Shinryaku! Ika-Musume – 04

This episode started a bit questionable when it immediately started to repeat some jokes from the previous episodes: the scared girl and the fangirl. Some of the hilarious jokes of the rest of the episode made up for it, though.

I was especially afraid for that fangirl to turn stale by now, but I really have to admit that this episode found something interesting, taking her obsession to the absurd by stuffing herself into a shrimp suit. I especially loved the way in which it was delivered: well built up and intertwined with the other stuff that was going on in this episode, with a great comedic timing.

The funniest part of this episode was when the fake squid girl appeared, though. I’m not sure whether it was meant to be a parody of Squid Girl herself, but it was completely ridiculous and hilarious in the way it made a mockery of Squid Girl’s powers, especially the way in which it produced its seasoning. And really, whenever this show uses a cliche, it introduces this one quite subtly: I’m sure that we’re going to get the big boobed chick who has all of the guys around her instantly mesmerized more often in this series, but to introduce her with such a ridiculous mask on top of her head was a really neat idea.

It also helps that Squid Girl is still such a wonderful character. Even when this show isn’t trying to make a joke, just having her on screen is fun enough to keep watching. I loved how she ended up using the 10000 yen of a reward, completely on buying shrimps, or how she when she was bored started playing with the soy sauce. It’s especially the way in which she’s animated that brings her to life.

There are more jokes that are in the danger zone of being milked out now, though. Especially Chizuru needs some new material now. All she did this episode was poke fun at Squid Girl while looking threatening.
Rating: ** (Excellent)