This show is pure shiny, sparkly gold!
I’m amazed that a show with the classic boy-meets-girl plot can become the show people see as refreshing and… refreshing. It reduces so many to cry girly tears and create odd puns. An amazing feat because a lot of people are not fans of shoujo. Well, it doesn’t have any giant mechas, random reference to other shows, or complicated plotlines. It’s just about a girl who resembles some creepy chick who crawls out of TV sets and the guy who supports her get out of her shell towards friends, acceptance among other things.
While it initially sounds like a Yamato Nadeshiko Shinchi Henge rip-off, it’s not. None of the characters are over-the-top. The story is not driven by the randomness of a comedic situation. Once you’ve watched it, it’s actually more drama than comedy. Sawako is not voluntarily unpleasant, just very socially inept. Kazehaya is a typical normal, likeable guy who just likes Sawako.
Speaking of which -
Right from the get-go, I couldn’t understand what’s up with Sawako and why people find her so scary. She looks a lot like a lot of characters in other anime that were never considered unpleasant. The statement that Sawako is gloomy-looking is an established fact of the story. You do not question about why exactly she is scary and depressing. She just is. Ghostlightning proposed why, but I wouldn’t have even thought that if he hadn’t said anything.
So there. Sawako’s unpleasant just as much as Kazehaya is refreshing. That’s a word I can never figure out the meaning. What exactly is refreshing? I have a vague idea of what it is and what one is supposed to feel, but I can’t put it to words without using an expression like I am quenching my thirst. A guy like Kazehaya is liked by the audience, not because he’s liked by everyone, but it’s because he managed to see something in Sawako that others never cared to see. So he is refreshing because…?
Either way, the show is a win. It’s rare for that to be said about a first episode. Production I.G. animation never fails. The OP is okay. I’m addicted to the awesomeness of the ED.
Sawako is a typical case of the Hollywood Homely trope, just like Sunako in Yamato Nadeshiko Shichihenge who turns into a dark goddess of beauty as the plot demands (lulz).
Bianx I think your spam filter ate my comment. Check pl0x.
@ghostlightining
Fixed. You ham not spam.
Your argument about the Hollywood Homely has its merit, but characters like Sawako and Sunako must have further explanation why they’re unpleasant. Reading the trope makes me think of side characters. It’s different when they’re leads.