Kurenai(Kure-nai)
Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 7:39 am
It'd be awesome if you guys picked up Kurenai(sometimes written Kure-nai for some reason). It's a light novel series that's being adapted into an anime and manga. It's fairly popular in all its forms, as far as I know. I'll probably make it sound more boring than it is, but you can just read the manga or watch the anime(the anime is a prequel to the manga), which follow it, if you want to know what it's like. But be warned, they're pretty different from each other in both art style and tone. I don't know what the novel's like. It's not licensed as far as I know.
It has elements of drama, romance, and a good portion of comedy, such as Yuuno's jealousy and romantic forwardness with Shinkurou and Tamaki's teasing. Also, Murasaki's really cute. Ginko's tsundere but not in a cliche way. You could call it a harem, but it doesn't feel like one most of the time(except in the manga). I've really gotta highlight the fact that the characters are very well done, mostly believable(Murasaki's a little advanced for her age, though), and lively.
wiki article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kure-nai
Short synopsis: Kurenai Shinkurou is assigned as bodyguard to Kuhouin Murasaki, the runaway 7 year old daughter of an extremely powerful family, and must accept her into his apartment. Their pasts, the conflicts that arise from this situation, and their relationship with each other and multiple different female characters are explored. Shinkurou takes on various jobs as a hired dispute settler(sounds boring but usually ends in fighting), and eventually Murasaki's family comes to call, forcefully.
Long synopsis:
Kurenai Shinkurou, a mediator(a person who settles disputes between people for money, often involving force), is given the job of being bodyguard to Murasaki, a seven-year-old runaway daughter of a plutocratic family. His employer and mentor Juuzawa Benika, who he's looked up to as a guide for gaining strength since she saved his life, stresses that the job is very important and he must accept Murasaki into his apartment as part of his job. Shinkurou's life with Murasaki begins, and he must deal with teaching the intensely sheltered and seemingly pampered Murasaki about the outside world and normal life while attending high school(as he must leave Murasaki at home) and dealing with other jobs given to him by Benika.
The relationship between Shinkurou and Murasaki develops, with Murasaki and Shinkurou seemingly having different views on its nature, as Murasaki gradually opens up to Shinkurou's kindness and empathy--they share an unfortunate past of being without family, as both lost anything that could be called family at a young age and have had to deal with loneliness and loss. Murasaki interacts with the other residents of the apartment complex, Yamie and especially Tamaki, who often puts strange ideas beyond her age into her head and tries to teach her about men and love. Ginko, Shinkurou's now-cold childhood friend and informant for his job, and Yuuno, his openly loving adoptive sister and martial arts teacher, both want Shinkurou's affection, but don't really compete(although Yuuno is pretty forward and neither like each other). Meanwhile, the plot progresses as Murasaki's past, reasons for running away, and rather disturbing family secrets are revealed and the Kuhouins come in pursuit.
It has elements of drama, romance, and a good portion of comedy, such as Yuuno's jealousy and romantic forwardness with Shinkurou and Tamaki's teasing. Also, Murasaki's really cute. Ginko's tsundere but not in a cliche way. You could call it a harem, but it doesn't feel like one most of the time(except in the manga). I've really gotta highlight the fact that the characters are very well done, mostly believable(Murasaki's a little advanced for her age, though), and lively.
wiki article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kure-nai
Short synopsis: Kurenai Shinkurou is assigned as bodyguard to Kuhouin Murasaki, the runaway 7 year old daughter of an extremely powerful family, and must accept her into his apartment. Their pasts, the conflicts that arise from this situation, and their relationship with each other and multiple different female characters are explored. Shinkurou takes on various jobs as a hired dispute settler(sounds boring but usually ends in fighting), and eventually Murasaki's family comes to call, forcefully.
Long synopsis:
Kurenai Shinkurou, a mediator(a person who settles disputes between people for money, often involving force), is given the job of being bodyguard to Murasaki, a seven-year-old runaway daughter of a plutocratic family. His employer and mentor Juuzawa Benika, who he's looked up to as a guide for gaining strength since she saved his life, stresses that the job is very important and he must accept Murasaki into his apartment as part of his job. Shinkurou's life with Murasaki begins, and he must deal with teaching the intensely sheltered and seemingly pampered Murasaki about the outside world and normal life while attending high school(as he must leave Murasaki at home) and dealing with other jobs given to him by Benika.
The relationship between Shinkurou and Murasaki develops, with Murasaki and Shinkurou seemingly having different views on its nature, as Murasaki gradually opens up to Shinkurou's kindness and empathy--they share an unfortunate past of being without family, as both lost anything that could be called family at a young age and have had to deal with loneliness and loss. Murasaki interacts with the other residents of the apartment complex, Yamie and especially Tamaki, who often puts strange ideas beyond her age into her head and tries to teach her about men and love. Ginko, Shinkurou's now-cold childhood friend and informant for his job, and Yuuno, his openly loving adoptive sister and martial arts teacher, both want Shinkurou's affection, but don't really compete(although Yuuno is pretty forward and neither like each other). Meanwhile, the plot progresses as Murasaki's past, reasons for running away, and rather disturbing family secrets are revealed and the Kuhouins come in pursuit.