Each season, I jot down a little list of series I intend to check out. They’re usually in two categories: “Definitely” and “Maybe,” indicating how likely I am to watch these series from beginning to end. And although at one point I declared myself finished with the first season of OreImo (not to mention the rapidly degrading quality of the series through season one and my apathy toward the extra episodes), it was the only series to make my “Definitely” list this season.
Episode one confirmed that…I probably should drop this show. An entire episode dedicated to transition, nothing much was emphasized except for Kyosuke’s continued obsession over his sister and the crush he’s developed for Kuroneko.
Kirino is in fine form, as well. I had a lot more patience with her than many other viewers, but her treatment of Kyosuke in this episode even had me disliking her character. Even more so, I didn’t find her spending spree to be especially funny – instead, it just made me dislike Kirino even more for being so spoiled (on a side note, I think the series does a surprisingly good job of establishing why Kirino is the way she is, largely because of the parents – present in this series when it most others they may not be – and particularly because of the way the father is both a bully and one who spoils his daughter). Contrast Genshiken, where the members spend their money on goods almost like a disease and sometimes in a self-loathing manner.
By the end of the episode, Kirino’s friends mention that her shopping would help her return to herself. You see, it was necessary to spend thousands of dollars of anime-related goods so that she could feel at home.
I suppose this fits into who Kirino is – she worships at the foot of eroge and otaku culture. Not doubt her spending habits would reflect her greatest love.
Our checkbook (or credit card account) is really an excellent evaluator of where our hearts are. We may talk a big game: we love our family the most…or God…or some specific person. But where does our money go? Obviously, our expenses won’t exactly line up with what we love, but along with the time we dedicate to activities and people, finances give a good hint about what we truly care for.
In my case, my checkbook list might look like this (my priorities, by what I say, are in parentheses):
- Family (2)
- God and Church (1)
- Gluttony (4*)
- Hobbies and Relaxation (4*)
- Charity (3)
- Vanity (4*)
At first glance, my list isn’t too far off from where I want it to be. But note* that #’s 3, 5, and 6 really equate “me”, and may move into the #2 spot, when I’d rather put them at four.
So as decry Kirino’s ridiculous use of money, I need to remember my own struggles with finances, selfishness, and hypocrisy.
What about you? Is there a place you put too much of your heart and money into? Not enough?
Stop torturing yourself….this show is not for you, as you already know in your heart…
Torture? Haha, yes, maybe it is that. 😛
But it’s definitely one of those series where I’ve invested myself in the characters and story too much to quit…yet. Plus, it gives me something to write about week after week. 😉
Isn’t it “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”? The idea of measuring priorities through the financial aspect is not without merit, certainly, but I wouldn’t put that much stock in it either. Especially with religion and philosophy, there are so many ways to invest oneself in those fields without any monetary flow involved.
On a different note, what’s wrong with OreImo? I think it’s quite the harmless show once you actually watch it, with the more scandalous parts turning out to be done mostly in jest. Certainly easier to swallow than most of the shows of the imouto boom it started.
Well, that comment refers to obeying civil authorities, so perhaps its a little off-topic, even if it involves money and faith. When it comes to finances, you’re right – certainly how we spent our money is only one measure of faith, and not the best one. But I definitely think that it demonstrates, largely, how deep our faith is – in Christianity particularly (Jesus spoke often on servitude to money), but in all faiths and beliefs. The more zealous we are for something, the more likely we generally are to use money, our beloved, hard-earned, and most valuable asset, on it – whether it’s our faith, charities, other people, or our hobbies!
As for OreImo…it’s harmless in that the animators are very careful in how they present the show. One could view the show entirely without believing the siblings have any romantic feelings for each other. Having read in-depth synopses of the remaining light novels through Seanver’s (now no longer existing) site, I know more about what the story is trying to convey and where it’s headed, and that has me viewing it with very different eyes.
For sure, though, it’s easier to swallow than many others. I think I find it particularly unsettling not only because of the aforementioned knowledge of future events in the series, but because I LOVED the show at the first, and it’s disappointed on multiple levels since about halfway through the first season.
Trying to not let anime-related expenses get out of hand would be much easier if Aniplex of America would set reasonable prices for their releases. 😛
My anime-related purchases are also motivated in part by a desire to support those who work in the anime industry, including the North American anime localization business, as it’s not easy for such industries to survive in this current economy. I’m aware, though, that there’s a limit to this and that I can’t use this as an excuse to splurge on anime goods (though Rightstuf’s end-of-year sales beg to differ…).
As for Kirino, my tolerance level for her has been maximized by my thinking that if I did have a little sister, she probably wasn’t going to be like the saints of Sister Princess and was probably going to be more like the brat that Kirino is. 😛 It’s almost funny how in American media, little sisters are typically the bratty type, while in anime, they’re typically the adoring type.
Oh gosh, yeah, Aniplex…grrrr!
I definitely find that if I go with my gut reaction, I’m eager to spend and collect.
That’s an interesting thought about your tolerance for Kirino versus what it would be like to have a sister. Certainly, Kirino seems to be more the exception in anime, though I’m reminded of Sasahara’s bratty sister in Genshiken, as well.
I’ve just started on the second season, and I’m a bit aghast at the first episode. Did it change from “I’m not going to America after all,” to “I went there for three months instead of till high school?” I think what annoyed me was that the whole “Kuroneko kisses him” was done in flashback. I mean come on, you can’t actually show this? I turned off halfway, and will watch the rest later, but it was a pretty bad start.
Yeah…yeah. I’ve read detailed synopses of the light novels and it really is downhill from here.
It looks like, though, that you’ve missed the four ONA episodes. These mark the “true route,” differing from episode 12, which was meant, I think, to act as a conclusion to the series in case it didn’t get picked up for more episodes. You’ll need to watch these, as they really focus on Kuroneko and her relationship with Kyousuke!