Comic Book Guy finds out that his competitor Milo (the owner of Coolsville) is now married to his girlfriend, Strawberry.
Suddenly, an imaginary Stan Lee appears to Comic Book Guy and tells him that he has another chance in love.
A Japanese girl named Kumiko Nakamura enters the store, and Stan Lee advises Comic Book Guy not to waste the opportunity.
Homer tells him about Comic Book Guy being an obese nerd, which prompts Mr. Nakamura to object to their relationship and take Kumiko away.
They both drink Habushu (Snake Rice Wine), an incredibly strong form of rice wine (and Homer drinks what he thinks was fish wine when actually it was the restaurant aquarium) and stumble home intoxicated, where the city turns into a wonderland based on Studio Ghibli's films (specifically Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, Princess Mononoke, Howl's Moving Castle, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Porco Rosso).
Comic Book Guy tries to impress Mr. Nakamura by getting a real job using his hitherto unmentioned chemical engineering degree.
And while I can’t say I’m clamoring for Comic Book Guy to enter The Simpsons’ regular rotation, the ending was a touching example of catchphrase re-purposing.
"[12] She then commented positively on the guests on the episode, saying "with appearances from Stan Lee and Harlan Ellison and a romance blossoming across the pages of Kumiko's Manga comic, the story was sweetly and entertainingly told.
"[12] Christian Allaire of the National Post also noted the hallucination scene, calling it "a charming tribute to animator Hayao Miyazaki.