For its medium, Onnanoko ni Naritai does splendidly as a music video. In only a few lines and images, we are immersed in a story that might resound with a few people out there. I certainly was one of them. Its subject, about the desired transgression of assigned identity, is one that will overreach beyond simple transexuality. The subject itself is a bit unique, and is handled in a lighthearted fashion that will contrast with the common dramatization surrounding transexuality. Maybe that the sum of suicides originating from transexuality is a sufficient reason for such dramatization. I find it worthy to be reminded Onnanoko ni Naritai expands on the traditional European tale of Cinderella, fact which may deepen the narrativity of the lyrics overall: it could be a reminiscence to someone's youth, at a time they weren't aware of social expectations and where they used to dream.
Art: 10.
Art is both objective and subjective. It is objective in the fact that it inscribes itself in a tradition, a context, with conventions. It is subjective as to how one might individually relate with a specific composition. In Onnanoko ni Naritai, the palette is mostly pinkish and pastel. This translates well a lightheartedness that is found in the lyrics: the boy's transexual fantasy lasts only for a bit. The drawings are well realized, and both characters (the male, and him as a girl) are cute. I want to pinpoint the attention given to characteristics of feminity in both the lyrics and animation, especially with the frilled dress part.
Sound: 9.
The rhythm is energetic, especially with as many percussions all throughout the song. Different instruments are in use. It feels like there are at times two singers, of different genders: a masculine voice and a feminine one. This goes hand in hand with the lyrics' theme, therefore adding an oral reality and intuition to the music video's message. However, I desire to criticize the fact that at some point, the female voice went so high it hurt my ears a bit. Other than that, the sound was perfect when put in perspective with the work's message.
Character: 9.
Characterization is the main point of the narration. And my favorite parts of characterization as a whole are all addressed in the brevity of four minutes. Naturally I would rate it high. Psychology and fantasms, with transexuality as lighthearted. Physiology and identity, with the male's voice as he grew up becoming a perceived problem of his identity. Female idealization, with the references to Cinderella and magical girls. Even the character designs had my heart, because I for sure love frilled dresses, for example on gothic lolitas.
Overall: 10.
I loved every second of it, for two reasons. First is that I found myself in the whole work, as far as lyrics and graphics are concerned. The treatment of a gender issue was neither offensive nor dramatizing nor normative. On an identitary plane, I resounded with this work.
The second is that artistically, I consider this realization an ideal, able to deal with psychology, physiology, transexuality, social expectations, idealization, to mention fairy tales, in a short format nearing instantaneity, with pretty colors and an energetic and cheerful tune. This is close to what I would want to have done as an artist.
