Moyashimon episode 2.

Thanks to Xerox for this week’s Moyashimon equation. It was inspired by her description of the bacteria:

“…aren’t they just adorable? They’re like tiny, tiny marshmallows, don’t you just feel their squishy plumpness when Sawaki plucks them out of the air?”

Yes, they are indeed adorable and plump. Adorable and plump bacteria. Yes.

Since Guff and I have been occupied with other endeavors over the last couple of weeks, we’re going to try and catch up this week with our episode reviews somewhat. Among other things, you can look forward to more Kaiji as well as our thoughts on Masamune Shirow’s Ghost Hound.

But before that, of course, Moyashimooooooon~!

The carefree way the bacteria frolic about just never fails to make me laugh. It’s such a bizarre concept to represent bacteria that way, but it works so well that I can’t help but smile whenever they’re on screen. Like Gurren without Lagann, this show just wouldn’t fly without the bacteria. Despite being tiny, they easily overshadow the human characters in terms of entertainment value.

This show continues to captivate me as well. The fact that it deals primarily with the brewing of sake is quite the incentive in and of itself, but then they combine that with painfully gleeful dancing bacteria! I mean, that’s just really not fair. How am I supposed to do anything else other than watch this show?

Hey, what do you think of my Hitler impression?

Now, I’ve allegedly done some pretty ridiculous things with school equipment in my day. In fact, I allegedly raced stand up pianos across the gym floor, and allegedly made questionable use of audio visual equipment for the purpose of Mario Kart during study hall. Allegedly, I tell you.

Unfortunately, however, I’ve never had the opportunity to use school premises and equipment for the purpose of brewing alcohol. But we can dream, can’t we?

While I’m not really a fan of this particular duo, you do have to give them credit for the sheer moxy of trying to start their own illicit brewery on a forgotten corner of the school campus.

I actually really enjoyed the introduction of the dubious duo Misato and Kawahama. I must admit I feel for their plight; I haven’t quite reached the point of using silkworms or cultivating penicillin to pay for school, but in view of my invertible debt as I approach grad school it might not be a bad idea.

I suppose their role in the show is a necessary one. Someone has to be the butt of all the jokes, the characters you love to hate.

Who the fuck do you think I am? I’m the femdom science queen, bitch!

Hasegawa is awesome as always. Like the bacteria, she helps add that extra element of over the top ridiculousness to the show.

On a slightly different note, I really like the way they transition between Sawaki’s view of the world, and how everyone else sees it. It’s always a challenge to portray these kind of situations, where different characters perceive the world in different ways - for example, Hobbes appearance from Calvin’s perspective vs everyone else’s.

The animation team for Moyashimon, however, has done an excellent job at helping the viewer see the world through Sawaki’s eyes while also avoiding a constant barrage of bacteria cluttering up every shot.

Ninja vanish!

While the bacteria may be the main act of the show, the humans can be pretty entertaining, too. Professor Itsuki in particular never fails to crack me up. He’s the quintessential harmless mad scientist. Well, harmless as long as you keep him away from any bird butts, anyway.

Korosu!

What with all the overbearing cuteness the show is positively dripping with, I’m glad to see they didn’t forget to throw in some good ol’ emo facial distortion.

Kei’s impersonation of a Sectoid isn’t half bad, and gives me high hopes that he’ll go into a loco fit and instigate some kind of wacky hijinks later in the series.

I loved the scene with Kei whispering “die” fiendishly as he spread ash on the hiochi bacteria. I’ve done the same thing with Lysol wipes around my bathroom, so I can relate.

If they actually made a Moyashimon TCG, I would go out and buy some in a heartbeat.

Interestingly, these cards are modeled after a popular real life trading card game / video game called Mushi King. Back when I was teaching in Japan, my grade school age Japanese students would often play this game at the arcades after class.

Basically the game is a glorified fighting game version of Rock Paper Scissors, thus the little “rock” and “paper” hand symbols on the Hiochi and Oryzae cards, respectively.

You know, if they made a Moyashimon card game it could serve as a legitimately enjoyable educational game. Other than killing scores of bears on Oregon Trail, and naming my characters ridiculous names (0rion: “YourMom has died of cholera”), I don’t think I ever enjoyed educational games growing up. However, a Moyashimon game might end up a good way to learn about organic chemistry, you never know.

In fact, education aside, I think the idea of playing one side harmful bacteria the other side helpful bacteria would be awesome. Think, you could go co-op and gain fermentation points with molds and the team with the best sake would win.

Oryzae-tan, I choose you!

A tasty beefcake shot for the ladies. Oh yeah.

More bacteria than you can shake a stick at!

Unfortunately, this is probably entirely too representative of what the average male residence would really look like if you could see all of the invisible crap floating around like this.

For some reason this scene just cracks me up to no end.

I imagine that this series is probably a lot of fun to animate, just because it’s so ridiculously cute and goofy.

Agreed, this part had me in stitches as well. Knowing some of my friends, it’s entirely possible that colonies of bacteria make a veritable Disneyland resort out of them…ughghgh… *shudder*

It’s interesting to see that not only can Sawaki see the bacteria, he can actually interact with them directly as well. This scene, in which he calls out to the different types of bacteria and they begin to glow, seems like it could be foreshadowing as yet unexplained aspects of his power.

It’ll be interesting to see whether they actually go anywhere with the development of his character, or whether the humans just end up serving as a foil for the comedic genius of the tiny squishy marshmallow bundles of win. Honestly, I think I’d be equally happy with either direction.

I must say, this week’s Microbe Theatre was very informative. I can no longer hold any contempt for mold considering they’re such cute lil’ fellers and all.

I love the statement the mold make as they all bask in their little environment, “Ah…what a great room!” It’s just hilarious. It practically makes you feel bad for using soap.

Speaking of which, I imagine in the microbe world most anime con-goers are pretty choice real estate. When you look at it that way their lack of hygiene seems almost philanthropic.

Ummm…no. I loves me some cute molds and all, but I draw the line at that.