Ep 2. The Gathering of the Five Champions

In Sakura Quest episode 2, titled "The Gathering of the Five Champions," the story continues to follow the young woman Yoshino Koharu, who has been recruited to act as the "queen" of the rural town of Manoyama to help increase tourism and revitalize the area. Last episode, Yoshino was tasked with creating a mascot for the town, and we see her struggling to design the perfect character.

As the episode begins, Yoshino meets with the other members of her team - Shiori Shinomiya, Ririko Oribe, Sanae Kōzuki, and Maki Midorikawa, affectionately known as the "Five Champions," as they are the only women their age left in the small town. The group decides to hold a contest in which locals can submit their own designs for the mascot, with a prize being awarded to the best drawing. Yoshino is excited about the contest, hoping it can help bring the town together and generate more interest in their tourism campaign.

However, things take a turn when no one submits any entries for the competition. Yoshino is disheartened by this, and it seems like the other members of her team are beginning to lose hope in their mission. But Yoshino is determined to find a way to spark interest in the town, and begins brainstorming other ideas to help promote the town and attract visitors.

Throughout the episode, we also see the struggles of the other characters as they attempt to find their place in the town and come to terms with their own personal goals and dreams. One character, Shiori, is a bookish type who seems to be content with her life in the small town, but we soon discover that she has her own secrets and desires.

Another character, Ririko, is introverted and struggles to interact with others, but reveals a desire to become a writer. The character Maki is a former city dweller who is still getting used to life in the small town and frequently clashes with the other members of the team, but she also seems to have a hidden passion for music.

Overall, the episode is one of quiet contemplation and slow growth. While there are moments of lightheartedness and humor, the show is primarily focused on fleshing out its characters and exploring themes of identity, purpose, and community. By the end, we see the characters beginning to come together and find their own sense of belonging in the town, giving hope that the tourism campaign may still have a chance at success.

Overall, "The Gathering of the Five Champions" is a thoughtful and well-crafted episode that continues to build on the strong foundation established in the first episode. With its rich character development and commitment to exploring complex, nuanced themes, Sakura Quest looks poised to be a standout anime of the season.