Ganglion [Episode 12]

Ganglion Episode 12: The Most Absurd Corporate Villainy Finale Ever?

Let’s cut to the chase—Ganglion Episode 12 is exactly what we signed up for: 3 minutes of pure, unadulterated chaos wrapped in early 2000s Tokyo grime. Studio Maf’s Fall 2025 short-form series (yes, each episode is three minutes) has been serving up bite-sized doses of “corporate villainy meets office comedy” all season, and the finale? It’s the cherry on top of a very weird sundae.

First off, let’s get the basics straight for anyone who binged this last night (no judgment—those 3-minute episodes are addictive). Kenji Isobe, our deadpan henchman protagonist, works for Ganglion Corporation: a company that’s definitely not plotting world domination (wink). Episode 12 throws him into his wildest mission yet—stealing a legendary office chair. Wait, no, not just any chair: the “Ergonomic Throne of the 21st Century,” a relic from the 2000s that’s somehow key to Ganglion’s “master plan.” If that sounds ridiculous, that’s because it is—and that’s why we love it.

Fans on MyAnimeList are losing it over the episode’s opening scene: Kenji suiting up in a full tactical outfit… only to grab a stapler as his “weapon.” One user joked, “I’ve never seen a henchman look so ready to fight a copier.” Another pointed out the callback to Episode 3, where Kenji spent 2 minutes arguing with a vending machine over a soda. “That vending machine cameo? Chef’s kiss,” they wrote. Studio Maf’s attention to tiny, stupid details is what makes Ganglion feel like a inside joke we’re all in on.

The action (if you can call it that) is peak Ganglion: Kenji sneaks into a rival company’s office, avoids laser tripwires made of… string, and has a “showdown” with a security guard who’s more interested in his lunch than stopping a heist. The fight scene? Kenji uses the stapler to… staple the guard’s sandwich shut. The guard’s reaction? “Dude, that was my bento!” It’s the kind of dark humor that makes you snort-laugh at 2 a.m.

But here’s the thing—Ganglion isn’t just about jokes. Episode 12 tucks in a tiny, heartfelt moment when Kenji pauses mid-heist to fix a broken office plant. A fan noted, “You can tell he’s tired of the chaos, but he still cares about the little things.” It’s that balance of absurdity and quiet humanity that makes Kenji such a relatable protagonist. He’s not a hero—he’s just a guy trying to pay his rent, even if his job involves stealing office furniture for a villainous CEO.

Let’s talk about the animation, too. Studio Maf’s style is gritty and retro, like a 2000s anime you’d stumble on at 2 a.m. The color palette is muted—lots of greys and browns—except for Kenji’s bright red tie, which pops like a warning sign. The finale’s final shot? Kenji sitting in the stolen chair, staring at the camera, while the CEO yells at him over the phone about “world domination deadlines.” The chair creaks. Kenji sighs. Roll credits. Perfect.

Is Ganglion for everyone? Probably not. If you hate short-form anime or dry humor, you’ll check out after 10 seconds. But for those of us who live for shows that don’t take themselves seriously? It’s a masterpiece. As one fan put it, “Where else are you gonna see a henchman have an existential crisis over a stapler?”

The only downside? The episode ends on a cliffhanger. The CEO mentions a “Phase 2” involving a “mystery fax machine,” and Kenji just stares into space. Fans are already theorizing: Is the fax machine a weapon? A portal? Or just another excuse for Kenji to have a breakdown over office supplies? We’ll have to wait for Season 2 (fingers crossed Studio Maf greenlights it) to find out.

In the end, Ganglion Episode 12 is a love letter to anyone who’s ever felt like a cog in the machine. It says: “Yeah, your job is stupid. Yeah, the world is chaotic. But sometimes you just gotta steal an office chair and call it a win.” And honestly? That’s the kind of energy we need right now.

So, if you haven’t watched it yet—go. It’s 3 minutes. You’ve spent longer scrolling TikTok. And if you have watched it? Replay it. Notice the way Kenji’s tie is slightly askew in every scene. Laugh at the guard’s sandwich being stapled shut. And then join the MyAnimeList thread to argue about whether the Ergonomic Throne is actually worth stealing.

Ganglion might not be the next Attack on Titan, but it’s exactly what 2025 needed: a show that doesn’t care about being “epic.” It just cares about making you laugh at the absurdity of it all. And for that? We salute you, Kenji Isobe. Now go fix that office plant.

Final Verdict: 10/10. Would watch Kenji steal a fax machine in Season 2.

— A very sleep-deprived Ganglion fan

P.S. If you’re wondering why the episodes are so short? Studio Maf said in an interview that they wanted to “mirror the fast-paced, chaotic life of a corporate henchman.” Fair enough. We’ll take 3-minute episodes over 24-minute filler any day.