Previously I decided on a Natsumi-focused approach to blogging this series but I’ve been utterly paralyzed by the sheer size of the backlog. To make things more manageable, I’m switching to concentrating more specifically on Natsumi x Koyuki moments although I am also very fond of Natsumi oneesama moments, POWERD-723 scenes, Natsumi x Giroro moments as well as Angol Moa shiny happiness (helped by how Mamiko Noto sounds like she really really enjoys this role). Koyuki is a Lesbian Ninja Girl like Shinobu from 2×2=Shinobuden and erm… erm… help me out here ladies and gents?
She also joins the list of Token Lesbian Supporting Characters; a list populated by girls like Tomoyo Daidouji from Cardcaptor Sakura, Kaorin from Azumanga and Maya Ibuki from Evangelion. Like in the case of Tomoyo x Sakura, Koyuki’s very open displays of desire for Natsumi leads to many sweatdrop moments for said object of desire. Even though Natsumi isn’t reciprocating Koyuki’s feelings but she’s clearly very fond of her. The two bond instantly at their first meeting - though Natsumi is flustered by Koyuki’s appreciation of her "city scent". For the latter, it looks like it’s love at first smell. The anime Koyuki is also quite different from manga Koyuki (who only appears very late in Vol.7) - latter is much more sexually aggressive, to the point of coping feels of Natsumi fairly often. I rather like the anime Koyuki more as her slightly more restrained approach to Natsumi-loving is a better fit with her overall appearance and cuteness.
Both find something to admire in each other’s athleticism; it could have very well gone down the path of rivalry if Natsumi had not been so welcoming and open-minded.
While infiltrating Keroro’s base under the Hinata household, Koyuki gets her cover blown, appropriately, by Giroro. Natsumi is completely freaked out at first and Koyuki is clearly distressed that Natsumi is forming a bad impression of her. But Zeroro/Dororo’s arrival quickly resolves the situation. Two birds are killed with this one stone - Koyuki now shares knowledge of the Keron aliens with Natsumi and doesn’t have to worry about keeping her ninja identity a secret since Natsumi already knows.
By the wya, just as a flashback… is it just me, or was the whole Gundam reference here a nice touch, with Dororo’s sudden return, appearing in front of Koyuki like that, with the whole shadowed appearance, and the battle music in the background? I swear, they should just leave the Gundam series to the Keroro team, and shoot all the others, Fukuda included.
Especially given how his shadowed appearance reminded me of the original Red Comet’s mask.