More characters are introduced, yay.
(Spoilers in this review)
This week’s episode, to me, was about interacting and living with others.
The episode opens with Kobayashi deciding to move to a larger apartment because their current residence is too small to accomdate three people. Kobayashi probably wouldn’t done something like this back in episode one, so her character development is progressing nicely.
The next section (of sorts) featured Tohru trying to convince their new neighbors to stop being so noisy on Kobayashi’s orders, who happens to be hungover. In the end, Kobayashi suggests that everyone adheres to a schedule in regards to noisy activities.
While Tohru questions this decision, Kobayashi replies, “It’s only natural to cause some bother to others when people go about their lives. Especially so if they’re neighbors… Besides, I wouldn’t like it if it were too quiet, either.”
Such a practical mindset suits Kobayashi, but the last part caught my attention since the screen deliberately switched away from the muted conversation that was happening between her and Tohru to a different scene altogether where Kobayashi is sitting by herself in her old, messy apartment. It’s very likely that this was before Tohru (and Kanna) entered her life.
What I got from this sentence and scene is that Kobayashi acknowledges that her life (before these two dragons barged in) was both quiet and lonely. So did she accept these two into her apartment out of good will or out of loneliness? Am I thinking too hard about this?
The last “section” of the episode had Kobayashi bailing on her company’s outing by hosting a gathering of her own. To this end, she invites her co-worker/drinking buddy/fellow otaku (from episode 1) while Tohru invites her dragon buddies, Fafnir and Quetzalcoatl.
While Fafnir is getting into Dark Souls, Quetzalcoatl mentions that Tohru used to not smile much and thanks Kobayashi. Kobayashi then confides in Quetzalcoatl that she’s grateful to Tohru, as well. She then adds, “I didn’t use to smile much myself either. Though I’ll never say it to her.” Typical tsundere, huh? For how much longer are you going to lead your dragon maid on?
Additional Thoughts on this Episode:
- Kobayashi compares Tohru’s scolding and fussing over how she leaves beer cans and used clothes strewn throughout the apartment to how her mother would lecture her father. Does that make Kobayashi the father figure who goes out to work, Tohru the mother figure who stays at home, and Kanna the child?
- I wasn’t a fan of how Kobayashi essentially manipulated Tohru into letting Kobayashi continue her messy ways. Even Kanna lampshaded it by calling her a scoundrel.
- That being said, Tohru invokes the same kind of logic (in Kobayashi’s words, she’s counting on Tohru to clean up after her) in order to wash Kobayashi’s back. I’m probably overreacting.
- …Kobayashi is not afraid to say what’s on her mind, huh? I mean, she told Quetzalcoatl that her outfit’s “slutty” to her face.
- I’m really not a fan of how Tohru acts when she’s inebriated. Telling Quetzalcoatl and Tohru to dress as maids (evidently, Tohru is only a cosplayer), for them to give her some of their boobs, and for them to strip isn’t endearing behavior. It’s sexual harrassment, isn’t it? Another step back at this rate. Given that she’s always reaching for beers, Kobayashi’s drunk antics will continue to pop up, too…
- After hearing about how Quetzalcoatl lost her divine status because she drank some cursed alcohol, Kobayashi notes that dragons don’t have very pleasant backstories. This is yet another nod as to Tohru’s less-than-stellar past. The details of said past will remain undisclosed for now.
tl;dr – there was a fair amount of fuzzy moments, but also quite a bit of fanservice. Any serious moments ended up being immediately followed by rowdy behavior and overreactions in an attempt to keep the show from getting too somber. The effectiveness of this tactic is left to personal interpretation (I don’t think it reallly works when Kobayashi is telling others to strip). The relationship between Kobayashi and Tohru also remains murky.
The Lily Garden 
Weird thought… this feels like an overly-loud version of Kannagi. Full of nonsense with hints at depth… but come the end of the show, utterly pointless. In fact, that’s the same pattern for Amagi Brilliant Park.
This show is running the risk of becoming another victim to that trend…
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Ah…I hope you’re not right. But I cannot deny the signs so far. And I cannot disagree what you’ve said about Amagi Brilliant Park and Kannagi. Well, I’ve yet to watch Kannagi but yeah.
I guess we have to hold our breath and see. Watching simulcast is stressful!
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What is it with Kobayashi and strip shows? Tell her to go to a strip club if she’s so into it!
At this rate though, I might end up giving this show a go for Kobayashi’s face alone. That expression…
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I think in her drunken moments Kobayashi is extra critical of other people’s opinions on maids. When Tohru expresses any kind of disagreement, Kobayashi demands that she strip out of her “maid cosplay.”
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That’s…well, still harassment. I won’t lie though, I’m getting more and more interested in this show.
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Well, weekendotaku did a good job analyzing why she does it. Still not cool, though.
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Eh? Kobayashi’s face? Tohru seems to be the one making the amusing faces!
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B-b-but!
Her deadpanness calls to me!
Seriously, every time I see Kobayashi’s non-expression, I melt into a puddle.
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Oh, I see. The dead fish eyes sell it! You’re actually Tohru!
By the way I watched up to ep 9 of BTOOOM! but I fell asleep before I could visit your blog. Will look around during my work breaks~
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I’m nowhere near that accommodating. But let’s just say I can see where Tohru’s coming from 😛
Sleep rules us all. Got it, enjoy (endure?) work in the mean time!
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Wahaha I see. Now I’m imagining you as acting like Kobayashi on the outside but really being Tohru inside. It is a strange image.
Work really was a bother. Gaaah.
Watched ep 10. Net is not cooperating so I’m going to go buy a sub and come back. Found out the sandwich place my ex took me has a chain here so I’m excited for that.
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And here I thought you needed to be drunk to imagine me as random characters.That does seem like a strange image tho.
Hmm a sandwich. I’d kill for one right now but instead I’m going to the doc to see why my stomach is rioting.
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That’s the secret, Cap’n. I’m always drunk. Right? Maybe not accurate but it is amusing.
Damn. How did it go? Did you find out?
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But hangovers!
His diagnosis was truly groundbreaking – severe food poisoning. Jeez, doc, I had no clue what will all the puking and stuff. Maybe be I’m being unkind but I swear he was as eager for the consultation to end as I was, which is saying something.
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Like how the Hulk sheds his clothes, I shed my need for hangovers (okay this is going nowhere fast)
Wow, nice job, doc. Nah, some practitioners are hacks. Busters who just want money. To me it sound alike he didn’t even pretend to care so he can buzz off.
Did he even give an estimate in regards to how long this will continue?
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We do hold some very deep conversations -_-
Nah, he just gave meds for about 3 days. I’m still feeling like shit and as week as a newborn kitten so I ain’t too impressed.
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Don’t we? ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶
Yeah that’s not a good showing on his part…
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