Project Hentai: 5 Maika Sakuranomiya Highlights

Mary Lee Sauder

Come for the Meme, Stay for the Moe

Blend S is a charming slice of life anime from the Fall 2017 season that follows the staff of Café Stile – a restaurant where the waitresses play different “characters”, like tsundere or little sister. High schooler Maika Sakuranomiya stumbles into a job at the quirky café because her naturally scary eyes make her a perfect fit to play a sadist character. Throughout the show, we watch her grow closer with her coworkers, accidentally succeed at her sadist persona, and develop a special bond with her clumsy Italian manager.

However, Blend S is perhaps best known in the West for its opening theme, which turned into a meme immediately after the first episode debuted. And according to YouTuber Gigguk, if an anime fan doesn’t say a word beginning with “S” after hearing the phrase “Smile, Sweet, Sister, Sadistic, Surprise, Service”, then their head will implode. What’s great about this is that once you’ve been lured in by the viral videos, you’ll find that Blend S stands on its own as a wonderful little show about the joys of trying new things.

Seiyuu name: Azumi Waki

Maika is the very picture of a traditional Japanese girl – long black hair, a demure personality, and even a rustic home with all the trappings of a Japanese mansion. But because she grew up with her own culture so front and center, she dreams of traveling the world someday. She’d love to save up for the trip by working a customer service job, but everyone rejects her because of her intimidating face. Luckily, when she gets scouted for Café Stile, she finally finds a place where she belongs.
If you’re a moe fan, Maika is a treat to watch. She’s kind-hearted, eager to please, and just all around adorable. And even though Blend S is only 12 episodes long and it’s based on a yonkoma comic, you get to see Maika grow and change naturally over time into a more confident and friendly person. She may play a sadist, but Maika’s real personality has captured our hearts with its earnest charm.

Final Thoughts

Author: Mary Lee Sauder

After the hard-hitting East Coast lifestyle hit me a bit too hard, I started pursuing my passion as a writer in my cozy home state of Ohio. Aside from that, I spend my time cooking, cosplaying, collecting anime merch, and being an improv comedy actor. I also love sneaking alliterations and stupid puns into my writing, so be on the lookout for them!