Um… people; I just realized something: 1.
That’s the number of currently airing series where both parents of the main characters are still alive. Usagi Drop is the freaking ONLY one who has confirmed that! With Hana Saku Iroha we could thus far still dream that Ohana’s father was some horrible bastard who left his girlfriend as soon as he got her pregnant. What happened to the days of Noein, where parents could simply get… divorced or something? The best thing we can hope for at this point is for Sket Dance’s Yusuke’s father to be a raging workaholic who is never at home or something.
Having said that though: I loved this episode, for a lot of different reasons. First of all: the creators did not wait until the last episode to resolve the Tohru subplot. Tohru now knows about Minko’s crush on him, he won’t be misinterpreting hints from her anymore, and with Ohana totally uninterested in him, it will be a matter of time before his crush on her fades.It’s nice to see all of this happen gradually, but more importantly: the creators had other plans for the climax. Plans that indeed involve dissolving the Kissuiso, allowing everyone to go their own way. It’s the best way for everyone to really shine, and to pack in a ton of character development for everyone. I applaud the creators for going that route!
The characterization for the wedding also was wonderful, making this a really heart-warming episode. Enishi and Takako really came together as a couple here, and the subtle details, like them holding hands were nicely animated as well. Ooh, and Ohana’s mother has finally returned! Next episode she seems to be making an even bigger appearance, which is going to make that finale even more awesome.
Rating: ** (Excellent)
I don’t know if you want to call her a main character, but in Penguindrum, Ringo’s parents are alive, and divorced.
About Ohana’s dad .. I do wonder if her mum is not telling all the truth there. There has to be more into her mum’s story as to why she left than just not getting on with her mum, plus Ohana never having seen her grandmother and the intense dislike they showed to her when she turned up makes me wonder if something is still to come out. OK, so how about this for a wild theory. Ohana’s dad is really …. BEANMAN!!! *just kidding*
Haha. Well, Ohana’s mom has been completely in the background so who knows what’s been happening in her life. I imagine she’s just been swamped with work but Enishi and Takako’s wedding came as a surprise to me so there might be even more surprises next few episodes. Pretty glad Enishi and Takako were for real though.
Kyohei and Utao’s mom and dad are both alive in Kamisama Dolls. Not that they’re particularly friendly though. =P
But orphan protagonists have been a part of stories in general for some time, particularly when the protagonists are young and need to be free to do interesting things / make big decisions.
And single-parent homes is good for conflict and/or sympathy, I suppose. (And may actually be as common as two-parent homes these days, at least in some places.)
My first shoujo fave was Kare Kano – an angst-ridden main character from a happy family with both parents alive – only later did I realize what a small minority she belongs to. When a family is complete, and both parents are active characters (no cardboard moms allowed) than the writers get extra credit.
It would’ve been cool if Ohana’s dad were alive, having divorced her mom, and her mom (uncharacteristically) didn’t have the nerve to face him again. But instead they hit the trap door lever- oh well.
Otherwise – so agree with you that they’re pacing the Minko/Tohru story really well –
Hey just came across your blog. Thought it was cool the amount of effort and time you’ve taken to write up these reviews.
Ohana is definitely my favorite character in the series. 🙂
erm, usagi drop, you remember who her father was? =P
You know, I have the feeling that this series is toying with me. I was expecting for the story to develop the love triangle that was present in the start of the show in a magnificent way. Yet, I can only feel that the solution is somewhat rushed and anticlimactic.
Really, this series is good at creating drama out of the blue for no good reason. (Last one was the wedding). And now there’s only 6 episodes left. I wonder what they’ll do.
Both main character’s parents are alive in Suite Precure, but I guess you’re not watching that.