Review of Taisho Otome Fairy Tale
Reading some of the other negative reviews blows me away with how much projection and vitriol there is about this show. People are upset about the 1920s historical context where a daughter is sold off to a wealthy son in order to pay off a debt. The complaints are that this is wish fulfillment to sweaty depressed men to want some obedient doll. The writer of the manga is a women and I have a hunch of this was written by a man, there would be even more hate. People even comparing this to Violet Evergarden, what? This show has nothing to do with the politicalprojections of a bunch of online morality pitch fork holders. It's a show about some depressed kid from a wealthy family who got kicked out because of a disability after surviving a car accident. In the car wreck, the male lead survives and the mother dies. The family is toxic and boots the male protagonist into the mountains. The horrible father buys a wife from a family in need of money to pay off a debt. The boy is depressed for having been abandoned by his family. With his family name being associated with "mean-eyes, condescending, and elite," he is perceived poorly by others. The girl, who's just upbeat and positive, with her kindness, helps the male protag out of the rut. If anyone who has had depression understands that willing yourself to climb out of bed is like climbing Mount Everest. The guy was sleeping all day and not eating. This is a wholesome show and the guy eventually comes out of the rut to develop a will to better himself and live. The male lead treats the girl well, cherishing her gifts and kindness. Not to spoil but later on he resolves to become a better and stronger person that can look out for her.
The supporting cast in the beginning you hate but then eventually after hearing the back story and bonding with the guy and girl, you also begin to enjoy them as well. As for a fantasy, this is fiction. Fiction is supposed to appeal to ideals or fantasies as dopamine enjoyment. Sometimes there are works that are thought provoking and deep. Oher times you just wanna enjoy a ride. This show is something you sit and down and soak in if you're in a mood for a wholesome flavor.
The media designed for the female gaze has all sorts of unrealistic expectations and ideals towards men. Shoujo typically men are bad boys, rebellious, and fall in love with a female lead who is nerdy, awkward, not the best looking. The men can get any other girl but simply chooses the shy and strange female protag. There's all sorts of ideals on both parties that are upsetting to either men or women. Who cares. This is dopamine and entertainment.
This show is great and I also finished the manga too. Sit down, soak in old school japan, and enjoy the small moments of happiness in each episode. Watch with your significant other and just eat up this mushy stuff. After that, go watch a horror gore fest or some psychological thriller for contrast. Loved this series and highly recommend it.