I’ll keep the intro short so we can get to the juicy stuff.

You know that old saying, “the calm before the storm”? Well, after a long absence, Ucchi has finally returned. And what’s more, this may be the first chapter that not only puts her in the spotlight but also suggests to us that maybe, just maybe, there’s more to the little Emoji Girl than we ever thought.

Chapter 152: Because I’m Not Popular, I’ll…(•_•)

And already, we get our first hint that this chapter will be something special. That being, the Emoji Gang is finally getting the spotlight. Ever since readers realized they existed, there has been much deliberation as to how tightly knit their friendship is, and specifically, with Ucchi. The most recent interpretation is that they’re much closer than we first thought, and judging by their splash page, that looks to be the route we’re going.

I see you, Ucchi! No matter where you are, your face will always be with us.



I know that’s kind of mean, but this isn’t Nemo’s chapter. Let me have this.

Four years of the teasing and baiting have all led up to this moment, my friends.

This whole exchange is reminiscent of how rivals in manga/anime will cross each other and challenge each other’s conviction in a way that is sexually charged to the max, and least in the shippers’ eyes. But while that’s part of the joke here, the absolute certainty Ucchi exudes makes this the first time Ucchi’s attraction to Tomoko is taken with any real seriousness. And as her words foreshadow for the series onward, it not all fun and games anymore.

If there’s one thing to take from this shot, it’s that 5 out of the 6 members of this gang really are as personable, easygoing, and mature as we thought.

And that 1 out of the 6 members of this gang is the awkward, nutty, woman-child we all thought.

1) Obligatory Darth Vader face.

2) Freckle’s hair is, like, way too nice.

Yeah…this is one of those times where the mistranslation matters. Ucchi actually says “3-5″ in place of Kuroki (which is actually in parentheses) to hide her true desires. Just something to keep in mind as Ucchi’s friends aren’t yet aware at this point that Tomoko is even a factor.

Ucchi’s bitchy side always rises when Tomoko’s involved, and while it’s often comedic, it’s now revealed to be a genuine problem that needs addressing.

And who better to confront this problem than Black-Bangs-and-Clear-Eyes Girl, a.k.a. Everyone’s New Fan Favorite.

The main point of this whole chapter, along with Ucchi’s development, is that her friends are finally given distinguishable personalities, at least on the surface level. Not only do we get a tidbit of characterization for Natsu, but more notably, BBaCE Girl here is revealed to have a sense of justice, and appears to be the kind of friend who’s not afraid to confront an issue head-on. It ain’t much so far, but I can already see why her ability to vocalize what others are too afraid to say is already so endearing.

Every break? Geez, Ucchi, if you’re trying to hide your raging gayness, at least don’t make it so obvious.

They say comedy is one step away from tragedy. In this case, all of those jokes and punchlines involving Ucchi’s growing obsession with Tomoko may have been amusing to us, but to the other characters like the Emoji Gang, it’s been a serious issue in the making, leading to the fallout we see now. It’s a testament to the writing that Watamote can flip the mood with such ease like that. Some may call it jumping the shark, but then again, the series did that a long time ago (albeit gradually), so I think they’ve earned the emotional impact.

It’s was hinted at before, but it looks like Miyazaki the Mediator really is the Asuka Mom friend.

Can someone say role reversal?

She says that it was on a whim, but even a whim implies a smidgen of actual interest. While the distance between Tomoko and Ucchi is nothing new, having Tomoko approach her on her own accord (little as it may be) definitely is. And it’s that almost reciprocated half of the friendship that implies there may be some hope for these two after all.

Never underestimate Ucchi’s Kimoi-o-meter.

I love how the “glamour” pentagons overlay the very obvious and awkward gap between them. Pretty much sums up their whole relationship right there.

Other than the overly regarded Tomoko, Mako is actually Ucchi’s only friend in 3-5, as far as we know. Not saying she’s lying, but it’s sometimes difficult to tell when Ucchi’s being openly dishonest or simply inflating the truth.

Much like actual emojis…

Confession Progress: 42%

Oh, Snap!

Another difficult thing to ascertain about Ucchi is her level of self-awareness. Her feelings for Tomoko appear to be genuine, but she doesn’t appear to recognize them as platonic/romantic (I myself admit to jumping the gun on that several times). And she most certainly didn’t realize the trouble she was causing her friends. But at the same time, she didn’t get defensive over their fight, revealing that it’s not impossible for her to realize the consequences of her actions.

Tomoko sums it up right here:

It was here that I realized that Nico Tanigawa are making full use of Ucchi’s identity as an Emoji Girl.

Emojis are inherently surface-level, used to convey summarized feelings that are too lengthy or complicated to explain in words. With Ucchi, her emotions are as transparent as they get, but her thoughts and motivations are a tangled up mess. The reasons behind a particular emoji are numerous, and while that makes Ucchi herself seem inconsistent, her one-sided affection for Tomoko is exactly the surface-level expression that’s always consistent.

In my very first review for this series, I was under the exact same impression as Tomoko, that the Emoji Gang were fairweather friends.

I have long since been wrong about that, and it was honestly for the best.

It was once believed that Ucchi was the outsider as a result of the other’s subtle indifference. But while Ucchi is still technically the “outsider” friend, it turns out that status is brought upon by herself, and not from the rest of the group. The Emoji Gang were actually the ones with open arms that Ucchi frequently squirmed away from. Given Ucchi’s Komi-style instability, it makes sense that only genuine friends would tolerate so much of her.

Woohoo! 3/5 members of Gang are officially named! All that’s left is Glasses Girl and Braided-Freckles. Saving the best for last, I see.

Have I ever mentioned that Nico Tanigawa are really good at writing authentic dialogue? ‘Cause they are.

I love how Tomoko thoughts on female friendships have evolved from thinking they’re shallow to actually understanding them to be deeper than the stereotype suggested. Guess first-hand experience befriending a bunch of loons will do that to you.

Confession Progress: 77%

Damn, it’s actually happening!!

This whole shot looks like one of those confession scenes where the confessor’s friends are cheering her on in the background. At what point did the subtext become context?

Ucchi tends to be fairly socially aware unless Tomoko’s around, at which point her common sense takes a massive nosedive. Specifically, she must not have realized how shady it looks to suggest you’re going to leave your friends for someone else right ever you just made up with them.

The meta is so thick, you could cut it with meta.

When I first read this, I have to admit, Tomoko’s words did feel a lot meaner than I thought she would normally be, especially right to someone’s face. But when it became apparent that’s she was kind of struggling to say it, that’s when I realized Tomoko was being extra mean on purpose, to slice off all the attention Ucchi keeps sending her way.

Given the very obvious romantic (con)subtext, this is definitely meant to be read like a rejection, which makes Tomoko’s words doubly painful for poor Emoji Girl.

Nothing brings people closer together than a mutual hate over the same person.

The sad thing is, Tomoko can only pull a stunt like this exactly because she’s not that close to Ucchi. This whole thing only works if Ucchi comes to hate her for it, but since Tomoko doesn’t really care what Ucchi thinks of her, she’s got nothing to lose.

There have been numerous Ucchi reaction faces over the years, all of which are hysterical. But this may be the first one to be genuinely heartbreaking. It’s not just the schadenfreude where we can laugh at Ucchi’s misfortune. This expression forgoes the exaggeration for something more restrained and earnest.

For the first time, I unironically feel bad for her.

Tearjerking Shoujo Manga Run activated!

This is one of those developments that fans are often hoping will happen (guilty as charged), but never thought it would actually come into reality.

And yes, my grin was becoming stupidly larger as each member of the Emoji gang adds another link to the nostalgic rundown of Ucchi’s past escapades before finally making the long-awaited connection:

Here we go, ya’ll.

This “confrontation” looks more intimidating than it actually is, and I can’t help but find that so amusing.

“Ladies, please. I already have one harem, I don’t need another”.



Believe or not, Tomoko, but there are people out there who see Ucchi as an important person, and not just a walking emoticon with legs.

Well, given that’s exactly what Mako thinks about you, Tomoko, I suggest you rethink that assessment.

BUSTED!!

It doesn’t surprise me that Ucchi lied about having leftover chocolates when it was heavily implied that she gave it to Tomoko on purpose. But what really knocked the wind out of me is that Ucchi basically admitted that she like-liked someone, and it’s absolutely cathartic to see her friends (these two, at least) reach the epiphany so many of us hoped for.

Glasses-chan (Not Komi) is officially the best girl. After so much yuri-baiting followed by yuri-coding, It pleases me to no end that there is someone in this universe who straight-up believes, even supports, that Ucchi is romantically interested in Tomoko.

Kayo’s skepticism has some negative implications, but I think it’s too early to call it homophobia, for now at least. Given society is what it is, and the current state of LGBTQ+ affairs in Japan, I’d like to think of it as simple ignorance on Kayo’s part, who may not have much experience dealing with non-heteronormative people. I think given a bit of time, she’ll come around.

Glasses-chan may have backtracked a bit about Ucchi’s interest being only of friendship, but I don’t really buy it. The only argument I can think of for not being a crush is that Tomoko, all things considered, isn’t traditionally attractive. That said, I do appreciate that the girl is in full support of UchiMoko, romantic or otherwise.

Looking at Miyazaki and Kayo’s contemplative expressions, those two especially may end up boarding the ship as well.

Kayo’s actually pretty savvy, huh? Or is Tomoko just that much of an open book? Either way, it will earn Tomoko some brownie points for her good intentions, especially for someone like Kayo, who seems to be the type to cut through all the riffraff.

Ucchi, though, can’t cut through it, because, well…love makes you blind, as they say.

Approval from the girl’s friends is always the first step in the dating game.

Confession Progress: 81%

Operation: Matchmaker!!

Tomoko looking like an awkward mess when saying something cute and innocent is one of my favorite gags in this series.

Nicknames!? That’s basically a marriage proposal!

Joking aside, this is hands-down the most adorable blush in the whole, damn manga (at least until Yuri’s inevitable blush). The best part is that it’s so cartoonishly exaggerated with how the blush just embodies her entire body, but because she’s an emoji girl, Ucchi can look as ludicrous as the mangaka wants and it’s still feels grounded in reality.

This is the face of a comforting, open-minded girl ready to support her crazy friend’s dreams. #Miyazakiisalsobestgirl

Confession Progress: 94%

ALL ABOARD THE YURI TRAIN!!!

Oh, no…

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

NO.

NEVER GO FULL TSUNDERE.

There are so many layers of cringe to unpack here. First is the rant itself. It’s such stereotypical bullying, and you can tell how unnatural it is. Ucchi is forcing herself to be extra harsh just to make a denial like some elementary school kid trying to hide their crush.

Secondly, Tomoko is right there. Ucchi normally has the tact to keep her bitchier thoughts in her head, but the desire to plead her “innocence” overrides common sense. It’s not just to convince her friends, but Tomoko as well, that she would never be interested in her. It screams internalized homophobia (or creep-phobia), that just barely passes as black comedy.

Lastly, she finally called Tomoko a “creep” to her face. It was the forbidden move that everyone knew, but didn’t think Ucchi would have the gall to use. That simple catchphrase means so much to Ucchi’s character, and the fact that she said it out loud means that this time, it’s personal.

Can confirm.

(Un)luckily, Tomoko has her own forbidden move. So long has she mentally identified Ucchi as an emoji, but it’s not until now that she openly expresses it. Looks like the gloves are off.

This honestly hurts my heart upon a rereading. Not only does Tomoko reciprocate Ucchi’s personal attack with one of her own, but this is the very first instance where Tomoko has been so openly made fun off, even bullied you could argue. It hasn’t been unheard of for Tomoko to cry tears of frustration, but those usually happen as a result of her own anxiety. Having someone else cause it with ease really highlights that despite growing a lot of thick skin, Tomoko is still a fragile girl in her own way.

Tearjerking Shoujo Manga Run Re-activated!



Also, Ucchi’s self-awareness is officially a big, fat zero.

Confession Progress: -5%

MOTHERFU–

Watamote’s Law states that if something seems to be going right, it will end in a failure. And while that’s true in the short-term, the long-term still has success over the horizon. The best evidence for this is that for the first time, we finally get to see Ucchi as a character with real depth and influence to the story beyond just being a gag character. Even after a colossal fail like this, Ucchi and Tomoko are now privy to the other’s true selves, which actually brings them leagues closer in intimacy than ever before. The dynamic is different, for better or worse, and it will be a challenge if and when Ucchi takes her next leap of faith.

I’ll be rooting for her.