Non Non Biyori Repeat

Episode 8

Non Non Biyori Repeat thrives on its slow, deliberate pacing, so it's a little worrying to see the show try to fit three separate stories into a single episode. Hustling from one idea to the next is a risky move with the potential to dilute that essential mix of escapism and thoughtfulness. Thankfully, the series seems to be getting better at fitting its rural vignettes into bite-sized portions.

This episode has a distinct do-it-yourself vibe, with the cast working on a variety of arts and crafts. When a school day devolves into a low-budget wood shop class, Hotaru and Komari quickly pair up to make a simple book stand. That leaves the directionless duo of Natsumi and Renge on their own, and the two of them naturally spend most of the class trying to decide what to make. Later, having curry for lunch prompts Komari and Natsumi to recall Renge's first visit to the school and the collateral damage that ensued. On a day off from school, Komari discovers that her old stuffed bear is starting to fall apart and goes to Hotaru for advice on how to fix it. After all, you don't make an army of plush Komaris without learning a thing or two about sewing.

As is often the case with the show's classroom scenes, the carpentry project allows the main characters' personalities to drive the comedy along. Natsumi and Renge may not be the most productive team ever assembled, but their attempts to come up with a plan are pretty amusing. Both characters seem well aware that no one expects them to get anything done, and they manage to make jokes at their own expense without leaning too hard on the fourth wall. Renge's final idea makes for a good ending, offering a perfect balance of uselessness and brilliance. I'm not sure how well the sleep prevention device would work in practice, but it's funny enough to merit a reappearance later in the episode.

The flashback is certainly cute, but it's still the weakest of the three stories. While it's fun to see younger versions of most of the characters, it feels like that's all there is to the scene. Taking a look into the past doesn't really tell us anything we didn't already know about the cast, and the comedy isn't particularly inspired. Fans of Renge will enjoy seeing her wreak havoc as a toddler, but I'm surprised the series isn't able to make better use of this flashback.

Thankfully, the stuffed bear repair scene helps the episode finish strong. Hotaru's crush on Komari has been much less prominent in this season, and I was starting to wonder if the creators had done away with it entirely. It's handled reasonably well here, presented with a sense of humor but not overplayed in search of a cheap laugh. Komari's threadbare bear hits the nostalgia button pretty hard, and the story will resonate with anyone who's rediscovered a childhood toy after a few years apart. There isn't quite enough screentime to fully develop the premise, but we can infer how much the bear means to Komari from the brief look through her photo album. If you watch Non Non Biyori for the warm fuzziness, there's plenty on display here.

This is a definite improvement over the show's previous attempt at telling three stories in one episode, and even its weakest link is worth watching. That said, the series is still at its best when it gives itself more room to wander, carrying a story or two from beginning to end instead of trying to split everything neatly into separate parts. This is a solid and entertaining effort, but it falls short of being a spectacular one.

Rating: B

Non Non Biyori Repeat is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

Paul Jensen is a freelance writer and editor. You can follow more of his anime-related ramblings on Twitter.