For another take on Tactics 18, don’t forget to head over to Tensai11’s blog. Anyway, after watching episode 18 I take back everything I said about hating Tactics’ filler episodes; this one had me laughing throughout the whole time!
The storyline this time centers around Hatsumi’s “Mystery Society” which tries to debunk any strange incidents being an spirit’s fault as there has to be an scientific reason for everything. Kantarou heads butt with Hatsumi once again as throughout the whole episode the two go on various “cases”, where Hatsumi reasons out logical explanations of what could have happened while Kantarou actually finds the spirits causing the trouble. Along for the ride is Ayame, one of Hatsumi’s student who believes in spirits and is an avid reader of Kantarou’s works. Watching the three at work is pure comedy gold as Ayame always interrupts Hatsumi’s speech, taking away his grand-standing when describing which monster / spirit is at fault. Meanwhile, we have Kantarou doing the actual work scolding the minor spirits and telling them to stop. And then Hatsumi and Kantarou each thinking they solved the problem… lol, just hilarious watching them go at it!
The last “case” involves the Keukegen (some spirit dealing with hair) when a troubled family comes to the “Mystery Society” asking for help with each of them sporting some crazy hairstyle. Around this time Kantarou finds out why Ayame decided to be Hatsumi’s student; she used to be able to see spirits too but now she can’t, so only way to remember the fun she used to have seeing them is being an folkist like Kantarou and Hatsumi. Kantarou reassures her that she’ll be able to see spirits again and will make an great friend for them, even going so far as to use her as bait to draw out Keukegen (since even normal people can see it). Unfortunately Ayame isn’t having any luck, even though the Keukegen favors long hair and Kantarou wonders if there’s someone “better.” In comes Sugino… with the Keukegen right atop of his head! Kantarou tries to stop it but instead gives Sugino a slight bald spot. The two go after it, running into Muu-chan and Hatsumi both “possessed” with the Keukegen. Muu-chan’s dance is just hilarious with the Keukegen (basically an afro) on her while Hatsumi is great running away all SD-like thinking Kantarou and Sugino were after him instead! Just when Hatsumi thinks it’s last, Ayame comes in and saves the day by taking off the “wig” but realizes it is the Keukegen, freaks and tosses it to the sky. Case “solved.” Plus now Ayame knows she can see spirits again, which makes her very happy (kawaii~!). Hatsumi still denies the whole bit about spirits, even with Muu-chan right there that the two can see, him going so far as to say she’s an foreigner! LOL
I forgot to mention, but Youko, Suzu, and Haruka chill at the “Mystery Society” HQ with Rosalie. A lot of funny scenes with Haruka destroying Youko at badminton and Rosalie wrecking Suzu at the same. Poor Suzu thinks Rosalie doesn’t like her at all since Rosalie isn’t exactly friendly. They go off to play some boardgame where the loser has to eat Youko’s extra spicy steamed buns… and guess who the loser is? Suzu! Rosalie actually goes out of her way to show some kindness but goes back to being her usual self calling Suzu an loser. Everyone shares a good laugh together as Rosalie has finally broken the ice and become “friendly.”
The next morning, Youko and Haruka wake up with some very crazy hairdos. The Keukegen must be nearby but before anything goes further, Kantarou comes in half-awake asking what’s going on. Haruka and Youko just look at Kantarou in pure horror… the camera never showed Kantarou’s hair… so we can only guess how indescribable it must look. 
This was actually a good filler episode for some reason. I guess it was just so light-hearted that one could not do much but sit back and enjoy the comedy. I hope this will be the last filler episode as I’m dying to get back to the “real” bad guys and see what their plans are to beat Kantarou and the crew… should make a for a good battle.
