Masamune-kun’s Revenge R Episode 3 - Unveiling a Web of Lies and Deception!

Caution: The upcoming content includes spoilers for Episode 3 of Masamune-kun’s Revenge R, titled "They Show Up When You Least Expect It," currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.

As mentioned in our previous episode analysis, Masamune-kun's Revenge R revolves around a misconstrued incident. Both main characters, Makabe Masamune and Adagaki Aki, experienced a traumatic event during their childhood, which has left emotional wounds that they carry into adulthood.

Episode 3 of Masamune-kun’s Revenge R delves deeper into that particular territory. Unlike in episode 2, however, this installment focuses more on the supporting characters, specifically Gasou Kanetsugu and Yoshino Koiwai. Both characters blatantly lie to the protagonists, with one of them even harboring a clear ulterior motive. Regardless of whether they are aware of it or not, their deceit has negative consequences for Aki and Masamune.

The Lies and Deceptions Told

Two characters, Gasou Kanetsugu and Yoshina Koiwai, are both exposed as liars. Interestingly, the story handles their deceptions differently. The nature of their lies, the way the audience discovers them, and the impact on the main protagonists, Makabe Masamune and Adagaki Aki, all vary significantly.

Gasou Kanetsugu's lies and deceptions are brought to light in Episode 3, revealing her true identity as a girl. This surprising revelation is shown when Gasou binds her chest to conceal her true self. For the sake of clarity, we will continue referring to Gasou as "him" until she officially reveals her true identity. Gasou confesses in her internal monologue that she has been pretending to be Aki's childhood friend, Masamune, in order to marry into Aki's wealthy family and improve her own family's life.

In contrast to Gasou's blatant lies, Yoshino's deceptions are portrayed in a much more subtle manner. It is strongly suggested that Yoshino is the one who rejected and humiliated Masamune when they were children, pretending to be Aki and using hurtful words. Yoshino has neither confirmed nor denied these allegations yet, unlike Gasou. The motives behind Yoshino's actions, if she indeed did them, remain unknown. However, it is evident that both Gasou and Yoshino's lies have a significant impact on the lives of Aki and Masamune.

How This Affects The Characters

Assuming Yoshino actually pretended to be Aki and deeply hurt Masamune's heart years ago, her lies undoubtedly had a significantly greater impact on both Aki and Masamune's lives.

For Masamune, the venomous words and constant rejection led him to develop a profound hatred towards the girl he once loved, Adagaki Aki. More distressingly, this animosity extended towards his own physique, as he believes that his insecurities, frustrations, and depressive state stem from Aki and his own overweight body. Conversely, Gasou's lies do not heavily affect Masamune, apart from the inconvenient reality of having a bothersome competitor in his quest to win Aki's affections.

For Aki, Yoshino's deceptive actions are possibly the catalyst behind her cold and distrustful nature, particularly towards men. Initially, Aki had affection and faith in the adorable and plump Masamune, only for him to abruptly disappear without a trace. Intriguingly, this sudden loss of Masamune also ignited Aki's desire for various foods, particularly sweets. On the other hand, Gasou's deceit unknowingly sparks a glimmer of hope for Aki, as she believed her first love had finally returned to her. Additionally, Aki places a significant amount of trust in Gasou, which will inevitably lead to immense pain when she eventually discovers his lies.

Building The Story Through Lies and Deceptions

As highlighted in the review for episode 2, Masamune-kun’s Revenge revolves around a fundamental misunderstanding. Over time, this misunderstanding gives rise to contempt, fueling Masamune's burning desire for revenge. However, in order to propel the story forward and maintain its cohesion, another vital element comes into play. This element encompasses the lies and deceptions which unravel in episode 3. Ultimately, it is these dishonesty and deceitful actions, particularly those orchestrated by Yoshino, that perpetuate the misunderstanding and prolong its existence.

Lies have a way of being exposed, especially in fictional works where they serve as a storytelling tool. Once the truth is revealed, we can anticipate the story reaching its climax or already being there. While there may be efforts to prolong the narrative, once Yoshino confesses her deceit to Aki and Masamune, we can confidently expect a peaceful resolution and the eventual union of the main characters. Given the progression of the story, it is evident that we are on track towards that resolution.