For whatever reason, Wit appeared to have cut corners with animating the ninth episode of Nokotan, which then left me worried about how the last three episodes will fare visually. To my relief then, Episode 10 looks better. There’s no still montages or recycled shots to be found here. Hopefully, Episode 9 was a fluke and Wit is able to maintain a level of quality for the final stretch of the show.
Anyway, Episode 10 returns the show back to its anthology structure. In the first segment, Koshitan finds Nokotan in a very moody state. Nokotan isn’t upset per se but she has been dealing with teary eyes and rashes since spring began. Koshitan deduces that her deer friend is allergic to pollen from the cedar trees in the area, though Nokotan vehemently denies this. While Koshitan tries in vain to make Nokotan see reason, the rest of the student council is eavesdropping on them. Neko is elated to see Nokotan at her weakest though she hilariously can’t take advantage of it as she too is deathly allergic to the pollen.
I kind of get Nokotan’s denial. Like, it does sound amazingly lame that a deer human hybrid could have something as normal as allergies. Nokotan has also defied basic biology, what with her ability to freely take off the top of her head and tentacle-like antlers, so you’d think she wouldn’t be allergic to anything. That said, it’s very funny how Nokotan keeps denying the truth while also going insane from her symptoms. Most amusing is when Nokotan considers destroying all the cedar trees with her explosive antlers and her deer army. That might be the most unhinged thing she’s ever said in this show and that’s saying something. The ending is pretty funny with Nokotan and Neko both paying a visit to the vet. I kind of get Nokotan getting treatment there (emphasis on kind of) but Neko? These doctors must be very dumb if they legitimately think Neko is actually part-cat. Then again, they offer to treat Koshitan when she starts to show symptoms so maybe this clinic treats humans and animals alike.
For the second segment, Nokotan is notably absent from Deer Club, prompting Koshitan to look for her. She eventually finds her deer friend assuming the role of an instructor at the school’s flower arrangement club. Naturally, Nokotan’s expertise in this field is questionable at best and she proceeds to do illogical demonstrations such as using her head as the case of her arrangement and awakening some wildlife with a guitar. Frankly, I’m kind of tired of Nokotan doing a bunch of nonsense and everyone being completely agreeable to it. It was funny the first couple of times but now, it’s gotten stale. If anything, I think I’d rather see someone actually be unimpressed and Nokotan becomes desperate to wow them for a change.
So after teasing it seven episodes ago, we finally get to see Bashame make her rice field in the third and final segment of Episode 10. I wouldn’t have minded if the show completely neglected to do it and that’s actually a joke in and of itself but points for truth in advertisement, I guess. Honestly, I’m kind of disappointed that this plot is only for a couple of minutes. You’d think since the show teased it all the way in the beginning, it would actually encompass the entire episode. That said, there is some good comedy to be found here. You have Bashame brushing pass the exact legality of planting rice on school grounds. Tsucchi shows up to help Bashame and the two hold a competition on who can plant crops the fastest (crazy how well Tsucchi can keep up with Bashame). I would like to see more but I’m pretty happy with what we got.
The ending is surprisingly wholesome. Anko initially doesn’t want to involve herself with Bashame’s antics but she does whip up a snack for her and Bashame to enjoy together (as well as provide Tsucchi with some chalk). The girls then have a honest chat with each other about future plans with the club. To be honest, I kind of wish Nokotan would take Anko more seriously. Her degenerate obsession with Koshitan is fine and all but it’s gotten a bit old for me and I like seeing her open up and bond with someone other than her sister.
Watch My Deer Friend Nokotan on Amazon and Crunchyroll
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