KILL la KILL- 02 (Only losers play tennis with a racquet!)

キルラキル ep. 02 SPOILER Review

Synopsis:

Ryuuko wakes up to a panting, obese man over her and lashes out, not realizing this is Mako's father, who runs a clinic in the slums. Ryuuko has a difficult time dealing with Mako's weird family and the slum food they eat. The following day, Ryuuko goes to school with Mako, whereupon Mako is beset by the Tennis Club, lead by the captain of the club and newly promoted, 2-star Goku Uniform wearer HAKODATE Omiko. Ryuuko steps in to defend Mako, only to discover that Senketsu, now appearing somewhat more normal, only to find that Senketsu isn't responding. As a result, Omiko easily defeats her, causing her to end up unconscious in the sewer, where she's rescued by Mikisugi-sensei.

Ryuuko wakes again, whereupon Mikisugi-sensei reveals his true appearance as well as the secret of Senketsu, which is a kamui (god clothing) created by her father. Mikisugi-sensei takes some of her blood and awakens Senketsu, explaining that the uniform needs this to be active. To help Ryuuko be able to activate Senketsu at will, he gives her a special glove. Ryuuko returns to school to face Omiko, where Satsuki allows a "proper" tennis match to proceed. Ryuuko can't use a regular racquet due to Senketsu's enormous power, so she uses her giant scissor half, whereupon she defeats Omiko. Satsuki descends to face Ryuuko, who manages to defend against her attack, but Ryuuko is forced to retreat due to blood loss, and Satsuki refuses to allow her minions to pursue.

Thoughts/Review:

The whacky nuttiness continues in almost Ren and Stimpy fashion.

Everything here is so over the top, from the performances, to the pacing (most of the time), to the way "Satsuki-sama" rules with an iron fist.  However, that for me has been one of the charms of the series. 

The "tennis match" here was much like the boxing match of the previous episode. Having Ryuuko turn her giant scissor blade into a make-shift racquet was so absurd, but it was humorous.

What is it about animals humping that seems to find its way into comedy pieces? I saw this and thought, "You've got to be joking." Then I laughed in spite of myself. ^_^;

Then there's the disgusting humor, which really could have gotten out of control, when we got to see the nasty food that Mako's family eats (but there's nothing poisonous in it, even if there are maggots in the croquets). Of course, having some runt dog slobbering all over adds to the disgusting factor.

Then there's the ecchi humor, consisting of the fanservice elements, including moments where Ryuuko and Omiko are naked for comedy purposes. However, Trigger also services Mikisugi-sensei once he dropped his disguise to show that handsome aspect of himself, complete with stripping down for no reason (kinda like the awesomely funny Hosaka from Minami-ke).  I had a big laugh there too.

While Satsuki is the antagonist at the moment, I'd actually like it if she ended up not being the one Ryuuko is actually after. There's a certain level of awesomeness with her character as well.

Through two episodes, I have to say that I like what I've seen so far. ^_^