UlasanAnime.com – Lately, while watching GJ-bu, I’ve found myself thinking of Kotoura-san, which often leads to a laugh. I’m not entirely sure if this reaction is appropriate.
It’s a peculiar meta-joke that stems from the unique premise of Kotoura-san. In that series, the protagonist is a mind-reader. Her primary love interest and friend would playfully tease her by harboring mischievous thoughts, to which she would respond with a tsukkomi, all while others remained oblivious until they eventually figured it out. This particular comedic device was employed multiple times throughout the show.
In one episode, a rival love interest who later became a friend, Moritani (voiced by Yurika Kubo), had an embarrassing childhood secret revealed as a prank to Kotoura-san’s circle of friends. This joke revolved around Moritani’s family business, a local martial arts school. As the sole heir and reputedly the most skilled practitioner in her martial arts school, Moritani was destined to inherit the family legacy. However, her parents were not particularly adept at marketing. Consequently, when Moritani was younger, they took some now-cringeworthy photos of the family and used them for advertisement flyers. Some of these flyers eventually found their way into the hands of Moritani’s friends and love interest.
The humor in this situation hinged on a specific pose accompanied by an enthusiastic shout: “Mori!” While this particular element is rarely seen in GJ-bu, a show characterized by its relaxed and laid-back atmosphere, the “Mori” call nonetheless conjures a similar image. Instead, GJ-bu features a character named Mori. Mori (voiced by Ayumi Tsunematsu) is an older woman (her exact age is unclear) who works as a live-in maid for the families of some of the characters. Amusingly, she consistently performs a specific trick every time she appears, a trick that invariably reminds me of the exact same one from Kotoura-san. This recurring trick is also quite funny, making the whole situation rather peculiar.
The broader point I wish to make is that I’m starting to notice a trend in many of these relaxed, “let’s just sit around and chat” type anime. They seem to be incorporating slapstick-harassment-based jokes more overtly. It feels akin to watching a Japanese variety show, albeit without the irritating on-screen text and picture-in-picture reaction cameras. I suppose it can be funny, but I’m not a huge fan of that particular style of programming. It manages to be both enjoyable and laughter-inducing at times, yet also carries an undeniable awkwardness.
You might also be interested in : Winter 2013 Weeks 7-8
Fortunately, we are still treated to the “Oh Japan, you’re so weird” brand of harassment that is uniquely possible in late-night anime. Examples include brushing someone’s hair or situations involving extra-sensory perception.
PS. Mori > Gill > *
PPS. Why don’t people do that for Kotoura-san?
PPPS. So many great maids this season!
