Genshiken 2 07

げんしけん 2 Episode 07

SPOILER Summary: With a week until graduation, Kugayama decides to pay a visit to the Genshiken room to figure out what items of his he should take and what he should leave. As Ogiue reads, Kugayama and Sasahara discuss Kugayama's new job working at a medical equipment company, where Kugayama will likely end up in sales. Tanaka and Ohno arrive and we learn that he's going to be attending a new school in Ueno for his continued education in clothing design. However, because the commute it so far from his current apartment, it means he'll be moving, something Ohno states she's OK with, but her voice says otherwise.

When Saki arrives, Ohno takes the opportunity to suggest a graduation present from her to the graduates. Naturally, she suggest cosplay, specifically a cosplay shoot. Naturally, Saki is not keen on this idea, using the excuse that she's not graduating but promising to do so for their graduation then. However, a tearful Ohno reveals that because she was a transfer student from the U.S., she won't have enough credits next year to graduate, meaning she still has two years of school left. Comforting Ohno, Saki hugs her and promises to cosplay as much as Ohno wants once Saki graduates.

After the graduation ceremony, Saki and Kousaka see Kitagawa-san, who was the girl who had so many problems with Genshiken's existence. To Saki's surprise, her attempts to blackmail Kitagawa have completely backfired now that Kitagawa is secure in her relationship and will marry him very soon and start a family. When Saki tries to ask about Kitagawa's athlete's foot, Kitagawa simply laughs wickedly, leaving Saki feeling defeated.

The group, sans Madarame, arrive and discuss the OVA release of their favorite anime series. Saki is annoyed that at a time like the graduation, they are discussing such things. Ogiue takes a camera to take a picture of the group and has difficulties doing so since they keep moving. Eventually, she gets the shot, with Madarame rushing in at the last second. Takayanagi shows up and has news about "Haraguro" (Haraguchi) and how he angered some folks for selling a manuscript that wasn't his to sell and as such was being asked to pay a large sum of money.

With that, the group walks back to the Genshiken room before having their party where Madarame asks if Sasahara will continue as the president of the club. Looking over the remaining members, Sasahara decides that Ohno-san will be the perfect choice for this. She protests, but when Saki suggests that as president, she could turn the club into a cosplay research club, Saki takes the job. She immediately attempts to rope Saki into immediate cosplay but when Saki rejects it, she goes after Ogiue.

At the party, Ohno begins downing the brews. Madarame reveals that his favorite memory from school was the day that Saki cosplayed, something she's not happy about being brought up. The group talks about this more, leading to Kuchiki getting knocked out. Saki really wants to forget those memories she considers horrible. Tanaka brings out a female figure model to show off to the guys, which is in its underwear. The drunk Ohno is not happy about this project of Tanaka's and Saki wants to give it a look-see. Tanaka is afraid to do it and Ohno wants her to break it accidentally, but Saki doesn't. Instead, Tanaka accidentally drops and breaks it.

Madarame reveals that he finally has a job at a plumbing company, doing computer work. The company is only 10-minutes walk away from the school, which causes quite the commotion. However, Saki is pleased that he got a real job, no matter what. The group leaves and as the snow starts to fall, they all say their final goodbyes. Tanaka, Madarame, and Kugayama have all graduated.

Thoughts: This was a slightly expanded story from the manga, but with more impact. I couldn't help but remember the goodbyes in my life, starting with high school, college, the military, and more. Though I've read the manga and know what happens next, I still felt sad and the gang's goodbyes as they headed into the night and into new lives outside of school and Genshiken. Madarame doesn't count. ^_~

It was funny when the guys briefly noticed the girls sitting in skirts at the Japanese restaurant where everyone sits on the floor. Its wrong, but the guys suddenly trying to peek made me laugh for some reason.

Genshiken 2 08

げんしけん 2 Episode 08

SPOILER Summary: Ogiue learns that she's been accepted into ComiFes. She heads to Genshiken's club room where outside, preparations for the new term are underway with clubs getting ready to recruit new members. Ohno is busy trying to figure out what cosplay events to attend and Ogiue tells her that she got accepted to ComiFes. However, she's scared by this instead of happy because of what this means -- showing her secret fantasies to the world in the form of a doujinshi. Ogiue wants to know if Ohno gets embarrassed by doing cosplay and Ohno confesses she does.

After a lengthy discussion, Ohno states that what Ogiue is doing if far more difficult to do than cosplaying. When Ogiue states that she might like to do cosplay again but only in front of friends, Ohno springs into action, happening to have a costume at the ready. Ogiue realizes her mistake but it is too late. Sasahara comes by and is surprised the door is locked. Ohno opens it for him and she's in a cosplay outfit as is a highly embarrassed Ogiue. However, Sasahara's confession that Ogiue looks cute is a bit much for her and she attempts to escape out the door, only to discover that the corridor outside is filled with people.

The next day (or so), Genshiken has its cosplay exhibit up with Ohno in costume and with two racks of costumes made by Tanaka. Sasahara sits to help with the sign-ups as Kuchiki wanders around and Ogiue is in the club room making posters. When two female prospects show up, Kuchiki ends up scaring them off with his odd personality, forcing an annoyed Ohno to send him back to the club room. When he arrives, Ogiue goes "tsk" and immediately leaves the premise, which bothers Kuchiki. Ogiue has to apologize to Ohno for not completing the posters and when Sasahara states they should try to get along with Kuchiki, they don't think that's possible.

Meanwhile, Saki arrives in the club room and has a little chat with Kuchiki after learning he'd been sent to the. She wants to know why he does weird things and he confesses that he can't control himself. In the end, she advises him to act like a normal person and return to the Genshiken display. He heads that way but then decides that maybe he'll go home when he's spotted by Sasahara, who's convinced Saki and Ogiue to give him a second chance. He leaves Kuchiki with a manga to "watch the store" while Ogiue attempts to hand out fliers and Ohno attempts to sell a crowd on the idea of cosplay.

Kuchiki notices a guy steal one of Ohno's costumes and confronts him. The man eventually gives up the dress and leaves, but when Ohno sees him, she assumes the worst. As such, Kuchiki snaps and makes a huge commotion by putting on the dress as Ohno screams is horror. In the end, Kuchiki is proven innocent by others who vouched for him. However, Genshiken had no new members join.

Thoughts: In some ways, this was funnier than the manga with hearing Ohno screaming in horror at Kuchiki's antics. It would have been funnier if they'd shown him jumping away in the cosplay dress. I guess Sasahara's sister is being cut from this series because in the manga, she was the only new member they had (even though she'd failed to join the college, she joined a nearby one and qualified to be in Genshiken). It will be interesting to see if she's included in the Genshiken trip story (assuming they do it).

げんしけん 2 Episode 09

げんしけん 2 Episode 09

SPOILER Summary: Sasahara is looking for a job as a manga editor and not having much luck. Meanwhile, Saki is working on establishing her own clothing shop and between working on that and Kousaka looking for a job with a game company, she's not seen him recently. As a result, she has a dream on the train that he tells her he prefers 2-D over the real thing. She heads over to the Genshiken room where Sasahara, Madarame, and Ohno are, where they discuss job hunting and Saki's shop establishment.

Ogiue arrives and confronts Ohno about some materials she gave to Ogiue for Ogiue's doujinshi. Since the materials (yaoi stuff) are of older, bald, bearded men that Ohno digs, Ogiue can't use it no matter how much Ohno tries to convince her. Since Ogiue will need helpers at the ComiFes, Saki suggests Sasahara, assuming he has time with him still job hunting. Their reaction to the suggestion suggests to Saki that the two like each other, so she asks Ohno about it outside the room. Ohno is not convinced that there is anything between Saki and Sasahara, but both of them have a different view of the image that Ogiue showed them of Sasahara and Madarame.

Saki inquires of Ohno about her relationship, specifically if Tanaka plays ero games. Ohno is sure Tanaka does play them and of course Kousaka plays them. Their conversation is interrupted by Kuchiki, who's acting all excited. Back in the room, Kuchiki tries to convince everyone to go to a summer "training camp" with him. There's some general negativity about this plan of Kuchiki's, and things like the upcoming ComiFes and job hunting are cited as possible reasons not to go, though Saki says that maybe everyone could go if the job thing is resolved (implying Sasahara's). Kousaka arrives to announce he has a job, but when Saki discovers it is at an ero game company, it is as if the life is gone from her. Since he has to start right away, she decides they are going to a hotel to have at least 10-rounds of quality time together.

Sasahara returns to the job hunting and is interviewed by another company. After he tells them of his involvement in the creation of a doujinshi, the interviewers want to know his opinion of copyrights, specifically in regards to doujinshi. After all, a publisher recently took a doujinshi mangaka to court and if Sasahara works in the publishing field, he'll be on the side that opposes doujinshi. Sasahara is caught flat-footed and has no answer, meaning no job. He retreats to his room where he proceeds to play an ero game. However, his thoughts stray to Ogiue.

Thoughts: I guess Keiko was officially flushed from the anime story since Kuchiki took her spot in trying to get everyone to take a summer trip. Not that Keiko was anything special and not that she contributed to the manga, but its just less believable for everyone to decide to go (assuming the anime writers follow the manga in that regard).

Regarding Sasahara's job hunt, it is interesting how the anime brings up the whole doujinshi vs. copyright holders issue. In America, I doubt many beyond the hardcore fans are even aware of this issue in Japan.

Genshiken 2 10

げんしけん 2 Episode 10

SPOILER Summary: Sasahara and Ohno are at Ogiue's place where she's going over the details of the forthcoming ComiFes event. Ohno, realizing there is an attraction between Ogiue and Sasahara tries to do things to encourage the two of them. She tries to get Ogiue to show her the doujinshi but it is already at the printers. She tries to get Ogiue to show Sasahara some stuff but she refuses because its yaoi. She tries to get Ogiue to show him some non-yaoi stuff for him to inspect since he wants to be a manga editor and while she's OK with that, he turns it down, citing his recent failures in becoming a manga editor. When Sasahara and Ohno walk home, she reflects on her relationship with Tanaka and how she's sure that Ogiue would respond to Sasahara if he approached her.

The following day, Madarame is at the Genshiken room having just eaten lunch. Everyone is out and he's surprised when a blond girl shows up speaking English to him and being overly friendly, even hugging him. Ohno arrives with another foreign girl (Sue) who likes to spout lines in Japanese from anime and manga. After Ogiue arrives, Ohno explains that these are her American friends who've just arrived from the States unexpectedly for ComiFes. As such, Ohno won't be able to help Sasahara and Ogiue at the festival since she'll be escorting her American friends. This causes great shock for both Sasahara and Ogiue.

At Tanaka's place, Sue begins plowing through his collection of unbuilt models while Angela wants Tanaka to make her a costume to cosplay in. Ohno tries to explain that making a costume in such a short time is not possible. Seeing Tanaka waver, she tries to convince him to put his foot down and reject her request. However, in the end he agrees to make the costume, leading Ohno to tell him he's too nice. When Angela requests her measurements be taken, she just pops off her shirt and appears topless before Tanaka, much to Ohno's irritation.

Sometime later back at the Genshiken room, Angela is alone with Madarame. Since she only speaks English, communication between the two of them is difficult as she request the August issue of a magazine. He figures out what she wants and produces the magazine from the shelf. As he hands it to her, she has him sit by her and turn the pages for her as they look at it together. She begins speaking to him in English and while he doesn't know what she's saying, she begins flirting with him. However, before things get to the kissing stage, they are interupted when Saki and Kousaka arrive. Ohno and Sue arrive shortly thereafter and they all have a big laugh at Sue's continued use of Japanese lines from anime and manga. Later when Ohno, Suzy, and Angela walk home, Angela cryptically states what appears to be her attraction for Madarame, though it goes over Ohno's head.

Thoughts: All this interaction between Madarame and Angela wasn't in the manga, but it sure is humorous in the anime. Angela's seiyuu spoke the best English of them all. I was surprised at the amount of English spoken in this episode, but then the American series "Heroes" has a ton of Japanese spoken in it so maybe it isn't so surprising (though in "Heroes," the Japanese spoken is much better than the English spoken in this anime).

The setup for the visit to Ogiue's house was removed so I wonder if people who haven't read the manga will realize that this is where Ohno and Sasahara are at the beginning of the episode. Nevertheless, an enjoyable episode.

Genshiken 2 11

げんしけん 2 Episode 11

SPOILER Summary: Ogiue and Sasahara meet in front of the Tokyo Big Sight Convention Center for her big day. As they walk to the table where Ogiue will be selling her doujinshi, they talk of how Ohno and her American friends came the day before and will come for all three days as outside, Suzy spouts quotes from anime in Japanese to the embarrassment of all. Ogiue and Sasahara find her table and doujinshi. Ogiue quickly inspects a copy and finds it good, though she forbids Sasahara from looking at it or even touching it, vowing he'll be cursed if he does so.

The ComiFes starts and and Ogiue gets her first customer. She's very nervous so Sasahara handles it all, though the customer ultimately ends up passing. However, another customer comes and this one does pay for a copy, leading Sasahara to address Ogiue as "Sensei." Seeing how happy Sasahara is for her, Ogiue can't help but stare at him for a bit before catching herself and excusing herself to go to the bathroom, embarrassed that she stared at him. While she's gone, Sasahara is tempted to take a peek at the doujinshi, but doesn't. Another customer, acting cat-like, comes and buys a doujinshi. She brings it to her friends who are in the Manga Club.

Meanwhile outside, Ohno and Angela are doing some serious cosplaying and discussing Suzy while inside, Kousaka is working his company's booth.

Back at Ogiue's booth, she and Sasahara discuss his job hunting problems before proceeding to her being a mangaka. As they talk, two girls show up who were friends with Ogiue in junior high school. They are impressed that she's still doing these yaoi drawings and when they go to buy one, Ogiue gives it to them as a gift. The encounter has left Ogiue shaken somewhat when Suzy arrives. She looks at the doujinshi and tries to buy one. However, because of the language barrier, Ogiue has a difficult time in explaining to Suzy that she can have one for free. Eventually she and Sasahara convey the message and Suzy thanks them.

Madarame arrives to see how things are going. As with Sasahara, Ogiue won't allow Madarame to look at the doujinshi. However, Suzy returns with the doujinshi open to some massive hardcore drawings, showing it to the three of them and asking for Ogiue to sign it. The moment is quite the shocker and Ogiue does autograph the doujinshi for Suzy. With Suzy camped out enjoying the doujinshi, Ohno gives them a call to see how things are and to see if they are going to celebrate afterward. It is decided that the group will go to a nearby bath-onsen facility although it is clear that Ohno had wanted to get Sasahara and Ogiue alone together.

At the onsen, Suzy continues to embarrass Ohno with her spouts of famous lines from anime. Angela tries to get Ohno to calm down about the situation while Suzy follows Ogiue around, even trapping her in a corner and flashing her for some reason. In another section of the onsen, Madarame, Tanaka, and Sasahara discuss Kousaka and Kugayama and things. Ogiue reflects on the day as well until she's interrupted by Suzy.

The following day at the airport, Ogiue learns that Ohno has now seen her doujinshi. Angela requests a copy of the Genshiken doujinshi. Sasahara protests that it is for guys, but she's OK with those kinds of doujinshi as well. Sasahara again protests, saying they'd have to get Kugayama's permission before they could give her a copy. Angela and Suzy leave Japan and the doujinshi they purchased will be shipped to them by Ohno.

Thoughts: I found this somewhat funnier than the manga story. Suzy's displaying Ogiue's hardcore manga page was funnier because of the sound effects and music played. Then the added story of them going to the bath-onsen in town was funny because of Suzy following Ogiue around and ultimately flashing her for some reason.

I liked how the relationship between Ogiue and Sasahara has the foundation continued to be laid.

Genshiken 2 12

げんしけん 2 Episode 12

SPOILER Summary: Kuchiki is going on and on about the "training camp" and an irritated Sasahara decides to leave the Genshiken club room. He continues to fail to land a job working in the publishing industry and thinks back on how his joining Genshiken led him to where he is now. He falls asleep and dreams of looking at the work of someone trying to break into the business as a mangaka. He is critical of the work, only to discover that the person submitting the work is Ogiue along with Kugayama. At that, he wakes up.

In desperation, Sasahara starts looking for jobs outside of the publishing industry and finds he has no success there either. With all his failures, he stops shaving and decides to be a jobless rounin and try again next year, which he states to Genshiken. Saki gets pissed and tells him off for this attitude. That night he gets a call from Kugayama where he learns that Kugayama is starting to draw again. Deciding Saki is right, Sasahara redoubles his efforts to get into the publishing field. While checking in a newspaper, he finds an ad where they are looking for a manga editor.

Sasahara interviews with the company and learns that they are a contract company who send out editors to work at the various publishing houses. Even the interviewer is contracted out and is working on Sasahara's favorite manga, "Kujibiki Unbalance." Sometime later after the interview, Sasahara gets a package from the company and he has a job. The first thing he does is call Ogiue, who had to run out of the shower to answer the phone. She asks him to check over her latest storyboards which he's happy to do. Then later in the Genshiken club room, he makes the announcement there as well. He has Ohno send a copy of the Genshiken doujinshi they published to her American friends, after which there is discussions with the previous members as well about things, including the fact that while Sasahara is working in the publishing field like he wanted, he only answers phones and doesn't do any editorial work.

Thoughts: Hmmmm, a somewhat disappointing end because the series didn't even get into Ogiue and Sasahara actually becoming a couple and beyond (Sasahara and Saki's graduation). I suppose we could have another 3+ episode OVA series (I hope we do to wrap things up) .

I didn't like how this episode specifically made Sasahara a loser for a short time to fill time. I did like how Sasahara, in desperation, started looking for other work. However, it was weak that after he gets a job with the manga editor contract company, he is sent to be the taker of phone calls only. In the manga, this isn't stated and one is left with the impression that Sasahara gets to start working his dream job, not be a phone jockey. Bah.

Otherwise I didn't have any problems with the episode.