Episode 4

## Broadcast Chronology

**Ride the Crab** (蟹に乗る *Kani ni Noru*) is the fourth episode in the *Sabikui Bisco* television anime series which was broadcasted on January 31, 2022.

## Plot

### Synopsis

Bisco and Milo are on their journey to the Tohoku region in search of the legendary "Rust Eater" mushroom. Along their way, they meet up with their companion, the giant crab Actagawa, but unfortunately Milo struggles to mount Actagawa as the crab is not able to accept him as a worthy rider. At last his kindness helps them come to terms with each other. Later that night, the two try to rest at the Nikko War Memorial temple and are unexpectedly reunited with the jellyfish-haired girl they met at Imihama.

### Summary

Bisco and Milo continue their journey on foot. Milo questions Bisco if they are going the right direction as he doesn't believe Akita is the way they are going. Bisco gets annoyed and tells him to not question him and that this is the right direction. As they travel, they reach a field of driftweed and Milo gets excited, explaining that absorbs light from the sun and glows at night. Bisco gets annoyed again, yelling at Milo for being carefree as the driftweed glow attracts bugs and beasts at night, so he wants them to continue moving and get away from there while its daylight. A moment later, Milo faints.

Milo wakes up a bit later and Bisco gives shows him he caught two lizards. They cook them and Bisco explains to not chew, but swallow them as they are bitter. After eating, Milo explains that he believes that Pawoo has 3 months left, but Jabi only one month. Even if the Rust Eater is in Akita, they won't be able to get it and return in time by travelling on foot. Bisco states he has a plan and explains they can use the mines of Ashio Bonecoal Mountains as a shortcut. They continue their travel, but Milo states that he heard the iron mice live in the mines and the two of them may not be enough. Bisco then notices a crab claw and states they have a third member and whistles and Actagawa comes out of the ground. Bisco explains its his "brother" and its a steelcrab, as he doesn't like heat, he knew Actagawa would bury himself somewhere. Milo then realizes why they were heading the wrong way. Bisco explains that the beasts in the mines won't attack anything they can't eat and that Actagawa can go through any terrain. They get on Actagawa, but Actagawa throws Milo away. Bisco states he forgot that Actagawa hates doctors and gives him a new pair of clothes to wear. After changing clothes, Milo introduces himself to Actagawa and tries to get on, but Actagawa throws him off again. They continue travelling with Milo following on foot Actagawa. Bisco explains all the noises and sounds he should use depending on Actagawa's mood and lets him try again, but Actagawa again throws him off. They keep trying, but Milo continues to fail to control Actagawa, who keeps throwing him off. They stop for the night and Bisco tells Milo that its normal for Actagawa to not trust him yet and that he has a pride, but they need to become friends soon as Actagawa is their trump card.

The next day, while Bisco prepares some arrows with mushrooms, Milo attempts to ride Actagawa. He manages to ride him, but can't control him. Suddenly, Tirol appears in front of Milo and Actagawa and Milo attempts to stop Actagawa, but falls from him. Tirol tells him she can show him how to ride it, but attempts to steal Actagawa. Bisco sees it and shoots an arrow that grows a mushroom and pushes Tirol off Actagawa's driver seat and then chases Tirol away. Milo apologizes to Actagawa for pushing him hard and wishes to apply some medicine. Actagawa protests, but Milo tells him to not act tough and Actagawa accepts. Bisco gets surprised that Actagawa listened him for this, but Milo still can't ride him and its his first time seeing someone talking to a crab while can't ride him.

They reach the Nikko War Memorial and decide to sleep there for the night. As they enter the building, they see Tirol is there. Bisco recalls seeing her in Imihama, but as Tirol turns, she seems like she is chocking. Milo rushes and helps her throw up, but realizes there is something in her stomach. He then kisses Tirol and manages to pull out a balloonworm. Milo explains the worm is used for keeping the slaves escape. They first feed the slaves worm eggs and give them drugs to suppress them from hatching, forcing the slaves to stay to keep getting the drug. Tirol is surprised that the Imihama governor's been using them on his special forces, but that explains why they were always taking medicine. Tirol guesses they saved her since they want her body and becomes flirty with Milo, but neither is interested in her and instead Milo asks if she can give them some food. Tirol then wonders why they even saved her as they can take her food after she had died. However, Milo explains he can't just stay and watch someone die in front of him. Tirol then decides to make a profit and reveals her jellyfish shop with various delicacy food. Bisco wants something normal, but she states she doesn't carry poor people's food. Milo sees butter-flavored bisco cookies and as Bisco never tried them before, Milo decides they should eat them. Tirol then charges them for the cookies, explaining that she lost the bounty for Bisco's head as he is too strong, but she still needs to make money. They try to cookies and Bisco is surprised by the taste as he had imagined they would taste like bear liver and be much harder. Tirol comments she can't sale gas to a crab rider and tosses away her liquid bonecoal, which ends up spilling.

At night, Bisco and Tirol feel tremors and wake up. Outside, Milo is running away with Actagawa while they are being chased by a giant grab who carries the Nikko War Memorial. Bisco tells Milo that the animal's main body is coal-eating mantis shrimp that eats bonecoal and the bonecoal Tirol threw away woke it up. As they start to reach the mines, Bisco is afraid that they may hit the mines and cause an explosion that will prevent them from using the mines railcar. As Tirol is clinging to Bisco, he can't do anything and tells Milo to use Actagawa and split open the animal's brow. Milo tells Actagawa where to attack and using his pincers Actagawa breaks the animals shell on the head. Bisco then jumps in and shoots an arrow, causing numerous mushroom to grow and stop the animal. Bisco is relaxed that the mines are fine, but then one of the cannons from the animal shoots and blows up the mines.

The next day, Milo realizes that Tirol is gone and had taken all of his money. Milo is at least glad they they split the money between him and Bisco. He then sees that Tirol had left them food for the money she took, but Bisco states it just means she forced them to buy it. Bisco then notices that Milo is standing on Actagawa and he doesn't throw him off. They continue their journey and while crossing a dried up sea, they see a watermelon. Bisco runs to get it, but a kid takes it before him. Bisco yells at the kid and starts chasing it. He manages to get him, but then another kids shoot at them.

## Appearance

### Characters

* Major characters in order of appearance
	+ Bisco Akaboshi
	+ Milo Nekoyanagi
	+ Actagawa
	+ Tirol Ochagama
* Supporting characters in order of appearance

### Locations

* Japan
	+ Imihama Prefecture
	+ Driftweed Plains

## Notes

### Episode Staff

* **Director**: Daisuke Mataga
* **Screenplay**: Yutaka Yasunaga
* **Storyboards**: Daisuke Mataga
* **Animation Directors**: Atsushi Ikariya, Daisuke Mataga, Ai Asari, Norie Ikawa, Momoko Kawai, Asuka Mamezuka, Hitomi Takechi