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Spring 2024 is finally there and yes based on my Top 5 anime in Spring 2024, Yozakura Family comes first. My reasoning being Yozakura Family is just starting its Anime first season. So, as a manga reader here is my first impression after watching it.
Brief Introduction
For Anime-only, you might wonder, what the heck is Yozakura Family? i’m here to illuminate you.
Yozakura Family is a manga written and illustrated by Hitsuji Gondaria. It has the offiial name Mission: Yozakura Family in Global and Yozakura-san Chi no Daisakusen in Japanese. It has been serialized in Shueisha‘s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since August 2019
Story Premise
The main story premise of Yozakura Family is “What if you are forced to marry your childhood friend”. However, the said “childhood friend” happens to be a Spy.
Synopsis of the Episode
Taiyo Asano is our protagonist here. One day, his whole family was killed by a car accident. This is making Taiyo afraid of interacting with others as doing so means risking losing them too.
Mutsumi being Taiyo childhood friend, is Taiyo only pilar of support. However, Mr Hirukawa threathened to kill Taiyo for being lovey dovey with Mutsumi.
Saved by a little girl, Taiyo then waking up on Mutsumi house. Mutsumi introduce Taiyo to her siblings.
It is later revealed that Mr Hirukawa is actually Mutsumi Older brother, Kyoichiro. His extreme sis-con tendency stems from Past trauma where Mutsumi suffered a near-fatal injury because Kyoichiro.
Futaba propose both Taiyo and Mutsumi to get married, as a way to save Taiyo. Mutsumi, reject the proposal as Taiyo is still traumatized by his family death. With that being said, they have no choice but to protect Taiyo from Kyoichiro.
Kyoichiro proves to be too strong for the whole family. With nothing to defend Mutsumi anymore, Kyoichiro swore to keep Mutsumi safe even if it means robbing Mutsumi freedom to do so.
Cannot watch Mutsumi hurting because of him anymore, Taiyo come out of hiding. Taiyo ask Mutsumi to marry him and reassure her that it is okay.
Kyoichiro doesn’t let it happen easily though, he keep the ring from being caught by Taiyo. Unfortunately for Kyoichiro, Taiyo will is stronger than Kyoichiro. Taiyo brute force his way to the ring.
Analysis
Taiyo Asano
Taiyo Asano brings an interesting premise to a Main Character. Instead of going into a revenge like Sasuke (Naruto series), Taiyo is instead getting traumatized by the incident.
It is pretty logical though, as compared to Sasuke, Taiyo incident can be categorized as unfortunate. As most of normal human being would react, getting traumatized is a human thing especially for a child so young like Taiyo back then.
Kyoichiro Yozakura
Kyoichiro is the eldest son of Yozakura Family. His over-protective sister complex tendency comes also from his trauma of almost letting Mutsumi killed.
This trauma brings a pararel between Taiyo and Kyoichiro. One side is afraid of interacting with other while the other is over-protective. Both Kyoichiro and Taiyo is taking this to extreme of both spectrum.
Mutsumi Yozakura
From this episode alone, we can infer that Mutsumi has a feelings to Taiyo. How this feeling came to be is still a mystery that will be answered in future episode though.
My Thought of Anime vs Manga
Is it Good Adaptation?
Yozakura Family episode 1, in my opinion is a good adaptation to the manga. This episode is a faithful adaptation, panel by panel of the manga.
Voice Acting
I like Taiyo VA. Especially when his voice break when he say “from now on, i’m going to be the one to protect you!” which bring Taiyo emotion to the table.
For Kyoichiro VA, he is also gorgeous. The range he shows when Kyoichiro is cheerful vs Kyoichiro is very serious are very contrast. It is honestly very fitting voice for Kyoichiro.
Conclusion
For a first episode, it is doing a very good job adapting the manga. For me it is easily a recommend to watch even if you haven’t read the manga. 5/5 is my rating for episode 1.