Ganbare Doukichan, Episode 7: Enter New Player Senpai-san

Episode 7 – “A Coworker Who Goes All-Out with Seductive Lingerie”

Hmm.

Ganbare Doukichan pulled a fast one on us! This week’s episode title is the first one this season that didn’t summarize the plot. Sure, it described Doukichan’s plan, but the earlier six titles expressed each episode’s key plot element. How about “My Coworker’s College Senpai Who Became a Client?” This show hasn’t been shy about spoiling the identity of whoever ruins Doukichan’s plans for Doukikun. The Valentine’s Day episode put Kouhaichan in the title before we knew she would be the one to wreck Doukichan’s chances at spending time alone with Doukikun.

However, Ganbare Doukichan has a formula for introducing new love rivals. In the second episode, where Doukichan spent a sexy dream in an elevator with Doukikun, the title didn’t mention Kouhaichan showing up. The episode title for this week built up our hopes that Doukichan would make her wild dreams a reality. But, just like that second episode, a busty, forward, beautiful lady took Doukikun away from Doukichan. The credit sequence reflected that too, by inserting Senpai-san into it at the same place Kouhaichan showed up. The main disappointment of the Ganbare Doukichan episode title was that Doukichan teased us a view of her seductive lingerie, then Senpai-san blocked us from that sight. Ooh, that conniving Senpai-san!

Heh.

Oh, boy. Today’s the day! Doukichan has had too many near misses, but she’ll make Doukikun hers tonight! She’s girded for a night battle. It’s the same red lingerie she wore in the hotel room in the first Ganbare Doukichan episode. Kouhaichan isn’t here to mess things up either. She just needs to meet a client with Doukikun and move on to their own private meeting. It’s the perfect plan!

Except it’s not. In walks a voluptuous lady with sheer hose, high heels, and a short skirt. Worse, she knows Doukikun from college! She might even “know” him from college… Doukichan just needs to get through this last meeting of the day and get Doukikun alone. Fat chance! When a client schedules a meeting right before the end of business hours, and the coworkers don’t need to clock out back at their home office, we know what that means for Japanese salespeople. Drink, drink, drink!

Wait a minute. Doukikun declined the after-hours drinking to stay with Doukikun. How did they end up Senpai-san anyway? And isn’t that Kouhaichan toasting a fruity drink with Senpai-san? Doukichan’s confusion registers our own with the Ganbare Doukichan flashforward scene.

The credit sequence shows Senpai-san joining Kouhaichan with Doukichan. She’ll be a more permanent pain in Doukichan’s side. The epilogue shows Senpai-san sizing Doukichan up and inviting her along. Does Senpai-san see no threat in Doukichan? Or did she recognize her as fitting Doukikun’s type? Senpai-san noticed a familiarity with Doukichan, even though they had never met before. Doukichan faces another long night of disappointment in Ganbare Doukichan. There’s hope, though. Doukikun had spine enough to refuse Senpai-san’s offer of dinner and drinks to keep his promise with Doukichan. Can he do it again? Ganbare, Doukikun!

Doushima illustrates Doukichan and Senpai-san at a diner together in the end card. Check out the bonus art of Senpai-san in his tweet. Doushima loves other office ladies, which you can see in the great artbook with other artists here.

Ganbare Doukichan streams weekly in multiple subtitles on Crunchyroll and VRV.