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At a recent anime convention, I was asked to watch Kuragehime by a friend who professed that it was one of the best anime he had ever seen. Having now watched the entire anime I will admit that, while not the world changer my friend made it out to be, Kuragehime is a charming anime filled with interesting characters and it was completely worth my time to watch it.

Story - 8

The story of Kuragehime is an interesting one. On the surface it is the tale of a group of societal rejects, each obsessed with a different subject, banding together for safety and protection from the ... world around them. They hide themselves away, avoiding contact with anyone who they feel doesn’t fit into their group. They go so far as to ban men and anyone considered “stylish” from their home, but in order to protect this safe home they have created for themselves, they must enter the very world they have tried to hide from. It is here that the story really shines. While the show contains many hilarious moments and kept me laughing, it is the focus on the overarching growth of the characters that really make the story what it is, a feel good tale about an interesting group of women overcoming adversity.

Art – 9

The art in Kuragehime can be quite beautiful. It possesses a different feel than most art I’ve seen in anime. While some of the character designs, such as Mayaya’s and Banba’s, are quite plain, it seems as though this is by choice as it creates a wonderful contrast with each character’s “stylish” look. Other characters feature multiple designs that really shine especially Kuranosuke’s many looks. The background art is well done with many of the settings being bright and colourful. Also the animation itself is smooth and fluid, especially with the quick and awkward movements that Tsukimi often makes.

Sound – 9

Sound is another aspect of Kuragehime that is well done. The voices really fit the characters from Saiga Mitsuki as the emotional Kuranosuke to Kumai Motoko as the calm Banba. The comedic delivery of each line is masterfully done making sure each punch line is delivered to maximum effect. A special mention has to be made of Hanazawa Kana, in one of her earlier roles, as main character Tsukimi. She manages to perfectly portray each of Tsukimi’s moods from self-disgust to fiery seriousness and even creepy infatuation. The music in the series is above average, but other than an extremely catchy opening song, really isn’t all that noticeable.

Character – 10

While I enjoyed Kuragehime as a whole, the characters are the one aspect of that I think could not have been better. Each of the “otaku” women who live together has a different obsession and the quirks that come with it. The way that their obsessions pop up in almost every aspect of their lives is a constant source of hilarity. Despite these obsessions, the characters aren’t just stereotypes. As the series goes on, the viewer can see how each of the women grows through the changes that Tsukimi’s friendship with Kuranosuke brings into their lives. It is this growth that makes each of the characters so interesting. Even minor characters such as Kuranosuke’s brother are given growth as characters.

Enjoyment – 9

I’m the first one to admit that I am often quite easy to please. There are few anime that I don’t enjoy a fair bit. It takes something pretty awful for me to dislike it. Despite this I can say that I enjoyed watching Kuragehime more than most anime. The characters were interesting and the story was engrossing enough that myself and three friends had no trouble watching all eleven episodes in one sitting and still, a week later, we find ourselves discussing how much fun we had watching it. It’s the kind of anime that makes the viewer feel good, both for the characters and about themselves. I had a smile on my face while watching Kuragehime and as I wrote this review I smiled again, while I remembered Tsukimi and Kuranosuke’s adventures. If you are looking for a fun anime to spend an afternoon watching then I think you should give Kuragehime a try.