Egao no Taenai Shokuba desu [Season 1 Episode 12]

“Egao no Taenai Shokuba desu” Episode 12: The Sweetest Victory Lap Before the Finale

If you’ve been riding the cozy, laugh-out-loud wave of A Mangaka’s Weirdly Wonderful Workplace (yes, that’s its English title—catchy, right?), Episode 12 feels like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket after a long day. This isn’t some high-stakes climax or plot twist episode; it’s a celebration—of hard work, friendship, and the quiet magic of feeling seen. And honestly? After 11 episodes of chaotic deadlines, coffee-fueled all-nighters, and Futami’s signature overthinking, we needed this.

Let’s start with the star of the show: Futami. You know, our favorite lesbian mangaka who’d rather hide behind her drawing desk than talk to a single fan? Yeah, that Futami. This episode throws her into a book signing—and if you thought she’d panic? You’re right. But here’s the thing: she doesn’t just survive it. She loves it. Fans flooded the event, and when she waited an extra 10 minutes for a late attendee? Cue the collective “aww” from everyone watching. That fan, Oikawa Kanon (shoutout to the eagle-eyed viewers who spotted she’s from the author’s other series, Amayo no Tsuki!), is hearing impaired—and their quiet, heartfelt interaction? It’s the kind of moment that sticks with you. As one fan put it, “Futami is so kind and pure <3 !!!!” No arguments here.

But this episode isn’t just about Futami. The whole studio gets in on the fun—two dinner parties (yes, two), inside jokes about their least favorite editor (we’ve all had that one coworker, am I right?), and even a cameo from Nekonote, the studio’s resident cat-obsessed mangaka who’s very serious about her craft. The vibe? Pure, unfiltered joy. Like when you finish a group project and everyone goes out for pizza—except here, the “pizza” is success, and the “group” is a bunch of weirdos who’ve become family.

What makes this episode hit so hard is how relatable it is. Let’s be real: most of us aren’t mangakas cranking out chapters at 2 a.m. But we are people who’ve stayed up late to finish something, who’ve complained about work with friends over coffee, who’ve wondered if anyone notices the effort we put in. When Futami looks out at the crowd of fans holding her book? That’s the feeling of realizing your work matters. As another viewer said, “She deserves every bit of success.” Preach.

And can we talk about the “wholesome” factor? This show’s always been great at balancing humor with heart, but Episode 12 cranks that up to 11. The color palette’s brighter, the music’s bouncier, and even the smallest moments—like Futami fumbling through a fan interaction or the studio members teasing each other—feel like a hug. It’s the kind of anime you can watch with your little sibling and your mom, and both will laugh (and maybe tear up a little).

But wait—hold up. Is this the finale? Nope! The end credits hit, and we realize there’s one more episode left. Cue the panic: “Only one more episode of my lesbian mangaka left idk what I’m going to do,” one fan wrote. Same. But here’s the silver lining: this episode sets up next week’s finale perfectly. We’ve seen the team celebrate their wins—now, what’s next? Will Futami start a new project? Will the studio take on something bigger? Whatever happens, we know it’ll be sweet.

Let’s be honest: in a world of dark, edgy anime, Egao no Taenai Shokuba desu is a breath of fresh air. It’s not trying to be deep or groundbreaking—it’s just trying to make you smile. And Episode 12 does that in spades. It’s a reminder that success isn’t just about hitting deadlines or selling books. It’s about the people who cheer you on when you’re stuck, the fans who tell you your work changed their day, and the quiet moments where you think, “Wow—I did this.”

So if you’re looking for an episode that’ll make you laugh, maybe cry a little, and leave you feeling warm inside? This is it. And if you’re already mourning the end? Don’t worry—there’s always the manga. As one fan put it, “Definitely will be reading the manga because I’ll miss these girls sm.” Same, friend. Same.

Final thought: If you haven’t watched this episode yet, grab your favorite snack, sit back, and enjoy. Because sometimes, the best stories aren’t about saving the world. They’re about saving each other—one drawing, one joke, one late fan at a time.

Rating: 10/10 smiles. Don’t miss it.