「タマホマレする女」 (Tamahomare Suru Shoujo)
“The Egg Worshipping Girl”

Holy fabulous max Batman. I don’t recall the last time Noto Mamiko’s been in such a persuasive role. I really don’t know what Ringo can do against Yuri at this point, except maybe raping Kenju in his sleep and having his babies. Wait what? She’s really doing that? Well I’ll be damned.

There are just way too many things wrong with that engagement breakup idea, but Ringo looks like she means business when it comes to this Project “Maternity” left behind by Momoka. I honestly don’t know whether I should be scared of or impressed by her resolve that seemingly has no bounds. On the one hand, she’s a young girl who’s determined to win Kenju over, whereas on the other, she’s an occult freak who’ll make a frog lay eggs on a sixteen-year-old boy’s body so that she can make a supposed love potion out of them. Judging from that, there’s little doubt in my mind that if Momoka’s final page in her diary outlined her intent to have a double suicide, Ringo would do everything in her power to make it happen. Obsessive-compulsive disorder notwithstanding, I have been enjoying the additional screen time between Ringo and Shouma. I still can’t help but see them as an awkward yet cute pairing, even though Shouma thinks Ringo is psychotic and wants absolutely nothing to do with her except her diary. Another Project M (masochism) could probably fix that though.

On a more relevant note, I presume Masako’s Project M is a different one from Ringo’s, otherwise only kinky scenarios come to mind. That isn’t a direction I can see Mawaru Penguindrum headed, but then again, I didn’t expect to see Shouma lying down in a demonic circle with a frog laying eggs on his back followed by his penguin eating them either. (ick!) It would be pretty messed up if Kenju is part of her plan though, so I’m leaning towards the idea that she’s after Kanba like it’s been suggested. Question is, is this all just part of some elaborate plan to make Kanba repent for being a womanizer? Also, who is the mysterious man in a black trench coat who keeps giving money to Kanba and seems to know about penguin-related stuff? I really don’t know what’s going on with Kanba’s subplot, but I’m guessing it’ll tie back in with the survival strategy to save Himari later on. The only thing I can do now is to sit tight and wait for the series to give me something more to go on.

As for Himari herself, her screen time is practically nonexistent outside the survival strategy, but I actually don’t mind because it’s fun hearing her rudely boss her brothers around. Shouma may not approve, but I like it when she talks dirty with a complete expressionless face. It’s great for my personal amusement at Shouma’s pit-falling expense.

* I can already see “fabulous max” catching on as a new Internet meme.
* Yuri’s co-star Tsubasa is voiced by Fullmetal Alchemist star, Paku Romi.
* Full-length images: 06, 14, 18, 22.

 

Preview & End Card

49 Comments

  1. Another amazing episode. I don’t know what else to comment on other than the frog stuff was creepy as hell and Ringo is pretty insane. I open for anything to happen at this point, because right now nothing would seem that ridiculous in Mawaru Penguindrum.

  2. Frogs laying eggs on 16 year old boys must be the most random thing I’ve seen in a while. Agree with Kurisu, I think some how the storylines going to end up being about what’s happening on the big brother’s side, he seems to know more than I initially thought.

    On another note. Why aren’t the songs released already ): I NEED THEM.

    Saya
  3. I still think the penguins provide most of the comic relief. Not that I’m complaining. Also, did anyone else notice the bird sound at the beginning? Ringo told Shouma she didn’t need him, and he stuck around anyway. “It’s not like I want to lie down next to you under your teacher’s house!” Male tsundere.

    Tetriton
  4. One of the most interesting things revealed in this episode, outside of the obvious, is the fact that Kanba seems knows a lot more than what we previously thought.

    He actually knew what those memory erasing balls are, indicating that he might have been involved with all this shady business since before the beginning of the show.

    Tre
    1. I don’t think he knew what they are. He was very surprised last episode, and he didn’t know what happened to the girl in the hospital. All he said this episode was, “Not everyone can use these”… which is true, it takes some proficiency to use something like that.

      Xhitohse
    2. Kanba was referring to penguin balls the way a seasoned policeman would refer to say, armor piercing ammo… so he seems to know more than he lets us know, namely what exactly they are…

      ewok40k
  5. While I enjoyed this episode, I did realize after watching it that almost nothing new happened. All of the characters basically spun their wheels; Kanba met with a mystery man and spoke of mysterious things, Natsume plotted cryptically, Ringo pursued Tabuki, Yuri thwarted her, Tabuki remained clueless, Shou attempted to help Ringo – and accomplished nothing, Penguin Queen Himari demanded the Penguindrum, and then there was finally a small reveal and a little action at the end.

    I would like the pace to pick up a bit, please.

    Jack Spicer
  6. Why would the brothers need to do anything, it seems Ringo got the idea of to the altar thru bed herself without any help…
    Now if we are to believe that there is her destiny written down here, I’d be not surprised if she somehow manages to end up sleeping with Shouma. I just pray she wont get as far as into maternity…
    And regarding teethbrushing, Japanese (and many European – including mine!) flats have small bathrooms with no sink whatsoever – only bathtub or shower stall. There is just no place for more stuff after you fit in the washing machine…

    ewok40k
  7. Paku Romi’s pic at myanimelist is really cute!

    Anyway, I don’t think the Project M’s are completely different. Himari/hat did tell the brother to seek out Ringo for some yet unexplained reason, so she should be more intertwined with the whole Penguin plot than she seems.

    Otherwise…rage!! Damn airheaded teacher landed a super hot famous actress.

    xcswmboy
  8. I’ve been wondering what Yuris plan to do with or sees in Tabuki. Why does she want this docile bird watcher/teacher. It’s quite obvious that there must be something that we haven’t seen yet lurking in the shadows and she is probably connected with all this penguin business as well?

    Greg
  9. Yuri and Kenju’s relationship is odd.

    Fabulous (Max!), head-turning, rising starlet decides to marry an ordinary, geeky, oblivious, no wealth/no status school teacher.

    Huh?

    It’s like Ringo’s fantasy coming true: the fabulous (max!) regal person falls in love with and sweeps up the ordinary nothing person.

    Only instead of Kenju -> Ringo it’s Yuri -> Kenju.

    Very nice parallel. Similar to how some of the events in Ringo’s diary came true while Ringo was with Shouma (but imagined herself with Kenju) while at the same time, Kenju WAS engaging in the predicted activity with Yuri. On those occasions, the diary’s predicted events were occurring twice (and a 3rd time in Ringo’s imagination).

    Brilliant!

    If it didn’t make such a nice parallel, I’d question Yuri’s intentions but my guess is she really does love the bird-watching, ambition-less geek!

    Junk
  10. I have had enough Ringo. Less Ringo please. It’s like she’s this ugly tumor on what started out as a promising series. Every episode she’s grown bigger and bigger until now she’s pretty much eating every episode. Do other people care about what happens to her? I sure don’t.

    Matthew
  11. I’m sick of Ringo too. Probably because the first episode set up this great family dynamic with Shouma, Himari and Kanba that we now almost never get to see. Also I find the Ringo-centric episodes more boring. Of course that might change since right now she’s climbing in Tabuki-san’s window …

    Homura
  12. Divine, before this series came out I remember seeing Fabulous Max as the name of someone on Lily Hoshino’s Twitter page she was either following or had following her. When it started popping up in the show, I figured it was a meme I wasn’t in on, but maybe it’s just an inside joke with the staff?

    Homura
  13. I doubt this is what the episode was about for most people, but I call complete bullshit on the idea that Yuri is supposed to give up her glamorous and highly successful career as an actress so she can be a good little housewife to boring-ass Tabuki.

    Anonymous
    1. Tabuki doesn’t seem like the kind of guy to get jealous about her income or fame. I think she made that decision for other reasons, and whatever they are, apparently we’re not going to find out.

      Xhitohse
  14. Ringo looked attractive in that black dress, almost normal and not too scary.

    About Ringo… Something Xhitohse commented on… I wonder if Project ‘M‘ isn’t about
    Tabuki fathering a child. So far this series has mislead the audience (and Ringo for that
    matter with things “almost” happening like the diary “predicts”). So while we’re focused
    on the two girls around Tabuki, we’re led to believe that Tabuki is a minor-ish character.
    But Xhitohse’s point actually provides a credible reason – what would be the reason for
    Yuri throwing away an established career just to have a baby (yeah, I get the whole love
    thing). And the challenge – “Show me toy can bear his child…” in Ringo’s dream sequence.

    It really is just a crazy thought

    I like this series and thought there was a lot of meat in this episode. But I was shocked
    to see the cliff-hanger unfold – and a question arises – is Kenju really sleeping there?
    A twist here wouldn’t surprise me at this point. I’m also assuming Ringo is 16-ish, too.

    mac65
  15. Several things..
    Am I the only one starting to get disturbed by the constantly empty trains?
    Or wondering what the conversation between the two boys about the apple “ringo”(her parents sure do love fruit names? Don’t they..) could connect to all this?
    Or about kanba.
    Could he know more than we even theorize? –related to survival strategy, perhaps?

    3242
  16. Correct me if I’m wrong but all the things that are suppose to occur with Tabuki happened with Shoma right? I can only recall a two things such as the curry and the kiss. Both of them happened with Shoma so doesn’t it seem like the diary is suppose to be about his and Ringo’s future?

    Zangkin
  17. Please no more Ringo, unless Ringo plans on providing tons of fanservice I don’t want to see her for a while(ep 17?). Also less possessed Himari doing the same thing, make her dance or whatever.

    jingoi
  18. The weapons the girl uses bother me. I feel like weapons in anime should always make realistic sense. I understand why they wouldn’t use guns, and frankly I think it’s a good thing they don’t. However, they should replace them with something that makes sense and doesn’t seem kiddified.

    dojo Rettaun

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