Nazo no Kanojo X – 13 (END)

The Aesthetics

Some people find this a negative point than a positive point, but there are people who enjoy the older design and more conservative character features in this anime, myself included. The style harkens back to a time where angles were more prevalent and colors more basic. As a result, it actually ends up being easier on the eyes due to the reduced detail and contrast. The character designs themselves may be pretty plain, but the lack of extravagance, I feel, allows for better focus on the hit-home message. Animation may be blocky at times, but when it matters most, the scene is animated smooth enough to properly execute, but not enough to detract from the art style.

Music wise, the lack of diversity in the soundtrack was compensated by how well the tracks fit with most scenes. The eerie music box track worked well to set dream sequences and indicate Urabe’s conscious masking of a situation. The upbeat string and accordion rhythms enhanced everyday life dialogues between the main four characters, usually ending with that extended note that helped segue the next scene. The sadder strings, though repeating, did not feel repetitive as it highlighted, yet did not overpower, each emotional revelation our couple shared. My only gripe is with the repetitive sound that accompanied Urabe’s drool every single time; it was a sound that I felt could’ve been omitted during SEVERAL scenes and instead replaced with normal sounds, placing less emphasis on the magic of the drool and more on the emotions it draws out.

Voice acting for the most part was alright, with the exception of Urabe’s VA, Yoshitani Ayako. Hers was a refreshing voice to hear as a completely new VA. Her–would it be called deeper–voice suits Urabe’s cooler personality. Though at times her inexperience shows, especially during later episodes, it is a good entry performance for her. She also performs the wonderful OPs and EDs that have grown on me: they’re not too singsongy, but rather has a unique charm in being slightly imperfect. Maybe I’m being biased in this regard for being in love with her voice, but I definitely would recommend this show for anyone looking to hear some new voices. Here’s to Ayako getting another VA spot sometime in the future!

The Issues of a Relationship

I’ve brought it up many times, but I’ll bring it up one last time: this series holds true to the author’s thesis, “Couples move too fast to sex that they miss out on the buildup.” I doubt this show is anything anti-sex in the slightest, but rather encourages the exploration from distant innocence to intimate transformation. “Build a good foundation,” the author suggests, letting Urabe and Tsubaki go at a casual, yet constant pace. Each episode sought to explore a specific aspect of the journey to intimacy, wasting not an episode on the trivialities. Even from episode one we’re exposed to their first dilemma–Tsubaki faced it head on by tearing up his precious photo and accepting Urabe’s pace. Point after point–jealousy, being clingy, being sad from another’s happiness, intimacy, or even just being able to read subtlties–whatever the issue was, it was a dilemma that allowed one to relate because they hit so hard to home. The conflicts may have a ridiculous twist to them to spice things up, but the absolute core of these issues isn’t hard to see.

However, these ridiculous twists were, more often than not, necessary to give an alternate view of what we sometimes take for granted. Specifically, it is the drool, a prevalent motif, that allowed us to see the issues that go into a relationship in a different light. It is drool that allows Tsubaki to understand Urabe and vice versa. It is drool that breaks down the awkward resistance to sharing one another, becoming an unfailing screen into Urabe’s and Tsubaki’s inner feelings. It is drool that is the replacement for the kiss, only much more potent in well…everything. However, it is drool that also binds Tsubaki to Urabe to the point where he literally cannot live without her, similar to an addiction. It also is a potently manipulative weapon that could guilt trip individuals and cloud their conscience. And they say words are a powerful thing. However, as of now it has been a force of good, connecting most of the characters positively and being the voice of truth in a silent and awkward world. However, speaking of drool…

…and Physiology

…I have to note that the series likes to focus on certain physical tendencies couples do…but is never really portrayed in anime (seriously). Prime examples were the ear conditioning, the new hairstyle, the sharing of drool with outside parties, the smell of sweat, and many other points of interest that just don’t show up in romantic comedies (seriously). It’d be silly to think that a girl’s scent isn’t noticed by the people crushing on her. It’d be strange to not note that people are ogling your girlfriend’s new hairstyle and get jealous! However, such…embarrassingly unspoken scenes often go passed on for more “vanilla” issues that are more widely discussed. Ueshiba is daring and observant in approaching these issues throughout the series, and I wish to see more if a second season were to appear. Although I myself may be embarrassed to say it explicitly, some of the weird little habits and actions that played out in the series actually resonated with me–the me that wouldn’t dare to bring up these topics publicly. It’s a guilty pleasure and reassurance to know that I wasn’t the ONLY one thinking or experiencing these issues. Thank you Urabe and Tsubaki for being quite open about their physical boundaries.

Urabe and Tsubaki (and Oka)

Last but most important is the character of the couples themselves. We may have had issues that Urabe and Tsubaki faced, issues that normal couples face, but the mature and/or straightforward way they resolve every single issue has been an admirable sight.

Urabe, with her strong conviction and underlying understanding (or desire to reach) started the beginning of this relationship well. She set boundaries, punished Tsubaki without being draconian when he crossed those boundaries, and wasn’t a pansy afterwards. Although her desired progression through the relationship is warped by our standards, her conviction to follow this progression is something you don’t see often in the romantic comedy genre. With all things hard in a relationship though, Urabe did the right thing and eased her tensions and restrictions as trust grew. She became more tolerant of mistakes, took Tsubaki’s feelings and desires to heart, and faced her own conflicting ideals with relative grace and maturity, eventually concluding with satisfying desires she had herself. Not once was I disappointed in our panty scissor wielding heroine, nor once did I feel that she acted out of character. Oka, all-seeing voice of action for Urabe, has been critical in developing our main heroine, letting out information that’s precise and encouraging of closeness. However, it was fun to see that the influence was mutual. Oka definitely gets bonus points for being able to convince Urabe to become more social AND being a good comedian in trying to copy Urabe’s signature cutting style. Urabe’s apathy progressively melted away thanks to our busty heroine, leading up to an intimate declaration: one that Urabe practically dedicates her life to.

Tsubaki on the other hand, wields an impressive morality that stands more on openness and change, rather than a good set of morals. Tsubaki listens to Urabe, pays attention to when he angers her, and actually changes his attitudes and personalities. Although it may take a couple of tries, and he does fail every now and then, Tsubaki learns to control what Urabe is most uncomfortable about: physical contact. His intentions are never malicious when he makes a mistake, being only the byproduct of a drool transfer or his own hormones raging inside of him. As a result of this, he can make as many stupid mistakes as he want without being hated, simply because his heart is never in a bad place and his mind is willing to listen. In a way, he reflects what I one day hope to be: more confident and willing to chalk up mistakes. That is why it makes me proud when he avoids a silly mistake that’s overused in romantic slapstick, such as falling down on a girl or going on a walk with your previous crush, because it reflects his internal growth in a realistically positive way. He might be one of the most plain characters that I’ve ever met, but that is far from saying that he is one of the most boring. His honest dedication to Urabe’s happiness is enough to dub this one of the best portrayals of young relationships that I’ve ever seen. Kare Kano might’ve shown two excellent students overcoming their lives to be with one another, but Nazo no Kanojo X shows two remarkably average (read: not normal) students overcoming stereotypes to find truly intimate happiness.

Good job Nazo no Kanojo X. You gave me expectations and met them solidly. It was a pleasure to watch you to the very end, and even now it’s hard to say goodbye! I hope that one day, we can see a kind producer take up a second season. The chances of that are extremely low, but one can hope. Personally, this will be an important series to me, as it is the first series I have completely blogged for Random Curiosity. However, even if it wasn’t, I will always remember this series not for the emotional rollercoaster a Key production brings, but for that subtle warmth and internal chuckle I felt at the end of every episode. Thanks Nazo no Kanojo X, and goodbye for now.

I knew nothing about this manga adaptation beyond the RC preview, but after the first episode, I was hooked. This series drew me in immediately (like Jormungand) and I can’t say there was a weak episode. There was light drama, excellent humor, dynamics that felt honest, substantial character interactions, consistent animation, and of course, drool. Polish that off with catchy and well choreographed OP/ED themes, and you’ve got the makings of a future classic.

On the outside, the premise was really weird–having an addiction to a girl’s drool, an alternate form of communicating emotions. For most, this was a series turn-off, but after seeing how effective this was used in the story, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The drool exchange wasn’t just thrown in, but was pivotal in advancing Tsubaki and Urabe’s understanding of each other. As the series progressed, the versatility of the drool continued to mesh well with progressively harder challenges to their relationship. Episode 9 was the strongest and most realistic in demonstrating important relationship milestones for a boy. As the series progressed, each episode build upon the last. We learned that drool was not unique to Urabe – Oka could communicate with it too, and added interesting insight and humor to the series. I would call it the best non-verbal communication I’ve seen in a story.

I loved how this series focused on many things that are considered taboo, but we’re all connected with: the smell of a girl, the feel of her lips, the warmth of her mouth; real things that are part of a healthy relationship. It did not shy away from problems relationships can have: jealousy, possessiveness, and dishonesty; internal and external forces a couple may face on their path to closeness and intimacy. These topics were artfully handled with sincerity, cleverness, and humor that made the underlying story in each episode credible, and a joy to watch.

What made it work so well is the clever hyperbole to illustrate the mysterious communication between Urabe and Tsubaki (and Urabe and Oka). Masterfully executed, the drool is animated like a thick honey which is drawn from a deep, mysterious secret place in Urabe’s mouth. It does not come off of her finger easily either, but must be gently coaxed to realize its full message. It’s not really explained what this is, either. But my take is that is that mysterious chemistry that you experience when you meet a very special person, and as we saw with Ogata, it really only works with that one person.

For a 1 cour series, I felt the pacing and story complexity progressed very well. Everything fit together – but I did not feel spoon fed either. I admit I put some thought into many of the episodes to understand what I
thought the writers were trying to say. I really like being engaged this way.

But, I really want to break from what many may read as a couple’s story of their relationship, etc. After some thought and striping away the marketing and fan-service, I think this is more about a very shy girl who, in her mind, has a deeply embarrassing flaw – she drools. Remember in the first episode, when she became excited and she drooled uncontrolably in front of Tsubaki? A show of hands from the guys that that’s not a turn off. Thought so. Yes, it’s a flaw. Hey – wait, that’s what the series is about, right? No, I think that’s how the story is told.

Most of us are fortunate in that we don’t have such flaws, not so for our Urabe. In the beginning, she’s introverted; her candidness labels her as a weirdo by her classmates. We know little more about our transfer student. But Tsubaki is intrigued at the first sight of her drooling face when he wakes her. The intervening episodes were all entertainingly based on that moment. That’s the clue we all missed – looking back it’s so clear…

Fast forward to the 13th episode. Finally, Urabe learn some very important things about Akira’s family from her chance meeting with Akira’s sister: first, that his sister’s a drooler; second, she knows Akira’s crush is sitting before her (really, did anyone really think she didn’t figure it out but is too polite to challenge Urabe about it?); third, she warns Urabe not to make the mistake she made in not continuing to nurture the love that she had when she was younger. I don’t know all of the Japanese subtleties, but it seems to me Urabe’s bold announcement of her name was announcing herself to the Tsubaki family.

And this is the forth item, Urabe decides. This isn’t the I’ve decided to go out with you, etc. This is the big decision; the one and only. Now, all she has to do is mold and shape Tsubaki. No! No, and No! She wants to devote herself to become as important to him as his mother was/is to him.

All of this led to an amazing confession by Urabe in the 13th episode. Wow!!!!

I believe the author is saying, fundamentally, that yes, girls and boys are very different. But way beyond that, girls have very specific responsibilities solely theirs in the health of a loving relationship, just as boys have. Neither can perform the other’s job, so to speak. Urabe has learned that, and if/until Tsubaki rejects her, she knows and lovingly accepts her role. It may sound like I’m putting most of the responsibility on Urabe; re-watch the series. Tsubaki has a tough job to provide the environment in which Mikoto can blossom in. She can’t do it, that’s his area; his job.

I don’t expect many to agree; I’m thankful to the author for this wonderful series and manga. But mac65, we got you! You never mentioned the scissors! But the best of my thoughts for last. What’s a girl without an edge? To me, the scissors represent the ultimate feminity of a girl. She can mend with them, make things with them, and lastly, cut with them. In this we can all agree with Tsubaki that you never want to get between their blades, is all I’m saying!

If there isn’t a sequel, there’s no shame as this series was excellently done! But, there’s a lot of material that hasn’t been introduced, and I would love to see another season.