Jikken-hin Kazoku: Creatures Family Days – 03
This is a frustrating show to follow, what with it not being streamed or regularly subbed. But on balance I really think it’s worth it, because in its unorthodox way Jikken-hin Kazoku is emotionally very authentic. It’s a very odd but engaging series, and definitely not a mass-produced model.
One thing I enjoy here is that things don’t follow an expected pattern most of the time. Maybe it’s because this is essentially a Chinese animated series dubbed in Japanese, but the style and character of it seem quite distinct from what anime typically is. It seemed after the first episode that one could have a pretty good handle on who each of the siblings was, but they’ve revealed themselves to be considerably different than their first impression. For example Tanis, while definitely the sweet and sensitive boy he initially appeared to be, is also quite childlike and possessed of a considerable ego (pounded into him by the constant praise from his nutjob parents, no doubt).
The encounter on the mainland with Tanis’ old tutor didn’t go at all like I expected. It took considerable resolve and maturity for Tanis to decide to call her, but the trip – with Suishi along as bodyguard, thank goodness – was a disaster right from the beginning. The mainland (yes, this is definitely China) is a hostile place, and the tutor is bitter and vindictive after being humiliated by the eight year-old Tanis years earlier. It’s pretty sad that Tanis threw himself on the mercy of the adult world and that was the thanks he got, but it’s a good lesson for him if nothing else. And at least his new friend Sumire is genuinely concerned for his welfare.
3D Kanojo: Real Girl – 05
OK, well – 3D Kanojo really started to get on my nerves this week. Takanashi got off way too easily, as I feared he would. But the root of the issue is Hikari, who let him. He may be OK with the way the rest of the world treats him, but I’m not – and if he is, that makes him a lot harder to care about as a character.
That’s it, really. I may be pissed off at Hikari’s mother, and Ishino, and Takanashi, but as long as Tsutsun plays the martyr what’s the point? It’s not enough that Takanashi explains to Hikari’s family and Ishino (who doesn’t really give a damn) – he needs to come clean with the whole school. And I didn’t exactly hear an apology from Mom or little brother, either.
As to where the story may be headed with the introduction of Ayado, the otaku first-year who bumps into Hikari and takes an obvious shine to him, I have no idea. I really don’t want to see this go in the direction of a love triangle but at some point, I would imagine Iroha is going to get tired of having a boyfriend with no self-respect and then I suppose all bets are off. If 3D Kanojo turns out to be about Hikari’s growth as a person and he actually confronts all these issues, great – I’ll give it full credit. But at this stage I’m not convinced that’s going to happen.
