Ep 2. Super Hitoshi-kun

Following the explosive events of the season two premiere of NANBAKA, which saw the return of Hajime Sugoroku and the revival of building thirteen, episode two is titled "Super Hitoshi-kun" and picks up where the last episode left off. The episode, which is approximately twenty-three minutes long, opens with the prisoners of building thirteen still trying to process the implications of Hajime's return. Jyugo, Uno, Rock, and Nico all seem to be in shock, while Hajime himself is the picture of stoic calm.

It doesn't take long for the scene to shift to a more lighthearted tone, however; as the episode title suggests, this one is all about Hitoshi, one of the show's more comedic characters. The camera tracks him as he wanders around the prison, singing to himself and gathering attention from his fellow prisoners. Everyone seems to love him, as he gives off an endearing, playful energy that is hard not to warm up to.

As he continues to draw attention to himself, Hitoshi stumbles across a fashion show being put on by some of the other inmates. The fashion show is a strange spectacle that showcases some of the prison's more eclectic fashion choices, from garish suits to goth-inspired getups. Of course, Hitoshi can't resist getting involved in the fun; he starts to ham it up on the stage, striking various poses and generally acting like the class clown.

At the same time, the episode also focuses on the relationship between Uno and Hajime. This is a continuation of the more serious tone that was established in the previous episode; while it seems like the show is trying to balance humor and drama, it definitely leans more heavily towards the dramatic side in this installment. Uno is upset at Hajime for keeping the secret about building thirteen's revival, and the two of them have a tense conversation in which they both express their disappointment and frustration with each other. It's a poignant moment, and it sets a somber tone that is absent from much of the rest of the episode.

That said, NANBAKA never stays serious for too long, and it's not too long before the show shifts back to its signature brand of humor. In one particularly ridiculous scene, Hitoshi somehow manages to turn himself into a giant, muscular version of himself - much to the amusement of all the other prisoners. While it seems like this episode is mostly a vehicle for gags and amusing bits of physical comedy, there are some more serious threads running throughout it.

Overall, "Super Hitoshi-kun" is a fun and engaging episode that provides a welcome respite from some of the heavier material that the show has been dealing with lately. Hitoshi's antics are always amusing, and the fashion show scene is particularly enjoyable - it's always fun to see the different ways that the prisoners express themselves and showcase their unique personalities. That said, the episode also proves that NANBAKA is committed to delving into some more serious themes and emotions, and the interactions between Hajime and Uno are proof of that. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how the show continues to balance its more humorous and lighthearted moments with its more dramatic and heartfelt ones.