Soredemo Sekai Wa Utsukushii Episode 3: The First Lady

Slower plot progression for Soresekai this week, but we get to take a more in-depth look at the relationship between Nike and Livius, and boy are these two a charming pair.

It’s no secret that I’m pretty damn sold on Soresekai (I was convinced of it’s quality since episode 1), but this show really knows what it’s doing, and always brings the goods. My only real problem so far is the rain-summoning. We’re 3 episodes in, and Nike’s already summoned the rain twice, which begs the question of whether there was a need for Nike to mention such stringent conditions for her to do so in episode 1. It seems pretty damn easy to me – as long as both Nike and Livius want rain there is an emotional resonance of sorts (as shallow as that is, disappointingly) and this should be enough for her to bring the rain. I don’t want to think of it as a little sideshow, it’s definitely an important piece of the story this series is trying to tell, but if they keep using this rain-summoning card to bring Nike and Livius together my opinion on Soresekai may differ a few weeks from now. I would prefer if they brought forth the fact that Nike could see Livius’ dreams instead of having her just mull over it.

Other than that I enjoyed the episode. A problem I have with shoujo anime and manga (not Otome game adaptations, those are of a different breed altogether) is that either the main girl or the main guy (or both of them) are horrible/boring. This was the case in Tonari No Kaibutsu-kun, Special A, Kaichou Wa Maid-Sama, Kimi Ni Todoke…I think you get my point. However, both Nike and Livius are fantastic characters, it’s almost groundbreaking when you compare it to other shoujo anime of recent times. The relationship between the two is still kind of iffy for me, after all she’s 15 and he’s 12, but I think the source material is confident of the kind of relationship the two are supposed to have. They’re not adults, and are still adolescents – it makes sense that their relationship should depict this as well. They’re not going to be like the typical shoujo couple with love confessions ablazing and hands holding, but rather a mix of that and a sibling-like dynamic. The two of them are both strong-willed characters that find solace in each other’s presence, but the difference in background between Livius and Nike, as well as Livius’ past involving his mother’s assassination are sure to put a strain on their relationship. Livius and Nike too are protective of each other, but this may turn out potentially destructive for them – Livius wants to protect her and keep her at bay, but Nike doesn’t take things lying down. They’re a troublesome pair like this, and I love it. Their relationship is refreshing and is really a dynamic we don’t see often in anime, not just in shoujo.

The whole idea of discrimination was brought up this week as well, if only for a little. Other important political figures look down on Nike’s background as the Princess of a land as backward as the Principality of Rain, but the show handled it quite decently. Soresekai never got too preachy about it, and I’m glad it’s only a minor thing for the series. I mean, look at Mahouka and how it handles the idea of discrimination. Holy crap, that’s really bad stuff.  It also does add an interesting look at how the world of Soresekai works – I’d like to further understand the hierarchy kingdoms, their allocation of power and resources and whatnot.  I mean, look at Mahouka and how it handles the idea of discrimination. Holy crap, that’s really bad stuff.

Also, Eva and I aren’t sharing this as per our original plans anymore. So it’s just going to be me covering this every week.