Having glanced at the genres and read the description, sat down to watch this anime with a more or less serious face. I was expecting something a little scary and sinister. But with the first series began the purest comedy. Well, it seems like nothing, easy and funny. Slowly pulled in.
The ghost here is unusual. As the old saying goes, “Not everyone can see it.” Or rather, not only everyone can see. Few people can do that.” To others, Yuko Canoe is invisible. For some reason, clothes too, so she can easily change outfits (judging by the additional 13th series, the fan also applies to clothes). Yuko has weight, can swim, feels cold, eats – in general, almost like a person. For a long time I could not communicate with people, and especially touch them, so, barely meeting the right person, drew all my attention to him.
Much of the humor is based on the liberated behavior of the ghostly main character. It is a typical fan service for a male audience. She constantly flirts and does not hesitate to be naked, which confuses Teiichi Niyu and causes female envy in Kirie Canoe. Kind, naive and energetic Momoe Okonogi does not see Yuko and does not know about her existence, all sorts of gags are also associated with this.
But all the activities of the "Club for the Study of Paranormal Phenomena" are reduced to collecting local legends, horror stories, stories and finding out that there is nothing really behind them. I’ve been wondering who’s knocking on the door. Although the bits of information collected along the way are still useful for revealing Yuko's past. The characters are entertained, the plot seems to be moving nowhere.
Somewhere in the middle, the percentage of humour went down, and there was more hell. True, all paranormal phenomena are expressed in the fact that people invent something and it materializes. The school is built either on the site of a former temple or an old cemetery - an area, so to speak, with a bad reputation, negative energy hovers in the air, and it is musty. That's what comes to life. It goes to mass insanity. There is nothing wrong with that.
Towards the end came a full-fledged melodrama about Romeo and Juliet. Overall, it's a beautiful story. I was already excited in the last series... but...
As far as I understand, in the original manga the ending is not so unambiguous.
The music is excellent, I do not want to miss the screensaver.
How nice it is sometimes to accidentally stumble upon such an anime. This is when Hollywood is considered almost “invisible”, the art house is unseeable in principle, and the anime is tightly walled up within its target age audience, conventions and borrowings. However, in the “Twilight Maid” everything mentioned is enough – here and the notorious “fan service”, and “school” (however, it is present here only nominally, by mentioning, because there are no “school days” in the anime), and a hint of “haremnik”, and “rag-coon”, and stylistics reminiscent of a mixture of Bakemonogatari with Another, and much more, including obvious hints of the favorite undemantling teenage audience, prone to all sorts of extremes, sopno-grote in the end of which I expected).
But the “Virgin”, as it should be (about this – below) I was held. Behind all the husk was something unexpectedly worthwhile. First, good music and the above-mentioned style of Bakemonogatari, which is applied moderately and tastefully. And referring to the play Momijigari, with her demon-seductor in the image of a beautiful maid and a warrior killing her, the dark red tones of the autumn maple, creating the “necessary” mood, deliberately deceive the viewer about the nature of Yuko and the development of the plot. In general, the verbs “conduct”, “prank”, “taunt” are the best fit for Yuko, who, although a spirit, but not at all a demon – they are from Momigigari and not a succubus, but a trickster – a mischievous seductress of kitsune, a beauty who falls in love with young men to marry them, and not to destroy them. Looks and behaves the heroine, loves all sorts of pranks and tricks, respectively. And the way she teases and seduces Teiichi is also part of the trickster-kitsune game. In this light, the elements of ethie can be seen not as fanservice, but as references to mythological archetypes. In fact, the reference to this archetype immediately, from the first series, disposes the viewer to this spirit, whose history has not yet been revealed, but whose character is already as if “dimly familiar”. It is the mystically comical first series that sets the tone for the entire anime. A knowledge of Japanese mythology should suggest that not always romantic relationships between boys and spirits-kitsune end tragically.
In addition to the heroine-trickster, there is a young man who helps her find integrity through reconciliation with herself. He shows the heroine that no matter how painful the experience and bitter memories are, no matter how unpleasant some feelings are, without them she will not become a full-fledged person, she will not be able to truly love and enjoy life. Here you can see the fashionable Manichean psychological mantra about “accepting the dark side of yourself”, or you can perceive it as a force to overcome your fear, acquired through the support of a loved one. Here, the Twilight Maiden is revealed as a psychological drama, or as another archetypal idea – love that conquers fear. “Harem”, by the way, is also only nominal, since Teiichi from the very beginning indicates his affection, not reacting to the encroachments of other female characters. Which are two. One is the opposite of the heroine, this is her prejudiced relative, whose dubious femininity is played out in every possible way in the anime and is contrasted with Yuko’s emphasized femininity. And also a certain kawai mascot, absolutely stupid, enthusiastic-stupid Momoe, introduced into the plot for the sake of comicality and another contrast with the merits of the main character. And if Kirie doesn't even try to "beat back" Taiichi, aware of his loss to Yuko “dry” on all fronts, then Momoe, due to his limitations and mascotality, simply serves as a comedic element in the romantic story.
In addition to the mythological and psychological cultural layers, I would note at all not obvious – philosophical, and even theological. The fact is that for pagan cultures, in which the Logos did not blur the entire sex of vulgar mysticism with the deification of stones, bugs, rivers and other ancient superstitions, ghosts are something “inanimate”, “disappearing”, inferior. On the one hand, for such a “magical” Gentile consciousness, everything is mystical, but on the other, everything mystical is unreal unless it manifests itself as a demand for sacrifice. Hardly everyone has learned for himself through popular, even Western, culture, which has absorbed many pagan ideas that the “dead” must disappear, go into the world of the dead and disappear into memory. At the very least, “go into the light,” into a world of spirits. This is taken to an extreme in which the spiritual world is so unreal that it disappears from memory along with the spirits. However, this is not the case in Christianity, where Lazarus lived quite normally after the resurrection from the dead, not to mention Jesus. Where, in fact, eternal life after death is promised to all the faithful is real, not “herbivorous-spiritual,” but one in comparison with which the present carnal life is hardly life at all, and not only a pale, inferior shadow, existence. For a Christian, some radical skeptic-rationalist like the staunch Catholic René Descartes, things are devoid of mysticism and spirits, superstitions are futile, but the real spiritual world is “more real than reality.” In the philosophy of antiquity, Christianity is echoed by Plato with his “cave”, where the physical world is only an imperfect shadow of the real, ideal world. Not so in Japanese culture, where the shadow is the spirit world. And therefore the more surprising the ending, which personally pleased me that did not indulge the vulgar passion of the public for cheap melodramatism and exploit the template-disgusting, pagan cultural stereotype of “dissolution in the light” and other delusional “disappearance”, but turned out to be very life-affirming, as the “Twilight Maiden” itself. Yuko, though a spirit, but the girl is very rational and does not believe in Asian mysticism with all sorts of “curses” and “monsters” (which is repeatedly ridiculed in the anime) and pagan fatalism. The ending in general came out in Tolkien eukatastrophic.
In general, if you pay attention to the symbolism and cultural layers of the “Twilight Maiden”, discarding all the superficial tinsel like anime stamps (which here are conventions, “thrown” like a bone to schoolchildren – after all, there are no “schools”, “harem”, and other nonsense here – only names and hints, “silver grass”, which is tormented by limitedness and autosuggestion otaku is taken for “monster”), then complete with good directing, interesting drawing and successful music, and at least one fascinating history, as well as a few exceptions.
Twilight etti haremnik under the cover of a detective
What was my mistake when I watched this movie? First of all, I tried to take him seriously. But I probably wouldn’t be so stupid if I didn’t look at the list of genres to which this creation is attributed. However, I would like to turn to the genres closer to the end, after I try to explain exhaustively why I was so infuriated by the anime in question.
What can be said about the few characters? Taiichi is an ordinary, uninteresting oya and, according to all the canons of haremniks, the only male character. Absolutely undisclosed hero, deprived of a prescribed character, and about whom the viewer even at the end of the viewing knows exactly 2 things: first - he is in the club of research of paranormal phenomena; second , for unknown reasons, all other members of the specified club want him.
Oconogi is the only heroine for whom I have at least some non-negative emotion. Her name is pity. It is a pity that her “friends” are delusional to tell about the essence of the head of their club, from which they constantly expose Momoi as a brainless fool, as if, bastards, deliberately mock her.
I have nothing to say about Kirie except that her only function is to be the third member of the Taiichi harem, and I do not see any point in ranting about Kirishima, since she was made an expendable one-part character.
I will dwell in detail on the cherry on the cake, Yuko Canoe. Let’s briefly run through the main spectrum of fetishes and sexual fantasies of teenagers and otaku, for which this character was created. A schoolgirl with 5+ breast size and just a perfect figure? Got it! She hangs herself around the neck of an absolutely inexpressive Mr. Oyash, so that the target audience revels in fantasies that such a luxurious maid will fall for nothing? Got it! Does she try to get rid of her clothes at any opportunity, showing off her luxurious body? Got it! Is she constantly harassing the absolutely inexpressive Mr. Oyasha with her dissatisfaction and vulgar hints of intercourse? Twice!! But, on the other hand, all of the above is too banal and is present in almost any other anime of the etti genre. Specifically, this series is distinguished by the ability to impress an immature viewer with another stunning sexual fantasy. A gorgeous girl literally rises from the world of the dead, to belong entirely to only one absolutely expressionless m-oyash, with which the young viewer associates himself. And voila! His attention is focused on “The Twilight Maiden”, and he is most likely watching this pacifier solely for the sake of another vulgar scene with Yuko.
What-what? Is there a story at the end? Drama? But for what reason should I not give up on all this drama and experiences, when before that, instead of intelligible disclosure of the members of the paranormal research club as characters making them something more than 3 dummy and 1 object of lust, I should watch how Yuko, almost personally putting his chest in the palm of Teiichi, once again encroaches on his virginity, from which he, stupid, apparently confused sexual attraction with love. Because I don't see any reason why there should have been such a connection between the two. Nor do I see any reason why I should sympathize with them. Honestly, the moment of Teiichi falling down the stairs caused me not a disturbing surprise, but an awkward laugh.
Among the plus, which can be counted on the fingers of one hand, I can only mention really good graphics (and this applies to both the drawing of the characters and their surroundings / backgrounds) and good opening with ending, which also did not skimp on quality video. But, ironically, in the case of the Twilight Maiden, even a decent drawing only partially exacerbates its shortcomings. Namely, we are talking, of course, about the well-drawn Yuko. Well, how else? In the end, it is necessary for animators to qualitatively draw the main object of attraction in all its splendor and sexuality, so that there is something to keep the target audience watching.
You may be wondering why I didn’t drop this anime for 2-3 episodes and send it back? Because I've already passed this stage. Yes, I write this review after I was able to master this anime only on the second attempt. I had given up on this title before, but still, more than a year later, I forced myself to give it a second chance. This happened due to the fact that after the first time I had to watch another anime series, which also made me spit at first and grumble at the unrestrained diarrhea of vulgarity and fan service, but still managed, taking the right course and rehabilitating in my eyes, to capture my attention by the second half. It's about "Cat of Sakuraso," because of which I naively believed that "Twilight Maiden," if you are more patient, will please me with a good story.
So, going back to the beginning, I will ask again: what genres do this title anime sites belong to? Romance? Detective? Even horrors??? Don't make me laugh! "The Twilight Maiden" - a mediocre etti-haremn, slightly seasoned to give at least some variety an element of mysticism, which can only be watched if you are initially set to see another representative of the etti-genre with a corresponding sweet ending. Therefore, I highly advise not to take this anime promising, otherwise you, like me, risk getting burned and, even despite the short time of 12 episodes, regret the time spent.
3 out of 10
I watched this anime 3 years ago and I really liked it. I’ve decided to revisit my impressions now! When I first watched this anime, I was 15 years old and I didn’t care about the age of the characters in the anime. Now I am 18 and I have learned that Teiichi Niya is only 13 and Yuko Kanoe is 15. I'm a little disappointed right now. Anime is great, but most anime is made for teenagers. I wanted them to be at least 16-17 years old.
It’s a bit unrealistic that Teiichi is only 13 years old and is acting 16-17. Usually at this age, everyone’s childhood plays and there can be no talk about such relationships.
The characters are perfectly drawn. Yuko Canoe is very beautiful, perfectly painted. I would even like such a girl, similar in character, well, and appearance, at least a little.
8 out of 10
I'd bet 10 out of 10, but understate because of the age of the characters.
I don’t like a lot of anime, but it somehow caught my eye. The usual plot: love, drama, mysticism, humor, school life. Heroes are also banal for anime: in love coward, hard on the outside, but soft on the inside, vulgar coquette and cute heels. But something made me watch this anime.
The picture looks in one breath. There was one uninteresting, boring moment, but the impression was immediately erased by the subsequent story.
While watching a movie, cartoon, anime, I can not help but pay attention to the presence of the main idea. There is a problem in this anime, which, by the way, is perfectly disclosed.
We must not forget that there are two sides to each. It's all you and you'll never run away from yourself. Everything good can turn into bad. But what is "bad"?" - a thought I caught while watching.
The only thing I didn’t like was that those conversations, those dialogues and monologues where the whole thing is hidden last very quickly. And only I have time to delve into and think about how something funny, sharp or stupid happens immediately. Not everyone will understand.
The first thing I want to say is that the series has a beautiful opening. The drawing is good, the main character is a traditional OYash.
The long swing from the first series to the middle of the anime finally leads us to the main goal of the main characters - to restore the events of the past and learn how the girl died, whose ghost will not go to heaven. Picking up pieces of a long-standing tragedy, the characters fall in love, get scared, laugh and so on and so forth, which usually takes up the lives of schoolchildren.
I can’t say that the plot is bad, but the whole action causes déjà vu. The Japanese, as recognized masters of mystical horror, become a bit predictable if you’ve watched anything other than “The Ring” and “Deep Waters” (Japanese production, of course). In order not to reveal the secrets of the plot, I will only say that this technique is well known to all fans of this genre of anime and Japanese cinematography.
Of course, in the end, love will win, it is unclear how realized, but after all, a movie happy ending does not necessarily apply to real life, right? The bottom line is that you’ll be impressed by Ghost Maiden if you’re watching this for the first time.
People have always been drawn to the supernatural. As long as mankind remembers itself, so many legends and myths exist, in which the hollow is full of ghosts and other evil spirits.
So in the Sake Academy, there was a place for legends, even a club was created - the Paranormal Research Club. Who is the president, who would you think? Yuko Canoe is the cause of all school horror stories and rumors. A ghost girl who can't remember dying in the basement of a school Unravel the mystery of the death of the virgin and other mysticism, helps freshman, Teichi Nia, who met her absolutely by accident when he got lost walking around the Academy.
The series is very beautiful, in terms of drawing, design and color. One scene in the pool is worth it! I have never seen so many cosmic shades before - bright lilac, azure, turquoise, green and so on. Another adaptation of horror stories, presented in the form of ancient Japanese painting. Opening and enduring - give pleasure.
Characters, they are gorgeous!
The Twilight Maiden, of unreal beauty, like a siren with a sweet voice. Long, black as tar, hair. Coquette.
Pseudo psychic, which each time more and more falls in love with the girl of the ghost.
Blond girl with a pink notebook, who craves new horror stories, but at the same time an exorbitant coward.
Yuko's granddaughter tries not to pay attention to her relative, but no matter how she turns, she also sees her.
Each series is a kind of detective, in which the goal is to uncover the horror story and find out the cause of fear.
Conclusion:
The recipe is quite simple: Drama, mysticism, mystery, irony, and above add romance and a pinch of humor. Fingers are good! I look forward to continuing and answering the following questions: Why does Virgo have no memories of death? Maybe they were so terrible that she erased them from her memory. What will the relationship between a psychic and a ghost lead to? How many legends does the Academy keep?
8 out of 10