Shinryaku!? Ika Musume – Episode 4 – Fun with English and The Reappearence of Mini Ika

Just like Math, Eiko can't get English either...

Guess whose back?! Now with 200% more English!

Part I – Shockingly Good English…

She's mad!

Considering that I have spoken English for most of my life, it was the only language I understood until I started self-studying Japanese. In the United States, we kind of take English for granted since we retrieved it our childhoods. Therefore, we might find learning another language difficult in the beginning. For us, learning any Asian language such as Chinese, Korean and Japanese difficult since we aren’t used to it. However, we don’t realize that English is the most difficult second language for others from its grammar rules, pronunciation and vocabulary. Despite this, it’s viewed as one of the most important language because of the global economy.

Aside from that, Eiko’s inability to understand English was hilarious. At one point, Eiko unintentionally insults Cindy by saying “binbou” (びんぼう, lit. poor), which gets misinterpreted as “bimbo” and hilarity ensues.  Of course, it happens again when she tells a foreigner that she’s going to kill him when she meant that the station is in walking distance. I guess Eiko still has lots to learn until she becomes proficient in English.

Aside from that, the English from everyone else was shockingly good. I guess the voice actors were proficient enough to speak those lines clearly enough. The only exception was Cindy as a different voice actor acted her parts to make it sound more “American.” For the most part, it worked!

Part II – Ika’s Near Death Laughter

Sadly, Ika didn't learn...

I have to admit that I’m pretty ticklish myself and haven’t grown out of it. Apparently, Ika discovers it by accident. Afterwards, she goes around and does it to everyone except Sanae, causing chaos. She even dared to try it on Chizuru and it failed. I knew it wouldn’t work since Chizuru is a superhuman and doing so is like a death wish. Sadly, Ika didn’t heed the warning and got tickled to death, causing the hiccups.  Chizuru scaring the crap out of her again was the only way to cure it. Yep, this experience should teach her a lesson never to mess with her… ever!

Even so, I wish they could have revealed her tickleish laugh since it would sound interesting… maybe next time.

Part III – The Return of Mini Ika

Mini Ika is adorable as always...

The children decides to have a river race and long behold… Mini Ika makes a return and it was adorable. Too bad it ends with heartbreak and Ika ending up on a different beach! I wonder how she’s going to find her way back? She will figure it out!

Note: Episode 5 airs on October 31, 2011… so, farewell for now. ¶