NEW GAME! Season 2 Episode 1 Of all the embarrassing things to be caught doing...

As the second season of NEW GAME! begins, viewers are reintroduced to the world of game development through the eyes of protagonist Aoba Suzukaze. In this first episode, entitled "Of all the embarrassing things to be caught doing…," Aoba has just started her second year working as a 3D character designer at the company Eagle Jump. Despite her experience, she still feels like a newcomer compared to her colleagues. The episode begins with Aoba and her friend and fellow character designer Hifumi Takimoto racing to make it to work on time after oversleeping. This sets the tone for the rest of the episode, as Aoba is constantly rushing and making mistakes throughout her day. One of the central conflicts in this episode is Aoba's fear of being caught doing something embarrassing, specifically through her love of drawing characters in an "uncool" manga style. She is horrified that her colleagues, particularly her boss, will discover this hobby and think less of her. This fear is heightened when she accidentally leaves her sketchbook out on her desk, which is then seen by her supervisor, Yagami Kou. Throughout the episode, Aoba tries to balance her work responsibilities with her personal interests. She learns that she has been put in charge of creating a new character for the upcoming game, Fairies Story 3. This is a daunting task for Aoba, who doubts her abilities as a designer. She spends hours sketching and redrawing the character, receiving helpful advice from her manager Rin as she goes. Despite her fear of being caught drawing manga-style characters, Aoba receives encouragement from her colleagues. They are impressed by her passion and dedication to her work, even if it isn't always "cool." The episode ends on a high note, as Aoba finally completes the character design for Fairies Story 3 and presents it to the team. They are all impressed by her work, and she is thrilled to have contributed something meaningful to the game. The episode's final moments show Aoba happily doodling in her sketchbook, now unafraid to show her colleagues her true artistic style. Overall, "Of all the embarrassing things to be caught doing…" is a charming start to the second season of NEW GAME! It introduces a relatable conflict for many viewers - the fear of being judged for one's personal interests - and handles it with grace and humor. The episode also continues to showcase the fun and fulfilling world of game development, highlighting the camaraderie and support among Aoba's coworkers. Fans of the first season will not be disappointed.