Koi Kaze

[MugiwaraMarius]

Episode 8:

Koshiro really hasn't matured much since he was a teenager. He's the same grump, gloomy guy who doesn't understand his emotions or at least he isn't honest about what he is feeling. He spent this episode pondering his past with his sister. I thought these scenes were particularly sweet especially the last one where Nanoka made him the cup of mud and he didn't throw it away. And once again the music just fit the scene and made it even more emotional.

After meeting with his mother it seems that Koshiro has decided to bury his emotions and just be a the best big brother he can be. I also loved how the last scene mirrored the milk scene from the past only this time Nanoka didn't cry.

The show is doing a great job of developing this relationship. It's gone from just sexual desire on Koshiro's part to an actual relationship that is starting to develop. I doubt they will ever get to sleeping with each other before the series is over. I'm not even sure they will end up together, it may end up a bitter sweet ending where they know their feeling but have to part once again.

Was it me or did Nanoka look fat as a toddler.

[MugiwaraMarius]

Episode 9:

Once again did her I love you mean something more? It certainly did to him. I just don't know does this mean they've made their feelings for each other known? Is that why she got scared and ran away? I think she was confessing more than just sisterly love but then got scared when he grabbed her so suddenly and hugged her. I don't think she expected him to return her feelings so strongly.

After all this tiptoeing around their real feelings this episode finally got things out in the open a bit at least. They are still confused and uncertain but they at least have an more of an idea about how the other feels. Koshiro was ready to leave the house to distance himself from the way he feels and after this I see him becoming cold and distance in the next episode, maybe even leaving the house for a while. Wether or not Nanoka understood what just happened, he is going to assume she did and he will be ashamed especially after the way she ran off. Although it does seem like every time he's ready to cut and run she does just the right to bring him back in.

Nanoka looks so tiny next to Koshiro, he really is like a bear next to her. The other thing I noticed is his flucutuating facial hair. I think it changes according to his mood but I'd have to go back and check to be sure.

The father's over the top reactions are funny when juxtaposed with the much more sudued actions of the other charaters. He is a man that wears his heart on his sleeve at least there is no trouble figuring out what he is really feeling.

I can't believe I'm loving this show so much. Between the music and the wonderful character interactions I don't even care about it being incest.

[MugiwaraMarius]

Episode 10:

As I thought Koshiro's response to the events of the last episode was to run away. Both Koshiro and Nanoka completely misunderstood the other's intentions the night before. They both felt rejected and embarassed, when in fact they were trying to convey the same thing. It's not really suprising they misunderstood each other they both showed negative reactions to the other and neither one really understood what was going on. Not to mention they both are still unsure about their own feelings and think what they feel is wrong.

The scene where they sleep in Koshiro's bed really felt like two lovers spending their last night together. Their conversation was really brilliant, it felt like they were talking about two completely different things and once again it felt like they completely misunderstood each other. Although they did nothing more than hold hands I think that did more to show their feelings than anything else. They really do love each other but they know it's wrong. And then in the morning Nanoka wakes up alone with her teddy bear left abandoned in her brother's room.

[coffeebreath]

Episode 8

Originally Posted by Marius2000

The show is doing a great job of developing this relationship. It's gone from just sexual desire on Koshiro's part to an actual relationship that is starting to develop. I doubt they will ever get to sleeping with each other before the series is over. I'm not even sure they will end up together, it may end up a bitter sweet ending where they know their feeling but have to part once again.

Was it me or did Nanoka look fat as a toddler.

Agreed on the relationship front.

To me, the show is almost going backwards... I was expecting the sibling relationship first and the sexual stuff later. I am really glad that Koshiro seems to be dealing with his emotions a lot better, in a more mature fashion.

I really like episode 8, the flashbacks were really touching. Nanoka did look a little chubby, like a typical cute anime toddler. I thought she was kinda adorable. I think the flashbacks helped put more light onto Nanoka's present perspective. I think what she has been feeling is a mixture of the innocent love for her brother she had as a small child combined with her teenage vulnerability. Given that she likely doesn't remember too much about her childhood with Koshiro she can't place her feelings well. But I think they're just mirroring the past.

Episode 9

Good episode. Well, the ending was very emotional and important. They are soooo confused and so am I. I would agree that Koshiro interpreted her confession as more than sibling love, and his reaction was desperate and strange that it freaked her out. But she was crying and was about to run away as though she didn't want to feel that way. Very rare that I actually enjoy watching misunderstanding in anime. Koshiro is either interpreting it all wrong, or both of them can't face putting it into clear cut words.

I'm really enjoying the character interactions and music too. Koshiro's introspection or the scenes with him and Nanoka have me really engrossed.

[MugiwaraMarius]

Episode 11:

I laughed at the fact that Kaname urged Koshiro to get that apartment just so she'd have a place to crash.

Both the siblings are suffering at being apart. The effects are more obvious on Nanoka who is usually so cheery and lighthearted. Koshiro is his usual gloomy self but it is still obvious he is hurting inside. He's never loved anyone before and now being seperated from his sister hurts. Koshiro had no idea what love was before this. He's supressed his feelings by throwing himself into his work. Then he sees his sister again and all his pain is brought to the forefront.

Kaname's reaction to finding out the truth was perfect. Her disgust was such a raw and realistic reaction I think it was one of the best scenes so far. Thus for this show has pretty much advocated the relationship but for the first time we see someone act with utter disgust at the idea. Koshiro's anguish during this scene was the most honest response we've seen him give so far.

Nanoka's letter just spelled out all her feelings and Koshiro's tears were genuine. He is in love with his sister and wants to be with her. With her showing up at the end I don't think anything will hold these two back now.

[MugiwaraMarius]

Episode 12:

Oh shit they had sex. I didn't expect it to go that far yet.

Damn seeing Nanoka's determination when confronting Kaname almost made you want to root for her. She may just be a tiny girl but she was not going to give up her brother to anyone. Kaname must have really cared for Koshiro to go this far for him. I think she thought she could save them this episode but she finally realized the futility of her actions when she realized the love wasn't one sided on Koshiro's part. She listed all the problems the siblings relationship would cause as well as the emotional pain it would cause both of them.

However I think she was wrong, other than pressure to follow social moors I don't see any reason their love couldn't last. It is not something I would approve of and I still find the idea a bit repulsive. It's just if I put my own feelings aside I don't see why the relationship could last like any other. I don't think it would obviously cool. While her other arguements were valid I'm not convinced by this one.

Now that they have finally decided to be together they now need to figure out how to proceed. If they stay where they are they are going to have to deal with the reactions of friends and family and anyone else who knows them. It might be best to just leave and start over somewhere.

Why do they keep showing Futaba? Other than being Nanoka's friend she really isn't important and she was shown in this episode. I know she is worried for her friend but that scene seemed kind of pointless.

[coffeebreath]

Episode 10

I don't get how Koshiro expects to never see Nanoka again in his life? I agree that they looked like lovers when they were on the bed even though their initimacy was so simple. I also think they seemed like lovers on the phone too with their hushed voices and Nanoka twiddling the telephone wire. I can't remember the last time I saw an anime so highly focused on only two characters before. Given that Koshiro has moved out and there are still three episodes to go I am now wondering how this will end... an episode of them pining for each other, an accidental meeting and then feelings returning for an emotional finale? Or will their feelings become less intense and they manage separate and normal lives?

Episode 11

Kushiro is letting his emotions destroy him. Both of them are still thinking about each other, but Nanoka can't repress it as well as Kushiro. So she has been leaving him temptations. Her curiosity is still reigning her actions.

I wasn't actually expecting Kaname's reaction, she seemed to joke around the idea and didn't scold Odagiri for his insinuating comment. I do agree her reaction was well-placed though, I am glad it happened. Koshiro is fearful for a reason and in trying to get on with his life without Nanoka he is protecting himself. Nanoka has a lot less to lose and probably doesn't understand things as much, so no wonder she is the one to who can't restrain herself.

Also, Koshiro is a sandles and socks guy? My opinion of him is faltering!

Yep ep 12 is gonna be interesting. So much steam both need to let off... :/

[MugiwaraMarius]

Episode 13:

I guess the ending is open to interpretation. It left me with the feeling that they would secretly love each other, and spend a day in spring every year together. Everything felt to happy go lucky but I'm sure if there was a continuation we'd see nothing but hardships for both of them and their family. I'm guessing they both know nothing positive would happen if they "came out of the closet". This ending did indeed make it seem like they would continue living on as they where before hooking up but still support each other. Neither said I love you even though both wanted to. They only wrote their names on a tree and promised to go there once a year.

Something I found interesting. The workers at the park where mentioning that the trees should be cut down. Nanoka and Koshiro write their names on one of the trees. Is this a subliminal message to us hinting that their relationship wont last? It felt like it, I mean why would they toss that chunk of info at us if it didn't mean something?

This whole last episode I was thinking their interactions could be those of normal siblings well other than thinking about commiting suicide together. It's almost like after their one night together they decided to be brother and sister again at least as far as the rest of the world knows. With only this one day a year to be together as anything more.

It was interesting to see a Koshiro that was actually happy this episode. Before he always seemed half dead and if he showed emotion it was usually suffering, for once he was happy and it was because he was with his sister. He finally learned to accept both his own feelings and his sister's feelings in the end. I think that was what him drinking the cup of mud was about. In the flashback he didn't want to throw his sister's feelings away but he couldn't accept them either. Now he was finally able to accept them. This show could almost be thought of as Koshiro's journey to find his emotions. Before he was a sullen gloomy guy and who didn't understand anything about really caring for someone else. Nanoka doesn't really change much throughout the series she kind of remains the same girl she was at the beginning. This is really Koshiro's journey and discovery.

I will say that I found Futaba's inclusion in the last two episodes a bit puzzeling. She seemed out of place. I thought she was going to find out about them but she didn't want to know in the end.

Well this was my first incest anime and I was expecting to be more disgusted and offended but it was handled in a way that I found palatable. I believe people should generally be allowed to do as they wish as long as they aren't hurting someone else. I may not agree but I feel people are free to do as they wish and if they are bugging me with it then what do I really care.

I still find the idea of incest repulsive personally, I have a younger sister and could never imagine loving her as anything more. However kind of putting personal feelings aside I found the romance to have a very nice progression once they got past Koshiro's initial lust phase. Once Nanoka began to realize her own feelings things really became much more reationship and romance focused rather than just lust and sexual frustration. The feelings of guilt and shame that came with breaking the incest taboo felt very realistic and were well portrayed. In the end I think this is a very subtle and nuanced love story.

As I've said the OST was beautiful and really helped to add even more emotional impact to the story. This combined with the minimalistic style of the backrounds really helped me focus on the characters and their interactions. There is a melancholy that prevades the whole story and the music just always manages to bring this element out. The melancholic feeling and the brooding atmosphere were my favorites parts of the series. In a series that deals with a couple of big taboos, not only the incest but their obvious age difference as well, I think this brooding feeling was perfect for making me think about these topics.

I think the two main characters were both rather realistic as people and this is very important considering the entire series is based around their interactions. There is nothing else to focus on here, so if they don't come off as engaging everything else falls apart. Luckily I found them both interesting, especially watching Koshiro's slow and painful emotional development. I didn't find Nanoka to be as interesting but she still had some really good moments that made her interesting to watch.

In the end I enjoyed this much more than I expected too so 3.5+ or maybe even a 4 out of 5.

[VivisQueen]

Keep in mind, this is a very unique incest show. None of the others will offer you this kind of drama. It's almost accident that the theme is incest, really. Because what it really wants to portray is love that cannot be because of two very confused personalities.

I agree with your moral stance on incest. I can only see practical reasons why not (i.e. genetic weaknesses becoming more prevalent) but as for whether incest causes harm if it's between consenting adults freely engaged in that relationship, then it's less obviously evil.

[coffeebreath]

Episode 12 & 13

The sexual tension was unbearable so I was glad once that was out of the way. The last episode was wonderful, I am really happy with this ending. They are not going to kid themselves into thinking they can have a relationship together, it would involve ostracising themselves from their family and in general would be very selfish of them. When they visited their mother I thought they were going to confess to her! I also thought their father was going to catch them holding hands or kissing or something. I am happy they didn't get caught because they don't plan to further their relationship, they just wanted to indulge their love for one another as any couple would, I think they deserve that much. The promise to meet each year may last a little while and gave a hopeful touch but I am sure both will move on with their lives eventually. I think that is what was meant by the comment of cutting down the trees.

The mud drinking bit was my favourite! Nothing can really sum up Koshiro's development any clearer and it was a really cool metaphor. I love the way that something considered to be so abhorrent and disgusting has really given Koshiro and Nanoka so much happiness and hope. Their lives are richer for it even if it will have to be a secret they live with forever.

btw I also can't work out what Futaba's reactions mean in these last two episodes. I wonder if I missed something involving her because I didn't consider her worth paying attention to.

Koshiro has been an amazing character to watch. The music and animation was perfect for the atmosphere. Some scenes I felt there was nothing on screen but Nanoka and Koshiro. It was such a personal anime. In a way minimalistic all over. A unique experience that's for sure. The realism made this what it is. Koshiro made it enjoyable and engrossing. Nanoka had her moments but Koshiro is the character we are meant to connect and relate to. I would give this 4/5 simply for the great direction, music, and delicate handling of incest.