Genshiken ep.10

January 7, 2005 | 1 Comments

This is a funny episode but I find it to be a tad on the generalisation side. I feel that the series is much better when it doesn't talk about what an Otaku is like but rather discussing their hobbies. Unfortunately, this one seems trying too hard to generalise all Otaku into one pigeonhole that in the end I can't help but feel a little bit annoyed by it. Thankfully, the animation seems to be improving now. The humour is also a bit better than the last 2 episodes, especially episode 8. It still hasn't go back to the brilliance of the first 5 episodes though. I guess I just want to see more of anime-related activities instead of getting an incorrect assessment on what makes Otaku ticks. And unfortunately for me, this episode does not deliver on that front.

The episode begins with all Genshiken members plus Keiko, Sasahara's sister, arriving at a beach. Madarame and Tanaka, however, are not impressed and wondered why they are there to begin with. Madarame especially worries that he'll look tanned prior to the next comifes. Surely that's wrong. Never the less, the boys decide to stay around once they see Saki in her swimwear. Saki herself is busy trying to keep Keiko away from Kousaka. She, however, ends up helping Keiko when the later is harrased by an ex-boyfriend. At the same time, other reluctant Genshiken members decide to get out of their safe zone under the umbrella and actually enjoy their time under the sun. Some members such as Tanaka and Ohno even manage to apply their anime interest to the place by building a Cagliostro sand castle. I guess you can take the Otaku away from their anime but not the anime out of the Otaku. Or something to that effect.

Meanwhile, Keiko gets the idea that she maybe able to attract Kousaka more if she knows more about anime so she asks Sasahara to hook her up with some hardcore anime. She even went out of her way to come to the guys to Comifes just to prove to Kousaka that she's also an Otaku. Saki, however, will have none of this and decides to ensure that Keiko will keep her claws away from her man. In the end, however, the two girls realise that their biggest competitor is actually not each other but anime and manga. So Saki tells Keiko that the fact is you don't become an Otaku by trying. You just know by instinct. This is why it's hard for outsiders to understand it. She also believes that Keiko doesn't know how to be in a relationship with an Otaku. While she doesn't admit it at first, later on Saki reveals that the key to be in a relationship with an Otaku is to give them time to do their hobby from time to time.

Impression:

Hmm, too much generalisation for me. I don't think what Saki said about how to maintain a relationship only applies to anyone who's dating an Otaku. I think in any given relationship, letting your significant other to have free times to do their own hobby/business is the key to maintaining a good and happy relationship. No one likes to be followed by their partner 24/7. As much as humans need to be in the company of others, especially their loved ones, they are also individuals with the need to have their own free, uninterrupted time alone. Not only it'll break the monotony of being with one person all the time, it'll also make both parties realising how important the other is when they are away from each other. This also doesn't mean that a person has to stay away completely from his/her partner's interest. Being in a relationship sometimes means that both parties have to try to be interested a little bit in your significant other's interests.

© memento 2003