Mono Episode 4 gave us the second slice-of-life episode this week that focused on alcoholism (and, in this case, overeating). Everything about that makes me happy. This episode saw the Cinephoto Club explore the Budo-Kobo Wineglass Hall, the Château Mercian Katsunuma Winery, and the sights of Yamanashi.
I’m not that big of a wine guy. I enjoy a not-too-cold Gewürztraminer or a Moscato d’Asti by a campfire or on the beach — that’s about it. However, I do enjoy drunk waifus; they are the best. If I could get a drunk tsundere-waifu, I’d book a trip to Annapurna and yeet myself off the peak as I’ve gotten all I can ask for from life. This episode was a 10/10 for me.
Mono Episode 4 — Alcoholics Animonimous (INSERT PUN MUSIC)
This is supposed to be an anime about photography. But Afro-sensei knows that only the imagination-challenged stick to a show’s main plot. That said, this episode’s deviations gifted me some new knowledge.
I was unaware that the Yamanashi region of Japan was renowned for its wines. Hell, I wasn’t even aware that Japan had a winemaking industry! I did know their whiskey and ales are globally acclaimed. Their whiskey-making is so renowned that I gave in to temptation and bought a bottle of Hibiki Blossom a while back. It will take me decades to recover from that purchase.
With the first half of the episode devoted to drinking, I have to let my alcoholic side roam. My knowledge of wine is so small that if it were oppai, people would say it’s justice. However, I know you’re supposed to spit the wine during a tasting to avoid getting sloshed and fatiguing your palate. But Aqua-sama knows that if I ever enter a self-guided winery tour like mono Episode 4 depicted, I’d be rushed to a hospital with alcohol poisoning — Haruno’s a vibe. Don’t follow that advice. To quote Shalsha, “When you drink booze, the booze shouldn’t drink you.”
The Budo-Kobo Wineglass Hall and the Château Mercian Katsunuma Winery seemed like my kind of place — maybe I’ll visit one day.
Summer Break, Stamp Rallies, and More Yuru Camp Cameos
This episode threw the Cinephoto Club into their first prolonged summer break, or as the Americans call it, “the impossible dream.” To fill the time and help Haruno with her manga work, they embarked on a photography/gourmet-oriented stamp rally. But instead of spending any time covering actual PHOTOGRAPHY, we got cute girls eating not-so-cute things.
While that’s not much to write about, all of this week’s cameos were. I don’t know what the opposite of PTSD is, but seeing Nadeshiko and Toba-sensei in this episode had me teary-eyed. Little did I know that feeling of elation would balloon. After watching mono Episode 4, I watched Food For the Soul; I squealed when I saw Shiori and her mom (Non Non Biyori) in that episode. Saturday, May 3 was a red-letter day.
Mono Episode 4 — Overall Thoughts
If there’s something I adore about Soigne’s mono, it’s how much love they pour into the characters’ expressions. The joy I felt when I saw Sacchan and the crew gazing at the view from Mount Takabotchi, and when Haruno sipped her wine, was infectious. Seeing someone genuinely enjoying themselves moves you, and Soigne made sure to capitalize on that feeling.
Unlike the other slice-of-life show I’m reviewing (Zatsu Tabi), here you feel like you’re tagging along with the Cinephoto Club in their adventures. That feeling always makes you eager for the next episode.
Screenshots: Crunchyroll
© Afro/Houbunsha, Aniplex, Soigne
©JapanTravel
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