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「どうして」 (Doushite)
“Why?”
Even if one is not impressed with Kawaisou’s characters and plot, it’d be crazy not to at least give the show credit for its impressive visuals. This week, let’s start there, then move onto the plot.
Brains Base is not a studio to laugh at in terms of artistic execution. Shows like Isshuukan Friends, Natsume Yuujin-chou, or Oregairu have kept faithful to their original material while still having a distinct quality of animation that rarely appears lazy. The same can be said of Kawaisou, except I’d like to add a note–Brains Base has actually enhanced the story with its improvements. Yes, there are some artistic liberties taken in making the outlines rougher and slightly changing some character designs but other than that, the core style is fairly preserved from the source. What is actually added though–the color and the animation–makes watching Kawaisou so much more pleasing to the eye, even more so than the manga. There are vivid colors to help emphasize the time of day, as well as well-placed transition animations to illustrate the passage of time. Throughout the show, there are exaggerations to the color palette to emphasize either Ritsu’s emotions or the exaggerated antics of the rest of the cast, usually accompanied by a manga-like drawing style for dramatic effect or simplified art for a comedic one. It’s just such a treat seeing how much effort is placed into the art that one can’t just help but feel that this show has…life. Lots and lots of life, just from the visuals alone. Good animation isn’t just for being pretty–it tells one half of the story while the dialogue is running. In this case, it gives the much needed life and energy that makes a romantic comedy successful. Brains Base does this well and makes no scene go to waste–if there can be a colorful background for a specific scene, there will be one to see.
As for today’s actual episode, it was a pleasant setup episode that gave us important hints as to the direction of the overall plot. While it was nice to see simultaneous development of Mayumi and Sayaka’s characters, the topic worth discussing this episode is the thought processes going through Kawai’s head right now.
It has been established that Kawai doesn’t always speak the truth. She won’t easily admit when she’s amused, scared, or concerned, but eventually her actions and body language speak more than her speech. The new factor that plays in starting this episode begins with Kawai’s actual disposition towards Usa. What does she actually think of him as? It’s clear enough that she at least has respect for Usa as a fellow apartment mate, which explains why she’s always conscious of her actions towards him, but there are certain actions of hers that have yet to be explained. The bike and library incident and Usa’s thanks toward Kawai are both puzzling responses that don’t indicate malice towards Usa, but rather some sort of character trait we have yet to see in Kawai. This clearly leads us to wonder about Kawai’s backstory, since it seems all of the floormates are onto something that Usa isn’t aware of himself. Strangely enough, even though all the characters pretty much support Usa getting closer to Kawai, they all seem to agree that Usa will have a very, very hard time getting as close to Kawai as he actually wants. Even Shirosaki, who usually acts as the comedic foil, showed a face of concern this episode when he commented on Usa’s low chances. What those low chances are continue to be a cliffhanger.
Thus, I look forward to seeing whether this exposition happens sooner rather than later, if at all. I have a guess that Kawai’s actions tie in somehow with her immersion with novels, though it most likely runs even deeper than that. All in all, I’m pleased with today’s episode–though not as funny as the second episode, it still was pleasant to watch. It had all the strengths of good character interactions, all while still setting up a potential character development that’ll bloom later on.
Preview
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Land mine lv 99: “You could have just removed your make up”
Something about this show just has a mystifying effect on me. The characters, the comedy and the small hints of romance all blend together perfectly without anything overshadowing the other. Our loveable characters all act as if they were family and that’s what’s so enticing about them. The way they dick around with each other but still genuinely care for one another reminds me of my own family. It certainly does wonders for my crusty heart….
This already became one of my favourites of the season after a bit of a weak first episode (although it was still very pretty). It’s just so much fun, the characters are already so lively with all their interactions with each other. The show wastes no time in getting right to the meat of why we watch these kinds of shows. It gives me some fond memories of reading Maison Ikkoku.
The use of both manga-style comedy backgrounds and text bubbles, alternating with those beautiful backgrounds with vibrant saturated colours and light rays, make just watching it worth it – the animation budget is not the highest, but they’re making the best of it.
Funny! I mentioned Maison Ikkoku in episode one, yet no one seemed to notice it in the comments :(. Good to see I’m not the only one making the comparison.
Don’t worry Zanibas. You’re not the only one who’s making the comparison with that show. It’s just that for the life of me, I couldn’t remember the title of Maison Ikkoku.
Fantastic episode this week. There were so many parts that I loved and just made me laugh so much.
For one I actually fell for Sayaka troll bait.
https://randomc.net/image/Bokura%20wa%20Minna%20Kawaisou/Bokura%20wa%20Minna%20Kawaisou%20-%2003%20-%20Large%2008.jpg
I really thought those were kawai’s thoughts ;_;
I also would never want to be on her bad side lol
https://randomc.net/image/Bokura%20wa%20Minna%20Kawaisou/Bokura%20wa%20Minna%20Kawaisou%20-%2003%20-%20Large%2009.jpg
Last thing I wanna say is that Mayumi might just be my favorite character. She is hilarious. She actually got mad because Usa wasnt looking at her, that part had me dying.
https://randomc.net/image/Bokura%20wa%20Minna%20Kawaisou/Bokura%20wa%20Minna%20Kawaisou%20-%2003%20-%20Large%2014.jpg
here comes the 3-episode-rule week and im happy to say that bokura wa minna kawaisou is on my watch list for this season after dropping all mecha animes right after finishing their episode 2.
I did find this anime interesting. And Kawai didn’t say much but she is still my favorite.
Commie version has Now it feels like I do have a problem with you in the library scene but it’s a little bit misleading. What she meant is if people in the dorm make fun of them riding together, it’s gonna be Usa(not her) who is to be in an awkward position. But she was supposed to, and she thought she wanted to, talk about why she didn’t like to do tandem, therefore she suddenly realized Usa’s potential pain was out of place(unless she really felt for him) and started to get confused.
Usa is really annoying me. Take a hint and leave the poor girl alone!
Zanibas, now that 3 episodes have passed will you continue to blog this?
We’ll see by the 4th :).
This episode is best out of 3eps. All joke flow/work well.Speed of event is good too.And as I said before,animation (clear,sharp picture) of this anime is best of this season.
I’m finding Kawaiso moderately enjoyable for now but I just hope it’ll go somewhere and not stagnate. This might be one of those series that I’ll drop about half-way in if I don’t detect any progress. At the same time,some shows make it hard to do so,leaving you with no other option to see them through. Anyway,we’ll see.
I have the same stance about this show as you. Hopefully, the anime will get better. It can’t just rely on comedy all the time.
Usa is still a boring character, Kawai is getting a little less boring, and everyone else pretty much makes the show.
I like this show. When I’m not laughing, then I’m just staring at the pretty colors. Now if the plot can pick up for reals, I’ll be happy. As a book lover, the OP really entices me to expect more, as it seems to involve Ritsu living out her books in her imagination? I feel like I could really relate to her character if we could just see real development before I get bored
I love this show, but maybe that’s me being partial to slice-of-life and comedy.
Mayumi’s so great(and gorgeous too). It’s nice to see that she actually has a lot of respect for herself. Her ex is a douchebag.
this show is just so damn comfy. i love how mayumi was able to tell the guy off thanks to all her nakama’s influences. the contrast between her adult features and childish nature is really cute
if there’s one thing i could definitely live without, it’d be the super colorful backdrops. i’m in love with the characters and how well they mesh together, and look forward to each episode every week. sayaka is the best troublemaker and i love how mayumi never fails to call her out on her bullshit. but sometimes the skintones put me off and the backdrops are excessive.