Kita ze Inbou! - キタぜ陰謀!

[ Episode 10: Secret Hot Springs Death Match ]

[ Episode 11: What Ibuki-san Received ]

[ Episode 12: Tomorrow's Yoichi! ]

Wow, I didn’t notice until the last episode, but ever since episode 10, the opening changed slightly. Well, okay, it’s nothing something to write home about, but I guess this should have been expected; the Saginomiya siblings are now shown unmasked. Yeah, like I said, not really important, but a nice touch for those that have been following. Anything to see Sakon’s beautiful mug.

As if the beach episode wasn’t enough eyecandy, an episode at an inn with hot springs just adds more fun and mayhem for the dojo girls and samurai. Ayame’s behavior was definitely expected, but I’m with her; totally unfair use of their martial arts skills. Anyway, I found myself a bit turned-on by Ayame when Yoichi was in the pit. Well, okay, it wasn’t really her, but Sakon played it cooly. It was funny how Yoichi found out it wasn’t really Ayame because her chest was too big. By now, Yoichi should be an expert at this field. After all, the first things he did when he came into the city were groping Ayame’s breast and looking for Ibuki by comparing breast sizes of people in the mall. I wasn’t expecting things to turn out worse when Ibuki was taken by Ukyou, who was actually wearing casual clothes. Suddenly he’s not in his usual attire. WTF. Apparently, they’re supposed to be getting married? What is this? Ibuki doesn’t know it either, but like knockout gas, she’s out cold and suddenly her mind got replaced with a four-year old’s. Uh-oh.

It was pretty cool seeing Hinagata again. Those two surfer dudes? Not so much. That swordsman guy? Yeah, a little. At least they weren’t forgotten, but wow, that guy really did suck balls. It occurs to me that this is the first time I’ve heard Ayame refer to Ibuki as “Aneki.” I realize she’s said it plenty of times before, but it was more noticeable now. Interesting how she gets so many ways of addressing her.

I’m reminded of why Kagome is the weakest link in this show. Not that she’s the youngest, but she doesn’t really have much prominence, being overshadowed by the eldest two sisters, unsurprisingly. The one problem I have is that for some reason, they’re paying Hanazawa Kana to squeal, gasp, or call the name of one of her sisters in each episode, moreso than given actual dialogue. I can understand the initial shock after Ibuki has Kagome out of her life, though who can blame her? Her mind went back to when she was a kid. Ayame overreacted a bit too much too. I guess everyone’s just so frustrated with Ibuki’s sudden warped change.

That being said, this episode is basically building up for the last, with the turmoils continuing. I guess Washizu was the only one in his own world once Ibuki started clinging on to him. Where’d he buy such clothes anyway… Okay, negotiations with the Saginomiya and the Ikaruga family seem a little sketchy. Live like a rich family and the antidote will be done in no time? Well, la-dee-freaking-dah. They take it anyway, but change their minds…

Ah, family. Sakon gets her brother back. The Ikaruga sisters get Ibuki back. All is right with the world! Well things couldn’t go back to normal without putting up a fight, and a fight they put up! I laughed at those servant guys that repeat “Please head back.” Weaklings, but a horde of weaklings. And maid machineguns, whoa. Not only that, Torigaya shrunk even more now! To make matters worse (better?), he transformed into a girl at the end. Whether it’s Washizu’s vision or true reality, that just boggles the mind a lot. I enjoyed hearing the OP theme played in the background. What better way to end the battle than with some divine wind! So Yoichi decided to stay for more training and sends a letter to his dad about it. I laughed when the dad used the letter to blow his nose and then trashed it. Good man. So, essentially, no really special ending at all.

So overall, Asu no Yoichi! was a predictable, yet fun series that I enjoyed watching over the past three months. Fanservicey in many ways, but also delivered comic relief moments for all the lovable characters, especially Ayame. There’s a lot of material from the original source (manga) so a second season is very well likely to be in the works, though I’m not really holding my breath yet. I would recommend this to anyone that likes a good comedy anime and some interest in a harem anime.