Plus-Sized Elf episode 3 review: Naoe keeps meeting all kinds of fantastic creatures in another fun-filled installment that will keep viewers hooked

By Subhayan Basu

Modified Jul 21, 2024 00:30 GMT

Elfuda as seen in Plus-Sized Elf episode 3 (Image via Elias)

Plus-Sized Elf episode 3, titled The Sweaty Ogre and Turquoise Scales, was released at 12:00 am JST on HIDIVE and was subsequently broadcast on channels like TOKYO MX, BS11, and AT-X. The series just keeps getting better, with new characters being introduced in every episode. In the latest installment, viewers got to see Naoe and Elfuda meet some fantastical characters who all need help with losing weight.

The anime is based on a Japanese manga series by Synecdoche. The series was initially published on the Comic Gum website of Wani Books. A sequel is being published in Akita Shoten's Dokodemo Young Champion magazine.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.

An Ogre, a Merrow, and a dog show up in Plus-Sized Elf episode 3

Plus-Sized Elf episode 3: A brief synopsis

Oga as seen in Plus-Sized Elf episode 3 (Image via Elias)

In Plus-Sized Elf episode 3, Naoe asks Elfuda to go with him to the spa and tells her about the ogre that haunts the place. Upon learning that a steam bath will help her lose weight, Elfuda eagerly accepts.

Next, Elfuda is pleased to find the spa empty. However, she is soon confronted by Kuroeda. A heated argument ensues, after which both elves head to the sauna. It turns out, Kuroeda had heard about the ogre too and was nervous about going in alone. Elfuda seizes this opportunity to tease her further.

As they enter the sauna, they are immediately overwhelmed by the intense heat and begin to complain. A voice from within, belonging to the ogre Oga, demands they be quiet.

Oga learns from the elves that her presence was the reason customers had stopped coming to the sauna at night. The reason she was there was to lose weight. She had been drinking heavily and had gained weight as a result.

In Plus-Sized Elf episode 3, Elfuda and Oga compete to see who can endure the sauna's heat longer. Whoever loses has to buy as much food or drink as the winner wants. As expected, Elfuda loses, and Oga gets to enjoy a few drinks at her expense. Naoe arrives at this point, and, at Elfuda's request, buys her some fries as she had spent all her money.

Mero as seen in Plus-Sized Elf episode 3 (Image via Elias)

The next day, Naoe takes Elfuda to a fish market. Even though she is a vegetarian and does not like seeing fish on display, Naoe tries to persuade her to include fish in her diet because it is good for losing weight. Mero, the fishmonger, also speaks in favour of the health benefits of fish.

However, Elfuda rudely points out Mero's flabby arms, and Mero admits that it is a result of quitting swimming and eating a lot of fish. It turns out she is a merrow who uses a potion to turn her fish-like lower body into human legs.

Naoe and Elfuda then show her some exercises to tone her arms. As a gesture of thanks, Mero presents them with the highest-quality salmon roe. While Mero feeds Elfuda, she jokes about feeding her own eggs, which causes Elfuda to collapse and demand fries from Naoe.

Plus-Sized Elf episode 3 review: Story, animation, and pacing

Elfuda and Kuroeda as seen in Plus-Sized Elf episode 3 (Image via Elias)

Plus-Sized Elf episode 3 is a delightful blend of fantasy and humor, which effectively captures the everyday challenge of staying in shape. Characters struggling to control themselves seems like a common thread in the story.

The issue is that their gluttony is causing them to gain weight, and now they have to deal with it. Moreover, most of the characters are hot-headed, and do not really want to commit to losing weight, which makes them somewhat one-dimensional.

There is nothing new to be said about the animation or the pacing as Plus-Sized Elf episode 3 continues to maintain a decent level of quality. It is not outstandingly good or mediocre; it is decent. It is an enjoyable, easy-to-watch show. It is also short, which helps keep it from becoming tedious.

Plus-Sized Elf episode 3 is also surprisingly informative about weight loss. For instance, it includes detailed instructions on how to do a lymphatic massage, how to do bicep and tricep exercises, and pushups.

The humor in the episode is also well-executed, particularly when Mero attempts to scare Elfuda by claiming she has unknowingly fed Elfuda her own eggs. The show seems to be getting funnier with each episode. The episode concludes with a hint of mystery as a dog is introduced. Its relevance, if any, is left to be revealed in the next episode, leaving viewers intrigued.