That was certainly pleasant enough. But man, talk about fluff – summer dandelions got nothing on this episode. Sono Bisque Doll has a habit of getting too self-aware about its own cuteness, and that’s never a good look. I’m certainly not expecting Pluto every week but I do prefer it when we get a little more effort than this. Sure it’s easy for this show do crank this stuff out, but the easy way usually isn’t the best way.

Loose socks, preposterous body shaming, and product placement. That was your episode right there, pretty much. The first comes courtesy of the broom kid at Marin’s salon, who waxes poetical about how he wants to get a date with a hot guy so he can wear loose socks. Marin going on and on about Gojo-kun could set anyone off, of course – she’s in deep. Ironically it’s Marin who winds up wearing them on a date, having taken to the idea and being unable to cosplay to combine the other two episode elements.

The weight thing is at least sort of interesting because it’s kind of disturbing. Reflexively I find the idea that a growing child should be in crisis mode for gaining about two kilos (I’m guessing) to be repulsive. But I get it – Marin, child or not, is a pro model. She’s getting paid (a fair bit based on how spendy she is), so the ones ponying up the Yen do have a right to make demands based on appearance. I could point out that it’s sad that we live in a society (Japan or the States, take your pick) where the slightest sign of healthy plump on a teenage girl model is a third rail, but it’s not like that’s going to change.

Finally, Canon gets their money’s worth as Marin buys a camera. It’s a Kiss M – she chooses it based on the name, which triggers Wakana something fierce. For the record the basic two-lens pack costs about ¥130,000, which gives one an idea of the kind of dosh Marin is willing to drop on a whim. A camera at least is an investment of sorts for a cosplayer, assuming she ever tries to leverage the hobby financially. If nothing else the idea of Marin going at the cosplay thing from the other side of the lens for a while could be sort of fun (especially if she can somehow talk Wakana into a full role-reversal).