Minami and Sayuri follow Tsubasa and Rena on their date at the mall. Mama Fuyuki later joins the party.
Episode 8 — “Yakiniku with Friends Is Super Delish”
Hmm.
This week, Hokkaido Gals touched on a common occurrence of local soul food becoming gourmet cuisine elsewhere. It’s akin to poke from Hawaii sold as an expensive appetizer in resort hotels. Or wagyu beef ground up for hamburgers or stripped for fajitas. Why would you do such things? Tsubasa learns how Hokkaido natives think ramen is a dish for special occasions. But in Tokyo, it’s street cart fare or fast food.
In the opposite direction, Tokyo residents considered mutton, or Jingisukan, the Hokkaido meat delicacy. But Hokkaido denizens cook mutton at home like a nabe pot. I had to laugh after I learned that the specialized dome grill for cooking mutton took its name from Genghis Khan. Jingisukan (成吉思汗, ジンギスかん) is the phonetic spelling for the traditional dish of grilled mutton and vegetables named after the Mongol warlord.
Hokkaido Gals Love Their Meat
However, in Hokkaido, yakiniku (焼肉) restaurants are like Tokyo ramen shops or carts. They are, literally, on every other block in Kitami’s urban center. California natives like me will recognize the fun of grilling meat at your booth at nearby Korean barbecue restaurants. In Hokkaido, I’m sure yakiniku is everywhere because it’s how to keep warm when you go out to eat. It must be how Mama Fuyuki knows the best practices for keeping traditional kimonos from smelling like grilled meat!
Plus, all the girls enjoyed instructing Tsubasa on beef-cut vocabulary they learned at yakiniku tables. It’s fun for locals to see visitors discover the essence of hometown spirit. It’s almost the only way natives get to play tourists in their hometowns. Did you know that an original casting of Rodin’s “The Thinker” sculpture resides in Pasadena at the Norton Simon Museum? The only time I’ve seen it, as a Pasadena native, was when my grammar school took a field trip to the museum. This world-famous statue is only ten minutes from my house, yet… Cherish your tourists and visitors because they make you appreciate the charm of your backyard.
Hokkaido Gals Makes Me Go Heh.
Oh my! Minami invited Sayuri to stalk Tsubasa with her! Minami is so happy to witness Rena in a kimono! She rushed out to see the girl with Tsubasa. But Minami lucked out when she found her favorite, Rena-senpai. And why did Minami call Sayuri? Just because! Sayuri is curious about Tsubasa on a date, too. What a contrasting image: traditional kimonos inside a video game arcade. Hahaha! Look at all the local Hokkaido city mascots! Hokkaido Gals serves the local chamber of commerce, obviously. Melon Kuma-san belongs to Yubari. How are Tsubasa’s crane game skills? Ah. Average. Gamer gyaru Sayuri wants to jump in there! Ooh. Tsubasa got one. It’s Mint-kun, the Kitami City mascot. Remember Minami’s one historical thing she knew? Kitami was the mint capital of the world for a short while, so its mascot reflects that. Tsubasa took a direct hit from Rena’s pure beauty.
Aw. Minami wants to be cool like Tsubasa. Sayuri worries about other problems, like grabbing all the Hokkaido mascots from the crane game. Next on Tsubasa and Rena’s agenda? Going to the movies! Minami and Sayuri better hurry and follow them, but Sayuri has won too many mascots. She needs a couple of bags to carry her loot, annoying Minami. Hah. Minami is easy to pacify, though. So, Sayuri gives her half the plushies! Which anime movie does Sayuri want to watch?
A Movie in an Anime About Hokkaido Gals
I see. Hokkaido Gals uses a framed story to put its themes at the forefront of its viewers’ minds. A character works hard to receive recognition for her efforts from family, friends, and colleagues. Rena identifies strongly with the main character, and Tsubasa notices it. After the movie in a coffee shop, Rena admitted to Tsubasa that she rarely receives praise. How odd! But, understandably, fans of perfect beings like Rena never see the work she puts in to achieve her results. Rena had no idea that she had fans. She’s about to meet her number one! Oho. The question. “Do you have a girlfriend?” The time to interrupt has arrived. Sayuri enjoyed her anime movie. But let Tsubasa brag about his two best friends in Hokkaido. His Hokkaido gals. Sayuri is so tsundere!
How nice for Minami. She’s meeting her idol face-to-face for the first time. Handshake, please? But wash your hands, Minami. Fun! The gyaru MILF truck has arrived! Mama Fuyuki started this whole ball of stalking rolling. Now, she finishes it with grilled meat because she earned extra cash on Mercari. Another Hokkaido commercial — Kitami has the most yakiniku restaurants per capita in Japan. Come eat our meats! Like Tokyo and ramen shops, Kitami has grilled barbecue on every street. Let’s have a post-final exams celebration! Ooh. Rena can go to Mama Fuyuki for kimono advice.
Hokkaido Gals, Foodies, and Hot Meat
It’s that time again. You know that time. The time when every Japanese character turns into a TV foodie expert. Hokkaido Gals sells its beef, pork, and mutton. Tokyo-native Tsubasa learns that Hokkaido lamb is a homecooked meal, not a gourmet dish in an upscale restaurant. But even a local yakiniku restaurant has robot servers. Oho. Let Rena-senpai’s number one fan brag for her. Intelligent, beautiful, and a genius of hard work. Trifecta, baby! See, Rena? Somebody did notice and appreciate your efforts.
Harem dynamics to the third power. Since Tsubasa went on a date with Rena, he has to go on a date with Minami! That’s wrong, though. It’s Sayuri’s turn! But Spring Break is coming soon, so these Hokkaido gals can wear less clothes. Much less clothes! What will Hokkaido look like through Tsubasa’s eyes without snow on the ground?
Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable! (道産子ギャルはなまらめんこい, Dosanko Gal wa Namaramenkoi) streams on Crunchyroll in Japanese audio and English subtitles.
Did you enjoy Rena’s date with Tsubasa? I thought they’d do traditional Japanese things the way they were dressed, but it was a regular high schooler date. What do you think Minami will do on her date? Or Sayuri? I want to see them display their knowledge of meats and anatomy! How about you? Let us know in the comments below.
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