review by li izumi
version 2.1
December 6, 2000
Marmalade is a typical shoujo story, focusing on the relationships and emotions of the high school student, Miki Koshikawa. Her life is greatly disrupted when her parents announce to her one day that they, even though they still like each other, intend to divorce. They don't feel any passion for each other, but do feel feel passion with another couple they met on a trip. Since it was totally mutual, they agreed to a "couple swap". Miki is not thrilled by what she sees as a "crazy" situation, but the Matsura's son, a boy the same age as Miki named Yuu, is unfazed by their parents. In his own way, he helps Miki to get over her reservations about the situation. It is obvious that Miki is closer to his heart then most, but even so, she is constantly frustrated that he never tells her anything about himself.
Naturally, as this is a Shoujo story, there has to be complications to the story. The standard love triangle is used throughout this story. Miki's first love is her close guy-friend Ginta, who she once confessed her love to, but there were some unforeseen complications that made him unintentionally turn her down at that time. With the introduction of Yuu, Ginta, realizes he has competition, and so makes his feelings for Miki clear, which makes her very confussed. She then spends many episodes agonizing over this as well as her feelings for both Yuu and Ginta. This situation is made more complicated by Arimi, Yuu's ex-girlfriend, who is still in love with him and doesn't want to give up. She tries to get Ginta to help her in a plan, but of course things don't go as planned. These are only the first of many to come.
Then there is also the forbidden love between Miki's best friend, Meiko, and their favorite teacher, Namura-sensei. The third side in that love triangle is the handsome class president, Miwa. (who reminds me of Xellos for some reason. Not the sadomasochistic-evil-monster side of Xellos, but the sort of fruity, not-very-serious-most-of-the-time-but-is-more-serious-then-the-facade-he-portrays side. I should do a full write-up on that comparison… hmmm…)
The anime version is considerably longer then the manga. (the manga is only 8 volumes, while the anime is about 80 episodes) This anime is too long and drawn out. Actually, let me rephrase that: waaaaaaay too long and drawn out. There are too many points where I am screaming, "GET ON WITH IT!" (Monty Python reference intended) Most of the scenes meant for "dramatic effect" only feel too dragged on. The over all story is good, but... well, you get the idea. As for the manga… I would actually have to say that the story is a little too short and needs more depth, though I certainly wouldn't want it to be as long as the anime. Due to the difference in lengths, the anime does a few scenes differently from the manga, and includes numerous original situations (the anime story doesn't drag that much) and increases the role of later characters while introducing new characters that create even more complications.
I've only watched up to episode 39 at this point. (It's a long series, after all!) Since I have only watched half of the showat this point, my feelings may change when I watch the rest. I was not intending to write a review for this series until I finished it, however, I felt the need to get some thoughts out, and as I am the anime reviewer, I can do that. There may be some spoilers in the following paragraphs, but I will try to keep such things to a minimal.
Ok, disclaimer made, let's get into the review:
I am actually not very sympathetic to Miki. I feel that she is rather weak, cowardly, and I get very frustrated by her inablity to act or make decisions as well as her dependency to her relationship with Yuu. Before the die-hard Miki fans fire-bomb my email, let me explain my reasons for saying this. Miki tends to run whenever cornered into a situation she doesn't feel comfortable. For example, when Ginta surprised her with his confession of love, she cannot deal with the situation and runs from him. Literally and constantly. She avoids him like the plague. It takes several episodes before she can even face him. I can understand to a degree that she was overwhelmed by that situation, but her cowardness is a weakness that makes her later relationship to Yuu rather unhealthy.
Yes, I did say "unhealthy." I feel that she is too dependant on her relationship to Yuu. For example, there is a point when Miki and Yuu have an argument. She feels that Yuu does not tell her anything about his life (well, she feels that way because he doesn't) When she confronts him about this, he tells her, without really thinking about what he was saying, that she doesn't matter in regards to his life. Ouch. She is naturally upset. They do not really talk again for awhile, as Miki ignores Yuu, because she is hurt by what he said. However, when Yuu stops trying to talk to her, she immediately, and I do mean immediately, runs after, throws her arms around him, and begs him to forgive her. (Hmmm.)
Later in the series, Miki's co-worker, Kei decides he also likes Miki, though Miki is not really aware of his feelings. The first day Kei met Miki he found the locket (or in the manga, the bracelet) that Yuu had given Miki earlier and which Miki dropped at work. Miki goes nuts trying to find it and is afraid Yuu will be upset that she lost it, so she doesn't tell him. (that just screams foreshadowing, ne?) Later, Kei confronts and lies to Yuu, saying that Miki said she didn't want the locket (bracelet) and threw it away. Yuu and Miki get into an argument. He tells her that he didn't believe what Kei said, however, if she wasn't so nice to Kei, this situation wouldn't have happened. Furthermore, if she had told him about the locket (bracelet) to begin with, then there wouldn't have been a problem. Miki is upset about the accusation that she is being too nice to other guys, and uses in her defense the situation between Yuu and Suzu-chan, a beautiful child-star whom Yuu tutors. Yuu gets angry at her "groundless" jealousy. I should mention that Suzu-chan has confessed to both Yuu and Miki that she likes Yuu and intends to break them up. How can he yell at Miki for being to friendly with other guys when Suzu-chan does this and even kisses him in front of everyone? Does he yell at Suzu-chan, explaining how inappropriate she was? Try in any way to discourage Suzu-chan from her crush on him? And yet he yells at Miki for being too friendly and not discouraging Kei. Sounds like the pot is calling the kettle black. Yet, Yuu thinks of Suzu-chan like a little sister, only a kid. So naturally, Miki is just being overly jealous and unreasonable. Cough. Anyway, they end the argument unhappily, and do not talk to each other for the next week. Yuu leaves by himself for a trip they planned to go on together since they were still not talking. (Hmmm.) Miki spends her time home thinking, and realizes what a fool she was, that it was all her fault, and as soon as Yuu gets home, she runs to him, begging him to forgive her. (Hmmmm.) Are you beginning to see a pattern?
Yuu has had an interesting past (I won't explain. See the series.) so I can understand why he feels betrayed and hurt and that's why he won't let anyone close. However, he chooses to get into a relationship with Miki, yet he won't communicate with her. How is Miki supposed to understand his feelings if he won't tell her anything? I think a relationship is good for Yuu, HOWEVER, I think he is currently not very good for Miki. Miki lacks self-confidance, and so she gains a rather unhealthy dependance on their relationship. This can be seen whenever they argue, and even though they are both equally to fault, she "realizes how wrong she was" and begs forgiveness. As things are now, Yuu doesn't have to change. I think if Miki gained more confidance in herself, Yuu might actually have to worry about losing her for good. I think that Miki could gain the confidance that she needs in herself by herself. In a sence, I think that Miki and Yuu got together too soon (well, 20 something episodes is NOT too soon, however…)
At first, I was all in favor of the relationship between Meiko and Namura-sensei, but as the anime continued, I began to like their pairing less and less. Namura has to leave, and decides that it would be best if he and Meiko break up. She doesn't take this very well and pines after him for many episodes. (understandable, he was her first love) Well, Miwa-kun has fallen for her, and flirts with her shamelessly. He never seems serious, but he really is far more serious then he lets on. (kinda like Xellos, ne?) As she gets to know him, Meiko is a bit torn between her feelings for Namura, and her possible feelings for Miwa. In the anime, she agrees to date Miwa-kun. In the manga, he never really stands that much of a chance. I am all in favor of the Meiko-Miwa pairing. I think that they suit each other very well, and I really like Miwa-kun, however, I think he pushed her too far too quickly. She just broke up with someone whom she loved and needs time that he never really gives her. (Does he want to be only a rebound relationship?!) Thus, when they are on a date together, and a classmate announces to Meiko that Namura is in town, Miwa-kun tries to stop her from chasing after her former love, unsuccessfully. It seems at this point that he is giving up on her. (this was about the time I stopped watching, so I don't know if he has indeed given up yet. If he has, I'm really disappointed in him.) As for Meiko, she runs around all over town before she finally finds Namura. She immediately jumps into his arms. He takes a moment to get over the shock of her said jumping into his arms, then pushes her away. She, very maturely (not), jumps back into his arms. Repeat cycle a few more times. He tells her to go home, she breaks down in tears like a child throwing a tantrum and explains that she won't. (this is NOT a complimentary scene for Meiko) Meiko has often been the mature voice of reason throughout the series, except for when Namura is concerned, as this scene illustrates. Moving beyond Meiko's immaturity, we come to Namura's. He handles the scene with considerable less grace then Meiko. He cannot deal with Meiko's tantrum, so he hides behind a lie, telling Meiko that he is now dating Ryoko, another of Meiko's teachers, and a friend of his. Let me explain why this situation is extremely bad. Ryoko-sensei is in love with Namura as well. He is aware of her feelings for him, even though he does not acknowledge them. He seems to feel that if he doesn't acknowledge it, it doesn't exist. So besides being very emotional difficult to someone whom he considers a friend, he shatters Meiko's heart, and also does a fine job at ruining the teacher-student relationship between Meiko and Ryoko-sensei. I think Meiko is better without Namura, and their separation may help her mature more fully. And I also think Namura was an ass.
Ok, the above situation never occurs in the manga, and thus my view on the Meiko-Namura paring is a little different in the anime and in the manga. In the manga, Miwa never really stands much of a chance, unlike in the anime. In the manga, Meiko isn't as immature and clingy as she depicted in the above scene in the anime. I don't have as much of a problem with the Meiko-Namura paring in the manga. (but I still think she would be better with Miwa-kun.)
And now, the only healthy couple in the series thus far: Arimi and Ginta. Arimi ropes Ginta in her plan to pretend they are dating to make Miki jealous and admit her feelings for Ginta. Miki does become jealous, but things don't work out. Miki comes to believe that Arimi is very serious about Ginta, and therefore doesn't think that it is fair to make Ginta wait for her when she is still uncertain whether she likes him or Yuu. Therefore, she tells Ginta that he should be with Arimi instead. Yet even before the plan backfired, Ginta begins to have some feelings for Arimi. He is naturally devastated that Miki turned him down, however, he is able to switch his feelings over to Arimi. He still cares about Miki, and gets very angry whenever Yuu does something to hurt Miki. However, he also starts to get very concerned about Arimi, who is more and more realizing that Yuu will never love her as she loves him. She can tell the difference in his feelings with her and with Miki, and she knows that she doesn't stand a chance. Ginta and Arimi comfort each other, and eventually get closer. There are few bumps in their relationship, but they are the most solid, most together of all of them. I wouldn't call this a rebound relationship for them, because they of their developing friendship and relationship before they were both turned down.
The art is a basic shoujo-style. While it is nothing special, it's rather well done. The anime follows the character design from the manga well. It isn't the best animation, but it's pretty good and doesn't rely on a lot of still-scenes, which many other anime do.
First Opening: Egao ni Aitai: This song is catchy and upbeat. The animation sequence is cute, and fits well. First Ending: (i don't remember the title) This song is boring! Even though I don't really like this song, I will admit the animation is pretty, and also fits the song. Second Ending: Rain? There are two versions of this song, the ending theme and a image song with the same tune but different lyrics. I heard both songs before I saw the series, the image song version first. At first I didn't like the ending version as much, but when I saw it in the show, I began to really like it. The animation is ok. The first part is kinda pretty. Image Song: Moment: (when you watch the first few eps, believe me, you will know what song I'm talking about) this is a very pretty song and I really like it. But it is waaaaaaay over- used in the series; in fact, it ends nearly every episode in the first season. It gets old fast. BGM: pretty, but nothing special. Certain themes are over-used, and get annoying when watching several episodes in a row.
On the whole (as of half-way through): it is a decent series. Too long, annoying at times, but it is somewhat enjoyable. It is a long series though, and your time and money might be better spent on better titles. The manga is more manageable size and MUCH MUCH better. The problems I have with the characters in the anime are not found in the manga. (ie, Miki is not the dependant wimp she is in the anime.)