by Including traumatic scenes
What kind of anime was broadcast in 2004, 20 years ago? Unlike recent works, where compliance has been improved, it seems that some “radical” expressions bordered on the broadcasting code at that time. So, I looked for “radical anime broadcast 20 years ago.”
*This article contains spoilers for “My-HiME” and “Kannazuki no Miko.” “My-HiME” After losing her parents, “Tokiha Mai (CV: Nakahara Mai)” transfers to a new school with her younger brother and awakens to the unique ability of “HiME” at her new school, Fuuka Academy. While being attacked by the mysterious monster “Orphan” many times, Mai meets other “HiME” and gets caught up in their cruel fate.
This work is called “Sunrise’s first moe anime,” but it is more noticeable for its erotic depictions. A particular character is not wearing underwear or is tied up by an orphan’s tentacles… In episode 4, a large amount of underwear is hung outside the school and lit up to lure underwear thieves.
This seems like a simple erotic romantic comedy, but the fate and dark past of the “HiME” characters are revealed as the story progresses. In the hopeless development, some expressions make you think, “Maybe this can’t be done in the Reiwa era…”. Yuki Kajiura’s somewhat sad music further enhances the story.
In addition, the love lives of the “HiME” characters are diverse for the time, including love between same-sex couples, love between siblings (or two who appear to be siblings), and love between clergymen. X (formerly Twitter) has opened an official account to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the broadcast, and information on events and goods by the luxurious voice actors is also posted.
Kannazuki no Miko Kurusugawa Himeko (CV: Shimoya Noriko), who attends Ototachibana Academy, is secretly good friends with Himemiya Chikane (CV: Kawasumi Ayako), a young lady that everyone admires. Himeko is loved by Ogami Souma (CV: Majima Junji), a popular student at the school, but Souma’s feelings for her end unexpectedly. Chikane also has feelings for Himeko, and in episode 8, Chikane takes her virginity.
In a dark mansion with a thunderstorm roaring, Himeko repeatedly screams, “No!” but Chikane attacks her without telling her why. When Souma rushes to her, her clothes are scattered on the floor, and Himeko sits in a daze. Episode 8 is famous for being a traumatic episode, but the reason why Chikane attacked Himeko is written in the fourth booklet of the DVD-BOX. Himeko tries to face Chikane despite her conflicts, and Souma supports her.
The final 12th episode, in which Chikane and Himeko confess their true feelings to each other, is sure to bring you to tears. At the beginning of the series, you might think it’s a school romantic comedy, but then giant robots appear, and shrine maiden elements are added. However, the truth is that it is a “legendary yuri anime.” * * * 20 years is a long time, long enough for a newborn baby to have its coming-of-age ceremony.
The anime’s atmosphere is also very different, and radicalism is not seen in recent works, but that is also very interesting. Why not take this opportunity to rewatch it on the 20th anniversary?
