I'm not a fan of anime in general. But all it took was simple curiosity for a "most liked" title on a rainy Sunday afternoon, and it all changed for me.
The story follows Miyo, a girl emotionally and physically abused by her father, stepmother and stepsister. Her family arranges a marriage for her: she is to marry Kiyoka Kudo, a powerful captain to his military unit that deal with the supernatural. He's rumored to be cruel, but it turns out to not be true at all. Miyo and kudo end up developing a warm, comfortable relationship. Another version of Cinderella, no?
Well, I would say Cinderella has a few major setbacks, and this story has none of those (at least not so far). In the CInderella story, Cinderella is ignored and at least mentally abused, and somehow one unknown fairy gives her the clothes and courage to go to the ball. Cinderella has no friends, she essentially has no family either, but is supposed to be a happy and brave girl? While not escaping abuse?
Miyo is none of that. She is vulnerable, and shows how a real human responds to loneliness and abuse. She is jittery, withdrawn, her skin, hair and aura speaks instead of her words.
Cinderella's prince charming is a handsome fool. Kiyoka Kudo is a smart man who observes Miyo, notices her behavior, reacts to it. He has layers to him too, he's not very nice when she first arrives, and it's very easy to infer that he previously dealt with spoilt daddy's little girls from wealthy families, and he expected Miyo to be just that.
The trust is building between them little by little. You can simultaneously call it love, or say it's not love at all. And it doesn't really matter. The burn is slow, harmonious, warm. What is certain is that you are watching two characters showing understanding for one another, giving and receiving acts of kindness, as they build a healthy relationship. And each of them changes as a result. Kudo is becoming softer to Miyo, and she is becoming brave for him.
The story and all the arcs are simple art. But the picture is also beautiful. The color of the scenes often corresponds to emotions, and I am noticing a lot of shadows and greys when Miyo is with her family, a lot of soft pink when she thinks of her mother, and a lot of light when she interacts with Kudo. It's super subtle but so effective.
I'd call this one a must watch!
The story follows Miyo, a girl emotionally and physically abused by her father, stepmother and stepsister. Her family arranges a marriage for her: she is to marry Kiyoka Kudo, a powerful captain to his military unit that deal with the supernatural. He's rumored to be cruel, but it turns out to not be true at all. Miyo and kudo end up developing a warm, comfortable relationship. Another version of Cinderella, no?
Well, I would say Cinderella has a few major setbacks, and this story has none of those (at least not so far). In the CInderella story, Cinderella is ignored and at least mentally abused, and somehow one unknown fairy gives her the clothes and courage to go to the ball. Cinderella has no friends, she essentially has no family either, but is supposed to be a happy and brave girl? While not escaping abuse?
Miyo is none of that. She is vulnerable, and shows how a real human responds to loneliness and abuse. She is jittery, withdrawn, her skin, hair and aura speaks instead of her words.
Cinderella's prince charming is a handsome fool. Kiyoka Kudo is a smart man who observes Miyo, notices her behavior, reacts to it. He has layers to him too, he's not very nice when she first arrives, and it's very easy to infer that he previously dealt with spoilt daddy's little girls from wealthy families, and he expected Miyo to be just that.
The trust is building between them little by little. You can simultaneously call it love, or say it's not love at all. And it doesn't really matter. The burn is slow, harmonious, warm. What is certain is that you are watching two characters showing understanding for one another, giving and receiving acts of kindness, as they build a healthy relationship. And each of them changes as a result. Kudo is becoming softer to Miyo, and she is becoming brave for him.
The story and all the arcs are simple art. But the picture is also beautiful. The color of the scenes often corresponds to emotions, and I am noticing a lot of shadows and greys when Miyo is with her family, a lot of soft pink when she thinks of her mother, and a lot of light when she interacts with Kudo. It's super subtle but so effective.
I'd call this one a must watch!