Senpai and Assistant-kun face obstacles in forming an official Magic Club.
Episode 4
Hmm.
Comedy, even absurdist comedy, relies on pushing and breaking the boundaries of logic and reality. That dissonance against the expected is what causes the laughter. Gag comedy, like Tejina-Senpai, needs a fast setup to allow for the breaking of expectations. Usually, that means Senpai ends up in some fantastic instance of fan service, so we can laugh and appreciate a sexy body at the same time. However, I was distracted by the inconsistency of the comedic premise in this episode.
As explained to us by Assistant-kun, everyone in his school needs to join a club. That’s what the whole month of Assistant-kun playing video games in the Magic Club’s room was supposed to be about. He found his club where he can coast through, living a peaceful high school life. This sets us up for the comedic tension, with his unofficial club, Senpai never giving him any peace, and the trade-off of sexy scenes she gives him. The ditzy but sexy Senpai keeps providing us with the fan service and the comedy, but what is her story?
Perhaps I’m expecting too much from this fast-paced joke factory. Shouldn’t Senpai also be made to join an official club? I’m an anime-only kind of guy, so I haven’t read very far into the manga except to confirm how well it has been adapted. Maybe there’s a backstory with Senpai being a member of another club. I can see that happening because it mirrors Assistant-kun’s story, but we have no proof yet. All I see is someone breaking the rules and trying to recruit members to a new Magic Club.
Look, Senpai’s boobs and panty flashes are great, but there’s a hole in the premise and this isn’t an absurdist, allegorical comedy where we can toss all logic aside. I’m preoccupied, and I keep hoping the new characters provide the solution to this problem, because Assistant-kun can’t, Senpai won’t, and even Onee-chan-sensei isn’t forcing her little sister to join a club. With all that said, I am still loving how each little scene sets up for the eventual punchline and cheesecake. Just give me a reason why Magical Sempai can be in that ad hoc club room, because I don’t have one right now.
Heh.
Chapter 1 – “Celebrating Senpai”
Celebrating a one month anniversary, just like a needy girlfriend! Assistant-kun should love to have a beautiful girl pull that intimate face-to-upside-down-face maneuver, but he’s given up on romance. Let’s be together forever! Hell no!
Senpai was fine just talking to Assistant-kun, but when she starts doing magic, she got that embarrassed flush to her face. She really needs help on that stage fright. The rope that wasn’t supposed to be cut now can’t break. Assistant-kun’s arm had a soft landing. Good for him.
Oh ho! A thousand yen per extreme… what!? かげき could also be “opera” so maybe she’s offering a discount?
Senpai is really getting into this yandere role.
Eh!? Onee-chan was in the Mystery Box the entire time? Oh. She’s there to deliver bad news. The club needs more members to be official.
Chapter 2 – “Scouting Senpai”
This is Assistant-kun’s chance to get away from the crazy booby “Magical Sempai.” We know that’s not going to happen, though. Total yandere!
Senpai is totally running around the other clubs. Is she poaching members or stalking Assistant-kun? I don’t think it matters for the jokes. She’s totally poaching. Assistant-kun doesn’t want to hear such a specific fortune.
Assistant-kun has been outrun before, so why does he think he’ll be better this time? Well, yes, she should totally join the track team! Eep. Still trying to poach members.
Chapter 3 – “Pigeon, Pigeon, and Senpai”
Whoa. Two pigeons. Are they both new, or did she get Bahamut a new companion? Still Yandere-Senpai… She needed new friends to fill the void Assistant-kun left, that’s sad. Ah. Misting the bird. She’s going to get soaked.
And there it is! Uh, there they are!
Oh good. She remembered to close the windows this time. And she didn’t get droppings on her either. Nothing really bad happened here. I’m genuinely surprised.
Chapter 4 – “Slaying Senpai”
Ah. The sword trick! We finally get to see how this plays out after seeing the card in the end credits. Senpai has lots of extra parts to get caught on the swords. That box with the running legs! Oh man.
Here we go, here we go! Ripped up Senpai! This drawn-out scene is way better than in the opening credits. Cute yips from Senpai totally sell it. Oh, that sword is caught on something alright.
Ah. Glasses Chemistry girl is hearing something really suggestive about poking butts. She has some sharp teeth.
I dunno, Assistant-kun. I think that sword trick was extremely successful. Senpai shows us a matching set of lingerie for the ecchi scenes now. None of that plain white business from the first episode.
Chapter 5 – “Magic Club Senpai”
Look how well she does magic when no one is looking! It’s just reminding us what the premise is. Of course, it all goes wrong right at the bondage scene.
So, doesn’t Senpai have to join an official club too? How does that rule work anyway?
Chemistry Club Assistant-kun! In name only… Chemistry Girl doesn’t want to hear ecchi sounds from next door! More characters are coming in next time, I hope.
