Two new members join the society: the abrasive Manabu Kuchiki and the standoffish Chika Ogiue. Ohno hatches a plan to trick Ogiue into revealing her true inner self.

At Kasukabe's urging, Madarame sets out in search of a less otaku-ish outfit. Later, a heart-to-heart over sushi reveals that they might not be from completely different worlds after all. Unfortunately, this only confuses him more.

The school festival approaches, and Ohno is committed to another cosplay photo shoot. But tension brews as Ogiue scoffs at the idea of cosplay, and Ohno finds Tanaka's secret stash of costumes for the other Genshiken girls. Caught in the middle with the photo shoot only minutes away, Kasukabe hatches a scheme to smooth things over, and even get Ogiue to try something she's never done before.

Some time before the events of the Genshiken Second Season TV series Susanna Hopkins and Angela Burton visit Japan during New Year's Eve. Sue stays over at Ogiue Chika’s apartment while planning to study at the same University. The original members of the Genshiken organize a New Year’s shrine visit with their American guests.