In a recent discussion with the Metanorn boss lady over on Twitter, she echoed my own spoken opinion on moe; I hope she doesn’t mind me quoting it as being that of “meh”. I started wondering why then I’m enjoying Hyouka so much because it seems to be the latest in a long line of shows that to stick to a common formula. This would mean it’s subject to the “meh” attitude I have towards moe, which incidentally gets in the way of my enjoyment of commercialised TV anime sometimes.
Futhermore, I normally can’t get excited about the prospect of watching one “high school romcom in which nothing much happens” story after another, so was initially worried that Hyouka would also rely too heavily on that ‘after school club’ format. Neither of these aspects are proving to be problematic though, so I’m finding it to be really quite charming.
Reliance on moe smacks of of lazy writing to me and after thinking the issue over at length, that is ultimately what my problem is with it. When a character has just a catchphrase or physical quirk that forms her only defining feature, it’s difficult to be impressed or get sentimentally attached to her…or even care at all. The idea that certain moe attributes constitute attractiveness goes is lost on me too, since it’s a portrayal of femininity that doesn’t appeal to me.
Eru Chitanda doesn’t have one of the over-used traits or plot devices that define her as a character; the backstory she’s given is meaningful so she comes across as a personality built up using methods that extend beyond a checklist pinned on an anime studio office’s wall. I don’t have a problem with ‘cute’ characters drawn in the conventional contemporary style; I simply have a problem with characters who are dull, stupid or irritating.
Eru does I admit have childlike moments and of course a particular catchphrase, but why does her “I’m curious!” not push my Bloody Annoyed button? I think it’s because she’s showing a slight departure from the Airheaded Anime Girl archetype: she’s is making a conscious effort to learn about things rather than babble about nothing, which I find appealing and a refreshing change. If that is just a gimmick, it’s an admirable and also useful one that drives the plot forward.
Eru’s a really likeable individual who gently encourages those around her to get out of their seats and do interesting things, instead than trying to capture the viewer’s heart by being infantile and idiotic. Rather than Houtarou being the protector of a vulnerable and helpless character, he’s instead talked into showing an interest in the world around him by a surprisingly ladylike young woman with a thirst for knowledge. It’s a very honest approach really, and the rare moments where his inner monologue displays curiosity in her are quite touching.
Whether or not it’s coincidence that the Classics Club has a similar format to the Light Music Club and the SOS-dan, I don’t know; I do think though that there’s a lot of mileage in the setup in that the character chemistry has room to develop and the dialogue hasn’t yet showed signs of boring me. The talk of the Seven Deadly Sins for instance showed more thoughtful writing than I expected, and it had the beginnings of some neat character dynamics in there. The main issue would probably be in being able to recreate the cleverness and genuine sense of mystery that carried the show for the first five episodes, because the topics have quickly reverted to being fairly trivial.
When the Classics Club agonise over why a teacher got the running order of a lesson mixed up, or uncovering the explanation for a hot springs hotel ghost, there’s a part of me wishing they’d be given a more gripping mystery to solve. From a presentation point of view, it’s absolutely lovely and between that pretty-shininess and Eru’s easygoing charm I’m really enjoying it…and I’m enjoying the fact that I’m enjoying it.
Despite the fact that Hyouka is as harmless and tame as they come, it’s still easier on the eyes – and brain – than similar shows I’ve tried to like and given up on. If it really is just another calculated attempt on KyoAni’s part to recycle old ideas and character tropes…as a hardcore Type Moon fan, I’m probably in no credible position to claim that character trope recycling is a reason to dismiss it.
TV is, at the end of the day, escapism. That’s ‘at the end of the day’ in a very literal sense because one of the main reasons why iyashikei anime, and the related tropes such as those used in Hyouka, exists is for the sake of people who just want something warm, fuzzy and gentle to soothe the emotional aches and pains of cold, cynical normality. To put it another way: when Real Life is getting you down, you just want to sit down with a smile on your face for a few minutes before hitting the sack and going through the same old stuff again tomorrow.
So, I might as well admit that I’m now a fan of a moe character. And, speaking as a rational, educated adult, I’m not alone in feeling resigned to it.
> Whether or not it’s coincidence that the Classics Club has a similar format to the Light Music Club and the SOS-dan, I don’t know; I do think though that there’s a lot of mileage in the setup in that the character chemistry has room to develop and the dialogue hasn’t yet showed signs of boring me.
I was actually going to point out that if Chitanda pushes those around her to actually *do* something, so does Haruhi, and to a much lesser extent, the K-On! girls.
I’d like to point out that Haruhi Suzumiya and Hyouka are both Light Novels. Therefore, neither the plot nor characters are Anime-Original (Obviously). Rather, the strength and depth of it’s characters this time round seems to be due to the fact that Kyo-Ani has a very strong source material to work with. So, credit should be going more towards the LN Authors themselves- all Kyo-Ani did was to adapt them well for an anime.
Neither is K-on an Anime Original either- though in this case, Kyo Ani actually managed to expand on the character of the HTT Girls, since the 4-koma format of the original manga was inherently limiting.
The first time Houtarou entered that clubroom I fully expected him to find Yuki Nagato in there, reading.
I’m a big fan of this series even though I’m trying to figure out why. I’m waiting for it to develop something larger now that the I Scream story arc is over. I think Eru is absolutely delightful, but I wonder if she would have the same effect if she didn’t have Houtarou to wheedle. It’s that dynamic of theirs that I like.
And I notice that for a mystery show there’s a whole lot here not about the mystery of the week. There’s Houtarou trying to figure out what goes on in Eru’s head even as he finds himself powerless to resist her. She seems so innocent yet can argue in favor of the Seven Deadly Sins and show disappointment that the bath isn’t mixed. And then there’s Houtarou. Even though we are in his head there are obviously things wrong in there, that even he can’t explain. KyoAni often frames his POV in dramatic, often threatening angles.
I thought you have succumbed to moe ever since K-on anyways. :D
Just like Peter, I am absolutely in love with Hyouka and have a hard time finding out why. Of course this is partially because I love mystery stories and find it especially pleasant that most mysteries are solved within one episode. (I too am a curious person and cannot stand cliffhangers! Haha.)
I don’t think there is anything bad with liking moe really. It’s like you said, as long as it does not dumb down a character, i.e. the moeness is associated with clumsiness or cuteness and not airheadedness or stupidity, it’s fine. In that case I am into the same thing.
“To put it another way: when Real Life is getting you down, you just want to sit down with a smile on your face for a few minutes before hitting the sack and going through the same old stuff again tomorrow.”
It’s almost like you took the words from my mouth. In the end, anime is escapism from our reality and we definitely don’t need strict life facts except in good stories.
Before watching Hyouka myself, I asked around that is it worth checking out and its recommendation points. The answers I got were around: it looks pretty and has a mildly good story along with Chitanda mems. Nobody jumped at me with enthusiasm that I *should* check it out, which I say now if I’m asked the same question. Though, I won’t have very clear answer because there’s not particularly anything new about Hyouka. Still, the atmospheric touch and character engagement (Chitanda’s curiosity is not annoying like say, that girl from gosick; and Houtaro is pretty win even when he is flawed in many ways), keeps me glued. It’s just that fresh feel, I can’t really finger-point but it calms me like Kimi ni Todoke used to. I’m not watching it for the mystery genre as well but just the way they are solved and how the storyline reveals something new about characters through them.
I adore chitanda because she isn’t afriad to be who she is and doesn’t care what others think of her unlike other anime girls who put on a facade because everyone else opinions matter to them.