First Impressions / Snapshots

OP Sequence

OP: 「カワキヲアメク」 (Kawakiwo Ameku) by Minami

“Will You Do It With Me, Here?”


「ここであたしと、してくんない？」 (Koko de atashi to, shite kunnai?)

NOTE: IF YOU DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE SERIES AND INTEND ON WATCHING THE FIRST EPISODE TURN AWAY RIGHT NOW. AVOID SPOILERS AT ALL COSTS.

If you hate drama and stupidity, you might want to give Domestic na Kanojo a hard pass. Otherwise, welcome aboard fellow passengers – especially those of you that thrive off chaos! It isn’t everyday that you’re introduced to your new step-siblings, and one is a teacher you’ve always been in love with while the other was the random stranger that you lost your virginity to. Such is the life of Fujii Natsuo (Yashiro Taku), an aspiring highschool writer caught between the overlap of dreams and reality. Only it doesn’t quite play out like he would have hoped. Your conductor for this train wreck will be me, Zaiden. So let’s get on with examining the post-mortem for this wonderful mess!

First Impressions

Having read what’s been released of the manga, I will confess that I’m invested in Domestic na Kanojo for mostly the wrong reasons. To the uninitiated, wacky storylines are Sasuga Kei’s claim to fame thanks to GE Good Ending. And as you can see from the first episode, Domestic na Kanojo proves no exception to this trend. Water is wet, teenagers do stupid shit – like shagging a stranger you’ve just met for the sake of it. But at least they used protection. It really could have been worse. That said, it’s interesting to look at the respective motives for Rui and Natsuo, when it comes to why they lost their virginities to one another. From Rui’s perspective, she doesn’t believe she’ll ever find true love, a jaded outlook for sure. But she remains curious about what sex is like and is tired of only hearing anecdotal stories from other people. The anime or the subs don’t quite make it clear, but in the manga, she expresses that she wanted someone she couldn’t care less about, meaning there would be no emotional strings attached. Rui also doesn’t want to be taken for a spin by a playboy — which is why she ultimately picks our cherry boy MC to do the deed. And do the deed they did. Although there was no full-blown sex scene (but really, what could we have expected for something that aired on Japanese TV?), we get some flashbacks from Natsuo, showcasing the passionate looks on Rui’s face during their loveless love-making.

On the other hand, I really liked Natsuo’s general reactions. Perhaps some people might accuse our protagonist of being a boring nice guy, but I digress. He doesn’t think he’ll ever have a chance in high heaven to be with Hina, because she treats him like a kid and there are rumours that she’s already got a boyfriend. Contrasting with Rui’s motivations, he decides that having sex with another person because it will help him get over his unrequited feelings. At least that’s what he tells himself, considering he evidently caught onto the similarities she had with Hina. At first, he’s elated that he got to experience sex for the first time. But then, he questions whether it was the right way to lose his virginity. That he didn’t have feelings for the other person, and ended up betraying his love towards Hina-sensei becomes a source of burdensome guilt. Though his logic may seem tortured, I’d say it’s a rather natural progression of emotions in such a situation, with both his confusion and angst being understandable. The key thing for me is that he demonstrated a sensitive side that’s rarely seen among male anime protagonists. His emotional dilemma might have taken place under ridiculous circumstances, yet I found it genuinely compelling because there’s honesty and warmth behind the way he expresses himself. He does stupid things but heavily contemplates his previous actions and clearly reflects on them, somewhat acknowledging his personal faults along the way. And that’s the only correct reason why I’m invested in this series – it’s because I truly care about Natsuo as a character from the bottom of my heart.

Concluding Thoughts

If you thought that would be it, the ride kept on ploughing onwards. Natsuo and Rui part ways, thinking that they’d never meet again. But fate plays them like a fiddle, and M Night Shyamalam hijacked the script. Natsuo’s father remarries to a woman who just so happens to be the mother of both Hina AND Rui. Talk about coincidences! And bam, just like that, they all move into a new house together. In the space of a single day, Natsuo now lives with the girl he loves as well as the random stranger he lost his virginity to, and they turned out to be sisters! Following a few segments of luscious ecchi (though I’m eternally disappointed they nerfed Hina’s oppai size), we end on a cliffhanger. Natsuo, unable to stave off temptation one evening, goes in for the kiss on a drunk and sleeping Hina. Rui walks into the room and catches him in the act! Admittedly, this delicious drama is something of a double-edged sword. There comes a point where it gets a bit too silly, but you can’t wait to see what happens next because it’s so damn unpredictable! For those who didn’t toss this show into the garbage pile, guess you’re all going to find out next week. Or you won’t be able to stop yourself from binging the manga — in which case may god save your souls.

Quick Impression of the OP/ED Themes

OP: 4/10 – Rough and edgy. The melody has its strengths but isn’t particularly memorable. I don’t think the visual sequences represent the story or characters very well.

ED: 8.5/10 – Nice and gentle. Awesome melody with excellent verse and chorus. Visual sequence was aesthetically smooth while providing a melancholic take from Rui’s viewpoint.

ED Sequence

ED: 「わがまま」 (Wagamama) by Arisa Takigawa

Preview

44 Comments

      1. Show Spoiler ▼

        yodad
        Reply

    2. I don’t know about that, GE had provoked some broken screens and keyboards too. Is what drama romance male oriented mangas have as objective: provoke aneurysms and strokes by growing blood pressure to wipe out the unfit male who dare to fall into that cesspool.

      Even though, Kimi iru no machi still has the world record of nerd rage provocation and bullshittery. I still don’t know how I survived that.

      cvb
      Reply

  3. Surprisingly I find it very easy to relate to the characters. It quite understandable that Rui is angry with Natsuo. I’m sure she felt dumped as Natsuo fell for her bait and switch (“let’s be strangers for now own”, of cause she wanted him to disagree).
    I’m also suspicious to Hina. At first glance she seems nice and outgoing with a sensitive side, on the other hand her mixed signals towards Natsuo feel too manipulative to me, to be downplayed as mere banter. And given how bad boys in Natsuo’s age take mixed signals (he isn’t in love with her without reason) I feel her behaviour is distasteful and unhealthy.

    Don’t tell me that wasn’t on purpose, for a more harmless example:

    https://randomc.net/image/Domestic%20na%20Kanojo/Domestic%20na%20Kanojo%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2030.jpg

    So overall I feel that the author has sound insights into interpersonal dynamics, which makes the show very promising.

    Enan84
    Reply

    1. Surprisingly I find it very easy to relate to the characters.

      I didn’t want to say it because I felt it would reflect poorly on me, but I actually do find Natsuo extremely relatable. He means well, but sometimes the best of intentions don’t necessarily yield the best of results.

      It quite understandable that Rui is angry with Natsuo. I’m sure she felt dumped as Natsuo fell for her bait and switch

      As for why Rui is angry at Natsuo, I’m fairly sure it doesn’t have anything to do with the bait and switch. She looks like she has trouble understanding other people’s feelings and expressing her own, and I think she’s overwhelmed by being thrusted into this new living situation, particularly with the random guy she lost her virginity to.

      I’m also suspicious to Hina. At first glance she seems nice and outgoing with a sensitive side, on the other hand her mixed signals towards Natsuo feel too manipulative to me, to be downplayed as mere banter.

      I’ve been in Natsuo’s position on this one and agree that younger dudes take mixed signals very badly, especially from girls who are much older. However, also because I’ve been in a similar situation to Natsuo, I don’t think Hina intended to manipulate Natsuo per se, as opposed to being airheaded. She’s fairly young for a teacher in highschool no less, and isn’t very good at seeing things around herself very clearly.

      So overall I feel that the author has sound insights into interpersonal dynamics, which makes the show very promising.

      And you’ve got it spot on. Through the eye of the chaotic storm, Sasuga Kei seems to understand how to write humans into her characters and their respective interactions. And she puts these characters to the ultimate test, thrusting them through a meat grinder of difficult scenarios, thereby wringing out every fibre of their personalities.

      Zaiden
      Reply

      1. When you put it that way, this seems like less of a train wreck and more of an elegantly thought-out, well-written show. I can’t wait to read more of your thoughts on this show as the episodes come and go.

        Anonymous
        Reply

  4. Japanese terrestrial TV channels have rather conservative conduct codes, which mean no overt sex or violence can be screened. (I’m aware stuff like DxD’s frontal nudity escaped because they air on satellite TV.)

    But for sex scenes, they might get away if it was on streaming.

    zztop
    Reply

    1. This is also airing on AT-X but without parental lock so it remains to be seen if there will be a slightly different version shown there. That said, some of the shots did look as though they may have been cropped so perhaps the BDs will show a little more. Because what would be the friggin’ point of taking a very racy manga and then making an anime from it that you could show the vicar when he came round to tea? OK, so it’s Diomedéa, but they’ve put out in the past on BD. Anyway, I think I saw there was going to be a DVD with a forthcoming manga volume that was going to have an OVA showing some “unseen scenes”.

      As for the show itself, it’s OK so far apart from being so toned down. Yes it’s totally unlikely, but Shakespeare had plots more unlikely than this so it’s no biggie.

      Angelus
      Reply

    1. I think my familiarity with the source material leads me to reject the OP. First off, I don’t recognise that piano lady and carry the opinion that she’s being melodramatic in how wildly she’s smashing the piano. Secondly, I do not think these girls looking lost and chasing after Natsuo in the rain is an accurate depiction of what they’re like. Thirdly, I don’t think the music fits with the vibe of the series. Something like Heikousen from Kuzu no Honkai would be perfect for this. I could also see vocalists like Uehara Rena (White Album 2) or Aki Misato (Mai-Hime ED) working better here.

      Finally, I’ve always had an aversion to ‘God Knows’ which is an extremely popular anime song. I suppose that kind of stuff isn’t to my taste. Well, guess what. This kind of reminded me of ‘God Knows’.

      Zaiden
      Reply

  6. https://randomc.net/image/Domestic%20na%20Kanojo/Domestic%20na%20Kanojo%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2002.jpg
    https://randomc.net/image/Domestic%20na%20Kanojo/Domestic%20na%20Kanojo%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2030.jpg
    https://randomc.net/image/Domestic%20na%20Kanojo/Domestic%20na%20Kanojo%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2029.jpg

    They,re not related by blood so its not incest! Right?

    Regardless it might be wrong but its so good.

    Got my weekly dose of guilty pleasure.

    Henrietta Brix
    Reply

    1. Guilty pleasure? Sure got that one right.

      And if they weren’t raised together like siblings, while there’s still an element of the taboo, I think it’s more permissible because it’s not like familial feelings are ingrained into them.

      Zaiden
      Reply

      1. What’s even more funny was that just last Friday we had a conversation about this while playing a board game at a crowded local gaming shop.

        Our conversation about “they’re step siblings and not related by blood therefore its not incest!” was pretty much heard by everyone in the shop

        Henrietta Brix
        Reply

  8. I think I read half a dozen chapters of the series this mangaka made before this one. All I’ll say is he and Seo Kouji should hook up and commit lover’s suicide, for the good of the human race.

    Litho
    Reply

    1. Oi there, you better watch your words. Seo Kouji is one of my favourite mangakas, while Kimi no Iru Machi is probably my favourite manga, considering I’ve probably read it like 3-5 times. Lol. Also, Sasuga Kei is female.

      Edit: Judging by these divisive responses, it’s fair to say that Seo Kouji is the industry marmite. You either love him or hate him.

      Zaiden
      Reply

      2. That’s my secret — I have no soul. Signed it over to RandomC when I joined as a writer. Jokes aside, it’s difficult to find a mangaka that honestly depicts humans in all their glory and shame. There is genuine quality where characterisation is concerned in both of their works, and I think they are some of the best when it comes to writing true to life characters in the industry, something that matters a great deal to an individual like myself who places great emphasis on characters.

        Zaiden
        Reply

      3. Seo Kouji is great. Read a few of his works and found them to be enjoyable. Regarding Sasuga Kei…this was the first work I read from her, and….it’s certainly something that I can’t put down, that’s for sure.

        Anonymous
        Reply

  9. https://randomc.net/image/Domestic%20na%20Kanojo/Domestic%20na%20Kanojo%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2009.jpg
    What I learned in anime. When a GUY invites a girl to his home, it REEKS of DANGER! But when a girl invites a guy to her home, the danger sign dramatically drops. Pretty much represents real life in a way. Unless there is danger when a girl invites a guy to her home.

    Notably, our main character’s friend is about average. Still the typical “jealous” friend trope, but it seems our main character trust his buddy enough to share personal info. But seriously, what is with high school kids and sex, I think real-life schools would expel kids once word gets out that they did something with a girl. Can’t tell if this represents the birthrate problem.

    https://randomc.net/image/Domestic%20na%20Kanojo/Domestic%20na%20Kanojo%20-%2001%20-%20Large%2033.jpg
    Anyway, not to anger anyone, but I prefer the Onee-san route to be frank. I am not finding enough good anime/manga with the Onee-san route, too many Imouto. There also seems to be a lack of female teachers as heroines.

    Anyway, The Manga has yet to end, so I am wondering if the anime will end things in an ambiguous manner or will our main character choose a girl in the end of the final episode. Any new comments from the author?

    Greed
    Reply

    1. I don’t know about elsewhere. But in the UK, I’d say high school kids and doing funky stuff is pretty normal. and school don’t care even if they catch on. It’s only becomes an issue where consent is concerned. I also prefer the onee-san route and lament the lack of those stories within anime/manga.

      No new comments from Sasuga Kei as far as I’m aware.

      Zaiden
      Reply

  10. “Consider the bulldog. A grotesque monstrosity born of relentless inbreeding. Riddled with sinusitis, crippled by joint pain. Chronically flatulent. A kindly pet, or humanity’s cruelest mistake?……Ladies and gentlemen, just like that horrible creature, Domestic na Kanojo can be viewed as one of two things: either a jaw-dropping/shameful guilty pleasure that you just can’t turn away from or a horrible train-wreck that really just shows how broken we all are.” — Gavin Belson, reworded to fit the show.

    Ok, when this was first announced to get an anime series, my jaw hit the floor. I got into the manga, and I thought that this was one series that probably isn’t the best suited for an anime, but then again, Scum’s Wish got an adaptation, so what do I know. (Looking at you, Minamoto-kun Monogatari) Regardless, I’m still reading the manga, so I guess I’m broken.

    While the plot of the show may seem utterly ridiculous, in some sense, I feel sympathetic to Natsuo, in that I’d probably have that same expression that he did when he first got the news. Knowing what I know about the manga, I’m not sure if I’ll be actively watching the series (because it’s not on Crunchyroll), but I’ll probably read the posts. Reading about your reactions seem interesting, not to mention the comments.

    Also….gotta say, the character’s reactions are pretty hilarious at times. Sasuga Kei did a great job showcasing the characters and their facial expressions in the manga, and I really enjoy how Hina acts when drunk at times. It makes for great laughs, and I really hope I enjoy reading your posts on this show.

    Anonymous
    Reply

    1. Glad to see that someone shares most of my sentiments for Domestic na Kanojo! Unfortunately, this is the moment where I confess that at most, I’d cover up till episode 3. Real life priorities demand that I take a hiatus from anime blogging for the next 1 1/2 seasons.

      Zaiden
      Reply

    1. No clue. Oddly enough, I’ve read the manga so this is pretty puzzling, and part of the reason why I said the OP wasn’t a good representation. They can’t have some random piano woman who is not related to the story occupying most of the OP.

      Zaiden
      Reply

  12. One thing that always gets me with anime adaptation is the hair. Maybe it’s because the hair is colored, but I always seem to feel that anime adaptations screw up the hair, like they did with Fuuka’s hair. I liked Hina’s hair in the manga, but seeing it in the anime kind of felt….dull, for a lack of a better word.

    Also, nice choice for the manga cover to highlight Hina. Nice to see the blankie-monster Hina-saurus crawl out of her cave from her slumber to feast on unsuspecting pedestrians passing by.

    Anonymous
    Reply

    1. You could say that Domestic na Kanojo is current, and an anime would help advertise the manga. Plus it didn’t seem like GE Good Ending was anywhere near as successful in terms of sales. You can blame the Japanese audience and their predilections towards incestuous messes.

      Zaiden
      Reply

  16. Hard pass on this one. GE was a good read for a bit and then went complete trainwreck stupid. What I managed to read of this manga was equally rubbish – it just went trainwreck earlier.

    If you like Seo Kouji’s idiotic attempts at drama, you’ll probably dig this.

    Rathje
    Reply

    1. Trainwreck, yes. Yet I’ve seen this kind of stuff happen too many times in real life to simply dismiss it. To be human is to err. DomeKano and Kimi no Iru Machi are not some pretty, done-up, utopian perfection of human interactions free of drama and stupidity. That has a place on my shelf in terms of enjoyment. But I cannot truly relate with the perfect protagonist who has everything happen to go their way without incident. I’m a clumsy person who means well but makes a load of stupid mistakes that lead to unwanted drama – kinda like these imperfect protagonists. The fact Seo Kouji and Sasuga Kei offer a reflection of our tainted reality closer to what I’ve seen or experienced is what sells their works to me.

      Zaiden
      Reply

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