Kamichu! 2
I'm assuming that the actual OP sequence isn't ready yet since they reused scenes from episode 1 this time. Hopefully they'll have something next time.
Matsuri's going to have a big festival at the temple for the new god in town, Yurie-chan. After school, Yurie and Matsue go over to Matsuri's since she said she had something to do... when Matsuri's little sister, Miko, comes home Matsuri asks her to open the inner sanctuary of the shrine so she can talk to Yashima-sama, the god that lives there. Why? Yurie's going to become the shrine's god. However, Yashima-sama hasn't been around for 3 months now, and Miko didn't want to tell anyone since she thought'd hurt her father's feelings. Her father's not really suited for shine work, preferring to work in the fields instead, so the number of visitors to the shrine decreased and the finances went into the red, enough so that some of the furniture is going to be repossesed. Good reason to use Yurie to gain visitors to pay back some of the debt ;)
After putting on seals which allow them to see all the spirits around, they all go out around town searching for Yashima-sama. Doesn't seem like he's in town, though. A shark and his buddy on the beach point them to the top of the nearby mountain where an "entrance" is. A small shrine is there, along with a warning that only authorized persons may enter the god's "Rest Center". Yurie would be that kind of person, so she opens it up and is sucked inside.
Inside are many buildings where many different gods are gathered. A tanuki rows the boat Yurie entered on around as she asks about Yashima-sama. She finally finds Yashima-sama loudly ringing a tortoise bell. He was tired of life in the middle of nowhere, so he thought he'd head to the big city to try out his luck -- as a rock star. He doesn't want to end up as just a god in the countryside. Yurie tells him that Miko really misses him, and the people that come to visit probably do as well. She doesn't think it's good that he's not there for them... she apologizes for trying to say that Yashima-sama was wrong -- but Yashima-sama reminds her, Yurie-sama that she's a god as well, a god with much more power than he. He agrees to go back, so he and Yurie head back out where Miko, Matsue, and Matsuri are still waiting -- their seals have worn off so only Miko can actually see Yashima-sama. Miko's happy to tears to see him back. Yashima-sama possesses Matsue for a bit to apologize to Matsuri for being gone...
...And the next day it's time for the Yurie-chan festival at the shrine, as people and gods come to have some fun and see Yurie-sama. A group of guys carry Yurie in fashion suitable for a god, but Yurie seems a bit embarrassed by it all. At the shrine, she once again sees Kenji -- who still doesn't remember her name, even though he was writing "Yurie-chan banana" (whatever that means.....). He's there doing some work for the festival. She asks him if he really believes that she's a god. He says yes. He notes how happy a god can make everyone -- he wants to write something that'd do the same. He gives her a stack of paper to take back -- the first one says 恋愛成就 and makes Yurie smile :)
Matsuri introduces Yurie and asks her to give a few words. The crowd applauds and Yurie steps up to the mic (which is set up too tall for her). She tells the crowd that she became a god the other day, and since she just became one she's not good at it or anything -- but she'll do her best. And next up a song -- "Please, God".
And Yurie's still as cute as she was in the first episode ;) But why go for a guy who can't even remember your name? (^^;;) Anyways, Yashima-sama was an interesting one for a god -- who knew gods wanted to be famous rock stars, too. I'm not well studied in shinto or anything so I can't really comment any further about all the symbolism that's showed up and will show up in the show (but I'm taking an Asian religion class this semester so perhaps I'll learn something).
Animation quality is still high. Really noticed the detailed movement of all the characters this time, making them pretty lively. Kamichu!'s off to a good start so far -- an acutal opening next time or so would make it even better -- so I'll be hoping that continues. But Yurie's plenty cute enough for me to keep watching it for her alone ;)
You have to admit this is a really interesting show. I mean you don't which to way to feel about this show, which makes it great! It's a whole nest of feelings. There a moments you laugh and then there are moments where you feel in awe, and they you ask, "are they serious". It's all serious all in good fun!
I mean c'mon it's not everyday that a "god" has a dream to become a rockstar. Seems even "gods" have ambitions. Great show!