DCIISS ~ The true spiritual successor to Da Capo

9Jun/085

DCIISS ~ The true spiritual successor to Da Capo

With ep 10, DCIISS is well on its way to DCI greatness. Da Capo remains one of my favourite series because of its potent trinity of emotional moments, poignant music and beautiful cinematography. DCIISS attains 2 of the 3 greats while scratching the surface of the last.

But more than superb production values and endearing characters, is the Da Capo franchise's deeply affecting theme of unrequited love. Nemu mistakenly believed she'd never obtain Junichi's love by virtue of their relations. (Little does she know that non-blood related sisters typically score well in harem contexts) Sakura knows she's got no chance since Junichi's more of a siscon than lolicon. In DCSS, Kotori endures the pain of seeing her love marry his sister (when the eternal goddess could have ANYONE IN THE UNIVERSE AND BEYOND!). DCII is a heretical abomination that does not belong to the DC franchise and should never be remembered henceforth.

DCIISS perpetuates this heartbreaking theme as Otome kills off her love before they could truly consummate the fruits of their very very lovely relationship (yes, I have broken tanuki ranks to stand behind the Onee chan in this epic battle of bishoujos sisters) while poor poor Yume lives in the overwhelming shadow of her sister, gazing at eyes fixated on Otome. In this sense, even though Yume does bore most of Nemu's moe-imouto charms (tsundere and nii-san crooning), she essentially embodied the Sakura of DCI. Otome, on the other hand, inherited Nemu's unenviable role as the punchline of a cruel cosmic joke.

However, unlike DCI, something tells me Yume may still come up tops to vindicate her underdog predecessors. Though watching either of the Asakura sisters lose this race would be equally painful since both are truly worthy bishoujos, especially after Yume had shed her tsundere. It's interesting that like another of FEEL's production, Otoboku, I sincerely hope that Yoshiyuki wouldn't make a choice since breaking either of the Asakura sisters' heart would utterly unbearable for me. Maybe we could go the Futakoi Alternative route which is an enlightened solution that, I believe, is the answer to almost all the heartaches in the world.

Actually, at this point in time, I'd rather see Sakura, Yoshiyuki and the Asakura sisters reunited as family more than the culmination to any romantic pairing. And I believe by the power of the Sakura tree and Da Capo magic, my wish would be granted.

Can't wait for ep 11.

Filed under: Da Capo II Leave a comment

Comments (5) Trackbacks (2) ( subscribe to comments on this post )

maglor
June 9th, 2008 - 11:03

Am I the only one who feels that the best female character in DCII is Sakura?

( REPLY )
Choux
June 9th, 2008 - 16:26

I also hope for a true happy ending, the game’s true ending was hopeful, but too sad.

( REPLY )
Stripey
June 10th, 2008 - 07:40

maglor: Sakura is the key person who hold the Da Capo franchise together by virtue of the sakura tree and her love for Junichi. She’s a great but tragic character indeed. Depending on how Yume takes it from here on, she may become my favourite character in DCII though.

Choux: I’m not in the loop about the DCII endings… hoping it’s worthy of the DC brand name

( REPLY )
Zyl
June 29th, 2008 - 17:50

Your comparison to Otoboku got me thinking about how I tend to dislike harem animes where the guy doesn’t choose a girl. But then I remembered that this was a mistaken impression – more important is how he and she arrive at the point of decision and take it from there. Also too many harem series in general take the confession as the climax when it’s really just the beginning of the relationship…

( REPLY )
Stripey
June 30th, 2008 - 09:05

Well said bro. Actually, for otoboku, my take is that Mizuho would eventually end up with Shion. Much as I like Takako and Mariya, they are absolutely no contest. Mizuho and Shion are the perfect couple anyway.

It’s not that clear cut for DCIISS but I think the writers are definitely tending towards that Otome X Yoshiyuki pairing. I wouldn’t mind a DCIITS where Yume does a Kotori and try to mount a futile challenge against Oto-nee

( REPLY )