Forum - View topicWe Rent Tsukumogami (TV).
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2969 |
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We Rent Tsukumogami (TV) Genres: supernatural Plot Summary: Fukagawa ward of old Edo (present-day Tokyo) is prone to fire and flooding, so residents rent everyday items like pots, futons, and clothing from shops instead of purchasing them, so as not to impede them when they flee. Okō and Seiji, an older sister and younger brother, run one such rental shop called Izumoya. However, mixed in with their inventory are tsukumogami, objects that have turned into spirits after a hundred years of existence. The siblings sometimes lend these sentient items to customers. Both Okō and Seiji can see and talk to these spirits, and other tsukumogami often come to the store after hearing of the famed siblings. ---------------------------------- Not on the review list for this season (and I'm not surprised since the big blockbuster sequel airs on the same day) so might as well add a thread for it. NHK anime productions aren't fashionable, but this series I will probably listen to again and again because it's just fun to watch and hearing the sentient objects spontaneously rattle off. #1 The premise is a simple one: a pair of siblings (no blood relation) run an Edo-era rental shop in Edo but with a twist as at least five of their stock are Tsukumogami (objects that have gained sentience after long years of tender loving care, usually 100 years of it is enough to get the object going). The two shopowners can hear the Tsukumogami chatter amongst themselves, but any attempts at conversation between human and supernatural object will go nowhere as they immediately revert to their inanimate states when startled or surprised. Despite this, the siblings can use the unique attributes of the Tsukumogami to solve commissions. For a first episode, it's really fun as it lays out the setting and ushers the viewer into a world where objects take on a life of their own in a very literal sense. Very catchy OP song and the ED song is no slouch either. Visually I love the colour palette used and the animation for the OP shows some effort went into it. What really gives a smile on the face is the banter between the Tsukumogami. They're no better than old folks who love a gossip and will cooperate for a limited time with the two siblings if there's tantalising gossip to be found when they are loaned out, despite the pride some members have at their elevated status compared to ordinary stock. There's an overarching story arc revealed briefly at the end as Goi talks about how the pair of them are searching for something or someone called "Suou", which gets Seiji worked up enough to smash his fist and earn an earful from his sister. Although they're not blood-related, there are a few hints of something beyond familial bonds between the pair but it's probably something to be saved up for later. All in all, my Sunday and Monday is packed what with the blockbuster S3, this franchise and the returning Gintama to look forward to. Last edited by Harleyquin on Wed Jul 25, 2018 5:56 am; edited 1 time in total |
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DuskyPredator
 Posts: 15576 Location: Brisbane, Australia |
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I really was not impressed by the first episode. It kind of felt like there1 was not enough to justify this store that lends out item with them being Tsugumogami. as renting out such old items common place in the time period? I don't really get why they even got the client, it is not like they seem to advertise that they deal in them.
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2969 |
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Edo was prone to fire, floods and earthquakes so residents tended to rent everyday items rather than risk encumbering themselves when they had to flee. That's where the rental shop comes in. The siblings run one of many in Edo, theirs is special because of the sentient objects. In addition, the typical Edo resident at Fukagawa would have lived in a longhouse. https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/長屋 With just two rooms and a total area of between 4 to 6 1/2 tatami mats, there's not a lot of room for storage of personal possessions in an area infamous for its fire hazards and other natural disasters which occurred infrequently but required residents to drop everything to save their lives. With the rental shop, the risk of keeping items long-term is reduced by outsourcing it to specialist shops. Much like shops renting specialist wedding equipment and attire as well as other shops specialising in hire of party gear still exist today in many countries. This week's client came at the recommendation of one of the store regulars (who happens to be a courtesan). Her workplace is near the shop and it's hinted she's aware of the shop's unique feature. |
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2969 |
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#2
With the focus on hanging scrolls, it is Tsukuyomi's turn to take the spotlight. Unlike the previous client, this week's guest is a hard-nosed antiques dealer who won't easily believe tall tales about sentient wall scrolls. Fortunately for Seiji he remembers his fairy tales and the topography of the warehouse to decisive effect. Tsukuyomi may have been puffing himself up to cover for his apparent deficiency, but Seiji's clever use of him served both to make up for his wounded pride and resolve the Kaguya situation at the same time. As a bonus, he also learns his wall scroll despite its unusual theme is a valuable one because of the artist involved. Obviously he won't sell it since the five sentient items in his inventory are a close-knit team he won't break of his own volition. I thought the guest from week one was a one-off, but the adaptation actually continues to keep the characters involved in different ways. Usagi is next to take the spotlight because of the focus on Sanae's personal effects. I doubt viewers have seen the last of Hamamatsu Soueimon either since he's been tasked with finding the Suou incense burner that Okou is apparently obsessed about. |
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Gina Szanboti
Posts: 11601 |
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This is pretty laid back, but I'm enjoying it nonetheless. The idea of all the characters in the wall scrolls getting mixed up was fun, and I'm glad Tsukuyomi got his due. Actually, the shop owners are a bigger mystery than their tsukumogami.
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2969 |
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#3
Nothing supernatural to resolve this week, just a misunderstanding between a mother and daughter on the eve of the latter's impending wedding. What's clever about this is Seiji is still able to resolve the misunderstanding by listening to the Tsukumogami chatter and then applying what he hears to the situation at hand. There was an earlier comment questioning why lending shops exist. Now viewers unacquainted with the period hear it directly from the horse's mouth the historical background behind shops lending all kinds of items. Looking at how small the huts are for migrant workers combined with a propensity for wide-spread fires in a city primarily populated by wooden houses, it's not too surprising to offload the risk of having personal possessions to a specialised lending shop. It is Usagi's turn in the spotlight, but her backstory isn't quite as interesting as her two compatriots who preceded her. The skit where the items force Notetsu to actually tag along with Okou when she visits the shop is a hilarious one though. Speaking of backgrounds, the mysterious "Suou" they've been going about since the end of episode one is finally elaborated on in some detail, in addition to the person behind the incense burner which always gets Seiji into a mini-depression. With a name like 五位, I honestly thought he would feature in episode 5. Surprisingly enough he's taking the stage next week and what looks like a brazier Tsukumogami featured in the OP is going to have a guest appearance. The playboy showing up next week might well be a precursor to the mysterious ladies' man who disappeared and is the rumoured target of Okou's affections, but it's easy to jump to conclusions just like the Tsukumogami did in this episode. Time will tell if it is indeed the case. Ohime will take her bow in episode 5, but after that it's anyone's guess how the series will progress from there after the main cast have all taken their turns on stage for the week. |
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Gina Szanboti
Posts: 11601 |
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That was a pleasant episode. I really like the scene changing device they use. Very creative.
I have to wonder how Nadeshiko became a tsukumogami though. From her backstory, it didn't sound like she had been around for the requisite century or even a quarter of that. I guess she was a tsukumogami when Sanae bought her, but since Sanae and her mother both seemed to look down on used items, especially personal ones like combs or kanzashi, it seems odd they would have bought one a century old. |
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2969 |
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Sanae bought the hairpin at a stall for her 7th birthday, but there is no indication it was brand new to begin with. The Tsukumogami who changed hands often (Notetsu etc) don't hold memories of transient owners, so it's possible Nadeshiko only gained sentience after meeting the time limit when in the Hachiya family's possession. All conjecture of course, especially since Usagi only has memories of one family and acquired her personality when treasured by the mother and daughter. Perhaps the series allows items to cut short the time requirement if they're well taken care of by a specific owner for an extended period of time? As for the scene changes, it would not surprise me if this series borrowed a lot from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabuki and to a lesser extent https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyōgen. So many elements used in the three episodes aired to date which are dead ringers from specific forms of Japanese theatre. |
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2969 |
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#4
This episode is different from the others. Usually it's Seiji who comes up with the bright idea to resolve the dilemma which others have entrusted him to investigate, but for this episode Seiji only realises he's badly misunderstood the young master of the Omi-ya and it's up to the Tsukumogami (Goi in particular) to resolve the problem afflicting the owner of the seal case. The dilemma this week really takes a sideshow to the main plotline, which is the search for the incense burner which Okou asked Souemon to look out for. The latter actually found it but Seiji was too preoccupied with the rumoured playboy to actually hear him out. Looks like Usagi was right when she blabbed too much about the owner of the incense burner, the flashback scene shows a much younger version of the two shopkeepers with one particular interaction with Satarou, another rich young master who DEFINITELY has his eye on Okou. Next week should hopefully reveal something more about how Souemon got his hands on the incense burner. This week's slapstick comedy skit featuring Notetsu, Goi and the seal case really got me laughing. It's like seeing a parody of those old-fashioned faux martial-arts action scenes from yesteryear. The inadvertent intervention of the seal case did do its job of confirming Goi's initial supposition of the Omi-ya young master's true character though. If the ending illustration is any indication, it looks like it won't be the last time viewers will see both of them in the series. Speaking of next week, it's Ohime's turn in the spotlight and she's said something completely outrageous for an item belonging to a loan shop. I wonder what that's about? |
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Harleyquin
Posts: 2969 |
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#5
So that's why Okou is so obsessed with the incense burner. It was not really hers to begin with, but when her potential mother-in-law deposits the item at the shop and then talks about engagement to her son it's difficult to simply dismiss the affair. Fortunately/unfortunately for the pair the incense burner in question is a good copy but not the one Okou was searching for, so it might be a while before that plotline is resolved. This week's mystery isn't too difficult to solve, especially when the big clue about the handkerchief makes it clear who it really is. Sharp viewers might well have figured it out once the visit to the inn was concluded as well. Not much slapstick comedy amongst the Tsukumogami this week, but Ohime's past is an interesting one. Typical stereotype of the lovestruck teenager, so she's easily distracted when the next new fad pops up in conversation. Speaking of thieves, next week appears to be a continuation of this week's storyline and the events from last week. If there's one thing this series is good at, keeping a consistent thread between each episode is a strong point which stands out. With all five of the main Tsukumogami having made their introductions, I wonder how the series is going to progress now that multiple plotlines have been introduced and are running concurrently. |
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Gina Szanboti
Posts: 11601 |
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After episode 5, I wonder if Ohime will get a 1/1 or 1/2 scale figure? She's quite lovely in her inanimate doll form. Tsukuyomi already seems like he'd be a perfect "life sized" Nendoroid, without even altering his proportions.
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yuna49
 Posts: 3804 |
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So the "Suou" turned out to be an spoiler[incense burner]? For the first four episodes I thought it was a former suitor of Okou-san.
I want to see more of the story about Satarou, Okou and the comb. Watching this is a nice companion to Oh! Edo Rocket in terms of learning little details about Edo history. I believe the pair of sibling street performers in that show are okappiki like the guy in this episode. |
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Alan45
 Village Elder Posts: 10030 Location: Virginia |
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@Gina Szanboti
Why would you want a figure of something that is already a doll? Ohime is pretty much what the general public thinks of if you say "Japanese doll". They are readily available in all sizes and qualities. They even make display cases specifically for them. I have three that my father picked up at an antique store. My mother wasn't as thrilled with them as my father, so I ended up with them. The big one is two feet tall and carries a samurai helmet instead of a fan but is otherwise very similar. |
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Gina Szanboti
Posts: 11601 |
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Mostly because I like her particular pose and outfit, and she's a character I know and not a random doll. But also because a pvc figure would likely be smaller and certainly less expensive than a "real" doll, and easier to take care of and keep dusted.
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Alan45
Village Elder Posts: 10030 Location: Virginia |
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Fair enough. However, if I was getting a figure of her I would prefer the animated or "live" version since that is where the personality shows. The inanimate form is extremely generic. I'm not sure about the question of price though, a 1:1 version would likely be $150 to $200 if any real detail was shown.
I don't think I agree on the subject of dusting. I've found both to be a royal pain to keep clean and figures will break if you drop them in the process. |
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