Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo suru

[Kraco]

"Wakana Gojou is a fifteen year old high-school boy who was socially traumatized in the past due to his passions. That incident left a mark on him that made him into a social recluse. Until one day he had an encounter with Kitagawa who is a sociable gyaru, who is the complete opposite of him. They soon share their passions with one another which leads to their odd relationship." -Baka-Manga



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I'm a fan of the manga, so I decided to have a look at the anime adaptation. The production values seemed average, which is actually a good thing because this might not be the most popular series of the season, as good as it is. So, I could say I'm positively surprised. The voice acting didn't clash with my mental image of the characters.

This is quite a nice story because it's so focused. Sure, it's also about Gojou's growth as a person and getting rid of his deep insecurities, but on the surface this is still a pretty easy-going cosplay themed high school series. The characters are good and their reactions interesting.

Originally I wasn't sure of watching the whole show, as I'm a manga reader, but I think I will, after all.

[Ryllharu]

I really liked the first episode. One of the better instant-hooks I've seen in a while.

There's some noticeable rotoscoping on some animation, but I will say that isn't a bad thing. It's unusual to see in anime, and while it does distract a little because you're just not used to seeing it often, at the same time it also makes the series more immersive and real.

Instantly liked both Wakana and Marin.

The first episode even had a consistent character development message to it.

Wakana was deeply hurt and even scarred to a degree with the elementary school girl told him he was fucking weird for liking Hina dolls, but he didn't deny what he loved (comedically, loving a little TOO much with blushing at the doll faces). But he definitely started to pay a lot of attention to Marin when she was telling her friends what a turn off it is to be insulted about your hobbies. The immediate relationship chart she drew about the characters in her favorite anime was a good gag, but also showed how deeply her similar passion went to the audience. Those two encounters merge into Wakana treating Marin the way he always wanted to be treated when she admitted her own passion hobby and how deep it goes. How much the potential for rejection was hurting her.

So Wakana carried through with a reciprocation that he had never gotten before.

This honestly could have been a one-shot with a perfectly executed arc.

But it is just the first episode.

That's a good first episode.

[neflight86]

Strong start. Yes, I also find his doll face a bit creepy, but he can be an otaku about something that niche, for sure. I like that his 'in' with the gal entourage is seemingly going to be the ability to sew and construct clothing that will no doubt get more wild as this goes on.

This is social anxiety I can get behind- not the crippling paralyzation fueled by a ridiculous imagination, or the mopey 'burn it all down' contempt for normies, but just moderate aversion to interactions and an introspection of how off putting someone else's passion can be when you don't share a strong bond with them. I like it.

[KrayZ33]

If I had one gripe it's MCs, almost sexual, love to the doll.

I mean, I kinda understand what they were going with that and the child-hood flashback and his childhood-girl/friend crying.
He basically loves and likes these dolls more than he likes interacting with others and he drifts away whenever he interacts with them. So the girl might've felt left out and thought he likes dolls more than her.

But I'd prefer it to not make it..... awkward like that (with the grin and all that).
The pervy shin-chan grin doesn't really fit the show/this episode in the first place imho.

Other than that, this was some nice eyecandy for me to enjoy and I hope it'll stay like that.

[Kraco]

Episode 2



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A rather arduous process of taking measurements. I reckon I wouldn't be so patient with many other shows, but somehow it worked here splendidly. Too bad I can't anymore remember how I felt about it when reading the manga; was I as accepting back then as now, with knowing Gojou much better. Nevertheless, at least considering this is a work of fiction, it was pretty funny how he was so shaken.

The last scene with the grandpa was a nice punch line to the whole affair.

[David75]

I remember being even more self conscious at Gojou's age, so I felt inconfortable too.

So inseam got her to react when he didn't. A bit strange he didn't

[Kraco]

So inseam got her to react when he didn't. A bit strange he didn't

He didn't even realise he touched her crotch. Because he had finally reached the zen state of mind of professionalism.

[KrayZ33]

I remember being even more self conscious at Gojou's age, so I felt inconfortable too.

So inseam got her to react when he didn't. A bit strange he didn't

I think it is amazing what the approach and behaviour of the character can do how I see this situation being portrayed for myself.
When he measured that, I wasn't thinking "this is awkward" anymore either and thought that this was probably one of the "easier" things to measure.

Loved the granpa scene in the end.

[Ryllharu]

Thanks for the full set of measurements to determine her remarkable figure, anime episode!

I really admire the purity these two have going for their respective specific interest. They both respect each other's obsession even though they don't understand it at all. They're really reinforcing the idea that it is, "Totally okay to like what you like," and give the other the professionalism and respect they deserve for their intensity with it.

Marin stalking his family business down to expedite the measurements is good for a laugh, but in real life it would be a bit pushy.

[Kraco]

Marin stalking his family business down to expedite the measurements is good for a laugh, but in real life it would be a bit pushy.

She's technically a gyaru, so I guess it fits her personality. Though I also imagine she did judge Gojou as someone she can afford to push around a bit.

[shinta|hikari]

Okay, which of you guys are single? This is relevant to your comments on this thread.

[David75]

Not single. But at Gojou's age I was way too respectful of women...
So it really struck home.
To me Gojou found an incredible woman.
But feelings are not always in line at the right time when you meet the one for you

[neflight86]

Great fanservice episode and some fine animation cuts, but this has crossed into 'manic pixie dream girl' territory already. Not that rom-com anime is ever much different, but the gal freedom was kinda too much to suspend disbelief. Hard to believe she hasn't been taken advantage of by someone already if the key to her heart is simply to acknowledge her hobby of cosplaying as eroge heroines. I can't imagine takers in that market are very rare, and she kinda broadcasts this stuff over the classroom. They're still cute (as a couple), and agreed on the granpda scene at the end; funny stuff.

[Kraco]

Great fanservice episode and some fine animation cuts, but this has crossed into 'manic pixie dream girl' territory already. Not that rom-com anime is ever much different, but the gal freedom was kinda too much to suspend disbelief. Hard to believe she hasn't been taken advantage of by someone already if the key to her heart is simply to acknowledge her hobby of cosplaying as eroge heroines. I can't imagine takers in that market are very rare, and she kinda broadcasts this stuff over the classroom. They're still cute (as a couple), and agreed on the granpda scene at the end; funny stuff.

You forgot the other condition: being able to operate a sewing machine and make clothes. Lots of dudes like that in your parts?

[neflight86]

You forgot the other condition: being able to operate a sewing machine and make clothes. Lots of dudes like that in your parts?

No, but probably plenty of scummy guys who can lie about that long enough to take advantage and make her traumatized or at least guarded, is my supposition.

[David75]

Anime need to catch their audience very early.
We will probably learn later how she survived without being taken advantage of till now.

[Kraco]

Episode 3



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This is actually quite a good depiction of the interaction between two totally different people, an extrovert and an introvert, who still have something in common. For the sake of the story, it's also beneficial their strengths complement each other so well. It's their weaknesses that they can't deal with, though, but that's natural.

[David75]

They kept fanservice quite high, guess it keeps the audience coming



Nice cosplays, even if Shizuku-tan's wig feels a little light acording to Gojou.

[Ryllharu]

Cute little (not a) date.

But what I've definitely started to notice is that we don't really know a lot about Marin at this point. They've actually told us surprisingly little about her, her background, her home life, etc. We now know she has a job to try and bankroll this (what she doesn't spend on anime goods anyway shown in the OP).

Their relationship is like a non-toxic version of using each other (i.e. a healthy relationship, just starting oddly).

She's getting Wakana to accept himself, his interests, his skills, and how he interacts with others and not be so stuck on how others view him.

And Marin desperately needs his skills and expertise to fulfill her passion. She mentioned that she keeps making mistakes when she goes to stores, so it may very well be that Shizuku-tan isn't the only cosplay she's attempted to do so far. But she likes Shizuku so much more that this time her drive is just bursting out in every direction.

It was kind of touching the way he described how he reserves the word "beautiful" for things that strike his emotions deeply. I'm sure that won't come back eventually...

I just wish that by episode 3 we had gotten a little more insight into her side of this equation.

Cute video, but Marin can pull off Shizuku cosplay because she's a G-cup herself. I'm guessing the second costume, which we've seen in the OP, is an Esdeath analogue? The Esdeath who is weirdly as unpopular in Japan as she is popular in the West.

[Buffalobiian]

She mentioned that she keeps making mistakes when she goes to stores, so it may very well be that Shizuku-tan isn't the only cosplay she's attempted to do so far.

She says that she kept making mistakes on their current trip, not previous trips. She's referring to the cloth and wig scenes.