Saturday 27 April 2013

Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai 2 - Episode 4

As we reach this fourth episode of Oreimo's second season, Kirino is looking to allow a friend of hers from her time in the US stay over while she visits Japan, which can mean only one thing for poor Kyousuke - trouble!

So it proves, as the visit of the energetic Ria sees Kyousuke getting blamed for all sort of shenanigans which aren't even his fault by Kirino, while Ria seems more than happy to wreak havoc and play "little sister" to Kyousuke's big brother.


After a little sightseeing which takes the trio to - where else - Akihabara to give Ria a taste of Kirino's interests, we come to the crunch of Ria's visit - an opportunity to pit herself against her former roommate in a race, to get revenge for Kirino's single victory over her before she returned to Japan.  With Kyousuke present to cheer her on, can Kirino ensure that the status quo remains, or will Ria's natural talent allow her to go home on a high note?

After a first half to this episode that couldn't have been any more generic a fan service-led comedy if it tried, the second half of this week's instalment did at least improve somewhat by offering up a little emotional meat to its panty shot bread and butter.  It's still a far cry from the Oreimo I know and love (heck, it doesn't even look as good at this juncture), and I'm seriously starting to fear that those halcyon days simply aren't going to return at this point, but maybe this show is finally making some baby steps in the right direction.  I can hope, can't I?

No comments: