Girlfriend, Girlfriend: Milika Strikes Back

Article Key Points

Shino's desire to kill her feelings for Naoya intensifies as she witnesses his closeness with Nagisa, causing her cool exterior to unravel.

The episode's central theme is centered around a camping excursion, during which Shino's flaws and self-doubts take center stage.

Milika cunningly arranges the camping trip to advance her personal motives, exposing her willingness to go to drastic measures in her pursuit of winning over Naoya, disregarding any potential repercussions.

Spoilers ahead for "Getting Ready with the Girlfriends", Episode 4 of Season 2 of Girlfriend, Girlfriend, now streaming on Crunchyroll.

In this episode, the spotlight shifts to Milika as she devises a cunning plan to spend some alone time with Naoya. Brace yourself for a major twist that has the potential to disrupt the status quo and affect Shino.

Unravel

Despite some questionable decisions in its direction and the inherently heinous nature of Milika's endgame, the fifth episode of Girlfriend, Girlfriend offers some substance. However, it ultimately undermines the stronger aspects of the show with a dramatic yet questionable conclusion.

In Girlfriend Girlfriend Season 2 Episode 5, Shino finds herself in a state of sadness. She can't help but dwell on the fact that Saki missed out on her chance to have her first kiss. And to make matters worse, Nagisa and Naoya appear to be getting closer, which was the whole purpose of suggesting the festival in the first place, so Saki could gain the upper hand over Nagisa. Shino's passionate concern for Saki's relationship stems from her own struggle to suppress her feelings for Naoya. However, the more Naoya becomes involved with Nagisa, the harder it becomes for Shino to let go completely.

The intense frustration brewing within Shino leads her to have an emotional outburst upon witnessing Naoya and Nagisa's affectionate behavior. She finds herself trapped in a pit of self-pity, contemplating the sacrifices she has made, while Nagisa continues on without the same burden of being troubled by Saki's emotions. Constantly being in such close proximity to the situation is gradually causing Shino's composed facade to crumble.

Yuru Camp

In Girlfriend Girlfriend Season 2 Episode 5, titled "Camping," Saki, Nagisa, and Naoya stumble upon a package intended for Saki. Curiously enough, Saki has no memory of entering any competition, but her lack of suspicion, coupled with their collective lack of intelligence, leads them to accept the prize without question. The reward turns out to be a campsite coupon and various camping supplies, all sent by none other than Milika. Joining them on their camping adventure is Shino, who takes on the role of an "observer" once again. However, her usually composed demeanor is overshadowed by her lingering disappointment over Saki's missed opportunity. It's intriguing to witness Shino's more negative attributes, especially since she usually strives to maintain an appearance of perfection. Despite her efforts, one habit she can't seem to overcome is highlighting the perceived flaws of others as a means of avoiding her own feelings of inadequacy.

Shino attempts to distance herself from the group as she contemplates Saki's laid-back approach to their allegedly endangered relationship. The episode dedicates an uncomfortable amount of time to a joke about Shino's breasts, while Saki tries to initiate a conversation about her friend's downcast mood. Unfortunately, any emotional discussion they try to have is undermined when Shino is once again subjected to sexual harassment and used for cheap humor and fan service. Once the inappropriate touching comes to an end, Saki and Shino find a moment to sit down and talk. Saki notices that Shino not only seems angry about something, but also seems to be carrying some kind of burden. Before they can delve further into the conversation, their discussion is interrupted by Naoya's frantic phone call regarding the lack of progress he and Nagisa are making with setting up the campsite essentials, such as a tent and a fire. Just in the nick of time, Milika arrives with her reluctant younger sister Risa, ready to come to the rescue.

Milika Grills

In Girlfriend Girlfriend Season 2 Episode 5, Milika showcases her unparalleled camping skills by effortlessly setting up the tent, starting the fire, and preparing a delightful meal. Naoya realizes the astonishingly coincidental nature of their encounter and discovers that Milika had intentionally orchestrated their outing. This revelation ties back to their previous conversation, towards the end of the last season, where Naoya expressed his desire to go camping. Additionally, it is connected to Milika's extensive collection of camping-related content that she had generated in response to their conversation.

Not An Option

Despite the unappetizing food served by their all-star chef Nagisa, Milika manages to create a tantalizing dish that raises suspicions of it being laced with poison. However, hunger triumphs over doubt and everyone succumbs to the temptation. Interestingly, Milika also partakes in the pizza she had prepared earlier, dispelling any doubts on her innocence. Nonetheless, this only serves as evidence of her cunning nature. When Naoya questions Milika's indifference towards him after rejecting her at the festival, she shockingly reveals that he is developing feelings for her based on her "objective assessment." This accusation is so significant that he cannot deny it.

In Girlfriend Girlfriend Season 2 Episode 5, Risa is taken aback when she learns the truth about Naoya's relationships. She is furious with her sister, Milika, for going to such lengths as a two-timer. Milika, however, refuses to give up on Naoya, explaining that her love for him is so strong that she is determined to pursue him at any cost. Although Naoya reassures his girlfriends that he would never intentionally harm them, their conversation is interrupted when Milika reveals that all the food, except for the first pizza, was laced with drugs, causing them all to lose consciousness.

With Naoya and the rest incapacitated, Milika seizes the opportunity. The episode heavily relies on aerial shots to capture the unfolding events. While it can be effective in moderation, the excessive use of aerial shots, particularly during intense moments, becomes distracting and feels like a forced technique. Although Milika shines in this episode, her willingness to engage in criminal activity for personal desires remains unsettling, especially since it is intended as humor. The outcome of Milika's grand plan remains to be seen, but the episode highlights the parallels between Nagisa, Milika, and even Shino, suggesting that the latter may play a crucial role in the upcoming week.

Editor's P/S

In the latest episode of Girlfriend, Girlfriend, "Getting Ready with the Girlfriends," the central theme revolves around a camping excursion, during which Shino's flaws and self-doubts take center stage. Milika cunningly arranges the camping trip to advance her personal motives, exposing her willingness to go to drastic measures in her pursuit of winning over Naoya, disregarding any potential repercussions.

The episode starts off with Shino feeling down about Saki's missed opportunity to have her first kiss. To make matters worse, Nagisa and Naoya appear to be getting closer, which was the whole purpose of suggesting the festival in the first place, so Saki could gain the upper hand over Nagisa. Shino's passionate concern for Saki's relationship stems from her own struggle to suppress her feelings for Naoya. However, the more Naoya becomes involved with Nagisa, the harder it becomes for Shino to let go completely.

The intense frustration brewing within Shino leads her to have an emotional outburst upon witnessing Naoya and Nagisa's affectionate behavior. She finds herself trapped in a pit of self-pity, contemplating the sacrifices she has made, while Nagisa continues on without the same burden of being troubled by Saki's emotions. Constantly being in such close proximity to the situation is gradually causing Shino's composed facade to crumble.

Overall, this episode of Girlfriend, Girlfriend delves into the complex emotions and insecurities of the characters, particularly Shino, as she struggles to come to terms with her feelings for Naoya and the growing closeness between him and Nagisa. While the episode does a good job of exploring Shino's inner turmoil, the questionable direction and the inclusion of unnecessary fan service moments detract from the overall impact of the episode.