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Mieruko-chan Episode 2 Review – Best In Show

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Mieruko-chan Episode 2 Review – Quick Summary

In Mieruko-chan Episode 2, “She Can Totally See Them,” any hope Miko Yotsuya might have had that her day at school would be normal were dashed almost immediately. Not only could she see the dead. Now, the dead seemed to interact with her friends. A particularly terrifying ghost came out of Hana Yurikawa’s desk and wrapped itself around her. Could Miko get her friend away from the ghost? Or would it follow her to the nurse’s office? Was there anywhere she could go to get away from the ghosts?

Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.

Favorite Quote from Mieruko-chan Episode 2

It’s nice to know that Miko’s best friend shows such sensitivity to her friend’s mood! Capture from the Funimation stream.

This episode surprised me, in two ways. First, I thought for sure the series would play Hana for the typical pretty, large-busted, air-headed best friend. Now, I’m not saying she’s not pretty, I’m not saying she’s not large busted, and I’m not saying she’s not Miko’s best friend. Nor am I saying she’s not air-headed (if that’s a word). But Hana showed a little more depth in this episode than I had expected, and I enjoyed it. For example, check out her concern for Miko paying too much attention to her phone — when Miko had actually gotten in the line of ghosts waiting to be eaten. Hana can’t see ghosts, as far as we know, but she did try to pull her friend out of harm’s way and give her a decent stern talking to!

Speaking of “can’t see ghosts,” early in the episode, Miko had to freeze herself so she didn’t freak out at the sight of one of the bendy neck ghosts (rokurokubi?). Hana asked Miko about the stare. Then, looking a little embarrassed, Hana asked, (01:11), “Are you… gonna ask me out or something?”

It’s nice to see that she’s sensitive to her friend’s moods.

Best in Show Best in Show Moment for Mieruko-chan Episode 2

Books and covers, man. Books and covers. Capture from the Funimation stream.

Setup: Establishing the Ground Rules

At just under three minutes into the episode, the camera lingered on the sign that said “Locker Room.” We could hear young women’s voice in the background. I remembered Hana’s feminine assets from the previous episode. I remembered the camera’s tendency to hover just below Miko and Hana’s waist. And deep in my heart, I knew what was about to happen.

And sure enough, we got confirmation that Hana likes to buy bras with floral patterns. 

We know that the show is going to mix sexy and scary. But that’s not all it’s going to do, and this hint that it’s willing to give us more has me excited for the show’s future.

Hana in her underwear? Check! Possible severed head in the locker? Check! Yep, we’re watching Mieruko-chan! Capture from the Funimation stream

Do you have cats? People ask if I’m a dog or a cat person, and I answer “yes.” I love animals. In some ways, I’ve grieved more demonstrably when I’ve lost pets than family members. It’s like the feelings I have for pets are more easily expressed, or at least expressed in ways people typically think of emotional expression. 

The last pet I lost was named Maggie. If you’ve ever had cats, then you know that they have three names. Amazingly, the Old Man in the movie Logan’s Run had it right! Maggie was the cat’s normal name. She had a fancy name: Maggitha Cat of Fury. It was completely ironic. She was really Cat of Fear. Everything scared her. But she was a dear member of the family. 

The third name is secret, known only to cats. Since I’m not fluent in Cat-ese, I don’t know any cat secret names. Kinda makes me feel left out.

That affection for cats is why my favorite moment in this episode hit me like the proverbial ton of bricks. Hana had found an abandoned kitten, but her apartment wouldn’t let her keep a pet. So, she advertised. A rough-looking man showed up, but Hana had bumped into him as she danced around with the kitten (Hana’s like that). He looked like a member of the Yakuza, and he scared Hana because of how she looked. He didn’t say anything but instead just stared.

Delivery: Only to Push Them Forward

Another man, dressed in a very preppy way, showed up and asked about the kitten. Hana prepared to hand it over, happy she’d found someone interested, but Miko stood up and said no. She could see the spirits all around Preppy Man. They looked like angry, demonic cats. Apparently, this guy has a history with cats, and as Miko could see, that history was not in any way, shape, or form good.

And then something really cool happened.

Preppy Man accepted the “no” (after a moment of indecision — which was a bit scary in its own way). Miko gently scooped up the kitten from Hana’s arms and walked it over to Yakuza Guy. He had not really been staring at Hana and her ample bosom. He’d been staring at the cat. He had been staring at the at in longing. Miko held it up to him and said, simply (20:33), “Please. Take him.”

This scary-looking dude who could obviously take care of himself in a fight looked as if he could not believe his luck. He took the kitten as gently as Miko had, and he said he would take very good care of her. In that moment, Miko saw on his shoulders not the terrifying demons she was used to seeing. She saw two angelic cats peering over his shoulder at their new corporeal cat friend. 

The memories of my deceased pets sometimes feel like this. Maybe that’s why the scene hit me so hard! Capture from the Funimation stream

Miko had to look beyond what other people could see to see the true man. The tattoos and scars didn’t mislead her; she didn’t buy into the cliche. This is key: Even before she saw the two angelic cats, she knew the kitten would be safe with this man. It seems like Miko’s vision isn’t just limited to the terrifying. And both that concept and how she portrayed it were just wonderful to see.

And if there was any doubt, the after credit scene showed the man and his friendly spirits at home. It looked like kitty was going to be very happy there.

What did you think of the line that Miko accidentally stepped into instead of the donut line? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to let me know in the comments!

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7 thoughts on “Mieruko-chan Episode 2 Review – Best In Show

  1. I wasn’t a huge fan of the ghost that came out of Hana’s desk. I don’t mind some fan service, and I get it’s combining sexy and scary as a creative decision, but that whole segment was just a bit too creepy for me – especially seeing as no one did anything about the gropey ghost, they just let it assault some other woman instead. I get she’s deliberately ignoring them for now, and she did *try* to do something, but maybe this particular ghost could have been saved for a later part in the show, once they know how to get rid of them (assuming they get to this point, of course). I just don’t like that sort of thing happening as a gag, with no consequences for the perpetrator.

    I *did* really like the cat part, though, and it’s interesting that Mieruko-chan can see good spirits, as well as the bad ones. I was worried it would be a repetitive joke that would get tiring after a while, but it seems like there’s some worldbuilding, and I’m keen to learn more and see where the story goes!

    1. That’s an interesting point about consequences. What kind of consequences could there be for a ghost? I supposed they might get munched, which is what the ghost stood in line for near the donut shop. Would they see that as punishment? They’re already dead; what happens when they’re consumed by another ghost?

      I was glad that the show didn’t devolve into a repetitive joke. There are many more possibilities if she can see both good and bad ghosts!

      I’m interested in seeing where this goes, too.

  2. This second episode has made me think that there’s less chance od Mieruko-chan becoming repetitive. I really quite enjoyed the episode and loved the final segment with the cat.

  3. I suppose if I thought panty and bra shots and having someone’s butt or boobs shoved in my face were sexy I’d probably rate this show very highly. *It’s still an entertaining show* but I’m a little irritated by how juvenile the fan service is. Adds nothing to the plot or the characters and takes away time that could have been used for more interesting things.

    But… I’m not a teenage Japanese boy, so who am I to judge?

    1. It feels just like a 1980s horror film to me, so maybe I have poor taste!

      Come to think of it, using anything from the 1980s as a benchmark is probably questionable.

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