Subculture Anime Blog

Can you name all the parodies?

Summary:

Nozomu passes by one of his neighbors, complimenting her on the curry she served him previously. Not far away, Matoi is extremely angered by this interaction. While the school has a sports festival outside, Nozomu keeps his students from participating with everyone else. They wonder why they are the only ones doing cultural type activities, but Nozomu goes on to tell them of the dangers of two different types of groups interacting with each other. Nozomu starts describing types of combinations between cultural and sports festivals, and separating things into different categories. The students bring up that some categories can become vaguely similar, which Nozomu agrees to. When he mentions NEETs and hikamori, Kiri appears to correct him. Chiri states her dislike of those that have ample ability but refuse to participate in activities, bringing up Harumi’s example. Kafuka believes that Harumi has participated in a sports festival, showing everyone a video. However, this was actually a video of her dashing to a convention. After further discussion, Abiru presses a nearby button which causes an eradicating explosion.

While Kafuka, Nami, and Meru are walking in the city, they notice that there are still fukubukuro (surprise bags) available. Kafuka suggests that they buy some, but Nozomu appears to deny that the contents of the bags could be surprising. In fact, he believes that the things left behind in the bags are only garbage. Nami contradicts him, however, stating that some people buy the bags and resell the contents inside. She even describes the stores centered around them, and that there are bags where the contents are specific. Observing all of the specific types of fukubukuro, Nozomu refuses to be fooled. Abiru appears with an animal fukubukuru, which frightens Nozomu. She states that there are bags for pet food and things of the sort, but Nozomu notices that animal noises are coming from her bag. Kaere appears to describe the types of similar bags she has in her country, but Nozomu puts her in question. Kafuka describes many good types of fukubukuro, which Nozomu is forced to agree to. After Kafuka describes the wonders of surprise bags, Maria appears to describe her own surprise bags. Nozomu eventually escapes after hearing of Maria’s ridiculous suggestions, finding himself at home. When his neighbor shows up with left over curry again, Nozomu and Majiru enjoy the meal they are offered. They find themselves sick afterwards, however, making Nozomu again believe that left over things cannot be good.

Ai encounters the previous Sekiutsu Tarou outside in the rain. She offers him her umbrella, before running away in fear of her own inner thoughts. When she encounters Nozomu, she describes her troubles to him. Learning of Ai’s actions, Nozomu begins describing a story of the past where a man offered help to another but wished for a thank in return. Nami appears to offer cookies to Nozomu, but Nozomu finds that that she wishes for a positive response afterwards. Nozomu gives her a distasteful reply, which quickly angers Nami. Nozomu believes that there are many people who have this kind of attitude in Japan, when Kaere appears to describe it as give and take. Abiru also points out an example of why this is so, as Chiri offers Nami a drink. Nami accepts it, but Chiri becomes angered when she does not receive a simple thanks. Meru then points out the zero yen type phones, which makes Nozomu and the others recall all of the deceptive type businesses that exist. The students notice other unclear type situations as well. Later at school, Ai is troubled by the many reactions around her. Because of this, she becomes a tsundere type character.

ED: “Marionette (マリオネット)” by ROLLY and Zetsubō Shōjo-tachi - I think the whole class is full of teacher’s pets! I’m loving the stylish EDs Shaft is throwing at us this season. Honestly, I think this could even be OP material. I think the song is pretty catchy, but I can definitely see that it won’t be for everybody.

Impression:

Ok, after watching this episode another time, I decided that I actually liked it quite a bit. Aside from all the parody shots that I’ve listed, there was also a google one and another Eureka Seven one. “Zetsubou phase” pretty much made me laugh out loud, and anyone else who watched E7 with much love will probably agree. Quite a few of us have noticed by now that they have shifted from A and B part episodes to episodes split into three sections. Some people prefer one to the other, but I’m pretty fine with either format. The first section of this episode might have seemed like a simple play on the different kinds of school festivals, but they branched out to a much broader subject as usual. I thought some of the subjects Nozomu brought up, such as the car one, where pretty hilarious. Of course, the end was pretty completely random in lovely Shaft fashion.

The second half of the episode was focused on something that seems very cultural to Japan. We have surprise bags in the States too, but it seems like they’re no where near as common as they are in Japan. I would totally agree with Nozomu in that the left behind things are probably garbage. I mean, why else would they be extras put into those bags? I’m sure there are some good ones too though, as the girls pointed out. The ending of the second part was very witty, and I just loved how it further strengthened Nozomu’s earlier argument. I’ve said this in a few of my impressions from the first season, and some of you have even caught on to it, but each episode this show is like a sociology lesson that we can all simply enjoy.

Ai got a lot more screen time in this episode than she previously has, which was definitely a treat. I loved her introduction in the last episode of the first season, and I just didn’t think she was getting the same amount of attention that the rest of the “main” girls received. Even the homeless Sekiutsu Tarou showed up again, which was hilarious. I’m sure everyone has encountered similar situations to those that were presented. Most people will expect a word of thanks after offering people something, and this can even become quite extreme. I’m not really sure why people get so worked up about something like this, but it’s not as if I don’t know where they’re coming from. Ai going tsundere was probably quite a treat for most viewers. I thought it was pretty cute and funny, but Ai just isn’t the type to make my favorite characters list.

By the way, Sorry for the delay on this! The New Years festivities were fun, and There will be Blood was a spectacular movie. I guess my blogging style just doesn’t allow me to revisit episodes as easy as I did before.