Taishou Otome Otogibanashi

Self-styled pessimist Tamahiko Shima lives alone in the mountains of Chiba after losing the use of his right hand in the same car accident that took his mother's life. Deemed incapable by his father and other wealthy relatives, he has been forced into exile; he experiences idle days of reading and sleepless nights of irrepressible angst. True to the Shimas' famous pride and determined not to disgrace his family, Tamahiko is resigned to his new duty—stay in the mountains and wait for death to put an end to his suffering.

However, on one snowy night, Tamahiko's insomnia is interrupted by someone knocking at the door. He then meets the 14-year-old Yuzuki Tachibana, who announces that she has come to be his future wife! Suddenly, Tamahiko remembers his father promising to send him a bride to assist him with impediments to his daily life.

Although she was sold as a bride to repay her family's debts, Yuzuki proves to be thoughtful, diligent, and dedicated to Tamahiko. Will the world-weary teenager prove insensitive to the rare breeze of kindness her presence brings to his monotonous existence?

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Tachibana, Yuzuki Main

Aizawa, Saya Japanese

Shima, Tamahiko Main

Kobayashi, Yuusuke Japanese

Shima, Tamako Supporting

Miyamoto, Yume Japanese

Shiratori, Kotori Supporting

Itou, Ayasa Japanese

Atsumi, Ryou Supporting

Anzai, Chika Japanese

Shiratori, Hakaru Supporting

Toki, Shunichi Japanese

Tachibana, Mother Supporting

Tsunematsu, Ayumi Japanese

Manabe, Tamasuke Supporting

Hatano, Wataru Japanese

Shima, Tamao Supporting

Yamaya, Yoshitaka Japanese

Shima, Tamayoshi Supporting

Sakuya, Shunsuke Japanese

Cook, Justin Producer

Oowada, Tomoyuki Producer

Itou, Hirofumi Producer

Watanabe, Yuuki Producer

Reviews

Mar 22, 2025

starcarver

Recommended

Taisho Otome Fairy Tale is a heartwarming historical romance anime that captures a unique era in Japan's Taisho period, offering an interesting combination of drama, love, and historical elements. While it has several standout qualities that make it an enjoyable watch, it also has its share of drawbacks that prevent it from fully reaching its potential.

The animation and visuals of Taisho Otome Fairy Tale are charming, with a delicate and soft aesthetic that fits the historical setting. The colors are warm, and the character designs are distinct and endearing, especially the protagonist, Tamahiko, whose facial expressions communicate his emotional growth over time. The background art ... reflects the era well, showcasing the traditional houses, clothing, and rural landscapes. While the animation isn’t particularly groundbreaking or elaborate, it serves its purpose by supporting the series' gentle and nostalgic tone. The visuals are beautiful, if not always stunning, but they add to the overall feeling of coziness and simplicity that the story aims to convey.

The story, while initially feeling somewhat simplistic, unfolds into a poignant tale of love and growth. The plot revolves around Tamahiko, a young man from a prestigious family who is sent away to the countryside after a tragic accident. There, he meets Yuzu, a cheerful and optimistic girl who takes it upon herself to care for him. What starts as a story about healing from grief gradually evolves into a heartfelt romance that explores themes of personal growth, acceptance, and the complexity of relationships. However, while the premise is charming, the plot doesn’t delve deeply into the socio-political context of the Taisho era, which could have added an extra layer of depth to the story.

The pacing of the series is generally consistent, though at times it can feel slow. There are moments where the narrative lingers a bit too long on the more sentimental aspects of the relationship between Tamahiko and Yuzu, which can make certain episodes feel repetitive. At its best, the pacing allows for emotional moments to develop naturally, particularly when the characters experience personal revelations or moments of vulnerability. However, there are also times when the story drags on, especially in its quieter, more episodic moments that focus primarily on character interactions without advancing the plot significantly.

Character development is one of the anime's strengths, with both Tamahiko and Yuzu experiencing meaningful growth. Tamahiko, who initially seems cold and distant, learns to open up and heal from the emotional scars left by his past. Yuzu, though more cheerful, grows in her own way, particularly in terms of understanding her feelings for Tamahiko and becoming more self-aware. Their relationship is the heart of the show, and while it does take time to develop, it ultimately feels rewarding. However, some secondary characters lack the same level of depth, and their roles in the story feel more like filler than crucial components of the narrative.

The worldbuilding, while not deeply explored, offers enough to give context to the characters' lives. The Taisho period serves as a backdrop, and while the anime doesn’t dive into historical events or the socio-political climate of the time, it does offer glimpses of the lifestyle, fashion, and attitudes of the era. The setting, primarily rural, is peaceful and quaint, which supports the overall tone of the story. However, a deeper exploration of the period itself could have enriched the narrative further.

The themes of the anime revolve around love, healing, and personal growth. The romantic development between Tamahiko and Yuzu is slow and tender, making their eventual connection feel earned and genuine. The series also touches on themes of family and societal expectations, but these are explored more superficially. The dynamic between Tamahiko and his family could have been explored in greater depth to provide a more complex understanding of his character and struggles. The themes are positive and uplifting, with the central moral message promoting the importance of opening up to others, learning to accept oneself, and finding healing through love.

The soundtrack of Taisho Otome Fairy Tale is subtle and fitting, complementing the series' peaceful atmosphere. The music isn’t particularly memorable, but it serves to enhance the emotional moments without overshadowing the story. The opening and ending themes are gentle and calming, reflecting the tone of the show. While the music is pleasant, it doesn’t leave a lasting impression, and the score doesn’t significantly enhance the emotional weight of the narrative in the way that a more striking soundtrack might.

The genre of historical romance is executed reasonably well, though it doesn’t fully break away from the typical tropes associated with the genre. The romance is predictable, but the character development and emotional depth give it a sense of sincerity that makes it feel more than just a typical love story. The anime balances its romantic elements with its historical setting, but the latter could have been more fully explored to elevate the series beyond the conventional.

As for the conclusion and ending, the series ties up its central plotlines in a satisfying way, but some aspects remain unexplained. The romance between Tamahiko and Yuzu reaches a resolution, and the emotional payoff feels earned, even if the final episodes are somewhat rushed. The series leaves room for reflection on the characters' growth, but it also leaves a few questions unanswered, particularly regarding Tamahiko’s past and his family's role in his emotional journey. While the ending is sweet, it doesn't necessarily leave a lasting impact or offer a profound sense of closure.

In terms of moral messages, Taisho Otome Fairy Tale promotes the idea of healing, self-acceptance, and the power of love. It encourages viewers to open themselves up to others and take the time to understand their own emotions. While the messages are largely positive, the execution of these themes could have been deeper, particularly in relation to societal expectations and the characters' personal struggles. There is a sense of idealism in the series, which may resonate with viewers looking for a more comforting, less complex narrative.

In conclusion, Taisho Otome Fairy Tale is a solid historical romance that offers a charming and heartwarming experience. While it may not stand out as a groundbreaking work, it delivers on its promise of a tender love story set in the Taisho period. The pacing, character development, and emotional growth of the leads are its strongest aspects, but the lack of deeper worldbuilding and the underdeveloped secondary characters prevent it from reaching its full potential. For those looking for a gentle, feel-good romance with a historical backdrop, this anime is a pleasant, if somewhat predictable, choice.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Jun 21, 2023

Benx2019

Mixed Feelings

The animation is pretty mediocre. No real flash to any of the scenes, character animation is just alright. Although the backgrounds are actually pretty solid. The characters are not all that impressive either, they're not shallow as a puddle, but they are not incredibly deep. The story has decent premise and leads to some fun hijinks, but that being said it's not too involved. The pacing is good for the most part, but the middle struggles a bit. Voice acting is pretty average. It's not lifeless, but it's also not at all impressive. The soundtrack is pretty good and the op/ed is also decent. Overall ... it's cute and I enjoyed it, but it felt a little dull. The voice acting plus the mediocre character animation just made the entire thing feel a little lifeless. I think that was really what held this anime back, a lack of effort in some key areas. Voice acting and character animation might not seem like a big deal, but they impact the ability of the show to move the audience. It's a rom/com drama, so I expect to be moved a bit more and I felt this was somewhat lacking in that area. 6.4/10

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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May 16, 2024

Panda_Roll

Not Recommended

Ever had a knee jerk reaction just from a show's opening?

That's Taishou for me. A story about a sad boy being sad and the /manic pixie/ dream girl that "saves" him. I grew up in the 90s and early 2000s. This genre was practically invited back then and it completely saturated the market back in the day. I guess Japan, like Disney, really is 20 years behind trends...

Now the catch here is that she's a granny. Nope, that's it. Think of the ideal grandma, the sweet one that does all the housework perfectly, makes the best food and can sew. Yeah, now place ... her in a childlike body and you have this show. Because heaven forbid we don't infantilize women. Sorta made worse by having the boy practically tower over her, I get that tall = handsome is most Otome stories but this just looks like a pedo entrapment show!

The rest is what you'd expect from this kind of story really. /manic/ is loved by all from the start, super happy all the time even when it makes no sense for her to be and she saves sad boy by bringing him out of his shell. In return sad boy is handsome, super tall, rich, gets good grades and is the author's ideal only with better hair.

And here is the issue I have with this trope. The characters are empty. Sad Boy usually feels more real since we get his inner monologue in stories like this but Manic doesn't really have her own identity, she is whatever will make sad boy happy (bra size included!). It makes sense that she was "bought" for him now doesn't it... By the way I find it problematic that this premise is ok in this day and age. It's a common one is BL to force the couple together but in a supposed romantic show??? There is some lip service paid towards this but that's all it amounts to, lip service.

It gets a few points since some of the situations are cute. Also the old timey 1920s aesthetic is charming and does work with manic's grandma persona. Over all it's not too bad but if you're not into this specific trope then you won't like it.

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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