Ao Haru Ride: Season 1, Episode 4 - I like Kou (2023)

The episode begins with Futaba arriving at Kou's door early in the morning for the class representatives' overnight camp. Kou opens the door wearing only his bare upper half, which flusters Futaba immediately, causing her to become embarrassed and flustered. Despite this awkward start, they leave together for the station to catch the train to the camp.

On the way, Futaba suddenly realizes she left her bag at Kou's place. They rush back to retrieve it, shouting at each other in frustration. After grabbing the bag, they hurry back to the station, with Futaba urging Kou to move faster and Kou complaining about having to carry her bag. They just manage to catch the train by Kou pulling Futaba down the stairs, though he is clearly disgruntled by the effort.

Once on the train, they discover they boarded the wrong one, heading in the opposite direction of the camp. This mistake means they miss the bus that was supposed to take them to the overnight camp, leaving them stranded and forced to find their own way there.

When they finally arrive at the camp location, the group is already tense due to Kou and Futaba's late arrival. The other class representatives express frustration and bitterness, which creates an uncomfortable atmosphere. The personalities of the group members clash, leading to further conflicts. One lighter moment occurs when Yuri and Toma have a humorous disagreement involving a cupcake.

Meanwhile, Kou and Futaba struggle with the emotional and social boundaries between them. Kou insists that Futaba means nothing to him, though his actions suggest otherwise. Futaba is confused about her feelings and what Kou means to her now, as time and past events have erected walls between them. Both try to figure out if and how they can cross these emotional boundaries.

Later, Futaba attempts to encourage the group to work together to strengthen their solidarity, but the stubbornness and conflicts among the members prevent this from happening smoothly. Despite the difficulties, Futaba admires qualities in her peers: Yuuri's honesty, Murao's independence, and Kou's confidence and ability to accept ideas and make them his own. She aspires to become stronger like them.

In a quieter moment at night, Kou and Futaba have a late-night conversation that brings them closer. They still act like bratty teenagers, each hurt in different ways, making it hard for them to accept the changes in each other. Futaba hesitates to admit she still likes Kou, even as she shows affection by touching his hair. Kou, on the other hand, is straightforward and unafraid to express what's on his mind, showing a growing openness between them.

The episode ends with Futaba feeling conflicted but hopeful about her relationship with Kou and her place within the group, setting the stage for further development in their interactions and personal growth.

Futaba and Kou arrive late at the leadership camp, causing tension among the group. After a series of mishaps and arguments, they end up spending the night alone together, sharing a quiet, intimate moment where Futaba admits she still likes Kou, but Kou remains distant. The episode ends with Futaba feeling confused and uncertain about their relationship, while Kou continues to keep his emotions guarded.

The episode begins with Futaba Yoshioka arriving at Kou Tanaka's apartment for the class representatives' overnight camp. Kou opens the door shirtless, causing Futaba to panic and blush. They rush to the station, but Futaba realizes she left her bag at Kou's place. They run back, arguing the whole way, and then sprint to the station again. Futaba drags Kou down the stairs, and they barely make it onto the train--only to realize they're on the wrong one, heading in the opposite direction of the camp. The bus leaves without them, and they are forced to travel to the camp on their own.

When they finally arrive at the camp, the other students are already settled in. The group is frustrated and annoyed by Futaba and Kou's late arrival. The atmosphere is tense, and the group struggles to work together. Futaba tries to mediate and encourage teamwork, but the others remain stubborn and uncooperative. Yuri and Toma have a minor conflict over a cupcake, which adds to the general sense of discord.

Later that night, the group gathers for a meeting, but the tension persists. Futaba attempts to foster unity, but her efforts are met with resistance. The group remains divided, and the leadership camp feels like a failure. After the meeting, Futaba and Kou are left alone together. They sit outside, sharing a quiet moment. Futaba confesses that she still likes Kou, but Kou remains distant and noncommittal. He doesn't reciprocate her feelings, and the moment ends with Futaba feeling confused and uncertain about their relationship.

The episode concludes with Futaba reflecting on her feelings for Kou. She is unsure of where they stand, and Kou continues to keep his emotions guarded. The other characters--Yuri, Shuko, and Kominato--remain peripheral, their own motivations and feelings hinted at but not fully explored. The camp ends without resolution, and the group returns home, still divided and uncertain about their roles as leaders and friends.

Futaba's fate at the end of the episode is one of emotional uncertainty. She has admitted her feelings to Kou, but he has not responded in kind. Kou remains emotionally distant, continuing to guard his feelings. The other characters are left in a state of unresolved tension, their relationships and motivations still unclear. The episode ends on a note of ambiguity, with Futaba and Kou's relationship still in flux, and the group's leadership still unformed.

There is no postcredit scene in Ao Haru Ride, Season 1, Episode 4 titled "I like Kou" produced in 2023. The episode concludes with the main narrative ending and the credits rolling, without any additional scenes or moments shown after the credits.

The episode "I like Kou" from Season 1 of Ao Haru Ride (2023) is generally family friendly, but there are a few aspects that could be mildly upsetting or confusing for younger or sensitive viewers. The episode contains moments of emotional intensity, such as characters expressing sadness, confusion, or frustration in their relationships. There are scenes where characters confront feelings of loneliness, misunderstanding, or social anxiety, which may resonate strongly with sensitive audiences. The dialogue occasionally touches on themes of loss and personal change, but there is no explicit violence, sexual content, profanity, or frightening imagery. The overall tone remains gentle and appropriate for teens and older children, but parents may want to be aware of the emotional depth and subtle melancholy present in some scenes.