Why not?!
This week, we get to meet several new characters, we find out more about the old ones (no pun intended) and we get more daww-worthy and kyaarific moments than you can shake a lipstick at. An enthusiastically applied and reluctantly received lipstick, that is. Either way, the results are truly traptastic – and will no doubt leave you wanting your own fairy trapmother…
Summary-in-a-sentence:
The trap pisses off pretty much everyone except Tsukimi, who gets dragged back to his place for a makeover, before she runs off leaving a smitten older brother in her wake, only to have said older brother turn up to the nunnery hoping to see his dream girl but finding a house full of freaks instead.
Crusader
You know I was starting to wonder the same thing...
Ah yes the mark of fiscal ineptitude...
While other shows have a moe factor to blunt the harsh truths of being withdrawn from the world, here it comes out, a little comedic to be sure, but nevertheless horrifying to behold. It is good that they have the odd side job but not one of them seems to be on the path to financial independence. At least Kuranosuke’s hobby is mainstream enough that he could get a decent job out of it, and such is his talent that his results have overawed almost all who are in the know. As for the rest of the Nunz, it becomes harder to sympathize in light of this new information. As happy as I am about having a cast that is well over 17, their general lack of maturity and shame makes me Facepalm.jpg with disappointment. I know that in light of the crappy economy and all a lot of people are unemployed but that does not mean that one should simply withdraw and insist upon having their parents foot the bill. I personally find being unemployed intolerable, but even during my time with just one weekend a month I did try and get some seasonal employment.
There is no job that one is above doing, and while slaving away sending spam makes one Exhausted as Zeon you still have to aim for a decent pay check to foot the bill for most of your expenses. If not you ought to try and scale back. Even when I was unemployed I helped pay bills and property tax with funds I had saved over the course of serving in the Middle East. I would have taken a job packing gift baskets and working the loading dock at Target if it meant having some stable pay and a chance to rebuild my threadbare resume in the lead up to Christmas, but I applied for and got another six months of duty. But none of those chances would have come up if I had been as lost as the Nunz in their hobbies, which they seem overly content to keep doing. It’s hard to take pity when the so called victim is a victim of circumstances largely of their own creation.
You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy... if only.
I like how Kuragehime touches upon the harsh reality that led to the lost decade, but it is equally harsh on the Nunz for turning the lost decade into two lost decades and counting. I confess it is hard to be away from family but as an adult you cannot rely on them forever and at least have to try to get work whereever you can get it. In the case of the Nunz they have cut off almost all physical contact with their family and simply ask for funds as needed, which to be frank end up squandered on luxuries. While Kuranosuke has decided to become a delightfully evil trap witch and taken on a great and noble quest to make them all princesses, I have to say he has his work cut out for him. Sure being pretty isn’t everything, but if you are to function in society you have to at least be presentable and wear uncomfortable clothes to job interviews and stuff. There are times you have to look your best and I sincerely hope that if and when someone gets married that they don’t dress like the Nunz when waiting at the altar or walking the aisle.
It’s easy to fault Shu for being shallow but the way Kuranosuke sold it was FUCKING BRILLIANT, it was a lesson in half truths and putting a spin on things. I for one took good notes on how to get away with putting lipstick on a pig. In the case of the Nunz it certainly feels that way, given their current lack of manners and social etiquette. Also Tsukimi before the makeover fell far short of ULTRA GORGEOUS DELICIOUS DECULTCHA and quite shy from decent. I guess shaving one’s legs is optional but it is so common place that I can’t help but find Tsukimi’s refusal to do so makes her weird and dysfunctional. It also causes me to laugh hysterically at how sad a state of disgusting she is in. Given the general lack of hygiene, it’s an unflattering depiction of PIG DISGUSTING but the hard truth of the matter is that it is more common that it should be. While the moe moe otaku girl might have some uplifting things to say, here the fujioshi are more real than most would dare to admit and as bankrupt financially as they are with answers..
While I am sure that Kuranosuke will be bashed for his rudeness I think that this episode is pretty much the equivalent of Super Paper Mario World 3. If it hit too close to home you’d probably find it unfunny and offensive, if not it’s funny because it is true…
Thank you for filling my mail box full of political propaganda before every election...
Really? Tsukimi let herself got that bad?
I say Kuranosuke is the Good Witch of the North.
Indeed for she requires patronage.
And she also does lewd doujins too...
She's got style, she's got grace, she's a WINNER.
Indeed for her surroundings are anything but orderly.
Hosaka? Is that you?
Well at least they're both megane... BIG ZAM-class differences aside.
Coming into the closet...
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ExecutiveOtaku’s High Impact Shipping
Like a Harpoon into ship’s side.
I share Shinmaru’s concerns about the makeover bit being a very Hollywood-esque pattern, but nonetheless I’m still quite happy with the show. All the antics of the fujoshi house denizens are keeping me entertained, along with an on-the-side critique of their lazy and self-serving attitudes towards life. It’s not pretty to look at, but it’s early in the series, and I imagine this will be given a more serious focus later on. Kind of like Welcome to the NHK in that regard, though that should started out being a bit more blatant about its criticism of NEET life. In any case, the set up between Tsukimi and Shu was what really caught my interest this time around. I have faith that Kuragehime will do something more interesting, but even if we should get the ‘nerdy girl is secretly beautiful’ bit at least she’s not being set up (yet) with the one who did the makeover on her. And I very much like this Shu X Tsukimi ship. Who knows if the writers are setting it up to be a long term thing or if it’ll be the relationship that fails and everyone learns something about themselves, but I hope it lasts. It’s full of too many perfect possibilities. It would make both characters have to step out of their comfort zones some more to accept each other, but underneath they seem like they might be pretty close to each other in personality. Tsukimi is the most outgoing of her very insular group and tends to serve as the closest thing to a link with the outside world for them, while Shu is also an intermediary and manager for his family and their political goals. They’d be such a perfect couple. OTP! OTP! OTP!
Those stinging barbs are so dreamy~
Thought I was watching Star Driver for a moment there.
KIRABOSHI!
What could be. Though I think she looks better fujoshi-ized. Well except for that not shaving her legs part.
Tsukimi in full on fujoshi mode is DDDAAAAWWWWW.
Loved this shot. The angle allowed for so much to be going on at once, and the long take let characters come and go to really express how chaotic the whole thing was.
A very pretty shot, and another instance of the glass separation that Hana picked up on in previous posts. It even has a blue tint like water coming out of an aquarium. But I’ll leave expanding on that to comrade Hana.
Hana’s OMG the shoujotasticness!
Kuranosuke convincing Tsukimi to come back to his place...
Loved this epi: loved the introduction to Kuranosuke’s family and the way we found out more about him and the nuns in the first half of the epi; and then Tsukimi’s transformation, its consequences and what we found out about Kuranosuke’s relationship with his mum in the second half of the epi. Also, as well as introducing and developing some great looking new characters, the epi developed Tsukimi’s relationship with Kuranosuke in an interesting way, which lead to some very amusing and kyaarific moments. Namely, THAT transformation, and the fact that we might have another prince figure in this show full of (potential) princes and princesses.
Without repeating any of Crusader’s scathing but very convincing critique of the nuns’ lifestyle choices based on what we find out about them in this epi, or any of EO’s kyaarific thoughts regarding the Shu X Tsukimi ship (except to say that I am so on this one too), I’ll just focus on a couple out of the many great things about this epi. Namely, the above mentioned idea of transformation. In short, this seems to be a liberating process for Kuranosuke, but a threatening one for Tsukimi. The first case seems simpler to understand; Kuranosuke has no interest in following in the footsteps of his father and brother by going into politics, being more interested in the fashion world. Thus, his cross-dressing would certainly impact negatively on any serious plans for a political career. On the other hand, Tsukimi clearly scrubs up nice enough to be (at least physically) the princess that she had always dreamed of being, and yet is terrified of betraying the nuns if they see her like that should she stay that way.
And so the question is, which one is the real Tsukimi?
Well, she is clearly more comfortable as Fujoshi-Tsukimi, rather than Fashionista-Tsukimi. However, I’m wondering if the former is also just as much a transformation, but one that she has constructed for herself – like a self-imposed barrier or aquarium-like container – within which she can protect herself from the possible disappointments of the outside world (see also comrade EO’s final screenshot and comment above to see how the motif appears to be a recurring one). Either way, her sheer horror at her successful transformation at the hands of her self-appointed fairy trapmother doesn’t quite make sense. Well, on a more practical level, she might just be scared that the betrayed nuns would kick her out, which would certainly put her in a pickle as she is so ill-equipped to function on the outside. On the other hand, this doesn’t really explain her horror. It’s not even like she had the chance to gage others’ reactions to her while she was in that get-up to judge whether or not any attention she received was threatening or not. Of course, we know that Tsukimi looked damn good after Kuranosuke had his wicked way with her, and this viewpoint is further legitimised by the positive reactions of the two other Alpha males that look on her and clearly like what they see.
Barriers, princesses, princes, transformations, fairy godmothers, wicked witches and reluctant Cinderellas… while the modernisations and inversions of such traditional fairytale motifs are certainly very entertaining in themselves, it’s not yet clear what direction in which the show will end up going. Which is definitely a good thing, if you ask me. I mean sure, in terms of the development of the characters and the relationships between these, I’m sure I’d be very happy with a shoujotastic fairytale ending for Tsukimi, as long as the show remains as original and refreshing in its treatment of such not-so-original motifs. In fact, I’m glad that things have been left open for both a Tsukimi X Kuranosuke and a Tsukimi X Shu ship, but I am also ok with a not-so-shoujotastic end given the not-so-traditional and in fact fairly realistic portrayal of the different types of people and the socio-cultural context that we’ve seen so far…
…Though, yes, I’d personally prefer the shoujotastic ending 
. Kuragehime style, of course 
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I can’t *wait* to see how all this pans out…
…also, he looks like… Kyouya-senpai! I knew there was something else I liked about him!
I’m guessing you really, really don’t have a choice!
44 Comments
I’m definitely with Crusader regarding the nosedive my sympathy for the girls took this episode. I could get my head around being socially awkard if they were late teens/early twentys, but c’mon! Thirty somethings! Really!?. I guess avoiding all the things that actually force you to deal with people from other walks of life and evolve as a human; studies, work, real world group activities etc; has turned them into embarrassing (wo)man-childs. The fact they have developed such flimsy automated defense responses shows they’re not even fooling themselves. One thing I didn’t quite get was whether Tsukimi was the same age as the rest of the girls, seeing as she was a new member and all? I still can’t picture her older than her early twenties.
Regarding Tsukimi’s horror at her own makeover, I think it’s understandable from a certain point. She’s already admitted defeat to herself that she’ll never be a princess, and now the only thing she has in her life is her father, a jellyfish and a bunch of friends subconciously wallowing in their own self pity. Putting makeup on changes nothing, she feels the exact same person with a princess mask on. I’d imagine looking in the mirror to see a beautiful reflection would only make her feel like a fake, a parody of what she’s always wanted. Her main problem’s on the inside, the grubby appearance she has is merely an external reflection of that.
Theres a saying I heard once that goes something like, “the worst thing you can do to someone is give them something they’ve always wanted, broken!”. That’s my current take on Tsukimi’s reaction, she’ll gain nothing without the confidence to move forwards, and instead will potentally loose the few friends she has even more afraid of advancing than she is. Of course the obstacles are in her own head, but until she accepts that, a makeover probably only make her feel worse. Saying that, this show keeps on surprising me, so I might be way off her reasoning.
Also, as much as the Shu x Tsukimi romance makes sense, I’m still rooting for Kuranosuke, his bluntness is all kinds of win. I’d also wish I was born on a leap-year if it gave me the same properties as Banbi. I mean the near immortality, not the train-spotting afro part.
To quote a car insurance commercial, “You know what makes me sad THEY DO. MAYBE WE SHOULD JUST GO OVER TO NAMBY PAMBY LAND OR MAYBE THEY CAN GROW SOME SELF CONFIDENCE THOSE CRAZY JACK WAGONS… Tissue? *throws the box at them* Crybaby…”
Hopefully the Kuranosuke intevention will save them from their current wretched existence.
Apparently she’s 18, says it somewhere in epi 1. And thanks, that would explain her horror a bit more, defo makes more sense than anything I was thinking of. Re: the xKura ship, well, he defo is attracted to her personality (says he finds her jellyfish talk interesting etc), as well as seeing the more physical possibilities in Tsukimi before he takes off her glasses… guess us shippers’ll have to wait and see, eh!
What I love about this ep is the ending inner monologue Tsukimi has wondering about “pretty.” Why do girls have to be pretty? If being in love makes you pretty, what if your love isn’t a man? What IS pretty!? It’s a question that has plagued feminists for years.
Is there only one kind of acceptable beauty? Can’t a girl be beautiful without being slathered in makeup and designer clothes? Where’s the happy middle ground between unhygienic geek and uber-fashionista?
Tsukimi and the Nunz definitely need some confidence and social skills, but in terms of what’s “pretty” is still open to debate. (and yes, some women prefer to go “au natural” and not shave their legs)
I think that in the case of the Nunz it is pointless to query about pretty, right now they desperately need to aim to be at least presentable. It’s not fair but every one has to look their best when going for an interview if their aim is success. Moreover as social creatures we have to put up a pretense since a sloppy slovenly appearance is going to earn us more stigma not less.
While it would be wrong to demand that they be pretty we can still insist that they take better care of themselves. Kuranosuke’s hobby is to make girls pretty that isn’t necessarily sexist since there should be one point in their lives that they will need to look their best, and that would be their weeding day for it would be a sad fate if they were to go through life alone.
As for going “au natural” you could but any woman thinking about doing that ought to expect to be laughed at for the most part since it is uncommon in the West and at this point has been so ingrained into society that it just comes off as a sign of a lack of refinement and sense. There are other ways to make a statement. Still I confess just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine since I have deployed with nasty girls that don’t do that as well as not shower daily when showers are always available.
Not so sure about the rest of the sisterhood, but Tsukimi that inner monologue at the end is certainly intriguing – she seems to find the prospect of being pretty extremely threatening, and I for one can’t wait to find out why and thus more about her. As for shaving one’s legs (lol), well I assume it’s because she’s usually in trousers as opposed to a short skirt, thus I assume that part is not such a big deal!
First off, I LOLed at the comment that Mayaya made early on about “taking command of his own hair” (or something like that).
Kuranosuke was extremely rude, but I still love him. Part of me wanted him to be the “ultra nice despite your lack of manners” guy from last episode, but it’s still great to learn of his not-so-nice, slightly shallow, and manipulative side as well. I can’t really fault the man for going in on the Nunz after suffering his fair share of abuse. Plus, everything he said was the honest truth. I like to try to remain understanding of a persons situation, but these thirty somethings don’t even seem like they are TRYING. Then they have the nerve to be immature and rude to someone who is probably 10 years their junior. It’s just sad.
Moving on…I’m on the ship for Shu x Tsukimi (Shukimi?). I’m riding this one till the end. And I don’t think Kuranosuke was telling half truths about Tsukimi. I think he recognized her good points and expounded upon them. I’d like to think of it as being optimistic.
My one complaint about the episode is that I would have liked to see Tsukimi retain her freckles in princess form. Ideally her freckles and glasses, but AT LEAST her freckles.
It is high time the Nunz felt the revenge of reality and end their lost decades. Besides it’s nice that they have a mischievous fairy trap mother. I doubt a nicer person can force the rude Nunz to change by saying please.
Lol, yes that taking charge of his own folicles comment was hilarious, Mayaya is probably my favourite out of all the nunz, aside from Tsukimi of course. Kura-pyon certainly knows how to rub people up the wrong way, doesn’t he, I love that about him too. Oh, and I’m assuming freckles and foundation are mutually exclusive. :p
She’s a youthful 18 and seems to have blemish free and even skin. She doesn’t need foundation. Her freckles are so much cuter. But I don’t really wear makeup so I guess I have to trust Kuranosuke. More power to the trap.
Sharing the Welcome to the NHK sentiments. After Genshiken, any series with otaku seems to be of the love letter variety. It’s great to see a series that shows them in a harsh, real light for a change. Although I prefer the slightly more hopeful spin in Kuragehime than NHK. That series was…uncomfortable
I also like the realistic but hopefuly vibe of the show. I think that’s its strength, as well as the fact that it’s josei rather than shoujo in that sense.
I dunno any animetard who is as rude as the nunz. But then again, we are talking about a real otaku who doesn’t have jobs and living on allowance. This show kinda remind us why the public thinks so little about otaku. If this is how they behave, then they can only blame themselves.
Anime fans can be quite rude in public, and to be sure there are far too many who do not take personal hygiene seriously enough.
I guess in the nunz’ defence (heck, someone’s gotta try and make one) they are more defensive rather than going out of their way to be rude to Kuranosuke, who is still an uninvited guest in their eyes… though, I admit, ’tis a rather feeble reason (as opposed to an excuse) for their behaviour.
Well damn, all thus analysis for one episode of the show? I thought I liked it, but I guess some people have dived deeper into it than I. I can’t hate these girls for their NEETness. At least they’re not living at home- but they might as well be considering they’re locked up all day.
If they lived at home at least they would have had to do some meaningful labor for their parents as it stands now they are most parasitic in that they just take the money and have not obligations attached to it. As it stands this has become a 10 year or more vacation for them.
Lol, well it won’t be the first time that someone might be accusing us of overanalysis! I can’t hate them either, but I certainly don’t condone the extent to which they’ve taken their insularity and selfishness in terms of the whole spongeing off their parents thing. However, I’d certainly want to know more about their own (family) backgrounds before casting judgement on them.
OK, but is it the child’s fault alone for being a dependent of parents, or do you blame the parents as well for not throwing the baby bird fully out of the nest?
Good point, the parents are clearly accountable to an extent in this case. Though, we just don’t know enough about them yet to comment further. E.g.: Tsukimi’s mum has, presumably, passed away, and we don’t know much about her relationship with her father. However, her mother’s death clearly had a huge impact on her, given the dreams that they both once shared for Tsukimi. Though, as 30-something adults, most of them can’t really blame their parents anymore for spoiling them or whatever, they really should now try to rely on themselves and take responsibilty for their own lives.
Actually out of all of them I would say that Chieko actually isn’t a NEET. Like they said, she runs her own online store, and since her mother is never there she’s the one who actually manages the apartment complex. So she gets a pass on her employment status.
And you can’t call the BL mangaka a NEET either. She works. She’s just a hermit.
I have doubts about Chieko’s financial independence and she hardly manages the building it’smore like she just collects rent and rejects gays for consideration when it comes to renting. If the gays here are any measure they make fine tenants, hardly cause much trouble they pay on time and generally keep the place clean. To reject them as a landlord is foolish unless median income is less than you expect.
As for Ms. Mangaka she’s earning her keep unlike the rest it seems.
Hmm, they also assist Ms Mangaka with her work, I think.. whether or not that counts towards meaningful employment, lol.
thinking all gay people are clean well dressed people is a sterotype, there are gay slobs.
Speaking of gay, does anyone think that one (or more) of the members of the sisterhood could be gay?
This did have a lot of “take her glasses off and she’s beautiful”, which has been done so many times in the past. In American shows it is the geeky (or nerdy) girl. I really hope the show goes further. Seeing a bunch of transformed otaku isn’t enough for me. Especially if it means turning their backs on their hobbies.
It certainly has, but I’m hopefuly it will go further with it. The whole reverse-Cinderalla thing was just too intriguing not to be explored further…
I found this episode rather fluffy. Seeing how Shu reacted with a one-two love punch and seeing his vulnerability after trying to be stoic was quite….cute. Or maybe I have a soft spot for dark haired Megane characters.
Also, I thought Tsukimi was 18. I thought she mentioned her age in the first episode. This makes me wonder how old Shu and Kuranosuke are.
As far as the NEETs. It was an interesting excuse as to why they didn’t have jobs. To be honest, I never actually considered the baby boomer situation as a reason why they are unemployed. I guess for 30 year olds it might have been a problem back when they were 20 ‘looking’ for employment. Nowadays, the baby boomers who are employed are slowly entering retirement. This was happening before and after the economic downturn which is opening up new jobs for 20 year olds now. It still doesn’t excuse them from currently being unemployed but when you get comfortable, honestly it’s hard to break the habit of having time and freedom.
I seriously LOLed at the Kiraboshi sequence. It was just too good.
I found this episode rather fluffy. Seeing how Shu reacted with a one-two love punch and seeing his vulnerability after trying to be stoic was quite….cute. Or maybe I have a soft spot for dark haired Megane characters.
Yay for fluff! And don’t we all!
And don’t forget that Roger-Doger scene, lol!
why she does not want to become beautiful???
asides, Kuranosuke likes Tsukimi, why does she make herself a fine and elegant lady.[running prejudice mode]
The million dollar question eh! Still don’t know if he does like her in that way, but he’s certainly drawn to her personality. It’s interesting that he appears as Mary Poppins in the OP, which could imply that his influence may be a temporary one… but I hope they stay friends at least.
I’m glad they got the makeover out of the way in episode 3. It shows that while Tsukimi brushes up good, she doesn’t need a makeover to her appearance as much as she needs a makeover to her self-esteem, and hopefully over the rest of the series we’ll see that process in action.
The ‘kiraboshi’ was hilarious and unexpected, but the hopping vampire skit was even funnier, and I wish I still had my copy of “Mr. Vampire”, the movie I remember seeing the chinese hopping vampires in.
The makeover is obviously coming back because Shu’s brother has a thing for Tsukimi and she’s interested too. Most likely, Tsukimi will reveal that she’s both Clark Kent and Superman and that he has to accept her for what she is.
I don’t know how much the shut-in characters will change. I hope they all get their own relationships
I also believe that we will see the Manga ka in the flesh for exactly one episode.
I think I spotted a made-over Tsukimi in the preview shots in the ED, so it looks like a recurring thing. In terms of the entertainment value, I can’t wait to see it, and her with Shu, again…and again and…
I wasn’t familiar with the hopping vamps thing, but it was certainly hilarious. I like the CK and S-man theory, I hope it works out in a similar way too.
not shaving your legs is not that bad…. is it?.. well she wears long sweatpants..
tsukimi is so cute ^^
Agreed!
i know many girls that only shave there legs when they either plan to wear shorts, skirts, dresses, go to the pool or beach or have sex. its not all that uncommon not to shave all the time.
@Zorapup: Tsukimi is 18. It’s the rest of the Nunz who are in their 30s. Kuranosuke is also in college, which makes him and Tsukimi around the same age.
Thanks for the info. I knew Tsukimi wasn’t 30 but that whole ordeal had me second guessing until I rewatched the first ep. If Kuronosuke is in college then Shu must be in his mid 20s.
I heredby give up on the Nunz! the onle one who will recieve my love and favor is Tsukimi! May our beloved trap save her from the clutches of those hags!
i would like to name the last screen shot “Tsukimi TRAPPED!!!” lol
Well, I’ll know who to ask next time I need ideas for my captions.
@Zorapup
IIRC from the manga Shu is 28. A bit old for Tsukimi if you ask me…
I hope that something future episodes get into is the underlying malicious and not supportive nature of the Nuns. I actually quite like the Nuns, despite their excuses/reasons for not being financially independent. However, it’s quite clear that they are not a healthy environment for Tsukimi, even though they sound like a safe and comforting environment on the outset. Let’s put it together – Tsukimi’s position within the group (with her friends) is threatened if she: hangs out with boys, hangs out with pretty people, looks pretty herself, makes basically any headway into being a more well-rounded and self-confident person.
Yeah, that’s totally what a supportive group of friends looks like.
I’m hoping that in future eps, as Tsukimi becomes less and less of a fragile nerd, she experiences resistance from the group, which she eventually stands up against. And that her show of standing up makes the group realize to some extent where they’ve gone wrong and how they can change themselves.