Love Lab – 02
Watching Love Lab makes Riko happy
After a hilarious and cute first episode, Love Lab set a pretty high bar to clear for both the other shows this summer, and itself for the future. So how did it do on its second outing?
A New Conspirator
I liked the togetherness but separation implied by this shot.
As we saw at the end of the last episode, Maki and Riko were discovered by the mousy first-year Student Council secretary, Tanahashi Suzune. We learn that she’s just too awed by Maki, and thinks Maki and Riko hate her now for spying on and running away on them. After some pretty typical (but still funny) pratfalls and misunderstandings, eventually things are cleared up and Suzu ends up enamored with the Riko that Maki is also enamored with. The big problem is that Riko’s not ‘exactly’ that person, she’s just going along with their expectations, and doesn’t have all the experience they think she does.
Suzu’s quite the dojikko
Suzu’s presence really helps out the group dynamics, giving another person to give reactions besides Riko, as well as providing an actual paper fan for Riko’s tsukomi act. But she definitely ramps up the pressure on Riko, especially after the secret group is declared a ‘no-lie zone’. Unable to just come clean that she’s as inexperienced as Maki and Suzu, Riko starts using a lot more weasel-y language, adding quiet “probably” and “I think” and stuff like that to the end of her statements. I think eventually, they’re going to find out, and Riko’s definitely going to have a hard time with it.
The fan was a great addition for this episode
Rival’s Arrivals
Peeping from the other building
But before they get to that, they’ll have to deal with the other former members of the student council. It seems that President Enomoto and Treasurer Mizushima aren’t too happy about being run out of office (one because she’s lost face and looks like a total 5th wheel, the other because she can’t get her hands on the cash anymore), so they’re looking for ways to get back at Maki and Riko. Well, more like Mizushima’s looking for ways, while Enomoto spies on them from the next building. These two really are fitting into the ‘hopeless villains’ mold at the moment. I’m actually intrigued to see if they turn to Maki and Riko’s friends and join the ‘secret’ part of the club, or if they’re going to continue to play this “terrible villain” role. Their efforts so far are laughable, ‘insulting’ Maki and Riko by saying they’re ‘slim’, openly scheming to get their positions back where others can hear them, and peeping. Will their efforts become more effective? Or will they get coopted by the likeable Maki and Riko instead?
You’re just making yourselves look bad
Love Lab continues to impress with amusing characters, risible villains, and great physical humor. The introduction of an actual paper fan by Suzu was brilliant, and that Riko actually used it was excellent. The low rent bad guy antics of Sayo and Eno were good, and Eno’s breakdown about not being ‘hentai’ was amusing, as well as how well Sayo gets under her skin. I definitely want to see more of this show!
About Highway
Proving that you don't have to be young to love anime, I enjoy all genres and styles of shows. If it's not hurting anyone else, you should never be ashamed of what you like!
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
yep the continues to be very funny and very endearing. I honestly didn’t expect those two new characters the show up as villains.
…and a Paper fan is fine too…
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1692 comments
This was another very funny episode. The addition of three new characters, two as incompetent villains, just adds more grist for the comedy mill. The paper fan and its use was a brilliant touch.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
It was brilliant, especially with Riko’s hesitant ‘hehe’ when Suzu showed it to her, but then grabbing it to smack Maki without hesitation when she deserved it.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
When stupidity runs rampant, all bets are off.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Riko should have quit before things escalated this much with her false stories. Now it’s going to be fun watching her dig herself into a hole so deep she can’t get out.
Maki is without a doubt a ditz but a lovable one and I had to give her some praise for being level headed enough to figure out Mizushima was behind those messages. I’d put some sensors around after Mizushima’s undetected intrusion. Even ninjas make more noise than she did.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
THE BUCHOU!
by the way… i loved Suzu’s addition, much more interesting
DAT FAN!
POWUH: 500-599 with 519 comments
Suzu! 😀 I actually really love her. I thought because of how meek she was, she would be a wallflower sort of thing but nope. She is going along with everything!
Also poor Riko. XD She just keeps digging herself into a deeper and deeper hole.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Riko started a lie so she has no choice but to support it however she can.
POWUH: iLurker with 3 comments
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POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
yeah…they’re awesome, you should check the last
episode of the podcast, it’s great…they talked about the new animes and other things