Kure-nai Episode 01

Let’s start with my initial impressions of Kure-nai. Pulling a few quotes from a previous THAT post:

• “Rieuzedx: I’m not feeling the character designs. The PV was kinda interesting looking though. Wait and see, wait and see.”
• “Rieuzedx: Kodomo no Jikan meets Persona…Kure-nai is their visual offspring. I’m not too keen on the art style here, and the first black-haired chick you see looks like she got hit in the side of the face with a sledgehammer…I like the second musical track though.”

After watching the first episode of this, I’m gonna have to say…even without subs Kure-nai has managed to grab my attention more than I thought it would.

Summary

A boy, Shinkurō Kurenai, is taking care of a stalker for a job. As Kurenai moves off, he feels an acute pain in his right arm. In the next scene, Murasaki (the little girl), Yayoi (the servant) and Benika (the deep red-haired woman) are escaping from the Kuhoin clan. Renjo Kuhoin is investigating how Murasaki is able to escape, and realizes it is due to Benika. Renjo questions one of the servants about the escape. The servant says she is the one who allows Murasaki to escape. Murasaki voiced out her interest to escape. Renjo screams that the servant should know that Murasaki is not allowed to escape.

The servant asks if Murasaki is a sad being and she has been crying all the time. Renjo crushes the servant to the floor, saying how women are just ridiculous, worthless beings. A flashback showed that Renjo is forced to betray his feelings of his love to follow the will of his family to marry Kazuho. Eventually, we realize that Murasaki already knows her real mother. Renjo says the servants have been brainwashed by Benika, but the servant adds that it is all for Murasaki’s sake. In class, Shinkuro is talking about a television show with his friends.

He discusses with Ginko (someone who gives him insider information) about his latest job given by Benika (the stalker case). The grandmother who tasked him for the job gives him some additional money for his work and he bought a television. When Yuno comes over, Ginko moves away clearly showing her dislike of Yuno. In a hotel meeting, Shinkuro appeals to Benika to give him a better job. Benika asks about his “free” body and how it is a weapon. As Shinkuro leaves, Yayoi voices out her concern about giving Shinkuro the “job”. Benika says that she never cares about competency but her gut feeling when giving a task.

Shinkuro is given a lie by a room mate about her dead boyfriend. However, she predicts that Shinkuro will have women trouble. Another room mate is sexually harassing him, as he goes into his room. Benika comes over to give Shinkuro a job: to protect Murasaki. He is hesitant due to the lack of details until he remembers a scene of him crying in the past. He agrees to protect Murasaki. As he introduces himself, Murasaki clearly shows her haughty side. She is shocked that the room is so small and rundown. She thought that she is treated as a kid as she is lied to about the living conditions, but Shinkuro replies that this is the truth.

Murasaki adds that it looks like a servant’s room. Murasaki strips down to change, as Shinkuro asks whether he should leave the room. Murasaki says that if he leaves, no one can help her dress up. Shinkuro speaks to her in a friendly way, and Murasaki warns him of his status as a servant. Shinkuro says he is not a servant, but a guardian. Shinkuro tells her to sleep well, and she should appreciate the time she can sleep peacefully. The next day, Shinkuro goes to school and Murasaki seems to be very resistant that he needs to go to school. As he leaves and tells him that he will be back in the evening, she gave a lonely look.

He also asks Ginko to find out more about Murasaki, and it is then he realizes that the Kuhiro family is reputable. When Shinkuro returns home, he realizes Murasaki is not there. He runs out and calls Benika but she did not pick up the phone. She then calls him back when he is taking a break. He did not report about the disappearance of Murasaki but simply what she likes to eat. The situation is under the keen eye of Yayoi as he remembers how he cries before. Eventually, he finds her in a park and calms her down. She is actually crying, and she adds that she will just disappear like her real mother. He apologizes for leaving her behind, and that she is no longer alone.

Tech Summary

Audio
Wtf was up with that OP? I’m kinda iffy on the song, it definitely won’t be in my top 5 songs for the season (although, I’m a sucker for a techno beat)…but what got me is the strange, chibi-ish 2D art style that was used throughout the whole thing. Not what I was expecting, and the first thing to make me pay a little more attention to this show.

Next surprise? The brat of the show didn’t have an overly annoying voice! I’ll admit, she sounds kinda old for her character, but she’s no Nel (from Bleach) by any means. Thank god. No complaints on the other voices, but is that Allen-kun (from D.Gray-Man) I hear as the main character?

Background music was good, but nothing to brag about.

OMG! I freaking LOVE the ED for this show. It starts out all subtle and chill and picks up this crazy poppy, addictive sing along. Top 5 competition in my book. (I’ve now listened to it like 10 times)

Animation

My biggest complaints about this anime were the fact that one of the central characters is a little brat, and that I didn’t like the character designs. Due to the voice and general mannerisms in this episode, I’m not seeing the brat as a big problem in the future. As far as character designs go, I HATE the design of the older people in this show, but for the most part everyone else looks fine. There’s the occasional odd moment, but the style started to grow on me after a little while.

Aside from that, the art style is definitely a bit different, and the quality seemed to bounce around from cheap to well done. There was a short fight scene at the beginning of the episode, and judging from that it looks like the animators have a good handle on things in the fisticuffs department.

Vibe

I had a very negative idea of this show before watching it, and while I won’t praise it just yet, depending on the actual story/content (once I get subs) and how the next 2-3 episodes go, it might be a contender for a main blogging spot or at least a place in the Friday Ramble. I mentioned in the above comment that this show reminded me of Kodomo no Jikan meets Persona, but I actually got more of a D.Gray-Man/Ergo Proxy feel off of it. I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes.

Best/Worst Feature
Best: The ED! (and that quick fight scene…lol)
Worst: The character design of the older man. Ugh.