The Kuma is revealed!
What They Say:
As part of a school event, the first-years are required to participate in a competitive orienteering activity that pits the clubs against each other. While the girls enjoy strolling around Kamakura, Mr. Bear appears before Hiromi and her friends and issues Hiromi a challenge…
The Review:
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
To begin, let me pat myself on the back for totally calling it last week; and no, I don’t care how obvious it was. This week’s episode finally introduces the new member to the Minami Kamakura H.S.G.C.C., the one and only Mr. Bear! Whilst out on an orienteering activity, which showcases more of Kamakura’s incredible beauty, the girls are blindsided by a challenge to a race by the bear itself, which answers a few of the questions still permeating this season’s comfy watch. This episode is another strong showing from J.C. Staff, making a perfect mix of relaxation and just enough plot development to not feel stuck in the mud, Minami Kamakura is shaping up to have a strong ending to the season.
It’s another picture-perfect day at Minami Kamakura High School and the girls are gearing up for a little orienteering! I’m sure J.C. Staff were chomping at the bit for this episode to roll down the assembly line, as the scenery in the episode is beautiful. The girls get the perfect opportunity to explore all of this business in a little competition cooked up by the staff of the school to get everyone outside to enjoy the day. Tasked with collecting stamps from random locations around Kamakura, the team hop on their bike and head to landmarks such as the giant Buddha Statue and the Enoshima Observation Tower (both real life locations) on their quest to fill their stamp book. Episodes like these that make me wish I did more with my student life, especially when we learn who Mr. Bear REALLY is.
Looking to avenge the humiliation from the Night Criterium, Mr. Bear ambushes the team in a challenge to Hiromi up one of Kamakura’s many hills. This race doesn’t go very well, as who could have such a grueling race on a day where you are supposed to relax and enjoy the sights of your hometown? Stopping to enjoy a fantastic view of the ocean, we finally get to know who is behind the mask…and it’s the blonde girl! I knew it, it was obvious, but I still knew it! Her name is…ugh…Sandy McDougal, a foreign exchange student from the glorious state of Colorado, and she is here for the same reasons a lot of us would stereotypically have, them animes and mangas. Loving that entertainment medium, Sandy made the bold decision of studying abroad in picture perfect Kamakura, even helping the cosplay club while not actually being a member of it. That open-mindedness will be a valuable tool for studying in such a foreign land (unlike going from say USA to UK, for example). After a little more exploration and a lot of hills, the girls finally see themselves at their last stop with a new member in tow.
Indeed, Sandy McDougal has decided to become the member of the club that we have all been spying in the opening theme. The increase in elevation has also increased my attachment to one character, Fuyune. Being the rich girl, I fully expected her to be arrogant, foolhardy, and headstrong, but I’m constantly surprised by her character. Willing to look vulnerable in front of her friends, put in the same hard work everyone else does, and treating all the girls with respect and friendliness (like backing Tomoe for president) are some of her highlights thus far that draw me to her character. Struggling with the hills throughout the day, Fuyune has a few moments to spend with Natsumi to discuss her sister and the ultimate goal of allowing her to live vicariously through Fuyune. This little exchange was a highlight of the episode for me, as it reminded me of my family in a sense, something I can say with honesty that never happens in anime of all things. Episode 9 marks another highpoint in a previously underwhelming offering this season, though I am not quite at the point yet of recommending it given the slog of the first few episodes, but there is still time!
In Summary:
Out on school excursion through Kamakura’s beautiful landscapes and landmarks, J.C. Staff looks to flex their artistic muscle a little more whilst introducing a new character. Slightly cringeworthy in her makeup (English interspersed with Japanese), Sandy McDougal is an American student visiting Kamakura on a foreign exchange scholarship and looks to join the club once her challenge as Mr. Bear is somewhat rebuffed. Now that the crew seems complete, all that’s left is whether or not the principal will grant them full membership as a club and all the perks, like a budget, that go along with it.
Grade: B
Streamed By: Crunchyroll
