Itazura na Kiss Discussion thread.

[Suwako Moriya]

All right then since I just finished the first episode for this, I'll start the discussion thread for it. In any case I'll join in ripping of something. So here are the two main requests.

Note
As usual, please try to follow these two easy forum courtesy habits when replying:
1) If you're the first person to post about an episode in any given week, please respond to the root post (this post) and indicate in the subject line which episode you're posting about.
2) If someone has already posted about an episode before you, please respond to that post (or a relevant reply to that post). Keep in the right subthread.

Also as an added request since VB likes to abbreviate subject lines in threaded. If you're saying make the initial post for the episode 02 subthread just simply title it "Episode 02" and that should be short enough. I'll start the episode 01 thread shortly.

[Suwako Moriya]

It seems that the first episode mainly establishes how the lead female ends up living with the lead male. Not much to say right now since I'll need to re-watch later, but so far this has potential. It hasn't wowed me yet, but it has me interested. Aihara Kotoko the female lead seems interesting if the initial watch is any indication. I think I'll give this at least a couple more episodes and maybe more if things go right.

[Lego]

It seems that the first episode mainly establishes how the lead female ends up living with the lead male. Not much to say right now since I'll need to re-watch later, but so far this has potential. It hasn't wowed me yet, but it has me interested. Aihara Kotoko the female lead seems interesting if the initial watch is any indication. I think I'll give this at least a couple more episodes and maybe more if things go right.

The main male character keeps reminding me Jay Leno

[PhilipReuben]

Just watched this. It seems fairly by-the-numbers, but hey, I likes me a little shoujo romantic comedy. The bit where she was misreading the kanji cracked me up.

[Fencedude]

Just watched this. It seems fairly by-the-numbers, but hey, I likes me a little shoujo romantic comedy. The bit where she was misreading the kanji cracked me up.

This was quite possibly the most generic shoujo romcom I've seen in AGES.

WHY DID I ENJOY THIS SO MUCH!?

(and I suddenly have the urge to rewatch Marmalade Boy...)

[Westlo]

Of course this is generic, you could say the manga version of this wrote the book when it comes to these shows.

[Fencedude]

Of course this is generic, you could say the manga version of this wrote the book when it comes to these shows.

Hmm? I know nothing about the history behind this show, so is the manga relatively old or what?

[BluWacky]

Hmm? I know nothing about the history behind this show, so is the manga relatively old or what?

Yup - it's from the 80s (the show is set in 1986 I believe?). Supposedly it's THE high school romcom manga that really set the genre going.

[Suwako Moriya]

Yup - it's from the 80s (the show is set in 1986 I believe?). Supposedly it's THE high school romcom manga that really set the genre going.

Interesting, so watching this is almost like a history lesson. Note the key word being almost. Either way what matters most is it has me motivated enough to watch more. How much more depends on each episode of course.

[Westlo]

Yeah this is going to be really cliche but since so much stuff used this as a template there's no way to avoid that.

[Suwako Moriya]

Yeah this is going to be really cliche but since so much stuff used this as a template there's no way to avoid that.

I'll try to keep that in mind, but to be honest it really doesn't matter to me if it's cliche or not. I never liked the idea of automatically hating something just because it's used more than once. I've always found the idea to be silly. Really it will be how the show uses its elements that will determine if I like it or not.

[musouka]

Not quite that old, guys. Very early nineties. Still almost twenty years old, which is nothing to sneeze at.

Anyway, I was one of the ones that sort of rolled my eyes at the idea of this getting animated now, but I really enjoyed the first episode. Reminded me of other shoujo shows from the ninties I used to watch and love--and, as a bonus, the actual in-show artwork is much closer to the original manga art than the promo was.

[something]

Episode 1:

- Kotoko will definitely be awesome. Three minutes in (and that counts the meh OP), I already know she kicks ass.
- She's adorable as hell too, which is odd because no other character design in this show as of yet works for me much at all. She almost looks like she's from a different show sometimes.
- Uh, wow, her house just collapsed. And... she's moving in with Naoki. Oh, go figure. :sd:
- Godddd, seriously, Kotoko is fucking ADORABLE. I can already tell she will be 99.9999999% of the reason I watch this show. Because I know the "you're dumb!" jokes and Naoki's little brother's antics will get old fast.
- Yeah, haaaaaaaaaaate Yuuki, bleh.

Naoki is annoying too, but at this point he's supposed to be. Anyway, I'll continue, because Kotoko is that perfect kind of shoujo heroine for me.

Itazura = Kotoko, Kotoko = Itazura, and I doubt I'll care much at all about anything else. And that shouldn't be a problem, seeing as how Kotoko is <3 and all.

[Ashyukun]

Yup - it's from the 80s (the show is set in 1986 I believe?). Supposedly it's THE high school romcom manga that really set the genre going.

Ah, that would explain the use of the somewhat-retro character designs (which I was loving from the first second they were on screen). I had much the same reaction as some of the others- 'OK, this isn't breaking any new ground here, but I'm still loving it.' I'd probably watch it just for Kotoko though- her general personality and great character design just make the show. And voiced by Mizuki Nana? How can that not be made of win?

I agree on hating the little brother- but I figured that would be the case from the first time he showed up (in the OP, I believe).

[Fencedude]

Naoki's a jerk, but he's entertaining when he gets flustered. Also his mom is nuts, thats some traumatic stuff he had to go through.

Kotoko continues to be love, but I just can't support pairing her with Naoki. Of course right now she's not to thrilled with the idea herself.

[Pastachan]

Shoujo's not normally my thing, but I absolutely <3 Naoki. I didn't like him after episode one, but after I started reading the manga I found these two to be absolutely addicting.

Episode two was pretty good. I love Naoki's mom and Kotoko is so tricksy.

[Suwako Moriya]

Kotoko is awesome, but Naoki continues to make me wonder why anyone could end up liking a complete and utter jerk like him. Seriously I think I know what he needs. To meet up with one of those characters who's an expert at let's just say attitude adjustment.

[Pastachan]

Kotoko is awesome, but Naoki continues to make me wonder why anyone could end up liking a complete and utter jerk like him.
It's funny because most girls go for "jerk" guys like this in anime and manga, but prefer nicer guys IRL. The creator even said she felt the same way. Naoki-types to girls would be like the Belldandy-types to guys.

[something]

Episode 2:

- Looooooove ponytail Kotoko. In fact, I think Kotoko is the only character I like in the whole show right now.
- Blackmail! Yes! Finally we get to see Kotoko in charge of a situation. She really IS the only reason I'm watching this.
- Mmm, so I guess this is where the ice starts to crack. Naoki's mom is definitely part of that. I find her both amusing and annoying at the same time. I like that she's an ally for Kotoko, but I'm not really into her type of character.
- Top 50! And gee, nice friends, completely ignoring her plea not to tell anyone about her situation.

Kotoko is still the only reason I'm watching this, but I saw almost all of Hana Yori Dango just watching for Makino so that shouldn't be a problem. I'm glad there was almost no Yuuki this time because, gah, hate him. I really do hope a couple more likable characters appear but right now... not so much. And I don't know how much they'll expand the cast any time soon.

Anyway, Kotoko is mai waifu and all that, but of course I could probably blindly write the entire plot from here on out with 90% accuracy so it's not like there's any possible outcome other than her and Naoki ending up together. I just hope they make him likable in the end.

[something]

To meet up with one of those characters who's an expert at let's just say attitude adjustment.
I'm scheduling him an appointment with (Kamen no Maid Guy's) Fubuki's nail bat right now.

[Suwako Moriya]

To meet up with one of those characters who's an expert at let's just say attitude adjustment.I'm scheduling him an appointment with (Kamen no Maid Guy's) Fubuki's nail bat right now.

Granted while I don't care for that series, it may not be such a bad idea to try a method like that on him.

[Suwako Moriya]

Okay this episode mainly involves sports related stuff. Also yeah Kotoko is still into Irie. Watch her get hearts over her eyes during a relay race which causes her to screw up. Also Irie reads something he shouldn't have. So yeah I'm finally trying to catch up a bit with the series.

[Suwako Moriya]

Heh the moments near the end of the episode were kind of fun. Apparently Yuuki keeps a diary. Speaking of which, they should have just let him drown if you ask me...

[mandisaw]

Even though it's easy to guess that Kotoko & Naoki will go to college together, the series of events to make that happen managed to make a little emotional rollercoaster in a single episode. Kudos to ItaKiss for good storytelling. I'm really liking this series so far, sucker for spunky girls & snarky guys that I am (Hanadan, Nodame, Hot Gimmick, so many....).

So we've gone from a couple months into the first term of senior year to college entrance exams in 6 episodes. Is this just fast pacing to focus on the college years (and the presumably larger cast), or are they going to speed through the whole manga series? Anybody heard anything?

[Pastachan]

I'm really liking this series so far, sucker for spunky girls & snarky guys that I am (Hanadan, Nodame, Hot Gimmick, so many....).
We think along the same lines. ;)

Is this just fast pacing to focus on the college years (and the presumably larger cast), or are they going to speed through the whole manga series? Anybody heard anything?
So far, the anime has been paced at just about the same speed as the manga (at almost an episode per chapter). Judging from the fact that it's only a 26-episode series, I highly doubt they'll go beyond their college years.

Episode 7 was great, though. But that scene where Noaki made a laughing matter of Kotoko's feelings made him look even more like a jerk. Even if his does like her, I don't get his point for making a show like that.

[Butter]

Episode 7 was great, though. But that scene where Noaki made a laughing matter of Kotoko's feelings made him look even more like a jerk. Even if his does like her, I don't get his point for making a show like that.

Irie is so shameless. There needs to be A LOT more development on his character before I believe any kind of a romantic relationship between him and Kotoko, which isn't a bad thing. He is toying with her so much.

[xia]

Episode 7 was great, though. But that scene where Noaki made a laughing matter of Kotoko's feelings made him look even more like a jerk. Even if his does like her, I don't get his point for making a show like that.

Irie is so shameless. There needs to be A LOT more development on his character before I believe any kind of a romantic relationship between him and Kotoko, which isn't a bad thing. He is toying with her so much.


I completely agree
But..on the other hand I did squee when it happened. So I guess i'm just flipflopping.

[Pastachan]

Irie is so shameless. There needs to be A LOT more development on his character before I believe any kind of a romantic relationship between him and Kotoko, which isn't a bad thing. He is toying with her so much.
I really don't want to go off and play the "i've read the manga i know everything bwahaha" kind of person, but I'll just say that all this trauma drama is really worth it later on. Realistically speaking, their relationship does really send the wrong kind of message and is completely unhealthy, but I still can't help but *squee* like an raging fangirl over Irie and cheer Kotoko on. Goddammit.

[mandisaw]

Irie is so shameless. There needs to be A LOT more development on his character before I believe any kind of a romantic relationship between him and Kotoko, which isn't a bad thing. He is toying with her so much.
I really don't want to go off and play the "i've read the manga i know everything bwahaha" kind of person, but I'll just say that all this trauma drama is really worth it later on. Realistically speaking, their relationship does really send the wrong kind of message and is completely unhealthy, but I still can't help but *squee* like an raging fangirl over Irie and cheer Kotoko on. Goddammit.
Ah, I've learned to embrace whatever part of my psyche makes "bad boy" romances appealing. Squee-away, I say. :cool:

I think the fact that it is happy-ending fiction makes the early abusiveness more palatable than bad-ending fiction, since you know/guess that the "beast" will become the "prince" before it's all over. Since real life rarely works that way, it's kind of cathartic, I guess. And of course it's more dramatic/interesting than a more balanced & healthy romance.

Irie may well earn a place in my top-5 ranking of shoujo a-hole boyfriends, but only if he shows some weakness where Kotoko can actually see/appreciate it. Ep. 6 was very cool, but she was unconscious for the good parts...

[mandisaw]

Anybody else still watching ItaKiss? Quite the fast-forward version of your typical shoujo manga romance. I certainly didn't expect this (http://www.flowerstorm.net/disa/Pictures/Misc/itakiss-wedding-kiss.jpg) only half-way through the series. Somehow I kept expecting some kind of "it was all just a dream" or "Graduate"-style interruption. But there was much fannish goodness to be had, and hopefully definitive proof that Naoki isn't a douche.

Favorite parts:
Kotoko's dad outlining every one of Kotoko's non-domestic attributes
Irie admitting that he was angry about the rushed wedding, but he doesn't mind, 'cause Kotoko's such a knockout bride

Looking forward to the rest of this series, but if it stays like this, it may call for some marathon-viewing...

[Busaiku]

I've been loving it since the beginning.
I absolutely love just about every character.

Episode 14 did indeed move at a ridiculous pace for anything (shoujo or not), but it was still very enjoyable.

Though I do feel bad about Kin-chan.
Chris isn't good enough for him!

[shannonleighd]

Anybody else still watching ItaKiss? Quite the fast-forward version of your typical shoujo manga romance. I certainly didn't expect this (http://www.flowerstorm.net/disa/Pictures/Misc/itakiss-wedding-kiss.jpg) only half-way through the series.

I'm still watching it, but I'm only up to 13 so I wish a hadn't click that link. :depressed:

Ah well, it's my own fault for being curious. With that in mind though, it's going to be interesting to see how the rest of the series plays out.