Ah, first impressions for those really late airing Noitamina shows are pointless. Over the course of 2009 and 2010, there has been only one Noitamina series that I didn’t blog: Nodame Cantabile’s Final arc. Apart from that, it really evolved into a top-notch time-slot over the past two years, in which just about every premise was creative, well thought out and varied. The sea creatures are really top notch this season.
I was looking forward to this series less than usual, though, but that all laid in the premise, which was full of things that are usually horribly abused in anime. While it’s true that this is the first series about fujoshi, series that focus on otaku are a dime a dozen, and I’ve really found that those shows, instead of trying to portray otaku, they instead try to glorify being an otaku way too much. Considering myself not really an otaku, there really have been very few otaku shows that I ended up liking. The same goes for cross-dressing: a lot of anime cross dressers are turned into some kind of fetish, or are just completely pointless in the series they’re in.
Still, my fears were completely wrong. Kuragehime is a series that’s full of life, and the comedy isn’t just funny: it plays around with a lot of other emotions. Basically, what I wanted to see in this episode was more than just a bunch of random jokes, but also a lot of character. This episode had its bits of drama, which really convinced me that this series will be more than just a bunch of random laughs. It introduced the lead character well, showing that it won’t have paper thin characters, and due to its slice of life nature, it can just stop at any random moment, avoiding Noitamina’s biggest weakness: its short length.
The thing I liked the most about this episode was its energy, though. It’s also really well directed, which always is a big plus. On top of that, I also loved how nonchalantly the creators introduced the cross-dresser in this episode. Most cross-dressers try not to get found out or something, but this guy just didn’t seem to care. I love how he is completely unlike any other anime character I’ve seen: straight-forward as hell, grown up, nonchalant, and someone who actually looks like he has a normal sex life. Really, since it seems like only 1% of all major characters in anime aren’t virgins, this really is a very potentially interesting guy.
Rating: ** (Excellent)
OP: Hollywood classics? Awesome!
ED: Interesting kid theme. A pretty nice song as well.
I have very high expectations for this anime. Being directed by Takahiro Omori, I am expecting good stuff. 😀 I loved Baccano!, enjoyed Durarara!!, and loved Natsume Yuujinchou. After seeing him directed an action anime with some romance and a shoujo/josei anime without romance, but still a lot of emotion, I really an interested to see what will he do with a josei romantic comedy. 🙂
I have very high expectations for this anime. Being directed by Takahiro Omori, I am expecting good stuff. 😀 I loved Baccano!, enjoyed Durarara!!, and loved Natsume Yuujinchou. After seeing him directed an action anime with some romance and a shoujo/josei anime without romance, but still a lot of emotion, I really an interested to see what will he do with a josei romantic comedy. 🙂
chatmonchyyyyy!!!
Boy do I love my chatmonchy.
I hope you wont drop ika musume to continue this though. why not WGOK .
I loved this first episode! I just hope it keeps going like this.
It started of a bit slowly but from the scene at the jellyfish shop on it was really funny!
Guess I’ll be checking out the next episodes as well.
(I’m just hoping that it won’t become another make-this-nerd-girl-into-a-real-beauty show…)
So funny! I really like Hanazawa Kana as Tsukimi, and the details on the jellyfish were lovely.
I also really the cross-dresser. He reminds of of the Chinese cross-dresser singer Liu Zhu, who also dresses like a woman. They’re both very natural and confident in themselves.
Loved this episode to bits! Really, Noitamina seems to be the only place left from which the anime can genuinely hold my interest anymore.
This anime seems fairly sophisticated, am sure they’re not just gonna turn the girl into a princess. There’ll be a lot of exchanging of values. I’m not shallow by any means, but I don’t think the way she’s living is good either. Being afraid of social contact and all that? I hate drunk bimbos more than anything but there is such a thing as being too introvert. Am sure the characters will influence each other, can’t wait.
I just watched this episode…The Kurara wheelchair scene….I’m speechless. xD
I think that I’m going to end up adoring that crossdresser. I usually have zero opinion on crossdressing, but this guy is just so confident and so comfortable with himself. He just likes dressing like a woman and I find that very likeable. 😀
I loved the “Heidi-Clara”‘s scene and that the trap actually has a man’s voice!.
Being a famale otaku this show make me glad,I’m sick of the sterotype of cosplaying/yaoi-fangirl and nothing more. this diversity is much more brought to earth.
I like that cross dresser a lot. Yeah, it may be the standard way anime portrays bishounen characters. his nonchalant attitude towards things including his dressing habits is really refreshing. He’s not over the top or anything, just honest and mellow.