Fundamentally, it seems to me that Tenchi Souzou Design-bu is built on the same template as the Hataraku Saibou franchise.  That is, take biological functions in nature, anthropomorphize and filter them through a manga lens, and come up with something that flirts between educational and absurdist.  I respect Cells at Work but somehow it just doesn’t work for me.  So far at least Heaven’s Design Team is a better fit.  It’s a bit less inclined to go for cheap gratification, and more laid-back in its approach.  This is a pure comedy and happy to let things flow by in their relaxed, zany fashion.

• Interesting to see that the guys in the insect division all look alike.  Is that just a comment on insects in general, or is there another gag there I wonder?
• The “cute” thing with Meido-san was one of those jokes that took a long time to play out, but when it did (she thinks cute things are icky and icky things are cute – and the koala is nature’s perfect combo of the two to boot) it was worth it.  That sort of writing shows considerable trust in the audience, which is always a good sign.
• I like the focus on the zero-sum game element of evolutionary biology.  If you want something flashy like a big horn, you have to pay a price (like osteoporosis).  And a very sound explanation of why it works for cervids but not for equines.
• Poor old Tsuchiya-san, the designer clinging to the glory of his one glorious creation.  It kind of makes sense that unicorns have been such a mythological sensation in human history, because it really would be cool if they existed.  But even making them dumb (brain power’s demands for energy are a huge evolutionary story) didn’t get the job done.
• The narwhal thing was just a poke (with a horn) in Tsuchiya’s eye.
• I enjoy the way these specialist designers – cute, equine, marine, nasty – exist and interact with each other’s creations.
• The giant squid vs. sperm whale sequence was actually a really clever illustration of an evolutionary arms race at play across the ages.
• Kelpie, LOL.  I guess that counts as a win of sorts.

I liked this episode better than the first – or maybe I let myself buy in to the premise.  Tenchi Souzou Design-bu isn’t anything life-changing but it’s clever and charming enough for me, at least so far.  It actually reminds me a bit of Shirokuma Cafe in tone and style, and believe me I consider that a compliment.