After “this guy” predicted how I would review Kamichu, I just had to watch it. Lately, I’ve been getting more and more interested in slice-of-life series (I’m currently a huge fan of Kaze no Shoujo Emily), so I was willing to give this series a try.

However, when I started watching, I didn’t really understand what was so special about this series. Sure, it was a nice watch, and it definitely had heart-warming moments, but it didn’t really set itself apart from other series, and I’ve seen much better attempts at slice-of-life anime. I also didn’t understand Omo’s line of “But for those of us who can see beyond that, Kamichu is a masterful reprise of a childhood to remember and the fun people had growing up.”

But now that I finished the series, I understand. I totally understand. The final four episodes (so the last two TV-episodes, and the last special episodes that came with the DVDs) were bloody awesome, and they definitely make Kamichu something more than “just another slice-of-life” series.

So basically, if you start Kamichu, you just have the obligation to finish it, or otherwise you won’t feel the magic. The series does have its problems, though. The biggest one being episode four, which makes it really hard not to lose interest, when it comes with a really bad premise, changing the entire tone for the series, just when you began to get used to it. A ridiculous idea that you just can’t take serious is used, involving a creature that can be best described as “Pururin” from NHK ni Youkoso gone wrong. Plot elements that come from nowhere are introduced, and we never see these again, and afterwards the series goes back to its original focus, like nothing happened. There are more of these continuity errors, by the way. One episode, for example, ends with a giant pudding in the middle of the school square, and the next episode just happily acts like none of it ever happened.

Still, you’ll definitely get rewarded once you get past this point. The characters are really charming, and even though you wouldn’t say it at first sight, they’re very compelling. Kamichu is one of these series where the best comes in last, once you’ve come to know all the different characters. The graphics and the music also look decent enough; they’ve got some nice production-values, though they’re a tad too plain for my tastes. They’ll never beat the music of Figure 17, the art of Asatte no Houkou, or the OP and ED for Mahou Tsukai Tai.

Overall, if you’re a slice-of-life fan, I see no reason why you shouldn’t give Kamichu a chance. Just remember to stick with it, even after the horrible episode four. A personal complaint of me is that it could have used a few more episodes, though. Seeing as it ends, just when things are getting really good.

Haha! So people did recognize each other after the previous episode! The result was the extremely dark, fast-paced, serious and awesome episode that we got to see now! I really expected Thenardier to milk Jean out with the same technique that killed Fantine, but here he comes and he directly attacks him.

To make matters even better, Marius heard ALL of this, and went to the police. Because of this, none other than JAVERT is now waiting to arrest Thenardier, as soon as he mutilates JEAN! Seriously, I never expected things to go so incredibly fast, and we’re only at episode 29! I’m starting to understand now why people call the novel epic.

I can hardly even begin to predict the next episode, as there are so many possible scenarios. Jean and Thenardier will obviously escape, but how the heck will they do it? I suspect they will make use of the confusion of Javert when he finds out about Jean. I also keep thinking that this is a regular anime, and people will just retreat after things are done, but things will definitely change after this, and the Thenardiers will need to find new lodgings, while Jean will need to watch out where he goes. I’m now really beginning to see the power of the World Masterpiece Theatre.