Ep. 10: Production coordinator Naoyuki Saruta faces traffic and hallucinations while delivering the first episode of Mellow Maromi.
Aired on April 20, 2004
10
The staff behind the anime Mellow Maromi, based on a character designed by Tsukiko, struggle to meet deadlines. Production coordinator Naoyuki Saruta, often blamed for these delays, fights through heavy traffic to deliver the first episode to the broadcasting network. During the journey, he repeatedly falls asleep and wakes to see Lil' Slugger chasing him before the figure vanishes. His dreams reveal the series' production process and the gradual murder of the entire crew. Eventually, Lil' Slugger appears inside the car, and Saruta's beaten corpse is discovered in front of the TV network's building. As the network takes the tape from his hand to air it immediately, Maromi's voice is heard repeatedly saying to take a rest.
Episodes
- Ep. 6 · Ikari and Maniwa investigate Tsukiko's self-inflicted injury while Taeko discovers surveillance footage.
- Ep. 7 · Maniwa investigates Lil' Slugger connections while Kozuka dies in custody
- Ep. 8 · Three suicide pact members attempt various methods while seeking Lil' Slugger, ending with a shadowless revelation.
- Ep. 9 · Housewives share implausible tales of Lil' Slugger, ending with a shocking home invasion.
- Ep. 10 · Production coordinator Naoyuki Saruta faces traffic and hallucinations while delivering the first episode of Mellow Maromi.
- Ep. 11 · Misae confronts Lil' Slugger about human resilience while Ikari faces his past as a detective.
- Ep. 12 · Maniwa investigates Lil' Slugger's past and confronts the giant monster.
- Ep. 13 · Ikari destroys the fantasy world, revealing the tragic truth behind Tsukiko's fabricated monster story.