The first half reveals each resident's secret side when they pay Nino's place a visit. The second half indulges in a men-only marathon. Who will come out on top!? Oh, and uh...don't worry about that Amazon lady that shows up in the middle!

Kou Ichinomiya has always held up his family's tradition of never being indebted to anyone. While trying to retrieve his pants from a bridge pillar, they fall, dragging him down into the river, where he is saved by a strange girl named Nino. Suffering from an asthma attack induced by being indebted to Nino, he accepts the only way he can pay her back; by falling in love with her. In keeping with this promise, Kou feels obligated to live with her under the bridge. After a cold night sleeping in 'the villa', Nino takes Kou to the Village Mayor, a strange man dressed in a kappa suit, who gives him the name Recruit. Kou soon finds that Nino's room is a lot better than the villa, although he is quick to notice Nino's bizarre sleeping habits.

Continuing from the previous episode, the Arakawa King Game competition rages on! Maria and Sister go head-to-head in the final leg of this fateful battle. What happened to the Venus excursion, you ask? Who cares!?

Realizing he is now spending time with a girl for the first time in his life, Kou has trouble coming up with a conversation to have with Nino. After taking a bath in an oil drum, Kou is introduced to some of the other strange residents of Arakawa, but makes a bad first impression when he reveals himself as Nino's lover. They then attend mass held by a trigger-happy man dressed in a nun's outfit, named Sister.

The first part of the show concludes the Rec/Nino date that began in the previous episode. It feels like those two are growing closer. Then, Stella and Maria finally make their debuts in the second half of the show. You'd think more girls would help the show calm down, but...

That weird Amazon from before makes another appearance, and her mysterious treasure is finally revealed! Also, a rabid sci-fi fan and self-proclaimed Earth Defense Force fleet captain makes his debut at the river, adding another space-spice to the Arakawa stew.

Rec the Maestro versus Hoshi the Rock Star-Episode 6 kicks off with their fierce musical struggle. Who will take center stage in Nino's heart?! Later, the Tetsujin Twins take swimming lessons with Nino and her youthful swimsuit, and Rec begins to grow as an Arakawa resident.

While cleaning his room, Rec discovers some cassette tapes that were apparently hidden away by Nino. He causes an international incident when he decides to listen to them behind her back; next thing you know, all the other girls are openly hostile toward him. But he tries to make it up to her, I swear!

Episode 8 is chock-full of excitement as Rec's secretaries arrive to checkup on him. Rec presents the residents as his newly hired staff, causing even more problems for him. Later, Rec and Nino take another step closer thanks to the misguided nudge from the jealous Takai.

Rec suddenly finds himself directing a romance movie at P-ko's request. The residents of the riverbank are cast in leading roles, but they just refuse to get serious. Will Rec ever finish his masterpiece? Later in the episode, we see Rec taking part in a real test of courage. Rec's super afraid of ghosts, but who will manage to give him the biggest fright!?

All you kappa fans out there, thanks for your patience. The Chief is finally front and center in 10 Bridge. How will he deal with the surprise fire drill, and the shocking invasion of Rec's dad's underlings?! Then, find out just how much of a morning person Maria isn't!

In the top half, the Captain comes roaring back with a vengeance. What's his reason for being here, again? Later, we finally get a glimpse into Billy and Jacqueline's stormy past. Their love, a love between a bird and an insect that transcends classes (and species!), strikes a chord with P-ko, Rec, and even Hoshi.

Has the Arakawa crisis finally come to an end? Who is that man in the shadows who swooped in to save the day? Mysteries abound! meanwhile, rec's determination to stand up against his father has brought him and Nino even closer!

Shimazaki continues investigating Nino, while deceiving Rec's dad at the same time. But then...she activates the Death Trap! Elsewhere, Nino reveals to Rec that her parents have contacted her. Upon hearing this, Rec...

A conversation between the river's two middle-aged men leads to a push for health awareness and check-ups for everyone under the bridge. Rec and the others don't think too much of it, but their well-being is more important to Nino than anyone realized! The path to Venus is a long and dangerous one...

Sister's tough exterior racks under Maria's onslaught. Hyper Clumsy Girl Alpha P-ko makes her first appearance. Rec struggles with his new "freeloader" label. This episode is jam-packed with drama! And pay attention to Maria's aggressively sadistic opening theme!