My Deer Friend Nokotan Episode 4 Review: New Characters Make Promising Foils for Torako & Friends
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My Deer Friend Nokotan quickly established itself as a show that dances on the knife’s edge between genius and madness. The first three episodes were a rollercoaster of surreal humor and bizarre situations, drawing in a niche audience while leaving others wondering what they’d just watched. Beyond its sheer strangeness, this high-wire storytelling act smashes absurdity against a deliberately archetypical high school drama, helping the anime stand out among a crowded class of similar and increasingly derivative school anime.
In My Deer Friend Nokotan Episode 4, “Deer Club Under Siege”, the anime ups the ante by pulling back the curtain on the student council. Torako, the ever-under-duress president, navigates the treacherous waters of political players that is her cabinet — namely Neko Nekoyamada, Kinu Tanukikaji, and Chiharu Tsubameya. Each of these council members has their own agendas that don’t always have the student body in mind. Episode 4 sharpens the show’s focus on power dynamics and Torako’s evolving role in the story. It solidifes her reputation as a school icon while finally setting the stage for an actual conflict and some ongoing, evolving character dynamics.
The student council takes center stage in My Deer Friend Nokotan Episode 4. They’re introduced as a shadowy cabal of girls behind the school’s goings-on. Even this high up, however, there’s a clear line of power. Torako serves as the president, Neko Nekoyamada is the Vice President, Kinu Tanukikaji is the Secretary and Chiharu Tsubameya is the council’s Accountant. Despite their individual power, Neko, Kinu and Chiharu are all technically Torako’s underlings. As ever, even though Torako means them no harm — she’s particularly nice and understanding towards them. However, these new, who were first teased in the closing moments Episode 3 “Bashame, the New Student”, remain fixated on bringing the delinquent-turned-school-superstar down.
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