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EP. REVIEW: Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid


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Merxamers



Joined: 09 Dec 2013
Posts: 720
PostPosted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 1:05 pm Reply with quote
This was such an enjoyable show, and it ends with maybe the best episode of the season. The bit where Kanna first tells Kobayashi that Tohru is gone is so well done; Kobayashi's reaction is so understated yet sincere that it hits harder than if it was more melodramatic.

Despite the annoying anime-isms that kept popping up (90% of Lucua's scenes, the creepy "friendship" Kanna has with her classmate), the show was so funny and heartwarming. It made my week better tuning in ever wednesday, and i'll miss it.
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zrnzle500



Joined: 04 Oct 2014
Posts: 3768
PostPosted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 1:40 pm Reply with quote
I'd been tempted before, but I had decided to give the show just short of full marks. Until this tour de force of an episode that is. The folks at KyoAni really went above and beyond, not only with the animation but also the direction and the story, not that they had been slacking previously with the show. Her reaction to losing Tohru was thoughtfully shown and not told. Her and Tohru's confrontation with her father was striking and touching. And Kanna was adorable as always. This show surpassed all my expectations, not only when I first heard of it and after the PV, but also those I had when I first watched it. This show definitely belongs in the rafters of KyoAni's oeuvre. I'm eager to see the craftsmanship the men and women at KyoAni apply to their next series, and if PVs are any indication, they will have outdone themselves once again.
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njprogfan
Collector Extraordinaire



Joined: 08 Feb 2007
Posts: 1233
Location: A River Named Toms
PostPosted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 2:04 pm Reply with quote
The balance of sounds and emotions in this episode was stellar. Kobayashi's loneliness scenes were handled with such depth it was easy to imagine how she must have lived before Tohru. And to see Kobayashi ride Kanna really made my day. This was my favorite series of the season and one I will sorely, sorely miss.
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Joshua Zarate



Joined: 12 Jan 2017
Posts: 2062
PostPosted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 2:34 pm Reply with quote
Another great adaptation by Kyoto Animation. I was skeptical at first going into this series, but I'm now glad that the show turned out to be really sweet and heartfelt all around. I'm upset to see it go, but I'm hopeful that it will get another season. If not, well, I will just be looking forward to see what Kyoto Animation will do next. You guys are really just fantastic.
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Larom



Joined: 15 Nov 2009
Posts: 5
Location: North Carolina
PostPosted: Mon May 22, 2017 3:41 pm Reply with quote
Jayhosh wrote:
Yeah, literally the whole focus of the show is Kobayashi gaining a sense of love and compassion for her new "family," which is what I was talking about when I said the "self-insert" feeling is disposed of. It's gradual though. The other thing about her is that, contrary to your assumptions, she really has no sexual or romantic interest in Tohru. So while Tohru does get jealous in one episode, Kobayashi hardly reacts with any huge epiphany or something that makes her realize "she loved the dragon the whole time." They play it more as her realizing that she needs to learn to communicate with her loved ones more clearly now that such people are actually in her life. And there really isn't any alternate romantic rival in the show either. Hell, I'd assert that the show is hardly --- if at all --- a romance at all, aside from expressing the concept of familial love. Unless most teenage anime fans have always really wanted to be parents, I don't see how Kobayashi is in any way a self insert protagonist. Again, I highly recommend watching the episode where Kanna goes to school or the one where she participates in the field day. These two exemplify Kobayashi's depth of character and growth as a mother figure very effectively, and emotionally too. I think that the term "self insert" is thrown around way too loosely these days anyway. As long as you can relate to their circumstances relatively well, pretty much ANY character could be considered as such.


Not to be confrontational, but if you pay any real attention with an open mind, you'll see that Kobayashi has some very deep insecurities with herself. She has quite the inferiority complex, has a difficult time understanding why anyone would want her, and also has some minor internalized homophobia (mostly thoughts society norms). The fact that Kobayashi invited Tohru (and Kanna) to meet her family is very telling as to where this blossoming relationship is headed. It's been a very slow burn so far, but it progressed more than a few steps in this episode alone. Smile
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TarsTarkas



Joined: 20 Dec 2007
Posts: 5959
Location: Virginia, United States
PostPosted: Mon May 29, 2017 8:39 pm Reply with quote
Just finished the show. The manga jump started me into watching the anime. I am sure glad I did. Great show, even as a slice of life one. Good messages all around.

Merxamers wrote:

Despite the annoying anime-isms that kept popping up (90% of Lucua's scenes, the creepy "friendship" Kanna has with her classmate),


Well, this is an anime show, and most anime does have fanservice. Pity they didn't adapt the love potion arc.
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Larom



Joined: 15 Nov 2009
Posts: 5
Location: North Carolina
PostPosted: Mon May 29, 2017 8:52 pm Reply with quote
TarsTarkas wrote:
Just finished the show. The manga jump started me into watching the anime. I am sure glad I did. Great show, even as a slice of life one. Good messages all around.

Merxamers wrote:

Despite the annoying anime-isms that kept popping up (90% of Lucua's scenes, the creepy "friendship" Kanna has with her classmate),


Well, this is an anime show, and most anime does have fanservice. Pity they didn't adapt the love potion arc.


Not sure how the guy thinks young love is 'creepy'. I really doubt he'd have a problem with it if it was a girl crushing on a boy. Pretty [expletive] homophobic to me.. Didn't think we were still living in 2005 lol
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MJKS



Joined: 28 Jul 2017
Posts: 102
PostPosted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 4:11 pm Reply with quote
Rebecca wrote:
implied masturbation scene


Oh, okay, I wasn't imagining that.
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Yazu13



Joined: 19 Jul 2017
Posts: 129
PostPosted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 4:51 pm Reply with quote
This show needs a second season.
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teferi



Joined: 16 May 2006
Posts: 400
PostPosted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 8:46 pm Reply with quote
Yazu13 wrote:
This show needs a second season.


The OVA title was, "Valentines and Hot Springs! (Please Don't Get Your Hopes Up)". I know it has nothing to do with the chances of a second season but seeing it pop up on CR made the title feel a bit sarcastic.
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