Kimikiss pure rouge (Episode 4)

The story is going downhill. I do not expect that much of the past to be revealed but I am yet to see solid character development. It is already at episode 4 and the tone seems to be introductory. This is no mystery thriller or magical quest that usually require longer introductions to the frame of the story. Face it, it is just some pubescent romance that revolves much on the emotions and relationships. What I want is drama yet all of them seems confused, probably by the fact that they are still adolescents. They are still young. By each episode, the story is getting dull. Not that I want to compare this story to Honey and Clover but unlike the latter, the story lacks the pace and dramatic suspense. We can see how the story would carry along just from episode 1 alone. But hey, I’m sure Eriko and Eiji would make that much of the difference, right? Well I hope so, for the sake of the story. On the technical side, animation and drawings are still good though it is as I had mentioned before, it did not stand out.

Same old, same old. Could this be any better?

Kouichi chatted a bit with Yuumi and parted ways when Mao came to him to criticize him for his no-progress in his relationship with Yuumi.

Kimikiss pure rouge (Episode 3)

The story is getting nowhere. Not just the story, even the characters inside are static. Very few character development and still stuck to conflicting emotions. These innocent adolescents are just annoying. I’ve been telling myself to ask them to grow up, especially the lead male Kouichi who is sick in his puppy love yet fails to do anything about it. Sad. Not being honest with your own feelings can be troublesome, you know. Also equally pathetic (he probably more pathetic than Kouichi is) is Kazuki who is not even sure about his feelings. Is it love did he felt for Eriko or just feeling too troubled by the kiss he had with her, which Eriko seems didn’t care at all. On one side, the humor is dull. The story is probably saved by the bubbly Mao but the rest of the characters are making an overkill. The writers tried to give humor to chibi characters Nana and Narumi but failed miserably. Hmmm… making them cute and play with frog plushies do not count for comedy. If not for that small tint of humor, Kimikiss would be a plain, serious love story. It can either be a little good or really bad.

Feeling lazy to go to school? Don’t we all do?

Yuumi came across with Kouichi walking to school with Mao and began to wonder if Mao is a special someone to Kouichi.

Kimikiss pure rouge (Episode 2)

What I like about Kimikiss pure rouge is the use of water colour in the colour range. This is definitely those similar with Honey and Clover. And what do you know, something we are familiar with here. Nodame Cantabile may have use this water colour effect but it is not too distinctive as compared to Honey and Clover. However in Kimikiss, it was pretty obvious. Or rather, it stands out. Sadly enough, the OP and ED songs are not so great or at least not of my liking. What I really like about Honey and Clover other than its story and the comical characters, are the insert songs. I have to say, I’m a fan of Suga Shikao and the songs used are just well placed. In fact the insert songs are all over the place, it seems that nearly all episodes must have one insert song. You can’t expect Nodame Cantabile to have the same since it was all classical music from episode one to the final episode. Even so, music have been the key element in the works by Kasai Kenichi and his crew. So I’d figure if the same is done for Kimikiss or perhaps they’ll trying something new this time? Well I really hope that the humour would live up to expectation because so far, it did not pick up some punches to the funny bones. This is where Myself; Yourself is better performed aside from the well-schemed plot, although Kimikiss would fare much better in voice talent and colour palettes. I’ve got to admit it, Aoi do sound rather quirky.

“Hmmm… taste like curry. Must be lunch.”

Picking up from where the story left off, Kazuki was still pondering on the kiss earlier and poor Nana was left out by her brother though she is excited on getting into the first year of high school.

Kimikiss pure rouge (Anime Preview)

From the people who brought us the lovable Honey and Clover and Nodame Cantabile, comes another anime title which is rather incomprehensible for me. Kimikiss pure rouge would basically means nothing to my ears, not to mention that the term pure rouge is used. I have no idea what the scheming plot the producers have in mind but I did googled for pure rouge. Not surprising that I found countless hits on the actual anime itself, signifying that “pure rouge” is just meaningless but I am not totally wrong when I set my eyes on these - Pure Rouge Mineral Blush. OMG! It’s a cosmetic scam. I’d better leave the conspiracy side for now and back to the actual review. It is yet another teenage romance anime, which is the genre that appeals more to me for this anime season. Have I gone hapless romantic this holiday? Not quite there yet but it’s the best bet for good anime viewing. I am totally aware that it is the same people responsible for Honey and Clover and Nodame Cantabile (I’ve checked it out to be certain). Not surprising is the same animation studio, J.C. Staff was up for the job. Now the question is will it be as good as the predecessors? Not to sound like a skeptic but most of J.C. Staff works are brilliant and fairly enjoyable to watch. What I want from Kimikiss however is something up the notch, something unique.

Kimikiss pure rouge

Mizusawa Mao, Sanada Kouichi and Aihara Kazuki are childhood friends (hey, don’t this seems familiar?) but at one point, Mao had migrated to France with her family. Two years later, she returned home to Japan.