Ranked #147

Kuragehime

Alright, I admit it. I was skeptical at first when I heard of this anime, since I've seen all sorts of gender bender plots. Besides, "Jellyfish Princess"? What kind of title is that?

But don't be deceived by first impressions. True to its roots, this anime is focused at a more mature audience then typical animes; that's why it's the josei genre. It relates to many aspects of "fandoms". Trains, Japanese culture, fashion, politics, and much more. Many of the characters are attractive, not by their looks, but by their personalities, and how their individual fandoms relate to them. This not only gives a charm in the story, but watchers can easily understand and recognize them.

To give focus onto the main characters, Kurashita Tsukimi is the titular Jellyfish Princess. She is obsessed with jellyfish and dream of being an illustrator.She lives with the "Amars" the other 30-something fujoshi, and men are not allowed within the Amamizukan, their apartment. The other "heroine" is Koibuchi Kuranosuke. A son of a politician, he crossdresses in hopes of avoiding politics, and he fatefully meets Tsukimi. Hilarity ensues.

Light-hearted but clearly having its own depth, Kuragehime is definitely worth watching, if only for the character interaction. You won't be disappointed.

Warning: The opening and ending songs are highly addicting. Watch with care. read more

What were my first thoughts on Kuragehime? It sounds stupid. An anime about middle aged lonely otaku virgin women is absolutely unheard of in this day and age. None of them are even cute! ‘Give me moe or give me death!’ is quite a common thing nowadays. And above all it’s just another slice of life. Almost nothing is attractive if you were to just explain ‘The Jellyfish Princess’ to any other fan.

However, despite all its unattractiveness it is by far the most beautiful anime of the fall season.

At first glance, without being told anything, anyone would assume the majority of the main characters were guys. This would include Mayaya, Banba and Jiji. Quite honestly those names are some of the strangest names I’ve heard in all the years I’ve watched anime. Coupled with their rather quirky nature and almost unisexual apparel you’d almost never guess they were girls until the show told you and if all you’re looking for is moe you’d be hugely disappointed. However their personalities, now factoring Tsukimi and Chieko, seem to overcome all those faults. I’m not sure if it’s the obsessive otakuness that drives their actions but the characters seem endearing; you can laugh at them, with them, and even understand why they act the way they do. All the NUNZ are just fun and somewhat loveable to watch as they interact with the ‘Hipster’ Kuranosuke.

Kuranosuke is, currently, my most favorite character of the series. He’s that annoying crossdressing neighbor that runs into your life and does whatever he wants, typically destroying any semblance of piece. Aside from being completely hilarious, he’s the main reason the plot moves at all and without him I don’t think the everyday lives of the NUNZ would have been hilariously affected as they are now.

In short, the main attraction to this series, I would believe, would be the characters. But not in the same way a show like K-ON attracts using their characters. While K-ON has you admire and squeal over how cute their characters act, Kuragehime has characters that live by quirks many otaku and others without good people skills would find familiar and easy to understand.

All in all, don’t let the description throw you off. Let it take you in and you’ll find Kuragehime, among its faults, shines as bright as the brightest jellyfish at night.

PS: Don’t listen to the OP or ED. They’re so addictive it’s hard to sleep while knowing they aren’t in your hard drive RIGHT NOW.
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