Michiko to Hatchin Episode 1 – Oh I wanna lynch Hana’s adopted family

It has been a while since I had so much righteous rage over a group of characters in a series. If there is ever a group of characters that manages to turn me off so badly that I hope to lynch them, Hana’s family in this new series will definitely be it. From the directors of Samurai Champloo, Michiko to Hatchin aims to reclaim the same fame as that legendary infusion of medieval samurai swordfighting with anachronistic modern values.

Will this series about two runaway girls start well enough?

Summary

Michiko Malandro is a convict in one of the most well-guarded prisons in the world. Two convicts were betting whether she was able to escape. After fleeing through a tunnel, she was surrounded by prison helicopters. In a house, the radio broadcast the news about her prison break as a girl named Hana was preparing an omelet. She overcooked the omelet, and her adopted father dumped her food away. It was clear that the whole family is abusing her.

Maria deliberately spilled dirty water while Hana was mopping, while the asshole son threw stones at her and forced her to imitated swimming when she is hanging the clothes. On the aftermath, the mother blamed her for the dirty water that was spilled on the floor. Hana was locked up as punishment. When she bathed, her water supply was cut off, and her clothes were taken presumably by Maria. Hana wrapped herself with the towel, and Maria tried to take the towel away. Hana resisted, and Maria kicked her off the floor.

Hana explained that she was adopted, and someone from the police would appear to check out Hana’s status. Hana murmured that it was all an act in order to get money from the government for adopting her. During the meal with the policeman, the whole family acted like they are having fun. Just then, Blanco the cat appeared, and Hana was asked to take care of it. Flashbacks showed that the kids never bothered to take care of the cat.

After the man left, the mother complained that the money was too little to herself. She also tied Blanco up and told Hana to dump it. The next day, the son asked where Blanco was, and her mother asked whether Hana knew it. She told she would know, since she gave Blanco to Hana. Hana realized she will be tortured again. The son made Hana her dog, and the two kids kicked and made fun of her. They then tried to burn her face with an iron. Eventually, Hana lost it and fought back the boy.

The boy started to cry, and Maria said that Hana did wrong. Hana insisted she was not wrong, and she was kicked out literally by Maria. Maria said they do not need a child like her. In a fit of fury, Hana stood up, slapped and bashed Maria while telling them how she was tolerating them the whole time. After that, Hana left home. Hana mumbled that she hoped someone would miraculously take her away from the pain, but no one would.

Michiko called the family, and said that she would pick up Hana tomorrow. When asked, Michiko said she was Hana’s mother. The father realized that it might be a kidnapper, and got ready his shotgun. He thought that they wanted to threaten the adoption money. The next day, Michiko broke through the window with her motorcycle. Michiko asked Maria who is Hana. While questioning Maria, the father fired a few ineffectual shots. After realizing who Hana was, she took Hana away from this family. Hana wondered who she was, and the end showed the two running away from police cars.

Thoughts

Ok, hands up for anyone who watched this show who doesn’t want to fricking lynch that hypocritical bastard of a family. I would have fought back much earlier if I was Hana, but the practical side that she has no one to depend on means she simply has to tolerate their abuse. Some of their abuse are extremely malicious, and these people will go to living hell soon. I was sad Michiko didn’t shoot their guts out. That will be karmarific.

Anyway, rant aside, it is clear that there is that similar music influence from Samurai Champloo. Anyone who watches the OP will understand what I am saying because my mind was completely thinking whether it is the same group of people who have worked on that series. After a check on ANN, it turns out that I am right to say that. The music and ambiance during the series is magnificent, and I found it to be as good as the music from Ga Rei Zero. That is no mean fate.

In terms of the characters, I have honestly seen little from Hana and Michiko despite huge emphasis on them. Michiko seems like a pretty reckless criminal that does not hesitate to make chaotic actions in order to fulfill her own need. I mean she simply went into rampage and robbing to get what she wants. Hana seems docile in general, so I don’t know how to think of her. However, I am wondering why Michiko knew about Hana, and why she decided to pick her up. Is she really her mother?

One key thing that I somewhat dislike is the character design. I personally think that the animation for this series is top notch. However, the character design seems strange, and Hana particularly looks really queer at times. I don’t even know how to describe it. It’s not bad… but just a bit different from usual.

Anyway, the bottom line. Is this worth watching? This episode is mostly a set up for the future episodes. You might want to keep this in view.

Ending thought: I really want to kill those two punk kids.