Mitsuki Butterfly
| "Mitsuki Butterfly" |
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Mitsuki Butterfly is the fourth episode in the second season of Kappa Mikey according to the production order, but premiered on September 6, 2008 as the twenty-fourth episode. It is notable as having a more poignant tone than the show's usual shallow and crude humor. It is also the first episode that features Mikey and Mitsuki's relationship as the focus of the story, and the first episode where Mikey develops serious feelings for her. The title is a play-on-words on the famous opera Madame Butterfly.
Summary
The LilyMu gang expects to see Mitsuki’s dad, Dadsuki, perform as the Empress in a kabuki play. He breaks his leg immediately before it begins, so Mitsuki, who was backstage visiting and had seen the play hundreds of times already, offers to fill in for him. He allows it, but he swears to her never to reveal her identity to the audience, because as Japanese tradition dictates, no woman can ever perform kabuki. Mikey fawns over Mitsuki in her kabuki role.
Later, at the studio, Mikey reveals he has a "crush". Mitsuki overhears and is excited, obviously and sincerely hoping that it's her. But her heart is shattered upon learning otherwise, and though it's tearing her up, she agrees to help Mikey pick out a gift for his special someone. When this gift shows up at the dressing room, she is delighted to learn that she is the "crush" in question. When Mikey shows up shortly after, Mitsuki and Dadzuki go to great lengths to prevent him from getting close enough to recognize her, lest their secret be revealed. She tries convincing Mikey to "look closer around" him for somebody else as worthwhile as the one he is pursuing. On Ozu's advice, Mitsuki painfully decides to honor her dad's wishes, despite her deep love for Mikey and her desparately wanting him to know that she's his crush. Mikey still insists on seeing the "Empress" no matter what, and his constant interference (involving breaking into the dressing room) leads to the secret being revealed anyway, as well as Mikey's feelings about Mitsuki being shook up when he finally recognizes her.
His honor lost, Dadzuki is persuaded by Mitsuki to temporarily take her place on LilyMu to prove his acting ability. So while Mitsuki lays low, her dad impersonates her on-set, donning a wig and fooling everybody despite his mustache, manly build, put-on voice and unfamiliarity with his surroundings. He even agrees to go out to lunch with Mikey (thinking that it's Mitsuki, and wanting to talk) when Mikey promises spareribs, which Dadzuki has a sweet tooth for. Dadzuki, as his daughter, discourages talk of a relationship due to friendship and Mikey understands. In the end, however, Dadzuki reveals his true identity on the LilyMu set during a shoot, which stuns the cast and those watching elsewhere, restores his honor, and earns him a congratulatory hug from Mitsuki, whom he has made very proud. Mikey now realizes that he hadn't really heard from Mitsuki herself earlier, and the two finally have a moment to talk... until Dadzuki (with whom he's obviously made friends) whisks him away for another round of spareribs. Mikey tells her that they'll "talk later", and she complies, relieved.
The LilyMu sequence that follows seems to emphasize a significant change in the Mikey-Mitsuki relationship: while they are in-character, she rescues him and the two share a close embrace looking longingly into each others' eyes as they're lifted to the jet.
Subplot
Gonard falls in love with popcorn once he tries the Free Refill deal at the concession stand outside the kabuki theater. He begins to take the popcorn bucket out for dates, but Lily and Guano notice that he's become a nuisance, invading her apartment with the snack. During an intervention, he alienates his friends. Gonard becomes horribly addicted, and when the special deal expires, Gonard tearfully admits that he has a problem. With Lily and Guano's help, Gonard overcomes his popcorn obsession.
Song
The episode features one song titled How Did We Get Here?, performed by Michael Sinterniklaas as Mikey, Jacqueline Angier as Mitsuki, and Dan Green as Dadzuki.
Production
This episode was the fourth one produced for Season Two. However, Nicktoons Network aired it as the twenty-fourth episode in the season, over a year and a half after it was completed.
See also
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