Recap: Ichiko and company conveniently lose all their home bathing options, and thus the Most Ridiculous Fan Service Episode of All Time is born.

Jel’s Thoughts: I… I… I don’t know what I just saw. I’m not sure if I should take a shower, call the cops or do both. What I do know is this episode was pretty hilarious, from the opening Fan Service Song to everyone hiding their shame with luchador masks and paper bags the next day.

As funny as I found the episode, I’m still not sure if it was the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen, completely brilliant, or both. I have a pretty high tolerance for stupid anime comedy (for example, I loved Baka and Test), but this was a bit different than your average bath episode. For starters it was incredibly self aware, carrying out it’s duty to deliver us naked animu girls both playfully and begrudgingly. That isn’t really anything new, but it felt like there was less emphasis on the actual fan service. I’m not going to say it’s not a factor at all, but it’s mostly incidental to the show’s usual antics. The episode as a whole felt like it was trying harder to get you to laugh than to get you hot and bothered.

There’s also quite a bit of equal opportunity fan service, to the point where I’d almost say the guys got as much screen time in the buff as the ladies. Almost. I loved how Rindou is super enthusiastic about seeing some cut dudes without coming off as patronizing. Rather than making her a gender flip of the usual ecchi anime super perv, she just wanted a peek at Tsuwabuki like any other girl would. Just one more reason Rindou is awesome, but I digress.

Of course our most notable development is Momiji’s ploy we will be seeing in the final story arc. It’s pretty clear she’s going to stir up some trouble between Ichiko and Tsuwabuki, and no doubt Rindou will be collateral damage. I’m trying not to set my expectations too high as I know this is an ongoing work and there’s only so much plot resolution possible. But I’ve enjoyed this show so much up to now, I can’t help but look forward to how they wrap things up.