(L) Taishou Otome Otogibanashi

[FlareKnight]

I kind of went into all this thinking that at least the mother that died was probably a decent person. But now...I'm getting the feeling she sucked as much as her husband did. Though that probably makes sense. If they both were terrible people then they probably could put up with each other pretty well.

Tamako didn't start off that well. But at least she left with things in a good state. Took a lot of stumbling around on all sides to actually reach a reasonable place. But at least it did actually get there. Now she can focus on chasing new goals.

Of course after she leaves someone worse shows up! Now we've got a creepy thief girl that needs to be dealt with. Someone who is certain to cause numerous problems in terms of relationships and potential blackmail. I'm sure they'll try to redeem her. I think the only true evil for the show will likely be Tamahiko's father. But for the time being she's a problem.

[Frontier]

Tamahiko chases after the titular "bad girl" who stole the bellflower bookmark, who turns out to be a girl named Ryo who has been forced by her drunk father to steal to provide for their family, and Ryo only goes along with it because she has three little brothers to take care of. On-top of that their father is abusive too. I don't think it justifies Ryo's crimes or how she behaves, but it can't be easy living like that .

Tamahiko is desperate to get the bellflower back, but his own focus and anxiety over it causes him to distance himself from Yuzu, which makes poor Yuzu upset .

Well, Ryo stole from him, and Tamahiko stumbles into her naked bathing with her brothers. I guess that's a fair trade, especially since he can't pay her for the view because she stole his wallet .

Even if Ryo forced him into doing it, Tamahiko teaching her brothers was pretty nice. And judging by the next episode preview, it seems like he may have found a calling as a teacher .

I feel like these kids really need to get away from their father and as far away from that life as possible. It even gives Tamahiko a panic attack from being reminded of the verbal abuse he endured from his father .

And just when Tamahiko is ready to tell the truth, Ryo comes in to mess things up by insinuating she's Tamahiko's mistress and to mess with Yuzu's feelings, presumably because she's jealous Yuzu got bought into a rich family while she's living in squalor with her brothers. Poor Yuzu comes off as understanding when Tamahiko tries to explain, but her ripping up the bookmark and crying shows how upset it's made her. If I were Tamahiko I would've done worse than just asked Ryo to leave after what that did to Yuzu .

Tamako calls Tamahiko and reveals she's doing pretty well, she's even found friends in Kobe she gets along with and is having tea parties. She's really doing great. And she actually called her brother to wish him a happy birthday, albeit late because she was too embarrassed to call him the day of. It's so adorable .

Of course Tamako can tell when something is wrong with Yuzu, and when Tamahiko tells her what happened she reveals exactly how meaningful Yuzu using bellflowers for the bookmarks were...because it was basically her pledging her unending love for him, which makes her ripping it up even worse .

To make things right Tamahiko tries to put the bookmark back together, and Yuzu seeing this and that he cares so much is enough for them to finally have a frank discussion about what happened. Yuzu understands he was just being considerate of her feelings, but she wants him to be honest with her so they can be together in problems, not separate, and deep down she was jealous of him hanging around with another woman. And the least Tamahiko could do was let her cutely pummel him while she works out her frustrations, especially if it means they can move forward even closer as a couple .

[Tenzen12]

Darn. For someone rising her brothers on her own while bearing daily abuse, she make it really hard to make me symphatise with her. I seen fictional mass murderers and war criminals I felt worse for.

Well, at least she hellped him find his calling it seems and we got pretty interesting episode to boot...

[Frontier]

Originally Posted by Tenzen12

Darn. For someone rising her brothers on her own while bearing daily abuse, she make it really hard to make me symphatise with her. I seen fictional mass murderers and war criminals I felt worse for.

Well, at least she hellped him find his calling it seems and we got pretty interesting episode to boot...

Seriously, if she doesn't actually apologize I don't think I'll be able to stand her as a character .

[Alchemist007]

Originally Posted by Tenzen12

Darn. For someone rising her brothers on her own while bearing daily abuse, she make it really hard to make me symphatise with her. I seen fictional mass murderers and war criminals I felt worse for.

Just because someone is pitiable, doesn't make them sympathetic. Even those treated like dirt aren't necessarily exempt from being inherent assholes themselves.

I do wonder after seeing her in the next preview, how they could stand not to kick her out immediately after (presumably) breaking in.

[Kanon]

Yeah, it's kind of amazing that a big sister who tries her hardest to raise her three brothers and protect them from their father's abuse would be so damn unlikable. I'm also finding it harder and harder to feel sympathy for Tamahiko. He's pathetic all around. I really hope this episode was a turning point for his character because I can hardly stand him anymore.

Only good thing in this episode was Yuzu expressing a negative emotion. Now if only Tamahiko would do the opposite and look happier to be living in a big house free from monetary concern with a cute oppai loli wife who pledged her undying love to him.

[FlareKnight]

No question this girl is proving that just because someone's conditions are terrible that they won't naturally be likable. I expected the show to try and make her likable and maybe fail. But it isn't really even trying that hard to do that . Even if the show tries starting next week to redeem her...it isn't going to work.

I know being depressed and traumatized is Tamahiko's niche. But I do agree that it shouldn't be this hard to look at the bright side. All the more so with things having turned fairly well when it comes to Tamako. He's at least got one decent sibling now and an adorable bride to be that is unbelievably good. Things could definitely be worse.

[leongsh]

Originally Posted by Kanon

I'm also finding it harder and harder to feel sympathy for Tamahiko. He's pathetic all around. I really hope this episode was a turning point for his character because I can hardly stand him anymore.

<snip>

Now if only Tamahiko would do the opposite and look happier to be living in a big house free from monetary concern with a cute oppai loli wife who pledged her undying love to him.

Originally Posted by FlareKnight

I know being depressed and traumatized is Tamahiko's niche. But I do agree that it shouldn't be this hard to look at the bright side. All the more so with things having turned fairly well when it comes to Tamako. He's at least got one decent sibling now and an adorable bride to be that is unbelievably good. Things could definitely be worse.

When a person is in deep depression, it is not easy to snap out of it as easily as both of you seem to imply. For Tamahiko, depression has made him fearful as well - in terms of losing what little bit that has drawn him out from deep depression. One slip and he can regress to darker moods as what we have seen. It does not take much. It will take time and we are shown how he is slowly getting out of it with Yuzu's constant care and real love for him.

[serenade_beta]

Originally Posted by leongsh

When a person is in deep depression, it is not easy to snap out of it as easily as both of you seem to imply. For Tamahiko, depression has made him fearful as well - in terms of losing what little bit that has drawn him out from deep depression. One slip and he can regress to darker moods as what we have seen. It does not take much. It will take time and we are shown how he is slowly getting out of it with Yuzu's constant care and real love for him.

I've never suffered from depression myself, but I hear that is true.

[Frontier]

We have a new intro! Before it was about the beauty that is an Otome, but now it's Yuzu reading a romantic poem that ends up sounding a lot like it's telling of her first feelings of love for Tamahiko .

Look at Yuzu and Tamahiko getting all adorable first thing in the morning until some kids show up to interrupt their domestic bliss. But not too surprising that the kids want to learn more from Tamahiko .

Personally I'd prefer "Sensei" to "Bocchan" (unless it was being said by Alice from Duke of Death) but it fits Tamahiko well enough .

Well, of course Ryo walks in like she's already pals with Yuzu and Tamahiko and is teasing/bossing them around, but at least she finally apologized and realized that Yuzu isn't the spoiled princess she thought she was, and that now she likes both her and Tamahiko (though she's still not sure how Yuzu found happiness after being bought). Although whether she likes Tamahiko in that way or not, I feel like she shouldn't tease Yuzu about being his mistress .

It's got to be immensely gratifying to Tamahiko's self-esteem to see people who look up to and appreciate him and what he can do. Those kids seemed to really enjoy being taught by him .

Nothing beats a Yuzu lap pillow after a hard days work .

Turns out it's Yuzu's birthday, and she's now of legal marriage age at 15, and she's willing to marry Tamahiko now. But Tamahiko still doesn't think he's worthy of her as he is right now, although he is also planning to change and improve himself to become a man that can take care of Yuzu and deserves her. All the same Yuzu is still perfectly happy and loves him and their life as it is now, and that's enough to spur Tamahiko to give her a kiss as the snow beings to rain down .

So, yeah, these two are pretty much official as a couple and have pretty much confirmed their feelings without directly saying "I love you," but the intention is definitely there. Especially after that kiss. Now it's just a matter of Tamahiko getting his act together before he's ready to marry Yuzu, who is willing and waiting .

Ryotaro has been bought as a hired servant in Tokyo so he can provide for his family, but that means leaving his sister, siblings, and his new school life with Tamahiko. It's necessary to help his family, but I'm not surprised he feels bittersweet about it .

Jeez, things were serious enough for that family that Ryo almost sold herself for sex or been sexually assaulted before Ryotaro saved her .

(How did Ryo put out that fire that started when she tripped ?)

Tamahiko and Yuzu find Ryotaro and unsurprisingly he doesn't want to actually go and leave his family, but the least Tamahiko can do is assuage him that being a servant doesn't mean he'll never see his family again, and if he works hard enough he might even be able to bring them to Tokyo .

I love how Ryo rushes in and shoves Tamahiko away so she can get to Ryotaro. And Tamahiko crashes into Yuzu in a fairly sexual position. Nice .

I'm glad they were all able to see off Ryotaro with a smile, and Ryotaro was able to properly call Tamahiko "sensei," and it turns out Tamahiko was the closest thing Ryotaro had to a father since his real dad barely pays attention to him. Tamahiko really meant a lot to Ryotaro, as he does to all the kids .

Looks like we're finally meeting the Taisho Era pop star next week .

[Ghostfriendly]

Just found the best romcom of the year. Gloomy boy and sunshine girl dynamic is always a treat; a couple of dorks who must still their beating hearts, after brushing hands, are bound to be hilarious. The rounded super-distorted expression add to the hilarity, and the convincing depths of Takahiko's despair multiplies the sweetness of Yuzu's efforts to shed some light on his heart. The title of 'fairytale' is an appropriate reminder that forced child marriage is not actually a beautiful thing; like pornography, in a way, fairytales describe the world as we would wish it too be, if we wouldn't lose even more than we gained. The sweet, simple art style fits both the story and the pre-war optimism of the Taisho period perfectly.

I don't think Takahiko's continuing depression is problematic or unrealistic. His depression, which by its nature hides any bright side of his objective situation from him, is realistically recalcitrant. He's still expressed, and resisted, thoughts of optimism in a decent growth process I want to savour for a bit longer yet. I don't have any problem with the cat-burglar girl either; Takahiko isn't marrying her, she doesn't need to be a moral person. Even if she's rather mean to Yuzu, she's still a lovable rogue when her home life gives her obvious grounds for her envy.

I agree with others that showing negative emotion and unhappiness with her lot will be good for Yuzu's character development, though the show has skirted the pitfall of a robotically cheerful Stepford Wife. Yuzu talks in ep 6 about feeling sad and lonely; we could guess even before this that there was sadness behind her smile. Effort to repress her negative feelings and always see the best in things, as Takahiko always sees the worst, as a Pollyanna-type survival strategy. Hiding the feelings we'd expect from her situation, until she lashes out at two points in ep 6, is effectively emotive. Those moments show us the sadness Yuzu is hiding; although more could be done to explore these justified feelings, her survival strategy of seeing the best in the worst injustice isn't unreasonable. Hopefully as Tamahiko learns to see the positives (as well as stand up for himself, as he did in ep 6) Yuzu will learn to accept and release her sadness before she explodes and rips something up again. Though she may have more romance than sadness in later episodes; the story has been excellent so far in any case.

Yuzu should be at least as sad about losing her friends and family as her arranged fiance consorting with another girl; the former losses would be more painful to bring up since they can't be retrieved, but they ought to be explicitly acknowledged. It would also be good to acknowledge that her love towards Takahiko isn't entirely from sympathy or for the integrity expressed in his gentlemanly conduct, but as a resolution of cognitive dissonance by finding happiness in slavery. This is perhaps beyond a fairytale though, and a good fairytale isn't a bad thing.

Sad but true; a straight, well-done housewife is much more satisfying to watch than an undermined faux action girl, who very probably has little more personal agency and influence on the plot than the former. Hinata was always better than Sakura, although if we're better at writing male-centred housewives than genuine warrior women, that's a problem. We need more self-willed, plot-directing, non-male-centred female characters; if all competent women freely chose to devote themselves to male interests, we can guess someone else is making that choice. Some women can choose the way of the housewife or the princess though; as with Fena the pirate princess, it's a joy to see Yuzu played her role so genuine and loving.

[Kanon]

A lot of progress in this episode. Tamahiko appears to have brightened up and is now resolved to go back to school and become a working man (a teacher, no doubt) to properly support Yuzu. Not sure how that's going to work with him being legally dead and all. He also helped Yuzu clean the house for the first time, and he finally kissed her after more than a year!

A nice episode all around.

[Ghostfriendly]

Originally Posted by Kanon

A lot of progress in this episode. Tamahiko appears to have brightened up and is now resolved to go back to school and become a working man (a teacher, no doubt) to properly support Yuzu. Not sure how that's going to work with him being legally dead and all.

His family probably just told their friends he was dead, rather than forging a death certificate. Though being legally dead didn't stop Nanki Poo in the Mikado from getting a happy ending.

"Well, our son was so depressed over his hand and generally useless, he might as well have been dead...so we thought, if he's as good as dead, why not say so?"

[FlareKnight]

It's nice to see that a path forward is starting to present itself. Teaching isn't a bad option at all and he seems set to make his way. Of course will need some bare minimum support from his trash father, but that's probably going to be on the table. Although who knows. Might demand he live under a fake name or something so not to draw shame on the family or whatever.

Might also present an option for Yuzu to complete school as well. At the very least she'll have to get up to something. Doubt he can commute from where they are living so moving seems likely at the very least.

Also...nice to see that the trouble making girl can actually knock. Ironic that she avoids breaking and entering during emergencies when she'll break in for any other reason.

[leongsh]

Originally Posted by FlareKnight

Might demand he live under a fake name or something so not to draw shame on the family or whatever.

Not necessary to live under a fake name. He could marry into Yuzu's family, i.e. take on her family's name. That happens in Japan and East Asian countries where well-to-do families that do not have a male heir can sometimes adopt in someone or allow the male marrying the family's daughter to marry in to take on the family's name. Highly unlikely for richer males to marry into a poorer family, but in this case, Tamahiko is marrying in as a necessity to step away from the Shima name.

[Ghostfriendly]

The poem at the beginning of episodes is perhaps less creepy if interpreted as described a maiden ready to fall in love, rather than a maiden ready to get married. Fifteen is a great age to fall in love for the first time, but for getting married, not so much. It might have added to the show if there was Another Guy for Yuzu to consider, rather than Takahiko being her only choice. A childhood friend, perhaps; earnest, practical and retaining the use of both hands. However, this might simply draw attention to the fact that a fifteen-year old isn't qualified to decide who they'll be spending the rest of their life with. Takahiko at his age may well not be; there's no question in the series that Yuzu is ready, or convinced she is. Choosing your only option may be a sensible thing to do if the situation can't be changed, but it isn't a free or just situation.

Still, many fairytales are about a girl jumping into the arms of the first good-looking guy she meets; who could possibly say no to a prince? Happy ever after precludes Yuzu looking around in ten years time, wishing she'd finished school and had more time with her friends. The idea of women having any real choice of husbands is a distressingly new one, certainly in 1920s Japan; but in spite of the genre and history, certainly because of the continuing problem with forced child marriages today, particularly in America, Yuzu ought, at least to have heard of it.

Tamako's ambition to study as a doctor, assertively taking advantage of the new opportunities that Yuzu ignores, is an essential peg in the justice of this story. Although it would have been very hard to achieve such a vision even for a daughter of wealth, with more old ways around than new ideas, or real feminism. Historical dramas ought to strike a balance between showing what was and making it clear what should have been.

The most pointed addition of all would be to show another child marriage to contrast with Yuzu and Takahiko's, built on ignorance, chauvinism and brutal abuse. That would, though, make this a different story, and hopefully we all know that forced child marriage is wrong already. It isn't glorified in the same way that Shield Hero glorified race-based sex slavery. Takahiko isn't a brooding, oversexed Marty Stu with a pathetically contrived persecution complex and a disgusting history of misogyny, unlike Naofumi. He's depressive due to a lifetime of abuse rather than one Strawman Political; he's a hapless dork rather than wish-fulfilment trash, and puts more effort with more adorable results into being a decent human being than Naofumi did into getting more sex slaves and being a git. Arranged marriage is recorded as history, rather than deliberately added to a wish-fulfilment fantasy and embraced by a modern Japanese person. Takahiko and Yuzu's love is distinguish by restrain and respect, and as much free choice as is possible within the premise; 'love' in Shield Hero is symbolised by the negation of choice; a brand of legal race-based slavery.

Overall, Taisho Otome Fairytale isn't a perfect historical anime, but a perfectly sweet one, about a couple, against all the odds, who are genuinely in love.

[serenade_beta]

Originally Posted by Ghostfriendly

The poem at the beginning of episodes is perhaps less creepy if interpreted as described a maiden ready to fall in love, rather than a maiden ready to get married.

The poem at the beginning of the episode comes from Shimazaki Touson's Hatsukoi (First Love), BTW

[Ghostfriendly]

Originally Posted by serenade_beta

The poem at the beginning of the episode comes from Shimazaki Touson's Hatsukoi (First Love), BTW

That's cool. I didn't think there was anything in the poem specifically praising child marriage, that was just the context provided by the anime. Of course, the writer was living around this time period, so child marriage may well have been what he was used to, and he did marry a woman twenty years younger, on top of an affair with his niece (as well as editing a feminist publication)...but this is all equally circumstantial context; the words and title of the poem can be interpreted on their own. I'm struck by how much criticism the writer apparently received for various things when Dazai might've deserved it more.

The idea that first love can be the basis for a lifelong relationship certainly is isn't unique to this production. Although another love interest for Yuzu would be very significant in her situation of limited power, and bring a necessary awareness of same, the Other Man or Woman is often a very artificial delayer of romance in modern romcoms, as Ryou is here. The central couple needing real personal development before they can commit is an exceptionally good thing to include, even if that could be more for both of them rather than one.

[rladls2121]

I just read the summaries and didn't really watch the series. So I'm not sure, but the scene Ryou apologizing to Yuzu was so weird.
I'm so confused about that whole bookmark literally ripped off scene and the way Ryou was "amazed" of how Yuzu "stood up" to her?
I was like "oh my god, is she serious!?", either Ryou is sort of delusional or she just selfishly interpreted the situation in her own way.

[serenade_beta]

Originally Posted by rladls2121

I just read the summaries and didn't really watch the series. So I'm not sure, but the scene Ryou apologizing to Yuzu was so weird.
I'm so confused about that whole bookmark literally ripped off scene and the way Ryou was "amazed" of how Yuzu "stood up" to her?
I was like "oh my god, is she serious!?", either Ryou is sort of delusional or she just selfishly interpreted the situation in her own way.

She was making fun of Yuzu using the bookmark, saying he gave it to her instead, cheating on Yuzu.
But Yuzu is like, "Bruh, you think that bookmark makes that big of a difference?" and tears it apart in front of her

That's how Ryou interpreted, though I'm not sure if that was Yuzu's original intention, though in the manga,

Spoiler for difference? a couple of cut komas:

She does look at Ryou first, who grins back, before tearing it up

So it is easier for the audience to interpret it that way

Originally Posted by Ghostfriendly

That's cool. I didn't think there was anything in the poem specifically praising child marriage, that was just the context provided by the anime. Of course, the writer was living around this time period, so child marriage may well have been what he was used to, and he did marry a woman twenty years younger, on top of an affair with his niece (as well as editing a feminist publication)...but this is all equally circumstantial context; the words and title of the poem can be interpreted on their own. I'm struck by how much criticism the writer apparently received for various things when Dazai might've deserved it more.

Yeah, marrying young was definitely more normal back then. That's why you may sometimes hear about people marrying at later ages now that the human life-span average has gone up.