life line by line

The second episode (well, really the 21st episode) of Kujibiki Unbalance is interestingly enough a recap of sorts. A lot of scenes have been shown throughout Genshiken already but thankfully, there are still enough new scenes to make the episode a blast to watch!

… I’m still not sure which was funnier: garlic breath action or hearing Tokino sing with the voice of Jouji Nakata (Alucard from Hellsing, Bandou from Elfen Lied, and Count of Monte Cristo from Gankutsuou to name a few).

Basically Chihiro, Izumi, Komaki, and Tokino flashback to all their battles in the series while eating at a local restaurant. Mostly just flashbacks, there are some switches to some of the group’s commentary on their battles. Here’s the breakdown:

Shaolin Soccer
Given win as the four played soccer against these stereotypical skinny non-athletic glasses-wearing opponents. Heck, even their goalie Tokino was asleep while the other three owned the other players!

Idol Popluarity
A “tough” challenge as the four went against typical anime otakus in a contest to see who’s webpage can get the most visitors within a set time limit. The challengers were ranking up hits like crazy as they had a “Delusive Fetishism Gallery” site with various “moe” drawings of girls. Chihiro and crew had well… a pretty boring site ranging from trains to mushrooms. The girls come to a point to ask Chihiro for any ideas, which he has, but there’s no way they’re going to do it!

… or not. The girls + one guy’s site change to a live feed of Izumi, Komaki, and Tokino in bathing suits showing off their various “goods” The best had to be the bouncing boobies (gotta love Tokino)! Their last second comeback barely enabled them to win by one visitor.

Feel the Burn
Next challenge, tough it out in a steam room and whoever last the longest wins. The challengers pretty much have an edge with their zen like stances while Chihiro’s group toughs it out. Tokino is about to give in but Izumi and Komaki stop her… Komaki tries to cool off the group by retelling some ghost stories (four guys stuck in a cabin, move around to keep active.. but not possible without a fifth member) and thoroughly scares the crap out of them (Izumi’s reaction was too cute)! Much to say, Chihiro, Tokino, and Izumi are scared to their wits totally forgetting about the heat while the other team eventually passes out…

Meat Locker Fun
Can’t beat the heat? Why not cool off in a meat locker room instead? The group seem to be at a major disadvantage as their opponents are sumo wrestlers but through a twist of fate, somehow win. Thank goodness for the sumo guys wanting to stay active thereby destroying the meat locker they were all in ^_^;;

Counter-Strike!
It’s war games time as Chihiro, Tokino, Izumi, and Komaki go against a group of seven (normally four, but it’s all determined by the luck of the lottery from the first episode) “soldiers” led by a character voiced by the awesome Jouji Nakata. Much to say, it all but looked like the foursome were going to lose but thanks to the power of love (and betraying) they easily win! (Laughed my arse off at the confession Chihiro got)

Lalala~!
Short and sweet with an karaoke contest against some choir singers. Tokino somehow wins for the group thanks to some…. very unique singing in the voice of Jouji Nakata that had everyone else (and the entire planet) running in fear ^_^;;

Mexican Anyone?
Swimming contest against seemingly perfect alien women (and one alien guy). The crew figure out their opponents’ weakness (constant bowel movement) and use it to easily take the win. All I was wondering was why did Ritsuko (the Chairman) and Kasumi also have to be in swim suits if they were just judging? (though I didn’t mind much)

Gong!
Mahjong fun as one of Izumi’s speciality… unfortunately their opponents included one of the few people she has ever lost to. Also doesn’t help that total newbie Tokino is her partner…

… that is, until Tokino gets the winning tile (and hand) in one shot!

RPG
Not going to ask why there was an RPG-like contest but just take it as an given. Yet another disadvantage to Chihiro and group as their opponents are RPG-adventurers! So while Chihiro’s group runs away at any sign of trouble, their opponents go all magical girl and kick any monster’s butt. Chihiro’s group decides to take a break and order out for some Korean garlic ramen (how the delivery guy didn’t get touched by the monsters is beyond me) thanks to good cellphone service while their opponents become helpless thanks to no healer in the group plus lousy cellphone reception.

In no time, other monsters take revenge against the RPG-ers for beating up their friends and family while Chihiro’s group make it to the goal (obtaining a magical wand from a wizard) thanks to Garlic Breath Actions! They also hence to be known as the Garlic Sisters after this contest (even though Chihiro is a guy).

End of battle flashbacks as Kasumi and Ritsuko are nearby also eatting I guess. Ritsuko keeps taking glances at Chihiro and becomes somewhat displeased how he easily interacts with the other girls. She soon leaves after becoming too depress with it all (a worried Kasumi asked if there’s anything wrong). Ritsuko is back at the school in a typical “I hate my fate” kind of pose when some intruder comes in via the window… words are said and it becomes quickly apparent the guy isn’t there just to say “hi.” Kasumi comes in and basically sees red, going all out against the intruder… somewhat cool fight scene of sword VS gun. Guy eventually leaves giving off some parting words… Kasumi and Ritsuko seem to may know who he is and his reason for dropping by…

Wasn’t a bad episode overall but nothing totally new in the grand scheme of things as over half the battles shown were already in Genshiken. At least now, the OP/ED made a lot more sense than before as being bits from various contests. I have to say the highlight for me was Jouji Nakata having a cameo role; even more so as Tokino’s singing voice!

Kujibiki Unbalance is definitely for the folks that loved Genshiken. On it’s own, given the series is only three OVA episodes, it cannot stand by itself; if it was actually fleshed out into it’s actual 26-episode series then it might be a different story. Otherwise, Kujibiki Unbalance will probably leave many viewers lost as one sort of needs the knowledge from Genshiken to enjoy the series a lot more.

But hey, with vocal talents like Yukari Tamura, Akemi Kanda, Ayako Kawasumi, Yuko Kaida, and Saeko Chiba who really needs to understand the plot of Kujibiki Unbalance right?