Oh, how I love Madhouse. Kobato has never been among their big-budgeted series, but in episodes like this they just go all out, and produce an absolutely gorgeous episode that has among the best eye-candy I’ve seen this season. The way they handle their CG is miles above most other animation companies.
And about this episode… I can only say how adorable it was. It was all about Kobato and Kiyokazu, and the development between the two was basic, but very heart-warming. Show this as a random episode and it’ll probably fall short. The reason why I enjoyed this episode so much was because of how the characters were already developed at this point. Kobato is the kind of series that doesn’t offer much in the short term, however it’s a gem on the long term.
Also, while he played just a very small part in this episode, I loved Ioryogi. He was just adorable, both in the way at which he kept reminding Kobato (who is more and more trying to avoid that matter) of the konpeito-bottle, and the way that he ended up celebrating Christmas. I really thought that that white creature didn’t want to talk to him anymore, but here this episode proved me wrong. This will offer even more opportunity for the creators to get the finale right. The main focus is going to be on two things:
– What will happen off the nursery?
– What will happen to Kobato?
The former will probably result in a good ending, but I don’t care about that: I’m only interested in the role that every single character will have in it. The latter however has been built up extremely well. It’s about the reverse of Chobits: in there the main storyline started off incredibly intriguing but became less and less interesting as the show went on. Here, I’m looking more and more forward to that ending. I blame Kobato: she’s become such an adorable character at this point.
(Not that I consider Chobits to be bad or anything, of course, but what made Chobits stand out was its collection of themes and subject matters, not the main characters).
Rating: ** (Excellent)
the way u wrote it, I guess its an amazing episode. finally?
So much eye-candy in this episode… I’m all animation overload right now.
All I could think of during the Kobato/Kiyokazu scene was “KISS HER GOD DAMNIT! DO IT NOW! DON’T MAKE ME HUNT YOU DOWN KIYOKAZU!” 😉
And I can’t wait for the next episode either, since we get some TUSBASA in it (though I only saw Fai, Kurogane, and Mokona in the preview. Any bets on which version of Sayoran will be there and if “Sakura” will be there too?)
All I know was that I’m more in love with Domoto than I ever was. ^^ My heart which was on doki-doki drive was breaking into millions of pieces with everything he did in this episode. 😀 Man, oh man I should blog this anime too (sigh) if only I’m not a lazy writer. 😀 Ginsei was hilarious!
Oh.. how gorgeous animation that this ep be !
It’s very beautiful and nice touch of many emotion. kiyokazu’s past and the feeling between him ,Kobato and Domoto are developed very well. and It’s support each other very much.
Because I think if it missing one of them. The development can’t turn to be very well like this.
Especially Doumoto. thanks for him.
because..other than he support development side very well,he make that scene(that I think Kobato and Kiyokazu understands how much that their love each other.)looks very adorable and valuable for that couple.
I got to hand to animation production. They really pulled filler episode and scenario that is pretty non-existent in manga and turned into amazing episode. This episode reminded me of manga, scenario is pretty much “manga-like”.
Ginsei blushing is so cute and funny.
Domoto really grows on me. I can’t help think about Domoto…poor him, he practically tried to court Kobato but no chance for Domoto and best thing he is so courteous about it. The real gem that Domoto is non existent in manga. Must be diffcult for animation production to develop a character to fit in and they did amazing job.
I am not sure about next episode. To be honest, I’m annoying to see Tsubasa recurring.