Konohana Kitan: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Sakuya Konohana” [Series Premiere] – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

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Konohana Kitan is a cute slice of life anime made for those who need a break from the blood and gore of the fall 2017 season.

Creator: Genco

The Introduction

Little Yuzu has come of age to work and she finds herself at the Konohanatei hotel. A place where she, among 5 other fox girls, spend their days cleaning and taking care of their guests. However, while the other girls are quite used to their daily task and how to manage such a large hotel, Yuzu is completely wet behind the ears. Leading to a lot of patience as she tries to earn her keep and impress her superiors.

Highlights

Yuzu is Adorable

In a sea of protagonist who want to be the very best, like no one ever was… there is Yuzu. Someone who is young and just wants to not be a liability on the people she works with. In the grand scheme of things, such a story is not only simple but makes it relatable in a way. For while Yuzu is some sort of fox, and lives in some Japanese modeled town, there is this new kid vibe you can connect with.

One in which, everyone seems so cool but also low-key scary. To the point, you overdo it on even the basic task because you not only want to impress them but be considered one of them eventually. Which, in watching the pursuit of this, makes Yuzu so adorable. Especially as she emulates some of the girls, like Sakura, including running like them.

But there is also the naivety. Being that Yuzu is a child, it isn’t that hard for people to mess with her or for her to not get something. Take one of the guests at the hotel who, in exchange for Yuzu causing him to slip and fall, ask of her to knock a star out of the sky. Because she doesn’t know she can’t actually do that, she tries her hardest and when she throws a rock and a shooting star flies, she gets so excited. A moment so cute you can’t help but smile.

On The Fence

Where Is This Going?

I’m all for cute characters and endearing moments but there will always be the question of: Where is this going? I like Yuzu but there has to be more to the story than her becoming the best gosh darn maid in Konohanatei. Her past seems a bit murky, in terms of her relationship with her caretaker Bikuni, so maybe we might explore that.

Alongside what may come from that storyline is understanding how the girls feels about their job, their dreams, aspirations, and things of that nature. For it is made clear by Satsuki that she is going to quit the first real chance she gets. However, quit and do what is not answered. What are the options in the town and limitation put on the girls which have them working there, much less stuck? It seems there are other anamorphic beings so it isn’t being foxes, so what is the problem?

Overall: Mixed (Stick Around)

Konohana Kitan is not rated E for everyone. It’s cute, with a slight bit of fan service, but it doesn’t really present you with a hook. It can cleanse your palette, after watching a bunch of violent shows, but it not following the trend doesn’t lead to you thinking this is the direction future seasons should go. Much less, that this needs to be as advertised and made a big deal over as Black Clover.