I decided to pick up this series after it was mentioned by Omni but has Matthew has blogged it (there are still four DVD-only eps that weren’t covered though) and I don’t have a real character focus, I’m just going to go fanboy over one of the series’ supporting characters - the gorgeous and foxy Benten-sama.
Really beautiful design elements - the green hair, tail and foxy ears were unexpectedly cute and matched well with her abalaster skin, framed by her provocative white top (of almost lack of it) that floats behind her too in a traditional reference that is common in Chinese art as well. The long wide sleeves of black and orange match her bell-bottom trousers and miniskirt - the latter reveals just a peek of her upper thighs, making the outfit all the more sensuous. She’s barefoot - so that solves the eternal female problem of “What shoes should I wear with this?” Love her accessories as well - the multiple rings and ear-rings give her a grungey rocker chick feel while the latter are referential objects to the other members of her ‘band’ - the Seven Lucky gods.
This is a reminder of how an earlier episode was centred on Matsuri and Miko searching for their runaway shrine god, Yashima-sama who had a bit of godly mid-life crisis and who fanboyism of Benten-sama inspired him to try and start his own band.
I love the way how the Japanese think of kami as reflections of nature as well as people’s beliefs - thus as beliefs change, the kami wax and wane. Some reinvent herself. It’s all the more interesting because I’ve visited Benten-sama’s beautiful grotto shrine in Kamakura twice so far (and performed the money-washing ritual).
This seat taken?
I thought it was lovely of her to tease Yurie-sama a bit to get her out of her funk. Yurie-sama’s little moods are also part of her charm - it shows the good and bad sides of her middle schooler that we’ve probably displayed ourselves when we were that age.
Staying cheerful for the sake of those who believe in the kami.
Since the kami can’t pray to kami, they rely on ourselves and our friends.
See ya!
Fanboy!
This was a lovely concert, it was a relatively slow ballad and I would have loved to see Benten-sama play her zither, rock-guitar style. Oh, I’d dearly love to see her jam with Yuki! Speaking of St Nagato-chi, every concert snippet that I’ve seen in anime after having seen Live Alive simply pales in comparison to Haruhi’s ENOZ. They could just have a DVD of music videos in various MV styles and I’d still lap it all up!
Speaking of lapping merchandise up, it’s great that Kamichu! has been licensed - looking forward to picking up a boxed set (please have a boxed set!!) sometime in the future. Currently sitting at no.2 on my DVD purchase list after the forthcoming GITS: SAC 2nd Gig boxed set.
Just watched this episode (along with 13) tonight. I absolutely LOVE the series for it’s simple charm, beautiful animation, and well-done slice-of-life story telling. I don’t really want it to end, so I’ve been watching no more than 2 episodes a night. :)
I just ordered English dubbed version of Kamichu DVD vol. 1 for my son. It is one of those series that is safe for kids but still has appeals to older audience.
whoa, i see the keyword zither. I’m intoxicated to its sound (harp too). Gonna try this series out.
deftoned, even the OP is charming. :) During the beach/time travel episode, the bodies of the gals were surprisingly realistic in an unsexy sort of way.
wontaek, Yurie-sama isn’t exactly the best role model for academic studies though. Even kami can’t guarantee good grades for themselves!
crimson, i’m sure you’ll enjoy it. I’m glad that this little post piqued your interest.