What’s it about? Miyasaka Takumi, an unemployed skilled chef, goes to a constructing referred to as Astro-sou in quest of a job. However as an alternative of the restaurant he anticipated based mostly on the emptiness, he finds a boarding home filled with quirky residents. It seems that the brand new supervisor, Gotokuji Mira, is a horrible cook dinner, they usually want somebody to make them breakfast. It isn’t a lot for a culinary faculty graduate like Takumi, however he takes it for one purpose: to get to know Mira higher. However as charming as she is, there’s one thing unusual about Mira…
Whats up everybody, the resident Maison Ikkoku evangelist has signed as much as inform you about this Astro notice. Now you could not realize it, attributable to American anime fandom’s extraordinarily quick reminiscence and tendency in direction of recency, however Maison Ikkoku is a particularly beloved and influential sequence. It is also the best love story ever instructed and one among my favourite manga ever, which is why I can say that with absolute confidence Astro notice is heavy with unmistakable, intentional homage to its predecessor. However will it stand alone, or will Takahashi Rumiko’s basic romance solid too lengthy a shadow?
To be clear, I’m not imagining this comparability or making any effort. There are many anime and manga set in shared homes that most likely have some Maison Ikkoku of their DNA, however no direct references. Astro notice has so many tributes that it may’t presumably be a coincidence, from Mira falling off her ladder, to Takumi going to room 5, to the twist on the finish which I will not spoil, however I’ll say there isn’t any coincidence within the massive world sufficient to persuade me it wasn’t intentional.
However therein lies the issue: as charmed as I used to be by all of the references and homages, additionally they made me want I had been watching Maison Ikkoku. And pals, Astro notice will not be Maison Ikkoku. What I admire about Takahashi’s sequence is the uncooked humanity of the characters, regardless of all of the foolish comedy and misunderstandings. Godai will not be a boring shounen romcom protagonist, neither is Kyoko an angelic ideally suited. They’re younger, messy, and broken, in a rush to fall in love after they’re not even adults but. No matter similarity Takumi and Mira could should their predecessors, the tough edges appear to have been smoothed out, making for 2 good youngsters… Wait, Takumi is 25 years outdated, so not a child in any respect… Two good individuals surrounded by madmen.
However that is okay, as a result of it is not Maison Ikkoku! It begins with an area battle, and I have not seen any model of it Maison Ikkoku like that. (Perhaps the live-action film? I have not seen that…) Nevertheless it stays to be seen whether or not or not Mira will develop a character past the idealized determine we have been given to this point. She’s the sort of love curiosity who would not have many flaws aside from being quirky, naive, and a foul cook dinner, however in a horny approach. And apart from, her quirky naivete has extra to do with the twist I discussed than an precise mistake. Apart from that, she’s simply as candy as could be, and I might like her to develop into an fascinating character in her personal proper.
Very similar to the romantic comedy custom of ensembles, the secondary characters have far more promise than the leads. My private favourite to this point is Teruko, an indie idol who spends her days off within the condominium in a white tank high and coke bottle lenses. These weirdos promise to maintain issues energetic, even when Takumi and Mira fail to develop personalities past “good.” Their facial performing can be glorious, with many comically exaggerated expressions. The present is likely to be value watching simply to spend time with them.
I have no idea if Astro notice has actual endurance, however in a weak season there are worse methods to spend my time. This one will get the five-episode check.
