First Impressions: Ikoku no Meiro Croisée
Moooooeeeee~
Kyokai: Another anime I was quite looking forward to just because it had cultural differences that can get quite interesting. I was wary of the ‘gosickness’ because the character design looked similar but as always I give every anime a fair chance (depending on the idiocy of plot – one to three episode tests), so let’s see how this goes.
Anaaga: Ugh, why do I have to start my summer anime with something so boring? Well, it looks pretty boring from the PV. Let’s hope I’m wrong, with me ends up enjoying this French thingy…
Zabobinator: This show doesn’t seem particularly interesting. It looks like one of those cutesy stories with those happily-ever-after endings that just make you want to puke rainbows because they’re just way too sweet. I like that the setting is in France and the culture differences may prove to be an interesting focal point. I guess we should just see how this turns out. Allons-y!
We are whisked back to 19th century France as a merchant, Oscar, arrives with an adorable Japanese girl, Yune, in tow. He has taken her to a gallery, an alley of shops. Her brightly colored kimono contrasts with the rest of the drab, French scenery but she is in awe of all that she sees. They arrive at his blacksmith shop, which is manned by his grandson Claude. Claude is surprised at the sight of Yune, while his grandfather explains that she came as an attendant and she would be something of a sign board for their shop. Claude, not understanding why Yune is so submissive and just nods even though she doesn’t understand the language, suggests that there is something fundamentally wrong with her culture.
Oscar then takes Yune up to her room, cheering her up with a magic trick. Later on, she begins cleaning up the shop while Claude works away at a signboard. He warns her not to get in his way and she obeys. Later on, he finishes the signboard, and Yune is awed with how pretty it is. He warns her not to touch it, explaining that it was the last thing that his father had made. He has a strong attachment to the shop, as it has been in the family for ages and he wishes to keep it up.
“How is it possible to be so cute???”
Just then, Gramps comes in, commenting on how clean the place is thanks to Yune. He then suggests that she should be a poster girl, ushering her towards the front of the shop. A customer then comes in, surprised at how doll-like she looks, but is scared away by Claude. Just then, Yune sees a child outside the shop window and rushes to see him, snagging the sign board Claude had been working on with her sleeve. His work crashes to the floor and breaks. Yune tries to help, but Claude stops her, stating that she’s not fit to be the poster girl of the shop and to return home.
Later on, Claude feels guilty for being too harsh on Yune. He opens the door to her room to find her bowing in apology. He tells her to stop apologizing, saying that not everything can be solved that way. He then shows her the fixed signboard, but she still insists on giving him a kimono to settle costs. Claude goes to set up the signboard and sells the kimono to that shop owner. On his way home, he finds a picture book which he buys for Yune so that she can learn French.
The next day, Gramps is out walking when he sees Yune’s kimono has been sold. He runs back home to find Claude happy about the sale. It turns out that that kimono was the most expensive one that Yune owned and that it was from her mother. Claude goes to confront her about it, but she insists that taking it back would ruin the integrity of the sign board he worked so hard on. Claude then realizes that Yune actually understands French, more so than he had imagined. He feels guilty for all that he had said to her and, when she says that she wants to be a part of the Galerie family and Claude notes that she has never spoken so much about her feelings before. When she begins to bow in apology, he stops her and bows himself. He asks for her trust and that she always keep things that are precious to her. Afterwards, Claude suggests that Yune get rid of the book he got her because it’s useless since she knows French. However, Yune insists on keeping it because Claude made her promise to keep things that are precious to her after all! Smart girly!
STARING CONTEST! GO!
“This is my favorite yaoi EVAR. I shall guard it preciously…”
End Thoughts:
DAWWWW~ CUTENESS! Yune is so kawaiiiii. I’m seriously not into lolis but Yune is just so damn cute and the way she asserted her ideology and personality even being that young just won me over. Of course, this is not one of those fast paced series with lightening speed plot. This will definitely take its time in establishing character and backstory of why Yune is in Paris of all places.
Just look at her size, that miniature kimono and how she carries herself with those platformed heels. OMG, instant moeness overkill but somehow even after knowing the typecast I was curious enough to continue watching. Claude’s astonishment was totally valid when Yune gave her elaborate spiel of ‘Master’ with that bow, any right-minded foreigner would go batshit crazy on that event and the element of pedobear added, I lmao’d on the sudden change of scrawled chibiness; not to mention, Takashi Kondo giving a very Ritsu-voice of exasperation.
The French in the end was impeccable, soundtrack just right with brilliant animation going pretty well with the period look of nineteenth century. Yune’s entrance was quite interesting and with some more supporting characters added with plot progress, this can be another worthwhile series of this Summer. Satelight does deliver some good stuff and sirs and madams, you’ve just been served.
OMG, SCRATCH ALL WHAT I SAID IN THE BEGINNING? SERIOUSLY, SCRATCH ALL OF THEM. The first episode is GREAT. AND SUPERB. AND SPLENDID. WITH ALL THE LETTERS CAPITALIZED. Oh my lord, the first episode is so effin’ great. Everything about this anime is so good~
First, the animation. IT’S SO PRETTEH. Everything is just so beautiful. Seriously, the colors are just perfect. I mean, France here looks so bleak and depressing with the entire gray color. Maybe it’s to represent the recession at that time. But suddenly Yune pops in with her beautiful color. Like, CUUUTTTTEEEEE. My theory for this one is that Yune will be the color that will fill up the gray in Claude’s life. And the characters? Well, I have no comment since this is just the first episode, but YUNE SO MOOOEEEEEEE. And Claude so smexy. I ship YunexClaude. Anything pedobear-ish that Claude will do is APPROVED. As for the story, I didn’t expect this to be this entertaining. I thought it was going to be boring since it’s all about France and a little girl who happens to be in France. But wow, I just love how the characters are interacting with each other. That’s what able to keep me entertained, how everyone reacts with Yune. Especially Claude, so awkward <3 Also, I’m getting lots of education from this anime, especially on blacksmith and poster girls. But really, what makes this anime good? YES, IT’S YUNE. Yune. Is. Just. So. MOEEEEE.
Oh god, I’m a Yune fangirl now. Sure, the first episode is giving me a good impression, but even if the first episode happens not to be this good, I’ll still watch this anime until the end anyway.Why? Because of Yune. That’s right, I love everything about her. I hate little kids, but I don’t know why I just love Yune so effin much. Maybe it’s because of the innocence aura around her. Yes, I love Yune. Not romantically of course, that one is for my waifu Zab. But, this anime is ALL ABOUT YUNE. ALL HAIL MOE YUNE!!!
I have one word to describe this show: fluffy. Ikoku is definitely a nice change of pace from all these super quirky, suspenseful or action-filled shows of the season. It’s easy to see how this would be a rather boring watch for those who are used to the aforementioned. It’s slow moving and the conflict is shallow and barely there. And yet, I find it hard NOT to like this show. In its simplicity, we are immersed in a heartwarming story of a girl coming into a country so different from her own. Through her new experiences, we regain an appreciation for the simple things that are beautiful and yet, so easily overlooked.
Yune, our adorable little protagonist, is, well, adorable. She’s the focal point of the show and not only visually, but emotionally, brightens every scene. Every little thing she does just makes me all fuzzy inside. I mean, just look at her amazement over mattress springs! Tell me that wasn’t frickin’ cute as hell. Watching her is akin to looking at pictures of baby animals. You just can’t help but crack a tender smile. I know I was just like “DAHAHAHA AWWWWW!!!” Claude is rather sweet as well and I look forward to seeing the relationship between the two progress.
Finally, the presentation of this show worked really, really well. I was almost surprised. The music, especially the OP, captured the essence of the show perfectly. The art was soft with beautiful character design. It was slightly awkward when it came to background characters, but the main characters were well done and that’s all that really matters. Yune, for example, was simply gorgeous from her intricate kimono to her click-clacking shoes to her adorable facial features. We definitely got a feel of what 19th century France must have been like and it almost makes me wish that I had taken my French classes more seriously in high school. Ikoku no Meiro Croisee will definitely be my calming, mental reprieve for the week.
Preview:
I am so excited for this you have NOOO idea!
About Tag Team
We live, laugh, enjoy and strictly believe on "more the merrier". When together, we usually come up with very chatty, conversation-based episodics and interesting posts.
POWUH: and Yaoi Fangirl~ with 2320 comments
MMMMMMMMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
is all I can say
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 323 comments
Yep. Pretty much. xD
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Saw this a while back looks like it will be so Moeeeee it will give plenty of people heart attacks! Not really sure if I will continue to watch I don’t really see much actually happening.
Might give it two more episodes before dropping xD
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 323 comments
Yah, it’s a very slow type of show. Who know?! CRAZY ROBOTS MIGHT APPEAR! Then it will be all mecha-like and you shall love it, though I doubt that’ll happen. xD
POWUH: 400-499 with 410 comments
Fish out of water + Moe = This show
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 323 comments
Fish out of the water? In what sense?
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ and Vocaloid Fangirl with 363 comments
I have completely no idea why.. BUT I LOVED THIS 8D
HEHE YUNE IS SO CUTE!! *squeals* This show will be my weekly treat so I can momentarily forget about all my worries *w*
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 323 comments
Yep! It’s gonna be my weekly treat too. xD
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 209 comments
Yune so cute but isn’t the reason I came to watch this. It is the relationship of two different people from different cultures understanding each other.
Still Yune XD
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 323 comments
Yes, Claude and Yune are going to be interesting to watch. I’m excited. 😀
POWUH: 400-499 with 428 comments
Cutest anime of the season? 🙂 Hands down with that Yune. Agreed with the whole similar setting to GoSick (about a century earlier than GoSick) but it’s definitely more interesting because hopefully it will look at the interaction between the different cultures, East meets West (or the other way around depending on which way you think). So much material to explore and, even if it is a slower paced anime, it definitely has that panache around it that draws you in…and the cute loli as well (but she is damn cute and adorable; no tsundere please! :))
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 323 comments
The penguins in Mawaru are tough competition, but this might just win. xD
I haven’t seen GoSick but I’ve heard that there are lots of similarities.
Panache indeed! May the cuteness commence! xD (Definitely not a tsundere)
POWUH: 800-899 and Flying Sage with 856 comments
This is certainly off to a nice start. I thought the tension was great. Real life is full of misunderstandings and things just going wrong. Sometimes even if you try really hard, other people dislike you, or you accidentally break something. I’m quite happy that we have a look at these real-life dramas.
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 323 comments
I know right? Though it’s slow-moving, it realistic which is super great. I’m with you here. 😀
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 304 comments
Yes! More Yune fangirls!!!!
She’s so adorable! I’ve been reading the manga and she gets even cuter later on because every little thing she does is cute and the cuteness builds up and asplodes and then you start squealing because of the cuteness because Yune is moe and cuuuuute!!!!
Okay, sorry. I had a moment. Anyway, I’m very happy with this so far. Fluffy anime is my favorite anime and this most certainly is fluffy. Claude is a really cool character and I definitely ship him with Yune! The music is amazing. I can’t wait for the OST. I love the ending (Cute sleepy Yune! *.*). It’s an anime that just makes you feel good and I love it.
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 323 comments
YAY! We should all just form a club eh? I feel like you’d be president though…
I’m with you on every count. The OST will be so nice to listen to omg. It shall soothe my nerves. xD Definitely does make you feel good eh? 😀
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Does anyone else find it really jarring that they’re speaking Japanese, but we have to pretend they’re speaking French? It really freaks me out.
Other than that, not much other to say than “cuuuuute”
POWUH: and Yaoi Fangirl~ with 2320 comments
actually yeah, that’s one thing I never like about anime when they’re in foreign countries. They’re supposed to speak french, but we hear Japanese. I was about to suggest of making the seiyuus speak in french, but then the accent…*shudder*
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 322 comments
i found it kinda hard to get my head around it at first.
They’re speaking jap to each other, yet they dont understand each other. lol!
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 323 comments
Yes, it had me quite confused at first. I couldn’t tell whether Gramps was talking to her in Japanese or French. T_T
POWUH: 400-499 with 489 comments
the illustrator for GOSICK also drew for this show.
why do i always think that the old man stole a Japanese girl to make bussness in a blacksmith shop in France. besides that its a good show
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 322 comments
GOSICK IS AWESOME!!!
I love Gosick!! aaah, Victorique~~ <3
blew the whole thing over in less than two days.
so good!!~ X3
POWUH: 400-499 with 489 comments
i know right GOSICK is my favorite anime show untill fruther notice that is
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 323 comments
Yah? I keep hearing that.
LOL. Oh wow. That’s…one way to look at it.
Also, should I start GoSick?
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 322 comments
HELL YEH!!
WATCH IT!!! WATCH IT!!!
I WILL NOT STOP HAUNTING YOU UNTIL YOU WATCH IIIIIT!!!
and being the over-emotional me when it comes to watching anything, i cried near the end of the series T_T
WATCH IIIT!!! *.*
POWUH: 400-499 with 489 comments
i know what u mean when i think about the last couple of episodes my eyes get watery
POWUH: 400-499 with 489 comments
ohhhh yeaaa!!!!!!
imma haunt u to. haunting ppl is my specialty 🙂
POWUH: Beginner (20-35) with 26 comments
I so loved this show…YUNE IS MEGA KAWAII. I cannot wait for more.
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 323 comments
YAH! Me too! 😀
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 322 comments
k-k-KAWAIIIIII!!! <333
KYAAA!!!! HOW CAN A 2D FIGURE BE SO CUUTE!!! X3
love this anime! definitely gonna watch this!! love the old England setting!! XD
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 323 comments
It’s actually France but same thing either way. xD
SHE’S SO CUTE THOUGH!!!
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 322 comments
O_O..oh yeh..
ahahahaha!! mah baaad!! xP
LOLOL. they’re were speaking french in the opening, duh!!
“OTL….im such an idiot…
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 55 comments
omgosh the moe.
I am really interested in this show though and how everything will play out and if it will have a sad ending of her going back. I hope not then I will be crying mt eyes out like I did for Ano Hana (even though that was mainly because it was over more then anything)
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 323 comments
I doubt this show is going to be much of a tearjerker. If anything, Usagi Drop’s going to be the tearjerker of the season. This is going to be the moe show that makes everybody puke rainbows. xD
POWUH: iLurker with 1 comments
[…] “Yune, our adorable little protagonist, is, well, adorable. She’s the focal point of the show and not only visually, but emotionally, brightens every scene. Every little thing she does just makes me all fuzzy inside. I mean, just look at her amazement over mattress springs! Tell me that wasn’t frickin’ cute as hell. Watching her is akin to looking at pictures of baby animals.” – Metanorn […]