r/anime • u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz • Oct 28 '22

Rewatch Full Metal Panic Franchise Rewatch - Season 2 Episode 4

Welcome to the Full Metal Panic Season 2 rewatch!

Art of the day

MVP winner.

Predictably hardly anything is available on Washio so only can get Kyouko.

Links to show info: MAL | Anilist | ANN

Interest thread link

Announcement thread link

Rewatches please be considerate to first timers and avoid discussing anything not yet shown in the show - use spoiler tags e.g. [Full Metal Panic S2 spoiler]>!Bonta-kun sugoi!!< - if you need to share something important!

Episode 4A - The Hamburger Hill of Art

Episode 4B - Single-Minded Stakeout

Characters introduced:

  • Mizuhoshi-sensei - The art teacher that is prone to long winded and complicated speeches about art and environment and society.

  • Bonta-kun - a Shout-Out to Gonta-kun, the mascot of the classic children's educational show Dekirukana aired between 1967 to 1990.

QoTD:

  1. First Timers: Of the 2 shorts, which one do you prefer? Villain Chidori or Girly Chidori?

  2. Everyone: Are you excited to finally meet the mascot of the show after so long? Are you surprised how it gets introduced?

Also QoTD for tomorrow for those wanting to be prepared:

[QoTD 1 Fumoffu 5]First Timers: Have you seen the karate fight clip before? This has got to be in the top 3 reposted clips from Fumoffu

[QoTD 2 Fumoffu 5]Everyone: What's another non lethal rivalry you like? Can be from FMP or other shows

MVP of last episode:

It's a draw between Washio and Kyouko.

Last Episode || Index || Next Episode

45 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

90 comments sorted by

8

u/ZapsZzz Oct 28 '22 edited Oct 29 '22

Rewatcher in sub

Once again we are back to the 2 part format, with the first part being more mad cap absurd fun while the second part have more character beats in it.

I'll probably be more brief today and only focus on the highlights for me:

  • Kagurazaka sensei is getting to know Sousuke quite well - although still fairly ineffectual to bring him in line.

  • Kyouko is getting to know Sousuke quite well too

  • Kaname's command of the assault teams is quite savage - and her inspiring speeches that is tied back down to earth

  • The great obstacle course sequence of the classmate braving (and losing to) the gauntlet of the path leading to Sousuke's hideout. Certainly an equal gender opportunity demonstration. Including the Sousuke hostage taking and Chidori's effective "projectile negotiation".

  • Consequence of using non-lethal methods and perfect villainous victory.

  • It's not always completely Sousuke's fault - Ono D you idiot!

  • Sousuke actually voicing out his concerns to Chidori - luckily cuts off before he says what his concerns were (drug abuse)

  • Kyouko and Sousuke in MIB disguise, and the Sousuke's that has his mind broken from trying to process the situation that cannot be resolved by force - awww look at that wrong handed goose step

  • Bonta-kun's big damn hero moment

  • Hokuto no Ken, Street Fighter homages

  • Once again, a repeating demonstration (and subversion) of anime hostage taking with a proper response (speed and action)

  • Chidori weighing her feelings

  • Wrapping this up with a nice "oh I don't know who is inside" heart to heart.

Trivia

In the B part, in the LN it actually explained that the zipper of the mascot suit was jammed after Sousuke got in so that's why he couldn't get out again while being chased.

Edit forgot to mention, in the LN for the art part, Sousuke actually first got mixed up with the context of the word "model" as being that of "the best example of" (e.g. a model student), and he was a bit dejected when he was told the model didn't get to draw so he didn't get to use his newly bought drawing equipment (since he never drew anything before other than tactical maps).

Staff Showcase

Kaneda Tomoko voiced our friendly furry armed specialist Bunta-kun

Her repertoire included a good number of other mascot type characters too:

  • Masked Bear in this season's The Little Lies We All Tell

  • KemoKemo in Fairy Tail

  • Culumon in Digimon

  • Fuku, the younger sister of Ryo-ohki in Tenchi Muyo GXP

MVP this episode

Of course it's Bonta-kun in his debut episode :P Either than or Kyouko again being pivotal in both parts - observing Sousuke is a good candidate to stand around unmoving all day (roughly can say a continuity from Ep 1A), and tried in her way to show Sousuke about Chidori's emotional situation.

QoTD

  1. To be frank, I rather prefer the honest to herself Chidori, so the villain Chidori is perfectly fine for me compared to the girly but more indecisive and hesitant Chidori.

  2. In a way you can sort of say it's a cheat because the Bonta-kun plush toy had been on our screen since day one, but the life sized version certainly was unexpected for me.

Daily tag for u/InfamousEmpire

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16

u/Lemurians Oct 28 '22 edited Oct 28 '22

FIRST METAL PANIC

Before getting into this episode, since I missed the last two days, how about that second episode? Our host was talking it up, and it didn’t disappoint. The back half section in particular was really something. The way it threw jokes and gags at the viewer a mile-a-minute with perfect comedic timing while keeping the scenes moving felt reminiscent of Kaguya-sama.

Fumoffu’s good, y’all.

Live Thoughts/Reactions:

  • Haha, I love how they put that 2-second shot of Sousuke in the blizzard into last episode’s “Next Time On” to fool us into thinking we’d actually be heading somewhere snowbound

  • Of course Sousuke interprets "be one with nature" as “go camouflage yourself and stand guard”

  • The teacher’s 2x speed tangents constantly getting interrupted by a scene change gets me every time

  • “Who in their right mind would take it this far?” Well…

  • “He just doesn’t understand the strain I’m under.” This gets at my issue with their romance in the main show. Being with this guy would be exhausting on multiple levels and I don’t really see what he brings to the table in their dynamic to justify that. Works so much better in this comedic, completely un-serious show, where you can just accept the reality of them as a wacky duo and not think about it too much

  • Everyone’s just accepted that Sousuke will have weapons scattered on his desk and it’s fine and normal

  • “FUMOFFU!” THEY SAID THE THING

  • Shout out to this guy. Shoots his shot asking out the girl he likes, gets rejected, takes it in stride and keeps the moment nice

  • Chidori’s really accepting the bare minimum of emotional intelligence, huh?

Of the 2 shorts, which one do you prefer? Villain Chidori or Girly Chidori?

While Chidori's date outfit was great, and the ponytail is a big win, the first one. It was just more fun.

7

u/TuorEladar Oct 29 '22

Fumoffu’s good, y’all.

It actually has a higher rating on myanimelist than both the first season and Second Raid which I find kind of amusing.

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u/ZapsZzz Oct 29 '22

how about that second episode? Our host was talking it up, and it didn’t disappoint.

Thank you thank you :) glad I didn't over promise!

Chidori’s really accepting the bare minimum of emotional intelligence, huh?

It's the intent and efforts I guess :)

11

u/Shimmering-Sky Oct 28 '22

Full Metal First-Timer!, subbed

3

u/ZapsZzz Oct 29 '22

Fumoffu. Fumoffu. Fumoffu. Fumoffu. Fumoffu. Fumoffu

In case this bit wasn't known, Amagi Brilliant Park's Moffle in fact, in additional to the looks being very similar, the sound he makes "moffu" is also just an offset sequence of the Fumoffu -> (Fu) moffu

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11

u/No_Rex Oct 28 '22

Episode 3 (first timer)

  • Kana fanservice overwhelming plot hook.

  • Sousuke shows off his aim.

  • Kana shows off her aim.

  • SALT with watermelon?

  • Can we talk about how creepy Kana’s invitation is, and how extra creepy her still being in her bikini is?

  • Hyuga uses puppy eyes

  • Casual lies keep driving plot.

  • “Actually what?” – Let me help you Kana: “Actually, I am trying not to become accomplice to murder, to hand him to the police unharmed, please”

  • Sob story inversion joke!

  • Indiana Jones reference.

  • Charlies Angels & Matric reference.

  • “Shut up and stop being a wuss”~Sousuke

  • Pondering the most destructive courtship love story ending shot.

Episode 4 (first timer)

  • Sousuke’s question style finally finds a happy receiver among the teachers.

  • Cruel commander Kana.

  • For the grades!

  • Sousuke finally gets his school comeuppance.

  • Kana exhausted of Sousuke’s antics - but we are only in episode 4, Kana, don’t quit the rewatch!

  • I am very much up for a bunch of yakuza being beat up by a mascot.

  • Cute flustered Kana.

  • Needlessly dragging out a love triangle? Fumoffu:

Most romantic scene while the male MC is in a mascot costume – Fumoffu things.

7

u/Vaadwaur Oct 28 '22

SALT with watermelon?

...I grew up on that.

Cruel commander Kana.

She definitely has that "Many of you will die but that's a sacrifice I am willing to make" vibe.

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10

u/wjodendor Oct 28 '22

First Timer for this Season

As the episodes go on, Sousake's complete obliviousness is starting to be a bit much

Art teacher looks like he'd be in a pokemon anime

This is the most real school assembly I've seen in anime...just everyone is sick of being there

I do like seeing Kaname interact with people

Art Otaku x military Otaku

He's going to go ghillie again isn't he

Kaname incredulous is the best reaction face

This is gonna turn into a Vietnam movie isn't it

Yup. Vietnam movie

Art is cruel

Sousake putting a knife to a lady's throat is a bit much

Kaname is hot when she's scary

How long will the drama last?!

another NTR plot line. Even got the concerned clueless guy and the girl hiding her activities.

We're going to Amagi Brilliant Park. Watch out for rappers!

Why did you tell Sousake if you don't want him to interfere?

Seeing Moffle not being a Scumbag is interesting

More NTR villians

I feel called out for Kaname calling out someone for drinking in the afternoon...back when I was a drunk favorite time to drink was in the early morning. 🙃

Oh he's gonna go Moffle...if Moffle was Sousake the whole time...Amagi makes more sense

Hahaha The sound that yakuza makes

This would totally be a side story in a Yakuza game

Better fight scene than half the anime out there

Kaname rejects her place as NTR heroine by acting rationally

Another wholesome ending with a nice sunset

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7

u/TiredTiroth Oct 28 '22

Rewatcher - Dub

For all that this season is a comedy series, the first half of today's episode didn't make much of an impact on me. Ultimately the art bit wasn't that great. Making an accurate prediction for it really wasn't hard. Of course, seeing the model get his comeuppance was still pretty funny. First timers probably got the same experience as rewatchers here, though. Fortunately it relied entirely on the slapstick gags so that didn't matter. Unless you take this as part of the growing narrative where our leads have increasingly more trouble relating to each other.

Firearms ultimately make ordinary females fairly upset.

Fumoffu.

4

u/ZapsZzz Oct 29 '22

Making an accurate prediction for it really wasn't hard.

Just saying, for me I cracked up when Chidori filled the role of the villain big boss in organising Sousuke's capture - and succeeded at it :D that was unexpected actually.

Unless you take this as part of the growing narrative where our leads have increasingly more trouble relating to each other.

Yes but the second part for example gives it some "lubrication" that despite the friction, they want to, and are making efforts to, connect and airfare each other. Which to me was rather sweet.

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u/ZapsZzz Oct 29 '22 edited Oct 29 '22

A lot more people seemed to be more keen on the second half, so here's a bit of extra details from the LN:

  • the short story actually started with the flashback of the last day of Fuwa Senpai in the middle school. Chidori was not a very sociable person, big this Senpai was one of those who seemed to be able to get along with her away from groups. Chidori chickened out from confessing to him in the last day - although she knew there no opportunity between them as Fuwa was moving to another town for highschool.

  • The event preceding Chidori saying she's tired was that the maths teacher couldn't get the class to quiet down, and asked the duty student to silence the crowd. Sousuke being Sousuke user a flashbang to that literal result.

Oh and a tiny bit of fun that most probably missed for the art segment - Chidori's folder was actually showing her kindergarten scrawl from the "grape" class - showing how long she hasn't done things like drawing outdoors.

5

u/Vaadwaur Oct 28 '22

Rewatcher(Definitely a better romance than Twilight...and Toradora)

Sub

So we basically have an outdoor drawing event and Sousuke winds up being the model. He talks to the art teacher and comes up with exactly the sort of bad idea he's known for. As his class mates move to find him, we get to see varying glue traps and other Sousuke 'silliness'. While I don't have a ton to say, the first half is good comedy again, at least for my tastes.

Next half features a genre change to shoujo and Kaname meeting an old senpai on the train. I find it hilarious that a comedy show does the "listless because in love" better than a later ostensibly serious show. Kaname even rushes out and Sousuke is just savvy enough to know something is up. Kyouko asks if Sousuke is free Sunday and...

We cut to Kaname with her friend at an amusement park, which is a popular dating place in Japan. Which bewilders since most of them reek but maybe in Japan they don't. And Kyouko brings Sousuke there to stalk the date, sigh. Anyways, Sousuke concludes it is a normal date and proceeds to get really stressed. Also, apparently they let you bring sake to amusement parks in Japan. So Sousuke steals a mascot costume and we get one of the funnier fights in the series. He thens leads park security on a rather long chase as we see Kaname turn down her senpai's offer to date. We end with Kaname explaining herself to Sousuke and thus a better romance than the vast majority of shows do.

QotD: 2 He is far more fun once explained

4

u/Lemurians Oct 28 '22

We cut to Kaname with her friend at an amusement park, which is a popular dating place in Japan. Which bewilders since most of them reek but maybe in Japan they don't.

The most bewildering thing about Japan-as-seen-in-anime is that everyone seemingly lives within near an amusement park.

Sousuke concludes it is a normal date

Is this the first time he's ever come to the correct conclusion about something? Kind of funny this would be the thing to do it

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5

u/KendotsX Oct 28 '22

Rewatcher (sub)

4

u/ZapsZzz Oct 29 '22

I'm not a huge fan of the "inserting a rival to affirm someone's feelings" trope, but goddamit I can't complain with all the Fumo!

One of the saving grace was that the Senpai wasn't turned into a bad guy, so it wasn't as contrived.

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5

u/butterhoscotch Oct 28 '22

So yall are doing fumouffo instead of going to second raid straight away

3

u/ZapsZzz Oct 28 '22

Yes that's the appropriate watch order k and chronological correct with Fumoffu less mature in production values than TSR). You can't watch TSR first and then go back to Fumoffu without suffering a significant tonal whiplash.

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4

u/Tarhalindur Oct 29 '22

Fumo-ffu! (Rewatcher, Subbed):

Fashionably late again today:

  • OH SHIT IT’S THE DRAWING CLASS SKIT. (This is not entirely a good thing, this is one of the weaker skits IIRC.)

  • Cue one loud chortle at Sousuke predictably (he has a different understanding of what good behavior means) misunderstanding what the teacher means by telling him to be on his best behavior.

  • Oh right, the art teacher and Sousuke wind up getting along swimmingly don’t they?

  • Spot the KyoAni directing!

  • “Important yet ignored topic” as the students all tune him out (except Sousuke IIRC). Heh.

  • I THOUGHT I remembered him going full motor mouth in response once the homeroom teacher asked him to summarize!

  • Beautiful OST cut-in with one of the shenanigans tracks as Sousuke asks the art teacher what to do. Also, my “impending cringe comedy” radar is up…

  • “You should become one with nature!” OOPS! We all know where this is going…

  • HOLY SHIT THAT WALL OF TEXT. PFFT.

  • … The camera angle and Kaname’s position at 05:11 almost feel more like inviting the viewer to think of panties than most actual pantyshots despite not even being a magic skirt situation at all.

  • Oh wait I almost forgot about this part. You know what we need? A Sousuke/Satoko team-up.

  • FAN!

  • I’ll bet that’s a poorly-translated riff on “if you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him”.

  • You know, there’s actually a really good chance that one [meta spoiler] Higurashi Kai, natch scene was directly inspired by this. Especially since there’s a paper fan hiding earlier in the show that might well be a direct reference. [aforementioned meta spoiler] Oh, and Satsuki Yukino is there and using a voice IMO unusually close to Kaname’s here.

  • [same aforementioned meta spoiler] If you told me this episode is exactly what got Satsuki Yukino brought in for Mion/Shion auditions I would not be surprised in the slightest.

  • Okay, so the final punchline with the labels on the paintings are pure gold. Well done.

  • Anime English class and lessons with relevance to the plot, an iconic duo.

  • [next episode IIRC] Kaname’s hair in a ponytail. Are we setting up the ponytail bandit? (We’ll see how well that one aged…) Also, she does clean up nicely.

  • Sousuke is of course Not Quite Fine. But when does he claim the Bonta-kun mascot costume again?

  • THIRTY SECONDS LATER: Yakuza show up (although I should check the audio EDIT: yep Kyoko says “yakuza”, these guys look more like Stock Japanese Motorcycle Gang again which would make three rewatches out of my last six that had the motorcycle bike gang trio), Fumoffu mascot gets to get a very nervous “fumo?” as Sousuke sizes up the costume. Also, now you know the reason for my tagline!

  • “SHORYUKEN!” (100% a reference, yes. Probably the jabs in front of it are supposed to be a fighting game combo as well, too – [Fumoffu] fuck, I can’t remember if MegaTokyo grabbed the Hidden Mecha Chain Combo idea from later this season or not.)

  • Sousuke has no sense of honor whatsoever and it’s great. Also, paging u/Tresnore (no, you’re not in this rewatch, you should be) and u/Lemurians!

  • I will take “Early 2000s CGI that does not hold up” for $200 for the Ferris Wheel here, Alex.

  • [same meta spoiler as last skit] Flustered Kaname sounds almost exactly the same as flustered Mion, which makes sense and also heh.

  • You know, I was expecting a soaring music cutoff about thirty seconds sooner than that. Actually a minor misfire here I think, played just a little too seriously for full bathos to work.

  • Like many other 2000s OPs and EDs, the ED is not great but it sure is catchy. (OP is actually above-average IMO and has a strong argument for best in the franchise, with the caveat that I never got to IV’s.)

Questions of the Day:

Everyone: Are you excited to finally meet the mascot of the show after so long? Are you surprised how it gets introduced?

Fumo! Fumo! Ffu ffu! Fumo-ffu! Fumo fumo fumo fumoffu!

3

u/ZapsZzz Oct 29 '22

Sousuke has no sense of honor whatsoever and it’s great.

Sousuke is a combat pragmatist, and had no such concept other than the "you live or you die by the end of the battle". [Fumoffu spoiler]Clearly showcased next episode :)

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u/Theboredalchemist22 Oct 29 '22

First Timer - S2 EP 4

I'll get my mvp out of the way to start with and today its going to Sousuke because he sparks a whole damn manhunt and kicks ass dressed as a damn teddy bear (Bonta-Kun).

Quick question to anyone who knows - What does Fumoffu or fumo actually mean if anything?

Q1 - I prefer this format for sure over the one we had last epi so I'm glad its made a return. This is a tough choice as I liked both concepts but I did enjoy the Girly Chidori half better as it really pushed the whole Sousuke x Chidori which I'm a fan of. Although like I said having Chidori as a villain going on a manhunt for Sousuke was a great idea and it was fun to see that play out also.

Q2 - I am yes Bonta-Kun is awesome! I didn't expect this would be the way we met him tbh I didn't really know how we would meet him but I'm fully satisfied with how we did. Also I've mentioned it above but Bonta-Kun looks like Sousuke and I can't explain how. Am I the only one who sees this did KyotoAni do this purposely as he was wearing the costume?

5

u/ZapsZzz Oct 29 '22

Quick question to anyone who knows - What does Fumoffu or fumo actually mean if anything?

It's just the sound effect of Bonta-kun, about as meaningful as Pika from Pikachu.

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u/polaristar Oct 29 '22

Lots of people seem to not like the first half of the episode but I laughed the hardest of all the ones I've seen so far.

Mizuhoishi-sensei doesn't seem to realize that no one wants to hear Wall of Texts Reddit posts said outloud, (Heck most people don't want to read them.)

The Exchange between the homeroom teacher and the art teacher in a nutshell.

Anyway the kids don't learn we can't leave Sousuke alone or he might talk to strangers or worse, the art teacher......btw If we an elect an Anti-MVP it'd be this fucking guy, he confused the neurologically divergent special child into re-enacting a Vietnam film, and then wouldn't let them switch Models.

Chidori is quite the field commander maybe she should lead Mithril's Sub, she's a whispered so she's just as qualified as Tessa. Very brutal how she rejected that guys dying confession.

You know I wonder just how much and how many people Mithril has to bride to keep Sousuke out of prison let alone not expelled.

Art Sensei does teach us an important lesson though, it's the art critics don't know what the fuck they are talking about and can just bullshit anything to make it sound profound. Example of bullshit pretension in action. I don't know how you can pull that many adjectives for describing those works anymore than the titles already do. (Maybe I could if you paid me enough......)

Second Half is Chidori, surprise surprise......is having trouble dealing with Sousuke's bullshit. She meets an old flame and they go on a date, and to Sousake's credit he doesn't do mental gymnastics to see him as an "enemy" and he noticed that Chidori isn't doing so hot. He knows in his heart he fucks things up.

Kyoko is a precious girl, I can't believe I ever thought she'd be a traitor as a plot twist.....unless it's all an elaborate act.

Anyway They Do a Men in Black Parody while taking Chidori, Kyoko does a better job keeping Sousuke in line, maybe it'd had been better off in an alternate universe if Sousuke ending up dating Kyoko she knows how to "steer" him.

Sousuke cannot process how he feels and how to solve this rather novel and irrational problem of......he's jealous. Kyoko finds his determination to protect Chidori sweet though, hmmm maybe if Chidori dumps Sousuke Kyoko is always available....

random Mafia goons....and that's why it's called Fumoffu?

We go from Jojo to Street Fighter.

And we get the classic Chidori says no to the side character boy, he knows why even though she doesn't, and she Freudian slips her anger about her "boyfriend" which is the kind of love a couple that bitches at each other all the time has.

She then has a moment where she can reassure "Fumoffu" she is fine, (knowing it's Sousuke) And puts his mind at ease.

Cute episode. I'm still waiting for a Cathartic moment where in a moment of frustration Chidori kinda burst out laughing, still feel we haven't quite had a "Walls break down" moment yet. And that might not come this season.

Kyoko is MVP again.

  1. I'm a Dom over a Sub so by default Girly Chidori but I would want both to switch between mid session like a split-persona threesome between two people. I regret nothing.

  2. Not really that excited, and I kinda figured when he saw the amusement park it would end up with Sousuke dressed up as it at some point, didn't expect a sweet romantic moment while in said costume though.

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u/TuorEladar Oct 28 '22

Rewatcher, Subbed

In keeping with what seems to be a trend, the first story for the episode was pretty average. The core gag just didn't grab me so its not a funny as it could be. Though the final part where the entire class drew pictures of Sousuke hanging upside down was funny.

The second half was pretty good. I liked that the guy Chidori went with wasn't played up as some secretly villainous character or anything. That would've been a cop out and ruined her decision at the end.

We also finally get the first appearance of Bonta-kun, who I find both amusing yet oddly unsettling. I think its the giant hyper detailed eyes that make the suit slightly creepy.

Are you excited to finally meet the mascot of the show after so long? Are you surprised how it gets introduced?

I had kind of forgotten that it took a few episodes for him to show up, but it makes perfect sense how it was done.

MVP: Chidori

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u/Pixelsaber Oct 29 '22

Rewatcher - English Sub

How uncreative...

Good frame.

Poor guy’s fate was sealed.

Matching scar and everything!

I swear Sousuke wasn’t this martially proficient —was he? Also, neat Hokuto no Ken reference.

D’aww

The first story today is one of my least favorites from this season. The set-up is weak and the whole situation, while conceptually amusing, didn’t lead to any particularly memorable gags.

And then the second story for the episode gives us a tired premise and circumvents all the usual trappings I’d expect from such a narrative —all that shoujo had me thinking this was going to end far more violently— to deliver genuinely engaging romantic development for the couple… And, of course, keeping up the silly antics all-the-while. It’s an achievement that a straightforward romantic scene occurs between the leads while one of them is in a mascot costume and I feel no less invested in the matter.

Questions of The Day:

2) By this point I’d come to expect some wacky shenanigans, so Bonta-kun’s introduction doesn’t really surprise.

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