Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon

Kyoto Animation has been something of a lost soul, struggling to find its identity in a post-Haruhi and K-ON world. It is through flipping back the dial and returning to their roots that their newest title, Maid Dragon, is able to find its footing. It feels like something that might have been animated once upon a time in 2005, and that is precisely what makes it so special in the modern climate of harem and superpower.

And unlike many of their more recent titles, it knows what it wishes to be and never compromises its vision in a futile attempt to appease everyone and anyone. It ... doesn't play around with drama, and it never centres on action and explosions despite its cast of malevolent dragons. It's silly. It's relaxing. And it can even be a bit heartwarming when it tries, too. Have I also mentioned that Tohru is cute as all hell?

Some may immediately wince and groan upon reading the series' synopsis. Maids plus dragons does not make for a very promising setting, nor does it seem like a combination that required much more than two or three seconds of thought. Everything that could possibly exist has, or inevitably will, receive some sort of series with cute girls indiscriminately slapped onto it. Modern anime has trained people to be cynical.

But to treat Maid Dragon as just another silly comedy with moe characters wouldn't be entirely fair, as there are a number of things it does quite differently. Kobayashi, the show's title character and languid protagonist, is a working adult rather than the conventional teenager. Whereas most anime of its nature would choose instead to play a teenager as some pseudo-adult ("my parents are conveniently away on a business trip, so, hey, I have this house and this maid lady all to myself"), Maid Dragon chooses instead to portray real adults with real issues. Kobayashi is so bored with the office-lady routine that she will choose to drink herself halfway to death after a long day's work. Such is life in much of Japan.

By portraying adult characters, the sense of family between Kobayashi, Tohru, and Kamui feels genuine. Kobayashi is the mother of the household, and she will snap back at her dragon friends whenever they do something unreasonable. She is strict, yet also caring, and tries her best to understand their difficulties with getting used to the human world. Even little things such as peeling oranges for the two on their kotatsu makes it clear that she appreciates their company, even if she may not always be clear and forthright about it. Maid Dragon is true slice-of-life.

Kobayashi being female also helps to keep the show away from any unnecessary sexual undertones. If she were male, the show would no doubt be a harem, and it would be all the worse for it. It is hard to care about a cast when the only thing characterising them is accidental breast fondling (yay) and walking in on (and screaming at) each other in the bathroom. Yawn. While Tohru's feelings for Kobayashi are humorously exaggerated as being romantic, that is not Tohru's actual intentions, and indeed, her reactions come more from gratitude and a desire to protect her guardian, rather than anything genuinely romantic or sexual. The one exception is that, yes, there is a compulsory beach scene, although I suppose I can't fault it too much as it was relatively short and harmless (and because Tohru's body is a lovely sight indeed).

Maid Dragon can occasionally be funny-- Tohru visiting Kobayashi's workplace and repeatedly tripping her crabby boss, or challenging one of the other dragons to a fight in another dimension only to close it on them-- but it isn't an anime that is particularly defined by laughs. It is meant more to be relaxing, and, undoubtedly thanks to Kamui's presence, cute, at times adorable. I just wish it didn't have to repeat the same joke about Tohru cooking her tail a million and one times over.

The anime is at its strongest when it focuses on these main three, which makes the scenes with the other three dragons and Kobayashi's otaku friend, Takiya, significantly less appealing. Takiya's split personality is so jarring and exaggerated that he is often more obnoxious than anything, and Quetzalcoatl is pretty much a non-character whose only defining traits are that her boobs are large and that she likes to dress in scantily-clad clothing. If they were taken out altogether, I don't think anyone would find much reason to complain. More time should instead have been spent developing Kobayashi's cynical worldview, and Tohru's newfound interest in human society, the show's two most compelling themes. It would be nice for Kamui to also have something else to her besides simply being cute and snugly, but then I suppose it would be difficult to develop a character who is essentially the equivalent of a six or seven-year-old child. I sure as heck did not have anything else defining me at that age besides a love for candy and temper tantrums.

Kyoto Animation's artwork is generally excellent, but it certainly stands out in Maid Dragon's case. While there are few scenes that draw particular attention for their animation, the cute and humorous expressions the characters make (notably Tohru and Kamui) make the anime a ripe for grabbin' screenshots. Tohru's eyes are especially detailed, and draw attention to her nature as a dragon while never seeming overtly inhuman. Bright colours and soft edges also do well to enhance the fluffy, relaxing atmosphere the anime strives for. Part of the problem I had with some of KyoAni's other titles, such as Hibike Euphonium, is that they just looked so bland and dreary all the time. It's always welcome to see them return to a more traditional style, as traditional, it seems, is the very thing that KyoAni is skilled at.

To label Maid Dragon as something stellar or ground-breaking may be giving it a bit too much credit, but there is little doubt that it is at least a return to form for a studio that has been losing its way for many a year. It is as well a fun time in its own right, an almost nostalgic recollection of what slice-of-life anime used to be, and could, can be once more.

~Multilingual review, English & Español: Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid~

In the Japanese culture there are two really heartwarming greetings that represent the core of the family bonds: 'Tadaima' (ただいま) and 'Okaeri' (おかえり), respectively meaning 'I'm home' and 'welcome home'. The exchange between these greetings happen when one person arrives home, and there is another one to welcome them back. While not strictly restricted to family members alone, and can be used colloquially between friends and acquaintances, even in workplace and school, these greetings carry a deep and strong meaning behind them, which is no other that 'this is the place I belong to'.

Although there are many ... factors that determine the place we could call 'home', and some of them may, naturally, not include a physical person, in my personal opinion just because there is someone eagerly waiting for your return, and acknowledges that is only natural for you to come back, because this is your place, is nothing less what I would call 'the feeling of getting home'.

While it is impossible to chose which family born in, the choice of what to call our 'home' is entirely up to us, and that includes, the circle of people that will come to form part of it. Claiming that 'there are many types of families as there are stars in the sky' might be quite a silly over exaggeration, however it is not entirely wrong to say there are countless combinations and bonds that shape, what we would later call, 'our family'.

Moving one step back to the things impossible to chose, and the next one in the list is: Falling in Love. However this might be a completely biased opinion since I am a total, silly, romanticist, but there is a thing I believe we all have to agree: It is a completely unexpected chapter in our lives. After all, while all the other emotions arrives from the front door, this little bastard show itself from the back door while you were standing there like a dumb trying to see if Happiness was also in the group. Falling in love with someone takes you completely by surprise, and so as well, in some cases, is the person fated to mess around your entire existence.

Falling in Love + Different race + same gender = Love problems?

In this particular case, to scramble our protagonist life, is a certain dragon's unconditional Love. Blind as it is, but really really that blind that gender, age, and even race, represent nothing but just tiny details, Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid features a mighty powerful dragon who falls in love with a female human, and although remaining an important lead, the show's gimmick does not spin entirely around it, to the extent that it would not fall under the Romance category, the show has way more to offer than a simple fairytale love story.

As previously mentioned, the story follows super mighty dragon Tooru, and her time in the human world after becoming Kobayashi's maid, the person she's completely infatuated in. Kobayashi is a young office lady leading an existence of the prototypical Japanese salaryman. Work until late hours, almost nonexistent private life, (sometimes forced) drinking parties with the boss, and obviously getting home so tired that just opening the home's door is the last action before collapsing to the floor, everyday repeat, repeat and repeat. And so the gray and monotonous everyday life of office lady Kobayashi starts to gain, definitely, more color.

Meet the Kobayashi's household - Residents: 1 human + 2 dragons + ♥ = Family

Being a Slice of Life series as it is, the anime narrates the everyday life of Tooru, self-proclaimed 'Dragon maid', the somewhat stoic office lady, Kobayashi, and little dragon, Kanna. What I really liked the most about this show is how the three of them, with the progression of the story, started to develop the bonds of a real adoptive family, satisfying the affective desires of each other, and caring deeply for the wellbeing of the members. These developments can be seen throughout the great writing of the dialogues between the characters, I specially adored the interactions between Tooru and Kobayashi, as they were the ones that contained the themes which I expressed in the very beginning of this review, 'the place I belong to'.

Tooru's inner turmoil regarding the human world, and her love for Kobayashi, which contradicts the apparently hate and fear for the humanity, are a constant recurring theme for the entire anime's progression. The series explores other themes such as the diversity and integration, something entirely affecting the dragons living in the human world, and their feelings regarding it's inhabitant, because living among them does not necessarily means living with them.

Unknown world + Unknown people + Being different = Trust problems

Going back a bit to the part when I mentioned that all the family members satisfy the affective desires, we can perfectly observe how the relationship wheel spin, and how much these interactions affected the lives of our three main characters. Kobayashi is a really stoic, passive person, and the difficulties she has maintaining a relationship with the other characters are plenty visible to see, specially towards the affection that comes from Tooru, as she has never been close to anyone before, she does not know how to behave. The exchange is bidirectional towards the dragon maid's inner chaos due to the new life and her love for the female human, that allows her to soon discovering that even though she sees humans as inferiors, she does have indeed desire to understand them. And finally little Kanna, the dragon which embraces the new environment with curiosity and willingness to integrate.

Being realised by Kyoto Animation, we can aspect some really cute designs, fluid quality animation, and bright colors, as per the studio's standard procedure. Also the Original Soundtrack was very great too, they accompanied the events perfectly, I could not ask for better.

In my personal opinion this is a great Slice of Life, although moving perfectly according to the standard of the genre, bringing nothing original nor unique to the industry, it succeeds wonderfully in developing the main themes the show reached out to us, transmitting the message and the values, that were set as a primary goal for the accomplishment of what I consider, Quality.

Wonderful characters + excellent development + Great rhythms = Must watch

[Español - Traducción con la ayuda de mi querido amigo OnionSoda]

En la cultura japonesa existen dos saludos de verdad reconfortantes los cuales representan el núcleo de los lazos familiares: 'Tadaima' (ただいま) y 'Okaeri' (おかえり), que significan respectivamente 'Estoy en casa' y 'Bienvenido a casa'. El intercambio entre estos saludos se verifica cuando una persona recién llega a casa, y a su vez, es recibido por la otra persona que se encuentra ya en ella. Si bien no es restrictivo al uso familiar, y puede ser utilizado entre amigos y conocidos, incluso en el lugar de trabajo y escuela, estos saludos cargan el peso de un fuerte significado con ellos, el me gustaría describir como no más que 'el lugar a donde pertenezco'.

Si bien hayan mucho factores que determinan el lugar que llamaríamos 'hogar', y naturalmente, algunos pueden que no incluyan una persona física, en mi opinión personal sólo por el hecho que haya alguien que espere ansiosamente por tu regreso, y reconozca que es normal para ti el hecho de retornar, porque este es tu lugar, es algo que nada más ni nada menos llamaría 'el genuino regreso al hogar'.

Aún siendo imposible la decisión de escoger en que familia nacer, la elección de lo que decidimos llamar nuestro 'hogar' es enteramente al alcance de todos, y con ellos incluye, el círculo de personas que se vendrían a formar alrededor. Exclamar una frase como 'existen tipos de familia cuanto estrellas en el cielo' llegaría a ser una tonta exageración, de todos modos no estaríamos en el error al decir que son incontables las combinaciones y lazos que vendrían a formar, lo que llamaríamos luego, 'nuestra familia'.

Haciendo un paso atrás, a cuando hablábamos de las elecciones imposibles, la próxima en la lista sería: Enamorarse. De todos modos, esto podría ser una opinión parcial ya que soy un completo, tonto, romántico, aún así hay algo en que creo que todos tenemos que acordar: Es un capítulo totalmente inesperado en nuestras vidas. Después de todo, cuando todas las otras emociones pasan por la puerta principal, este pequeño bastardo se presenta por la puerta posterior mientras tú estabas ahí parado como un bobo tratando de ver si Felicidad estaba también en el grupo. Enamorarse de alguien te toma completamente por sorpresa, y lo es inclusive, en algunos casos, la persona destinada a revolver tu total existencia.

Enamorarse + diferente raza + mismo género = Problemas de Amor?

En este caso particular, a desbaratar la vida de nuestra protagonista, es el Amor incondicional de un cierto dragón. Ciego como es, pero realmente ciego que el género, la edad, e inclusive la raza, representan nada más que pequeños detalles, Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid se enfoca en un potente y temible dragón que se enamora de una chica humana, y si bien quedándose como un importante desenvuelve, la esencia del anime no gira completamente entorno a ello, al punto que no caería en la categoría Romance, este show tiene más por ofrecer que una simple amorío de un cuento de hadas.

Como mencionado anteriormente, la historia sigue al potente dragón Tooru, y su estadía después de ofrecer, forzadamente, sus servicios como maid a Kobayashi, la chica por la cual perdió la cabeza. Kobayashi es una joven trabajadora cuya existencia sigue los pasos del típico 'salaryman' japonés. Se trabaja hasta tarde, casi inexistente vida social, (a veces obligadas) salidas a beber con los jefes, y obviamente el llegar a casa tan destruido que, la última acción antes de desplomarse al suelo, es abrir la puerta de casa. El continuo repetirse de los días, una y otra vez. Es así que con la llegada de los nuevos huéspedes, el gris y monótono día a día de Kobayashi comienza a ganar, seguramente, más color.

Conozcan la residencia de los Kobayashi - ocupantes: 1 humano + 2 dragones + ♥ = Familia.

Siendo una Slice of Life como lo es, el anime narra el día a día de Tooru, autoproclamada 'Dragon Maid', la apática joven trabajadora, Kobayashi, y la pequeña dragón, Kanna. Lo que realmente me encanto de esta serie es como las tres, con el desarrollo de la historia, comienzan a establecer los lazos de una verdadera familia adoptiva, que satisfacen las necesidades afectivas de cada uno, preocupándose mutuamente por el bienestar de los miembros. Esta progresión es llevada a cabo gracias a la buena escritura de lo diálogos entre los personajes, especialmente adore las interacciones entre Tooru y Kobayashi, ya que fueron los que contenían los temas con los cuales, anteriormente, decidí abrir esta reseña, 'el lugar a donde pertenezco'.

La confusión interior de Tooru acerca el mundo humano, y sus sentimientos por Kobayashi, los cuales contradicen su aparente odio y miedo por la humanidad, son temas recurrentes por el entero arco narrativo de la serie. La serie explora temas como la diversidad y la integración, cosas que afectan principalmente los dragones que viven en el mundo humano, y sus sentimientos acerca sus habitantes, porque vivir entre ellos, no necesariamente quiere decir vivir con ellos.

Regresando un poco a la parte donde menciono que todos los miembros de la familia satisfacen sus necesidades afectivas, podemos observar como la rueda de las relaciones gira al rededor de la nueva presencia en sus vidas. Kobayashi es una chica de verdad estoica, y las dificultades que tiene al mantener las relaciones con los otros personajes son fáciles de individuar, especialmente cuando se trata del afecto que le proporciona Tooru, siendo el caso de nunca haber sido tan cercana a alguien antes, no sabe cómo comportarse. El cambio es bidireccional hacia el caos interior que tiene la dragon maid debido a la nueva vida que enfrenta y a los sentimientos que tiene por la chica humana, el cual le permite descubrir que aún reputando los humanos como inferiores, tiene de verdad deseo de entenderlos. Y por último esta Kanna, la única que acepta el nuevo ambiente con curiosidad y empeño a integrarse. Aun teniendo una mentalidad similar a la de Tooru, al ser un infante ella logra ver un mundo bajo una diferente luz, un lugar lleno de cosas que esperan a ser descubiertas.

La serie fue realizada por Kyoto Animation, por lo que podemos esperar diseños bonitos, calidad de animación fluida, y colores brillantes, como suele proceder el estudio normalmente. También el audio fue bastante bueno, se acompaña a la perfección a las escenas y eventos, no podría pedir algo mejor.

En mi opinión personal esta es una gran serie SoL, si bien moviéndose perfectamente de acuerdo al patrón del género, trayendo nada de nuevo o revelador a la industria, logra desarrollar, magníficamente, los temas que se propone, trasmitiendo el mensaje y los valores que fueron puestos como objetivo primario para el resultado de lo que reputo, Calidad.

Personajes geniales + Excelente desarrollo + Muy buen ritmo = No hay que perdérselo

Dragons can be dangerous, it can also be CUTE AS ALL FUKKK.
I'll be reviewing Kobayashi-San chi no Maid Dragon as an Anime only watcher (although I read the first couple of chapters, just lazy to continue any further)

Story (9)
A dragon who seemed to be in great danger was saved by the almighty Drunkayashi. In order to repay her kindness. She becomes her maid, and with that, the Unending story between these 2 begin. I wonder how it'll turn out...

Character (10)
What can I say? All these characters (D)ominate my heart. The way Tooru would just cook her (D)elicious tail. But Kobayashi refuses becuz she think ... it's (D)isgusting. Total D's=3. I can assume that Tooru is a triple D cup. Tooru is the main dragon of the series with her big smile, big heart, big attitude, and big..oh so big breasts. I'm sure you are guaranteed one chuckle or laugh each episode. I love how much Tooru clings to Yashi (I'm saying Yashi cuz Kobayashi is too much to type on mobile) it's a cute way of showing gratitude...I guess. The relationship between Tooru and Yashi will probably increase as the show goes on. I thought these 2 would be the main focus of the entire anime...
UNTIL THIS CUTE AS FUCK LOLI DRAGON COMES INTO PLAY!
Kanna, this girl must be my spirit animal. She is a loli done right. A loli who is not annoying as fuk and can still make u smile for 3/4ths of an episode. Her character design is great and her VA, give that woman a FUKKING raise :3.
Quet..Kwetzu...Quetzalcoatl...I'll just call her Q-Cup (which apparently she is..Q..cup) This character along with Fafnir has only been introduced lately and are still waiting for more character development from these 2.

Art (10)
It's KyoAni...cmon now.

Sound (9)
It's KyoAni...cmon now.

Enjoyment (10)
It's Kyo..k I'll stop

Out of all the animes for winter 2017. This anime takes my full enjoyment. How can a slice of slice series like this, have more action than some action animes that I know? This is the only anime I know that they make badass things. Such as:
"Playing"
"Dodgeball"
"And playing Dark Souls"

How will u even compare? This series takes the cake regarding full enjoyment.

Overall (9)
I guess because it's a SOL, there isn't too much to dive on except the fact that it hurts to wait 1 week for 24 minutes of god sauce. The characters are fun, the overall plot and premise proves to be interesting, and the animation...mmmm...tasty. I can't wait to see more of these characters and their crazy shenanigans.

However I do have somewhat a concern for Tooru's past. Even Kanna's

I just..idk...feel like something happened in the past. Like something not very good. Just a feeling though.

I think this is the shortest review I've made thus far. I guess it's obvious considering this is a slice of life and a series to just sit back and relax with. I totally recommend this to anyone who wants something fun and exciting. Becuz it'll put a smile on your face...

Since it sure has put one on mine...

Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid- Making Anime Fun Again

Remember when anime was pure, unadulterated fun? Racing home as if on a quest to save a dying loved one, plopping your giddy ass on the sofa and turning on your favorite after-school cartoon? Nowadays, myself included, people get ignorantly pretentious and critical when it comes to anime… most likely due to the accessibility of other’s opinions on the internet (you’re guilty MAL!). But what happened to the days when you could share a bond with another over some good, old fashioned Chinese cartoons? God forbid you meet some dragon t-shirted, fedora wearing pleb that only cares for ... mainstream shounen... whilst peddling Magic Cards out of his mom's basement. Sometimes even I fall into an over-analytical stupor and forget what makes anime so damn entrancing and fun to watch.

The undeniably successful Studio KyoAni’s 2017 release of Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid is a breath of fresh air in a barrage of unoriginality and criticality. It’s endearing, cute, charming and hilarious, and most of all is that it doesn’t rely on “2deep4u” plot lines or edgy characters to become a hit. It’s an anime that breathes nostalgia for me, crafting a diverse, likable cast that has one character for everyone to enjoy and although ramps down, never gets stale. Of course Kobayashi isn’t perfect, but moreso perfectly imperfect. Accompanied by an outstanding script and stunning, extravagant visuals, KyoAni smashes the target of a true feel-good anime, leaving self-proclaimed pundits with little ground left to criticize.

When it comes to story, sometimes simple is best. Nothing in Dragon Maid seems contrived, but moreso plays out like a situational comedy. The story is straightforward:

-A shut-in girl (Kobayashi) gets drunk and accidentally makes a deal with a dragon concealing herself under the masquerade of graciously endowed maid. (Tohru)

-Tohru and Kobayashi take in an adorable loli dragon, Kanna.

-The three of them (and some of Tohru’s mythical adversaries) live out the seasons in an episodic, heartwarming anime that’ll be sure to make you smile.

The writing in Dragon Maid is the pillar of the entire anime. As previously mentioned, the simple structure of everything helps add to the endearing, carefree atmosphere that the show contains. Whether it’s a scene about cooking or a candid beach/Christmas episode, the script is constructed in the most efficient manner possible. There is an array of characters from Tohru’s mysterious homeland deriving from mythology. There’s Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec god of learning and self-reflection, as well as the Norse referenced Fafnir, who was cursed and turned into a dragon. Seeing these fictional personalities personified and placed into ordinary scenarios like playing video games… most specifically the scene where Fafnir was playing the Dark Souls-esque dungeon crawler.

The comedy is often slapstick or quick-witted, emphasizing the quirky nature of Tohru and her friends. Jokes are subtly slipped into scenes without being corny or abundant, and there more than a few historical and pop culture references thrown in to liven things up as well. It reminds me of a less overblown version of Nichijou (thank you KyoAni!). Above all other aspects of the writing, Dragon Maid has a unique tendency to make me feel just, comfortable. Whether it was the family bond that Kobayashi, Tohru and Kanna emulated or the cozy scenes where they just wanted to sit around and watch tv, I truly felt at home with these “peculiar” characters. I certainly didn’t expect such a simple show to hit my nostalgia buttons.

As with any show, there were some aspects I didn’t care for, or that could’ve been done better. There was a lingering yuri theme present between Kobayashi and Tohru that acrobatically teetered between friendship and something more. I’m not sure if I’m the only one that noticed this, but I can’t say it was entirely necessary. Echoing this opinion was the relationship between Quetzalcoatl and her “master”. Fanservice is one thing, but her intrusive nature and suggestive sexuality was starkly convergent to the atmosphere present in the rest of the show. Lastly, the charm of Dragon Maid can tend to wear off over the length of the show, so I’d recommend watching the anime in stages to prevent this.

Kobayashi is a 9-5’er; a twenty-something introvert who takes out her aggressions from her job over a beer or twelve at night. She’s what most of us in that age bracket don’t care to admit that we are. Tohru is a self-proclaimed servant, attempting to erase her past and start a more peaceful life on Earth. Tohru and Kobayashi both developed significantly throughout the series, and played off each other very well. Most importantly is that the writers did this without making it the focus of the anime. Kanna is truly the cutest thing in existence, and everyone knows it… and Fafnir’s deep hatred for the human race slowly dissolved the more time he spent around them. The slow addition of side characters, and their mythological influence was reminiscent of The Devil is a Part Timer, only done significantly better.

KyoAni nailed it again when it came to animation. Colors are vibrant and lively, with Tohru’s eyes set ablaze with a mix of red and orange hues. Although not “technically” superior to shows like Hyouka, Dragon Maid’s art style takes on a life of its own. The character models are all so original and inviting, and the action scenes were a joy to watch. More similarities were present with Nichijou, especially Kobayashi’s “dead fish” eyes, and the sporadic expressions on various character’s faces. Beautiful work for sure.

The OP is one of the most jolly, alluring OPs I’ve ever come across, both due to the upbeat music and flawless animation. It tells its own story, one of innocent fun and excitement. I definitely put it on my phone already :P The ED is just as good, and acts as the punctuation at the end of each episode. I don’t always listen to the ED all the way through, but I made an exception for this anime. I also enjoyed hearing the variety of tracks in the OST… with its overall cheeky tones and beats. The voice acting is superb, especially considering most of the cast is relatively unknown. Some of the better performances coming from Kobayashi and Tohru themselves.

I enjoyed the hell out of this anime. The simplicity, coupled with the characters and overall coziness make a show I won't soon forget. I prefaced my review with a paragraph discounting criticality for a reason. Go into Dragon Maid to relax and have fun, nothing else. It's not intellectually stimulating, there's no abstract symbolism and there's no unnecessary ecchi moments. Enjoy it for what it is. I'd recommend this to fans of other heartwarming shows like Barakamon or Usagi drop, or fellow KyoAni-ites. They really surprised a lot of people with this show, and I'm certainly happy that I watched it. Thanks for reading!

"Ravioli, ravioli, don't lewd the dragon loli." Easier said than done when the anime is basically doing it for you already.

I must admit that I have been rather critical of Kyoto Animation in the last few years. Such a talented studio who used to work wonders back in the day with titles such as Clannad, Haruhi, Lucky Star and K-On, but over the course of the last four years or so I have been rather disappointed with their series, with shows such as Kyoukai no Kanata and Musaigen no Phantom World really failing to live up to their previous standards. But Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid ... Dragon actually feels like KyoAni finally returning to their roots, and for the first time in several years, it made me remember why I used to love this studio so much back in the day.

The anime starts with the typical adult office worker Kobayashi suddenly receiving a surprise visit one day... from a dragon. A dragon who then transforms into a human girl in a maid outfit and proclaims that she wants to live with her and work for her as her personal maid. As it turns out, Kobayashi had actually proposed the idea herself during some drunken escapade in the mountains earlier, and thus awkwardly finds herself having to invite the girl in. And thus begins Kobayashi's hectic everyday life of cohabitating with a dragon maid: Tooru.

It is a very simple series at heart but it works. It's reminiscent of KyoAni's wacky moe comedies of the past, and most of its success stems from the overblown characters and the stellar production value. Tooru is one big bundle of endless energy, in stark contrast to Kobayashi's deadpan and cool-headed personality. She is largely unfamiliar with how human society works as she came here through a portal from a different world, and as a result she sometimes suggests some ludicrous things such as haphazardly slaughtering people, and it is up to Kobayashi to keep her in check. Tooru is also rather openly affectionate with Kobayashi and repeatedly claims that she loves her, though Kobayashi mostly seems to see it as a child looking for parental affection rather than anything romantic for the most part.

If the entire series had solely revolved around Kobayashi and Tooru though, it would likely have become stale and repetitive before long, but fortunately that is not the case. There are numerous other characters, most of them other dragons, who are introduced one at a time as the anime progresses. The first of these, and also the only other one who would have to be considered as one of the show's main characters, is Kanna Kamui: proud owner of the sexiest piece of loli ass in a very long time (not to mention her thicc thighs). In all seriousness though, everything about her just screams moe, and in my mind she is the real star of this anime. Her looks, her personality and behaviour, even her husky and emotionless voice; all of it is unbearably cute. I think she is right up there with the likes of Kafuu Chino and Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko as far as pure moe overdose levels go. Kanna's role in the story is as a young dragon who follows Tooru to the human world and eventually ends up living with Kobayashi as well. She acts like the child of the strange household and also starts attending a local elementary school due to wanting to experience everyday life in human society in a way befitting someone of her age. What her exact age actually is we are never informed of, but she is supposedly still over 600 years old in human years, so she is presumably of legal age enough to do whatever degenerate things you lolicons want to do to her. On top of being irresistibly adorable though, I think Kanna also brings out the best side of Kobayashi. As the story goes on, you can gradually see Kobayashi becoming more and more of a mother figure to Kanna with the way she treats her, through acts such as taking time off work in order to be able to visit Kanna's school's sports festival and trying to sneak in presents in her Christmas stocking just like how she believes Santa would do it. It brings a genuinely heartwarming touch to what is otherwise a relatively non-serious anime, but it all blends together really well.

Regarding the supporting cast there is also Kobayashi's fellow coworker and otaku Takiya, as well as three other dragons in the form of the reclusive and mysterious Fafnir, the diligent but naïve Elma, and the easygoing and voluptuous Quetzalcoatl, more commonly known as Lucoa. Takiya and Fafnir have a sort of otaku bromance going on, which serves as a pretty nice contrast from the craziness going on whenever Tooru is around, and Elma functions well as the one dragon who can actually interact with Kobayashi on somewhat normal terms due to her personality and occupation. Lucoa however is the one character in this show which I honestly find rather useless. For one she is a typical fanservice character with gravity-defying breasts bigger than her head, but the way she utilizes them is kind of disturbing too. She does not move in with Kobayashi but rather lives in the house of a local child, and the way she interacts with him is basically through ignorant sexual harassment, which feels rather creepy to watch considering their milf and shota characteristics (the kid's name is literally Shouta I might add). Even outside that household though, the only thing Lucoa ever seems to do is jiggle her enormous knockers and nothing else. Her entire persona can be summarized by her tits. The show would really be better off without her.

So Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon is definitely not without its fair share of fanservice, however discounting Lucoa, the other stuff in that department that the anime has to offer is honestly more of a plus than a hindrance I think. Takiya and Fafnir may have a very close friendship past a certain point in the story, but it feels legitimately believable and honest rather than a pair of boys who just got shipped together for the hell of it or anything put into a sexual context. While I am sure the fujoshi crowd will have no problem overcoming that barrier, at least in the context of the show itself, their relationship only comes across as two people who became close friends due to a common interest of hobbies, in this case anime and video games. There are also numerous segments starring Kanna and her human school friend Riko, where it is made quite clear that the latter has a pretty huge infatuation with her dragon classmate. What exactly the nature of those feelings are is debatable considering Riko's young age, but either way there are many scenes of the two of them snuggling together and Riko being super excited about it as a result. It is kind of like a running gag throughout the show where Riko gets so excited over Kanna that she almost gets an ahegao as a result, which I guess is at least somewhat original instead of the more stereotypical nosebleed reaction. Kanna also does some rather surprising things to Riko in return sometimes such as spontaneously licking her on the cheek, but this feels more like an animalistic behavior caused by her non-human nature as she does not seem to mean it to be anything more than a friendly gesture, though of course Riko probably does not interpret it as such. Some people might find it a bit weird seeing two lolis being so physically affectionate with each other, but considering how clingy girls can be amongst friends combined with the facts that Kanna is a dragon and that Riko is highly exaggerated like most anime characters, it still feels believable to me. And also given how incredibly cute Kanna is as a character, it is not like I can blame Riko if she really does have some deeper feelings for her.

In terms of production value, the anime is undeniably top notch. The fact that the art and animation is stellar should be a given since it is KyoAni we are talking about, and there is not a whole lot to say about it other than that it looks like KyoAni shows normally do: in other words fantastic. Since this is a throwback to their moe shows of old though, it is perhaps a bit more colorful than normal in order to fit the light-hearted nature of the show. The music department is also great: the OP and ED are both super catchy tunes and it also has some surprisingly good insert songs throughout the episodes themselves as well with a rather tranquil and artistic feel-good atmosphere to them, and the voice acting is all-round solid as well. There really is not much to complain about in these aspects of the series.

All-in-all though, what you have is a well-directed and thoroughly entertaining anime which--while simplistic in nature--is very much aware of its own limitations and unapologetically embraces its own strengths. It shifts quickly between being over-the-top absurdity and relaxing yet heartwarming slice of life shenanigans, but the transitions are smooth and natural, and it is just as enjoyable in both ways. Yes, there are some things that could have been done better, and no, it is not the single best moe comedy ever made, but it is quite well above average at the very least, and definitely something well worth your time checking out.

TL;DR

Pros:
Diverse and likeable characters
Top tier moe, especially Kanna
Oftentimes quite heartwarming
Superb production value
Simple, light-hearted fun like the KyoAni of old

Cons:
Although entertaining, it is not exactly hilarious either
Lucoa is useless

Sleepless nights and long work hours have been taking their toll on me. It's hard to find enjoyment in life and inspiration to keep moving forward when you're working at 2 in the morning and subsisting exclusively on Redbull and frozen pizza.

During one particularly hard night, I was browsing twitter and came across a picture of an adorable anime character with purple and white hair. "That's it!" I thought to myself. "This is what I've been searching for!" I scrambled to my work computer to find more, and as I scrolled through videos and images for the series Kobayashi-san Chi no Dragon Maid, a ... realization slowly dawned upon me.

This character was more than just a cute animated loli. In many subtle ways, it resembled the old Gods and spirits of Aztec mythology. The patterns in her dress... The long, flowing hair... the resemblance was uncanny. But there was something more to it than that... some nigh incomprehensible, yet wholly palpable spiritual essence that I have yet to wrap my head around.

I had to find more. I watched all of the episodes available to me with feverish passion, examining every colorful animated second of it. My conclusion: I was 100% correct in my previous assertation. Kobayashi-san Chi no Dragon Maid represents more than just what's visible on it's fluffy, well-written comedic surface. Instead, it's the beginning of a cultural zeitgeist, the ushering-in of the new "moe" era.

In time, people will look back and point to this show as the turning point in or global shared culture. Even farther into the future, they'll find statues of Kanna and Toohru in the shattered remnants of our civilization and piece together their story-lines, much like we have done with the wreckage of the great Roman empire.

I could be wrong, of course. Maybe this is just a light-hearted romp with inventive and cute characters, fantastic animation, and fun comedic scenarios (the moe/comedy genre is KyoAni's forte, after all). However, I don't think that's the case.

I'll be watching the entire series, that much is certain. I'll also be purchasing the various merchandise that the series spawns. Figures, posters, DVD, etc... all the evidence that future generations will be using to learn more about this incredibly important time in human development that we inhabit.

You can think I'm crazy if you want. Maybe sleep deprivation, paired with malnutrition and 3-hour-long hentai viewing sessions have reduced my brain to a mashed-poatato-like mush, and these are the rambling of a man who has finally lost his grip on reality.

But what if I'm right?

My final verdict: 10/10. This series is a must-watch for both hardcore followers of anime and casual viewers alike.

Amazing, I didn't laugh that much since ending 'Nichijou'. Do not hesitate give it a try!!!!

'Komori-san Can't Decline' is another serialized manga from this author

'I Can't Understand What My Husband Is Saying' seems also worth to be check (manga only)

For now, #17 in top airing anime, should move a little above that spot.
If only I had time to read the manga, ahhh.

My dear dragons, good luck!
...
plot summary:
'One night, an office worker named Kobayashi comes across an injured dragon named Tohru who had come from another world. Wanting to repay Kobayashi's hospitality, Tohru starts living with her as a maid, soon attracting the attention of other dragons who come to the human world'

Once every now and then, we get some strange premise that gets animated on television. Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon is one such title that is probably more appealing to be quoted than anything else at first. Literally translating to Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, it’s definitely a title that will raise some eyebrows. I mean really, a dragon as a maid? That’s the probably one of the silliest ideas if you think about it on paper. It also shouldn’t be surprising as it’s one of Cool-kyou Shinga’s works. The author is known for expressing a lot of freedom in ideas. As such, watching this show ... with an open mind will definitely bring in a lot of enjoyment.

Who would have thought that Kyoto Animation would be the studio to adapt this show? Unlike some of the author’s other works (which turned out to be very short shows), this one runs for full length. Make no mistake about it though, the series is exactly what it sounds like. The first episode pretty much establishes the general concept as we meet Kobayashi, a young software programmer living her normal life in Tokyo. Life take a turn for her when she unknowingly saves a dragon named Tooru during one of her drunken scenarios. Fate follows and soon, Kobayashi has her own personal maid. Err, dragon maid. As you can judge from this premise, the show is portrayed more or less a slice of life fantasy. Despite being a dragon, Tooru isn’t entirely violent although she does possesses a disdain for humans. The only human that she seems to care the most is Kobayashi. In fact, she even develops a girly crush on her to the point of being devotion. That’s what really makes this show so entertaining because at its core, Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon always seeks to have fun by expanding on its ideas into a colorful fashion.

The series consists a diverse yet noticeable character cast. I’ll be honest though, main female protagonist Kobayashi is probably the least interesting character. She is the epitome of normal in this show when compared to others. Face it, she looks plain with an average paying job and average personality. However, Tooru finds her very appealing because she is honest to others and herself. Speaking of Tooru, she stands out as the most interesting character in the show. Coming from an entirely different world, it’s no surprise that she lacks common sense about Earth and its people. From the first few episodes, it’s shown that she lacks knowledge about being a maid at all. She also has virtually no experience with technology, cooking, or job skills. However, Tooru adapts well or at least she tries. Kobayashi is her main motivation to improve and she even comes to like Earth as time passes on.

Other noticeable characters in the show is a young dragon named Kanna. As one of the youngest characters in the show, she behaves exactly like a child. In the beginning, Kanna has a disdain for Kobayashi and wants Tooru to return with her to their world. However as time progresses, she is more accepting of Kobayashi and even starts treating them like her family. Kobayashi’s life gets even more complicated when Tooru’s other friends Fafnir and Lucoa makes their appearances. Speaking of Kobayashi, we can also see that she is slowly but surely warming up to Tooru. She is more accepting of her presence and the other dragons despite knowing how different they are compared to her. In the meantime, the others learn from Kobayashi about how human behavior works and even begins to adapt with their society. A clever example is Fafnir where he develops an addictive habit of playing video games. Another would be Kanna adapting with school life and making new friends including with schoolmate Riko.

In essence, I think the primary successes of this show relies on its character chemistry and humor. Character relationships are important as it establishes personalities and allows the audience to understand them better. It also makes the show much more entertaining as we see how humans and non-humans interact. There’s also change and development too with characters like Kobayashi, Fafnir, and Kanna. The way their roles are played out makes the audience curious about how far they can change. This is shown with characters such as Fafnir through his interaction with Makoto Takiya, Kobayashi’s co-worker. Fafnir begins to accept and even becomes obsessed with video games and culture thanks to his influence. On the other hand, there’s the comedy. It’s freely defined and sells its humor without going over the board. Characters such as Kobayashi, Riko, and Tooru are prime examples of this as they display out-of-character qualities at times. (I mean, just look at Kobayashi when she is drunk!) In retrospect, the show makes an attempt to get the audience’s to laugh and I have to admit, it works.

As a manga reader, the show expands parts of its adaptation in certain episodes to give some more vivid details of storytelling. However, not everything is faithful as one particular episode goes entirely on an anime original route. Also because this is airing on television, the adaptation is more tamed compared to the manga. In other words, the original source has much more lascivious scenes and suggestive innuendos. That actually also brings up another point as well. The show portrays itself as a slice of life comedy but if you watch it carefully, there’s also many parts with some adult humor. Whether it’s the cultural references or some suggestive camera angles, it can get controversial at some cases.

Kyoto Animation doesn’t let down expectations when it comes to production quality. The show looks very colorful and filled with energy. Almost every character has their own distinctive look especially the dragons. Characters such as Tooru, Kanna, Lucoa, Elma, and Fafnir all display traits of their dragon characteristics. (Example: tail, horns, eyes, etc) In the meantime, director Mikiko Watanabe puts his talent to work and makes a strong impression. The way the camera angles are directed makes certain scenes feel impactful. The colorful action can also be very noticeable with spectacular choreography from early episodes. The series even has a charisma for decorative outfits as seen in certain episodes to make the characters look more fashionable. The only questionable tactic the show uses at times is its fan service. Lucoa is probably the guiltiest of this as she wears skimpy outfits and a running gag of the show even has her being on top of Shouta.

If you thought the art presentation was impressive, then soundtrack doesn’t fall far from that level either. While it can be dismissed at times at being dull, the overall delivery is well crafted and fitting for the slice of life genre. OP and ED theme songs are highly decorated with colorful themes. The voice mannerisms of characters defines their personalities especially for characters like Kanna and Fafnir. I also have to give praise to Kanna’s VA praise for portraying her character at an exceptional level. It’s not always easy to voice a child character but Maria Naganawa made her sound very convincing.

Ah Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon, a show with quite a peculiar title. I mean, a dragon maid is the last thing you’ll expect to see in slice of life stories these days. Yet, this show cleverly gives its character cast freedom to be what they want. While this show doesn’t involve any complex storytelling, it makes it up with its very distinctive character cast. It has the ingredients of cooking up good humor and doesn’t hold back to deliver just that. I can’t say this enough but really give this show a try. It looks stupid at first glance but the more you watch it, then more you’ll find it entertaining. Trust me, it earned it.

I want one.
Want what? A cracker?
A Kanna.
Huh?

Kobayashi-san Chi No Maid Dragon will saturate you with its moe. It’ll charm or maybe even offend you with its fan service. It’ll amuse you with its spontaneity. Yet none of these things are what make it special. It’s about choosing your own path in life, and discovering what and for whom you should most make time for. With help from a friend, or lover or two.

Young adult nine-to-five office worker Miss Kobayashi naïvely opens her apartment door one morning to find a dragon on her doorstep. After surprisingly not freaking out all that much (Kobayashi is a chill ... one…), Tohru the dragon takes the form of a young lady and declares she wants to be Kobayashi’s maid. After some initial hesitation, the introverted Kobayashi reluctantly accepts Tohru’s proposal and Tohru moves on in! In this instant, Kobayashi’s mundane life gains fresh purpose.

Tohru fills a void in Miss Kobayashi that she didn’t know existed. Tohru bathes Kobayashi with praise and showers her with lovin’. Her overwhelming affection and attention is not immediately reciprocated, but becomes increasingly appreciated by Kobayashi as she begins to warm up to Tohru and her new lifestyle. For the duo of Tohru and Kobayashi, love and care for the other party outwardly manifests itself at varied pace, exemplifying that friendships and relationships are a two-way street. At times, an emotional burden is placed on the individual who is more invested in the partnership, and at times, the other party feels guilty when they cannot reciprocate the other’s strong feelings. It’s an aspect of reality that Dragon-Maid does well in capturing, amongst the rest of its cast, too.

Did I say duo? Well… because one dragon is never enough, Kanna Kamui soon joins the household and completes the trio. And my god… this young loli dragon may very well be one of the most moe female characters of ALL time! Maria Naganawa’s voice acting can aptly be described as perfection, as the cute curiosity of Kanna Kamui immediately manifests itself through her playful, childlike tone. But Kanna isn’t just for show! She’ll surprise you with her wit and her situational awareness. She is naïve yet wise, caring and honest, complete with adorable mannerisms that’ll touch your heart. Want ONE reason to watch this series? Kanna Kamui. She’s just that special!

Dragon-Maid is self-aware about its intensions, almost bluntly so. It’s like the writer is playing with his audience. Just look at the titles of some of the episodes! Episode 2: Second Dragon, Kanna! (We’re totally spoiling here). Episode 7: Summer’s Staples! (The Fanservice Episode, Frankly). This unabashed nature also takes form in the portrayal of some of the show’s female characters, a.k.a. the fan service, and it can serve to amuse or offend. It can elicit a chuckle by way of the writer’s sheer honesty in his utilization of certain characters like the well-endowed (understatement of the century…) Quetzalcoatl and the constantly under-duress young boy Shouta (fancy a guess as to why he is named Shouta?), or force an audible groan because the same formulaic sleazy “gag” is repeating over and over again. One thing’s for sure: It brings a unique intrigue to the series. It can become a bit tiresome, but take a lighthearted approach and it may nicely “round” out your experience.

Social by nature, us humans want to feel needed, whether we realize it or not. Whether by our families, our pets, our friends, or by, perhaps ...dragons? And we want to do more than fit in with those close to us; we want to find our niche. Our purpose. Our journey began with Kobayashi, Tohru, and Kanna, and continues on with the addition of a few more cast members. As we meet the rest of the dragons, the attention-drawing Quetzalcoatl, the aloof Fafnir, the food-and-work driven Elma, they, too, embark for self-discovery and companionship in heartwarming fashion. Development among these three isn’t necessarily ample, but enough attention is paid to make each of these dragons feel complete. They each embrace human nature and take in the human world in their own way, and construct meaningful lives of their own accord.

The Slice of Life genre is Kyoto Animation’s bread and butter, and it’s no surprise that the production value is high here yet again. The character designs are appealing and delve a bit into each of their personalities, from Elma’s chin-covering scarf to Fafnir’s calmly sinister, blood-red eyes. The fun facial expressions are both humorous and adorable. The world feels vibrant, suitably matched by its light color palate and rich, accordion-filled soundtrack. It’s a nice package, if not quite a spectacle (although the OP certainly is!), and it doesn’t need to be. It’s a fitting canvas for the characters to live out their lives, and it suffices splendidly.

Dragon-Maid is more than it appears on the surface, it’s more than Tohru’s bouncing boobies in the preview, and it’s something to be appreciated. It’s a journey of love, and friendship, and deep, personal bonds, and community, and damn if it doesn’t make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. It’s about living life, and finding a companion or two who allows you to do just that to the fullest.

Heck, we could all use a little more companionship. A little more Tohru and Kanna in our lives. Kanna, especially. I loved her character... Could you tell?

TL;DR: Show up for Kanna. Stay for the quirky humor, controversial fan service, and the heartwarming SOL moments. 9.0/10

Dragons are well-known to be fierce creatures of legend, but they can also be regarded as the personifications of good. In cartoons, children's books, and family films, dragons are often depicted as friends of men. In certain cultures, dragons are portrayed as heavenly creatures.

While all these representations are interesting, none are as adorable, nor as lovely as that of Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid: a whimsical tale about the life of a lonely programmer and her fantastical human-dragon hybrid friends.

As a character-driven gag series, Dragon Maid emphasizes its fun using an endearing cast. Protagonist Kobayashi may be your typical introvert, but it's hard not to smile ... whenever she quarrels with Tooru—the titular dragon maid who pledges herself to the programmer's service after a comical misunderstanding in the previous night. The stoic Kobayashi and cheerful Tooru are polar opposites, making their dynamic one of the most interesting feature of Dragon Maid. Their squabbles play a major part in evoking laughter from the audience, but there are more to them than just being elements of comedy. As the story progresses, their interactions between each other slowly develop their character, transforming them into sympathetic individuals. Dragon Maid is rife with good humor, but it's also filled with heartwarming scenes and strong character progressions that transcend it above the typical comedy.

Perhaps the element that will be overlooked most often in Dragon Maid is the desire to be human. The dragons claim to despise humans, but their obvious curiosity in our species says otherwise. The ever-so-adorable Kanna is by far the greatest example of this: although the young dragon is jealous of Kobayashi claiming her beloved Tooru, she nevertheless gains an interest in enrolling to school to learn more about the human world. There, she meets Riko, an equally adorable human girl who helps Kanna learn the meaning of becoming human. Another character who experiences a similar development is Fafnir, a no-nonsense dragon who gradually mellows out of his old facade thanks to the eccentric yet kindhearted Takiya. Like Tooru, Fafnir is initially distrustful of humans but begins to adopt an alternate perspective once Takiya shows him the joy of playing video games and writing doujinshi. Of course, Kanna and Fafnir's antics are mainly played for laughs, but their desire to assimilate with human society is definitely worth noting.

No cast is ever perfect, and the same can be said for that of Dragon Maid. The three remaining characters—Elma, Lucoa, Shouta—range from underdeveloped to terrible. Elma is at least funny and cute when paired up with Kobayashi, but Lucoa and Shouta are simply unlikable. While the other characters have some sort of trait that make them endearing, this bizarre pair exists only for the sake of fanservice. Furthermore, the backstory of how they met is a forgettable five-minute scene that's never brought up again. From all the dragons, Lucoa seems to be the only one who does not enter any sort of development phase. True, it’s likely this way because of her kindness to humans since the beginning of the series, but why not make this trait more prominent to the story? It would have been better if she aids the other dragons in getting along with Kobayashi and other humans, but alas, she did not. Some might complain that the intimate relationship between Kanna and Riko is troublesome, but I personally find it very cute in comparison with Lucoa and Shouta’s nauseating bond.

As a charming series, Dragon Maid comprises adorable character designs and a colorful palette. Although the series takes place in a city, my personal favorite setting is the gorgeous grassy plains where Kobayashi, Tooru, and Kanna goes to play. The events that transpire there might only be a fleeting moment, but the beauty of the scenery—especially the peculiar shot of the mantis and butterfly—accentuates the natural beauty of the show. On what makes Dragon Maid most amiable, the visuals only lag behind the characters.

The OP is ridiculously catchy, but the ED and soundtrack—except for the interlude theme—are forgettable. On the other hand, Dragon Maid boasts some of the best anime voice cast in recent memory. Kobayashi’s stern but motherly voice, Kanna’s cute mumbles, and Tooru’s energetic cheers are the three that deserve special attention—without them, Dragon Maid would undeniably feel less lively. My personal thoughts? I could listen to Tooru’s voice all day long without getting bored.

So is Dragon Maid worth watching? Yes, and much more. Not only is this gem of a comedy worth seeing, but it’s also the best series of the Winter 2017 batch. Delightful characters, nice visuals, spot-on voice acting, and an interesting premise makes Dragon Maid a solid top-tier show.

Why you should watch Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon?
But first, why you might not like this anime. If you do not like Yuri, and are sick of gay relationship then you should not watch it. If you do not like Slice of Life (and I mean that in this show almost no plot just cute dragons and several people trying to have fun and enjoy their lives) this is definitely not your show. And if you hate fan service in any form. Now that I have done everything possible to weed out all the people who can not appreciate this ... anime. We can move on to why I simply adore it at the moment.
Despite the fact that it is incredibly funny show full of very ironic humor (cursed black dragon that plays dark souls). And the amount of cuteness in this show so big that after 5 episodes in a row, you risk getting to the hospital with diabetes. I would like to highlight three things that make this anime special.
Characters
The design of each character is unique and meets his personality. For example Tooru has a lively and open personality and she has a bright color hair and eyes. Meanwhile, in the design of Kanna much quieter character dominate white and pastel сolor. Also their design in the dragon form also
very cool.
Motivation of the characters
And I want to distinguish this specific point because I was struck deeply at how badly characters in this anime want to do what they do. How much Tooru wants to be with Kabayashi, with what pleasure she deals with housework. How Kanna wants to be a child. How much Fafnir wants to move from the cave with treasures and become otaku to live in the basement (irony again). For me it was an incredible surprise.
Atmosphere
What really stands out this anime is that almost every episode has moments that just very heartwarming. And the relationship between the Tooru, Kanna and Kobayashi very charming and sincere (it's hard to explain but the atmosphere here is incredible).
And that to me is not as important and more as a nice bonus Art and especially the backgrounds they are simply wonderful and the music is great and it is memorable.
Overall this is a very fun and cute anime I got a lot of pleasure from it and I hope that you too.

At first seeing the title and synopsis I was a bit skeptical about the whole anime. But from the first episode this anime has really surprised me. Despite it's intriguing concept combining dragon and maid and having bunch of these dragons and putting them live in normal life situations. This anime really knew how to make people interact with each other the way that makes these moe dragon concept work. They learn from each other and really work of each other and develop from their adventures. That is really great and that is why this slice of life style anime is so enjoyable in ... many way. It is not just for moe but so much more, really likable chars. that have distinct personalities from very different situations learning to live and interact in new situations like in RL.

Final verdict:
You can really see these characters evolve and learn from their interactions and react to new situations and learn despite their very different backgrounds. Characters are enjoyable; loli dragon! and story is simple; everyday life events, and that's why it gets 8,5/10 rounded to 9/10.

Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon is a slice-of-life anime about a woman named Kobayashi who befriends a dragon named Tohru. The two of them live together, and Tohru helps Kobayashi with her housework.

One of the funniest scenes in the first season is when Kanna eats a crab. Kanna is a small dragon, and she is very curious about the world around her. She sees a crab on the beach, and she decides to eat it.

Here are some specific things that I like about the scene:
• It is unexpected. Kanna is so small, and the crab is so big. But she doesn't hesitate to eat it, and ... she enjoys it very much.

• Kanna's reaction is cute and funny. She makes a lot of cute expressions, and she says some funny things.

• The scene is a good example of the humor in Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon. The show is full of funny moments, and this is one of the best.

I would recommend Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon to anyone who enjoys slice-of-life anime or funny anime. It is a great show with a lot of humor.

However, I should note that the scene of Kanna eating the crab may be disturbing to some people. If you are sensitive to animal cruelty, then you may want to avoid this scene.

From Kyoto Animation, responsible for far too many of the slice of life shows around to possibly remember, comes the charming and wonderful Miss Kobayashi's Maid Dragon, an extremely charming and heartwarming slice of life show which stands atop the head of slice of life shows.

Our story begins when the titular Miss Kobayashi, a programmer who loves to hang out for drinks after work, wakes up after a night of especially hard drinking. Getting ready to go back to the grind of work, she opens her door to a rather surprising sight: A giant, scale-y dragon! Utilizing shapeshifting this magnificent dragon, Tohru, declares that Kobayashi ... totally said she could crash at her place after saving her life last night, and that she now wishes to serve Kobayashi as a maid. Thus begins Miss Kobayashi's Maid Dragon, a delightful romp of the story between one middle classed Japanese office worker and her fish out of water dragon maid.

The show is not exactly subtle with its premise and goes right for the jugular early on, with Tohru being pretty inept at the idea of modern society with a mindset more fitting a magical fantasy world, where dragons and humans are mortal enemies and the gods themselves can rain down divine punishment. Tohru herself is fittingly overpowered, with giant flaming breath, magical tricks involving dimensions that would make modern physicists spin in their graves, tearing the sky asunder to deal with a rainy day when taking out the laundry and more. Kobayashi, on the other hand, brings Tohru down to Earth and slowly gets used to actively living with another, quite odd person.

As the show progresses, a more diverse and fun cast join the fray, such as the WAY TOO ADORABLE Kanna Kamui, who serves as a bit of a surrogate daughter with Kobayashi and Tohru due to being banished to our dimension by her parents, the dark and chilly Fafnir, who sits on the edge of wishing to destroy the world but soon becomes distracted by the weight of MMORPGs and other games to care, and Lucoa, a goddess demoted to dragon who is just along for the fun, although she feels like one of the less fun members of the show due to being one note.

This show has all the laughs you would want from a slice of life show, or at least the jokes landed for me mostly, but another good technique this show works together is the ideas of tensity, developement and a nice warming of the heart. Kobayashi isn't a generic, I don't care kind of protagonist, but more as just kind of internalized her life and chugging along content enough, with hobbies that exist but do not dominate and define her life. She handles and soon compartmentalizes the changing world around her as Tohru and Kanna enter her life, which also causes her to warm up and examine parts of her own life, such as her relationship with her parents. Just how well the compartimentalization works can be seen in the ending and is done well.

This is contrasted with Tohru, who is impressed by the world of less danger that Earth brings compared to hers, and begins to enjoy a slower pace of life with the one she loves, as her attraction for Kobayashi is very, very real, and enjoyably is not relegated to mere subtext and is discussed at points. The tensity of how people will react to someone fairly alien if exposed forms a rather enjoyable part of the show and the show makes use of tenseness well, one of the most notable examples is in Episode 10, where the episode seems to be using tenseness and the general plot to make it seem as if it is building up to a Cringe Comedy routine, but then turning out to be something even more wonderful.

This series also had a lot of heartwarming moments that were really able to speak to me, especially the start of Episode 9 for example, or how comiket is handled for the cast. This is the part I can least discuss without spoilers, so I won't get into it a ton, but lets just say that lots of the characters get nice, heartwarming moments.

The story cannot be discussed a lot, it doesn't have a ton, especially since it is a slice of life show, but undercurrents of things like the ending are laid out through the series and some solid continuity. I give it a 6 because as far as slice of life plots go it is perfectly fine and has some nice things, but it isn't any masterpiece.

Stylistically, Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid has some really nice animation, using some good effects when the dragons use their powers, really great character designs with things like Kanna's hair or Tohru's eyes. There's even some surprisingly well done action sequences in this slice of life show. It is somewhat basic, but definitely trying to be and does so very well. It has extremely catchy opening and endings that are incredibly cute and will get stuck in your head for far too long. It also has some good ambvient music and some really nice voice acting all along, but especially with Kanna and Kobayashi and helps make the characters leap off the screen.

So, what's the shortform of this review? If you want a slice of life show, watch Miss Kobayashi's Maid Dragon. Even if you don't end up liking it, it is simply very worth forming an opinion on. If you like maids, watch this show, and be amused by Georgie and Kobayashi interacting. If you like dragons, then you'll like the parts of this show that examine the oddities of this mythological creature adjusting to a low powered world like ours. If you want lesbians and a little romance, it got some lovely bits of that. It even has some action! It will tickle your funny bone and warm your heart.

Lately, plot has been a big problem that the anime industry faces because most of the series that are recently released are just knock-offs of some other mainstream shows. Some plots tend to be weird but however.... interesting. No matter how strange or weird or just plain f**ked up a plot is, it still finds its way to be acceptable enough to become an anime.

But seriously... Dragons?! Those things in Fantasy-Shounen series that's commonly the final boss or the pet of the ridiculously-overpowered main character? Dragons that try to enslave humanity and bring forth destruction??
But wait.. this series seems to have another purpose... ... and what is that?
Dragons coming into moe culture and becoming waifu material? Like what the actual f**k?!? Well.. according to rule 34 of the internet, as long as it exists, we shall make it moe. Well... what a time to be alive.

Though this show was just another series that's full of cute girls just like most of KyoAni's productions, I might have enjoyed it along with the genre it offers, the slice of life. I'll say that it was portrayed very well and comic relief and seriousness was balanced in this show.

maid dragon! i loved this anime a lot. the art is really pretty, and i love the colours for each character, it's just very pleasing to look at. maid dragon also has this little cute story.. and it doesn't feel stretched out at all. it's literally a maid dragon crashing into this woman's boring life, and changing everything with her friends coming in on the way. it's heartwarming. every character is memorable and their adventures are just sweet. i loved every episode of maid dragon, and the ending got me feeling some ways! this is a must watch, it's not very long too!

First of all, if you haven't read the manga, read it! It's hilarious!

Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon is an enjoyable anime. You get to see the life of Kobayashi, an IT office worker(obviously her life is boring) change for the good when Tohru, a dragon, comes to live with her. The journey is enjoyable and pure comedy. More dragons, their comedies and actions follow.

The Art is great, the storyline is great and so are the character developments. If you'r life is just plain boring and you prefer remaining a shut-in, you can truly relate to Kobayashi's life and yearn for a few good friends.

This reminds me of why i love anime in the first place. Wow i feel so warm and fuzzy right now after watching the whole show.

There are so many things i can totally relate to this.

First it's because i also happen to be a single parent with a 5 year old daughter and believe me she is super duper cute! Kanna reminds me of her in so many ways, her (my daughter's) curiosity is what gets me the most, can't resist the cuteness! Dealing with her is somewhat challenging in some occasions, i can't just give her whatever she wants and spoil her! Hard to ... be a single dad T_T but she's my joy she's all i need so i'm proud of it. Doing the best i can to be the best dad ever. Posing right now trying to look cool xD.

Secondly i can totally relate about work, even though work is such a pain it's kinda good feeling that someone is waiting for you to get home thinking about that is really really really heart warming, thinking that what you are doing is for the people waiting for you back home, man i'm so pumped! And the stuff going on inside the house, uhhhh, I mean sometimes there are also some oddballs just come and visit us out of nowhere and make my life like a living hell but it makes the place brighter so i just suck it up and deal with it, as long as everyone's happy "odd ball relatives" xD.

This anime i can totally relate except for the dragons and stuff, come on they ain't real! But the story is surprisingly realistic, that is why i can totally relate to this, for those people who can't, just wait for your chance in real life.

As for the comedic side of the anime i totally LAUGHED MY ASS OUT (LOL), the part where Tooru tries to feed her master with her tail really cracks me up, like wtf xD. And there's so much more i dunno where to begin.

The art is adorable like hell wow! I have a softie on such beautiful colors and wonderful characters designs. Yes! I admit i like cute stuffs! Do you have a problem with that!?

Music.. awwww mannn.. this is one of the animes that i don't skip the music! I freakin love it, as a musician myself i admit it is really good, it adds up to the cutesy theme of the whole anime and you guys did it pretty well pulling this one off.

As a whole i personally give it a 10/10. That's how amazing anime slice of life it is. Thank you so much Anime Jesus for sharing me such wonderful creation! I can totally work my ass out for the future otaku's.

My show of the year. I loved it from start to finish and have re-watched it too many times to count.

Story (9)
Original, using a MC that is not in high school and has no powers or hidden abilities at all? Sign me up!

I love SOL shows and this was a pleasure to watch, sure its got OP dragons Kamehameha'ing each other but the main story about a dragon retiring to the human world and becoming a maid. Very touching in places and a great support cast.

Art (8)
The art is solid but a bit simple at times, when the animators want to ... show off (Kanna Vs. Tohru) it looks brilliant, the style works very well overall.

Sound (9)
OP and ED are great, sound design in the show is spot on. This was the first show I actively went out of my way to purchase the Soundtrack.

Character (10)
Without a doubt 10 out of 10. Some of the most fun, original and entertaining characters I have come across.

Enjoyment (10)
A show that I have re-watched more times than my favourite shows that have been out for years. Waiting with baited breath for S2.

Overall (10)
One of the best shows I have ever watched, I love SOL shows and this for me is one of the best.

Alright I wrote a review for this anime about 3 episodes in but it got removed as the show continued airing so I'll post it again, with adjustments to be made for the conclusion of the series, of course.

It's rare I give shows that look so absolutely ridiculous a chance, but the seesaw scene in episode 2 really caught my attention. Before this show even came out, I heard people already saying it ruined anime, and honestly, I had to agree. But it never hurts to watch the first 3 episodes, that's what I always say. So I did. And boy was I pleasantly surprised.

Story
Maid ... Dragon's premise is simple and easy, but luckily not over-done. Our protagonist, Kobayashi, gets wasted and meets a dragon in the woods, whom she offers to become her maid. Later, the dragon shows up at her door and takes the form of an adorable human girl who has fallen madly in love with her. It is only later that we see the characters' motivations for allowing each other into their lives, and as the show goes on, the mystery surrounding Tohru and her origins gradually builds up and comes to a boiling point in the final 2 episodes.
Each episode generally revolves around the Kobayashi household (Tohru, Kobayashi, and Kanna) and/or the various friends they make. Episodes are generally split up into 3 or 4 little skits that take a few minutes to begin, build up, and conclude. It keeps the pacing and general feel of each episode fresh, and makes it so each story arc is exactly the right length to keep you interested, but not draw out parts longer than need be.
So yeah, this show is pretty much a lighthearted comedy slice-of-life with a bit of precious GL and a dash of tragic backstory and character introspection. Very nice, overall. Sweet, but takes a bittersweet turn when it needs to.

Art
Not really a whole lot to say here. Kyoani takes this show into a pastel direction with light, bubbly shading, the animation is smooth and clean, and the characters are all very distinct and memorable. I very much appreciate the diversity in the dragons' designs, in particular, as it has a lot of different types of dragons (classic green with scales, fluffy ones with fur, aquatic ones, etc). Kobayashi's drab appearance is comical in comparison to her scaly acquaintances, despite her Bright Red Anime Protagonist hair.
One complaint I have is that I wish we could've seen some of the other dragons' real forms more. We see glimpses of them, but we see Tohru's real form much more often. But that's my own personal view on it and it probably won't even bother anyone else.
Another thing to be on the lookout for is fanservice. One dragon in particular has A LOT of fanservice surrounding her, and it gets rather stale at times, though the series does tone it down in the last third of the series. There are two other dragons, including Tohru, that have some fanservice-y moments, but it's certainly nothing distracting (and this is coming from a hardcore fanservice critic). Some episodes or scenes may bother you if you are picky with that kind of thing, but overall it's not a fanservice-heavy show.

Sound
With any slice-of-life, you can never expect much from the background music. It has just the right pauses for comedic value, interesting instrument usage, but nothing is generally memorable as you would expect from something like a shounen or sports anime. However, I am very fond of the OP and ED, which are just precious and catchy and honestly I'm just gushing my own opinion. But yes. Good music, nothing memorable, but it suits the show just fine. I doubt you're watching this show for the music.
I personally love Kobayashi's seiyuu; it's nice to see some deeper voices in anime for a change, especially for a grown woman who's likely in her early 30s. The other voice actors all do their jobs very well, especially Tohru's. She captures the essence of love and adoration perfectly.

Character
Now that the show has concluded, I can finally give real, finalized thoughts on the characters. Tohru and Kobayashi are absolutely precious and surprisingly complex characters, so I'll talk about them first.
Kobayashi is a bit of an introvert who has a few friends and lives a boring, lonely life as a generic office worker in a small apartment (and god is that relatable). And at first she seems fine with this. She goes drinking with her coworker, watches some TV, is generally content. She doesn't quite realize what she'd been missing until the chaotic Tohru comes storming into her life, practically demanding her hand in marriage. Throughout the series we get to see Kobayashi reflect on her boring, mundane life before Tohru and it's very sweet to see her slowly start to appreciate her newfound hectic existence surrounded by quirky dragons. Her actions in the final episode also nicely solidify her feelings and give us a final conclusion to her character arc that is very satisfying.
Tohru is a character I didn't think I would adore as much as I do. She's newer to human customs and has a lot to learn, and while she looks down on humans as an inferior species, she seems fascinated (and absolutely enamored) with Kobayashi and her strange culture. Tohru is quick to judge humans and has no problem killing a few if she has to. She's overall an excellent foil character to Kobayashi, who's lived her whole life with her monotonous human existence, and now finds someone completely enraptured by it. Tohru finds mundane human things either revolting or fascinating, and she has a dark home life that is consistently hinted at until it comes to a culmination in the final episode, where she realizes her love for Kobayashi trumps her fear of her home life and her responsibilities in the other world; Kobayashi gives her a place to belong.
Kanna is a young dragon who moves in with Kobayashi after a failed attempt at getting Tohru back. She's a character who learns most of her knowledge of humanity from Tohru, who already has a hilariously skewed view of it, so her interactions with the gang are always funny. She later meets a young girl who falls in love with her and finds herself wanting to blend in with human life more and more. She reveals Kobayashi to be like a mother figure to her, as her actual parents are very distant and cannot be there for her.

Now there are a lot of other dragons, humans, and various support characters I could discuss, but suffice to say that they are all so full of life and have their own things going on despite being part of the main story. I would've liked if they had all had more part in the grand finale, though it makes sense that they would not want to get involved. A certain character (no spoilers) reveals that the other dragons all ended up in the human world because they followed Tohru (intentionally or unintentionally), and I believe that was an interesting twist on the fact that there are now suddenly a bunch of dragons living in human society.

The relationship between Kobayashi and Tohru develops slowly but surely throughout the story. I appreciate all the little things that make their romance so great, the flirting from Tohru, the old married couple bickering, the introspection in each of the characters' minds elaborating on why they are thankful to have each other. It's a slice-of-life so they don't really have any real conflicts with each other, but there are obviously forces that will try to keep them apart, and the story has several skits where they acknowledge and move past these things.

Enjoyment and Overall
This is a fun show you can relax with after a long day, and that's really all it needs to do. It won't enthrall you with gripping emotional tension, nor will it enrapture you with a stunning OST or crazy battle sequences. It makes you smile, and if it can pull even one smile onto your face per episode, then it's done its job. There's some interesting lore and sad backstory in the shadows, and overall, it's become one of my top anime this season.