Yozakura Quartet: Hana no Uta – 02-03
And you wonder why some people think nurses are scary.
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Hey guys! I’m so sorry for the late post, was away on holiday to celebrate my birthday early hehe. I’ll be blogging Yozakura from now onwards, so yoroshiku ne~ ♡ |
I like how Yozakura Quartet is a rather exciting, complex fantasy show disguised as a simple slice-of-life. They manage to slot little bits of supernatural elements in and make it into everyday situations like it’s perfectly normal – because that’s what it is, in this world at least. What the first episode did was show us a pretty perfect picture of youkai and humans could coexisting together in a lovely town. And then episode two and three are slowly peeling off the layers from what may seem like peace and harmony in this society – of course, there’s no way that a town like this could exist without any conflicting interests clashing at all, it’s just that they’re well-hidden. If you think about it this way, this town kind of resembles a ticking-time bomb: if anyone were to try to disturb this harmony, it would be really easy to get youkai and humans against each other, because like how Shidare and Shiina from the Senate have said, if they could only protect the interests of one group, either or, they’d go with humans. This just goes to show that for most people (or youkai, for that matter), if it came to a matter of life or death, it would be their natural inclination to defend their own race over others – and how easy would it be to tip that balance, which is what the witch-girl (let’s just call her Lily-chan for now) and the cat-guy seem to be aiming for.
It’s interesting finding out how this coexistence of youkai and humans came about – I find it slightly ironic, and also really sad how youkai first came to this town especially to be sent away. It’s like coming to a lovely place and forming many friendships and relationships with figures you’d originally not even be able to meet, only to say goodbye to the people you love forever. And the even sadder thing is that no one knows how the other dimension may be – for better or for worse, those who leave are gone forever, and those who are left behind will never forget, and never even be able to know how they’re doing in that faraway place. We learnt about the “Dutybound” this episode, and the heavy responsibility that lies on Akina’s shoulders. Imagine having to send your friends and family away, each time not knowing whether you’re granting them solace in heaven, or sending them to burn away in hell. Akina and Hime created the office to keep watch on youkai (or half-youkai) who have tremendous powers and might go astray, so that he wouldn’t have to tune them unless absolutely necessary. This may seem like a way for him to run away and escape his duty, but still, you can’t possibly blame him for wanting to find other ways to maintain this balance between youkai and humans in their dimension. He realizes, that the fate and wellbeing of every single person in Sakura Shinmachi is dependant on him and he is trying, trying really hard to work towards that without having to sacrifice the people around him that he loves.
Kotoha went from big wall! big fishtank!! to WAR MACHINES AND BOMBS in a matter of seconds
I’m guessing that most of the youkai (or half-youkai) “working” at the office are under supervision by Akina and Hime. We caught a glimpse of Kotoha’s explosive power in episode two, and we know that she’s certainly capable of “destroying the whole town”. Although her story hasn’t been revealed yet, all we know now is that she’s been struck by a “dark light” once and gained her youkai powers before this, apparently resulting in some extensive damage to the town. Kyousuke and Touka are oni with superhuman strength, and we’ve already seen how Touka had unintentionally injured the twins (although they’re youkai too and didn’t die from the experience – thankfully) and how it came as a such a huge, horrible shock. We haven’t found out much about Ao yet, only knowing that she has the ability to look into people’s minds. All of these characters have interesting backstories that are yet to be revealed, but have come together for the sake of preventing any harm from coming to the town – whether it be the youkai who are controlling and holding in their powers, or the humans that are watching over them. And that in itself, is a really beautiful thing to appreciate.
I really enjoy watching Yozakura Quartet every week because of the intriguing fantasy elements, endearingly unique characters and the funny slice-of-life parts – I don’t even mind the occasional panty-shot/boob-squeezing (lol), which is usually a huge turn-off for me. We’re just starting to learn more about these characters and the delicate balance they are protecting, and also getting short glimpses of what is yet to come. The mysterious cat-guy that seems to be plotting the demise of this town eerily resembles Ao’s onii-chan, although I was originally under the impression that he was either dead or tuned. She seems to already have accepted that he is gone to, and I’m guessing that the majority of the people at the office must also have been close to him in one way or another, so it’ll be interesting to see their reactions when they find out that he’s back – or is it? (Although I don’t think it’s happening soon, since the next episode appears to be the exciting pool episode!!) Also, I’m really starting to like Akina a lot (he seems more like a main character now, as compared to previous episodes when he was just in the background), because of this role and the way he handles things. …and no, it’s not because I love Yuki Kaji and his adorable voice, nope, not at all.
BUT HE’S SO CUTE–
About Miyu
A stressed-out jyoushi kousei doubling as Metanorn's loli with a soft spot for sappy romance animanga. She will watch anything with bishies in it. :3
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
….I can’t help but think of her everytime I saw the Scientist Chick. Dem anti-gravity boobs.
POWUH: 400-499 with 445 comments
anti-gravity boobs???..pshhh…the logical explanation is that she’s wearing a futuristic super sports bra
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Happy “early” birthday to you, Miyu! Hope you had a good time.
This sure is an alternate Yozakura Quartet story compared to the one I knew. Some things have been changed. In the other version, Akina and Kyousuke weren’t childhood friends as far as I remembered and Mina and Kana (The twins who were in Touka’s arms) were dhampirs (Half human/vampire) instead of pureblood vampires.
I can understand Akina’s reluctance to uphold his family tradition. In a way, “tuning” sounds more like a fancy term for murder but as an act that has no punishment when committed behind the veil of “sending demons to the other world”. Even though it might look like such, it would still feel wrong and he’s not type to do so in a moment’s notice. He’d much rather avoid all conflict if possible.
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POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
I wonder abt the ver you watch. Is it the first anime series? Think of that series as the first FMA anime and this as FMA Brotherhood.
The spoiler is mostly right except for one thing. Show ▼
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Yeah, it was the first Yozakura Quartet that played in 2008. Thinking this was a follow up, I marathoned that one during Summer to be up to date.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
I suggest that you check out the manga if you are free. The anime didn’t exactly start frm the beginning of the manga.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
I hope you have fun reviewing this Miyu! Yozakura is filled with some fantastic characters and I find all of them to be quite interesting especially Ao’s relationship with her brother and the mystery behind Kotoha’s powers~
As a side not yeah I noticed the higher levels of fanservice with this new season compared to the original and the OVAs but I assume that is just a way to grab peoples attention much like how Free has Gou/Kou to point out the guys muscles? At least thats what I think…and yuri shippings between Ao+Kotoha hahah
We gotta feel bad for Akina! He has a tough life ahead of him with that tuning power…
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Well, I think the fanservice level is on the same level with the manga. The fanservice in the manga can get pretty….. distracting at times.
Speaking of tht, the manga scanlation hasn’t been updated for quite a LOONNNNGGGG while…
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
I was almost taken aback with the amount of groping in episode two. Was not expecting that.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Well whenever you have a cast of only females for the most part you are bound to have yuri grope moments or flirty types of girls, but I agree it was a bit random…
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Speak of the devil, a new Yozakura Quartet chapter is up. And lol, the new villain is like a fanfic union bet Anguished One/Yamato and Naoya.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Oh, goodness, my comment got eaten. It hasn’t appeared after at least ten hours, so I guess it is gone.
Ah, well. Miyu, it is wonderful to have you back. This is a great post. You’ve said everything I could ever say about this show and more. Kudos.
I’m in love with the show, and the latest episodes just prove that. It takes me back to my love of the Borderlands series of young adult novels edited by Teri Windling. Look that up, it’s good stuff.
I think Ao is the best innocent fanservice girl around. It cannot be seen as strictly ecchi, but is a reflection upon her spirit and her growing nature. She’s a great character, supportive, sweet, good natured, and just all around fun. She can balance anything on her head!
Fun times. Look forward to seeing more of your reviews.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Ao not the only balancing expert in there. I’ve seen Zakuro and Rin doing it in the manga too.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Ach, Spammy!
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Saved~
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I was so surprised when they ‘tuned’ okami-san! At least that’s who it sounded like. 🙂
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Ohana is one quarter youkai….explains a lot…