At this point, Toumei Otoko to Ningen Onna is the very definition of a bubble series. It’s in the Patron poll, but assuming that doesn’t make the decision for me it’s going to be a tough one. The series does nothing to put me off, so it would be very easy to keep covering it. It’s just so low-key that it’s hard to work up tremendous enthusiasm for it. It’s good, don’t get me wrong, and even has some depth and a bit of edge to it. I’m just not sure yet if that adds up to enough.
The conceit here at this point seems pretty clear-cut. And it’s a worthy one as Japan goes further down the rabbit hole of xenophobia and scare-mongering populism. Invisible people are just another minority here, trying to blend into a society that’s suspicious of them (despite the preponderance of differences we see in this mythology). Take Sukiya Aya, the invisible woman wrongfully accused of stealing by a crooked vice-president filling in for the boss of her company. There’s not a lot of subtlety or elegance to this chapter but it makes its point.
The VP is obviously guilty, and there’s no doubt about what’s really going on here. His behavior couldn’t be more of a giveaway, and he was sloppy in his planning. But blaming perceived outsiders is something very much in vogue (well, more in vogue) here at the moment, so it’s good to see it called out. The agency has no trouble proving what really happened, with an assist from Shizuka, who’s feeling insecure about Sukiya’s presence. As a reward for successfully and expeditiously solving the case Tonome offers to take the gang on a trip, and Madaraito (who invites himself along) suggests camping.
Shizuka’s reason for wearing sunglasses was interesting, and something I’d never really thought about. The most important part of the camping trip is Kikira and Madaraito’s origin story, which the latter is happy to relate. Kirira was no less tsun in high school, but already sure of what he wanted it seems. As for Madaraito he’s considerably changed his fitness level since then (I’d wager Kikira has gained a pound for every one Madaraito lost), and his personality as well – his confidence is strikingly higher. One suspects Kikira’s attention is what started him on the path to self-improvement.
If there’s a weak link to Toumei Otoko for me, it’s that I’m just not feeling Shizuka and Tonome as a couple yet. They’re perfectly likeable but so far, they’re on the bland side romantically. That’s very much a YMMV thing (like comedy) but that’s how it is for me. Are things a little too affable, a little too seamless between them? It’s not as though there haven’t been challenges with their relationship but it all feels very by the books so far. As I said at the beginning though, nothing is really off-putting here so I’ll probably go at least one more episode before making a final blogging decision.
The post Toumei Otoko to Ningen Onna: Sonouchi Fuufu ni Naru Futari (The Invisible Man and His Soon-to-Be Wife) – 04 appeared first on Lost in Anime.
