Review of Kakushigoto
Wow, it was an amazing short ride! This show is playing with my sensitive feelings for sure. I was really looking forward to watch “Kakushigoto” because I’ve been listening to its opening song for a few months already (Thank you YouTube Recommendation). When I get to watch the OP episode by episode, it did hit me differently and I always ended up getting teary-eyed. I am not just moved, but I also get to appreciate the inclusion of symbolism about time and life challenges which is relevant to the story. The ED is also worth mentioning because they aren’t just a bunch of stills andthe song’s “Freddie Mercury” vibe is so cool.
The art style is new to me. Every frame is filled with vibrant colors and rough textures. It’s kind of hard to recognize negative spaces in each frame. It is very pleasing to look at but at the same time it’s overwhelming (at first). The texture also helps in giving off a manga-ish look and I really like that well-thought addition.
The show’s scenario writing is simply beautiful and effective. The first eleven episodes were focused on a setting where Hime was still ten. But at the start or the end of those episodes, there’s a tiny glimpse of the future where Hime, as an 18-year-old daughter, slowly unfolds the secrets of his father. At first glance, those episodes were just following a slice of life formula where you’ll get to laugh with Gotou-sensei’s daily challenges as a father and as a manga artist. At the same time, the tiny glimpses of the future provokes uneasiness and that easily flips the table of emotions. In the end, it made me realize that the funny scenarios in those eleven episodes tries to imply that those were the memorable moments of Gotou-sensei before the tragic events which was revealed in the last episode.
Like other shows, the ending of “Kakushigoto” was also a bit rushed, and the introduction of a new character also complicate things. But other than that, it’s a good overall ending. There were moments that I really wanted to cry for both Hime and Gotou-sensei but suddenly a dumb character talks and I ended up laughing, and that’s actually one of the strong points of this show. Before ending my review, there’s one thing that moved me the most. It’s the thought that Gotou-sensei’s black and white sketches in manga complimented with himself who wears a mask as a gag-manga artist, and the only precious thing that gave his life full of colors is his daughter, Hime. Ja Matane!