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Impressions:

I didn’t find this episode as funny as the last. It was too repetitive, and I generally don’t like it when things are repeated to make it funny (Miki getting pounded multiple times). However, this doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the episode. The second half was easily predictable (how Toshiyuki was the dog and not the boy), so that downgraded the comedy slightly, though overall it was still a funny episode. I’m wondering if there will be any form of progressive plot in the show – so far there has been none. Megumi and Kankuro fighting Miki is a side story that can always be referred to for a few laughs – sand pointless laughter is just what this show is all about, though it wouldn’t hurt for a bit more development. The woman in the OP holding the staff has not yet made an appearance yet. I suspect she will appear soon as the series is only twelve episodes long. I believe the ending will be focused on the war between Miki and Megumi, as that seems to be the main focus of this ‘Invisible Poster Girl’ show. Toshiyuki may be of great importance too, as the entire ED is on him (although this could just be another random thing that was thrown in).

Summary:

In the middle of the night, a masked man trespasses onto the ‘Endou’s’ property. He sneaks up to the front porch and proceeds to pick the lock. As he is focusing on the task, a dark-purple haze begins to emanate from behind him. The shroud of darkness closes in on him, and by the time the man notices, he lets out a loud wail, but it is already too late…

The next day, Miki is sent on another delivery – to the Endou house! Her mother informs her about something she should look out for when making the delivery. ‘When you reach the front gate, please just call out loudly and we’ll come out and get it.’ She suggests that maybe they don’t have a doorbell, which is a reasonable explanation. Miki rides her bike to the Endou house and is about to call out, as she had been instructed to, but sees that they do have a doorbell. She walks up to the door and is about to ring the bell, when the same purple haze appears. When Miki arrives back at the restaurant, she is dirty and the noodles have been spilt. She asks her mother to make the ramen again with a pleading face; something she does not fall for. As punishment, Miki receives a beating from her mother. On the floor and struggling to move, Miki grasps her mother’s trousers, desperately trying to explain that it wasn’t her fault. She claims that there was an unexpectedly strong enemy at the Endou household. Her mother does not believe this and beats her up again.

Outside, Megumi is eavesdropping on the conversation. She is amazed that there is a person who can cause so much trouble for Miki. She pictures the ‘man’ as an amazing fighter, surpassing Miki is all aspects. With an evil face, she decides to befriend this unknown person, then team up with him in her war against Miki. She arrives at Endou’s house and enters through the front gate. Immediately, she is confronted by the purple haze. Defending herself, she flings three darts at the mysterious enemy. The enemy leaps out of the way – now appearing to have some kind of form. The beast lunges at Megumi, and it looks like she’s done for when Miki shows up, stopping the beast with a metal tray. It turns out the ‘purple haze’ was actually a dog – a small one too. Miki says that she was unprepared before, but now she’s ready to fight it. Megumi still hasn’t gotten over the fact that the Miki’s incredibly strong enemy is a dog. Miki and the dog begin to fight, and for once Miki is having trouble. Megumi is amazed that there is an enemy that can make Miki this serious. She feels that it is a battle that cannot be missed, but notices that the noodles that Miki brought are getting pasty. Shocked to hear this, Miki breaks free of the dog (which had sunk its teeth into her arm), scrambles for the delivery and dashes back to the restaurant.

Miki asks her mother to remake the ramen and gets beaten up again. She hurries back to the Endou residence. Giving herself three minutes to defeat the dog, the two resume their fight. The dog lunges at her, but she dodges easily. Miki is surprised that the dog made such a weak attempt, but realises its target was not her but the ramen. The dog tips the ramen over and begins eating, as Miki falls into the bushes. Once again, Miki returns back to restaurant, ruffled and dusty. Once again, she asks for her mother to make the ramen again, and once again, she gets beaten. Seemingly unfazed, she rides back to the Endou house. However, the ramen gets spoilt again just seconds later. The cycle of the ‘ramen being ruined – returning home – asking mother to remake – getting bashed – going back to the Endou house – fighting – then ruining the ramen again’ is repeated many, many times, yet Miki seems relatively unhurt after everything.

After countless trips to the Endou house, Miki finally gets the idea of leaving the noodles out of the dog’s range (by the way, he is on a leash). As she resumes her fight, Megumi asks her why she doesn’t just stand outside the dogs reach and yell for the Endou to come out and take their delivery. Miki says it’s not about that anymore; Miki is determined to win against anyone who challenges her. Megumi thinks for a moment. She ponders about Miki’s way of thinking; the more difficult path she’s taken. Thinking about this, Megumi’s expression turns from (awe? pity?) to pure evil. She believes she has figured out the perfect plan to get Miki: tip the ramen over so she has to go back and get another beating from her mum. The more Megumi ruins the ramen, the more pain Miki will suffer. Carrying out her plan, Megumi kicks the container, loudly exclaiming that she’s knocked the ramen over. However, when the container’s lid falls off and reveals nothing inside, Miki explains that she had foreseen this course of action and, taking preventative measure, had placed the ramen on top of the exterior wall. Miki says she will deal with Megumi later, after she settles things with the dog. As she prepares her ultimate move – the ‘Onimaru Style Burial Technique’ – a giant fist flies down and forces Miki’s head into the dirt. Her mother had tracked her down and is looking pretty pissed. Even the dog is shocked at the strength that had just been displayed (or maybe it was shock from seeing Miki get defeated so quickly). Both the dog and Megumi watch (both looking frightened) as Miki is dragged away by her mum.

The second half: Akihiko Ohta is watching ‘Star Rangers’; a popular kids’ superhero show, much like ‘Power Rangers’. Ohta seems to be a great fan, having collected the action figures and imagining himself as one of the Star Rangers. The next day, he overhears a young girl crying over Toshiyuki, who she had lost while shopping. As he is about to ask her about it, several darts lodge themselves into his skull. It seems that Miki and Megumi are waging another one of their little wars. When the two run off, Ohta manages to escape a fatal brain injury – getting back up and looking fine in just a few minutes. The little girl explains that her mother had asked her to go shopping with Toshiyuki, but by the time she noticed, he was already gone. She’s worried that he might get run over by a car or eat off the ground. Ohta does not think this would happen, but he doesn’t know the truth behind Toshiyuki.

Anyway, the little girl starts begging Ohta to help her look for Toshiyuki. He is reluctant, but then imagines himself as a star ranger and becomes all fired up. He gathers Miki, Megumi and Kankuro to search for Toshiyuki. Ohta takes the bike and starts pedalling away from the shops. Kankuro then reminds him that he doesn’t know what Toshiyuki looks like. He feels depressed until he decides to ask children around for Toshiyuki. After asking numerous people, they are directed to the riverbank. When the two arrive there, they see a young boy and a dog (yes, the same dog from the first half of this episode). Ohta fights the dog but is easily beaten (many times). Wakana (the little girl) comes running with Miki and Megumi, calling out Toshiyuki’s name. Ohta says that Toshiyuki is safe, pointing to the little boy. However, Wakana runs up to the dog, delighted to see Toshiyuki again. Everyone finally realises the truth. Seeing Miki, Toshiyuki charges at her, ready for another fight. Miki braces herself as she holds the dog off, commenting on how she will remember the names of strong people (and pets!) Kankuro becomes annoyed at hearing this, as Miki had forgotten who he was (last episode). That night, covered in bandages, Ohta continues to watch Star Rangers.

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