It's "No Tardies Day" at Honnoji Academy where the students must make it to school before the starting bell or be expelled. Thing is however, the school has turned the city into an major obstacle course to add to the challenge. What's more, Ryuko finds herself without Senketsu, forcing her to rely on her strength to get Mako and her to school through the traps.
Tropes
- Art Shift: The characters have far larger heads than usual in several shots.
- Always Someone Better: To Ryuko's shock, Ogure is able to wear Senketsu very easily and harness his power. Unfortunately for her, her blood is deemed "too salty", and is unable to move, allowing Ryuko to take him back.
- Breather Episode: Nothing story related, just a simple comedy episode
- Laser-Guided Karma: Ogure thinks she's gotten away from retribution after she reveals her true color only for Gamagoori to show up, reveal he heard her plan and promptly expel her.
- Limited Animation: More than the others, the animation in this episode is almost entirely still frames, looped animations, motion tweening or any combination thereof. With the only bits of actual animation mostly going to Ryuko.
- The Mole: Maiko Ogure who introduces herself as fellow no-star student but is really the Trap Committee leader of Honnouji Academy
- Not So Above It All: Gamagoori was prepared to punish Ryuko for showing up with only her pajamas, but Mako gets him to confess he's not above being under-dressed (he confesses that he sleeps in the nude). He lets the "infraction" slide, if only to see how Ryuko can handle the run to the academy without Senketsu.
- Pedal-to-the-Metal Shot: By Ryuko while Ogure's driving, complete with her yelling "Punch it!", when the trio notice two RPGs coming right toward them. It succeeds in getting them to the academy, but shatters the bus into pieces upon landing.
- Race Against the Clock: "No Tardies Day" is a rare event where all of the students undergo an insane obstacle course on their way to school. Anyone who shows up even a minute late will be instantly expelled, regardless of their existing record.
- Rewarded as a Traitor Deserves: Gamagoori overhears Ogure plot to overthrow Satsuki. After she fails, he tells Ogure that he was aware of her plot and expels her.
- The Starscream: Ogure turns out to have designs of taking over Honnouji Academy.
- There Is No Kill Like Overkill: The trap committee really go above and beyond to make sure the no-stars don't make it to school before the deadline.
- Villain Respect: Gamagoori ends up giving Mako a bit of this for standing up to him, saying that he'll remember the No-Star's name.
- Worf Had the Flu: Or rather Worf didn't have her outfit as Senkestu was being cleaned when Ryuko and Mako were forced to leave early. Making the pratfalls all the more difficult to evade. Ryuko herself even states it wouldn't even be a problem if she has Senkestu with her.
