Mikakunin de Shinkoukei – Episode 2: A Loli Sister-in-Law Isn’t All That Bad

Impression:

I’m really loving Mikakunin de Shinkoukei. The plot isn’t shallow, the characters aren’t annoyingly overt, the animation is delicious, and, well, I’m lovin’ it. I didn’t want the episode to end, which is surprising only because I tend to dislike slice-of-life anime. The comedy is funny without being over-the-top. The plot is interesting without subtracting from it’s slice-of-life roots. Episode 2 of Mikakunin de Shinkoukei confirmed my suspicions from episode 1…yes, Mikakunin de Shinkoukei is (one of) this seasons hidden gem(s)!

What happened back then? I was genuinely surprised when Mashiro mentioned something serious, something that alludes to a character in a slice-of-life (well, it’s more of a romantic comedy with slice-of-life elements, so I’m going to refrain from calling it ‘slice-of-life’ from now on) anime being hurt and or being hurt in an attempt to save someone else. Quite though he is, I feel as though his personality is Hakuya’s most appealing feature (oxymoron though that may be). It’s not that he lacks  a personality, he’s just a bit quite is all. I’ve known quite people who have actually got a lot of personality – ain’t nothing’ wrong with a preference for the quite life…a part from when your little sister continually knocks over your Popsicle stick house…poor guy. I’m glad that Hakuya and Kobeni have a back story, especially since it’s one that, firstly, makes Hakuya seem to be even more of a decent guy than I thought he was (and I already thought he was a pretty decent guy), and, secondly, gives Kobeni yet another reason to consider him husband material – quite though he may be.

My only real criticism of the whole “what happened back then?” subplot is that it’s so cliche. Like, cookie-cutter cliche. I’ve seen several anime where the whole “we met when we were children” plot point was used as a way to draw two characters together. I read several visual novels where the main characters ends up meeting their childhood friend and, once again, this ‘revelation’ draws them together. I’ll forgive Mikakunin de Shinkoukei because the whole premise is that they’re betrothed and the idea of them meeting as children in this circumstance isn’t totally aggravating – but she has amnesia?! Seriously?! She can’t have been that young if even Mashiro can remember it so…what the hell? Ah well, for those people who have never seen this plot point used before, it must be very nice…oh, memories of anime youth.

Once again, I found it was the character interactions that really allowed Mikakunin de Shinkoukei to shine – Mashiro and her childlike ways, Benio and her…perversion… Kobeni and her down to earth self (alongside those childbearing hips!) and Hakuya and his…nap. We’ll forgive him because he (probably) saved Kobeni a long time ago. I’m still curious as to whether they’re going to take the whole “Benio is great at everything” plot point and develop it, although I think it’s probably unlikely because the show his rather comedy based and a topic about the inferiority of siblings…yeah, (depending on who it’s handled) I don’t think it’d meld well.

Also…is the ED about Mashiro’s food habits…? I like it!

TO CONCLUDE! Mikakunin de Shinkoukei episode 2 was great! Good characters, half-interesting plot, despite it’s cliches, and animation that puts many a romantic comedy with even better plots to shame. That is all.