Shōnen Maid

Episode 5

In its fifth episode, Shōnen Maid checks two more boxes off the “standard sitcom storyline” list. Since these characters are so much fun to hang out with, I'm not particularly bothered by the show's steadfast refusal to break new ground, but I can understand how certain viewers might be put off by this. However, if you've enjoyed Shōnen Maid thus far, this latest trip to the Takatori/Komiya household should be right up your alley.

Episode 5's first segment may be the show's trope-iest installment to date. After an accident at school leaves Chihiro with a sprained ankle, he finds himself laid up for the weekend, unable to cook or clean. This prompts Madoka to step up to the plate and assume Chihiro's usual duties with hilarious (okay, mildly amusing) results. Predictably, things quickly go south, and even with Miyako's assistance, Madoka is unable to do much aside from making sweets. Following the bumbling duo's disastrous attempt at grilling mackerel, Chihiro summons the strength to prepare a sumptuous meal for his makeshift family, suggesting that all is once again well at the Takatori estate.

While I'm mostly willing to give Shōnen Maid a pass when it comes to recycled stories, none of the jokes featured in this portion of the episode were particularly original. In fact, I'm hard-pressed to think of a single one that hasn't been featured in the standard “Mom is sick; let's pitch in” episode of any given family sitcom. It can't be a good sign when viewers are able to spot virtually every joke coming from a mile away. The moment Chihiro stumbled on the stairs, I knew exactly where the story was going, as well as the types of jokes that would populate it. Additionally, the strange piece of foreshadowing the story concludes on seemed very out of place, as it isn't even loosely connected to what came before. (Does anyone not think the elderly woman Chihiro encountered on his way to school is his grandmother?)

As we learn in this week's second segment, Chihiro isn't a fan of macabre cinema. After being pressured into watching a ham-fisted parody of The Grudge with his friends and uncle, the poor kid is haunted by dreams of a crying specter-like girl. To make matters worse, he's been hearing wailing sounds from outside the estate every night. (He's so scared that he willfully shares a bed with Madoka.) Fortunately, Chihiro's fears are put to rest when he discovers that a stray kitten is responsible for the wailing (or mewling, as it were), and the girl in his dreams is his late mother as a child. He also seems to develop a twinge of respect for his uncle upon discovering the deep sense of duty he feels towards his sister Chiyo.

Despite being nearly as trope-laden as the first segment, the end of this story adds some weight to the show's core relationship. It's clearer now why Madoka felt he owed his sister; she did quite a bit for him without asking for anything in return, much like Chihiro. The jokes in this portion of the episode were more effective too. I don't think I laughed out loud once during the first half, but Chihiro waking up and kicking Madoka out of bed without a second thought upped the funny factor considerably.

Shōnen Maid continues to be predictable, pleasant, and pleasantly predictable. It's a fun, soothing way to cap off the work week—just sit back, relax, and enjoy the antics of this eclectic cast of goofballs. At this point, I think the show could stand a little more depth, but I'd hate to see it stray too far from its slice-of-life roots.

Rating: B

Shōnen Maid is currently streaming on Funimation.

Amy is a YA fantasy author who has loved anime for over two decades.