I arrive at an impasse: cute things are cute, but pretty things are also equally pretty. You can absolutely have something that is both cute and pretty, but in the eyes of Senpai Is An Otokonoko episode 2 they are separate aspects: a Chibi art style, and a regular art style. Sophistry about adjectives aside though, this second episode takes a snapshot of the contents of episode 1, and chooses to dig a little deeper across the board. Not yet bearing down on any large narrative bodies, it’s a light and frilly episode that’s as much fun as it is interesting.
Now, back to my questionable argument. I like both art styles, and they are individual styles that do not overlap. That in itself is fine, but it feels like the Project No. 9 staff need a bit of a reminder on that. While the episode at large manages, the few minutes following the OP today struggle. You’ll have a cut or two in the regular art, and then it flips over to the chibi style, creating a rhythmic back and forth that doesn’t let either really establish itself. Could it be done purely as chibi art? Definitely, yes. The issue is that a lot of the work can’t translate as easily to the regular art style.
The other issue is that I really do like the regular art style. Shouto Shinkai’s character designs are really good, and when Youko Suzuki and Tomoya Kamijou (color, composition respectively) get to play with more unique lighting and scenes, you can get some really great scenes. Though, the effects of their work may also be exaggerated by the flat and strong chibi style that plays opposite- but that doesn’t matter too much, they still look good all the same.
Keeping along the same lines with visuals, even though I just complained about the chibi art in Senpai Is An Otokonoko episode 2, it’s hard to understate just how important it is for the comedic reception of the work. It lets a lot of the slap dash humor slip through unrestricted, and does a great job of breaking the tension. And though it might be a little weird, there’s actually a surprising amount of effort placed into making that chibi art refreshing rather than repetitive. There’s plenty of scenes that keep the environment or shed them, plenty with visual effects and without, and so on and so forth.
You can find scenes like Aoi wagging her tail, or you could find ones like her ascending to heaven after witnessing Makoto eat with chopsticks. About the only thing that remains consistent, though, is that Aoi is absolutely the comedian of the group. It creates a very predictable beat that engulfs Ryuuji’s more reserved nature, and leaves Makoto more than a little confused at times. It’s an interesting line to draw in the sand, though. Even when Makoto’s cuteness would be enough to melt themselves into that chibi format, they remain strong and stick to their reality.
Speaking of enough to melt a person- a cute little Summer montage! I mentioned earlier that Senpai Is An Otokonoko episode 2 doesn’t have much of a story- and I’d still stand by that- but there’s a lot that’s accomplished in those in between moments still. One of my favorites is how the series corners the misconceptions and misinterpretations of gender versus sexual identity. It very effectively sells Saki Aoi as a bisexual girl with the energy of a golden retriever (that part we already knew), but more interestingly is how it cements Ryuuji’s feelings for Makoto.
Through a bit of a name drop, you can assume that at the minimum Ryuuji is bisexual, but they may also be gay or pansexual. Though, the label hardly matters, it’s more about how Ryuuji engages with his interests. And engage he… does not, barely. The poor guy’s holding himself back with all he can, and it still doesn’t quite match up to Makoto’s charm- regardless of how they dress. That latter point is the real important piece of this whole story, by the way. Ryuuji is attracted to Makoto regardless of how they’re styled. But, their preferences do lean towards more feminine tastes. It’s really great characterization, and it successfully sells viewers on our characters without having to step out onto a stage and make everything clear.
Now, this is Makoto’s story, isn’t it? Though their personal development in Senpai Is An Otokonoko episode 2 is… “slim”, I still think there’s a lot of fun and interesting little pieces involved. For one, I really have to give credit Shuichirou Umeda in selling Makoto’s voice. A lot of the episode is about straddling the two sides of Makoto’s life, so being able to slip into a more feminine voice, or get shocked back into a masculine one is very important. It’s equally as important as Makoto trying on heels and realizing how difficult they are. Though, I do appreciate the decision to include a shaky Aoi as well. It really helps frame Makoto’s experiences as positive and normal rather than somewhat awkward and embarrassing for them.
I would have to say my absolute favorite Makoto Momenttm this episode is their comment after a random guy on the street attempts to hit on them. Rather than concerned or worried, the first emotion they express is joy, and it is just hilariously on point. Forget a weird guy coming up and hitting on you, they thought you were a girl- and a pretty one at that! That’s a win in your books, Makoto. It’s exactly the sort of odd humor that would arise in these situations, so I really love seeing it included in the episode.
The one thing I might say I dislike with Senpai Is An Otokonoko episode 2 is Makoto’s mother. Yes, I know we all dislike them, but I more so meant from a narrative perspective. There’s plenty of real life examples of overbearing mothers in these sorts of situations, but I feel like Makoto’s mother is more…. a plot convenience, than anything. It feels like their character exists for that sole purpose, rather than it being a facet of them. If they either toned down or cranked up the forcefulness of her, it’d probably be fine, but where she stands now is somewhat of a no man’s land. There’s nothing that ties her character to anything else, and she’s not obsessive enough (currently) to be propped up by that fear.
Even with those narrative (and visual) bumps and rough patches, I still think that Senpai Is An Otokonoko episode 2 is a good showing from Project No. 9. While the studio has been known for their struggles and shortcomings as of late, they’ve really been shining brightly with this series. Though, having a good work to adapt can certainly help. Striking a solid middle ground between comedy, slice of life, and (a pinch of) drama, Senpai Is An Otokonoko is a sort of “for all interests” anime. That does mean that it gives up on excelling in a choice area or two, but overall it’s hard to say that there’s much to complain about with the series 2 episodes in. Because of that, I’d say it’s pretty safe to assume this will be an equally fun and enjoyable ride throughout this (very) busy Summer.
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