Shōnen Maid

Episode 3

Like episode two, this week's Shōnen Maid tells two loosely connected stories. It may be too early to know if this type of setup is going to be the norm, but it's certainly a unique way to structure a half-hour series, if nothing else. Three episodes in, it seems like all the principal characters have already settled into their established roles—especially Chihiro, who's mostly past his adjustment phase. Since the series' primary goal is to amuse, this isn't really a problem. Devoting too much attention to setting things up would likely cut into time that could be spent making jokes.

In the first segment, Shōnen Maid presents us with its take on the “child hides a pet from his parent” story. Although he loves cats in spite of his allergies, Madoka has a deep-seated fear of canines. This puts a damper on Chihiro's plans to take in a stray puppy, prompting him to hide the dog in his wardrobe until a permanent owner can be found. (Odd that he didn't come home to find said dresser reeking of urine.) Of course, Chihiro's cover is eventually blown, but since he has his uncle wrapped around his finger, Madoka allows the pooch to stay until it can find a new home—which it eventually does, with a thoroughly enamored Miyako. Although Chihiro certainly has the best of intentions, keeping a small dog trapped in a wardrobe for an entire school day isn't a great way to show affections for man's best friend. Realistically, he'd have found the poor thing in a puddle of waste upon his return, assuming it didn't scratch its way out because it was hungry.

Not that the series necessarily needs a mascot character, but I was hoping Madoka would allow the puppy to stay indefinitely—and frankly, that would have been a more satisfying conclusion to the story. Seeing Madoka decide that his devotion to Chihiro's happiness is more important than his fear of dogs would have been a great way to make the character a little more sympathetic. I actually thought the dog's somewhat cat-like appearance might win Madoka over, but instead the story petered out with Miyako adopting the dog. I have a feeling that he would have found a way to make the arrangement work if Chihiro had insisted on keeping the animal, but it would have been nice to see him be the one to propose this.

In the second half, Madoka and Keiichiro head off on a three-day business trip, much to Chihiro's delight. Without his flighty uncle's constant meddling, Chihiro is free to clean the manor to his heart's content. However, after engaging in a post-bath time cleaning binge, the intrepid youth falls victim to a cold. Although Madoka is clearly concerned about him, Chihiro initially abstains from revealing his illness to his uncle. Predictably, after sensing that something is amiss, Madoka catches a cab home and gives him the care he needs, though this entails making a tremendous mess.

While predictable, this story was able to effectively reaffirm Madoka's love for Chihiro. I have to wonder, though—if he was so concerned for Chihiro's wellbeing, why did he leave a 10-year-old child alone in a cavernous mansion? You'd think he could have asked Miyako to drop by or ask that Chihiro stay with a friend—especially now that he knows the Hinos were willing to take the boy in. There are also some genuinely funny moments, like Yuuji reacting to Madoka's creepy texts. I'm generally able to suspend disbelief when it comes to comedies, but it's always funny to see a character offer up a realistic reaction to cartoonishly bizarre behavior.

For the most part, the two stories adroitly blend into one, as Chihiro's desire to thank his uncle for allowing him to temporarily keep the dog factors heavily into the second story. Still, like the previous episode, this one largely feels more like a collection of moments than a couple of cohesive stories. None of these moments fail to entertain, but when you step back and look at the big picture, the show seems to lack the ability to tell structured stories. However, with only three episodes under its belt, Shōnen Maid certainly has time to grow.

Rating: B-

Shōnen Maid is currently streaming on Funimation.

Amy is a YA fantasy author who has loved anime for two decades.