Genshiken 08
While the animation was a tad crappy, this was nonetheless an great episode for plasmo (plastic models) builders alike! Also seeing the dictonomy between non-otakus and otakus through the use of gundam model building was interesting in itself.
Basically, the episode revolves around Kanako and Sasahara building their first gundam (gungal, for legal issues) through the teachings of Tanaka. While on their way to becoming decent plasmo builders, the use of Saki to show the “commoner’s view” of it was good; plastic models are the same as toys. Of course, Tanaka’s outbrust of the differences was great to watch, especially for showing the passion behind plasmos. Interactions between various cast members on the subject of plasmos all lead up to the hightlight of the episode: Saki crosses the line and accidentally destroys a part of Kanako’s model! Seeing Kanako in tears over her long week spent building her gundam plastic model with Madarame laying down the law to Saki to finally understand the “soul” of model building was simply… really cool to watch.
And just when one thinks it can’t get better, Saki (of course) offers to do anything for Kanako to repay her back for breaking the model. It only takes a second for Kanako to ask Saki to cosplay, this time Maid Neko-Mimi mode (including the “meow” sounds ^_^). Saki, as much as she wants to repay back Kanako, storms out not willing to do it at all…. but leaves a very perverted image for the rest of the male Genshiken members to think over. ^_~
Yet another drop in animation, but the good storyline saved it from becoming one of the more “bad” episodes. Let’s see how the next episode will pan out as it’s basically Madarame and Saki alone in the club room for the whole 20 minutes. There are some parodies from dating sim games and whatnot, so it should be… different if nothing else. And even though I have episode 9 raw, I definitely need the subbed version to get all the jokes and conversation going on (though one can tell it’s a slow episode). Mentioning raws, funny that I’m currently downloading episode 10, which based on Momotato’s short review is their beach episode… with Keiko included! 