The setting had some promising aspects. However, it was ruined by terrible characterizations and overuse of cliches. It ended up being flat, boring and trashy.
Let's start with the characterizations. We have a Mary-Sue protagonist who everybody 'loves' for no damn reason. She's boring, she's flat. Her defining characteristic is loving to read books, which plays little to no role in furthering the plot. Oh, wait it does. Only, it is shown in the most boring and least impactful way. I believe that in order to make character traits more believable, the writer should strive to show, not tell. The writer of this show chooses the complete opposite of telling the achievements of the protagonist instead of showing it. How disappointing. Again, Mary-Sue.
The beginning of a good story is a good protagonist. They must be someone viewers can relate to or at the very least, interested in. Mushikaburi-hime is not a good protagonist.
Next, let's talk about plotlines and cliches.
Normally, I enjoy my share of cliches (ngl they are my guilty pleasures). I also enjoy a good share of escapism. This show executes it terribly. It is full of trashy dramatic cliches in the most annoying way. I have to skip and fast forward through the first few episodes just to get through it.
This was one of my most awaited shows for the season and I am so disappointed at how terrible it was. I really wanted it to be good too.
