Just Because!: Season 1, Episode 1 - On your marks! (2017)

The episode begins with a serene morning in a small town, where we are introduced to the main character, Eita Izumi. He is a high school student who is seen walking to school, reflecting on his past and the relationships he has with his classmates. As he walks, he notices a girl named Mio Natsume, who is also on her way to school. Eita feels a sense of nostalgia as he recalls their shared childhood memories.

At school, Eita meets his friends, including the energetic and cheerful Haruto Souma and the more reserved and serious character, Kyouko Kawai. The atmosphere is light-hearted as they discuss their upcoming graduation and the future. Eita, however, feels a sense of uncertainty about what lies ahead, especially regarding his feelings for Mio.

During lunch, Eita and his friends gather in the cafeteria. The conversation shifts to the topic of their past experiences and the relationships they had during middle school. Eita's internal struggle becomes evident as he grapples with his feelings for Mio, who is sitting nearby with her own group of friends. He watches her interact with others, feeling a mix of admiration and longing.

As the day progresses, Eita receives a text message from Mio, inviting him to meet after school. This unexpected invitation fills him with both excitement and anxiety. He wonders what she wants to talk about, and his mind races with possibilities. After school, Eita meets Mio at a nearby park, where they sit on a bench surrounded by blooming cherry blossom trees.

Mio reveals that she has been thinking about their time together and expresses her desire to reconnect before they graduate. Eita is taken aback by her openness and feels a surge of hope. They reminisce about their childhood, sharing laughter and memories that bring them closer. However, Eita struggles to express his true feelings, fearing that it might change their friendship.

As they continue to talk, Mio mentions her plans for the future, including her aspirations for college. Eita feels a pang of sadness, realizing that their paths may diverge after graduation. He grapples with the idea of confessing his feelings but hesitates, worried about the potential consequences.

The scene shifts to Eita's home, where he reflects on his conversation with Mio. He feels a mix of joy and apprehension, contemplating whether he should take the risk and confess his feelings before it's too late. His internal conflict deepens as he considers the possibility of losing her friendship if things don't go as planned.

The next day at school, Eita's friends notice that he seems distracted. Haruto encourages him to be more proactive about his feelings, urging him to take a chance with Mio. Eita is torn between his friends' encouragement and his own fears. He decides to seek advice from Kyouko, who has always been perceptive about relationships.

Kyouko listens to Eita's concerns and offers her perspective, emphasizing the importance of honesty in relationships. Her words resonate with Eita, and he begins to feel more determined to express his feelings to Mio. However, he still struggles with the timing and the right words to say.

Later that week, Eita and Mio have another chance encounter at a local festival. The vibrant atmosphere, filled with colorful stalls and laughter, contrasts with Eita's internal turmoil. As they walk together, Eita feels a sense of urgency to confess, but the moment never seems right. They enjoy the festivities, but Eita's mind is preoccupied with his unspoken feelings.

As the festival comes to a close, Eita finally gathers the courage to speak up. He takes a deep breath and turns to Mio, ready to confess. However, just as he is about to say the words, a sudden commotion interrupts them. A group of younger students accidentally bump into them, causing a distraction. Eita's moment is lost, and he feels a wave of frustration wash over him.

The episode concludes with Eita standing on the sidelines, watching Mio interact with others. He realizes that time is running out, and he must make a decision soon. The uncertainty of their future looms over him, leaving viewers with a sense of anticipation for what will happen next.

In the ending of "Just Because!", season 1, episode 1 titled "On your marks!", the characters find themselves at a crossroads as they navigate their feelings and relationships. The episode concludes with a sense of unresolved tension, as the characters are left contemplating their emotions and the choices they must make moving forward.

As the episode unfolds, we see the main characters, including Eita, Mio, and their friends, grappling with the complexities of adolescence and the bittersweet nature of their relationships. The final scenes are filled with a mix of hope and uncertainty, leaving the audience with a lingering sense of anticipation for what lies ahead.

The episode begins with Eita, a high school student, feeling a sense of nostalgia as he reflects on his past and the relationships he has formed. He is particularly focused on Mio, a girl he has feelings for, but he is unsure of how to express them. The atmosphere is charged with the excitement and anxiety of impending changes as graduation approaches.

As the day progresses, Eita and his friends gather at a local park, where they engage in playful banter and reminisce about their school days. The camaraderie is palpable, but beneath the surface, each character is wrestling with their own insecurities and unspoken feelings. Eita's internal struggle is evident as he watches Mio interact with others, feeling both drawn to her and hesitant to make a move.

In a pivotal scene, Eita finally musters the courage to approach Mio. He finds her sitting alone, lost in thought. The moment is tense, filled with unspoken words and emotions. Eita's heart races as he contemplates confessing his feelings, but he hesitates, fearing rejection and the potential impact on their friendship. Mio, on the other hand, is also grappling with her own feelings, creating a poignant moment of connection and misunderstanding.

As the sun begins to set, casting a warm glow over the park, the group decides to participate in a friendly competition. This serves as a metaphor for their relationships--each character is vying for connection, yet they are also afraid of the outcomes. The competition is lively, filled with laughter and shouts, but it also highlights the underlying tensions among the friends.

In the final moments of the episode, Eita watches as Mio cheers for their friends, her joy evident. He realizes that while he may not have the courage to express his feelings just yet, the bond they share is significant. The camera captures Eita's contemplative expression, hinting at his internal conflict and the journey he must undertake to confront his emotions.

The episode closes with the characters dispersing, each lost in their thoughts. Eita stands alone for a moment, looking out at the horizon, symbolizing the uncertainty of the future. The unresolved feelings linger in the air, leaving viewers with a sense of anticipation for the next chapter in their lives.

In summary, the fates of the main characters are left open-ended. Eita is still grappling with his feelings for Mio, while Mio remains unaware of the depth of Eita's emotions. Their friends, too, are navigating their own paths, setting the stage for further exploration of relationships and personal growth in the episodes to come. The ending encapsulates the essence of youth--filled with hope, confusion, and the promise of change.

In the first episode of "Just Because!" titled "On your marks!", there is no post-credit scene. The episode concludes without any additional content after the credits roll. The focus remains on the main narrative and character development throughout the episode, setting the stage for the relationships and themes that will unfold in the series.

Eita is driven by a sense of nostalgia and unresolved feelings as he reflects on his past relationships. The impending graduation serves as a catalyst for him to reach out to his childhood friends, particularly his feelings for Mio, which he grapples with throughout the episode.

Mio experiences a mix of surprise and confusion upon Eita's return. She is initially hesitant and unsure about her feelings, as she has been living her life without him for some time. However, there are moments where her past affection for him resurfaces, leading to an emotional conflict.

The school setting serves as a backdrop for the characters' interactions, highlighting their shared history and the bittersweet nature of their impending graduation. It is within this familiar environment that Eita and his friends confront their pasts and the changes in their relationships.

Haruto acts as a bridge between Eita and the rest of the group, often trying to maintain harmony while also dealing with his own feelings of jealousy and rivalry, particularly regarding Mio. His presence adds tension and complexity to the group's interactions, as he navigates his own emotions.

Unspoken feelings are central to the episode, as characters like Eita and Mio struggle to articulate their emotions. This theme is illustrated through their awkward encounters and the hesitance to confront their past, ultimately leading to moments of vulnerability that define their relationships.

"Just Because!" is generally considered family-friendly, but it does contain some themes and scenes that may be sensitive for children or more sensitive viewers. Here are a few aspects to consider:

1. Emotional Turmoil: The characters experience feelings of nostalgia, anxiety, and uncertainty about their futures, which may resonate deeply with some viewers and could be upsetting for younger audiences who may not fully understand these emotions.

2. Romantic Tension: There are moments of romantic tension and unrequited feelings among the characters, which might be confusing or uncomfortable for younger viewers.

3. Friendship Conflicts: The show explores the complexities of friendships, including misunderstandings and conflicts that can lead to emotional distress.

4. Themes of Change: The characters are facing significant life changes, such as graduation and moving on to new phases in their lives, which can evoke feelings of sadness or anxiety about growing up.

While these elements are handled with sensitivity, they may still be challenging for some viewers, particularly younger children or those who are more sensitive to emotional content.