It’s been more than a month since I had this post in mind, but for some reason I decided to forget about the idea and even scrapped my draft post for this orz. But lo and behold, as Crusader opens up the topic about biases, I decided to give this post one more shot. Also because I’ve learned some insights from a book I’m currently reading, Why Men Love Bitches, as out-of-character as my RL colleagues and friends find it to be. Just for the record, I don’t really agree with everything that’s written in this book, because of several principles I adhere to, but it’s valuable for gaining insights on the nature of both men and women (and it EMPOWERS women), similar to the book Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus Before I divert any further from the topic, here goes…

As you can see, most (like 99%?), if not all, the bloggers of True Tears and KimiKiss are people born with a Y chromosome. But well, considering the measly number of female bloggers on the interwebz, I think it goes without saying that there will always be more guys blogging a series rather than girls (with a few shoujo or BL shows as exception). The thing is, aside from the values, principles, beliefs, etc. that we have, gender also plays a role in our biases in anime, particularly how we perceive characters, why we support a certain girl, or a certain character archetype for the lead guy (or a guy for the lead girl, in the case of reverse harems). Like why I support Noe and Asuka, as opposed to Hiromi and Eriko, for instance, which I will be delving on in this post.

Ok, so I managed to get some free time in the office to finish this post, before I leave~ I shall reply to the comments if I manage to snag a connection during my trip

I’ll save any comments I have on Mao x Kouichi x Yuumi after I watch the last episode of the series (which won’t be until next week coz I wasn’t able to bring my copy of the last KimiKiss episode with me T__T), as it will highly depend on what the outcome of this love polygon will be. For now, since we all know the glorious Asuka has been sealed a bittersweet ending, I’ll be showing how things would’ve went for her, if she was fated to have a happy ending. I’ll be providing snapshots of the second volume of the KimiKiss ~various heroines~ manga on this one, the Kouichi x Asuka arc.

The manga is just pure fluff, more ecchi and sweet (it’s a little bit contradicting I know), so much unlike the anime. While I applaud Kasai for successfully transforming the KimiKiss heroines into 3D realistic characters, it also became detrimental in that some of them became flawed and unlikeable, especially Mao and Kouichi.

So here’s this Asuka-centric post, for those who want to take a break from the serious drama of the KimiKiss anime, or those who want to see the alternate happy ending with Asuka x Kouichi

the smiles in the faces of our dear characters is now but a memory of the past~

Ok, I’d have to admit, my KimiKiss passion has been going dowwnnnn… especially after episode 21, hence the lack of blog posts for the past two episodes. I look back at the very first KimiKiss post I made, and I can see that the flare is not as strong as it was anymore, sadly so. I’d still continue watching this show till the end, and see how things are going to turn out, but I don’t see it exceeding my expectations any time soon.

There are only two episodes left, and where is the Asuka confession? nada. The spoiler for episode 23 mentioned that Asuka will be scouted for the Women’s Soccer League, and will perhaps be offered training somewhere abroad, just like in the manga. Kazuki is happy for Asuka, but the latter’s sadness over her bittersweet lovelife keeps her from being 100% happy over this news. Surprisingly, stupid Kazuki still hasn’t figured out why she’s feeling all down and depressed. T_T

More than just a kiss-understanding.

When KimiKiss started, I expressed my disappointment regarding how Eriko x Kazuki’s “relationship” came about. I’d have to admit, I didn’t like how that kiss became the initial springboard for this relationship. First of all, it seemed like a shallow reason to be attracted to someone, in the case of Kazuki. But then as the series went on, we’ve gradually seen how this attraction became more fatal, and deeper than a kiss. The kiss simply paved the way for Kazuki to see Eriko in different lights, allowing him to realize that there’s so much more to this girl than the cold genius she was perceived to be.

I don’t know if the staff read this blog or other forums, who had a similar sentiment regarding the “It Started With a Kiss” aspect of Kazuki and Eriko’s relationship. But I felt as if episodes 19-20 was made out to dispel the qualms of people who had this sentiment. To win the Kazuki x Asuka shippers to the Kazuki x Eriko side?

The cheerful Asuka and Mao of the game, in contrast to their anime emo selves =/

If I were to voice out my sentiments regarding episode 17, I’ll just end up ranting about the revival of Mao’s indecisiveness a.k.a bitchiness, as well as Asuka’s selfishness. Whilst the latter is arguably justifiable, because of our innate selfish human nature (cliche of a justification this might be regarding flawed actions of characters), I expected more from Asuka =/ The liberties the anime took in terms of adding flaws to Asuka’s strong (and thought-to-be almost flawless) character, shows nothing else but a direction in favor of Eriko x Kazuki. Now ridden with guilt, Asuka will most likely hope that Eriko and Kazuki’s relationship won’t end up in ruins because of what she has done. *sigh*

So instead of ranting any further, I decided to try something different, for the sake of relieving myself of these negative energies brimming in me. Let’s pause for a while, take a break from emo-ing, and instead, sing some hearty songs attune with the melodies of the KimiKiss web of relationships.

UPDATE: Yes, I’m such a slow poke that I already watched episode 18 before I got to finish this original post for episode 17, so I decided to do a combi-post instead. I still have mixed feelings for episode 18. I’m happy that Asuka decided to make-up for what she’s done, but then again it just confirms my hunch regarding the now guilt-ridden Asuka. We’ll see more of Eriko’s past from now on, and I think both Kazuki and Asuka will be able to sympathize with her more, the moment they find out about her family background. Oh man… now that I think about it, my childhood past is just like Eriko’s o__O (up to a certain extent…) Nuu… I should remain loyal to the Asuka fanclub >_<

(and due to my procrastination, KimiKiss episode 19 is gonna hit the airwaves any time now too >_>)

How sad it is that there’s not even a mention of Yuumi in these spoilers… o__O

Whew~ Finally got this out. Sorry to have kept you guys waiting D:

Beware of spoilers ok? Just a word of warning, if the post title itself isn’t enough. Seeing the highlights of episodes 19-22, it seems that the roulette of love continues to roll, especially in the Mao x Kouichi x Yuumi x Kai love quadrilateral. We still don’t know who’s gonna end up with who, partly thanks to the lack of information regarding this quadrilateral from episode 21 onwards T_T

Due to the incessant demand(?) of fans, the spoilers highlighted the Asuka x Kazuki x Eriko, so I have no idea what developments will happen in the other love triangle (or quadrilateral), by the end of episode 22 >_>;;; evil Newtype!!! These spoilers already provide indicative information regarding how things will be cemented in the Asuki x Kazuki x Eriko triangle, so just beware~

While I was writing up my post for episode 15, my excitement was sort of overtaken by Tokyo Marble Chocolate, leaving me screaming “GO WATCH THAT OAV, LIKE RIGHT NOW!!!!! IT’S SOOO GOOOD!!! Makes you all fluffy and warm inside =3″ after watching it the other day. By the time I continued writing, episode 16 has aired, so I decided to do a combination post instead. And man… now I’m all KimiKiss emo again ;____; I really have to watch TMC again, and be filled with romance fluff happiness >_<;;

Both episode 15 and 16, are such heart-wrenching episodes, especially from the perspective of a now distraught fan who can't decide between the two girls in the triangles *points to self*. Whilst True Tears is just starting to flesh out, episode 16 of KimiKiss is like the embodiment of "true tears" for me, the start of even more tear-jerker episodes (in a bittersweet way) from what I can see. The more this series turns into an exciting brawl, the harder it is to accept that one girl in the two triangles will end up having the short end of the stick, especially now that I see all the girls on almost equal 好感度パラメータ (likeability / romance factor), from a dating-sim gamer POV. Eriko blew me away with this episode, growing on me exponentially.

Despite having said much about Mao and Yuumi’s relationship with Kouichi in my last post, I’m actually more excited for the love triangle involving our carrot-type guinea pig soccer guy Kazuki. I owe much of this to my Asuka bias, especially with a love like hers that’s so ideal and cute that it makes me all the more love her character. Asuka certainly stood out in this episode, which makes me a happy fangirl of course. Go go Asuka~!! o(^^o)(o^^)o Allow me to point out several things as to why I think Asuka and Kazuki should end up together, at least not until I find another development in Eriko which I’ll be delving on later in this post.

This is going to be Asuka-fangirl-centric (I feel like Nana or other Asuka fans now lol)

If you will notice, I changed the title of this post, spiced it up a bit, instead of the boring monotonic version I’ve been using for the past KimiKiss episodes. For one, I think this’ll spark up more readership, an initial indicator that I am not merely blogging a descriptive episodic post on the series, to separate myself from the rest of the people doing mass-market episodic blogging, as bateszi puts it.

A little bit of overall thoughts on KimiKiss thus far…

I haven’t watched the other romance offerings of the fall season to proclaim KimiKiss to be the most superior of them, but it is undeniably one of the best. KimiKiss started out as nothing else but a simple tale of high school romance, which initially attracted viewers with its non-conformance to typical harem romance stereotypes. Having read the manga and the novel beforehand, I was able to appreciate much of the changes made to the show, with its additional characters, and “plot” changes. Described as a vanilla show by most people, with the lack of fanservice or moe spice we usually see, it managed to stand out despite its simplicity. We’re already halfway through the series and yet we’re still at the edge of our seats, wondering who will end up with whom as the series draws to a close. “Unpredictably predictable”, as CCYoshi puts it, is but apt to describe this.

This unpredictability is one of the aspects which compelled me to analyze the relationships in KimiKiss, with the coming of each episode. It’s much to my surprise that I never seem to run out of things to say for this series, for the characters and the relationships involved. To those who have joined me in this ride, you can see how my perceptions of the characters have changed as the series went on, how Mao has especially grown on me despite my initial apprehension for her. I think I also owe much of that to Mike of Anime Diet, with his post in defense of Mao. With Owen’s response to my previous post in defense of Eriko on the other hand, I realized how I became too logical in analyzing her development, as I confined myself in this sandbox of “reality” which limited by understanding and open-mindedness.

In all this, I found all the characters of KimiKiss endearing, real as they are portrayed to be. Despite my biases for certain characters and couples I’m rooting for, I can honestly say that I’ll be happy with whatever outcome the series will have. Though of course biases will still be present, if that’s not evident enough in my “shipping”.

KimiKiss have already given me much; not necessarily life-changing, but thought-provoking ideas and circumstances which allowed me to grow as a person. I want to broaden my perspectives, which is why I want to stand by this show until the end. It’s also for this same reason that I would all the more appreciate comments from my readers, a reality-check of some sort, to see whether people agree or disagree with whatever I’m posting here.

The initial title I had for this post is “KimiKiss Episode 14 - "Don’t Promise Me Forever…"”, and I wonder what difference this change in the post title made caused. Would you have most likely ignored this post with that title? I’m just curious…

Before you go and respond to this post, do note that I have yet to include my thoughts on episode 15 in this post. Also, for now, this post has no eyecandies, and I wonder if that affects your willingness to read my usual “tl;dr” posts.

Got my Newtype magazine a few days ago, and decided to share the spoiler tidbits provided. So here I am, the bunny chef, to serve you the spoiler platter for KimiKiss #15-17 :3

The mini summaries seem to be Mao-centric, as nothing much was said about the other characters (and couplings) in the show.

Prepare to be spoiled~!