Shōnen Maid

Episode 12

Shōnen Maid closes out its run on a low-key but characteristically heartwarming note. We were never given a drama-laced showdown with the elder Takatoris, and the identity of Chihiro's father is still anyone's guess, but episode 12 manages to function as both a suitable season and series finale. Even with a multitude of lingering plot threads, this seems as good a place as any to end things—and while I'd certainly welcome a second season, I'll hardly feel cheated if one isn't produced.

Story-wise, the finale is pretty bare-bones. Overwhelmed by wedding dress orders, Madoka begins forgoing sleep and food, until he eventually falls ill. Eager to help his uncle, Chihiro takes it upon himself to administer medicine to Madoka and carefully monitor his sleeping and eating habits. After working his way through a seemingly endless array of orders, Madoka shows Chihiro the very first dress he ever made: a wedding gown for the departed Chiyo, who was never able to wear it. Once the thoroughly exhausted Madoka is fast asleep, Chihiro is visited by the ghost of Chiyo, who appears before him in child form. After receiving a detailed rundown of everything her son has been up to over the last year, Chiyo's ghost assumes adult form and crosses over to the great beyond.

Aside from the last-minute exchange between Chihiro and his late mother, there was nothing that really screamed “last episode” here. In fact, the episode closes with a quick “everything's back to normal” sequence that showcases nearly every member of the principal cast doing their respective things. Miyako hones her cooking skills, Hino and company play video games, Keiichiro laments Madoka's lack of focus, and Chihiro humorously berates his uncle as the latter cowers and makes excuses. I'm not surprised that the finale didn't dwell on something more dramatic, like Chihiro having to choose between living with his grandmother and his uncle, but I'm slightly disappointed. Still, Shōnen Maid has never been a series that strived to surprise or tell original stories. The show's core strength has always been its characters and their various interactions, and I didn't expect much to change in this regard.

Throughout the story, we're shown numerous signs that Chihiro has warmed up to Madoka—most notably his genuine concern for his uncle's wellbeing. However, by the end of the episode, their usual dynamic appears to have returned, confirming that things are never going to change too much for these characters. Above all, Shōnen Maid is an episodic comedy, and lasting change is hardly a staple of this genre. Although it can sometimes expand storytelling possibilities, change can also limit joke-telling potential. For example, if Chihiro stopped being annoyed by Madoka and showed him proper respect, I can't imagine the results would be particularly fun to watch.

In light of how consistently enjoyable it was, I'm reluctant to label Shōnen Maid as “middling.” However, despite everything it did right, the show rarely rose above “good” or “pleasant,” although that was probably what it was going for. If you're fond of slice-of-life shows but have had your fill of quirky teenage girls, you'll find a welcome change of pace in Shōnen Maid. Still, the show's insistence on sticking to predictable storylines and refusal to push the envelope ensure that it won't stick with many fans long-term.

Rating: B

Shōnen Maid is currently streaming on Funimation.

Amy is a YA fantasy author who has loved anime for over two decades.