Working!! 13 – Sayonara, Wagnaria (With Added Sentimentality!)

The finale of Working!! was extremely similar to every other episode of the series, and it delivered exactly what we’ve come to expect from the show. It had clean, character-driven humour, with some slapstick and development thrown in for good measure, topped off with fun music and solid production. It was these similarities along with a distinct lack of closure that made it feel like the show really didn’t want things to end. We were even introduced to a new character! But I’m not complaining. (After all, since I’ve loved the rest of the series, I suppose it’s only natural that I loved this episode too.) And I’d be absolutely rapt if Working!! got a second season. Oh, and…

This post took a little while to work on!

Working!! 11 – Rise of the Yamanashi Combo

First off, apologies for not posting on Working!! last week. I enjoyed episode ten but was fairly lukewarm on it, and otherwise didn’t have much to say. Rest assured that things are back in full swing today, though, because this episode was perhaps my favourite so far! I laughed out loud several times – and more than I ever have with the show previously – and the last scene sent me over the edge into a very prolonged giggle fit; I came so close to falling off my chair. (“Card games” will now be used as a euphemism by me as often as possible. You have been warned.) This show is probably my favourite of all those currently airing, and I’m very happy to see it finally getting some of the attention it deserves from the fan community.

Her special attack is called Parfait Pulverisation.

Working!! 09 – There’s Something About Kotori-chan

This week’s instalment of Working!! focused on the show’s most absurd situation yet: the episode revolved around Sota cross-dressing to meet Inami’s usually-absent father. Surprisingly, though, the subject matter was handled in a fashion which really wasn’t as over the top as I would have expected. The humour didn’t attempt to be as dramatic as the events taking place, and this created a really nice contrast between sheer insanity on screen and jokes that didn’t actually push all that hard. The show knows when it needs to go the extra mile for a laugh but it also knows when it doesn’t. The latter was definitely the case here, and suffice to say, things were absolutely hilarious. I was reduced to tears from laughing so hard.

Inami's dad teaches by example...

Working!! 08 – The Onsen Episode Without the Onsen Scene

Episode eight of Working!! took the staff of Wagnaria to a hot spring. With promises of onsen antics, the reappearance of the Magic Hand, and Inami and her punch-happiness coming back in full force, I was expecting nothing less than hysteria. This episode, however, turned out much differently to what I was expecting. Nonetheless, it was still a huge amount of fun and we really got to see that things are moving in the right direction.

You and about 99% of the fanbase, bud.

Working!! 07 – Looks Can Be Deceiving

It’s time for episode 7 of Working!! and the focus turns to the arrival of new staff member, Aoi Yamada. She may look innocent and generally adorable, but she’s actually remarkably perceptive, blunt and manipulative. Despite these things, I do believe that I like her. More than that, though, she really got me thinking about how in Working!!, you can’t judge a book by its cover. [NB: As in my previous post, I will be using a style which focuses on impressions rather than the summary. I hope you enjoy this!]

If you think she's cute, she's already won.

Working!! 06

It’s time for the sixth episode of Working!!, and to start things off we get a Takanashi family home video. It’s great to see the younger incarnations of the sisters – suffice to say, their personalities have changed a lot over the years – with Kozue showing her sweet side when she gives a stuffed toy to a four-year-old in a dress. But wait, that can’t be Nazuna. The ages aren’t adding up correctly! In fact, the ‘girl in the dress’ is none other than our favourite minicon Sota, who was quite the… trap?!

And then he grew up.

Working!! 04 – 05

So sorry for the lateness of this! I’ve had some internet trouble over the past week.

Working!! episode four begins with the introduction of a woman who’s collapsed, drunk, outside the restaurant. The staff have all gathered around her when she wakes up and throws herself at Sota. He shoos the others away before its revealed that she is, in fact, his elder sister Kozue. Unfortunately for him, Inami – who’s been changing in the closet – has heard everything. The next few minutes has Sota in a headlock, Inami seeing a baby picture of his (and assuming the subject was a girl) and Inami punching Sota. Working!!, I’ve missed you.

Poor guy...

Working!! 03

I think that Sota sticking his foot in his mouth at the beginning of every Working!! episode is set to become a tradition. Last week it was the narration that proved he does not learn from his mistakes. And this week, we have him asking Inami if she’s a lesbian because of the way she treats female customers (in contrast to the way she treats men). He then makes her incredibly jittery when he asks her if she’d hit young boys, elderly men, traps, reverse-traps… Despite this, her androphobia is certainly improving and – what’s this? – she seems to be falling in love with him. The conversation quickly turns to Yachiyo, or rather the katana hanging off her waistband. Sota decides to ask Sato, who he considers to be the only normal person working at Wagnaria.

I can see this is the start of a beautiful friendship.

Working!! 02

A month after the preview episode’s airing, it’s finally time for the second episode Working!!. Despite the gap, no time has passed in the world of the series and in the opening voiceover, we realise that Sota is still extremely good at sticking his foot in his mouth. He calls sensitive-about-her-age Kyoko “middle-aged” and questions her judgement about putting Inami (who is afraid of men and reflexively punches them) on a shift with him.

Inami, use Androphobic Right Hook!

Working!! – Episode 01

To start off, let me introduce myself. My name is Raphael and I’m one of the new bloggers here at Borderline Hikikomori. Pleased to meet you!

Welcome to Wagnaria!