Episode 10

**Troupe Dragon, On Stage! (They Had A Troupe Name, Huh)** (劇団ドラゴン, オンステージ! (劇団名あったんですね)) *Gekidan Doragon, On Sutēji! (Gekidan-mei Attan desu ne)*) is the tenth episode of the Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon anime.

## Summary

Christmas is coming soon and Tohru is asked to put on a performance for the old folk's home, but can Tohru and her friends keep things under control without Miss Kobayashi's supervision?!

## Plot Overview

Kanna and Tohru do some Christmas shopping in the shopping plaza and are greeted by Tatsuta the butcher. Immediately, Tohru notices that Tatsuta is wearing a cast on his right foot and learns that he injured himself when he was rehearsing for a retirement home's annual Christmas Eve show. Tatsuta then gets an epiphany and asks Tohru to take his place. Although Tohru is a bit hesitant to accept at first, Tatsuta convinces her telling by saying she's the pride of the shopping district.

That evening at Kobayashi's apartment, Tohru explains the situation to Kobayashi, who can't help because of her job. So, Tohru enlists the help of Lucoa, Shouta, Riko, Elma, and Fafnir. However, Elma only agreed to help on the pretense she'd be allowed to eat as much candy as she so wanted and that she has a ton of work to complete. Tohru, however, points out that Kobayashi says that she's "useless" at work and during this busy period, she'd be absolutely unnecessary. Despite Elma trying to argue contrary, she's shot down by Tohru. Once that's settled with, the group discuss what show they'll perform for the retirement home. Elma, Kanna, and Fafnir's ideas are shot down due to either how impossible or illogical their suggestions are, but Riko suggests they put on a play. Excited by the suggestion, Tohru decides to go with that suggestion. For the play they'll preform, Riko suggests since it's close to Christmas suggests The Little Match Girl. Curious as to what the story is about, Riko summarizes the plot of the story, but Tohru comically misunderstands the ending, which frustrates Elma. Kanna then compliments Riko for her knowledge which flusters her.

With the story of the play decided with, Fafnir declares himself as the director imposing that he won't allow any half-baked acting. However, Tohru notes that he was chosen as director because he can't act, which was a feasible compromise. From there auditions for the lead actor are done and first up is Tohru who fails due to her temper for being ignored by people. Up next is Elma, who fails due to mixing her work-ethics with the play. Finally, Riko is next, but fails due to her being far too intimidated by Fafnir's glare. Because of Fanir's strict nature, Lucoa volunteers to be the new director and suggests that Shouta play the role of the lead character the Match Girl. Although this is met with hesitation, Lucoa has Shout dress in the costume which is well received, however, Shouta feels too embarrassed to wear it. Because both Fafnir and Lucoa are sidelined as the directors, Elma steps up to the plate and left with no other person to play the role, Kanna is chosen and nails it. Later that night, Kobayashi arrives home and learns that a Little Match Girl play will be performed for the retirement home, with Kanna as the lead. Despite Tohru's optimistic attitude, Kobayashi thinks that when Tohru acts like that is when she most dangerous. As Kanna practices her role, Fafnir calls and suggests a script revision to modernize the play, where the Match Girl is a Magical Girl, but is hung up on by Tohru.

The following day, the troupe rehearse at the playground where the surrounding area was converted into a stage. Elma is notably didactic as her role as director criticizing the actors acting. During the break, Elma, Tohru, Fafnir, and Lucoa discuss changing up the play to add depth to it. Tohru proposes they add an original character in the theme of the kasajizou myth played by Shouta who sells hats. Fafnir proposes his magical girl themed play again, which is once again shot down. Elma suggests they perhaps try a Ronin 47 approach, which is well received by everyone.

On the day of the play, both Kobayashi and Makoto arrive at the retirement home and watch the play which is an amalgamation of all of the ideas proposed to give the story more depth. Overall the play is a huge hit with the people of the retirement home and the show is deemed a success. Afterward, the group enjoy a Christmas Party at Kobayashi's apartment and when Kobayashi wakes up after passing out during the party, she learns what happened after she fell asleep. Because it's Christmas, Kobayashi decides to go on a job ride on Tohru's back. During this trip, Kobayashi receives a present from Tohru, which is special medicine that'd help Kobayashi with her chronic back pain. At first, Kobayashi is excited to receive this present until she learns that it's from the other-world that Tohru is from. Kobayashi then confesses how she felt when Tohru set out to start the play and how it would end, but was pleasantly surprised how well it went in the end. As it starts to snow, Kobayashi gives Tohru her present, which is a red scarf and ties it around her left horn.

## Characters

* Kanna Kamui
* Shouta Magatsuchi
* Kobayashi
* Tohru
* Fafnir
* Quetzalcoatl
* Elma
* Riko Saikawa
* Makoto Takiya
* Tatsuta

## Trivia

* Kanna's Magical Girl Cosplay resembles Sakura Kinomoto's Magical Girl Costume from *Cardcaptor Sakura*.
* This episode is the first anime-original episode of the Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon anime.