Recovery of an MMO Junkie

Episode 4

There's a lot going on in this week's episode, and it all starts with a handful of loot boxes. Some new items in Fruits de Mer catch Moriko's eye, so she rushes to the convenience store to stock up on in-game currency. She ends up talking to store cashier Fujimoto, who's eager to chat about the game since he also plays. Back in the game, we learn that Lilac has some unrequited (or at least unnoticed) feelings for Kanbe, while the guild tears through a pile of loot boxes in search of the gear they want. Meanwhile, Yuta is still looking for an excuse to see Moriko again, and Koiwai suddenly finds himself in a position to help his coworker out. Of course, the show saves its biggest bombshell for last: while chatting in the game, Yuta finally figures out that there's a link between Hayashi and Moriko.

Moriko's chat with Fujimoto continues Recovery of an MMO Junkie's trend of charming interactions between its characters. It walks a fine line between adorable and relatable, channeling the sudden burst of awkward, nerdy enthusiasm that happens when you find someone who likes the same thing you do. Both characters come across as thrilled to discover their common interest yet terrified of sounding too obsessed with the game, and that dynamic is what makes the scene work so well. Rather than paying generic lip service to the topic of online gaming, this series has found a way to zero in on small, human moments with genuine emotional appeal.

Even the loot box sequence, which causes the episode's pacing to drag a little, benefits from that attention to detail. It's the little jokes, like Pokotarou spawning in the same spot as Lilac or Kanbe modeling a sexy costume that no one else in the guild wants to wear, that keep the scene from feeling too stale. Considering how often gaming comedies use virtual shopping sprees as a source of humor, that's no small feat. Lilac's crush on Kanbe also looks like it could make for a worthwhile side plot, especially if it threatens to upset the comfortable status quo within the guild. Given how much the characters seem to rely on the game as an escape from their real-world problems, I'm intrigued by the idea of letting some personal drama creep into the virtual world.

Speaking of drama, it's worth noting that the show keeps Koiwai's motivations somewhat vague when he meets Moriko at the convenience store. Considering that he goes out of his way to tell Yuta about the encounter, I'm inclined to assume that Koiwai is just trying to give his lovesick buddy a push in the right direction. On the other hand, Koiwai does seem to harbor some sort of interest in Moriko, and his depiction as an impulsive character leaves just enough room for us to question his intentions. Of course, now that Yuta has connected the dots between Hayashi and Moriko, he may no longer need any outside encouragement to take the next step. I'm a bit surprised that the series went for this plot point so early in the season, but I'm also excited to see how things will play out now that Yuta suspects the truth. How do you tell your guildmate that you've figured out their true identity without sounding like a total creep?

Recovery of an MMO Junkie is developing in two distinct directions, and they could complement one another quite well if the show can get the balance right. It continues to be a fun and relatable comedy, the kind of series that lets us see ourselves in the characters without relying on bland viewer stand-ins. At the same time, the story appears to be laying the groundwork for several dramatic plotlines, each with the potential to alter the chemistry within the cast. If the comedy can continue to endear its cast to the audience and the drama can take advantage of that emotional investment, we could be in for a wilder ride than I expected from a comedy about computer games.

Rating: A-

Recovery of an MMO Junkie is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.