Minami’s friends and classmates fret about White Day commitments. Ice fishing leads to warm feelings.
Episode 9 — “Lake Abashiri Is Super Relaxing”
Hmm.
A harem king with guy friends is a healthy lead character. Tsubasa’s loner past is still concerning, so it’s a character development point for later revelation. But his friendship with Matsuo-kun in Hokkaido Gals lends greater verisimilitude to a slice-of-life story set in a real place selling real-world products. Dudes in high school with positive attitudes usually have male friends as they pursue female companionship. Tsubasa’s disposition as a character will naturally keep the story around him light and fun, as it avoids attracting darkly dramatic elements. Relaxing fluffy jokes and gags are the rule for slice-of-life shows.
Do we have a running joke of never seeing Papa Fuyuki? He was also ice fishing at the lake, but Hokkaido Gals omitted a scene of Tsubasa meeting Minami’s father. Maybe he didn’t? I like these elements in slice-of-life comedies. It’s a small hook to hang a joke on, to make the audience grin, and to build a culture for the story. These tiny touchstones are part of a narrative’s charm that helps readers connect to how the producers tell the tale. A similar charm point for My Tiny Senpai came from how the CEO was so tall his eyes never fit in the frame. Those details invite the audience to share the little gag and wonder if things will differ in a particular scene. That’s called “increasing engagement.” And Hokkaido Gals just did it to me!
Hokkaido Gals Makes Me Go Heh.
Aw. Sayuri is a bona fide indoor type. Unlike the other Hokkaido gals, she can’t stand the cold weather. And March is the worst because spring beckons, but it hasn’t gotten warmer yet. Oho. Excitement builds among the women-folk. Why? White Day! Sayuri doesn’t want to get her hopes up for Tsubasa’s gift. But look at her. She’s so thirsty for a return present! Minami has pure faith, though. No surprises! Tsubasa is so open and earnest. He hasn’t decided what he’ll do for gifts yet. Oh? Why does the redheaded kid Sayuri threatened on Valentine’s Day eavesdrop so seriously?
White Day, Nice Day for Hokkaido Gals
Ah. Matsuo-kun wants to use White Day to apologize to Minami and Sayuri for his thoughtless minimization of Minami’s replacement chocolates. Matsuo-kun calls Minami “Fuyumina.” Hokkaido dudes use the same slang as Hokkaido gals. Tsubasa loves throwing straight punches: how about a sincere apology and a request to stay friends? Matsuo-kun joined Tsubasa’s bro harem! Even Grandma succumbs to Tsubasa’s straightforward charm. Notice how she was in the middle of grinding charcoal for traditional calligraphy. Grandma is ready to show Tsubasa how to bake traditional Japanese rice crackers with more Hokkaido-adjacent branded products.
Whew! Things move fast in Hokkaido Gals. Matsuo-kun apologized to Minami, who didn’t even remember his stray comment. Well. Matsuo-kun remembered how guilty he felt because Sayuri expressed violent anger towards him. But everything worked out as Tsubasa predicted. Sayuri accepted his apology because Minami forgave Matsuo-kun first. His gift is an onion pie from a fancy Kitami confectionary. Hokkaido onion pie is sweet and savory from its mix of Hokkaido Pumpkin (red kuri squash) and onions. Aw. It’s a White Day Party! Tsubasa made rice crackers for Matsuo-kun, too. His ribbon was blue, of course! Milk senbei crackers are salty and sweet. Sayuri and Minami sparkle with delight. Grandma was happy to share her recipe! Today was a good day.
Hokkaido Gals Go Fishing for Icy Good Times
Tsubasa’s next adventure — smelt fishing on a frozen lake with Matsuo and his dad. Bro-time has sorely been lacking in Tsubasa’s life so far. I’m glad to see a healthy boy have male friends. Most rom-com slice-of-life anime only let the lead boy have female friends (Don’t Toy With, Me Miss Nagatoro, The Dangers in My Heart, Goddess Café Terrace, etc.). So, I love it when we have balanced shows like Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out!. Lake Abashiri is in the episode title. The locals use camping tents for their ice holes, which lack the charm of traditional ice shelters. Hokkaido Gals does not hesitate to show Matsuo-kun’s father. But we are still waiting to see what Papa Fuyuki looks like. Hey! Minami is here with her father! Will we see him, too? Nope! He and the Fuyuki family are at another ice hole!
Ice fishing tutorial for Tsubasa. Uh oh. No tent for the Matsuo ice fishing party. Will that lead to hell-cold-flu for Tsubasa? If so, which girl will manage the sick visit plot point? Does Minami’s case have a warmer so her phone can work out there? Well. Fishing can be boring like that when the smelts aren’t biting. Matsuo checks with his dad’s location, leaving Minami and Tsubasa together. Minami isn’t bored because she’s alone with Tsubasa! Squee! Um. Guys don’t find makeup tutorials interesting, Minami. But they’ll fake it to sit next to you as you watch them! Hokkaido Gals supplies us with character development for Minami: she hopes to become a makeup artist. How about a heaping dose of Tsubasa’s encouragement, Minami? Can your heart take it?
Deep Fried Indirect Kisses
Deflection time. Let’s have Hokkaido Gals make a lengthy joke about an indirect kiss from a lip balm stick. Minami trapped him with her knees! High-level moves, there. Bah, Tsubasa, you coward. Scene change: catching smelt and deep fat frying them on the lake. Smelt tempura! Scallops rice balls! Tsubasa makes all the Hokkaido dishes look delicious. Fishing is always fun if you catch something.
Ack. And hack, hack! You were supposed to catch fish, not a cough! Fishing outside a tent gave Tsubasa the hell-cold flu! Also, from taking off his jacket! Why would you do that? Japanese immune systems have an off switch in the cold. Apparently so. Which of the Hokkaido Gals will make the sick home visit? Not Sayuri. Text messages were as far as she got. Rena? The next-door girl only ran back and forth to give his grandmother a bottle of Pocari Sweat. That leaves Number One Minami! She met Grandma outside, and Tsubasa’s guardian told her to keep him company.
Minty Breath and Sweaty Palms
Tsubasa is supposed to rest while he’s sick, but Minami revs him up too much. It’s time for a Kitami mint commercial. And Minami will follow all his orders because she feels guilty for encouraging him to goof off on the ice. Doujin writers, start your engines! Stay by his side, Minami. Forever! Holding hands until Tsubasa falls asleep. Sneaky fox!
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.
I’ve never been a fan of how easily Japanese people catch fevers and colds from cold weather. But if it gets hot gyaru bumping foreheads with you, I’ll allow it. Did you notice the harem ranking by distance into Tsubasa’s room? I’d like to see Sayuri get more screen time, but the best girl of this anime’s season has taken her place next to Tsubasa’s bed. What do you think? Has Minami already won? Let us know in the comments below.
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