Kimikiss – All about Mao X Kouichi X Yuumi
Actually this post has nothing to do with Mao, Kouichi and Yuumi. I just didn't want to sound negative on my post title but the truth is I'm not finding Kazuki's portion to be worthy of Kimikiss. No, it's not Asuka's problem. I love Asuka and think she's the only redeeming factor in the love triangle but I blame Eriko and Kazuki for depreciating the romance in Kimikiss.
A major strength of Kimikiss is its realistic characterisation of the cast. I have just about met RL versions of everyone in Kimikiss and the series is nostalgic because the characters are somewhat familiar. (I have to admit that the RL version of the bishoujos weren't quite as pretty, especially Yuumi types since pretty AND humble girls, unaware or unwilling to abuse their beauteous powers are virtually extinct in RL.) All except Eriko. Eriko's characterisation makes the mistake of going too extreme with her impractical intelligence, making her look silly instead. For someone of her intellect, it should be painfully obvious that knowing something doesn't mean you'd be proficient at it. Even a kid knows that reading a book on bicycle-riding wouldn't teach you the ability. For most things in life, it's not merely the mind but both the mind AND body that needs to come together to acquire the skill. Hence, it boggles my mind that a genius like herself fails to grasp the very basics of life. This dichotomy ruins her characterisation since her entire eccentric behaviour is a founded on this high yet incoherent intellect.
As for Kazuki, I have little reason to love him. Unlike Kouichi who is admirably sensitive to others' need, Kazuki just comes across as a lame fellow out to get some. Just what is the basis of his affections for Eriko? Is he hung up over Eriko for stealing his first kiss? Or is he interested in Eriko as a one who has just discovered a 3 headed alien in his backyard would? Simply put, his infatuation with Eriko is surely not love but probably a hormonally charged curiosity, amplified by the likelihood of going second base with Eriko should he hang around longer. What a stark contrast compared to Kouichi's commitment/love for Yuumi/Mao!
That said, Kazuki immediately becomes more likable when Asuka comes into the picture. Well, he's still mostly wooden and insensitive but the few sparks of concern for Asuka is welcoming. Indeed, Asuka brings a better man out of Kazuki which is the reason why I'm rooting for Asuka X Kazuki in this segment of Kimikiss.
Kimikiss still has plenty of episodes to turn around my opinions of Eriko and Kazuki. I look forward to that but mostly, I'd be watching out for Mao X Kouichi X Yuumi conundrum.
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January 22nd, 2008 - 13:44
Sorry, I need to completely disagree. Yuumi x Kouichi x Mao has totally bored me to tears, in fact so much that I started to fast-forward over their part. Been there, seen that, seen that again, seen MORE of the same old – nah, not for me. And the fact that around 70% of the show is wasted on them (10% on frogs, Hiiragi and Mitsuki, 20% on the Kazuki troupe) does not bode well for the show IMHO.
IMHO Eriko x Kazuki x Asuka is the only remaining ray of light for the show. Here at least we have a setup which we have NOT seen time and time again.
January 22nd, 2008 - 15:09
+1 for Mentar. I believe that the whole Yumi Jouchi Maho too is poorly written, and I also fast forward their part. Eriko x Kazuki x Asuka is the only thing still making me check out the weekly releases.. If the show keep going in the same direction, I’ll simply entirely drop it and focus on True Tears and H20 instead that I actually enjoy watching.
January 22nd, 2008 - 17:36
Mentar brings up a point in one of his sidenotes: does anyone care about a possible third relationship, some development regarding Hiiragi, Mitsuki, and possibly her fiance? Kazuki and Kouichi have really stolen the show here but I wonder if adding a third thing for viewers to keep track of here would be really great, or just too much to handle.
And Stripey, you need to remember that a lot of high schoolers are romantically confused at their age.
Kouichi’s the naive, idealistic type (although, why was he looking at renting some shack back in episode 14 for 20K yen? XD), while Kazuki is more of a spur-of-the-moment type. Hell, I know if I had some girl randomly kissing me I’d be more than a bit curious, especially since Asuka seems more of a good friend (yes, tragically wrong, I know) than anything else. I don’t see his quest for Eriko as hormonally driven (although it is a factor), personally, I think a lot of it is curiosity as well, different from Eriko’s no doubt, but still curiosity. I suppose there’s something to be said about that depending on how much you believe in love at first whatever.
On the flip side, I saw it argued by usagijen over at Scrumptious that Kouichi’s love for Yuumi was a bit too idealistic, too fantasy for it to last long in the real world. Certainly the way he’s treating her is heartwarming and likable, but it also reflects a bit of that same “I have no idea how love works” that Kazuki is going through. Two sides of the same coin.
January 22nd, 2008 - 17:57
Despite how I am now torn apart between Mao and Yuumi for Kouichi, I think I still find more excitement and enjoyment(?) in watching the Asuka x Kazuki x Eriko triangle, but mostly because of my love for Asuka. Aside from that, I’d have to agree with the rest of the post. Asuka FTW \o/
January 22nd, 2008 - 20:47
It sounds like I’m in the minority, but I’m enjoying both of the main triangles–it may not be revolutionary, but with the Kouichi-Yuumi-Mao triangle I honestly can’t tell which way they’re going to go with it, and it’s a refreshing change from most series where it’s obvious from the start that A will end up with B, and C is just there as an obstacle. Plus I’m a sucker for osanajimi, and this time she actually has a chance ^^
In the case of Kazuki-Eriko-Asuka I don’t think Kazuki is just following Eriko around in hopes of stealing home, since all their physical interaction so far has been initiated by her. If he was just after the physical side he’d have been trying to cop a feel at Mitsuki’s house (and realistically, your average 16-year old probably would have done just that…). It’s true Eriko’s an odd combination of genius and amazing naivete, but I’ve known people who were really smart but lacked common sense so I can’t say it’s an impossible mix. I think I feel more sympathy (or is it moe?) for Eriko than Asuka because Eriko’s clearly lonely, isolated, and while she likes Kazuki she just doesn’t have the social skills to get her feelings across to him well.
Usually, there’s the character I want to win and the one I really want to lose (Kazumi in SnS comes to mind…) but while I’m leaning towards Kouichi x Mao and Kazuki x Eriko, I like the competition enough I think I’d be happy with Kouichi x Yuumi and Kazuki x Asuka too, as long as it’s done convincingly. They’ve done an amazingly good job making a likeable cast, which is doing a good job keeping me hooked ^_^
January 22nd, 2008 - 20:53
Your post reminded me of an elementary school friend who claimed he was a black belt, but later sheepishly admitted that he had really just read a Karate instructional book up to the black belt *chapter*.
January 22nd, 2008 - 23:59
Kimikiss has lots of problems and inconsistency. Still, I see great potential in character and current plot background and is hanging around just in case something great happens. The right, but boring pairs should be MaoXKai and KoiuchiXYumi . I believe Asuka deserves better male than Kazuki thus would like to see Kazuki and Eriko make all the mistakes you can thing up without breaking the relationship.
January 23rd, 2008 - 00:19
usagijen, I just left a longish comment on your blog defending the Eriko x Kazuki pairing, and it seems that it was eaten by gruels ^_^; … gah. Or are your comments in moderation?
January 23rd, 2008 - 02:13
@Mentar: yeah, that was an EPIC comment lol. oh and I can see them perfectly… I wonder if the problem is browser-relative, or there’s really something wrong with the blog atm x__x
January 23rd, 2008 - 06:57
Woah, thanks for all your thoughts! It’s great to see perspectives from so many preferred couplings.
Mentar/Boulayman: Heh, I’m of the opinion that most romances are rehashes of the same formula. Especially those that have friendship evolve to love. Yet despite being born of the same mold, every relationship has a slightly different flavour because of the diverse personalities involved, hence varying interactions that ensue It’s rather like how I love minced-pork noodle. The ingredients are standard fare but the application of seasonings (amount of vinegar/chilli/lard) can set one rendition of the same dish from another.
CCY: Again great points. I think most viewers have invested themselves in either the Kouichi or Kazuki arc and prefer the spotlight to remain on them
As for Kouichi’s idealism, I think being idealistic doesn’t necessarily mean one can’t rise to the occasion when the need arises. It’s true that Kouichi X Yuumi’s love is mostly untested but given how the couple is dealing with Yuumi’s moving away, I have great faith in the longevity of their love. Unless of course Mao intrudes as part of the plot XD
usajigen: *hi-fives back* I have been trying to read Owen’s defense but the host is down. I’m hoping the Kazuki’s path to Asuka is as you have laid out in the comment.
suguru: I think you are getting the most of out Kimikiss by enjoying all the relationships!
Ender: LOL!!! I hope the admittance didn’t come when you guys were confronting some bullies XD
maglor: Personally, relationship-wise I’m seeing few lapses
Besides my nitpickings about Kazuki/Eriko, I also think Kai need more presence and personality to make the Mao X Kouichi setup more exciting. 
January 24th, 2008 - 10:22
While Kimikiss does have its share of “only in anime” features, it’s way more realistic than, say, ef or Kanon, and that’s where its charm comes from. There really are some times in Kimikiss when I find myself thinking “That could be me…”, or “What I would do in that situation…”, or “That girl totally reminds me of…” And when I cheer for Yuumi or Asuka, I feel like I’m cheering for a friend.
It also happens that in real life, the two girls who are closest to me (and aren’t family) are a shy bookworm type who worked at the library at the art school I went to, and an outgoing, big sister type family friend who moved in with me a few months ago. (No romance is involved.)
January 25th, 2008 - 23:12
Indeed and personally it’s one of the biggest charms of kimikiss.
>No romance is involved.
Yet. XD But I’ve also learnt that close/good female friends are harder to come by than their romantic cousins
May 4th, 2009 - 18:09
I am slow in the story but could someone tell me why is Kouichi and Mao are not going out together and why did Sankino appered after that and why is Kouichi constantly changing girlfriends?
It will be awesome if someone can answer me!