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alt title(s): Onsen Episode
Gai: That aside, where can we hide her?
Kiko: A hot spring! There has to be at least one!
Gai: What do you mean by "at least one"?
Kiko: Everyone's looking forward to it.
Gai: Who are you talking about?

The cast finds a reason to spend an episode at an onsen, or hot spring — a popular type of Japanese resort/attraction similar to communal bathing. Naturally this provides an excusable opportunity for Fan Service if a show is so inclined, although some shows aimed at younger kids will use toweled characters. Some series' that aren't geared towards younger viewers will broadcast with towels, but remove them from the DVD version, as an incentive to buy the DVDs.

In milder situations, this is merely equivalent to a bath scene where the episode slows down so the characters can relax and think about the events of the day. Often a trip to an onsen will lead to characters accidentally seeing each-other in the nude. Or intentionally seeing each other in the nude. Or falling onto each other in the nude... whatever they want, really, as long as someone ends up naked.

Occasionally, there may be a little ping-pong playing afterwards.

The low-budget version of this is the sento episode, where the characters go to the public bath house together. Usually, it's because there's a plumbing or other utility failure at home.

Cousin to the Beach Episode.


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