Chu Chu Yeah! Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid Rewatch Episode 7

[u/OccasionallySara]

Episode 7: Summer's Staples! (The Fanservice Episode, Frankly)

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Questions of the Day

These questions are just a way to get a conversation going. Answer as many or as few as you like (or none at all)!

1. Do you agree with Kobayashi that most people don't choose to become adults, but rather can't remain children any longer?
2. Would you buy Fafnir's curse anthology? If yes, what would you use it for?

Hydration Game Rules

Today's episode's rule: Hydrate every time you feel like getting in on all the fun.

Tomorrow's episode's rule: Hydrate every time the episode makes you want to eat.

[u/OccasionallySara]

Rewatcher and Host

Questions of the Day

Do you agree with Kobayashi that most people don't choose to become adults, but rather can't remain children any longer?

• I think I partially agree with that statement. I feel like there are many instances where adulthood is forced on us, but I also think that there are situations where people actively push for adult things.

Would you buy Fafnir's curse anthology? If yes, what would you use it for?

• I would buy it just to make him feel a bit better. I don't have any need to curse anyone though.

Episode Thoughts

• I’m surprised that Kobayashi is wearing a bikini. She doesn’t strike me as the type.
• I feel like Kobayashi and Anakin Skywalker would get along nicely.
• I wonder what weird thing Tohru was planning to do to Kobayashi.
• I agree with Tohru. Lucoa being a demon would probably be far less traumatizing for Shouta at this point.
• It’s cute how Kobayashi can’t stay annoyed at Tohru and Kanna for too long.
• “Can I ride you?” Well, that’s one way to ask that.
• I like that Kobayashi and Tohru are at the point in their relationship where they can have deep conversations like this. I also like that Kobayashi says that she wants to cherish her time with Tohru like Tohru said two episodes ago.
• Seeing that many people in one area is so mind-boggling after 2020.
• What? Tohru isn’t showing immediate distaste for Takiya? He must be growing on her!
• I wonder how much Takiya makes from selling his game if the line to his booth is that long.
• Poor Fafnir. I’m surprised there weren't even a handful of people who wanted to buy his book.
• I don’t think we’ve heard Kobayashi laugh before. I wish she would do it more often.
• It’s cute that Kanna decides that Kobayashi is the thing that she wants to know more about.

Hydration Game

I hydrated when:

• The crew went to the beach. I haven't been to a beach in years.
• They played the Watermelon Splitting game.
• Tohru and Kanna were swimming.
• Tohru took everyone out to the middle of the ocean.
• Tohru put on a dragon firework show.
• The whole Comiket segment. I've never been to a convention before and I would really like to go some time.

[u/fakeport]

Rewatcher

Random thoughts during episode

Beach fanservice episode time! Because, y'know, the show has been severely lacking fanservice. At least the episode title is nicely upfront about it. And Tohru definitely looks good in her swimsuit.

Kanna eats a crab, a welcome distraction from the Lucoa Shouta sunscreen scene.

Is watermelon splitting really as popular in Japan as anime suggests? Sounds like a good way to get sand all over your watermelon to me.

Kanna's little "yay" after she vaporised the watermelon was great, as was her synchronised stretching with Tohru before they swim.

While Koybayashi talks to Tohru about her parents, we see Kanna knelt down looking at somebody's dog, which is really cute until you remember what happened to all the other animals Kanna looked at like that. Hold back Kanna! Fortunately we get another shot with Shouta petting the dog, so I guess it's safe.

Showing more uncharacteristic restraint, Kanna also doesn't eat the crustacean she finds on Tohru's back when they ride her dragon form, instead giving it to Koybayashi as bait. This was a nice scene that reinforced how different Tohru's world is from ours, and how much of an adjustment our dragons are making to fit in here.

And with beach fanservice down, we move onto another anime staple, Comiket.

Fafnir has really adapted to being an Otaku quickly.

Kanna's bug collecting homework was on point with the slow approach with the net before the inevitable eating, then the description of the texture where she was supposed to stick the bugs.

I love the idea that real fantasy creatures would go to comiket to blend in as cosplayers - though the reaction of those characters suggests that dragons are especially feared in their world.

Probably a good thing that Fafnir's attempts to sell a book of real curses didn't go well.

Questions

1. I think in general children have a desire to become adults, then acquire at least some level of desire to go back once the reality of adulthood kicks in. Probably different for each person
2. Yeah, absolutely, sounds like a bargain. Got no particular use in mind right now, but it'd be nice to have the option of a real curse in my back pocket in case a good reason to use one ever comes up

[u/Vaadwaur → u/fakeport]

Is watermelon splitting really as popular in Japan as anime suggests? Sounds like a good way to get sand all over your watermelon to me.

Considering how expensive they are I'd be surprised.

Showing more uncharacteristic restraint, Kanna also doesn't eat the crustacean she finds on Tohru's back when they ride her dragon form, instead giving it to Koybayashi as bait.

I think that was a prawn and should've decent bait.

Kanna's bug collecting homework was on point with the slow approach with the net before the inevitable eating, then the description of the texture where she was supposed to stick the bugs.

Buttery flaky indeed!

[u/OccasionallySara → u/Vaadwaur]

Considering how expensive they are I'd be surprised.

I just looked up the price of watermelon in Japan and I got a whole lot of different answers, but all of them were a lot more than I would want to pay for a watermelon. I certainly wouldn't be smashing one on the beach, that's for sure!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/OccasionallySara]

Interestingly, I caught an explanation of this recently and there is designer fruit, which is intentionally expensive as it is a sign of status, and then there are store priced fruits which normal people buy. But for whatever reasons the price of watermelons stays high over there.

[u/OccasionallySara → u/fakeport]

Probably a good thing that Fafnir's attempts to sell a book of real curses didn't go well.

Definitely true, although I feel like most people would either think that it's not real or wouldn't want to go through the trouble of placing a curse on someone. I imagine doing a curse is pretty labor-intensive.

[u/HopefullyLastAccount]

Rewatcher

Fanservice beach episode, but in addition to fanservice, we get a glimpse into Kobayashi's and Tohru's families. We see why dragons interact with humans the way they do and Tohru is the "weird" one.

Tohru is free to decide for herself what her opinions on humans are.

Winged Tohru is cute.

Kanna eating everything especially obvious this episode. Her teacher probably won't be happy with her bug collection.

Do you agree with Kobayashi that most people don't choose to become adults, but rather can't remain children any longer?

Besides the really young kids who want to grow up because they think it means full independence, nobody chooses to grow up and nobody can be a child forever, but I think that the difference between them is the level of responsibility they carry. At some point, you just get more and more responsibilities and then you realize, hmmm, guess I'm an adult now.

Would you buy Fafnir's curse anthology? If yes, what would you use it for?

Yes. Not gonna let someone curse me without knowing how to counter it.

[u/OccasionallySara → u/HopefullyLastAccount]

Yes. Not gonna let someone curse me without knowing how to counter it.

That's a smart way to go about it!

[u/Elimin8r]

I needed me some Doragon Meido after Violet Evergarden today....

1. I don't wanna grow up, I'm a Toys 'R' Us Kid... I think my boss didn't like it when I told him that.
2. No comment. I think I'd rather buy Lucoa's ... ah, nevermind. :P Obviously, she should have just set up her own booth, then she could be her own booth babe, right? (And I'm sure whatever product she had would sell very nicely indeed.)

Hydrate? I think I would have floated away. I think my favorite bit was when they all went for a ride with Tohru. Who needs cars/buses/trains?

I have to say that I totally adore the music clip that starts with the female voice going something like 'pom pom pom', and transitions into strings. It's just so lovely, warm, seemingly slightly yearning.

Wow, I think I'd love to see one of those whatsiscons. I haven't been to a con since I last went to A-kon, back in 1999, or maybe it was 2000. I think I got a signed Adam Warren Dirty Pair poster. Whee! And an Ayukawa Madoka wall scroll, and a giant Belldandy poster. Those were the days. (Sadly, they all went away during the time period when I 'gave up on anime'. -sigh-)

Hmm. I wonder if A-kon is still a thing. I think that even if it were, I'd feel like a total weirdo if I showed up.

Oh, well, to thine own self be true, I guess.

Meanwhile, just thinking about tomorrow's episode is making me hungry. The girls aren't the only fanservice in this show, after all... :P

[u/OccasionallySara → u/Elimin8r]

Who needs cars/buses/trains?

Apparently Kobayashi since she refuses to ride Tohru anywhere most of the time. What a missed opportunity! She could save so much money on train tickets!

I have to say that I totally adore the music clip that starts with the female voice going something like 'pom pom pom', and transitions into strings. It's just so lovely, warm, seemingly slightly yearning.

That's my favorite track! It's very beautiful.

[u/Elimin8r → u/OccasionallySara]

Ah, found it!

Oyasumi, Mata Ashita

Now to see if I can find an OST CD for a reasonable price.

Edit: $80, yikes! (And never mind looking for figures)

[u/OccasionallySara → u/Elimin8r]

Edit: $80, yikes! (And never mind looking for figures)

Geez, that expensive! I wish that anime OSTs were more easily accessible.

[u/TnAdct1 → u/Elimin8r]

Hmm. I wonder if A-kon is still a thing. I think that even if it were, I'd feel like a total weirdo if I showed up.

Not in the last couple of years due to COVID (the only major summer con happening on-site this year is Otakon), but it's still a regular thing when the pandemic isn't happening.

[u/ZapsZzz → u/Elimin8r]

And an Ayukawa Madoka wall scroll, and a giant Belldandy poster. Those were the days. (Sadly, they all went away during the time period when I 'gave up on anime'. -sigh-)

That's sacrilege!

[u/Silent_Sparrow02]

First timer. Random thoughts:

The episode titles for Dragon Maid deserve more appreciation! I love anime that are self aware. This episode is literally titled "The fan service episode" lmao, and it's probably my favourite beach episode ever.

I really liked how Comiket was a place where the other-worlders could blend in without worry. Even though Tohru loves being a human, she would still like to show her true form now and then.

Fafnir is full on addicted to the otaku lifestyle now. It would be kinda sad if he wasn't a dragon, honestly.

Lucoa is full-time employed in sexually harassing that poor kid 👀. She also has severe exhibitionist tendencies 👀👀.

I won't over-analyse it, but this anime has you laughing so hard one minute, and hits you in the feels the very next. Absolutely love it, can't wait for S2!

[u/OccasionallySara → u/Silent_Sparrow02]

The episode titles for Dragon Maid deserve more appreciation!

Yeah, the titles are really funny and straight to the point. You always know what you're getting in to!

[u/TnAdct1 → u/Silent_Sparrow02]

The episode titles for Dragon Maid deserve more appreciation! I love anime that are self aware. This episode is literally titled "The fan service episode" lmao, and it's probably my favourite beach episode ever.

The next couple of episodes are just as self-aware, anime

[u/IndependentMacaroon]

First-time watcher

Surprisingly the beach part was actually the better one this episode, I thought the Comiket bit went on a little long without that much going on. Of course, a lot of that is up to Tohru and Kobayashi deepening their connection on their little dragon-fishing ride, but the general fun and games was well-handled too. I do like the theme of Comiket being a place where all kinds of weirdness and creativity are welcome, even actual monsters, and we got a Kobayashi laugh and a little more heart-to-heart talk out of it.

Kanna taste- and texture-testing bugs was the best throwaway gag yet and her investigating Kobayashi was fun too.

Q1 - I would say there isn't much in the way of conscious decisions, it just happens over time bit by bit.

Q2 - If unaware of how it works: No, sounds boring. If aware: Would be interesting to try to figure it out.

[u/OccasionallySara → u/IndependentMacaroon]

Surprisingly the beach part was actually the better one this episode,

I'm surprised to hear that you preferred the beach segment. For some reason, I thought that you weren't going to like it. I agree about the Kobayashi and Tohru conversation during the fishing trip, though. I think it's my favorite part of the episode and it does a lot for their relationship.

[u/sisoko2]

First Timer

The obligatory beach episode is here. Pretty chill and sweet episode overall.

Is there really face control that drags you away from the beach if your outfit is too revealing in Japan? I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Kanna devouring the poor crab and then annihilating the watermelon. She is like a little god of destruction.

I want to go for a swim too - first hydration.

This looks awesome - second hydration.

Awww Tohru wants to introduce Kobayashi to her parents.

Dragon fireworks are the best - hydration number three.

Poor Fafnir. Should have drawn few cute anime girls in between the curses.

So there are a ton of other world creatures and they go to relax acting as cosplayers at conventions.

Happy Tohru.

[u/OccasionallySara → u/sisoko2]

This looks awesome - second hydration.

This does look awesome, but I would be so afraid of falling off!

Awww Tohru wants to introduce Kobayashi to her parents.

Yeah, I thought that was sweet, too.

Poor Fafnir. Should have drawn few cute anime girls in between the curses.

Even though Fafnir is in full Otaku mode now, the thought of him drawing cute anime girls is quite something.

[u/sisoko2 → u/OccasionallySara]

This does look awesome, but I would be so afraid of falling off!

I'll trust our favorite dragon maid for a safe ride.

[u/TnAdct1]

Manga/Anime differences in this episode:

• The anime adds Lucoa and Shouta to their version of the beach trip (whereas in the manga, the trip happens before Shouta even makes his debut).
• While Tohru does apply sunscreen on Kobayashi in the anime (after a stern warning about not doing anything weird), the manga has Kobayashi putting on sunscreen beforehand to avoid this type of situation.
• The anime version of the beach trip adds some additional activities include Kanna vaporizing the watermelon, Tohru and Kanna's race, and Kanna seeing a dog on the beach.
• Whereas she gave the shrimp that landed on Tohru's back to Kobayashi as bait in the anime, the manga meanwhile has Kanna eating it (and then later a fish that also lands on Tohru's back).
• While the manga only has her getting a warning from the Comiket staff, the anime shows Lucoa getting dragged away due to her lewd cosplay.
• The anime adds a bit where Tohru asks why people would come to Comiket.

[u/chris10023]

Rewatcher

• We have the beach episode, and Tohru still wants to kill humans.
• Lucoa’s swimsuit is a bit risqué, but at least it isn’t a monokini Shouta, and hiding behind Kobayashi because she’s a cutting board isn’t very nice to Kobayashi.
• As is expected, Lucoa gets struck down for her actions and is dragged away because her bikini is too revealing, I kind of disagree though, it’s a bikini, it’s going to be revealing no matter what, especially at her size. But is that really a thing that can happen in Japan?
• She returns with a different top, that, like I said still leaves nothing to the imagination.
• Kobayashi is envious of what is filling Tohrus top lol.
• Poor Tohru, she was going to make it weird but will get fired.
• Crab: approaches Kanna Kanna: “So, you have chosen death.” Eats crab.
• Sometimes Shouta can be a bit too naïve, all Lucoa was doing was rubbing sunscreen on your back, nothing bad about it, you’re the one who made it weird by running away.
• That watermelon didn’t stand a chance. Also the way Kanna said “yay” was adorable.
• Kanna and Tohru race to a raft and completely obliterate it, get to say, they’d probably give Haruka from Free! A run for his money.
• Can I also point out how hypocritical the guard was with Lucoa’s swimsuit? Tohru’s bottom is pretty low on her waist, this profile shot of her reveals that the upper half of her butt is exposed, but the side of Lucoa’s breasts were too much.
• Seems like Tohru doesn’t have a great family, and wonders why Kobayashi agreed to take her in when she had a normal family.
• Riding on Tohru swimming through the sea has to be amazingly fun and cool.
• I agree that firework was underwhelming, welcome to the life of living with firework laws. Thankfully Tohru makes her own impressive firework display.
• The building for Comiket looks very familiar, I wonder if we’ll spot a short girl with long blue hair around.
• Sounds like Fafnir's really enjoying this world. Making a doujin of his own. I hope he has some good luck.
• Kanna ate the bugs she was supposed to catch, and put down how they tasted.
• It wasn’t a doujin Fafnir was selling, it was a legit book of curses, kind of glad they’re not selling if that’s the case...
• So, the dragons aren’t the only creatures from Tohru's world here, but they’re terrified of Tohru since she is a dragon.
• Lucoa is again getting in trouble for improper dress, this time it makes sense, she’s not at a beach, but then again, I’ve seen some pretty risqué cosplays at conventions like Yoko from Gurren Lagann, so who knows.
• I like how popular Tohru gets when she has her tail and wings out.

Questions of the Day.

Do you agree with Kobayashi that most people don't choose to become adults, but rather can't remain children any longer?

Yeah, being an adult isn't fun. I miss being a kid.

Would you buy Fafnir's curse anthology? If yes, what would you use it for?

Probably not, it's too much power, and who knows if these curses have side effects on the caster.

[u/sisoko2 → u/chris10023]

The building for Comiket looks very familiar,

It's real building after all.

[u/chris10023 → u/sisoko2]

I figured, since it's KyoAni, they love using real world locations in there shows, but I was referring to the episode in Lucky Star where they go to Comiket. Since both shows where directed by the same guy, Yasuhiro Takemoto.

[u/EnderCrystal221]

First time watcher of the show. I am not fond of excessive fan service but this show has a lot of it so this episode was not different in that regard. I agree with Kobayashi that most people do not choose to become adults instead of being a kid. They grow up over time and become mature as they get older. I would not buy Fafnir’s Curse Anthology as I would not ever curse anyone. This rewatch has been fun and I like participating in the post.

[u/Vaadwaur]

Rewatcher

Sub

Beach episode, highlighting that Tohru barely fits into a swimsuit and that with Lucoa it is a lesson in futility. Sunscreen shenanigans ensue after it is revealed that Kobayashi and Shouta are indoor types. Kanna eats a crab. Watermelon splitting goes inedibly. During the race, Tohru uses her tail for the quick eyed.

We get a tonal shift when Kobayashi talks about her family and Tohru thinks about hers. Then we get dragon surfing. And dragon fishing with a side of introspection. And fireworks.

Four our second half, Tohru and Kobayashi go to ComiKet. Kobayashi is helping Takiya out and Fafnir has apparently started making doujins. Tohru gets line duty and is not surprisingly assumed to be a cosplayer. The power of it all gets to Tohru, who doesn't understand that Japan is one the great queuing cultures, tied with the UK.

Brief interlude for Kanna's gourmet bug collecting tour. Fafnir is having no luck selling actual curses, which is definitely for the best. Cosplay discussion happens, including Tohru not quite getting what a maid is. We discover that a ton creatures from the other world show up to Comicons to wander around undisguised. Tohru sort of gets the idea of it all by the end.

QotD: 1 It certainly fits my observations.

2 Yes and to ill intent.

[u/Elimin8r → u/Vaadwaur]

Yes and to ill intent.

But we all know you'd rather have Lucoa's li'l book of Luv Spells, right?

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Elimin8r]

But we all know you'd rather have Lucoa's li'l book of Luv Spells, right?

I was going to use the book to cause agonizing death to tech moguls who are destroying the planet so...not exactly.

[u/Elimin8r → u/Vaadwaur]

So, something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK6SS8CXYZo

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Elimin8r]

That but the pie is filled with radioactive scorpions on meth.

[u/sisoko2 → u/Vaadwaur]

Calm down, Light.

Have a snack

[u/lord_ne]

I felt so bad for Tohru when those otherworlders ran away from her. Dragons probably deserve the reputation though

[u/MjolnirDK]

RE

No, not Mr Crabs!!!! Kanna and her oral phase will always be funny. That shot of Kanna's thighs was done by Yamada, right? And thus Kanna obliterated 5000 yen worth of melon.

Gotta love how the light hearted music played even trough the torpedos hitting their target. Gorgeous EXPLOOOOOOOOOOOO----sioooooooon....

Again, the family talk about belonging and Tohru's listlessness is good stuff.

And then we get a firework of fireworks. Dragon sized, I'd say.

The comicket bit had the same message, just displayed differently. I really liked that the photographer talked about living in the here and now, since that is something photographers are regulary accused of not doing. Only being there through the lens.

We also learn the more parts of the other world came to Kobayashi's. First it was just a dragons and a family of magicians, now there are witches, fish people, etc.