10 Second Anime - Dagashi Kashi S2 - Episode 1

Hotaru continues her mission to convince Kokonotsu to take over his family candy store so his father can work for her company. Season Premiere.

Episode 1 - "Big Katsu, Peperoncino, and..."

Hmm.

Hotaru is back!

Sure, it's a different animation studio and in a shorter format, but she's back! I thought the anime community's concerns over slightly different character design were overblown, but what I see is a return to the original design from the manga. Whereas the first season sought to turn the characters into a more realistic portrayal of kids in a slice-of-life story, this season is back to the flatter more cartoony versions of themselves in the manga. Make no mistake, this story is about a high school boy's fantasy girl trying to sell him candy and snacks.

Hotaru's essence - panty hose, strappy shoes, flowing skirt, ample bosom, crazy eyes - are all right here in a more outrageous animation direction. Other than that, the characters, voice actors and settings are all the same. We're just spending less time on the slice-of-life aspects and the overall plot as we have fun with Hotaru babble about snacks and candy.

Looking back on last season's coverage, I noticed that each episode had two or three different titles. This season, only one, which is why the episode is only half as long. I think the writers are going to feel they have just the right amount of time to spend on Hotaru's funny snack lessons.

Heh.

Lots of fun stuff to see in the opening credits, along with new characters.

There's going to be new dude and dudette. I haven't checked out the guy yet, because he's not a pretty girl with long legs, but he's somehow related to the convenience store across the street from the Shikada snack store. The mousy lady is Hajime Owari. They're already making puns with her name. Kokonotsu is supposedly the ninth heir to the shop and his name is a homophone for "ninth piece." Hajime's name sounds like she's the beginning and the end. This makes me curious about her role in the show.

I cannot wait to see Hotaru in each of those outfits!

Hotaru still has all those great reaction faces. The animation director still knows how to make her strut, bounce, and flounce. The only noticeable difference is that her hair is a little darker.

Saya in a school uniform! And an even shorter skirt!

And So.

Let's talk about this episode!

Hotaru's Running Joke.

There is literally a running joke between the two set pieces.

Hotaru always has to make a grand entrance when she's "summoned" but there's an obvious toll to running real fast to get to where someone has mentioned her magic word for the day.

I noticed a narrative structure in this episode. Yes, a gag comedy can have a narrative device. The episode's theme is "style," as in a snack emulating the flavor of a certain food. That was what Hotaru emphasized in her scene with Big Katsu and the instant pasta. I don't know if you can say these two foods eaten the same way as what they're trying to replace is just as good an experience, but if you have a craving and can't have the real thing, a flavored snack can still be an enjoyable moment.

Hotaru is Here!

Before we get to Hotaru, there was a flash forward to three months after the summer. Kokonotsu and Saya are walking in the cold in their school uniforms. Saya looks like she's going to confess her love to Kokonotsu, but she's just asking an uncomfortable question about why his candy store is so run-down. That's our mention of the overall plot for the season, but let's not worry about it since Hotaru has important snack lectures to give out.

Oh, but very important. Saya's fang is back too!

Apparently, Hotaru's magic word for the day was "katsu." This can also mean "win."

It looks like the animators save photo realistic Hotaru versions for special occasions, like sucking down ramune with her luscious lips.

What a roundabout story to say a company decided on pork flavor after failing with squid flavor.

Hotaru brought those rice bowls with her. Where did she keep them?

Saya's Style.

Hotaru came running at the sound of Saya wanting pasta, but Saya really wanted the atmosphere of a nice restaurant. The idea of instant noodles in the "style" of pasta isn't exactly the same as the "style" of a nice evening out, but that's all the opening Hotaru needed.

Saya likes being complimented on her cooking, but saying she's the best in town isn't saying much in such a small town. Tou is kind of mean, but still correct...

Watch how you hold that mop, Saya-shi...

There goes that running joke again.

Say it! Ottimo! Tastes great, in Italian! Say it!

The End Already?

We have episode previews, but no snack omake with chibi versions like last season. No need to fill up all that time now.

That was a good first episode to reintroduce the main bunch of kids, give us a taste where we're going with the 3 month flash forward, but most of all to let us see that Hotaru is still crazy, sexy, and likes to slam open doors for dramatic lighting.