I think it's a good thing to try exploring new cultures. Going to another country allows you to learn about that country's culture while teaching the people from that culture about your own. It's a win-win situation for everyone, as we know more about the world that we live in. As we watch anime, we learn a bit about Japan's culture. However, it's not every day where there is an anime about a Japanese person going to a different country, much less France, and very much less PARIS. Although I don't remember how, why, or when I decided that I would one day watch this anime, it doesn't matter that much, because watching it turned out to be worth it in the end.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my review of Ikoku Meiro no Croisée, known in English as "Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth" or in French as "La Croisée dans un Labyrinthe Étranger".
The story of Ikoku Meiro no Croisée takes place in the latter half of the 19th century. Yune is a 13-year-old Japanese girl who was taken to Paris, France by a French traveler named Oscar. There, she helps out at Oscar's family's ironwork shop, Enseignes du Roy. Claude, Oscar's grandson, is reluctant to take care of Yune at first. This anime is basically about Yune and Claude trying to understand each other's cultures.
As you may see, Ikoku Meiro no Croisée doesn't have much of a plot to it. I don't think it needs to, though. Like I've said before, it's not every day that there's an anime that takes place in a foreign country, much less France. A plot like that, no matter whether it has a great story or not, is rather unique, if you ask me. Besides, I do like slice-of-life anime; why would a fan of slice-of-life anime find the story to be a problem at all?
The art and animation, although a bit bright for my liking, is quite pretty. Satelight has done a good job at animating this. The voice acting also fits each character well. The opening theme - "Sekai was Odoru yo, Kimi to" by Youmou to Ohana - is quite catchy; it really gives me the impression that I'm watching an anime that takes place in France (or anywhere in Europe, for that matter) in the 1800's, like it's supposed to. The ending theme ("Koko kara Hajimaru Monogatari" by Nao Touyama), though, is just plain BEAUTIFUL; this is the most beautiful song I've ever heard Nao Touyama sing. There are also very interesting characters in this anime; I can't think of one completely unlikable character. These characters get a decent amount of character development, too.
Overall, Ikoku Meiro no Croisée was a pleasure to watch. Anyone who would like to learn a thing or two about French culture (or at least how French culture was like several years ago) should give it a try. Who knows? Maybe you'll even be encourage to explore a lot of other cultures besides that!
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