This is the first anime episode I’ve watched after going through the chaos of finals week and moving out of my college dorm. Somehow, it feels fitting that the episode is from this series. This series always gives me calming vibes, and with my grandfather on my father’s side’s memorial service being the day after I’m posting this, I needed something like this at this time. I don’t know if this is my place to point it out either, but the day this is being posted (just the day, not the exact time this post is scheduled to go up) also marks one month since he passed away. It’s still so hard to believe the fact that he’s gone. But that’s enough of me talking about sad stuff like that. You came here for a review, so a review you will get!
The episode begins with Mino describing Halloween to Grandpa and Grandma, and explaining how it’s changed since the olden days…mainly to prepare them for when she brings Shouta over for Halloween. On the day in question, Mino and Shouta arrive in their costumes to see that Grandpa and Grandma had dressed up as well, and were playing into the role of the costumes that they were wearing, causing Mino to collapse. This segment was fun to watch, and it started the episode on a good note.
The next segment has two men driving through the orchard…✨at night✨. They’re discussing rumors about a demon kei truck, when one of the men finds that truck. During the epic car chase, the viewer learns that the “demon kei truck” is actually Grandpa protecting the orchard from apple thieves. Of course, the dudes later go on the news and say that the kei truck is a ghost…which, yikes. I really simplified this segment, but that’s just because I’m trying to find the perfect balance between what to and not to include. But this segment was really funny, especially in the ending. If I need to cheer up in the future, I’ll probably rewatch this segment.
The next segment has an elderly male trying to teach how to fire air guns to protect crops from damage from wildlife…but of course, the elderly women there are more interested in impressing Grandpa by doing the shooting properly. The hijinx that ensue in this segment are fun, and the little extra that seems like a bonus in manga is funny as well.
Then, during a really rainy day, Mino and Shouta decide to take cover under the jinja, with Mino trying to contact her grandparents through her phone…but after a flash of lightning and a rumble of thunder, Mino realizes there’s no service. But alongside that…
…wow, looks like the god at this jinja wants to show something to the two kids! All I will say in regards of this is that it’s something that Grandpa and Grandma were hoping to take to the grave…mainly because I dunno how exactly to describe it myself, as I’m not fully certain about what happened.
I bet the god absolutely loved seeing it, though, even if it was something that the two thought would have them get shunned by the god.
Anyway, Mino and Shouta get changed, with Shouta still remembering what had occurred earlier. Mino tries to speak up to Shouta about her feelings after recalling something that Grandma had told her, but she gets interrupted by a noise coming from the other part of the house…which turns out to be Grandpa and Grandma trying to listen in. We were so close to having the two be official, and then they ruined it. Ah well. Overall, this part of the episode was fun. My only ick is that Mino and Shouta didn’t become official, but there’s no confirmation that any of the other couples will become official from my view as an anime-only viewer, so…I can’t be too mad.
There’s also a section where Grandma rides a train alone and ends up getting other women to ride it as well to keep it running, but other than that simple explanation I have no idea how to describe it, so I hope that this little sentence that acknowledges it will suffice for the time being.
Anyway, onto the next segment! Grandpa and Grandma are in the kei truck, when there’s a traffic jam because the lead car was too scared to move due to all of the snow. Grandpa decided to drive the kei truck to take over being the lead car, which was really nice. This little section may have reignited my hope for humanity, even if the characters involved are fictional characters.
The final pre-credits section shows Grandma working outside in the winter, even getting to the point of removing layers because she was getting hot and sweating, which hasn’t happened for quite a while…and Grandpa even returns in time to see her like this! This was an interesting way to show how much people can change as they age in physical signs, so it was a nice addition.
There is a post-credits scene that involves the two setting up for New Year’s, which is making me interested in next week’s episode, even alongside the preview! But…next week’s episode is also going to be the last episode for this series unless a season two gets announced…but since I don’t know the chapters of manga to episode ratio (mainly because I haven’t read the manga), I don’t know if the manga has enough content to make a season two. So the most I can hope for at this time is that next week’s episode has an ending that leaves me satisfied.
I went into this episode with lowered expectations, and that scene at the jinja absolutely shattered them. The kei truck scenes were amazing. The interactions between the characters feels so natural, and when this series does end, I know for certain I’m going to miss it. But until that time, I’m gonna keep enjoying the happiness of watching this series as a weekly simulcast.
Additional posts about Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again:
Sara Talks Anime 
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