‘Let’s Go Karaoke!’ Episode 2 review: “Nightmare”

Oh Satomi (Shun Horie), we’re really in it now. Let’s Go Karaoke! Episode 2 shows exactly why mangaka Wayama-sensei is a genius. Not only does Satomi have to be honest about yakuza members singing, but “Nightmare” also confirms that Kyouji (Daisuke Ono) knows what Sylvanian Families are. Tack on the peculiar dream sequences sprinkled throughout the episode, and you’ve got a recipe for a perfect episode.

Let’s Go Karaoke! Episode 2 does a great job of establishing who Satomi really is behind the glasses. On the surface—especially when talking to his parents and classmates—Satomi is well-mannered, which is very different from the Satomi we see with Kyouji. Satomi is the same when it comes to judging the other yakuza members that Kyouji brings along for his singing lesson in the episode. He’s brutally honest despite being surrounded by people who can easily harm him if they so desire. This alone shows that Satomi isn’t a goodie-goodie kid as some people might think. Even with all his crying about being surrounded by yakuza, he doesn’t necessarily back down or leave. He stays, gives them advice, and actually apologizes for being a little bit too mean.

Additionally, Satomi doesn’t tell his parents what he’s doing. Why is obvious—who would want their son hanging out with a yakuza? But he also starts lying to them about where he’s been. He hides the strawberries that Kyouji gets for him under his desk even though they’re supposedly a good brand. The only hint that Satomi is up to something rebellious is that he smells a bit like smoke and even then his mother brushes it off.

Let’s Go Karaoke! Episode 2 does away with serious yakuza types.

On a side note, Kyouji giving Satomi a map of areas to avoid is a bad idea. If there is one thing a teenager will do, it’s go into an area they’re told not to go into; and Kyouji drew out exactly where Satomi shouldn’t go. No matter what comes from that map, it won’t be good.

One of the best things about Let’s Go Karaoke! is that the yakuza members are, to be honest, silly. Yes, it’s obvious that they’re not “good” people. Yes, they fit into every trope in the yakuza character creation. But the scenes featuring them aren’t tense or uneasy. The series presents them as a goofy group of guys who are just trying their best for the karaoke competition. The bath house scene in particular highlights that they’re all just a bunch of dudes being guys which, at the end of the day, is really what being a yakuza is about.

On the topic of the family in the bathhouse, it was nice to see a different side of Kyouji than in episode one. Much like Satomi, he’s much different around his fellow yakuza than he is with the former. He gets to be a bit more serious about things with how other members listen to him the moment he starts speaking. It’s great how the focus of that scene was on Kyouji and that includes the fanservice pan of him; thank you very much.

Dream sequences keep “Nightmare” light on its feet.

This episode has a very Twin Peaks vibe to it with several dream sequences. Dreams can be difficult to translate into an anime adaptation. So much can go so wrong if they’re not done properly or accurately enough – especially for readers of the source material. But Doga Kobo nails it. Each time Satomi wakes up in a cold sweat from his dream, it’s as if we are being ripped out of the dream with him.

The ending dream sequence is technically original to the anime. Dogo Kobo crafts it from a cover art drawn by Wayama-sensei as a special treat for anime viewers.. This is evidence enough that whoever animates scenes like this is a fan of the manga. Whoever you are, thank you for bringing that scene to life!

Let’s Go Karaoke! Episode 2 is the perfect example of why I love the manga so much. It’s a goofy coming-of-age story between two people who can only solve their issues by coming to understand each other. Even this early in the series, Kyouji and Satomi are already growing so much.

Let’s Go Karaoke! Episode 2 is available now on Crunchyroll. 

Kayla Chu

Made up of feminism, sports, and cheap wine.
Questions, comments, inquries please be sent to kaylamchu@gmail.com