The opening and ending music was pleasing to the ear I think, from the rest I do not remember much. Must have been OK probably.
Some words about the graphical aspects of this animation title. Backgrounds are pretty basic, and the fight scenes are sometimes just a dust cloud with some fists coming out of it. However, I somehow got an impression of Japanese streets and clothing of the Taishō area (google it, you may also need it for the calendar dates in the series). The Ryōunkaku (google it), which was destroyed in the 1923 Kantō earthquake, is shown several times.
About clothes: Some characters do not seem to have many clothes to change, even if they are not exactly poor. For example Shinobu usually wears his uniform even if he is not on duty. The female or crossdressing characters (Ranmaru) have a bigger wardrobe. The protagonist Benio herself has various sets of clothes for school, housework, and the street. She dresses herself rather traditional in the first half of the series, but in the second half (after her hair cut), she acquires some sets of fashionable European clothes, even if her economic situation got worse. I think this is in order to express Benio’s change of character and personal circumstances.
In any case, the art is not good, but also not ugly. It reflects the time, and is also linked with the story development, which puts it above mediocrity for me.
The historical background shown in the pictures is just the stage on which the characters act. The characters have no influence at all on historical events, even those that affect their lives. The most prominent example is the Japanese Siberia Expedition after the Russian Revolution. This is closely linked to a turning point in the lives of the main characters, but they are just helplessly subjected to the events. What they make from this experience is another matter though.
Apart from the main characters, there are a couple of side characters for comic relief, which serve no other purpose. Some are only annoying, like that boy with the alcohol bottle or the voluptuous hag with the white kimono. Others have some purpose, like Benio’s henchman Ushigorou, who transports his boss Benio through town after he enters into her service. These do not change noticeably (for example Ushigorou), or their change is not shown (Benio’s friend Tamaki).
The protagonist Benio is the focus of the entire series. At least in the first third, her story seems to be that of an unwilling girl getting gradually attached to a snobbish rich guy. She is a rather outspoken person, who talks a lot about independence of women, which means to her to be able to select the spouse that she wants. However, she accepts the engagement that her father and grandmother decided, grumbling, but without offering serious resistance. Then, she gets relocated to her grandparents’ household, where she spends her time grumbling and doing household chores. In short, she seems to be rather superficial and more bark than bite regarding the important matters (her life and future).
Regarding unimportant matters, she shows more fighting spirit and quite a violent streak.
Benio's antiques include bickering, drinking alcohol, fights (with words and fists), boob jokes (maybe those will last as long as mankind), duels, property damage, bodily injury… Somehow, she does not get into serious trouble for her escapades. One of her fights even earns her a henchman, who serves as comic relief for the rest of the series.
Shinobu, on the other hand, has the air of a somewhat arrogant and oblivious upper class guy, who falls for Benio for some reason, but does not seem to take her really seriously. He usually just laughs about her escapades, and about events that also concern Benio he does not inform her in advance.
Things take a turn later, when it is not Benio, but Shinobu who receives the retaliation for some of Benio’s escapades. Separated from family and Benio, Shinobu is put to the test, and gets the chance to show that he is more than just a well bred snob. Far from home, he manages to get accepted by new companions, with compassion, loyalty and courage, and I started to feel sympathy to him.
Starting with the separation from Shinobu, Benio now also makes some experiences, that change her from the shallow moody parasyte of the first 15 episodes, to someone who thinks about the consequences of her actions and actually takes care of herself and others. She gradually becomes more independent, discovers goals in life and makes a career, which goes well beyond her previous notion of independence, which seemed to be restricted to the free selection of a husband at first. Benio becomes a much stronger and responsible character. She still has her moods and makes mistakes, but now they rather add to her charm.
I didn’t quite like the last scene. It is a scene with stylized background, unrealistic colors and few words. It seemed to be a dream. But if it was a dream, what became of Benio and Shinobu? The narrator finally says what is the conclusion, but I personally think it would have been better if the outcome was properly shown. The way it was, it was somewhat… frustrating. (Not sure if this is the right English word to describe my feeling, but I can’t think of a better one.)
This series was a chore for the first couple of episodes. It seemed to be a clichéd romantic comedy with annoying characters, the protagonist being the worst of them all. As the series progressed, the episodes got more serious and more engaging. Both the characters and story quality improved, and I started to enjoy the title. Especially Benio progressed greatly, but she also started from pretty low lows, so even reaching mediocrity may have been a big step for her... All in all, the series was fairly enjoyable I would say.
Since enjoyment decides my ratings, the final verdict is 6, “fair”.
