Things get spicy in the 4th episode of Dr. Ramune: Mysterious Disease Specialist as Ramune and Kuro face a patient that’s dealing with something more than just nail problems.
Minor spoilers ahead!
“Your fingers turned into chili peppers?”
What do you do when faced with the possibility of living the rest of your life with chilis as your nails. Like imagine getting the weirdest set of press-on nails but permanent and more painful. The latest patient of the doctor finally answers that very much out-of-this world question, and he isn’t happy. Shy and introverted Takaharu is the newest person to enter Ramune’s door. With the glasses and long sleeves, he’s undeniably the caricature of the shy guy (and very much soft baby boi vibes). When he asks for help, Ramune offers him a mysterious tool that he has to earn. And we get to see how, in the rest of the episode, how what becoming worthy in the eyes of the mysterious tool really means. The episode could be summed up eloquently by the words of none other than Ramune.
“The skilled hawk hides its talons.”
Now for those of you who love the typical shounen rivalry with lots of feelings trope, then get ready for a good time. This episode plays out like Naruto x Sasuke rivalry fanfiction, though not as indulgent. Imagine Bakudeku rivalry friendship but healthier. Tension abounding! It’s filled with fun, if cliché, tropes of the sports comedy-drama, slice of life anime that anyone can easily enjoy it. It might feel a bit overdramatic to some, but at this point Dr. Ramune: Mysterious Disease Specialist has always chosen melodramatic comedy to send its simple message.
If you like some accidental (since it’s doubtful that it was the intent but it very much came off that way) shounen-ai, then this episode is absolutely perfect. Remember, this is not Boy’s Love in any way or form (sadly enough), and it’s a shame that they didn’t take the chance because there's a lot of good enough, if cliche, chemistry between the main character's of the episode that could have made for a more interesting dynamic. Not that the two aren't fun to watch, but it doesn't go for anything new.
“They say human relationships are the cause of most stress.”
In a strangely fitting way, the fourth episode of Dr. Ramune: Mysterious Disease Specialist flows better than the first three episodes. It could be because there’s a sense of settlement that the show really isn’t planning on shifting gears on what it wants to be anytime soon. A simple comedy fantasy show all about a quirky doctor who fixes other people’s problems, and maybe break a few codes of ethics or two. Maybe it is that acceptance that just made the show seem much more sincere and enjoyable. Though it is kind of sad to say it to stay unmoving in some aspects.
Characterization isn’t really going anywhere at this point. Ramune and Kuro don’t really grow as characters and are mostly just sidelined for the story of Takaharu. Whether or not the show capitalizes on the glimpse of a new character from the last episode is yet to be seen. But for now, at least Ramune and Kuro are fun to watch. Especially since their banter as the mature apprentice and childish mentor has yet to become annoying.
Also, the show pulls a few fun twists on the nature of why things happened the way they did. While there would have been a few good world-building elements (and honestly the show really needs to pick up its pace on that part), there’s not a lot to hate in the latest episode. It’s simple and funny and just on the right side of dramatic. Just as easy to watch, if not much more entertaining than the previous episodes.
Dr. Ramune Mysterious Disease Specialist Episode 5 will be released on Sunday, 7 of February at 1:30 am JST.
Tell us what you think of the new episode below!
Official Anime Website: Dr. Ramune: Mysterious Disease Specialist
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