Kumamiko - Girl meets Bear

Episode 7

There is nothing in this episode of Kumamiko that we haven't seen in episodes before it. The first half of the episode is about Machi's inability to understand technology. The second focuses on a strange village ritual that neither Machi nor Natsu remotely understands or is prepared for. Still, this doesn't feel like a bad thing for the series. It's not so much getting stuck in a rut, but rather settling into a groove. Kumamiko isn't the most daring show in the world, but it's making its familiar set of jokes work.

One thing I liked about the first half, where Machi struggles with a rice cooker, was that it felt more familiar and less over-the-top than some of her previous run-ins with the weirdness of technology or modern culture. Maybe it's just me, being someone who can't cook to save her life, but it doesn't seem that odd that a teenage girl would struggle to figure out how to use an appliance. That's particularly true for a girl as out-of-touch as Machi, cutting firewood to heat her rural home. Still, Kumamiko stretches it enough to be funny, relying on weird coincidences less than outright making fun of Machi. She manages to splash some of the hot rice out of the pot and onto her and Natsu's faces—hey, what cook hasn't accidentally burned themselves experimenting with a new recipe? Unfortunately, they're not the only ones who get hit; so does the electrical outlet, starting a fire in their wood-filled home.

Like last episode, this becomes a bonding moment for Machi and Natsu. While Natsu continues to joke about Machi's struggles with technology, saying that a cell phone would be "beyond her," he clearly feels bad for her. He wants to help her achieve that mastery, even though he also doesn't want her to leave the village. I like that the show is exploring their relationship better, and even though this is fleeting, it's a nice reminder that these two are old friends who've seen each other grow up and share a deep bond. They're not just a comedy duo.

The main event of the episode is the "Kikase" ritual in the second half. While Natsu and Machi are rolling around, bored out of their minds, an old man suddenly arrives with sake for a "ritual" today. Apparently, Machi's grandmother (who's not here to witness it, but instead relaxing at an onsen) planned for them to repeat a famous Kumade Village ritual for the first time in 30 years. Machi and Natsu carefully put together a shrine, shrugging at their lack of proper offerings and adding whatever they can. This results in a funny sequence where their offerings are various modern appliances and other items: manga, a TV, a portable game player, and so on. Even though Machi can't handle the technology that helps her function in daily life, she sure seems to be fine with technology made purely for entertainment. Natsu goes along with it, even while suggesting that it would just upset the mountain gods more.

All that preparation turns out to be for nothing when the ritual is revaled to be for Kumai, the bear god Natsu is supposed to represent on Earth. It turns out all he has to do is make a speech. That's less work than putting together the shrine (especially for Machi), but Natsu is nervous. Kumamiko yet again turns this into a moment to further Machi and Natsu's relationship though, as he gradually eschews all the traditional types of speeches (like scaring the villagers) and instead makes an impassioned plea for Machi not to leave the village. She has all the conveniences she needs here, so why does she need to go to the city? It's a theme we hear every week in the ending theme, and it ties together the episode's storylines with a broader focus on technology.

That bigger focus does help, but this episode isn't particularly special for Kumamiko. It works just fine at the show's usual mode of mild amusement and warm yet goofy slice-of-life. Kumamiko occupies a strange space between iyashikei (healing) anime and zany comedy, and it doesn't always know how to juggle those very different tones. (The final segment, which includes an obnoxious "woman overreacts to a man being nice and accuses him of sexual harassment" joke, showed some signs of that.) Overall though, episode 7 proves it's moving in the right direction: ensuring you end its 20 minutes with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart.

Rating: B

Kuma Miko: Girl Meets Bear is currently streaming on Funimation.

Rose is a music Ph.D. student who loves overanalyzing anime soundtracks. Follow her on her media blog Rose's Turn, and on Twitter.