crush, Tenma Tsukamoto, a sweet and somewhat clumsy girl. Harima is shown riding his bicycle to school, his heart racing with anticipation and anxiety about the upcoming day.

As Harima arrives at school, he sees Tenma and is immediately captivated by her. However, he struggles to find the right moment to approach her. Meanwhile, Tenma is preoccupied with her own thoughts, particularly about her feelings for her classmate, Karasuma Oji, who is shy and reserved. She is determined to confess her feelings to him as well, but her lack of confidence makes her hesitate.

In class, the students are introduced to their new homeroom teacher, who is energetic and enthusiastic. The teacher encourages the students to get to know each other better, which adds to the tension for both Harima and Tenma as they try to navigate their feelings. Harima decides to write a love letter to Tenma, pouring his heart into it, but he struggles with how to deliver it without embarrassing himself.

As the day progresses, Harima's internal conflict intensifies. He imagines various scenarios of how Tenma might react to his confession, ranging from her being overjoyed to completely rejecting him. This leads to a series of comedic and exaggerated daydreams that highlight his insecurities and fears.

Meanwhile, Tenma is also grappling with her own dilemma. She decides to write a love letter to Karasuma, but her lack of experience leads to a series of mishaps as she tries to express her feelings. She ultimately decides to deliver the letter in person, but her nerves get the best of her, and she struggles to find the right moment to approach him.

In a pivotal moment, Harima finally gathers the courage to deliver his love letter to Tenma. He rushes through the school hallways, heart pounding, but just as he is about to hand it to her, he accidentally collides with another student, causing the letter to fly out of his hands. The letter lands in a puddle, ruining it completely. Harima is devastated, feeling that his chance has slipped away.

At the same time, Tenma is also trying to find Karasuma to deliver her letter. She spots him in the courtyard and, in a moment of panic, decides to ride her bicycle to catch up with him. However, her lack of experience leads to a comical crash, further complicating her attempt to confess her feelings.

The episode culminates in a chaotic scene where both Harima and Tenma are left feeling frustrated and defeated. Harima, having lost his letter, feels hopeless about ever confessing to Tenma, while Tenma, after her mishap, is unsure if she will ever have the courage to tell Karasuma how she feels. The episode ends with both characters reflecting on their struggles, setting the stage for their ongoing romantic misadventures throughout the series.

In the ending of "Pounding Heart at a New School Term! Struggle with a Love Letter! Zooming on Bicycles!", the episode concludes with Harima Kenji, the main character, finally attempting to deliver a love letter to his crush, Tenma Tsukamoto. However, due to a series of comedic misunderstandings and chaotic events, he ends up in a situation where he cannot deliver the letter. The episode ends with a sense of unresolved tension and comedic frustration, setting the stage for future developments in their relationships.

As the episode progresses towards its conclusion, we see Harima Kenji, a high school delinquent with a soft heart, grappling with his feelings for Tenma Tsukamoto, a sweet but somewhat oblivious girl. The scene shifts to the schoolyard where Harima, filled with determination, clutches the love letter he has written for Tenma. His heart races as he imagines the moment he will confess his feelings.

However, just as he gathers the courage to approach her, he is interrupted by a series of comedic mishaps. First, he is distracted by his friend, who is trying to convince him to join a gang, pulling him away from his mission. Harima's internal struggle is palpable; he wants to be tough and cool, but his feelings for Tenma are overwhelming.

As he finally makes his way back to Tenma, he sees her surrounded by her friends, laughing and chatting. Harima's heart sinks as he watches her, feeling a mix of admiration and frustration. He tries to muster the courage to step forward, but his nerves get the better of him.

In a moment of chaos, a bicycle comes barreling through the scene, causing a commotion. Harima, in an attempt to save Tenma from the oncoming bike, leaps into action, but instead ends up causing more trouble. The love letter slips from his hands, fluttering away in the wind, symbolizing his lost opportunity.

The scene shifts to Tenma, who is oblivious to the chaos around her, still unaware of Harima's feelings. She is caught up in her own world, dreaming about her crush, Oji Karasuma, who is also a central figure in her life. The contrast between Harima's desperate attempts to confess and Tenma's naivety highlights the comedic yet poignant nature of their relationship.

As the episode draws to a close, Harima is left standing in the schoolyard, watching Tenma from a distance, his heart heavy with unexpressed feelings. The camera pans out, capturing the bustling school environment, filled with laughter and chatter, while Harima remains isolated in his thoughts. The unresolved tension lingers in the air, leaving viewers with a sense of anticipation for what will come next in the tangled web of high school romance and friendship.

In summary, the episode ends with Harima's failed attempt to deliver his love letter, leaving him in a state of emotional turmoil, while Tenma remains blissfully unaware of his feelings, setting the stage for future comedic and romantic developments in their story.

In the first episode of "School Rumble," titled "Pounding Heart at a New School Term! Struggle with a Love Letter! Zooming on Bicycles!", there is no post-credit scene. The episode concludes without any additional content after the credits roll. The focus remains on the main storyline, which revolves around the characters' experiences as they navigate the challenges of a new school term, particularly the romantic tensions and comedic misunderstandings that arise.

In the first episode, Tenma Tsukamoto receives a love letter that she believes is from her crush, Oji Karasuma. The letter causes her heart to race with excitement, and she becomes determined to find out who the sender is. However, the situation becomes complicated when she learns that the letter was actually intended for someone else.

Harima Kenji is introduced as a delinquent with a soft side. He is shown to have a crush on Tenma and is determined to confess his feelings to her. His introduction is marked by a comedic scene where he tries to impress her, but his attempts often lead to misunderstandings and humorous situations.

Oji Karasuma is depicted as the object of Tenma's affection. Throughout the episode, Tenma's infatuation with him drives her actions, including her reaction to the love letter. Karasuma is portrayed as somewhat aloof and oblivious to Tenma's feelings, which adds to the comedic tension of the episode.

The bicycle race serves as a pivotal moment in the episode, showcasing the competitive spirit of the characters. Tenma, in her eagerness to reach Karasuma, participates in the race, which leads to a series of chaotic and humorous events. The race highlights her determination and the lengths she will go to impress Karasuma, while also introducing the dynamic between her and Harima.

Throughout the episode, several comedic misunderstandings arise between Tenma and Harima. For instance, Harima's attempts to confess his feelings to Tenma are constantly interrupted or misinterpreted, leading to awkward and funny situations. This sets the tone for their relationship and establishes the comedic elements that are central to the series.

"School Rumble" is generally considered a family-friendly anime, but there are a few aspects that might be seen as objectionable or upsetting for children or sensitive viewers.

1. Romantic Tension: The episode features themes of unrequited love and crushes, which may lead to emotional moments that could be confusing for younger viewers.

2. Misunderstandings: There are comedic misunderstandings related to love letters and relationships that could be perceived as awkward or uncomfortable.

3. Physical Comedy: Some scenes involve slapstick humor, which may include characters getting hurt in exaggerated ways, though it is presented in a lighthearted manner.

4. School Environment: The setting includes typical school dynamics, which may involve bullying or social anxiety, potentially resonating with sensitive viewers.

Overall, while the series contains light romantic themes and comedic elements, it is presented in a humorous and non-explicit manner, making it suitable for a younger audience with parental guidance.