Kai to Otome to Kamikakushi is unquestionably a type of exhibits within the busy bubble zone this season. It has lots to supply: fascinating photos and an intriguing premise, a transparent sense of fashion. I often simply have a tough time with this type of intensely mannered dialogue and tone. There are exceptions – Zetsuen no Tempest instantly involves thoughts, though the creator’s different collection did nothing for me. And the collection Mysterious disappearances jogs my memory most of, Dansai Bunri no crime edge. Nevertheless it was not a lot mannered as flamboyantly theatrical; it truly had a sure seriousness to it.
One other aspect to just accept about this present is that it embraces pandering with abandon. It is kinky and transparently attempting to be titillating about it, in a completely retro manner in terms of anime. Beginning with a fetish thriller in an all-girls faculty setting truly looks as if good character. And when Sumireko experiences to Ren about what she noticed throughout her undercover mission, it does not take lengthy for him to give you a principle. Specifically that that is the work of 1 sushi onia legendary youkai present in folklore from throughout Japan (seemingly completely different in look in every area).
The chilly open has already made it clear that that is the essence of what’s taking place right here. The trainer behind the dribbling assaults, Uname-sensei (Horie Yui) was bullied as a toddler as a result of she was poor and wore the garments her grandmother sewed for her from scraps of fabric. Why she has this potential is not instantly clear, however she makes use of it as a part of an anti-bullying campaign, a sort of long-delayed revenge tour. We additionally get an fascinating little subsection the place Ren refers again to his childhood with Oto, which was clearly not a mattress of roses. The place is he attempting to ship her? And why have they got these unusual skills (like telepathy for instance)?
It seems that Uname-sensei borrows these powers by means of the amulet her grandmother gave her. Ren involves the college and confronts her after utilizing Sumireko as bait in a staged bullying entice. He calls for that she hand it over to him, however the trainer refuses. Finally, she ups the ante by setting Sumeirko on hearth (faerie hearth nonetheless burns), which she is ready to do as a result of this energy doesn’t in truth come from an ushi-oni in any respect, however from Chirinki, a vengeful God whose ushi-oni supposedly had been created (though, so far as I do know, Chinrinki is strictly a made-up character right here).
I am unsure what to make of this case of Ren utilizing his powers to (apparently) switch the curse of the amulet onto himself. Nor does Sumireko’s miraculous therapeutic potential; it looks as if she exhibits off a brand new potential each episode. All’s effectively that ends effectively, apparently – Uname-sensei apparently did not do sufficient hurt to let karma take her life, and whereas he does not have Sumireko’s magically enhanced structure, Ren’s accidents do not appear too severe.
These mysteries of the week that underpin a recurring plot are a components that may definitely work if the writing and execution are as much as the duty. And Koi to Otome has proven sufficient within the first three episodes to no less than make me hopeful that that is the case. The following arc will likely be fairly vital for me although, as I am a bit on the fence concerning the first one. I definitely wish to to love this collection, and that is an necessary step in the correct route. Nevertheless it’s nothing greater than that, and we’re nonetheless a great distance from dwelling.
