Muteki Kanban Musume Season 1 Episode 1 Invincible Poster Girl/Another Poster Girl

Muteki Kanban Musume, also known as Ramen Fighter Miki, is an anime series rooted in comedy and slapstick, with a dollop of martial arts action. The series revolves around Miki Onimaru, a spirited girl who works at her mother's ramen shop. The anime draws its unique flavor from the absurdities of Miki’s daily life handling customers and disputes, often with excessive physical comedy.

The opening episode of the series, Invincible Poster Girl/Another Poster Girl, introduces us to the unconventional world of Miki Onimaru. As the “poster girl” for her family’s ramen shop, Miki is expected to be the face of the establishment, attracting and serving customers with grace and efficiency. However, Miki is anything but the typical poster girl; she is brash, prone to fits of rage, and her idea of customer service often involves martial arts showdowns rather than polite interaction.

The episode kicks off with a glimpse into the daily chaos at the Onimaru Ramen Shop. We see Miki's extraordinary strength and combat skills, which she inherited from her mother, who was once a legendary street fighter. This fighting prowess is both a blessing and a curse for the ramen shop, as it simultaneously drives away troublemakers and potentially paying customers. First-time viewers will quickly understand that this is no ordinary eatery, and Miki is no regular waitress.

With her mother, Makiko, prodding her to take her responsibilities more seriously, Miki faces the challenges and responsibilities of running the shop, albeit in her own unconventional manner. From overly aggressive marketing strategies to high-octane 'service with a punch,' Miki’s methods are unorthodox to say the least.

In the latter half of the episode titled Another Poster Girl, audiences are introduced to the rival bento (boxed lunch) shop across the street, run by the calm and composed Megumi Kannazuki. In stark contrast to Miki, Megumi appears to embody the perfect image of a poster girl, with her polite demeanor and customer-friendly approach. This juxtaposition sets the tone for the rivalry and comedic encounters that will unfold between the two establishments and their poster girls.

As customers meander between the ramen and bento shops, humorous situations unfold. Miki’s barreling through various scenarios leaves a trail of bewildered customers and damaged property, but also a handful of dedicated patrons who are entertained by, and even come to enjoy, the spectacle of the Onimaru shop's daily routine.

Throughout the episode, we also meet other colorful characters, including Miki's childhood friend, Kankuro Nishiyama, who harbors a secret crush on her and repeatedly tries to win her over with his own disastrous attempts at heroism. His naive and often misguided efforts provide another layer to the comedy as his involvement usually escalates the chaos.

Miki's battles are not just confined to the physical; she faces inner challenges related to her sense of responsibility, juxtaposing her natural inclination for brawling against the need to be a good poster girl. Her interactions with both her mother and Megumi serve to highlight Miki’s struggle between her fiery nature and the expectations placed upon her by her role in the family business.

Animated with a vibrant flair that captures the frenetic energy of the show, Invincible Poster Girl/Another Poster Girl sets the tone for the entire series. With fast-paced slapstick action, it indulges in the absurd and exaggerates the mundane to comedic effect. Drawing from the classic trope of the underachieving protagonist, the show spins this in a fresh direction through its unique characters and action-packed approach to storytelling.

As episode one draws to a close, viewers are left with a clear understanding of the riotous world Miki inhabits—a world where delivering a bowl of ramen is just as likely to involve a flying kick as a friendly smile. It becomes apparent that each episode will feature a new adventure (or misadventure) for Miki, her family, and her adversaries-turned-friends, promising a blend of humor and heart with every serving of noodles.

Muteki Kanban Musume’s first episode offers a taste of the series’ distinctive blend of slapstick comedy and character-driven narratives. As a starter to the series, it puts forth the entertaining notion that there's more than one way to be a Poster Girl, whether by might or by manners, and asks the audience to stay tuned to see which method will prevail in the end.