S1E03: Mountain

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 * introduction=Mountain (Japanese : こうざん; Hepburn: Kōzan) is the third episode of the Kemono Friends anime series. It introduces Crested Ibis and Suri Alpaca.
 * summary=Asian Small-Clawed Otter and Jaguar stay behind to watch the Japari Bus, while Kaban and Serval follow Lucky to reach the cafe. He leads them to a ropeway connected to the top of the mountain, but is unable to find the tram car for them to board. While Serval is pondering whether they will be able to climb the side of the mountain, a bird Friend lands on the ropeway and begins loudly singing her song, looking for friends. Kaban is amazed by the performance, but Serval with her more sensitive ears is given a headache.

The new Friend introduces herself as Crested Ibis and asks what brought the two to this area. They explain they were trying to reach the top of the mountain, and Crested Ibis offers to carry one of them up during her flight. Kaban harnesses herself to Crested Ibis, and Serval lets Kaban carry Boss inside her bag before hurrying up the side of the mountain.

Crested Ibis takes off into the air, and Kaban enjoys the feeling of flying for the first time. Crested Ibis mentions how she can fly much more easily as a Friend than when she was a regular animal. Boss activates from inside the bag, and begins giving Kaban facts about the Japanese crested ibis. Crested Ibis doesn't realize it isn't Kaban talking, and is impressed by her knowledge of her, touched that she has a fan. However, she becomes offended when Boss refers to her call as throaty and annoying. Kaban hurriedly assures her she didn't say it and that she loves her singing.

Kaban and Crested Ibis rest on a pole partially up the mountain to eat Japari buns. Crested Ibis remarks that the food tastes better when eaten up there, and begins to sing a song about it. She wonders if there is a better way to sing in her new body as a Friend, and asks Kaban for advice. Meanwhile, Serval is having difficulty scaling the mountain. She starts climbing faster when she finds a tree she can grab on to, but falls when a root snaps off, forcing her to start over.

Kaban and Crested Ibis reach the top and enter Japari Cafe. They are enthusiastically greeted by Suri Alpaca, who is excited to have customers. However, Kaban declines to accept her offer of tea just yet, explaining sheneeds a place to charge the battery for the Japari Bus. Alpaca leads them to the roof where it can be charged. The power to the cafe is cut while the battery charges, so they talk to pass the time. Alpaca mentions that she never gets any customers, and Crested Ibis thinks it must be because no one knows where to find it. Thinking of a way to attract more customers, Kaban takes the others to the lawn outside. She asks the group to pull up the grass in a specific pattern. When they are done, Ibis carries Alpaca up so they can both view the final product. Alpaca is delighted to see a large sign shaped like a cup of tea carved out of the grass, pointing to the cafe.

Serval finally arrives at the top of the mountain, exhausted from the climb. They all enter the cafe together. The battery is fully charged and power is restored to the cafe. Alpaca now happily treats her visitors to a cup of tea. Crested Ibis sings her song once again in commemoration. The tea warms her throat and she is able to sing better than before. Crested Ibis promises to be a regular customer to the cafe. Afterwards, Kaban and Serval bid farewell and ride the ropeway back to the bottom of the mountain. As Crested Ibis and Alpaca return to the cafe, Scarlet Ibis stops by, noticing the sign and the other ibis' singing.

Otter and Jaguar greet Kaban and Serval when they return. Boss reinserts the battery and successfully starts up the bus while the Friends watch in anticipation. After playing around for a bit, Kaban and Serval board the bus and wave goodbye to Otter and Jaguar. As Boss drives them to the Desert Area, Serval tells Kaban about her difficult journey up the mountain.

Meanwhile, Fennec Fox and Raccoon try to catch up with Kaban, and ask Hippopotamus for directions.
 * majorevents=Kaban and Serval meet Crested Ibis and Suri Alpaca.

Kaban helps solve Alpaca's problem by finding a way to attract new customers.

The Japari Bus is made functional with a charged battery.
 * debuts==== Major Characters ===
 * Crested Ibis
 * Suri Alpaca

Minor Characters
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 * Scarlet Ibis