Packed with doubt right from the opening, two episodes of Nichijou will surely be too much Nichijou in one sitting. There are confessions. Sakamoto has a cold. Much of the cast of characters were younger at some point and in a shocking display of sweet forbidden teenage lust, Sasahara and Nano do it.
Packed with double right from the opening.
Yoshino has some fun at Mio’s expense at the start of Episode 23. Being the randomly backwards sister we’ve been exposed to all series long, she cooks up something to pass the time, only with the intent of having it taste horrible. Following this is the first of two long really fun segments. The first takes place in the Sakurai home. Izumi-sensei, more of a big sister than a student counselor, but ever the disciplinarian, confronts her brother Makoto and his pig-sty of a room. A room which, like most teenage boys, may or may not contain some age-inappropriate contraband.
Later in the show Makoto once again tries to convince Takasaki-sensei to be the iago soccer club’s advisor. Tries to blackmail and/or bribe may be more accurate actually. Whatever the case, he’s eventually successful with a high school photo of a young Izumi being the last final straw-like nail in Takasaki’s manly needy coffin.
Izumi Sakurai in high school.
There’s a cool little segment in which Fe accompanies Weboshi as she goes to confess to Mohawk (Nakanojou), whose punk rock vibes had her all hot and bothered. Had, because Mohawk is no longer Mohawk. We’re also treated to a quick-running Helvetica Standard, a Like Love featuring a caring father and an artistic Short Thoughts just before the end of the show.
Before the other longer segment starts, we earlier get some brief foreshadowing in school, as Mai overhears Mio and Yukko explain to Nano, their failed attempt at reaching the labs. She’s seen with the deadpan she’s known for, but perhaps also feeling a bit left out.
Warmhearted Mai sighs fulfil at Professor's genius shark drawing.
Sure enough the final scene follows Mai as she visits the Shinonome labs. She’s come to play and has the obvious intent of winning over the Professor. This perhaps in atonement for the complete dread Professor and Sakamoto were in, for fear Mai’s dogs would devour them whole. She does succeed in making a new friend, as the little mad scientist warms up to Mai after some shark illustrations. On her way home after the victory, Mai looks at the Professor’s drawing and smiles. It was nice.
Episode 24 has a common goat riding, wine glass carrying thread throughout. First, after spotting Nano and Sasahara talking in the hallway, Yukko quickly runs to Mio. After some further questioning Mio anxiously waves off her crush’s false indiscretion, only to push the tattler too far. Yukko flips and spins a sexy story she knows will bother Mio. As we know though, Mio doesn’t get bothered, Mio freaks the fuck out and we sit back and enjoy.
Mio was asking for it.
There are several well-done moments with Sasahara inspired material woven in this week’s show. Misato Tachibana, takes a bit of teasing from her younger sister Mihoshi, in regards to the stately senpai. Later Mio throws some money at the problem and after spending a few moments at a tricky vending machine together, feels like they have possibly established some sort of comradery.
Mio on Iwo Jima Sasahara flag raising.
Mio later has a quick memory of walking with her older sister and Sasahara who trained in the same dojo. What a small world! We see very little of the Shinonome ladies, besides one of whom who doesn’t want to finish her veggies and another who tries to bribe the other with chocolate. Also poor Sakamoto has a cold. In E24 there’s a snappy Helvetica Standard, a chilly Like Love, and an elevating Short Thoughts.
Loved seeing Mai and Professor together. It was a nice small-world moment, that also combined two very different seemingly comedic stylings in a nice touching manner. It was interesting, and logical I guess, that a child was able to tell Mai what she really thought, “Your randomness is not cool,” when her friends are usually walking on eggshells around her.
It was also rewarding to see Mai go a bit out of her wacky comfort zone. In much of the same way it was rewarding when Yukko first visited the labs, and subtlety dropping the whole, “Nano is a robot” thing. The rest of E23 was pretty satisfactory, including the Sakurai clips, which I enjoyed but not terribly so.
“I think I might be too young for onions,” says Professor after eating the meat portion of her dinner. She really is a genius. A show filled with Sasahara is surely a show filled with princely win. And Episode 24 was that for sure.
Best shot ever from the entire series.
Besides the two main halves of Nichijou (well-defined in the first half), of the Shinonome house and the school & personal lives of the girls at school, there have been some minor factions as well. Tachibana and Sasahara, and later Misato with Fe and Weboshi, have kept pretty distinct from each of the other groups. It’s always exciting to see the interaction of the various groups and individuals. Seeing Yoshino and Misato in their kendo scenes for example. These feel like DC or Marvel crossover events and seem to have limitless potential.
One of these crossovers I (early) thought we’d see, but have since given up on, is some sort of scenario in which Misato Tachibana and Mio have some run-in over Sasahara. I would pay to see the samurai-like Misato duke it out with the ninja-like Mio. I’d only pay about $3, but I would pay dammit.
One guess who's under the mask.
Really liked the entire episode, but one thing I was a little disappointed in was the lacktivity of Nakamura-sensei who continues her research (stalking really) of Nano, but stops short at another abduction. It looks like she’ll try again though before the series comes to a complete stop. Before I forget, Graduation Photo was voiced by Yui Horie in E23 and in E24 the Law of the Vending Machine was voiced by Nagai Ichiro.
Although the season is almost over I’m glad there are some comedies I like returning this fall. I like to have upcoming show’s genres sort of replace current show’s genres as part of a smooth transition. Not that my tastes are so specific, but the more well-rounded, the better. I don’t know about you, but with my anime tastes I try to have a good comedy or two, in addition to something with action and I’ll always take any drama I can get as well. That being said (what did I just say?) with only a couple of episodes left, Fans Uf Nichijou (F.U.N.), of which I consider myself a part of, should start to reflect upon the unique zaniness the show has brought over the last five months. I really can’t imagine anything quite taking its place.
Episode 24: 1 million Yen…!!!