Snowfall and Shelter
Episode 4 of Momentary Lily, titled “Warmful Thick Corn Beef Miso Ramen,” marks a significant shift in the series’ tone and character dynamics. The episode, which aired on January 23rd, 2025, opens with the core group of girls – Renge, Ayame, Sazanka, Erika, and Hinageshi – caught in a sudden and severe snowstorm. This unexpected turn of events forces them to seek refuge in an abandoned school building. This setting provides a stark contrast to the previous episodes’ outdoor action, creating a more intimate, almost claustrophobic atmosphere.
Inside the school, the girls discover an abundance of supplies, much to Renge’s delight, who is always keen to engage in her passion for cooking. However, with limited food resources, they decide to spend the night in the school. This decision leads to the lighter moments in the episode as they try to make the best of their situation.
The Importance of the Past
The episode delves deeper into the relationships between the characters, particularly focusing on Ayame and Sazanka. A flashback sequence shows them as childhood friends, highlighting their close bond. Sazanka is depicted rushing to Ayame’s rescue after a power outage caused by the blizzard. This underscores the strength of their friendship and hints at deeper feelings, with some viewers noting a strong romantic subtext. This emphasis on their backstory is significant, as it adds layers to their personalities and motivations within the group.
Character Development and Grief
While the episode provides lighthearted moments, the shadow of Yuri’s death still hangs over the group. The girls are still navigating their grief while adjusting to their new reality, with Ayame taking the lead in place of Yuri. This transition is not easy as the girls figure out their next steps, which involves heading to the city center, a known dangerous area, to follow the trail of pictures that Yuri had been pursuing.
The episode also subtly explores the complex emotions each girl is experiencing. The interactions showcase how they are coping with loss, while simultaneously trying to find their place in the new team dynamic. Despite the somber undertones, the group continues to find strength and camaraderie in their shared situation.
A Glimpse of the Uncanny
However, a review from Anime News Network highlights a disconcerting aspect of the episode. The reviewer describes a pervasive sense of the uncanny, pointing out subtle yet unsettling moments, such as a reverse shot of Renge at an almost 90-degree angle during a seemingly ordinary conversation about miso. This observation reveals a disturbing element that lingers beneath the seemingly mundane surface of the episode. The reviewer notes that the episode almost appears to be trying to be normal while being unnerving, using stilted dialogue and character interactions to emphasize this.
Preparing for What’s Next
As the girls settle for the night, they decide to cook a meal together, using the available supplies to create “Warmful Thick Corn Beef Miso Ramen.” This scene provides a welcome respite from the tension and highlights the importance of their shared cooking hobby to their bond. The cooking scenes offer a visual treat, showcasing the care taken in the animation of food, which is a recurring theme in the series. It’s through these moments of shared experience that the characters seem to find some semblance of normalcy amid their chaotic world.
Production and Release
Momentary Lily is an original anime series produced by Shochiku and animated by GoHands, known for their visually distinctive style. The series is directed by Susumu Kudo and Katsumasa Yokomine, with Shingo Suzuki as chief director and character designer. The music is composed by Ryosuke Kojima. Episode 4 premiered in Japan on January 23, 2025, and was subsequently made available on streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, U-NEXT, and Amazon Prime.
The series features a cast of voice actors that includes Natsuko Abe as Yuri Kawazu, Tsugumi Sakuragi as Erika Kodaiji, Shion Wakayama as Hinageshi Usuzumi, Manatsu Murakami as Renge Kasumi, Misaki Kuno as Sazanka Yoshino, and Miyuri Shimabukuro as Ayame Sakuya.
Overall Impression
Episode 4 of Momentary Lily successfully balances the series’ slice-of-life elements with its overarching narrative. The change of setting to an abandoned school, coupled with the chilling snowstorm, adds a new layer of tension and vulnerability to the girls’ journey. By diving into character backstories and focusing on the dynamic between Ayame and Sazanka, the episode adds much needed depth to the cast. However, the subtle hints of the uncanny that are present serve as a reminder of the underlying unease that pervades the series. While this episode is not action-packed, it lays the groundwork for future developments as the girls move forward and face new challenges. The show continues to blend the familiar comfort of cooking with the harsh realities of their world.
