REVIEW: ‘Otherside Picnic,’ Episode 5 – “Station February”

Otherside Picnic is one of many novel series coming to digital big spring in Winter 2021. A blend of Yuri, science fiction, and horror, Otherside Picnic angles to tantalize viewers with gals being pals in a world full of creepypasta monsters. Previous episodes of Otherside Picnic have successfully kept this series interesting, building a fascinating story backset by the Otherside’s unreality. Otherside Picnic Episode 5 aims to keep the ball rolling.

In Otherside Picnic Episode 4, Sorawo (previously localized as Sorao in the subtitles) and Toriko plunged into the Otherside. Only this time, it wasn’t together. They went their own way after a fight. Now, Otherside Picnic Episode 5 will pick up in the aftermath of their big fight as the girls reconcile and continue their search for Satsuki.

Otherside Picnic Episode 5 immediately has a different tone than before, in part because Kozakura has forced the girls to apologize for getting her dragged into the Otherside. How does she seek her revenge? Well, through a few towers of food, all on the girls’ dime. Even though it wasn’t Toriko or Sorawo’s fault, Kozakura seemed determined to get something in return.

This transitions into the girls starting a little food celebration of their own as they reconcile with the previous episode’s events. Toriko orders what feels like half the menu, declaring that this next round of food is just for them to celebrate their relationship. Side note: the food looks so good. I think viewers will find themselves feeling like snacking.

Hunger aside, this scene is so nice to see, especially after the girls fight in Otherside Picnic Episode 4. Seeing Sorawo and Toriko being sweet with one another again feels really, really good. It also feels like something they worked at. It’s hard to remember just how new their relationship is sometimes because they’re so connected. I suppose that’s the benefit of their adventures together in the Otherside. Still, the Otherside continues to be an incredibly frightening place. Even good food can’t convince Sorawo not to be afraid of it. Yet when Toriko asks to go back, Sorawo pretty easily agrees. It seems that our heroines will be heading back into the horror-filled realm sometime soon.

Soon being the…operative word here.

Just like before, the Sorawo is yanked into the Otherside from her own reality. Thankfully, she’s got Toriko with her. Unfortunately, they don’t have any of their Otherside gear, specifically because they weren’t planning on going into the realm. This leaves the girls particularly defenseless as now, and they have only their wits to keep them alive.

The music rises as the girls realize that they’re in the Otherside… at night. Skillfully, the soundtrack builds in Psycho-esque strings to heighten the horror. And it works: it works really, really well. If you’re like me, you might even feel some shivers down your spine as you worry about just what could happen to two human girls in a place like this.

The danger is immediately apparent, which sets Otherside Picnic Episode 5 apart from the previous four episodes. The tension feels so, so good, and the script really plays with building anxiety and unease. Additionally, seeing Sorawo and Toriko work together to be brave and survive feels really good, especially since they’re a lot more defenseless this episode.

Otherside Picnic Episode 5 really flips the script and ups the ante this episode. To be honest, this is personally one of my favorite stories adapted from the novels. It’s creepy in the novel but in the anime? It’s brilliant! Positively brilliant!  If you’re a viewer on the fence about continuing your watch, I think Otherside Picnic Episode 5 will wholeheartedly sway you into the “watching the entire cour” camp.

Honestly, this is the level of execution I’ve been waiting for from Otherside Picnic. I’m just glad that Otherside Picnic Episode 5 finally gave me all those good tidbits that make this series excel. The music in this episode is superb. The scenes and sequences in the Otherside are filled with delicious tension. Moreso, Sorawo, and Toriko are back together and better than ever as they try to survive the Otherside once again.

As I’ve said before, Otherside Picnic is a show that should be on everyone’s watchlist, especially if you’re a fan of Yuri or horror. Otherside Picnic Episode 5 proves just how good the series can be.

Otherside Picnic is streaming now on Funimation.