(L) Kuragehime (TV)

[Haak]

Why does it have to end so soon? DX

[Kanon]

Spoiler for episode 10:

Nice episode, although once again, I see I'm not as enthusiastic about it as other viewers. I wonder why... This show used to be the highlight of my week.

Shu's fantasy was awesome once again. Too bad it will never come true. He's more than likely going to end up with the vixen, who's slowly but surely starting to fall for him. I was a bit disappointed he fell for her tricks so easily once again, but that's just how he is. A very naive and kind boy. Loved the slap. She sure as hell deserved it, this joke was in bad taste.

It was great to see Tsukimi so fired up about the dress. So fired up she destroyed the necklace Kuranosuke received from his mother (which incidentally, was worth a few million yens). The pearls look good on the dress though, so that's okay.

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

Another truly fantastic ep. My favorite moment was the same as Shiroth's, and I loved Shu's reaction in Inari's apartment as well. I just bemoan that this is ending when I feel like we've barely scratched the surface with these characters.

Oh, I think that's my problem. Ten episodes and we've only barely scratched the surface of the characters. We're still stuck on the exact same issues. I'm growing seriously tired of hearing Tsukimi whine about not being beautiful. Yes, we know she has some serious self-confidence problems, I don't need it to be highlighted in every single episode. It'd be a lot better to see her work towards solving her issues, which incidentally, is what the first few episodes were about. However lately, I feel like Tsukimi is backtracking, which is quite frustrating. Damn you, vixen!

Kuranosuke's development has been perfect so far though.

[MeoTwister5]

I'm slightly perplexed at the relative lack of shock and/or outrage at the way Shuu is being played like a fiddle and pussywhipped by that woman. It's very good of him to finally show her that he refuses to be lead around on a leash, even if it means that he's going away from this potential scandal.

If this follows previous NoitaminA series then this may likely end next week and... I don't really see how they'll wrap it up without a second season. I think there's far too many loose threads to tie up in 1-2 episodes.

[Haak]

Originally Posted by MeoTwister5

I'm slightly perplexed at the relative lack of shock and/or outrage at the way Shuu is being played like a fiddle and pussywhipped by that woman. It's very good of him to finally show her that he refuses to be lead around on a leash, even if it means that he's going away from this potential scandal.

Well Shuu being wraped around the bitches finger was just more of the same to me and I'm not sure what to make of Shuu slapping her and then hitting her in a childish way like that. It almost made it seem as if it was hinting those two were starting to fall in love with each other, which is an incredibly warped aesop no matter how you look at it.

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by MeoTwister5

I'm slightly perplexed at the relative lack of shock and/or outrage at the way Shuu is being played like a fiddle and pussywhipped by that woman. It's very good of him to finally show her that he refuses to be lead around on a leash, even if it means that he's going away from this potential scandal.

Shu, I think, is a very simple person - direct, honest, hardworking and a slave to propriety. It would never occur to him to manipulate someone's feelings the way Inari does to him, and it seems he reached a breaking point at last and fled in defeat. Perhaps now the poor, sweet guy realizes that there's nothing to be gained in being solicitous of Inari - his chivalry is lost on her.

Kanon, I see the "scratched the surface" thing as a compliment, not a criticism. It's not as if these characters haven't developed - I think they've evolved more than most characters in two-cour series already. The issue is the characters are so well-written and complicated that it would take at least 26 episodes to really get to know them.

[CWW]

I don't think the writing has been as perfect as people claim to be. It's crystal clear that they're rushing it because of time restraints. Tsukimi in particular is suffering from the lack of breaks. She is too wishy-washy even up to the final episode. It's understandable considering her past, which is why she needs time to gradually develop. Do it too fast and it won't come off as believable. This is why I think the last episode won't end on a high note. There are still too many loose ends to cover.

Despite that, this is still one of my favorite shows of the year. There's just something about the chemistry between Tsukimi and Kuranosuke that comes off as genuine and appealing. Polar opposites attract apparently.

[Kanon]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

Kanon, I see the "scratched the surface" thing as a compliment, not a criticism. It's not as if these characters haven't developed - I think they've evolved more than most characters in two-cour series already. The issue is the characters are so well-written and complicated that it would take at least 26 episodes to really get to know them.

I knew you meant it as a compliment. I just don't share your point of view

The very short length of the series is its real problem. Even so, I think they could have done better with the limited time they had. If we get a second season, it'll be okay, but if we don't, I'll be very disappointed. As CWW said, there is no way the series will (believably) end on a high note. Tsukimi has made zero progess lately, she can't just change suddenly in the last episode.

[achirist]

This has been such a great show, but I was shocked to learn just now that there is only one episode left. There have been so many issues brought up, and yet the story has just been inching along (and I don't really like all the 'to be continued' moments)--it would be farcical if they really tried to shove a conclusion of everything into one episode. The secret woman behind the door, the missing mother, the girl's issues, the love square, the makeovers (they only actually happened once, and I don't think the girls learned very much)... It seems headed towards something unsatisfying, but I'll have to look for the manga.

[Falkor]

episode 10 - a lukewarm life is enough for me.

I don't want this show to end...

anyway, I have been liking the music for the past few episodes, but especially in this one. I have to love the piece at the beginning and the one towards the end (which has been played a couple of times in the past).

I would love to have another season of this show, if only for the humor: Shuu's virgin dream, Chieko's god-like skills, Tsukimi's geek talk, Hanamori's comments and antics... It's great that the laughs come from different places and in so many ways.

I was taken a bit aback when Shuu slapped Inari in the face. I could sort of understand Shuu's emotions, but it was still a surprising reaction, if not shocking. I think something clicked in Inari's head after the events of this episode. Shuu, on the other hand, had his feelings played by someone who thought of making a joke on him. This did nothing more than reinforce the idea that Shuu has a pure (if not naive) heart. I'm not quite sure what exactly the work is trying to say with regards him. His reactions, his inexperience and awkwardness towards the opposite sex is different between Tsukimi and Inari. His relationship with the former is idealized if not superficial; with the latter, it's neither, but in many ways more troublesome and at times one-sided. There's a lot of tension with Inari, which is good most of the times; but his feelings gravitate towards Tsukimi (plus they are both virgins). I think the work is trying to play with this idea "virginity" (or purity), which shouldn't exactly be associated to one gender, status-quo, or character in particular. Everyone is born a virgin, so to speak.

There was a line by Tsukimi that I really liked: "a lukewarm life is enough for me". I could understand her thoughts; I too wish for a lukewarm and relaxing life.

The development between Tsukimi and Kuranosuke continues to be subtle (almost understated), but still very interesting. Past episodes showed the strong connection of these two characters with their respective mothers, and how this relationship and attachment had a great impact in their current lives and interests. We have learned a bit more about the two, about who they are today, but still perplexes me how this link and common element actually has a much greater importance than I first thought. Last time I pointed out how Tsukimi's memories of her mother created sadness and comfort in her. This episode made me realize that she not only draws jellyfish because she likes them, but also because doing so allows her to connect with her mother, to yearn for her---to cherish, remember and treasure the tender love and comfort she received. Similarly, I believe Kuranosuke wants to cross dress not only because he likes this hobby, but also because in doing so he can feel close to her mother and her wishes. In other words, cross dressing is a projection of this yearning, attachment and love towards his mother, similarly so to Tsukimi and her interest in drawing jellyfish. I think the development of both characters relate immensely to how each of them understand and project their respective mother's words, which has been one of the major themes for most part of the work, especially as of late. I have to love the way Tsukimi finally did something for Kuranosuke out of her own volition (after the latter had done so much for her), or how we are discovering more about Kuranosuke through the flashbacks.

No matter what happens next episode, my opinion and love for this show are not going to change. This has been my favorite show of the past year (or two); I personally think it's really good (to the point where I watch each episode more than twice or thrice, and even bother to write something about it). From the OP to the ED, the humor, the characters (and their interactions), the references, the writing, and they way themes and motifs are handled using a jellyfish, everything is exactly what I'm looking forward in a show, and I feel greatly satisfied with this one. Of course, I get the feeling there's still more story to be told, so I truly hope there's a second season to this.

=====

I noticed while checking the manga scanlatations that the titles make reference to another works, and so has the anime by keeping them in the majority of the episodes.

Spoiler for space:

Episode 01: Sex and the Nuns (sekkusu ・ ando ・ za ・ amāzu / セックス・アンド・ザ・アマーズ)

Sex and the City (?)

Episode 02: Sukiyaki Western Matsusaka (sukiyaki ・ uesutan ・ matsusaka / スキヤキ・ウエスタン・マツサカ)

According to the manga scanlator, the title is from the movie Sukiyaki Western Django.

Episode 03: Enchanted (mahō wo kakerarete / 魔法をかけられて)

Also according to the scanlator, the title may be referring to a film of the same name, Enchanted.

Episode 04: Let's Meet at the Aquarium ( suizokukan de aimashō / 水族館で逢いましょう)

I think I will just quote the scanlator:

Regarding the chapter title, it's kind of complicated. It's derived from an episode title (also called Take Me To The Aquarium) from the second season of the 2007 Japanese TV drama Cell Phone Detective Zenigata Sea (Keitai Keiji Zenigata-kai), which is itself a part of the Cell Phone Detective Zenigata series, which has been airing since 2002 and currently has 8 series. Furthermore, "Take Me To The Aquarium" seems to itself be a reference to a 1987 Japanese film titled Take Me Skiing (Watashi o Sukii ni Tsuretette).

Episode 05: I Want to be a Jellyfish (watashi wa kurage ni naritai / 私はクラゲになりたい)

The chapter title actually comes from a real autobiographical book called I Want To Become A Jellyfish (Watashi wa Kurage ni Naritai) by Chichi Matsumura released in 1993. Apparently, Matsumura is a great lover of jellyfish, and is basically a male version of Tsukimi (or Kuragehime's author Akiko Higashimura for that matter). The book tells of his love of jellyfish, such as why he began loving them, and how he's come to raise some of his own.

Episode 06: Night of the Living Nunnery (naito ・ obu ・ za ・ ribingu ・ amāzu / ナイト・オブ・ザ・リビング・アマーズ)

Night of the Living Dead (?)

Episode 07: Islands of Unemployment Cash-lending (kinyū mushoku rettō / 金融無職列島)

from ANN:

The title is a pun on the Japanese film "Kin'yuu Fushoku Rettou: Jubaku "金融腐蝕列島:呪縛. Though never released in America, its English title was "Jubaku: Spellbound." This is why Funimation chose to not provide a literal translation of the title, but instead make it a pun on the (non-literal) English title.

Episode 08: Million-dollar Babies (miriondarā ・ beibīzu / ミリオンダラー・ベイビーズ)

Million-dollar Baby (?)

Episode 09: Midnight Cherry Boy (mayonaka no chieriiboui / 真夜中のチェリーボーイ)

???

Episode 10: Days of Love and Lukewarm Water (ai tonuruma yu no hibi / 愛とぬるま湯の日々)

???

I think the most interesting one is the title for episode 5: "I want to be a jellyfish", which is actually a real book.

=====

Originally Posted by CWW

I don't think the writing has been as perfect as people claim to be. It's crystal clear that they're rushing it because of time restraints. Tsukimi in particular is suffering from the lack of breaks. She is too wishy-washy even up to the final episode. It's understandable considering her past, which is why she needs time to gradually develop. Do it too fast and it won't come off as believable. This is why I think the last episode won't end on a high note. There are still too many loose ends to cover.

Despite that, this is still one of my favorite shows of the year. There's just something about the chemistry between Tsukimi and Kuranosuke that comes off as genuine and appealing. Polar opposites attract apparently.

I think the writing of this show has been truly great, despite what happens next episode. For me, writing is not just what kind of story a work is trying to tell, but how this story is told. At least from this perspective, the humor, the characters and the themes have been handled as nothing but exceptionally. The OP sequence is a good example of this: it's humorous, genuine, and makes references to different works, but also tells something about the characters (and their relationships), integrates the motif of the jellyfish, and introduces some form of foreshadowing (and it's sung by chatmonchy, which makes it even better :P).

Originally Posted by Kanon

Oh, I think that's my problem. Ten episodes and we've only barely scratched the surface of the characters. We're still stuck on the exact same issues. I'm growing seriously tired of hearing Tsukimi whine about not being beautiful. Yes, we know she has some serious self-confidence problems, I don't need it to be highlighted in every single episode. It'd be a lot better to see her work towards solving her issues, which incidentally, is what the first few episodes were about. However lately, I feel like Tsukimi is backtracking, which is quite frustrating. Damn you, vixen!

Kuranosuke's development has been perfect so far though.

I think development has been very very subtle with regards to the main characters, especially Tsukimi. Personally, I don't think the issue is her lack of confidence, and in that sense, it's not the kind of growth the show may be aiming for. I believe her development has been actually more about "realization", how she's slowly understanding her mother's words and projecting them to her current life and interactions. There are many layers to this element, and the work for the most part has spent a good time elaborating on it.

[SeijiSensei]

Originally Posted by Kanon

Shu's fantasy was awesome once again. Too bad it will never come true. He's more than likely going to end up with the vixen, who's slowly but surely starting to fall for him.

In the version of The Graduate that appears in the OP, it's Shuu who plays Benjamin's role, screaming through the window behind the church pews. In the movie Ben is trying to stop the wedding of his beloved Elaine to someone else; in Kuragehime, Shuu is trying to stop a wedding between Inari and Kuranosuke. Since that seems an unlikely ending to this story, I'm guessing the scene in the OP is designed to tell us more about Shuu.

Like others here, I'm mystified how this could all possibly be resolved in one episode. I realize that anime are designed to promote manga, and this is as true of Noitamina shows as any others. Kuragehime reminds me most of Hataraki Man. That show, too, lasted just eleven episodes, but the writers did manage to cover a couple of story arcs in that time and left Hiroko's future sufficiently unresolved to encourage viewers to read the manga. I suspect we'll see a similar conclusion to Kuragehime.

One problem I've had with Kuragehime is the supporting cast of apartment dwellers. Other than Chieko, the Amars remained undeveloped stock characters. Each week Mayaya screams about the Three Kingdoms, Bamba makes a reference to trains, and Jiji looks fondly on some old men. They were somewhat funny in the first couple of episodes, but now I find their antics a waste of time. If the writers could have pared down the Amars' screen time in favor of developing the main quartet, I think we wouldn't all feel quite so concerned about the show's pacing.

[wandering-dreamer]

Okay, episode 11 really did air yesterday, right? I've seen reviews for it but Funimation hasn't put it up or announced any delays on the episode, am I going crazy here?

[karice67]

^
Yeah, it's aired. Just watched it (raw) myself...and..

Spoiler for finale:

Must say, I'm a little bit disappointed at how rushed the last few episodes were, and how inconclusive this ending was. It's like they made it just to get people to read the manga.

Though I just had to grin at the "kiru" joke ^^

More thoughts once more people have seen it I guess.

[Blaat]

Honestly I never expected a conclusive ending considering the pace of the series, the number of episodes and the manga which it's based on is still on going.
Indeed I'm more disappointed by the fact it ended than how it ended.

Ah well hoping for a second season although Noitamina's track record with sequels is really poor (unless the show is called Nodame Cantabile or Honey & Clover)

Originally Posted by karice67

Spoiler for finale:

It's like they made it just to get people to read the manga.

Nearly all anime these days can be described as such.

[karice67]

Originally Posted by Blaat

Honestly I never expected a conclusive ending considering the pace of the series, the number of episodes and the manga which it's based on is still on going.
Indeed I'm more disappointed by the fact it ended than how it ended.

...

Nearly all anime these days can be described as such.

Maybe it's just me, but I've found that fewer of the series I watch nowadays give me that feeling. I still remember being incredibly annoyed at adaptations like Fruits Basket and Karekano after all...

I don't really mind inconclusive endings if it makes sense for a series, but this one just rubs me up the wrong way because it looks like they just didn't bother trying to make the anime capable of standing alone. No wonder people were surprised that Kuragehime had an anime greenlit so early - seriously, doing it just for more manga sales leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Manglobe did a better job with Saraiya Goyou earlier in the year.

Originally Posted by Blaat

Ah well hoping for a second season although Noitamina's track record with sequels is really poor (unless the show is called Nodame Cantabile or Honey & Clover)

Or ~Ayakashi~Bakemono. Incidentally, whilst the original had sales of less than 3000 copies, Mononoke at av. ~13000 copies sold per volume had better average sales than Nodame Cantabile or Honey and Clover. Sadly, the one I REALLY want a sequel for is doing very badly in DVD sales...

[Dop]

I have a bad feeling about this.

Not about the show itself, or the way it finished. I've really loved this show since it began and while it didn't have any conclusive ending it had rays of hope for the future...

My bad feeling is that this will be another one of those great Noitamina shows which stopped leaving the path obviously open for a sequel which we never get.
SeijiSensei mentions Hataraki Man, but I can also think of things like Moyashimon where I for one would have much rather have had a second anime series continuing on from the first, than the awful live action travesty!

Fingers and jellyfish tentacles crossed for more of this delightful series. Tequila!

[Guardian Enzo]

Spoiler for End:

Ah, well - I think realistic expectations were the key here. There was really no way they were going to be able to wrap that story in 11 episodes - so they didn't try. They just gave us another episode that was beyond charming and left things in an open, pretty good place. It fits the series, so I have no complaints. Absolutely loved the show - one of the best of the year.

[wandering-dreamer]

Spoiler for episode 11:

Ack, I really wish they'd had another episode since the ending could've really used it. The story is kinda wrapped up now (and I suspect part of the reason it feels untidy is because the manga didn't have any good wrap up points) but I would have loved another episode to introduce the idea of the fashion show, drag out out the drama of the house a little more and use the second one to wrap up the fashion show and Shuu leaving a bit better.

Anyway, a very sweet anime and I did really like it a ton. One question however, does anyone know how many volumes of the manga this series went through?

[Guardian Enzo]

It's a wrap(up)!

Spoiler for Why the ending worked for me - sort of:

Director Takahiro Omori's choice - and I think it's a good one - is to keep the complexity and subtlety of the character development intact. The cost of this is that we're allowed to barely scratch the surface of the potential in the three main characters, and that's a high price to pay. But the alternative would have been to dumb the show down and "conventionalize" it - and that would have drained the very essence of what the series is away. He made a silk purse of a sow's ear by treating the material with respect and not even trying to give the show an ending, which would of necessity have felt false and rushed. Instead he let things naturally progress to a nexus point, and left the rest to our imaginations.

I'll admit, while nobody got a definitive conclusion Tsukimi and Kura definitely got a better one than Shu. We know now that Inari has definitely developed feelings towards him as a result of his tears, and his nervousness around her appears to have moved past the point of simple shyness around women. But things are left pretty up in the air there (pun intended) - Shu and Inari are on a plane headed for some tropical paradise, sitting apart and ignoring each other (and in her case, getting drunk). Where that carousel stops, I don't think anyone can guess.

But as for Tsukimi, she clearly began to acknowledge her feelings towards Kura at last. When he dragged her onto the catwalk to accept adoring applause for her Jellyfish (tm) dresses, she only remembered the feeling of his hand as it held hers. Kuranosuke is clearly smitten - even going to far as to tell Tsukimi that "their fates are linked together". Make no mistake, that's him singing to her in the ED - Kura really does want Tsukimi to see herself as the same beautiful soul he sees her as. And that's an incredibly sweet and yes, charming message.

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by wandering-dreamer

Anyway, a very sweet anime and I did really like it a ton. One question however, does anyone know how many volumes of the manga this series went through?

Volumes 1 to 4 were almost completely adapted. The last episode, though, is a travesty that takes a bit of volume 5 and 6 and adds original material, making a freaking mess of everything that was great about those two volumes.

Overall though, I really liked the series. I just don't like the last episode.

[Goty]

Wow...talk about some seriously wasted potential right here.

Originally Posted by Kazu-kun

The last episode, though, is a travesty that takes a bit of volume 5 and 6 and adds original material, making a freaking mess of everything that was great about those two volumes.

...and that makes me feel even more annoyed with the last episode. Sigh. Such a sad feeling after i was loving this series so much.

One thing i particularly disliked is how Shu's character was handled later in the series. Even if Inari developed feelings for him, the main reason he's confused and can't push her away is because he thinks they did it, which is perfectly normal considering he's a virgin. And that's why i can't help but feel sorry for him. His half-assed "closure" was terrible and forced too.

Anyway...what's with that high school girl's drawing on the plane?