Hime-sama, Goumon no Jikan desu [Season 2 Episode 2]

Alright, let’s dive into Hime-sama, Goumon no Jikan desu Season 2 Episode 2—because who doesn’t love a princess getting “tortured” with video games, hot springs, and a baby polar bear? If you thought last week’s food-focused chaos was wild, this episode cranks the absurdity to 11, and honestly? It’s exactly what we needed.

First off, let’s set the scene: Hime’s still stuck in the Demon King’s castle, but instead of actual torture (think: medieval dungeons or fire pits), the demons are hitting her with their version of torment. And by “torment,” I mean… forcing her to play a bootleg Smash Bros. with them. Yeah, you read that right. The episode kicks off with Yang Oni and Yin Oni (their names are chef’s kiss—“sunshine demon” and “gloomy demon” but sound like “cheerful” and “miserable” in Japanese, which is peak wordplay) challenging Hime to a video game. But here’s the twist: they’ve coded themselves into the game as playable characters. So now Hime’s fighting pixel versions of her captors while her real-life friends (yes, friends—let’s be real, they’re not torturing her, they’re hanging out) cheer her on. The best part? Hime’s character expressions are comedy gold. When she loses a round? Pure despair. When she’s tempted by in-game food? Instant betrayal. It’s like watching your friend who swears they’re “not competitive” lose their mind over Mario Kart—relatable, to say the least.

Then there’s the hot spring scene. Giantess (a demon with, well, giant maternal instincts) decides to “torture” Hime by giving her a spa day. Cue Hime soaking in a bath, getting a back rub, and basically living her best life. The demons are supposed to be tormenting her, but instead, they’re low-key pampering her. And Hime? She’s loving every second. As one fan put it, “This show is so sweet and wholesome I’m now on insulin.” No lie—between the bubble baths and the group game nights, it’s hard to remember this is supposed to be a dark fantasy. It’s more like a slumber party with extra horns and tail.

But the real star of the episode? The baby polar bear. Beast Tamer Kuroru shows up with this tiny, fluffy cub, thinking it’ll “torture” Hime by being too cute. Spoiler: it backfires. Hime is obsessed—she’s cooing, hugging it, and basically forgetting she’s a prisoner. Even Kuroru can’t resist; she ends up getting “tortured” by the cub’s cuteness too. As a viewer, I felt that. If a baby polar bear walked into my room, I’d confess to anything—tax fraud, eating the last slice of pizza, all of it. The cub is that adorable.

Now, let’s talk about the chaos that is Hime’s phone. Yes, she has a cell phone. In a demon castle. With no Wi-Fi (we assume). And when Excalibur (her sentient sword) asks why she didn’t call for help earlier? Hime just shrugs. It’s the kind of logic that makes no sense but is so funny. As one fan joked, “Bringing poor horror logic into anime is funnier than I’d have thought.” It’s these little absurdities that make the show work—you don’t watch it for plot; you watch it for the “wait, what?” moments.

Of course, not everyone’s on board. Some fans think the joke is getting repetitive. “Torture this, torture that. And she ALWAYS gives in. Super BORING,” one comment reads. Fair enough—if you’re looking for deep storytelling or character development, this isn’t your show. But if you want 23 minutes of unapologetic silliness? It’s perfect. The humor is dumb, the characters are over-the-top, and the “tortures” are just excuses for Hime to make new friends. As another fan put it, “This is another one with what you see is what you get vibes. Simply take 20 mins out of your day to laugh and smile.”

And let’s not forget the ending tease: a knight is coming to rescue Hime. But knowing this show, it’s not going to be a heroic battle. More like the knight walks in, sees Hime playing video games with demons, and goes, “Wait, am I interrupting something?” The potential for hijinks is endless.

Overall, Episode 2 is a step up from the premiere. It’s funnier, more chaotic, and introduces even more lovable characters. The animation (by PINE JAM) is bright and colorful, the voice acting is spot-on (shoutout to the actress playing Hime—her screams of “I’m being tortured!” while eating cake are iconic), and the writing is unapologetically silly. Is it for everyone? No. But if you’re in the mood for a show that doesn’t take itself seriously, that’s all about friendship and fluffy polar bears, then this is the one.

As for me? I’m already counting down to next week. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from Hime-sama, Goumon no Jikan desu, it’s that the best “torture” is just hanging out with your friends—even if those friends have horns and a penchant for video game marathons.

Final Verdict: 8/10. More polar bears, more video games, more Hime being a disaster. What’s not to love? 🐻🎮✨