Post by gabriellavedier on Oct 30, 2008 23:11:59 GMT -5
More properly, this is titled Kashimashi ~Girl meets Girl~. A 13-episode yuri (female/female romance) series with a minor undertone of gender bending (The main female character started the series as a boy, but that changed in the first episode.) It is put out by Anime Works under their Yuri Fan collection, which includes the (still going) yuri classic Strawberry Panic. (By the by, given a choice between Maria watches over us and Strawberry Panic, go with SP, there's more genuine yuri moments.)
The story revolves around Hazumu, a very sensitive, tender high school boy who loves working on the school garden and looking for flowers. His life takes a dramatic and really freakish left-turn when, while on a mountain wishing on a shooting star (after a rejection by shy girl Yasuna) he discovers the star is a malfunctioning alien ship heading for him. He is killed by the ensuing impact. The alien, in the name of intergalactic law, restores him to life. But, problems with the process result in a complete switch, down to the DNA, from male to female. I'd like to pause here to note that my fear, through the whole series, was that this would recur, and Hazumu would switch back to being a boy. Rest assured, she remains a girl. Also, it's nice to see that the gender bending was actually the LEAST mentioned thing. After the initial change there's some shock and then everyone accepts it as natural, possibly because of Hazumu's effeminate original nature. Though her best friend Asuta, a guy, now has numerous inner conflicts about being attracted to her, though these are milked for humor and typically ended by a kick to the face from Tomari.
A love triangle emerges from all this, Tomari the tomboyish childhood friend and Yasuna the girly-girl recent crush fighting over Hazumu's affections. It's actually very touching, as both want him, yet are friends enough that they want to avoid hurting each other and Hazumu. Hazumu herself can't choose because she doesn't want to hurt either of them.
Avoiding as many spoilers as possible, let me just say this: Episode 13 is one of the most beautiful yuri things I have seen in a long while. It's definitely oozing with pure wibble.
All told, I highly suggest that you find the three-volume collection at your local anime store or major chain video store.
The story revolves around Hazumu, a very sensitive, tender high school boy who loves working on the school garden and looking for flowers. His life takes a dramatic and really freakish left-turn when, while on a mountain wishing on a shooting star (after a rejection by shy girl Yasuna) he discovers the star is a malfunctioning alien ship heading for him. He is killed by the ensuing impact. The alien, in the name of intergalactic law, restores him to life. But, problems with the process result in a complete switch, down to the DNA, from male to female. I'd like to pause here to note that my fear, through the whole series, was that this would recur, and Hazumu would switch back to being a boy. Rest assured, she remains a girl. Also, it's nice to see that the gender bending was actually the LEAST mentioned thing. After the initial change there's some shock and then everyone accepts it as natural, possibly because of Hazumu's effeminate original nature. Though her best friend Asuta, a guy, now has numerous inner conflicts about being attracted to her, though these are milked for humor and typically ended by a kick to the face from Tomari.
A love triangle emerges from all this, Tomari the tomboyish childhood friend and Yasuna the girly-girl recent crush fighting over Hazumu's affections. It's actually very touching, as both want him, yet are friends enough that they want to avoid hurting each other and Hazumu. Hazumu herself can't choose because she doesn't want to hurt either of them.
Avoiding as many spoilers as possible, let me just say this: Episode 13 is one of the most beautiful yuri things I have seen in a long while. It's definitely oozing with pure wibble.
All told, I highly suggest that you find the three-volume collection at your local anime store or major chain video store.