Hi all, the blog might look a little bare because I installed a new theme, which somehow deleted everything I’ve ever posted. Slowly but surely, I am reposting old posts with the help of screenshots I’ve taken of blog posts over the years and archive.org. For a change of pace from this stressful endeavor, I wanted to share a small list of my recently watched shoujo anime and my excitement regarding the upcoming series.
1) A Sign Of Affection
A brief summary from Crunchyroll & Vol. 1 of the manga:
Yuki Itose is just a typical student dealing with the pressures of college. She is struggling one day on the train when an upperclassman named Itsuomi Nagi helps her out. As he gradually opens a new world to her, Yuki develops feelings for Itsuomi. But even though Itsuomi-kun can speak three languages, sign language isn’t one of them. Can the two learn to communicate the budding feelings between them? A pure love story begins to grow.
Like many shoujo lovers, I was very excited for the A Sign Of Affection anime adaptation. My best friend and I made a whole event of watching the series together. Every week, we hopped on a video call and happily watched it together. Often pausing to squeal in happiness. I love the anime’s opening OP. I remember being unimpressed by the first poster that was revealed for the anime and I worried about the art style. Fortunately, in my opinion, I needn’t have worried. The art style of the anime was very good in my opinion, and represented the manga’s style fairly well. I still feel Itsuomi looks better in the manga though.
I feel like the anime did a good job of representing Yuki’s thoughts and feelings. *Spoiler warning regarding Oushi-kun* It also reminded me why, ultimately, although his feelings might be sincere, Oushi-kun isn’t right for Yuki. It may not his intention, but Oushi-kun’s view of Yuki tries to limit her horizons. Speaking as someone with Cerebral Palsy, I feel like I would avoid a significant other who thinks like Oushi-kun does. The anime ended on a Shin/Emma related cliffhanger. If I remember correctly, the anime concluded with some of the events that take place in volume 6 of the manga. So I would recommend starting from volume 6, for anyone looking to pick-up the series from where the anime left off. There has been no word on whether or not we will be getting a season two, but we long suffering ahoujo fans know that a season two would be a small, uncommon miracle.
2) My Happy Marriage
A brief summary from Netflix:
Miyo’s abusive family deems her worthless – but together with her powerful husband-to-be, her true self and hidden powers slowly begin to shine
This was a series I went into blind. I only knew that arranged marriage and supernatural elements were part of the premise. I adored the series right away. I was immediately rooting for Miyo to find her voice and a place to call home. I despised her half-sister on sight with her superiority complex.
With the help of her fiancee, Kiyoka, her future sister-in-law, and Kiyoka’s loyal servant, Yurie, Miyo comes out of her shell after years of mistreatment from her family. Miyo is a descendant of a powerful family known for their supernatural abilities. When her family does not see any manifestations of her gifts at a young age, they treat her as worthless. In truth, Miyo might actually be one of the most powerful people in her family in generations. Her fiancee, Kiyoka, is the first to realize that Miyo has the gift of dream-sight/clairvoyance. Kiyoka is a powerful military officer with control over several elements including electricity and ice. The beginnings of what is sure to be a happy marriage between the two, has Miyo’s half sister livid and jealous. So much so that she kidnapped Miyo. I loved when Kiyoka rescues Miyo, because the man was ready to tear the world apart to get her back. Season two has been confirmed, and I’m so excited. I have not read the source material, but I plan to start reading it soon.
3) Demon Prince Of Momochi House
Brief Summary From Crunchyroll:
Himari’s 16th birthday will be one she never forgets. Unexpectedly, she receives a will detailing her inheritance of a mysterious estate: the Momochi House. She arrives only to discover that the home was built on the cusp between the human world and the spiritual realm. There, she encounters Yukari, Ise, and a peculiar boy named Aoi, who seems to be concealing a shadowy secret.
This is yet another series I went into blind without having read the source material. I began the series last week and finished it yesterday. I had previously avoided reading or watching the series because I thought it was a Kamisama Kiss copycat. I was happy to be wrong in my presumption. aside from the Ayakashi centerd premise, it has very little in common with Kamisama Kiss.
Himari and Aoi’s destinies are tied as she is the rightful owner of Momochi house, and he is the Omamori-sama, the guardian of the human world who becomes the powerful ayakashi Nue. Himari loves Aoi and is determined to break his ties to Momochi House someday so he can be fully human again. His duty as Omamori-sama means that all who knew him in the human world have forgotten him, and he cannot leave the Momochi estate. Despite its similarities to Kamisama Kiss, I found it enjoyable. It is hard to ignore the physical similarities between Aoi’s Ayakashi form, Nue, and Tomoe from Kamisama Kiss. The dialogue also felt forced at times. If I had to rate it, I would say 7/10.
Upcoming Shoujo Anime I’m Excited About
1) Kimi Ni Todoke, Season 3
Sawako, Kazehaya, and the gang are returning for an unexpected season three of the shojo romance classic, Kimi Ni Todoke. I’m so happy to see the series come back. I thought we were spoiled by the recent live action adaptation, to get a new anime season feels like an embarrassment of riches. The expected release date is August, 2024
2) Hana Kimi
I can’t believe my beloved Hana Kimi, A.K.A For You In Full Blossom, is finally getting an anime! It has had about half a dozen live-action adaptations, but this is the series anime debut. I have been a fan for about 20 years. I can’t wait to see Nakatsu vision animated. There is no official release date yet. I am hoping for a Spring 25 release date.
3) Honey Lemon Soda
So happy to see that another recent fave is getting the anime treatment. I love Uka and Kai. I recently enjoyed the live-action movie adaptation. I anticipate enjoying the anime. I think Kai’s sincerity will come across better in the anime than it did in the live-action.
