Kobato review

An anime series based on CLAMP’s relatively new manga, Kobato comprises many themes common in CLAMP works, even a number of crossover characters. However, while not one of their best, it is a cute and pleasant show if you can overlook its flaws…

Kobato is one of those series where there’s an underlying plot, but much of the plot’s progression is comprised of episodic events – Kobato’s mission is to fill a flask with konpeito by healing people’s hearts, which will enable her to have her wish granted. Thus in each episode, she helps different people and gains konpeito. Other episodes consist of filler slice-of-life adventures with Yomogi Nursery or focus on subplots such Ioryogi and the other spirit world characters and the conflict of Yomogi Nursery getting shut down.

The characters in Kobato are very typical of CLAMP, or even other anime in this genre. The only other CLAMP series I’ve seen/read are Cardcaptor Sakura, Chobits, Magic Knight Rayearth, and a tiny bit of Tsubasa. But even so, I can see the cliches, especially compared to Cardcaptor Sakura – Kobato’s optimistic and overtly caring personality is just like Sakura, Fujimoto’s sarcastic, indifferent attitude which masks a caring heart is like Toya, and Ioryogi’s hot-temper but care and concern deep down is like Kero. I can’t really point out anything unique about the Kobato characters that we haven’t already seen in CLAMP or other anime. One thing I’ve noticed about CLAMP characters is that there’s rarely any truly evil character with no sympathetic traits – they all have a caring/compassionate side, some showing it more than others.

Of course, one of the reasons for this could be because many of the characters in Kobato actually are characters from other CLAMP series that have “crossed over” into this one. Characters from Chobits, Wish, Tsubasa and other CLAMP titles make cameo appearances or have alter-egos in Kobato. While I think it’s cool that CLAMP incorporates a continuity between their many different works, it could also potentially alienate viewers who are not familiar with other CLAMP titles or the general style of CLAMP. The concept of different worlds/dimensions is a big part of Tsubasa, and I believe some other CLAMP series, too. But even though it’s a big part of Kobato, it’s not explained thoroughly enough. Even by the end of the series, we only have a vague idea of the background behind Kobato, Kohaku, Ioryogi, Ginsei, and the other spirit world characters. It’s almost like the writers of the Kobato anime are assuming that the viewers already know about CLAMP’s alternate world/dimension concept and will accept all these mysterious spirit characters walking around in the series without explanation.

Which brings me to my next point; one of the noticeable characteristics I picked up on while watching Kobato is that Kobato herself, as well as Ioryogi and other characters, pretty much exist as enigmas shrouded in mystery throughout almost the entire series. We find out a little about Ioryogi midway in the series (though not enough in my opinion), but pretty much nothing about Ginsei or Genko and their relationship with Ioryogi is revealed. And we really don’t find out about Kobato until the last episode or two. For twenty-two or some episodes we don’t know who she is other than her name and mission, where she came from, or why/how she’s doing what she’s doing. I personally don’t mind if a series doesn’t reveal crucial plot background until the final episode, but even by the final episode of Kobato, I’m still somewhat clueless about who she is and where she came from. But I suppose in Kobato’s case at least, we’re given enough hints by the end to interpret her origins for ourselves. But for Ioryogi, Ginsei, Ushagi, etc., we have only the vaguest idea of who they are, where they came from, and why they’re doing what they’re doing. Again, I’m not sure if it’s an assumption on the part of the writers that Kobato’s viewers are already familiar with and accepting of CLAMP’s many different worlds, or if explanation of the spirit/heaven world and characters in Kobato really needed more explaining.

But lacking decent background doesn’t make a series all bad. Although it’s filled with cliche cuteness, niceties, and warm-hearted scenes we’ve seen before in other CLAMP or shojo titles, especially in Kobato’s relationship with Fujimoto, the Yomogi Nursery kids, and other characters, if you like the genre, it’s appealing. I’m not a big CLAMP or (mahou) shojo fan, but I like them sometimes and I enjoyed Kobato enough to keep watching it. While the main plot about Kobato’s mission and the spirit world was lacking, I felt the subplot about Sayaka, Okiura, and the closing down of Yomogi Nursery was handled very well. That was actually my favorite part of the series because it was gradually developed over many episodes and came to a good conclusion in the end.

In the animation and music department, Kobato has nice animation by Madhouse, and of course, CLAMP’s unmistakably pretty/cute character designs. Not much to note about the background music, but the opening song, “Magic Number” by Maaya Sakamoto, is a very fun song, while the two endings by Macross Frontier sensation Megumi Nakajima are absolutely beautiful.

In the end, while Kobato has a noticeable amount of cliches and fails to give enough details about the backgrounds of characters and setting, if you overlook these things, it’s a nice show with cuteness, warmth, and occasional drama and comedy. I would rate it as a fairly average anime with its share of good points and bad points.