A decidedly more melancholy episode than the previous two, this week focuses on the seniors in Genshiken graduating from the college they attend. Without much conflict or humor, it’s more of a look back on what has happened to each of them and what they plan on doing in the future, and who they will spend that time with.
In the clubroom Kugayama and Sasahara discuss the former’s plan for post-graduation. Kugayama has gotten a job with a manufacturer of sorts, looking to get into sales. Tanaka and Ohno join them, and Tanaka talks about his job, which happens to be fairly far away from where they are now, something that angers Ohno. Kasukabe walks in as well, and gets Ohno to reveal what’s really bothering her, the fact that she will graduate last out of everyone because of the credit loss involved in transferring from overseas. After the graduation ceremony for Tanaka, Kugayama, and Madarame, several of the members gather outside of the hall. Kasukabe notices her old arch nemesis from the student council, who apparently doesn’t have to get a job because she’s getting married, much to Kasukabe’s dismay. The rest of them discuss the recent release of a KU OVA and eventually take a picture of everyone.
It is also decided that Sasahara will be passing chairmanship of Genshiken to Ohno next year, who has a plan to turn it into the Cosplay Research Society. The second half of the episode is the graduation party, in which just about everyone gets drunk, especially Ohno, who keeps throwing down the brewskies. Madarame reminisces about his best memory of Genshiken, which is obviously when Kasukabe was cosplaying as the President from KU. The next topic of conversation is a figure that Tanaka is working on, complete with lingerie that apparently he based on some of Ohno’s. He lets Kasukabe handle it for a bit, but after she gives it back he drops it and breaks it. They then find out that Madarame actually did get a job, but it’s only a few minutes away from school, so they make fun of him for being one of those types that doesn’t get away and grow up. After the party they go outside and everyone says their goodbyes, as Madarame sadly watches Kasukabe walk away. In the epilogue Kasukabe walks into the clubroom to find Madarame there eating, as if nothing had changed.
Next Episode:
The next episode looks pretty Kuchiki and Ogiue centered. I find Kuchiki pretty annoying, although he always does say what’s on his perverted mind. But I love Ogiue so more shows with her are always good in my book.
Impressions:
As I said before, there wasn’t that much humor in this episode, but that’s alright. For a graduation episode it was well done, and had a good combination of reminiscence and looking toward the future. I also appreciated the fact that they did not rely too much on recycled shots from previous episodes, only really doing the one when Kasukabe cosplayed. While it didn’t quite have the punch of a series ending goodbye episode, it managed to close out Tanaka and Kugayama to a degree. I assume we will be seeing more of Madarame because of the epilogue and the fact that his job is close by, but that’s really a good thing since he is one of my favorite characters. I feel a bit sad for him though since he really was attracted to Kasukabe but she was so far out of his reach because of his looks and overtly otaku nature, he’s not pretty boy and normal on the outside like Kousaka. It would have been nice if something could have happened, but the drama it would have caused since she was already dating Kousaka would not have been very Genshiken-like. Save the dramatic love triangles and conflicts for a different series, there are plenty of them out there.
The other relationship drama was how Tanaka and Ohno are going to work things out, but to be honest that relationship really isn’t that interesting to me personally. I never felt a deep connection between myself and those two characters like I have for others. I have always really connected with Sasahara, Ogiue, and Madarame in different ways. I especially connected with Ogiue and Sasahara because I’ve been a shy type who has been a bit ashamed of some of my hobbies over the years in the world of geekdom. So I hope that the rest of the show has a good amount of focus on those characters. Aside from that, I hope that Tanaka and Ohno either end up working on something thats doable without drama, or they just don’t bring up the relationship much in the rest of the series. Although it seems like some cosplay action is due sometime soon, and cosplaying Kasukabe and Ogiue are quite delicious, so that will be something to look forward to. I have not read the manga, so it’s all surprises upcoming for me.
2 Comments
I agree with you for a graduation episode it was well done and at the end when Kasukabe walks into the clubroom to find Madarame there eating, for some reason that scene put a big smile on my face.
i have read the managa all the way to vol8 (out of 9). it does get better, look forwards to the subsequent eps
this is really a cool series, perhaps the best slice of life i have ever seem, partly due to the fact that i am pretty much of an otaku myself and can see part of myself in some characters:3