[Fish Sandwich]

This might be one of the most stereotypically Inoue-y episodes of Donbrothers yet, and at the same time, another perfect example of why I think Donbrothers seems to be massively clicking even with people who aren't always so hot on the way this guy is known to write.

I've beat this drum plenty of times already over the past half year, but like -- the Donbrothers are exceptionally kind people, when all is said and done, you know? And that generosity shines throughout this episode, which does something different with the usual Inoue ~misunderstanding~ routine. It's not about an escalation of dramatic tension and antagonism this time. The plot here is a chain of people inspiring one another to give everything they've got for the sake of someone else, and the pointlessness of most of those efforts is funny, of course, but it just makes the selflessness of it all that much sweeter at the end of the day.

It's just totally un-cynical, with the lone voice arguing in favor of looking out for number one going completely ignored, as Jirou ends up helping out the group even after being tempted by his own dark side not to join in on the fun. And that's the right move! Do you see that picture up there? Who wouldn't want to get in on that party? These guys spent half an episode working themselves to the bone with little to show for it, but instead of a one-note joke about the plight of the working class or whatever, fate basically rewards their persistence in the end, because everyone ends up exactly where they need to be, and gets the chance to do exactly what they need to do to make things better for everyone. And Tsubasa even does it without knowing what's going on at all! ...As always. (That cut to him alone in the kitchen managed to dethrone Saru Brother's awkward "yeeaaaaah...!" as my favorite gag in the episode, which is really saying something.)

So yeah, I don't know, I thought this one was utterly delightful, although I lack the necessary vocabulary to properly elucidate what makes that different from all the other weeks I say that about Donbrothers. There's just something about the particular narrative flow of this one I especially enjoyed. The plot keeps winding in on itself in this fun way, where every new element is introduced smoothly by putting it in context of an existing element (i.e. Tsuyoshi tells Tarou who tells Haruka who tells Shinichi), and things that are introduced offhandedly end up playing a major role by the end (everybody winds up at the restaurant that started the whole plot!). The structure is impeccable. Everything builds up perfectly to the climax, and the climax is basically just the Donbrothers working together to support local business. The story itself is charmingly uplifting, and the way that story plays out makes it that much more enjoyable to experience.

I don't have some gut feeling that this is my new favorite episode of Donbrothers or anything, but sitting down to write about it, I genuinely can't think of even a single thing more I would ask of it. Make of that what you will, I guess.