Don't Call Me an Idol (アイドルなんて呼ばないで, Aidoru Nante Yobanai de) is the 5th episode of Odd Taxi anime series.
Synopsis[]
- Yamamoto takes Odokawa's taxi as he needs to pick up the members of Mystery Kiss for rehearsal at the studio in Sasazuka. First to be picked up is Yuki at Harajuku Station. During the ride she reveals that fried chicken is her soul food, because her mom used to make it for her back in Oita. Yuki complains about Rui getting preferential treatment, as she is allowed to arrive later. Yamamoto reminds her of the promise she made to her mom about following her dreams. Once they arrive, Yamamoto reminds her that she needs to work harder, being the newest girl.
- When Odokawa asks why he must pick up the members from different locations, Yamamoto says that it is better to keep them separate. They pick up Shiho from a bath house in Ogikubo. Yamamoto gives her a bath bomb (a bath additive). Odokawa seems to recognize her, but Yamamoto assumes it was from a concert before Mystery Kiss' debut.
- Shiho complains about her lack of ambition and talent compared to Rui and Yuki respectively. Yamamoto tries to convince her that she is equally important because of her innocence, beauty, and charm. Shiho says she is tired of doing compensated dating, but Yamamoto cuts her short.
- On their way back to the talent agency office in Kamimeguro, Odokawa asks Yamamoto why he does not promote only Rui if she is so popular. Yamamoto compares himself to a jewel designer who uses the other girls as props to make Rui, his carbon gemstone, shine brighter and become famous. Yamamoto later asks for Odokawa's business card, and whether he wants to be their usual driver and to promote Mystery Kiss by keeping flyers in his taxi. Odokawa asks if Yamamoto has ever been in charge of another girl before like Yuki, but he states that he has not. Upon further prying, Odokawa reveals to Yamamoto that he had dropped off that girl at their agency office a couple of weeks before. Checking Odokawa's business card, Yamamoto realizes this is the taxi driver his boss has been looking for.
- Yamamoto notices the camera and asks Odokawa to sell him all the dash cam data with the excuse to make a promo video for Mystery Kiss. Odokawa says he will consider it, if he can settle the privacy issues.
- Tanaka has been shadowing Odokawa in another cab. He also asked Yuki to put a burner phone in Odokawa's taxi to track him.
- Later that night, Odokawa meets with Gouriki, who confides that he is planning to temporarily close down the clinic, as he does not want to report the medicine theft to the authorities. Odokawa tells him that he suspects Shirakawa is the culprit, as she has money problems, and that he saw her with Dobu. Even then, Gouriki remains doubtful.
- Odokawa meets with Dobu to exchange information. He straight out asks whether Shirakawa is involved in his schemes. He confirms that he has been selling the stolen medicine on the black market, and that Shirakawa is doing this to pay back her loan. Though he never told her to get close to Odokawa, revealing that Shirakawa might have genuine feelings for the taxi driver. Dobu reveals that his boss was not happy that he had lost an important item. Dobu also complains about a video that was posted by somebody claiming they will catch him.
- In return, and under the threat of being drowned, Odokawa tells Dobu that Mystery Kiss' manager asked him about the dash cam data, much to Dobu's surprise, as he never expected Yano to be involved with an idol group. Dobu wonders whether this means that the missing girl was involved with Mystery Kiss, and proceeds to tell Odokawa to keep playing along with Yamamoto. Odokawa replies that it is none of his business, and to stay away from him.
- Shiho and Kakihana have a dinner date at a fancy restaurant. She tells him that she grew up poor, in a family with a lot of siblings, and that the bath was the only place she could be alone. Kakihana tries to keep up appearances that he is rich, but his lack of etiquette reveals his actual social status. Throughout the conversation, Shiho keeps herself busy with social media, except for when she gauges Kakihana's fortune. Kakihana asks Shiho whether she wants to get married, to which she replies that it would be amazing to be surprised with an engagement ring, the sooner, the better.
- On social media, it is revealed that Imai has won the lottery worth a billion yen (roughly 9 million USD), using Odokawa's lucky numbers.
- Kabasawa has uploaded a video where he personally declares to hunt down Dobu and make him pay for his crimes, which has gone viral with more than ten million views.
- While paying for the dinner in cash, Kakihana drops a loan receipt where it is revealed that has taken a loan of ¥100,000 (roughly $900) to pretend he is rich.
Characters[]
- Fuyuki Yamamoto
- Hiroshi Odokawa
- Yuki Mitsuya
- Rui Nikaidо (mentioned)
- Shiho Ichimura
- Hajime Tanaka
- Missing High School Girl (mentioned)
- Ayumu Gouriki
- Miho Shirakawa (flashback)
- Dobu
- Eiji Kakihana
- Reina
- Kanon
- Shun Imai (Twitter)
- Taichi Kabasawa (video)
Trivia[]
- Mystery Kiss' first album is revealed to launch on Christmas day.
- Yamamoto was shown leaving the taxi with the lucky ballpen.
- Before being dropped off, both Yuki and Shiho were doing their favorite thing as stated in episode 1, which is eating fried chicken and taking baths respectively.
- Kanon and Reina can be seen at the fancy restaurant, giggling about Kakihana's gaffes.
- The episode title is a reference to the idol group AKB48's song of the same name. The song is performed by 4 members.
Gallery[]
ep. 5
