We Wanna See Our Mom

In the search for their mother, a hen called Julia, Gudetama and Shakipiyo have come full circle and returned to the restaurant they escaped in the first episode of the series. There, they are greeted by the Lazy Head Chef (played by Masato Kawamorita), who points the heroes in the direction of a nearby farm.

The episode bears the markings of the story reaching its culmination: there is a flashback montage, Gudetama and Shakipiyo declare their commitment to the cause, and the conclusion of their adventures is so very close. In fact, because of how close it is, another last-minute setback proves frustrating and repetitive in its nature.

Most of the episode takes part at night, and the series uses the reduced light and the countryside location to its advantage. There is a rather beautiful scene with fireflies, and the darkness, with its unexplained rustles and noises, easily makes for a thriller atmosphere - at chick scale, at least. Another notable moment is Shakipiyo climbing a utility pole. There has not been a scene of that kind and that much dedication since Mulán (1998).

Fast-paced and visually engaging, this episode ('We Wanna See Our Mom') nevertheless comes across as a filler. There are no memorable lines, the threats are an echo of past experiences, and the cliffhanger is but a déjà vu.