Is there a place that makes you nostalgic? Well, for me, there are a lot… and some of them I can explain why I feel that way towards them. However, some are just like a mystery—I just felt like it because that’s what I really felt, no extensive explanations nor memories at all, and it kinda felt weird. Speaking of weird, I've just finished watching the anime that left me feeling strange and nostalgic. I’ve marinated it for months because I wanted to binge-watch it later. I thought it would be like the mature love stories that I’ve already watched before, but when I started watching it, I was caught off guard. It wasn’t a josei at all, for with all the mystery and sci-fi stuff in it, its plot was more like seinen, and yes, it indeed is when I checked its demographic later. And that’s why, before I share with you my review on it, let’s first get to know a little about the city where it happened—a city where summer never ends, and the romance that blossomed in that certain strange summer.
About the Anime
Kowloon Generic Romance is a seinen anime that first aired this year, April 5 up until June 28. This 13 episode-long mystery romance anime was animated by Arvo Animation and was based on the shounen manga written and illustrated by Jun Mayuzuki. Upon knowing that it was based on the manga written by her, I was immediately filled with hope that this would be a nice anime. I already watched her After the Rain and it really left a nice impression of the way she writes her character and story. So, I started this anime last Saturday with just the hope that I’ll enjoy it like I did with her prior work. And since I have no idea what it will be all about—only expectations—like I mentioned, the first episode somewhat caught me off guard. Why? Read further if you want to know and get some spoilers.
Like most anime, it all started with the introduction of the main character, who happened to be an office worker, Kujirai Reiko. Yet unlike the usual love story, where characters immediately get interested the very first time they meet, theirs seems like a slow burn and unusual. And what adds to the unusualness is the city they lived in—the Second Kowloon Walled City. It is nostalgic in every way, with flickering lights, a busy marketplace, lively people, and the noisy chirping cicadas. But now and then, new things creep inside that nostalgic city, and those new things are the ones that Kudo Hajime didn’t like. Despite the fact that Kujirai Reiko never confessed her hidden affection for her coworker Kudo, she was still content interacting with him daily.
However, a seemingly harmless prank changes it all because, along with that prank, the half-asleep Kudo suddenly kissed her, yet after he realized what he had done, he pushed her immediately. With the excuse of mistaking her for someone else, Kudo left her behind, baffled and flustered with the sudden advancement of her once one-sided love. The curious Kujirai was then drawn into people and events that were new to her, and before she could realize, she’s now seeing the side of Kudo she’d never seen before. The reason behind his fondness for the nostalgia that Kowloon gives and his apparent dislike for new things, little by little, they started to make sense to her. But it’s not only him that she gets to know more because, along with the discoveries of that side of him, she also discovers strange things about herself. Things that would question her existence—the very life she thought she owned.
Are you confused? Or just curious? Well, I felt both while I was watching this anime. At first, I’m at a loss as to what is happening because it seems that the story started already, and I just happened to watch part of it where everything gets interesting and fast-paced. Honestly, I’m partly wrong because, despite that, it gets interesting and intriguing in each episode, but the fast-paced parts seemed left out. The first twelve episodes were somewhat slow for me; I mean, it felt like it was teasing my ignorance of what would happen. And it’s effective because despite that it unravels the story in a slow manner (plus there are subplots that I don’t think are that necessary to the romance of the main characters), I still felt compelled to watch it until the end to fully grasp what’s really the mystery beyond their unusual romance.
As for the characters, again, I wasn’t disappointed with how Jun-sensei wrote them. Even the supporting ones have depth in them and also backstories that can somewhat resonate with me and also with other viewers. It’s like that they aren’t just there because the story needs other characters to fill in the background, rather, they are there because their lives are connected to the main characters. They could have their own stories and somehow, I saw a peek of them all throughout this anime. I don’t know if they’re that relevant to the progression of main characters’ romance, but they are relevant in order for me to understand them more. Their actions are the mirror of what they are, that’s why I’m kinda grateful that this anime somehow shared their background stories, because through that I can better understand why they reacted and acted that way.
Enough of the supporting characters, the visuals were one of the things I enjoyed while watching this anime. When I finished watching it, I tried to compare its art style in manga to the ones they use in anime, and they indeed look similar. The way their art style looks like retro and modern at the same time was one of the reasons why I decided to definitely watch it. Although not all the time, the movements of their characters were fluid—I can’t help but praise some details that they really animate well—the gold fish, for example, looks mesmerizing. Also, I like how they’re able to emulate the nostalgic vibes in Kowloon…from the rundown like apartments to the bustling marketplace—even I, who have never been to Kowloon, felt the nostalgia in details like those.
Further, I just discovered after watching this anime that there’s really a real-life Kowloon Walled City. I thought it was just a fictional name of a place made by Jun-sensei, but when my curiosity got piqued with the seemingly familiar setting, I looked it up and found out it’s indeed a real city that also got demolished in 1994, and knowing that added more to the resonance I felt while watching this anime. Anyway so much for that, to sum up my entire experience, I can say that I enjoyed the majority of the hours I spent watching this anime. Of course, I can’t deny that there are parts that felt dragging, yet for me, it’s always its mystery that propels me to watch the next episode.
Although I can’t confidently say that I accurately understand the answers to my question in the earlier episodes, the way it ended is something that left a nice feeling, as well as a message to me. It’s heartwarming and hopeful, so if you want to watch an anime with a yaoi subplot, nostalgia-inducing sceneries, and an unusual mix of genres, then you definitely need to try watching Kowloon Generic Romance—for although it has generic on its title, its romance is definitely far from the generic ones.
And before I end this review, I'll share with you its trailer, so—
Have you seen this anime already? Or you still haven't yet? Well, if you have something to share, then feel free to comment below. And that would be all for now, minna-san~ I hope you enjoyed reading my review.
Arigatou and tanoshinde ne!
The pictures that didn't have a source were screenshots from the anime.
Hello, anime fans. This time, I want to talk to you about a somewhat interesting science fiction and romance anime that aired last season. A work that caught people's attention at first, but was then forgotten due to its confusing plot and strange mix of romance, drama, and mystery. Based on the manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Jun Mayuzuki, this animated adaptation was produced by Arvo Animation studio. Discover an anime that is not for everyone.
SPANISH VERSION
Hola, fanáticos del anime. En esta ocasión les quiero hablar acerca de un anime de ciencia ficción y romance un tanto interesante que se emitió la temporada pasada. Una obra que llamó la atención al principio, pero que pasó luego al olvido debido a su trama confusa y su extraña mezcla de romance, drama y misterio. Basada en la serie de manga homónima escrita e ilustrada por Jun Mayuzuki, esta adaptación animada fue producida por el estudio Arvo Animation. Conoce una anime que no está hecho para todo el mundo.
The anime begins by introducing us to Kujirai Reiko, a 32-year-old woman who lives in a complex of enormous buildings known as the Walled City of Kowloon, Hong Kong. Our reserved Reiko works as a real estate agent at Wong Loi alongside her 34-year-old colleague Hajime Kudo. While she has a deep interest in modern things, her intrepid colleague prefers the nostalgia of the classic aspects of this curious city. But despite their clear differences, Reiko falls madly in love with Kudo as they spend time together after work. However, despite his calm demeanor, her colleague has a secret that will change the way she sees herself forever.
SPANISH VERSION
Trama
El anime inicia presentándonos a Kujirai Reiko, una mujer de 32 años que vive en un complejo de enormes edificios conocido como La Ciudad Amurallada de Kowloon, Hong Kong. Nuestra reservada Reiko trabaja de agente inmobiliaria en Wong Loi junto con su compañero Hajime Kudo, de 34 años. Mientras ella tiene un profundo interés por las cosas modernas, su intrépido compañero prefiere más la nostalgia de lo clásico que posee esta curiosa ciudad. Pero a pesar de sus claras diferencias, Reiko se enamora perdidamente de Kudo mientras pasan tiempo juntos luego del trabajo. Sin embargo, a pesar de su actitud tranquila, su compañero posee un secreto que hará que ella cambie su forma de verse a sí misma para siempre.
Trailer & Review
Next, I'll leave you with the trailer for the anime:
When it comes to anime that don't turn out to be what they initially appear to be, Kowloon Generic Romance is a perfect example. What we initially believe to be just a romance anime aimed at a somewhat adult audience (Seinen) ends up becoming a spiral of secrets and unsolved mysteries that completely envelop you. The most curious thing about all this is that, in the end, it does turn out to be a love story, only very different from the typical romance stories that one easily finds in abundance in this industry. Maybe that's why this series caught my attention, or maybe it's because of the way it mixes all this with the science fiction genre, giving us a dystopian and futuristic vision of this world.
Be that as it may, what I am sure of is that it is not one of the best science fiction, mystery, and romance anime I have ever seen in my life. But even so, it has the potential to be among my favorites. I say this mainly because of the way it tells an intertwined story where Reiko and Kudo are the protagonists. While on the one hand we see how, in her eyes, Kowloon represents what imprisons us from knowing the outside world and the future that lies ahead, on the other hand we learn how he sees this walled city as a nostalgic and fond memory of a past that will never return. As you have just read, this story has a much deeper and more meaningful background than one might think.
SPANISH VERSION
Si hablamos de animes que no terminan siendo lo que aparentaban en un principio, Kowloon Generic Romance es un ejemplo perfecto de esto. Lo que al principio creemos que es solo un anime de romance dirigido a un público un tanto adulto (Seinen), termina convirtiéndose en una espiral de secretos y misterios sin resolver que te envuelven completamente. Lo más curioso de todo esto es que, al final, sí termina siendo una historia de amor, solo que muy diferente a las típicas historias de romance que uno encuentra fácilmente en esta industria por montón. Quizá sea por eso que me llamó bastante la atención esta serie, o tal vez sea por la forma en la que mezcla todo esto con el género de la ciencia ficción dándonos una visión distópica y futurista de este mundo.
Sea como sea, lo que sí estoy seguro es que no es de los mejores animes de ciencia ficción, misterio y romance que he visto en mi vida. Pero aún así tiene el potencial de estar entre uno de mis favoritos. Lo digo más que nada por la manera en la que narra una historia entrecruzada donde Reiko y Kudo son los protagonistas. Mientras por un lado vemos cómo a los ojos de ella Kowloon representa aquello que nos aprisiona de conocer el mundo exterior y el futuro que hay por delante, por el otro lado conocemos la forma que él tiene de ver esta ciudad amurallada como un recuerdo nostálgico y entrañable de un pasado que jamás va a volver. Como acaban de leer, esta historia tiene un trasfondo mucho más profundo y significativo de lo que se cree.
Even so, this anime surprises us even more with interesting details such as Gene-Terra, a technology we see in this futuristic and alternative world that we still don't even know exactly how it works. But even with this stigma that remains throughout the 13 episodes of the anime, we see how this technology is responsible for everything that happens in this ancient and forgotten walled city. Not only that, but this technology goes beyond showing a supposed illusion of a place that no longer really exists; it also manages to create something new, never before seen in this world where the old is longed for.
This is where I could talk a little about the characters that make up this interesting story, but before that, I would like to mention other interesting details about this anime. One of those is the unique way in which the story is told, which is composed of present moments intertwined with memories of the past. It also has that distinctive feature of a typical mystery story, which is that objects or places have their own history and incomparable value. You could even say that each character we meet has their own thing going on and can be interpreted as a feeling or a way of seeing the world.
SPANISH VERSION
Aún así, este anime nos sorprende aún más con detalles interesantes como lo es el Gene-Terra, el cual es una tecnología que vemos en este mundo futurista y alternativo que aún no se sabe siquiera cómo funciona exactamente. Pero aún con dicho estigma que se mantiene durante los 13 episodios de anime, vemos cómo dicha tecnología es la responsable de todo lo que sucede en esta antigua y olvidada ciudad amurallada. Y no solo eso, sino que dicha tecnología va más allá de mostrar una supuesta ilusión de un lugar que ya no existe realmente, sino que también logra crear algo nuevo, nunca antes visto en este mundo donde se añora lo antiguo.
Aquí es donde pudiera hablar un poco sobre los personajes que componen esta interesante historia, pero antes de eso quisiera mencionar otros detalles interesantes que tiene este anime. Uno de esos es la manera tan única de contarnos dicha historia, la cual se compone de momentos presentes con recuerdos del pasado entremezclados. También tiene ese distintivo de una típica historia de misterio que son los objetos o lugares que cuentan con una historia propia y un valor incomparable. Incluso se podría decir que cada personaje que conocemos tiene lo suyo y se puede interpretar a cada uno como un sentimiento o una forma de ver este mundo.
Continuing with the characters, I would like to start by talking about Kujirai Reiko, who is the protagonist and the most interesting character in this whole story. Her origin and development throughout this anime not only leaves us with a clear message, but also makes us reflect on who we are and what truly identifies us as people. Reiko can also represent the desire to explore new things and the value of looking forward to the future and the changes that may come in our lives with excitement rather than fear. Beyond being an attractive character born from a failed attempt to revive the past, Kujirai(A) is the living proof that different is not always bad and that change can always be more beneficial than we think.
Now, with the case of Hajime Kudo, more than one of my readers may be able to identify with him. This character is the perfect representation of nostalgia and that familiar desire to long for the old and want to relive the past. This desire, which surely everyone has experienced more than once in their lives, is not only the cause of everything that happens in this anime, but also the reason why Kudo isolated himself from the world and reality to live "an eternal summer". Who hasn't wanted to get away from society, the world, and its people to be in a dimension where we can live a memory of a past that we will miss for the rest of our lives? Well, in short, this is what we see in Hajime's case.
SPANISH VERSION
Continuando con los personajes, quisiera empezar hablándoles de Kujirai Reiko, quien es la protagonista y el personaje más interesante de toda esta historia. Su origen y desarrollo a lo largo de este anime no solo nos deja un claro mensaje, sino que también nos pone a reflexionar sobre lo que somos y lo que nos identifica como personas realmente. Reiko también puede representar el deseo de explorar cosas nuevas y el valor de esperar con ansias y no con temor el futuro y los cambios que pueden llegar en nuestras vidas. Más allá de ser un personaje atractivo que nace de un intento de revivir el pasado de forma fallida, Kujirai(A) es la viva imagen de que lo diferente no siempre es malo y que cambiar siempre puede venir a ser más beneficioso de lo que creemos.
Ahora, con el caso de Hajime Kudo pueden llegar a identificarse más de uno de los que me leen. Este personaje es la representación perfecta de la nostalgia y ese deseo familiar de añorar lo viejo y querer revivir el pasado. Dicho deseo que, seguramente todos habrán experimentado más de una vez en sus vidas, no solo es la causa de todo lo que sucede en este anime; sino que también es la razón del por qué Kudo llegó a aislarse del mundo y la realidad para vivir “un verano eterno”. ¿Quién no ha querido alejarse de la sociedad, el mundo y su gente para estar en una dimensión donde se pueda vivir un recuerdo de un pasado que extrañamos por el resto de nuestras vidas? Pues, en resumidas cuentas, esto es lo que vemos en el caso de Hajime.
Otherwise, each character that appears in this anime has a remarkable introduction and development. I could also talk about each one, or at least the most relevant ones, but honestly, I don't feel like going into detail. Besides, there are a few secondary characters that I don't like at all, but not because they are poorly done, but simply because it's a matter of taste. One strong point that you've probably already noticed about this anime is the way it tells a captivating story with well-developed characters that we can feel very familiar with. Its ending is quite symbolic and interesting at the same time because it wraps everything up nicely in a satisfying way.
As for the anime in general, it also has a few negative points that I didn't entirely like. One of these points may be its fanservice, which I understand is always used in works to attract attention, but in this case, rather than simply a way to attract a certain type of audience, it's more like a way to show us what some characters are like in their daily lives. As for romance, there is more than one romance that we will see develop in this series, which is not a bad thing. However, it is clear that what captivates me most personally is the main relationship between Reiko and Kudo.
SPANISH VERSION
De resto, cada personaje que aparece en este anime tiene su presentación y desarrollo notables. También podría llegar a hablar de cada uno, o al menos de los más relevantes, pero sinceramente no tengo muchos ánimos de extenderme. Además que hay uno que otro personaje secundario que no me agrada en lo absoluto, pero no porque esté mal hecho, sino porque simplemente es una cuestión de gustos. Un punto fuerte que seguramente ya han notado que tiene este anime es la forma de contar una historia que atrapa con personajes bien desarrollados con los que podemos sentirnos muy familiarizados. Su final es bastante simbólico y a la vez interesante porque cierra bien todo de una manera que complace.
En cuanto al anime en general, tiene también uno que otro punto negativo que no me ha terminado de gustar del todo. Uno de estos puntos puede ser su fanservice, el cual entiendo que sea utilizado siempre en obras para llamar la atención y así, pero en este caso, más que una simple forma de atraer gente de cierta índole, es como una forma de mostrarnos cómo son algunos personajes en su vida diaria. En cuanto al romance, hay más de un romance que veremos desarrollarse en esta serie, lo cual no está mal. Sin embargo, es evidente que lo que más me atrapa personalmente es la relación principal entre Reiko y Kudo.
Moving on to another negative aspect of this anime, let's continue with its audiovisual quality. While it's clear that this is a low-budget production, I admit that this animated adaptation is not one of the best I've seen this past season, far from it. Don't get me wrong, overall it doesn't look that bad, at least not in terms of character design, for example. But in terms of fluidity and transitions, it leaves a lot to be desired. The excessive use of static shots with basic motion effects is very common in this anime. And the quality seems to get a little worse towards the end.
Likewise, both the story and the different scenes in this anime don't seem to offer many moments where we can enjoy an audiovisual spectacle, to be honest. That's why the animation focuses on providing more detail in the settings with their environments, landscapes, and surrounding objects. The use of light and shadow is also striking, as is the color palette, which is mostly gray or light colors. The sound effects are fine, but nothing compared to the anime's soundtrack, which is captivating and generates a lot of emotion. In short, this series is for those looking for something different from a simple love story.
Personally, I give it a rating of 8.5/10 in terms of the science fiction, mystery, and romance genres.
SPANISH VERSION
Para seguir con otro punto negativo que tiene este anime, continuemos con el aspecto audiovisual que posee. Si bien se nota que es una producción que no tiene un muy alto presupuesto, admito que esta adaptación animada no es de las mejores que he visto de esta temporada pasada, ni mucho menos. Y no me malinterpreten, ya que a nivel general no se ve tan mal, al menos no en cuanto al diseño de los personajes, por ejemplo. Pero en cuanto a su fluidez o en el tema de las transiciones deja mucho que desear. El uso excesivo de planos fijos con efectos de movimiento básicos es algo muy común en este anime. Y la calidad parece empeorar un poco más justo al final.
Igualmente, tanto la historia como las distintas escenas que tiene este anime parece que no aportan muchos momentos donde podamos ver un espectáculo audiovisual, la verdad. Es por eso que la animación se centra en detallar más los escenarios con sus entornos, los paisajes y los objetos que hay alrededor. El uso de las luces y sombras también llama la atención, lo mismo que su paleta de colores mayormente grises o claros. Los efectos de sonido están bien, pero nada comparado con la banda sonora que tiene este anime que engancha y genera mucha emoción. En resumen, esta serie es para aquellos que buscan algo diferente a una simple historia de amor.
Personalmente, le doy una calificación de 8.5/10 en lo que respecta al género de ciencia ficción, misterio y romance.
Tell me, have you seen this anime yet? What did you think of it? You can leave your answer in the comments.
Dime, ¿ya has visto este anime? ¿Qué te ha parecido? Puedes dejarme tu respuesta en los comentarios.
