A lot of focus on our favorite goth-loli this week!
(Spoilers in this episode)
Kanna wants to go school, so Kobayashi, Tohru, and Kanna go shopping for materials and supplies. Kanna ends up standing out at school and earns the attention (and affection) of her haughty and standoffish classmate, Saikawa Riko.
The second half of the episode depicts Kanna and Riko getting into an argument with some older kids over dodgeball. She successfully baits them into accepting her challenge, but she ends up having to turn to Tohru, Fafnir, and Quetzalcoatl for help. The kids didn’t stand a chance against the dragons, obviously, but the dragons couldn’t thoroughly enjoy themselves with such an easy battle. As such, they start playing/fighting/play-fighting among themselves and manages to ruin the park (fortunately, Quetzalcoatl can erase people’s memories and fix up surroundings).
Thoughts on this episode:
- Kanna is really attached to Kobayashi now. She’s acting so differently compared to how she was in episode two.
- Kobayashi’s relationship with Tohru did not really progress at all in this episode, despite Tohru’s attempts to appeal to Kobayashi with her written “note,” with Kanna’s red randoseru (the boxy backpack), and with her adherence to Kobayashi’s orders/requests. Unfortunately for Tohru, Kobayashi seems okay with things remaining as is for now.
- I’m happy to see that the dragons are so close-knit. Back in episode two, Kanna admits she went searching for Tohru after learning she was alive. And in this episode, Quetzalcoatl sheepishly acknowledges that she often swings by Kobayashi’s place in order to check up on Tohru (and it’s implied that Fafnir has the same intentions behind his visits, as well). Heck, look at how Fafnir and Tohru are quick to offer their support once Kanna refers to the dodgeball challenge as a duel.
- Of course, this makes the dragons’ play-fighting in this episode even more amusing. Such strong bonds are temporarily put aside for the sake of destructive fun! Continuing the trend established in episode two, the animation during these playful spars (which happen to ruin the immediate surroundings) is simply amazing.
- What’s also amazing is the amount of gain-axing Quetzalcoatl displayed in this episode. Such fanservice was a bit much for me, personally.
- Speaking of which, Quetzalcoatl mentioning that she can wipe the memories of those who saw the dragons play-fighting implies that their identities are supposed to be a secret. Yet they carelessly talk about dragons around Riko. Is this all supposed to be kept under wraps? I’m getting mixed signals here.
- Another example of inconsistency is the theme of this episode. Kobayashi and Tohru talk about how people who stand out tend to get “eliminated” or ostracized and rejected by their peers. And yet Kanna proceeds to demonstrate high-level math (triple figure addition!) and otherwordly physical prowless in dodgeball, which only serves to make her popular. Perhaps this is just an attempt to prove this human philosophy (“fitting in is good”) is actually silly.
- The introduction of Saikawa Riko introduces another ship (which probably shouldn’t happen considering that they have the bodies of kids, but yeah). I think MaidDragon is doing a decent job of introducing side-characters at a steady pace without neglecting previously introduced characters.
- Tohru continues to doubt humans, but she decides to oblige with Kanna’s desire to peacefully co-exist with humans for now. Her backstory remains unexplored, but she does mention that she’s lost comrades who had shared Kanna’s beliefs.
The Lily Garden 
Jeez, this series just seems to radiate cuteness on all levels, doesn’t it? I’m starting to think skipping over this one to look at Gabriel Dropout and Demi-Chan was a mistake. For now I have enough on my plate though, so I’ll make do with your reviews. 😛
“And yet Kanna proceeds to demonstrate high-level math (triple figure addition!) ”
From what you’ve mentioned, Kanna seems to have a ridiculous magnetic charm to her.
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Yeah you’ve got your hands full. Hopefully you can make time for the show, though!
Aw, thanks c:
She really does. I think I have yet to see someone bash on Kanna!
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Remy, I have a very serious question.
How the actual hell do you pronounce Quetzalcoatl?? I see the name and skip over it without even bothering to read it each time. I guess seeing the anime would help with that though.
And yup, the ‘fitting in is good’ thing is total b.s 😀
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Not sure about Remy, but personally I can’t stand not knowing how a word is pronounced, so I never allow myself to skip difficult sounding ones. I make it a point to read them aloud and if it still sounds bizarre, I’ll look it up.
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I’m the same with words but with names specifically, I tend to slack a lot.
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What’s in a naaaaame (hidden meanings and tough pronunciation cues, that’s what)
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Exactly (exaaactly).
That’s why I go by a simple letter.
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Yes (yessss).
Makes sense.
Hmm some woman I was exchanging intimate e-mails with a few months ago went by Dee / D, too. Hmmmm
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Honestly, I chose it just because a friend used to call me that. Plus it provided a handy blog name.
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That’s a good mindset.
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…I actually don’t know. The various pronunciation videos were giving me different answers. I’ll have to rewatch the episode and see how they handle it.
Then again, seiyuus sometimes don’t nail foreign words. Case in point: Izaya’s Russian apparently was very bad.
Mmm. You said it! c:
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Yeah I’ve heard that about Izaya too. Language is hard…
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It is…
I was actually tempted to respond in gibberish, but that would have been too tongue-in-cheek!
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If you had, I would have called it Remyspeak. Don’t make me take drastic measuresss 😛
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Nonsense makes JC Penny not exist.
(Do your worsttttt)
♡ﾟ･｡♥｡･ﾟ♡ﾟ･｡♥｡･ﾟ♡
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That’s impressive for its sheer absurdity. That said, it’s time for me to flee to nopeland. I’m not running away, it’s strategic retreat.
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Tactical decision.
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With gibberish probably would have been ideal.
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Dear Remy,
Kanna is adorable and needs to be protected.
That is all,
-Prattle
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Dearest Prattle,
This is true and should be a mantra.
-Remy
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