Watched this anime on Netflix within 24hrs and I have so many mixed feelings. Lemme just say them and if youāre willing to listen, well readā¦.great! (Possible spoilers??)
FIRST, I hateddddddd this show for the fact how it got me so invested. I know that makes no sense but it honestly was so heart-tugging and also thought provoking as a viewer. (I actually found myself sneaking to watch an episode at workā¦ahem- ANYWAYS). The way this anime series was written and portrayed was utterly amazing. Honestly when I feel like Iāve been to a funeral at the end of a series that means it was a great show and that is due to a plethora of creativity, writing and consideration of important themes.
SECOND, Yoshimune???? My girl- excuse me, liege came in with a mission and I loved every minute of it! And it was literally minutes because we didnāt see much of herā¦.I was quite upset about that. I actually believe I overall like her more than Iemitsu/Chieā¦.*shrugs* not that I did not enjoy Chie and her development throughout the series but in general, Yoshimune brightened up the series in a way we didnāt really see after we truly delved into Ooku history (which was like episode 3-10).
THIRD, the complex history of the Ookuā¦.was a whirlwind of emotions, politics, and culture/tradition for sure. But the history did show a bit of realism even in the face of an alternative history of what-could-have-been. As a viewer, certain questions came in my head likeā¦āwhat if no one challenged tradition in the face of desperation to survive?ā to āwhat if Arikoto and Iemitsu/Chie could have just had that one hope among them as a couple in that bedchamber become a realityā¦?ā How much would any of that changed the way things played out? It makes you consider how truly peopleās actions and responses have brought good and bad consequences to our world todayā¦not just Edo in the series.
(I think this is the last pointā¦..?)
FOURTH, Arikoto and Chie honestly did what they felt was right for others which is selfless in ways that are absolutely admirableā¦but also, thereās things I absolutely wish they would have done differently. Watching the screen and happy for them one minute and on the verge of tears the next is a feat not every writer can do. Outside looking inā¦.you, as a viewer, can see cracks in their logicā¦but then, it makes you have sympathy and maybe even empathy for their choices driven by the sake of their beliefs and those who greatly influenced them. Itās such a touching, romantic, but incredibly SAD story between them but one thing was always clear is that they were deeply in love with each other until the end. ā¤ļø
