Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary – Season 1 Episode 8 Recap & Review

C’mere, You Want Some Free Candy?

Episode 8 of Shoshimin: How To Become Ordinary begins with Yuki’s mother ending her phone call with the police. Yuki’s mother tells Kobato he should leave since the cops will be here soon. Kobato goes for a walk, debating whether he should get involved in this case. Then, Kobato receives a text from Yuki. Yuki asks him to buy him four candy apples and a canele. 

Kobato calls Kengo and informs him about what happened to Yuki. Kengo thinks Kobato’s joking but Kobato ensures Kengo this isn’t a joke. Kobato arrives home and Kengo’s there. The two head into Kobato’s room and look at the special map Yuki made. This map features all the sweet shops in town. 

Kobato shares more details about Yuki’s canele and candy apple request. The two examine the map, trying to uncover Yuki’s whereabouts. After doing some math and discussing the evidence Yuki provided him with, Kobato speculates Yuki is at the Nanbu Gymnasium. Kengo is unsure about that and explains why. 

Kengo and Kobato head to the gym but it’s locked. They look around the place and discover an abandoned white vehicle nearby. Kobato looks through the window and notices a lollipop wrapper is resting inside. The two look through the vehicle’s front window. They discover a voice modulation device resting on the driver’s seat. 

After pondering things, Kobato and Kengo conclude that multiple people kidnapped Yuki. They notice a backdoor nearby and plan to use that to enter the gym. Kobato and Kengo enter the back door. The two hear a couple of people chatting in the gym. Kobato wants to see if Yuki is with these people before he calls the police. 

Then, Kobato peeks into a room. Kobato spots a group of girls talking down to Yuki. Yuki’s strapped to a chair. The girls want Yuki to beg for forgiveness but Yuki doesn’t say anything. Kengo and Kobato exit the gym. Kobato calls Yuki’s mother and informs her about Yuki’s situation. 

Then, an officer picks up the phone. Kobato explains what’s happening to Yuki and the officer says she and her team will be at the gym soon. Kobato ends the call and he and Kengo discuss the girl who belittled Yuki. Kengo says that was Isawa and fears she’ll hurt Yuki. Kobato and Kengo return to the area where Isawa’s holding Yuki hostage. 

Before Isawa harms Yuki with a knife, Yuki speaks. She tries convincing Isawa and her friends not to leave a mark on her body, but Isawa doesn’t care. Before Isawa attacks Yuki, Kengo and Kobato reveal themselves. The two stall them out long enough for the police to arrive and arrest Isawa and her friends. 

Yuki calls her mother, letting her know everything is fine. Then, Yuki confronts Kobato. Kobato informs Yuki about what happened to Kengo and the two discuss their experiences with Isawa’s group at the gym. Yuki says her wounds hurt and she’s hungry. Kobato says he wants to take Yuki to her next sweet shop stop as a part of their deal. 

He offers to buy her some things. Later, Kobato visits the number one ranked cafe on Yuki’s sweet shop list. Kobato greets Yuki and Yuki says she’ll pay for their meal. Yuki asks Kobato to bring up a topic to talk about. Kobato reflects on their summer break, stating how it was far from ordinary. 

The episode ends with Kobato asking Yuki if she knew she’d be kidnapped.

The Episode Review

As many predicted, Isawa and her friends were behind Yuki’s kidnapping. Fortunately, Kobato and Kengo saved Yuki from dying by Isawa’s knife. While fans will love this outcome, many can’t help but feel underwhelmed by this chapter’s events. There were many instances within this episode like the back door being left open that felt too convenient. 

Although Isawa doesn’t seem like the brightest girl in her group, you’d think she would have her friends standing guard at certain locations. Additionally, someone could’ve checked every area to ensure no one else could enter the building. Scenarios like these prevent the story from feeling authentic.  

However, we’re certain Yuki knew she’d be kidnapped from the beginning. Based on the intel Yuki shared with Kobato in episode 8, folks can tell she was familiar with Isawa’s operations and persona. If not, it’d be a strange writing decision, considering Yuki is an intelligent and occasionally frightening person. 

Whatever the case, I hope the next chapter starts with Yuki responding to Kobato’s question. But all in all, this chapter may leave fans mixed. Hopefully, the next episode will give fans something more exciting and thoughtful.