Otherside Picnic Episode 8 Review – “Attack of the Ninja Cats”

Otherside Picnic is one in every of many novel collection coming to digital massive spring in Winter 2021. A mix of Yuri, science fiction, and horror, Otherside Picnic angles to tantalize viewers with gals being friends in a world stuffed with creepypasta monsters. Earlier episodes of Otherside Picnic have efficiently stored the ball rolling, constructing an interesting story backset by the unreality of the Otherside. Last episode took us to a literal seaside episode set within the Otherside. Whereas considerably a “filler” episode, episode 7 gave viewers a breather after the occasions at February station in episode 5 and episode 6.  Now, in Otherside Picnic Episode 8, “Assault of the Ninja Cats”, takes viewers again to Sorawo and Toriko’s faculty campus with a brand new drawback.

Quite, Toriko will get a request from one Seto Akari, a freshman with a puzzling drawback. A very puzzling drawback, and maybe, one in every of Otherside Picnic‘s silliest to this point. You see…Akari has come to Sorawo searching for recommendation as a result of her “sixth sense” talents. Akari’s drawback? Effectively, she’s being pursued by cats.

Sorry, I meant to say that Akari’s being pursued by ninja cats. Sure, you learn that proper. Ninja cats. Cats who’re ninjas. Cats who positively studied ninjustu. Cats who would possibly like to look at or learn Naruto, not less than of their downtime. Cats who perhaps studied the blade.  Cats who in all probability studied the blade.

Y’know: ninja cats.

Naturally, Toriko can’t consider this pawsitively outlandish concept as a result of… like, who would?! The considered ninja cats is out of this world hilarious. It’s past the Otherside… besides perhaps, it’s not. Granted, Sorawo can’t consider Akari’s declare both. She’s fast to dismiss her antics as a prank. Nonetheless, Akari isn’t delay and gained’t relent. She’s decided to get out of this furry -ne, furry- state of affairs someway, someway. Akari simply hopes that Sorawo would be the one to assist her out.

Like I stated, these aren’t our on a regular basis felines. The cats are up shut and and paw-sonal. You get the sensation they gained’t hesitate to finish Akari if given the prospect. Worse, Akari’s endured normal hazing and stalking at minimal. She’s even endured weaponized assaults. Let me inform y’all one thing: these cats positively studied the blade.

Naturally, it’s not lengthy earlier than the ninja cats plaguing Akari begin to do the identical to Sorawo and Toriko. And when these feisty felines resolve to direct their ire in the direction of Sorawo and Toriko, issues get actual in a short time.

Right here’s the factor, Otherside Picnic Episode 8 is a extremely fascinating mixture of downright hilarious and like, genuinely creepy. Cats are cute. One might say they’re very cute. I’d say that these good toe beans and fluffy cheeks are downright lovely. Mixed with the phrase ninja, they turn into hilarious.

Till you’re Sorawo and Toriko and also you’re being purr-sued by one million sharp kitty claws via a cat-themed village. Then cats sort of cease being cute, and instantly, you’re eyeing each feline who crosses your path IRL. Or… perhaps you’re not me.  However perhaps you might be.

Otherside Picnic Episode 8 performs with music and noise very well throughout this episode, which furthers that bizarre, uncanniness contained inside this episode’s plot. The music options numerous strings and synth sounds that construct over each other because the motion ramps up and the proverbial fur begins to fly.  The motion on this episode is, surprisingly, a number of the greatest but. I believe it is likely to be as a result of I acquired to look at ninja cats, however I additionally assume it’s as a result of we get to see a brand new character in motion as properly. Having a visitor pop into the Otherside was an fascinating addition. I preferred it when Kozakura got here to the otherside within the first half of the season. Equally, I preferred seeing Akari, the sufferer of the ninja cats, preventing alongside them as properly.

Ultimately, I actually, actually loved Otherside Picnic Episode 8. In actual fact, if I had to decide on, I genuinely assume that is in all probability my favourite episode to this point. The plot is downright wacky, however doesn’t lose that good little bit of horror that fills any interplay with the Otherside. If something, the goofy components sort of make the idea of killer cats a contact extra scary. Nonetheless, all that stated, Otherside Picnic Episode 8 remains to be a deeply hilarious episode. Horror followers gained’t discover this scary in any respect. I, an individual who doesn’t like horror, discovered this episode laughable and extra uncanny than the rest. Nonetheless, I positively assume Otherside Picnic Episode 8 is an efficient one.

I’m undecided what we’ll get after this episode. In actual fact, I’m undecided how a lot of the supply materials Otherside Picnic will cowl. I’m positively able to get again to looking for Satsuki and the bigger plot. Nonetheless, I’m glad we acquired this foolish episode earlier than the plot kicks again in. It was a pleasant breather earlier than the final 4 episodes air.

Bonus factors for Otherside Picnic Episode 8 as a result of somebody right here at However Why Tho? stored all these good, good cat puns in only for me. That’s gotta depend for one thing, proper? I actually assume it does.

Otherside Picnic is streaming now on Funimation.

Mercedez (she/they) is a contract translation and localization editor, QA, author, and an occasional podcast. Utilizing her ardour for all issues anime/manga and her background with Japanese popular culture, she shines a feminist, queer, and optimistic lens on the media she loves.