This new year special from the "Ramen Daisuki Koizumi san" mini- series, has all the good of a normal episode, but, at double the time, it can't help but put some filling in too.
Koizumi discovers there's an "ikemen" (very popular and handsome guy; normally for young men) in her high school who also knows a lot about ramen. The guy comes to Koizumi's classroom and decides to challenge her to a competition about ramen. The three old ramen men appear from nowhere to become the judges of the duel.
Whereas in a regular episode, Koizumi and her pals went to a ramen shop, here the show decides to take us on a trip, with the characters visiting six or seven places. With only one place (huge ramen, very spicy one...) the challenge was clear, here it becomes a case of a little bit too many. Also the duel has a first part where Koizumi and the "ikemen" have to answer questions about ramen places, history, etc, which becomes a little bit of a drag (specially if you have no idea about it).
Nonetheless the show has some great moments, as with a regular episode. All the characters are as fun as ever, and the addition of the ikemen, who at the beginning is really annoying, ends becoming a plus, as the actor overacts so much that he becomes likable.
Of course we have some more of the "really?" moments, as Koizumi's playlist now includes the "irasshaimase" (welcome!) that ramen shop workers say when one enters their restaurants.
