I’ve been rather critical towards the supporting cast in Tonikaku Cawaii, and not entirely without cause IMO. But while there’s no question the main charm of this series is the central couple, not all of the supporting cast can be painted with the same brush. Kyoto gave us the worst of it, and Nara gives us the best – Nasa’s mother and father. I wish we saw more of them, frankly – and they’re certainly the only major supporting players in this cast I’d say that about.
It’s certainly no surprise that Nasa’s parents would be oddballs, given what their son is like (and called). We meet Mom first – Kanoka (Asano Masumi), peeking out nervously from behind the front door. We don’t learn too much about her just yet, but father Enishi (Ebara Masahi) makes a stronger impression. He’s an archaeologist, which is what drew him to Nara, and like his wife is clearly most anxious about this encounter. Which you can’t blame them for, under the circumstances.
When the cab drops Nasa and Tsukasa off at the house, she notes that it’s very close to Kasuga Taisha. When he expresses surprise that she knows this, Tsukasa remarks that “mountains don’t move much even in a thousand years”. Indeed this episode is full of teasing asides from Tsukasa – like “I have a good memory” at Horyuu-ji and her wistful musings on the lives of those who lived at Nara’s now-vanished imperial palace. She also sounds quite authoritative when declaring that Prince Shotoku wouldn’t be offended by the couple flirting at his temple. There’s also an interesting bit about Shotoku being phased out of the history books, the context of which is apparently a movement to strike the name and replace it with his posthumous title, Umayado no Oh.
The sleeping arrangements are a matter of much comedy here, as Kanoka pointedly tells Nasa that their room is right next to his. It really is rather silly that this little dance continues, because these two are married. Why aren’t they doing what comes naturally? That said I certainly get that the physical proximity to his parents would be a major buzzkill (not that it matters, probably). And Nasa learns one of the cruel lessons of couplehood – that arm thing sounds great in the imagination, but the reality is searing agony.
The next morning Nasa pretends to be asleep (again – this is getting a bit silly, you’re married), then really does go back to sleep as Tsukasa and fellow early-riser Enishi awkwardly meet on the porch. She’s the one who successfully breaks the ice, showing an interest in his work, and Nasa’s father shows her his book-filled office (he correctly surmises that Nasa would scold him to just upload all of that stuff to the cloud). Her ability to read a letter in early Japanese is rather striking, but the key takeaway from this meeting we don’t learn til later – Enishi tearfully thanked her for saving his son’s life (and marrying him). It’s one of the better expressions of heartfelt parental love I’ve seen in anime for a long time.
When Nasa wakes, Tsukasa suggests they have the date in Nara that Chitose wrecked in Kyoto. For someone who seemingly spurned history in favor of cafes and manga, Tsukasa seems curiously knowledgeable. I also thought it was kind of interesting that Nasa was seeing all these places for the first time – even considering that his parents only moved to Nara after he moved out, it’s odd that someone with his intellectual curiosity would never have visited the cradle of Japanese civilization.
All in all, this was probably the most comprehensively effective episode of ToniCawa. The interaction between Nasa, Tsukasa and his parents was totally authentic without losing the sense of uniqueness that clings to her and their relationship. It was also largely free of the tropes which Hata-sensei can be overfond of, which is very helpful in the sense that this series is at its best when showing us a very normal newlywed relationship with some highly unusual aspects to it. It’s the dichotomy that makes things especially interesting, and with no discordant tropisms to break the spell ToniCawa is especially engaging.
Derrick
November 22, 2020 at 1:31 pmthe next part after house burnt down is quite interesting one.
Ki
November 24, 2020 at 4:08 amI don’t find Nasa’s and Tsukasa’s little dance silly. I find it rather, dare I say, kawaii? I’m actually glad the story isn’t rushing it. They may be married, but they’re still basically strangers (and presumably inexperienced to boot). Besides, I think Nasa’s a gentleman and occupied with what he perceives Tsukasa might want and how she feels. Their behavior might be idealistic but not really too far-fetched in my view.
On another note, I loved your line that “For someone who seemingly spurned history in favor of cafes and manga, Tsukasa seems curiously knowledgeable.” Curious indeed. I had always been leaning toward Tsukasa being a “moon person” or the descendant of Kaguya-hime, but now I’m wondering if she isn’t the Kaguya herself (I’d previously thought that would be a little too on the nose). It’s purely speculative on my part, though. Other than that beginning episode of ToniCawa and episodes of Oh! Edo Rocket, I’m not even that familiar with the Princess Kaguya tale. Well, I doubt we’ll get any answers soon, so for now I’ll just enjoy the cute little story it’s shaping up to be.
Guardian Enzo
November 24, 2020 at 1:48 pmWow, Oh! Edo Rocket – that would be a good rewatch with this series on the schedule.
You really should see Takahata’s Kaguyahime film. Maybe the best Ghibli of the past 10-15 years.
Yann
November 24, 2020 at 3:39 pmShe’s obviously Kaguyahime… I never thought it was supposed to be a mystery. I’m pretty sure we’re supposed to be in on it from the beginning.
And just because they’re technically married, it doesn’t change the fact that they haven’t crossed that bridge and it makes perfect sense to me they’d be nervous about. Even more nervous than normal… There is no turning back so they can’t mess it up kinda feeling.
Guardian Enzo
November 24, 2020 at 3:44 pmNo comment on the former.
On the latter: I just don’t see it. Teenagers casually hook up all the time – it’s biological imperative. I get that they’d be nervous, sure, but what exactly would they be waiting for? You can’t get any more committed than they already are. They’re living in a one-room apartment. It just seems to me that the natural inclination of two young people who’d just tied the knot would be to consummate their relationship. Or at least talk about it. What we’re seeing seems like dramatic conceit to me.
Just to be clear, I really like this series and I love them as a couple. I’m just a bit at odds with the handling of this specific aspect.
Bob
November 24, 2020 at 3:54 pm“It’s one of the better expressions of heartfelt parental love I’ve seen in anime for a long time.”
I was pleasantly surprised to tear up a little and grin at it. Tonikawa’s quite heartfelt when it wants to be, which I really appreciate. And after Hata’s last set of parents…
Todd
November 26, 2020 at 1:08 amOut of curiosity, would you have any recommendations for anime that star married couples? My wife and I watched an anime called “I Can’t Understand What My Husband Is Saying” that was specifically about two newlyweds and them adjusting to being married together (with the husband being an otaku of course) and we had a great time so I would like to find more anime starring married couples right off the bat. Some with action would be preferable, but slice-of-life or romantic comedy would also be good.
Guardian Enzo
November 26, 2020 at 11:11 amHey, Todd. That’s a lot tougher than it should be. So tough I’m forced to consider stuff like Osomatsu-san, which has only a few eps that focus on the parents, but they are a great couple. I like the one you mention a lot… Maybe Itazura no Kiss? Fune wo Amu has a married couple in it.
OH!!!! Soredemo Sekai wa Utsukushii. She’s 16 and he’s 12, but they are married. And it’s quite a charmer.
And, oddly enough, Bakuman. Not literally of course, but they might as well be and they go through a lot of the same issues.
Todd Clawson
November 26, 2020 at 1:43 pmThanks for the reply. I will take a look. It’s a bit too bad there aren’t more anime starring married couples. I get that it loses a lot of the potential drama or harem shenanigans between the two main characters if they are already in a romantic relationship, but I feel like there are plenty of other ways to make up for it. Heck the dynamic between Kraft and Holo in Spice and Wolf (I’m aware they weren’t married, but they certainly acted like it pretty quickly into the show) revolved quite a bit around finances and other issues that would definitely occur in any serious relationship and it was quite a bit of fun to watch. I will acknowledge though that the idea of watching shows staring couples already in a relationship only really started appealing to me after getting married myself so I can see why anime companies wouldn’t really see the benefit of doing so.
Guardian Enzo
November 26, 2020 at 3:26 pmIf you expand the circle to include people in a relationship even if not married, there are a few others you can add to the pot. Wotakoi comes to mind, though it can be frustrating from a pure romance perspective – it is about two adult couples.