Now that we’ve entered the second half of this series, the main storyline pops up again. It’s pretty early this time, in comparison to most other series in the same situation. Five episodes will be plenty of time to get a good climax out of this series, and I wonder what kind of tricks the creators still have up on their sleeve.
The episode starts as Tamaki takes Murasaki to the college she attends. As it turns out, she herself claims to be an expert in terms of love, and yet she gets dumped by her boyfriend because she’s been too rough on him. That female friend of Tamaki really reminded me of the early Rachel in Red Garden. I must say that the director here has been really good realistically portraying the dating scene, as opposed to 90% of the other anime, who strangely enough never heard of the word “party”. Are these that rare in Japan? I can imagine how series with a serious story don’t have time for these, but I’m really surprised that of all these slice-of-life series, nobody seems to celebrate their birthday with a big party…
The second half finally shows some depth to the bad guy, which is about time. The guy turns out to have been in love with Murasaki’s mother. Murasaki was also raised, not knowing who her real mother is, and only just before she died (or just after it) she found out the truth. What the cretors now need to do is continue this development. It’s definitely a step in the right direction, but he needs more attention if he wants to end up as a successful antagonist. I may be comparing him a bit too much with HervĂ©, though. (From Red Garden, who in my opinion was a great example of an antagonist that works).
Is it confirmed it’ll have 12 episodes? I thought it was still up the air. Not that it’s bad, as 12 episodes makes sense with the current pace.
Having said that, I’m loving the feels-as-filler-but-isn’t slice-of-life episodes so much, that I wouldn’t mind if they stretched it to, like, 22 episodes.
Good to see some story again though.
Also, no, the Japanese don’t really celebrate their birthdays, generally at least. Just an text email over the phone is sent, and that’s it, well ok, in person with close friends. Gift giving and going out to drink as a group are fairly common standard things that don’t need to have a reason (such as a birthday) in their eyes. Again, generally, as it does happen of course. (And more and more I believe, what with Japan being fascinated by America – if it’s a party, it’s often a surprise party, as that’s what you see the most on American TV).
You didn’t watch Kanon, did you ?
Windspirit: I quit after episode 10, so I guess that means no. Of course, I can only speak for the series I’ve seen. ^^;
Deyes40: both AniDB and ANN seem to confirm that Kurenai will only be twelve episodes long. I agree that it could have been longer, but at least it’s now short and sweet.
Shiori’s birthday was one of the best parts in the anime… and exactly how you describe it, what’s more.
Good news that this series will only be 12 episodes long.
um you do know that the “antagonist” is Muraski’s father righ?
lol when Tamaki tells Murasaky about girls deceiving men, she instantly thinks of Yuuno. She really hates Yuuno, doesn’t she? đ
lol @ murasaki ^_^!!
The show has spent every single episode showing us what kind of creature a woman is. Ever since episode one where we see Murasaki’s father cursing and using violence against and calling them ‘wretched women’.
It is interesting how Kuhouin women are meant to spend their entire lives in the inner sanctum, never to step out, and that they are to have utterly no control over their lives at all. These things are meant to be predetermined. But Murasaki is a Kuhouin female who receives education about all the characteristics of a true female outside(and along with it, all of life’s nasties ;D)
Hence introduce ambiguity as to which lifestyle Murasaki should aspire to become to reach true feminity. Should she aspire to be the perfectly sheltered and completely faithful Kuhouin lady and live a life as a man’s toy? or towards the outlandish behaviour of a modern japanese woman?
“So Universities is a place where women compete for men??” – Murasaki