Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable returned this week with episode 2 after an exciting premiere. We were introduced to our two main characters: Minami Fuyuki, a spirited gal from the countryside, and Tsubasa Shiki, a curious boy from Tokyo. Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable episode 2 expands on these characters as Minami invites Tsubasa to join her for the Kitami City Winter Festival. Minami is also introduced to Tsubasa’s grandmother near the end of the episode. While a tad slower than the first, episode 2 features further dynamics between Minami and Tsubasa.
Tsubasa, still in shock that he is going on a “date” with a gorgeous girl, meets Minami in front of Kitami Station where they will head to the winter festival. After admiring the snow statues and indulging in festival food, Minami exclaims that her time with Tsubasa reminded her how much she loves not only Hokkaido but the small town of Kitami. While Hokkaido is an island of over 5 million people, most of these inhabitants reside in the biggest city in Hokkaido, Sapporo, with a population of almost 2 million people. This capital city is about four hours away by bus from Kitami, which only has 112,000 residents. In many anime series, characters are shown yearning to leave their small towns in pursuit of their dreams in Tokyo, so it’s refreshing to encounter a character who resides in the countryside without any sense of regret.
As the date ends, Minami tells Tsubasa that she hopes to one day visit the Sapporo Snow Festival in the capital city of Hokkaido, a much bigger event than the Kitami Festival. Given that this anime is in part an advertisement for Hokkaido tourism, I think we’ll eventually see these characters head to the famous Sapporo Snow Festival together.
The chemistry between Tsubasa and Minami is one of my absolute favorite relationship dynamics. Minami is a confident extravert, whereas Tsubasa is a bit more reserved and easily embarrassed. While Minami isn’t quite as extreme as characters such as Nagatoro from Don’t Toy with Me, Miss Nagatoro, she doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to getting Tsubasa to join her in things he wouldn’t normally do. We already saw this last week in episode 1 as Minami convinced Tsubasa to visit her at her home, and in episode 2 we see her take her flirting to the next step.
The most hilarious moment in Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable episode 2 occurs when Minami discovers a snow fort during their journey back from school, tempting Tsubasa to accompany her in this cozy but intimate spot. Tsubasa is naturally hesitant but is physically pulled in by Minami. After several moments of sexual innuendos, the two emerge from the tight space to only be met unexpectedly by Tsubasa’s grandmother.
Minami’s compliments to Tsubasa’s grandmother for her cooking skills lead to a light conclusion of the episode, saving the couple from the aftermath of the snow fort incident. I appreciate that Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable episode 2 takes the time to remind us how smart Minami is as she gives some advice to Tsubasa and his grandmother about walking home in the snow. Despite Minami’s ditzy appearance, her practical knowledge of living in the snowy countryside surpasses all others.
From the episode 3 preview, we can gather that we’ll finally be meeting a new character. With new characters come interesting scenarios and love triangles, but we’ll have to wait until next week to see how this character will affect Tsubasa and Minami’s relationship.
Images via Crunchyroll
© Kai Ikada, Shueisha / Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable Production Committee