Nanako SOS [Season 1 Episodes 37-39]

Nanako SOS: Episodes 37-39 – The Chaotic Charm of 80s Magical Girl Chaos

Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re into retro anime that’s equal parts silly, sweet, and unapologetically weird, Nanako SOS’s late-season trio (Episodes 37-39) is a time capsule worth cracking open. Aired in December 1983 by Toei Animation (yes, the same studio that gave us Sailor Moon later), these episodes wrap up the 39-episode run with the kind of chaotic energy only 80s anime can pull off—think neon colors, over-the-top slapstick, and a heart that’s as big as Nanako’s accidental superpowers.

First, let’s get the basics straight: Nanako isn’t your typical magical girl. She’s a amnesiac teen who got zapped with powers (super strength, flight, the works) after a mad scientist’s experiment went wrong. That scientist? Tomoshige Yotsuya, a high school genius with a lab coat and a plan to use her powers for his detective agency—though he’s low-key soft for her, which fans on MyAnimeList love to meme about. By Episodes 37-39, their dynamic’s locked in: Nanako’s sunny naivety vs. Yotsuya’s eye-rolling pragmatism, and it’s gold.

Episode 37, “Wish Upon a Star,” kicks things off with a classic trope: a kid’s wish gone sideways. A little girl wishes on a star for her mom to come home, but instead, a grumpy alien crashes into town (because why not?). Nanako, ever the do-gooder, tries to help—only to accidentally blow up a playground slide with her strength. Yotsuya yells, “Nanako, control!”; Nanako blinks and says, “Oops, sorry!” Cue the studio audience laugh track (yes, this show has one) and a chase scene where the alien steals a ice cream truck. Fans on forums point out this episode’s “vibe check” moment: when Nanako stops mid-chase to share her ice cream with the alien, turning a villain into a friend. It’s corny, but it works—80s anime thrives on that earnestness.

Then there’s Episode 38 (let’s be real, the title’s probably something like “Yotsuya’s Crazy Robot” because that’s how this show rolls). Yotsuya builds a robot to “help” Nanako, but it malfunctions and starts stealing cats (don’t ask). The robot’s design? A clunky metal box with googly eyes and a voice that sounds like a broken toaster. Nanako spends the episode chasing it around Tokyo, tripping over vending machines and accidentally launching a robot into a cherry tree. The best part? When Yotsuya tries to fix it, the robot squirts him with soda. Fans love this episode for its “relatable chaos”—who hasn’t messed up a project and watched it spiral? Plus, the cat subplot? Pure 80s cute: the cats end up befriending the robot, turning it into a feline taxi. Iconic.

But the real star is Episode 39, the finale. The mad scientist who caused Nanako’s amnesia returns (because of course he does) to steal her powers. The climax? A rooftop battle where Nanako has to choose between keeping her powers or regaining her memory. Here’s the twist: she chooses both—by hugging the scientist. Yes, hugging. He breaks down crying, admits he was lonely, and helps her get her memories back. The final scene? Nanako, Yotsuya, and the alien (who stuck around) eating taiyaki by the river, with Nanako saying, “I don’t need powers to be happy—just friends.” Fans call this ending “perfectly imperfect”: it’s not flashy, but it’s true to the show’s heart. One MyAnimeList user wrote, “I cried—not because it was sad, but because it felt like saying goodbye to a friend.”

Visually, these episodes are pure 80s eye candy. The backgrounds are hand-painted with that warm, fuzzy nostalgia—think neon signs, bell-bottom jeans, and cars that look like they’re from a Back to the Future B-roll. Nanako’s design? Pigtails, a red bow, and a dress that’s way too short for fighting aliens (but fashion over function, right?). The animation’s rough around the edges—you can see the cel lines sometimes—but that’s part of the charm. It’s not polished like modern anime, but it feels human.

Is Nanako SOS a masterpiece? No. Is it fun? Abso-freaking-lutely. For 20-year-olds who grew up on Steven Universe or My Hero Academia, this show is a reminder of where modern “powered by heart” stories came from. It’s silly, it’s cheesy, and it doesn’t take itself seriously—and that’s why we love it.

So, if you’re scrolling through Crunchyroll (yes, it’s on there) and see Nanako SOS, give Episodes 37-39 a watch. Grab some snacks, turn off your “cringe meter,” and let yourself be transported. As Nanako would say, “Let’s go have an adventure!” — and honestly, who could say no to that?

(Pro tip: Keep an eye out for the alien’s cameo in the finale. He’s eating a takoyaki, and it’s the cutest thing you’ll see all week.)