notelog | Aishiteruze Baby

1st priority (ep 4)
7th November 2006

A whole month after completing Hachikuro II, I’ve finally started watching anime again, and what a great way to come back. Aizhiteruze Babe may have slightly lower production values than other shows, most noticable in the art and soundtrack, but the first four episodes already shine with genuine warmth. Kippei is already experiencing many feelings for the first time, and his role as the slightly unrealistic unlikely parent is nevertheless presented with finesse. So far all of the characters are loveable bar the mysterious girl who has an unwholesome crush on Kippei. While the premise for her existence is a little contrived, it does help to set up great moments between Kippei and Yuzuyu, who is convincing as a five-year-old.

Ordinary soundtrack aside, the closing credits have become an instant favourite of mine, perhaps because I have a soft-spot for well used Oberheimer sounds and old-school R’n’B, especially when performed with great four-part harmonies in the chorus.

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1st priority (ep 11)
11th November 2006

You knew it wouldn’t take long until I found my ever-present side-character that is an instant favourite, and in the case of Aishiteruze Baby, it’s Kokoro. I tend to love characters with dark or difficult pasts that prevent them from fully engaging in emotional intimacy and genuine enjoyment in life. Much of the time of-course, their journies in the productions involve the main protagonists helping them reach those important shoujo-anime emotional landmarks in their lives, and I really relate to this kind of character development. The bracket up to episode 11 spent a lot of time with Kokoro, and I’m loving how she’s coming along, even with her somewhat tragic situation and the results of her closed behaviour. One of the things that I love about this show is that almost every episode focusses on Yuzuyu and revolves around her life. This made the couple of episodes focussed on Kokoro particularly effective and enjoyable to watch, as we see Kippei struggles with the complications of his life.

I very much am in love with this exploration of very simple yet very real emotional drama, both in the brave Yuzuyu, the troubled Kokoro and the youthful Kippei who now has to face the growing responsibilities of becoming a young-adult.

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1st priority (ep 19)
13th November 2006

I’m pleasantly surprised at the issues that this production is tackling. As expected, it doesn’t go as deeply into the issues as perhaps a more mature production would, but things like child-abuse, divorce, single-parenting and the difficulties of social-interaction are still very mature issues to be examining in a show of this nature. It really is creating a more realistic environment, and good reasons as to why certain characters behave the way they do; of-course you know I’m thinking of Kokoro.

Shouta’s story-arc was very well done I thought, and the small but important lessons that Yuzuyu learnt from it were a joy to see, as they continue to be throughout the series. I’m actually very pleased with the way her innocence effects the responses and thoughts of the other older characters.
The most recent development in the bracket I’ve just watch involves the introduction of Miki. I must say I’m getting a little accustomed to this kind of character introduction, it’s a little cliched and to be expected; shows like this tend to introduce characters half-way through in order to provide further potential complication. It seems that Miki’s character is being made good of, but the way in which she was introduced and then the resulting discussion in the family seemed awkward and contrived. Still though, I can grace the show its little cliches; as before, Kippei is slowly but surely changing and maturing, even unbeknownst to himself. I really do hope he is rewarded with much more maturation, and the developing of real, genuine and appreciating affection for Kokoro, and she in-turn overcomes her own fears in like manner and is rewarded with her own genuine happiness.

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16th November 2006
Complete.

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