After last episode, even though a hint of plot showed at the very (and I mean very) end, I was wondering exactly what would happen with this episode. Turns out it’s a good time for all- getting lost with lost girls, more child abuse, and snide comments abound.

The little lost lamb…..or, snail, as she would put it (first a weight crab, now a lost snail- maybe next is a ‘motivation sea cucumber’) finally breaks down and accepts Araragi’s offer of help. She gives Araragi an address she wants to get to, and it turns out Senjougahara (Hot Dish) was from around there (where did she pop up from?). So Senjogahara sets out with the other two to find the place, only….she can’t. A few attempts prove unsuccessful, the only thing to show from them the proof that Senjougahara doesn’t like children- that’s okay, I don’t think Araragi would be a suitable parent anyways, considering how he takes pride in his body slamming of little girls.

Turns out this is a normal thing (the girl getting lost, not her getting body slammed). Every time she tries to get to that address, she can never find it. And Senjougahara’s gps on her phone isn’t working. Wait, you mean a Japanese technological device is malfunctioning? Cell phones aren’t working properly? This is the makings of a Ghost Story. Anyways, they give up, and Senjougahara peaces out to go talk to Sketchy Dude, Oshino. While she’s gone and Araragi chills with his little friend Hachikuji, the student coucil Pres fromt the first episode makes an appearance.

Somehow, she’s able to make Hachikuji obey her, and the little girl takes to her pretty well. She offers to help them, but Araragi tells her Hot Dish is already on the trail. She then leaves, after proving that she doesn’t, in fact, know everything. Like where the person Hachikuji is looking for lives (and what yaoi is. Pssh, she’s not a real japanese girl- or she’s lying). Well, after that useless intervention, which, I think was to show a bit of what is special about the Pres. (maybe mind control?), Araragi gets a call from Oshino, who’s with Senjogahara. Oshino chews Aararagi out lightly for thinking he can solve everyone’s problems, and says he’ll give his instructions to Senjogahara to relay to Aararagi. And that’s the end. That name is fun to type. Araragi..Aararagi….sorry.

By the way, did I mention Araragi punches Hachikuji’s lights out again. Literally knocks her out. Thankfully he acknowledges victory isn’t so sweet after the second time. Even when it’s punching out a little girl. That’s good of him. Manly. In his defense, she DID basically bite through his fingers (no big deal, since he has a healing factor- yeah, forgot he’s an ex-vampire? Me too).

So, while we have another episode that seems to only dip into plot, there’s more going on than just chilling in a “modern” park and ragging on your friends, and it should turn out to be something interesting. I hope. Though there wasn’t a whole lot of character development, it’s staring to feel comfortable. You know, how after you get a few constant characters, you get used to them and their interesting quirks.

Once again, animation is good. There must be an awesome budget for this damn show, because the opening and ending themes changed, too. The music is solid from prior episodes, and the characters are still fun. I didn’t enjoy the opening too much. A bit too high-pitched and energetic for my taste, but I really enjoyed the artwork in the ending. Almost made me think a little of the FLCL manga….which also happens to be cracked out. Much like this show.

Anywho, I look forward to the next episode.

Rating: