Shoshimin episode 2 review: The visually stunning journey continues with a delicious hot cocoa mystery

Shoshimin episode 2 was released today, continuing to captivate fans with its stunning visuals just like its opening segment did a week ago. The initial episode left viewers intrigued with its enigmatic main characters, Jogoro Kobato and Yuki Osanai, as they embark on a quest to “become ordinary.”

In the second episode, the narrative continues from where it ended in the previous one, exploring the consequences of the strawberry tarts incident. Shoshimin delves into Jogoro’s past and provides a tutorial on making a perfect cup of hot cocoa.

Shoshimin Episode 2: Brief Recap

In the second episode of Shoshimin, Jogoro was seen walking through a bustling market when he suddenly came across a disguised Yuki. As he approached her, he discovered that she was extremely upset about the strawberry start tragedy and the theft of her bike.

Furthermore, the school counselor had reprimanded her for her bike being stolen, which was later found at the scene of an apartment burglary. As a result, she went shopping to improve her mood. Jogoro kindly offered to purchase some sweets for her in hopes of achieving the same effect.

Just at that moment, Kengo Doujima extended an invitation for the pair to come over to his place. The young boy warmly welcomed them and served them with delectable hot cocoa. His invitation was directed towards Jogoro, as he wanted to understand the reason behind the boy’s sudden change in behavior – shifting from being snarky and pretentiously intellectual to being bratty with a fake smile.

Shoshimin’s second episode featured the addition of a new character, Chisato Doujima, who played a supporting role. This led to Jogoro’s second case, in which he was tasked with solving the mystery of how Kengo managed to make three cups of cocoa with just one spoon. After much thought, Jogoro eventually discovered the answer, which turned out to be surprisingly simple. With this solved, Jogoro and Yuki continued on their journey towards “normalcy.”

Shoshimin Episode 2: Stellar Animation, Detailed Character Design, and Use of Color

Just like the previous episode, Shoshimin episode 2 once again impresses with its visually stunning animation. Mamoru Kanbe, the series director, continues to successfully bring Honobu Yonezawa’s novel to life by expertly utilizing elements such as colors, contrast, lighting, and more. These techniques are showcased in a similar manner as the first episode.

The decision made by the studio to incorporate distinct eye designs for each character enhances the impact and overall atmosphere of every scene. This show primarily relies on conversation and presents uncomplicated predicaments in the form of captivating cases that typically have a clear resolution.

Shoshimin Episode 2: The Bike Thief and Delicious Hot Cocoa

Yuki, Kengo and Jogoro (Image via Lapin Track)

The initial plot of Shoshimin episode 2 focused on Yuki dealing with the consequences of her stolen bike. This event played a crucial role in the main storyline as it would potentially introduce a new character in the future. Nevertheless, at present, this information remains a mystery, mirroring the enigmatic nature of our main characters.

Despite the introduction of a new character, Chisato Doujima, the standout moment of this episode was still Kengo’s impressive display of efficiency as he managed to prepare three cups of cocoa with just one spoon. Despite this, Chisato remained skeptical and refused to believe that Kengo could be more efficient than her.

Kengo easily solved the puzzle by following the instructions of heating the milk and pouring it into each cup of cocoa. This showcases Shoshimin’s ability to transform even the simplest puzzles into fascinating cases. The presentation of the incident also encouraged viewers to approach it from a detective’s point of view.

My Final Thoughts

In episode 2 of Shoshimin, the series continued its visually stunning journey by further developing the main storyline and introducing a new solved case to Jogoro’s list of achievements. It maintains its air of intrigue by withholding information about the protagonists, although it does reveal that Jogoro’s attitude has undergone a transformation.

In addition, the series’ unique feature of presenting ordinary problems as distinct cases is noteworthy. The combination of its ambiguous characters and approach of showcasing normal concerns adds to the charm of Shoshimin, along with its stunning visuals.