Sakurako makes Iori’s first day at a family restaurant a nightmare. Another coworker shares a common interest.
Episode 8 — “Coworkers”
Hmm.
Everyone needs some armor in this dangerous world. Not necessarily a suit of armor or bulletproof plates, but protection from the elements is a vital concern for most people. Even spiritual or emotional armor counts. And that’s true for the characters in Grand Blue. We have one silly example and a more realistic one in today’s episode.
I’m sure you’ve seen movies where cultures, tribes, or small groups apply warpaint to their faces before battle. It’s a psychological weapon (against foes) and a shield (increasing courage) for warriors. Grand Blue’s version is pancake makeup. Yes, it’s true! Aina is the face-painted warrior of this diving anime. Whenever she feels amped up (drunk) or needs an extra emotional kick, out comes her pancake face and twin-tails wig. The comedy obviously uses it for visual sight gags, but it fits Aina’s character development. I found it hilarious that she directed her weapon and shield at Sakurako Busujima.
In the few scenes Sakurako shared with Iori, Grand Blue quickly revealed a young woman who is aware that she uses her haughty attitude and selective speech modes as a defense mechanism. Sakurako desires to present the sweet image of an “elegant and gentle rich girl” to Naomi. Then she switches her personality to a violent bully with Iori whenever she feels she has the upper hand. However, Sakurako also shares her insecure side with him.
Those vulnerable moments set off Aina’s jealousy alarm, and the warpaint came out!
Grand Blue Makes Me Go Heh.
Welcome to hell, Iori-kun. Picking up from Grand Blue S2, episode 7, Sakurako had just poured a glass of water over Iori’s head. The restaurant manager defers to Sakurako’s judgment for how to train the new hire. Too much deference! “Sakurako-sama” instructs her junior waiter. Pantyhose and tights fans should rejoice about Sakurako’s server uniform. Sakurako prefers her given name (when a junior should use her surname) because it makes her sound like she lives on Extremely Ugly Woman’s Island (busu — 醜女). Face-stepping! Har. Iori says no one would call Sakurako “ugly,” but her personality… And the torture begins. Let’s see how life works out for Sakurako when only hot boys and designer goods interest her.
Customer service training. Sakurako will throw in some embarrassing landmines for Iori. Oops. Iori is too familiar with how Peek-a-boo functions. Strip! And burn the water to prove it’s not liquor! Grand Blue loves showing that blue flame. Creepy smile! Oho. Hot boy kitchen staff! He seems friendly. He also seems like a “he.” Naomi Otoya is an ikemen high schooler whom Sakurako likes. Compared to the other guys Iori has met so far, Naomi’s face is like staring into the sun. The chasm between how Sakurako treats Naomi and Iori would take several days to hike.
Grand Blue Dives into Teenage Drama
Iori had a fun first day of work. Not! Aina, Azusa, and Nanaka have questions. Field trip! Har. Sakurako told Iori to tell all-female parties cringe-inducing things. Azusa says Iori’s life seems “fun.” The first character in Busujima’s name (毒島) means “poison” (毒, どく, doku). Oh? Naomi is a scuba diver and the president of the high school diving club. How many closet divers will Grand Blue find? Uh oh. Sakurako wants to join Iori and Naomi on a diving trip. No! And she slammed Iori against the refrigerator again. Sakurako doesn’t care about diving, but she sees a chance to seduce Naomi with her bikini-rocking body!
Ooh-la-la! Sakurako is out of her depth with Chisa, Nanaka, and Azusa’s bikini-stretching bodacious tatas! Uh oh. Time for more jealous pangs from Aina! More chaos. Kouhei showed up and doesn’t want to see Sakurako. Oh, right. He’s overly anxious about meeting new people. Ack! Sakurako remembers Kouhei’s face. Iori assures her that Kouhei only remembers the concert from that day. Hoh. Aina sees Iori and Sakurako “getting along.” Kouhei sees Naomi and Chisa getting along, but Chisa is “easy” when the subject is diving. Bikini time!
Bikini Bombshells Mix Metaphors and Hit Homeruns
Iori and Naomi exchange diving origin stories. Naomi went diving in Palau and fell in love with the island. Chisa likes Palau, too… Eh? Why would Sakurako trust Iori’s judgment about her tiny-teeny red bikini? She doesn’t want to lose to Azusa and Nanaka, but that’s a lost cause. The gap between her and the two buxom babes is as wide as her estimation between Naomi and Iori. Gah! Utter defeat! At least Naomi thinks she looks lovely in her swimsuit. Uh oh. I’m picking up on a vibe that Naomi-kun is a Naomi-chan. It’s okay to gloat, Sakurako. Ack! Aina peers through her jealousy filter.
Grand Blue goes scuba diving for the first time since the second episode. The girls wear red wetsuits while the guys wear blue ones. Sakurako worries about looking incompetent in front of Naomi but doesn’t care what Iori thinks about her. Too bad for her, because first-time divers buddy up with the instructor. Nanaka comes equipped with two flotation devices! Naomi admires Iori’s respect for individuality. Oh, really? I see more clues for a gender or sexual preference switcheroo coming.
Pressure Builds as Grand Blue Reveals Deep Feelings
Let’s get wet! Shinji and Ryuujirou notice how well Naomi acts like a dive captain. Fun sessions!
Iori and Naomi chat during clean-up. Naomi is popular. With whom? With whom, Naomi? Oho, yappari! Look at that maidenly blush! But now Peek-a-boo chugs beer! Ahaha! Kouhei might remember Sakurako’s face! Uh oh. Aina’s jealousy hit its maximum level. Bring on Cakey Face! Are misunderstandings creating comedy in Grand Blue? That has never happened before! Hahaha! Azusa thinks Chisa and Naomi might start going out! Look at that sunset. Naomi likes Iori!
The cross-axis romantic relationship arrows have too many labels! Aina (who likes Iori) thinks Sakurako (who likes Naomi) also likes him. Azusa thinks Naomi likes Chisa, but the high schooler likes Iori. But I am the most confused person! Is Naomi a gay boy or a boyish girl?
Next time, the diving after-party gets even crazier!
Grand Blue Dreaming Season 2 (Grand Blue Season 2) streams on Crunchyroll in Japanese audio with subtitles in multiple languages.
We saw Chisa, Nanaka, and Azusa in their bikinis! Woohoo! I like the Kotegawa sisters’ white bikinis with colorful trim, but could we see something different? Azusa’s bandeau-top bikini is also sexy, but variety is the horny spice of life. Thank goodness for Sakurako’s red strappy bikini. Was it worth 81 points? Let us know in the comments below!
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