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Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls Episode 5 Review – Best In Show

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Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls Episode 5 Review – Quick Summary

In Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls Episode 5, “Species 5: Everyday Life with a Mermaid,” Miia called a meeting with Darling-kun, Centorea, and Papi. Her goal? To figure out a way to keep Suu safe now that Agent Kuroko Smith knew about her. But before they could make any plans, a team from the government knocked on the door. How did they dispatch a team so quickly, given Agent Smith’s usual turn-around time of forever? What can Miia, Centorea, and Papi do to protect Suu? And why did they forget Darling-kun when they bolted from the house?

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

Favorite Quote from Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls Episode 5

Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls Episode 5: Darling-kun narrowly saved Mero from serious injury

Darling-kun has two superpowers: Cooking and indestructibility. Capture from the Blu Ray.

I admire a series that can get self-awareness right. I personally think it’s hard to walk the line between self-awareness and breaking the fourth wall. While I’ve seen some series break the fourth wall successfully, it’s rare, and it’s not a favorite technique of mine.

But subtle self awareness? I’m all for that! Take my favorite quote in this episode as an example. Darling-kun had just thrown himself between a wheelchair-bound Meroune Lorelei and a light pole. She struck hard enough that she likely would have been wounded had Darling-kun not softened the blow. As it was, only Darling-kun seemed injured at all as he bled from a head-wound. 

But he didn’t seem badly injured, because he did say he appreciated her “soft airbags.” I think it’s healthy to make the best of a bad situation! Speaking of which, she expressed concern about his bleeding – going so far as to ask if he wanted her to call an ambulance.

“I’m okay. I’m okay,” he said cheerfully (04:27). “This happens all the time.”

Okay, it’s border-line self-aware, but I still laughed.

Best in Show Moment for Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls Episode 5

Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls Episode 5: Miia felt guilty for being rude to Mero

Miia had to reach deep for her words, and it was an indication of the quality of her character. Capture from the Blu Ray.

Setup: Miia’s Misunderstandings

I wish more ecchi comedies would let Monster Musume teach them how to write interesting characters. Because at least as far as I’m concerned, this show’s characters set it apart. In a good way. So much of the show’s humor and almost all of its warm, touching moments spring from its characters and their interactions. 

Several of those moments vied for my favorite this week. Miia defending her honor against Suu’s relentless attack was one of them. Centorea confronting Mero with evidence of the Mermaid’s royal bearing and etiquette was another.

But for my favorite moment, I’m choosing a combination of solid character and humor. 

Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls Episode 5: Miia let her jealousy get the best of her

Miia was so convinced that Mero wanted her Darling-kun that she pushed all three of them down the stairs. Okay, it might have been accidental. Capture from the Blu Ray.

After Mero’s arrival, Miia had it in for her. The Lamia felt convinced that Mero wanted Darling-kun for herself, and of course, Miia would have none of that! So Miia tried multiple times to make life difficult for Mero. First, Miia confronted Mero for letting Darling-kun carry her upstairs. The resulting tumble down those stairs broke Mero’s wheelchair, which meant Darling-kun had to carry her around everywhere. Miia tried to freeze Mero using the air conditioning, but Miia didn’t know that Mermaids are hardy against the cold. All Miia ended up doing was putting herself into hibernation.

The events escalated (yet, they got worse than that!) until Miia ended up almost drowning. Mero helped save her. Miia had gotten so cold under the water that Mero panicked, but Darling-kun suggested Miia jump into the waiting warm bath. Mero asked if she could join her.

Delivery: Miia Bares Her Soul (Among Other Things)

As they sat in the bath, Mero attempting to make polite conversation about “bare communication,” Miia halting said (20:39), “I’m sorry for being rude to you all this time.”

You could see from Miia’s expression how much effort it took for her to say that. Mero saving Miia’s life, and Miia finally seeing through all the misunderstandings that made her think Mero was after Darling-kun, sobered the Lamia. She really loves Darling-kun and wants him for her own. She’s willing to go to great lengths to accomplish that. But she doesn’t want to falsely accuse anyone. And she doesn’t want to be rude or cruel to anyone – even Mero.

That was a cool enough moment all by itself. It’s way more characterization than I expect from an ecchi comedy! But then Mero, speaking perfectly in character, said, “Were you rude?”

“You didn’t notice?!”

Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls Episode 5: Mero didn't seem to have noticed Miia's rudeness

Mero seemed genuinely in the dark about Miia’s discourtesy. I think. It’s hard to tell with Mero, because she’s a subtle one! Capture from the Blu Ray.

A warm human moment, followed by a light touch of comedy – that’s way more than I expected going into this show. Even now, rewatching it, I appreciate moments like this.

What did you think of Agent Smith consciously deciding to ignore Suu? What were your favorite moments? Feel free to let me know in the comments!

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