In 19th century Paris, Claude Claudel and his grandfather Oscar run a metalworking shop tucked away in the Galerie du Roy shopping arcade. Back home from his recent travels, Oscar appears with a young Japanese girl—Yune—by his side. Although he is initially against it, Claude comes to accept Oscar's announcement that Yune will live and work with them going forward.
Bewildered by Yune's foreign customs, Claude must balance looking after her and managing the shop. But over time, as she settles into her new role as a live-in maid, Claude slowly shows interest in learning to understand Yune and the vastly different world she comes from.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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Archaeon
There has long been a mutual fascination between Eastern and Western cultures, and although modern technology and tourism have made it easier to explore the mysteries of other lands, things were very different during the latter part of the 19th century. At that time, travel was still relatively dangerous, and the cost of the undertaking meant that it was generally reserved for royalty, the upper and middle classes, and well-to-do merchants or craftsmen. Journeying to a foreign land (and returning to spin tall tales of exotic things), was considered a mark of one's status, and aside from choosing life as a sailor or joining themilitary, the working classes had very few options when it came to visiting other countries. The generally accepted method was emigration, but even though port cities across the world became hotbeds of ethnic diversity and multiculturalism, newcomers also ran the risk of racially motivated assaults, propaganda, and worse.
Another method was for a person to be "sponsored" by a citizen of another nation, and while this allowed them to live and work in that country, they also had to abide by certain strict "rules". Like any system it was open to abuse, but many people were also granted a better start in life than they would have had in their homeland. The biggest difference between this method and emigration though, was the perception of the native populace. Many of those who were sponsored didn't live as part of an existing ethnic community, and because of this they were often tolerated as novelties rather than a threat.
Okay, that's a bit of a heavy beginning for a light-hearted slice of life anime, but a bit of context may help with certain aspects of Ikoku Meiro no Croisée.
Based on the manga by Takeda Hinata, the story follows the lives of Claude Claudel - an ironmonger living and working in Paris, and Yune - a young Japanese girl who has been sponsored by Claude's grandfather, Oscar, to come and live with them for a time. Unfortunately they have very little understanding of each other's cultures or histories, so every day is an opportunity to learn something new ...
Now many people will immediately pass this series off as nothing more than inane, lighthearted fluff with no real story, and in all honesty that's a pretty fair assessment. The episodic plot is rather straightforward and progresses in the relaxed manner that is so common in slice-of-life shows. In addition to this, there's an element of whimsy to the narrative that can make it difficult to take certain events seriously, and the whole show can often seem like it's trying very hard decide what it should be.
That said, there is a charm to proceedings that comes from a cast of surprisingly earnest characters, and there are flashes of a much deeper story hidden within the sugar-coated exterior. Unfortunately these undertones are rarely allowed to surface, but when they do, the series gains an intensity that can sometimes be at odds with the relaxed atmosphere, and it can often seem as though there is a purposeful avoidance of certain topics.
As far as appearances go, there's a nice uniformity to the predominantly European design, and everything from the buildings to the clothing are reflective of the period. Unfortunately there's also one glaring irregularity that may have been purposeful, but seems rather unnecessary, and that is Yune. The major problem is that she has been designed to be petite and tooth-achingly cute, and it's because of her looks that people automatically assume that the series is nothing more than a big ball of moe fluff. It's probable that this was an attempt to highlight just how different she looks to everyone around her, but there's an element of tastelessness to it - even though it does fit the 19th Century European vision of a typical girl/woman from the Far East.
That said, the characters are surprisingly expressive, both facially and in their behaviour, and the show makes good use of this factor. In addition to this the animation is pretty decent throughout, but it's also rather placid, which is why the art style sometimes changes for events that are meant to be charmingly amusing. In a very real sense it's a visual form of the much hated "canned laughter", and while it's supposed to "encourage" viewers to chuckle, thankfully it's not used enough for it to become anything more than a diversion.
Ikoku Meiro no Croisée has a rather interesting set of characters that can sometimes play very well off each other, but because this is a slice-of-life tale the focus is less on developing them as individuals, and more on nurturing their bonds with the people around them. Now it may seem like splitting hairs, but it's actually a rather important distinction as this type of growth rarely occurs in other genres. Although the series isn't on the same level as Aria in this department, it does manage to hold its own for the majority of the show, and Yune's earnest habits and mannerisms may cause some viewers to make comparisons between her and Mizunashi Akari or Binchou-tan.
Now while there's a lack of obvious development, there are attempts to add definition to the characters and explain why they think and behave the way they do. Although the reasons are often retrospective, they're also logical and fit into the class system of the period, but viewers may sometimes find themselves frustrated by the fact that they ultimately don't lead anywhere.
Because this is a "Stranger in a Strange Land" type of story, the script takes a simpler, more explanatory approach than normal. Surprisingly, this seems to have allowed the voice actors more freedom rather than restricting them, and much of the dialogue is delivered with the kind of warmth and sensitivity one would expect from a slice-of-life show. Touyama Nao manages to capture Yune's shy earnestness rather well, and her performance is balanced by Kondo Takashi's seriousness as Claude, and Yuuki Aoi's rather madcap portrayal of the show's resident Japanophile - Alice Blanche.
The opening theme, "Sekai wa Odoru yo, Kimi to" by Youmou to Ohana, is a rather cheerful song with a continental flavour that fits very well with the accompanying animation showing Yune, Claude and Oscar on a day out in Paris. Strangely, the ending sequence features Yune waking up on a bed in the middle of a forested park (how this fits into the show is anybody's guess), while Touyama Nao sings "Koko Kara Hajimaru Monogatari", a slightly melancholy ballad that doesn't quite fit her breathy, high-pitched voice. There are also two additional closing songs, "Tooku Kimi e" by Nakajima Megumi and Touyama Nao, and "Tomorrow's Smile" by A.m.u.. Both are very similar to the main ending theme in terms of emotion, but neither has a dedicated animated sequence, instead using the episode itself to give context to the track.
The background music ranges from sombre to the more common lighthearted pieces, but there's a surprising subtlety to it that may not be obvious at first. As the series progresses, it gradually becomes apparent that different primary instruments (violins, pianos, harps, clarinets, etc), have been used throughout in order to add dimension to particular scenes, and enhance the overall tone of the anime.
Although the series does have its problems, Ikoku Meiro no Croisée also retains a fair amount of entertainment value. Much of this comes from the relationship between Yune, Claude and Oscar, but one can't deny that some of Alice's ideas about Japanese clothes and objects can be worth a chuckle. The series maintains a lighthearted atmosphere for the majority of the story, and although there is a banality about particular events, it's not really enough to discourage those who enjoy this type of anime. On the other hand, while the undercurrent of tension between certain characters can sometimes shed new light on the relationship dynamics, it can also place an unnecessary burden on the narrative as the issues beg to be explored, but very few are actually resolved.
Ikoku Meiro no Croisée tries very hard to avoid being categorised as nothing more than 19th Century moe fluff, and in several small ways it manages to achieve its goal. Unfortunately the rest of the show is a bit too sugary-sweet, and while it can be charming, it studiously avoids addressing any of the real issues that someone in Yune's position would have faced.
It's idealistic escapism, which is okay up to a point, but it's also far too nice for its own good.
Detective
Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth was mostly overlooked last season due to it's overlapping qualities with the third season of Natsume and the Book of Friends. If you were watching Natsume, then you already know that they are two very different anime despite them sharing similar pacing and atmosphere. Natsume on one hand received tons of praise, but Croisée mostly ended up getting flack. I was quite upset when I was reading through reviews that quickly disregard Croisée as "moe-trash" and simple pandering. Yes, the show does have a little girl in it, and yes she is adorable. That does not mean the show ismoe, and more importantly it does not mean the show is trash. I hope this review clarifies some points on the show, and in turn convinces you to pick up this anime. It is well worth your time for many reasons.
The setting is late nineteenth century, France. If you're interested in European art, then I strongly recommend this anime, as the backgrounds and clothing are all very realistic. Many times, I was captured by the scenery and it is a very strong suit Croisée has that many anime simply leave out.
Immediately, the characters are what will jump out at you. There's an old man, a boy in his late teens, and a young girl. Now this set up could have gone horribly wrong and turned into something perverse and offensive, but it did not. The old man, Oscar, was one of my favorite characters in the show. He's an important father figure to both Claude and Yune, and he brings interesting wisdom, making the show worthwhile to think on even after finishing. Claude Claudel is the protagonist of the series alongside the small Japonaise, Yune. The show is about how Yune adapts to her new environment and how Claude adapts to a foreigner living with him in his deceased father's failing sign shop. The characters work off of each other very interestingly, and I felt it was very easy to sympathize with both of them as their problems were more mundane than extreme. This may lead some to think that the show is very melodramatic, but it is in fact the opposite. The execution here is done very well , and all problems are solved in a way that develops the characters in a believable manner.
There are two other characters that are very much the opposite of our protagonists though, Alice and Camille. They are part of one of the richest families in Paris at this time, and they both have unique relationships with Yune and Claude respectively. Alice is very obsessive with the Japanese culture, which at the time, was highly intriguing to the people of Paris. Her relationship with Yune is somewhat one-sided but very interesting and even complex as the show completely unfolds. Camille's relationship with Claude was very interesting as well, but I do not wish to spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet.
I digress but I must include this. Alice supplies an anachronism - the only one in the show - and whilst it was unnecessary, I don't think it should soil the reputation of the show. Alice says "moe" despite the show being set more than one-hundred years before the word came into history. This joke is used more as a 4th wall joke in my opinion, so it shouldn't be too heavily stressed upon.
The sound contributes greatly to the setting and I found it adding to an already wonderful experience. Even the opening is an instrumental piece. The show could have abused the setting and sound to create a very pop soundtrack to sell to the masses, but it didn't and I have great respect for that. The one thing I regret this anime did not do, was include more French words into the script. Though that is understandable, as there is a large challenge in overcoming linguistic barriers. Luckily, as a side-effect, choking strange words down the audiences throat is not what happens either.
Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth is a piece resistant to much of the failings that can be found in both historical and slice-of-life anime. There's not an over-abundance of fanservice yet it is still incredibly enjoyable to watch. Yune is not sold as sexual, and unlike many shows focusing around little girls, she has great characterization, as does the rest of the cast.
The show is slow, but if you're willing to try out a new experience then this may be a good place to start. If you're hesitant to pick this anime up, then I hope this review has encouraged you to do so. I was too, hesitant to continue this show beyond it's first episode, but I am glad that I did, as it became a very memorable anime. It is certainly worth watching, especially since it is very short.
If you enjoyed any of these anime, then you might also enjoy Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth: Victorian Romance Emma, Usagi Drop, and Aria the Animation.
Jeffrey-sama
Cultural differences can make it difficult for one to understand and get along with a stranger. But when two people are able to make it past this obstacle, their eyes become opened to the wonders and marvels of the other's world. Ikoku Meiro no Croisée is the story about a young Japanese girl adapting to life in the boisterous city of Paris in the second half of the 19th century. Art (8/10) This category is generally the hardest one for me to score given my usual lack of attention to fine, artistic details in the animation. Anyhow, the animation is on par with today's standards which,in my opinion, is enough to satisfy the mass majority of the audience. I also appreciated the fact that foreigners (i.e. the Parisians) were not shown to be "different" in terms of physical appearance. Since I haven't been to Paris, I can't really say anything about the accuracy, but I must say that the buildings and surroundings are quite detailed.
Characters (7/10)
Right from the start, it was obvious that character development would largely focus on Yune, the Japanese girl adjusting to life in Paris. Although she was not used to living the life of a Parisian at first, as time went on, it was evident that she learned to accept and adapt to her new surroundings. In turn, the other Parisians also got to know her better and worked on accepting this unique girl into their family. The difference between Yune's interactions with the people in the first and last episode is truly astounding. But aside from Yune, the other characters were more or less poorly developed (e.g. Even after the whole series, Oscar didn't really change that much).
Sound (7/10)
A slightly upbeat, country-style OP to ready you for an episode and a calm, soothing ED to end it - a great combination for a show of this genre. BGM was average and fit in well, though none of the soundtracks were particularly memorable. And even though there weren't any big-name seiyūs involved, the voice acting was done quite well. Don't expect anything grand and you'll be satisfied.
Story (7/10)
The story is honestly quite interesting. Although it seemed a bit slow (and slightly confusing) for the first two-thirds of the series, the last third picked up the pace and tied up all the loose ends, making the series as a whole enjoyable to say the least. The idea of a young girl travelling to and living in a foreign country by herself is intriguing, and is what caught my attention when looking through the plethora of anime series for Summer 2011. Although, at first, she faced many difficulties, most obvious of which was the transition from Japanese to French culture, Yune was soon able to enjoy her new life with the help of the other residents. Looking back, it is truly heartwarming to see how she came lonely and empty-handed but ended being so deeply cared for by others.
Overall (7/10)
While Ikoku Meiro no Croisée does appeal to a wide audience, it is not for everyone. Those who enjoy slice-of-life anime would most likely be more entertained by this than those who look for action-packed or psychological anime, for example. Nonetheless, it doesn't hurt to give this series a try; I'm glad I did. As a whole, it's not particularly outstanding but the story and characters make it a worthwhile watch.
Jigoku-n3ko
IMnC is one pink fluffy cloud of a BBC documentary. This is one of those soothing anime that delivers a slice of life where the drama is kept to a minimum and all is nice and soft and sweet. Story: A tiny teenage Japanese girl in the 1900s leaves her home and sails away to Paris to live with two grown men and keep house for them. Now, at first this sounds like it was written by Pedobear but nothing could be further from the truth. There is no fanservice and no pervy stuff, which can only be counted as a blessing. The story deals mainly withculture shock on both sides of the equation and comes to the inevitable conclusion that no matter how different we seem to be we can still find common ground. Don't read any romance into this, there is none. In general, the story is refreshingly innocent and all sorts of sweet.
Characters:
Yune is the diminutive Japanese expatriate. She is a sweet presence and in a miraculous manner she has been saved from the moe-tard stain. She may be soft-spoken but she's not an airhead and she has a will of her own. She is infinitely more charming this way and she does not need any cutesy antics to make us like her. I do wish more anime paid attention to this carefully balanced female character creation.
Claude is one part of the French host family. He is a good sort of guy, if a little too broody at times. He is abrupt and outspoken and these elements play off nicely against Yune’s more reserved and polite Japanese nature.
Oscar is the other part of the French host family and Claude’s grandfather. Always in the grip of wanderlust and a total flirt, he is nevertheless the sort of grandfather anyone would want. Kind, insightful and gentle. He is a sort of bridge between the two worlds, France and Japan.
Alice is a spoiled rich brat with a fetish for Japan and determined to make Yune into her pet. A truly obnoxious character but who nevertheless adds an extra layer of comparison for Yune. There is the French-Japanese and then there is the rich-poor layer to the story. Necessary, I admit in retrospect, but that doesn't mean that I wouldn't gladly bludgeon her to death with any convenient spiky object so I could have the pleasure of seeing blood and brain bits flying…ahem, back on topic, back on topic.
Animation:
Simple yet above average. There is some repetition and most frames don't need any extravagant angles that would complicate things. The backgrounds are pretty and surprisingly accurate for the period and place. It so happens that Japanese animators are often baffled by the architecture of European houses and end up drawing a generic box with a generic roof and generic windows. This has been mostly avoided here since it is apparent the studio worked with references. Where references were not available the generic box makes a slight appearance. Character animation is soft and beautiful.
Sound:
Cheerful and fluffily melancholic. Feels like being in a French bistro so I guess it was spot-on.
OP & ED: The OP is a very pretty travelogue of Paris 1900 and the ED is just pretty nonsense which I mostly skipped.
Overview:
This was a nice anime, a soothing slice of life. There are no stellar characters or elaborate plot twists; if you are to enjoy this you enjoy it for the simple sweetness and innocence. If you are fed up with the borderline hentai crap and moe-tard gimmicks and are in need of something genuinely sweet, pick this up.
Inushinde
At times a show will just grab you at the hip, pull you close for one hell of a tango, and let you go only when you begin clamoring for more. These are the shows that make the most impact on you, the likes of Serial Experiments Lain, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and for me, Aria the Animation/Natural/Origination. So after reading the first two chapters of the manga and watching the entirety of this, I can comfortably say that Ikoku Meiro no Croisee does not belong in this category at all. Rather than giving the tango of a lifetime, it lethargically has the audience lead, draggingits feet while begging for a brief reprieve so it can look at itself in the mirror.
Ikoku Meiro no Croisee is the newest slice of life series to grace the fruitful realm of manga-to-anime adaptations, centering on a young Japanese girl and her move to Paris to experience the culture. She moves in with Oscar and Claude, a lecherous old man and a blacksmith respectively, who help carry the struggling shopping district that they inhabit through means of sign making and drinking copious amounts of wine.
Yune laughs, she cries, she acts cute, and she takes up half of the show’s length with each and every one of these antics. So if you were expecting the culture shock to set in and bring to light several of the historical differences that make up the divide between French and Japanese cultures (So steep a divide that many Japanese visiting Paris suffer from adverse effects for a time), you will leave slightly disappointed. If you just want to see a 19th Century Japanese girl barely into the double digits frolic about, this is your kind of show, and I doubt any of the criticism I can levy against it will change that for you.
Many issues stand in her way as she attempts to settle into the Parisian lifestyle, including one of a bratty, blonde nature who seems just a little too enamored with her to have her fascination be called platonic. Early on, Claude sells a prized belonging of Yune’s without knowing how important it was, and vows to get it back. While this is occasionally touched on in later episodes, it’s hastily resolved in time for, you guessed it, more of Yune’s faffing about. And thus the collective IQ of the anime watching public goes down another 30 points.
If my slightly repetitious dance metaphor didn’t clue you in, IkoMeiro drags its feet quite a bit. It isn’t a story intensive show by any means, but there is still no discernable progress in the show’s run beyond the occasional nod toward a prior event. It isn’t a deal breaker, but at times getting through the series can be quite the slog. Many times, it seems more interested in primping itself than it does in putting on a good show.
Despite being occasionally touted as the next Aria, the similarities are very few, beyond taking place in a European-esque (Actually European in this) city. The characters are different, the “conflicts” are different, the tone and atmosphere are way different… suffice it to say, I just don’t see what the point of IkoMeiro is. Aria was an overly-sugary, optimistic love letter to everyday life that just happened to take place on a terraformed Mars. It had one of the most uplifting, soothing soundtracks I’ve ever heard, a deep appreciation for Venice, and very charming characters that get more than their fair share of screen time.
Ikoku Meiro no Croisee, on the other hand, doesn’t so much revel in its setting as it does loosely acknowledge it through half baked “Look how different Japan and France are!” montages that end up more groan-inducing than funny. I get that the audience is supposed to laugh at characters not using utensils correctly or misinterpreting various myths from the other side of the cultural fissure, but it’s all for naught, swiftly neglected to watch Yune prance around for half the episode or have Alice molest her at every given opportunity.
It may sound like I found these scenes to be absolutely abhorrent, but I just ended up not caring more times than outright thinking that the show could be better. It’s nothing terribly objectionable, but I wouldn’t laud IkoMeiro for it either. The episodes that center on Yune’s culture shock fall flat as a result, especially the one where she’s told not to talk to strangers. She runs in a panicked fury in an attempt to find her way back to Claude’s shop, ignoring the people who have been nothing but friendly to her in the past.
However, one thing I will praise it for is the occasional, subtle nod toward class differences at the time. The fashions, the meals, the more insular nature of the top crust of the Parisian citizenry, all of these are touched on at some point, proving that the wealthy of the time had their own urgent sort of problems to deal with. While it isn’t dwelled on, it’s made well known that money hasn’t bought the children of the rich happiness in any way. Yet, rather than cast pity on them, the series opts to show them in their daily life to be normal people, not so different from the common folk.
The characters are nothing special, Claude being your standard jerk with a heart of gold and Yune assuming the role of poster child of both the smithy and the show. Alice and Oscar are given their fair share of screen time, but all of them pale in comparison to Yune. None of them are particularly interesting, but the relationship between Alice and Yune is quite the treat at times.
Ugh… what else… The city is well animated, I suppose, but it comes across as more of a lifeless prop than a living, breathing city. The music is alright, the character designs are certainly distinctive and almost storybook-like… I think that’s all I can say.
When taking into consideration whether you’ll enjoy this, ask yourself what drew you in: The vague plot synopsis, peer recommendations, or that cute girl in the kimono that everyone keeps raving about. The people in the third camp are much more likely to sit through it than those in the first two. With that said, despite my criticism, I had no problem watching Ikoku Meiro no Croisee. It’s enjoyable, relaxing fluff I likely won’t remember much a year from now, but sometimes that’s all a show needs to do in order to be enjoyed.
LostPerson
Ikoku Meiro or Croisee in a Foreign Labyrinth is a very special anime for me. because this anime is about western culture ,a Japanese girl and the setting is on the Victorian era. Since I'm not a westerner nor a Japanese. although I am Asian this kind of anime is really.. really quite intriguing for me. Foreign Labyrinth is like a candy to the eye for the likes of me. so remember that this review is from a point of view of a person who isn't from a western country nor a Japanese. Story: Set in the 19 century of France. a little Japanese girlname Yune came to France to help to a shop called Enseignes Du Roys. that's all the story of this anime.
What I think this anime is:
the world is still not that globalize. and curiosity of the western culture and eastern culture was still being shared and learned by both parties. in this time, people has no cellphone nor internet or anything that can describe you what country you're going. so, you don't really have a clue on what will you expect when arriving to the destination that your're going in. plus seeing people with different hair color and eyes. the experience is like earth going to Mars. you've heard it but, you don't have a clue what to expect from it when you land on it. it's like going to Atlantis.
Characters:
Claude -Blacksmith - owner of Enseignes Du Roys which is Smithy that makes signs,candle holder, ceiling decorations and etc. for shops and etc.
Yune - Shop Keeper - little cute Japanese girl who wears beautiful kimono while attending Claude's shop. came to France to learn how to attend a french ironwork shop.
Oscar - Claude's grandpa - one that brought Yune to France.
Alice - A rich little girl who is so curious about the eastern culture that it appears like she's obsess by it. (mostly Japanese stuff)
Camille - Alice's big sister. a very fine respectable woman. has glamour and poise.
Art:
art is very good just seeing the buildings in this anime was really so attractive to me. for an outsider like me, who doesn't know about the old France like I said, eye candy for me.
Sound:
sound was also very good the violin and the other instrument in this anime.
gives me the feel of serenity. just hearing it play feels like it takes me to a bar while drinking champagne. very good 10/10
enjoyment :
very good! if you are a person who isn't familiar with Japanese and western culture.
overall:
10/10 baby!
Croisee in a Foreign Labyrinth is not for everyone but to be honest this is one of my favorite anime. so why not try to watch it then you decide : )
if you think it is shit then you are shit too... nah just joking! : )
Jarrbearr
Culture is unique upon one's own setting and which people have pride upon, but when a new culture is introduced clash occurs between the two and the differences need time to settle in. This anime is set in the late 19th century France. The anime shows the culture differences between European and Japanese culture, but shows that they're similar in more ways than you may think. From the outside the anime looks like a typical "moe" with a cute girl, but it offers a lot more to give the viewer entertainment. It's a little slow paced, but really does a good job working with what ithas.
The anime has a story that is nothing new, but it does a good job adding its own touches to distinct it from others. The anime has wonderful art that I enjoyed throughout the entire show. The realistic details that are given to the surroundings and the characters are wonderful. They also tackled both cultures to show the differences and how they relate beautifully and gives a little insight to those who don't know the other culture. The sound was always fitting the mood and made the anime a lot more calm and gave it a nice feeling from start to end. The characters were all unique and had some sort of relation to the development of the story and was really important for the anime to be the anime that it is.
The story in this follows Yune, a Japanese girl, going to 19th century France. It's a basic story that has the concept of a person going to a new land that they're not use to and has to adjust to it. Although the story is nothing new, that doesn't mean it's bad in anyway. The idea of her being introduced to a new culture brings a lot of comedy and realism to how different or how similar cultures can be.
If there's one thing this anime excels in it would be art. The art in this anime is just wonderful. The detail to the buildings and the style of clothes that the characters wore really reflected on the feel that the time period would have given off. Even with the Japanese culture, all the kimonos and the items that are used show excellent detail and really shows the cultures to the fullest. The characters were all drawn really beautifully and actually had really nice art. The quality never did dip which I loved and stayed top quality.
The sound for this anime was something I enjoyed through the entire anime which made it overall better. The background music always fit the mood the anime was trying to give off and complimented it to make it even better. The opening is really peaceful and gives off the right type of mood to start off each episode and really makes you relaxed. The voice actors were wonderful and really portrayed the emotion that the characters were giving off.
The characters are all wonderful and really made the anime what it is. You have Yune who is a girl introduced to a new world, but how did she get there? She got there from a man named Oscar Claudel. He's the father type of person in the anime and gives off the nice mood when needed and tries to help Yune and his grandson Claude whenever help is needed.
Second you have Claude. The grandson of Oscar and is the one who takes care of Yune. His character is built from his past and really shows the precautions he has of a new person being around. His character development is wonderful and really shows growth over the entire anime.
Third you have the Blanche sisters Camille and Alice. Alice is the carefree sister and tends to love having Yune around and playing while learning more about the Japanese culture. Shes more of the comedy character while Camille is the more serious sister. She partakes in all of the family activities and shows some secrets of the past between Claude and her.
The characters are well developed and are interesting due to the fact of the anime having a serious tone in some parts. It adds more depth to the anime and really makes the characters more well rounded and all around better interaction between all of them.
This anime is not a masterpiece, but worth to watch. It combines every element to make beautiful interactions and an overall warm theme. I'd recommend anyone who enjoys historical anime to check this out. Even though the show may seem bland, the anime really steps up and proves its worth.
HidamariSeashore
I think it's a good thing to be 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 everyday 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,but 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 a strong plot to it. I don't think it needs to, though. Like I've said before, it's not everyday that there's an anime that takes place in 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 rather bright, is quite pretty. Satelight has done a good job at animating this. The voice acting also fits each character well. The OP 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 ED, 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 seem to think of one character that was completely unlikable. 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!
AnimeFan500
Ikoku Meiro no Croisee is about a Japanese girl named Yune who moves to France in order to become an apprentice sign/glass maker. We are introduced to Oscar who knows Yune and his grandson Claude- who works at the sign shop. Claude at first didnt' like Yune : ( But he warms up to her. Yune is new to the cultures/customs of France which Oscar and Claude teaches her. It seems Claude is taking an interest in Yune's customs/cultures/way of life in Japan. : ) Perfect slice of Life anime. Thanks Myanimelist : )
VGCKenny
Very few anime can pull off what Ikoku Meiro no Croisee can. It perfectly balances lightheartedness with drama with a cast that's unforgettable, and it just brings about a sense of magic that can be felt fiercely. Story: The story perfectly balances sadness and joy in the environment it is in and has created. The balance transitions very well from the dramatic aspect to the joyful aspect with little to no awkwardness surrounding the situation. The situations themselves aren't sappy or uncreative either. The sad moments are sad and the happy moments are happy. The moments are all full of emotion and just are very greatto watch. The many different situations are all very creative and wonderful. The many aspects of society's ups and downs are very much present and well though out. It also does a good job at expanding the characters and making them come to life with its magic. The cultural difference in the anime is also very balanced. It's there, but it's not forced down your throat either, and as a result you get to enjoy watch the difference in culture, without feeling like it's what the anime focuses on instead of the situations, settings, music, and characters. This story is just great at its balancing act and very creative situations that it just touches your heart.
Characters: The characters in Ikoku Meiro no Croisee are just brilliant. Yune and Claude compliment each other very well as leading roles. Yune's innocence, joy and determination just makes her all that she can be. The fact that she's now in a country that's rather far away from her own doesn't seem to shake her one bit, because she knows to trust people. Now that doesn't men she's stupid by any means. She is a joyful character, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have any other emotions. Quite the contrary actually. Yune does get worried, shocked, scared, and yes sometimes even sad about what's going on. She is a well-rounded character, and should be known as such. Claude on the other hand, isn't a very open character at first. He's stubborn, aggressive, skeptical, and brutish. However overtime, he learns to give up his little insecurities one by one and become more open about himself and his concerns. It is shown he cares about people, but only those he trusts and cares for. Claude's development is justified and understandable.
Now that I've touched on the main cast, the other characters are in need of explanation. Oscar and Alen are more or less comic relief. They're generally seen picking on Claude, or being there joyful selves, they do get worried when something bad happens. Alice is just amazingly over the top. I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to hate her, but she's so over the top that I just find it hilarious. Her antics are just vivid and very funny. Camille is a reserved character that doesn't force herself to be true to herself. While she could have been expanded on just a tad bit, for the most part she is interesting in her development. The vagrant child is a bit of an enigma. While he doesn't talk a lot, he's better that way. We can see his emotion conveyed well, and while we don't know much about his past, I feel it's better when shrouded in mystery. Overall, the characters are just amazing and well thought out a lot.
Art: The art is just perfect. The settings and backgrounds are well thought out and designed flawlessly, so it looks amazingly real. The character design also works really well, in the sense that it has a lot of thought and talent put into it. It looks real. The art is just very realistic and amazing. You can see that they didn't waste effort making it.
Music: The music is just pure magic. It sets the mood of the anime very well, and it fits perfectly with the surrounding. It has that touch of subtlety that makes it more grand. It works at conveying the emotions perfectly and it is just amazing.
Overall: Ikoku Meior no Corisse is just a fantastic anime. It is just beyond awesome. Its story is heart felt but fun, the characters are creative but human, the art is captivating and the music is just fun. It's really hard not to like this anime.
gamejok3r
Ikoku Meiro No Croisee is a beautifully told story which was matched by a wonderful artistic flair, and an emotional roller coaster between the characters. The plot, posted on MAL, told that Yune was brought to help out in 1800s France, and though it was correct the story took a far different twist then I thought it would. Instead of focusing on the struggles with a language barrier, different beliefs, food, and more it instead focused on the people. It is not that the series completely ignored those facts, it just transended the obvious, glazing over them and diving into how people of completelydifferent worlds interact and grow. This fact made it much more interesting on a social and emotional level then focusing on the struggles could have ever done.
The art work was masterfully done. It was light and elegant just like Yune the small soft spoken Japanese girl. It was as if the artist was able to draw from the prospective of Yune, and tell the story through her eyes with his drawings. The buildings which depicted marvelous works of western architecture were beautifully reconstructed as if new just like they would have appeared in the 1800s. The soft lines made a realistic yet almost dreamlike world which I could only assume is exactly how a person from such a different place would describe it in words.
In Ikoku Meiro No Croisee the characters were key, because this story depicted their differences and how they could interact despite the vast cultural divide covering, foreign, peasant, commoner, and even the wealthy aristocratics. All of the cast was well depicted and you felt how they felt as they took common courtesies and traditions for granted, and slowly they began to realize that their courtesies and traditions are not shared by the world. As they grew together I felt as though my eyes were being opened outside my world as well as I grew a bit with them through them realizing their differences.
I really enjoyed this series all the way through however the final episode though showing great character growth seemed to leave alot of loose ends especially with a few key characters. I will do without more specifics than that as I do not want to spoil this artistic work of art for any of you out there looking into watching it. If you like sweet stories of relationships you will definitely enjoy this series.
Rating 8/10
POSTED BY @GameJok3r
aiou
Yune may be small but in my opinion she is one of the most strongest female characters that I've seen to date. Going to a foreign land which you only see on books and stories and working there leaving everything including your family behind is one of the bravest things that not everyone can do. I just wished this anime had a second season because I feel that the story was not finished and there are many MANY more rooms for character development between the whole cast. I am thinking of reading the adaptations but it seems the manga is not finished and decided towait for it to finish. Backgrounds are beautiful and captures the whole classic Paris vibe though on certain scenes there is a feel of sadness and gloom to it. Also the character proportions are insane lol Yune is too small even for a 13 year old Japanese. Soundtracks are very lovely and laid back. It helps of contrasting a sad episode and making a happy episode feel that you are in heaven already. I enjoyed my weekly dose of Yune when i watched this series and is very much missing her now
Saiberia
In Paris, a little girl from Japan has just arrived. Her existence isn't widely known, however those who do know of her, are touched by her being. Every once in a while, you'll come across a very melancholy or nostalgic anime, something that touches your heart in a certain way. Its a little slower than most, however thats something that this anime relies quite heavily on. The fact that all the characters are taking life day-by-day. The story was rather simple, and it was supposed to be. It was a character analysis type of anime, delving into the hearts of each individual and finding out whatexactly makes them tick, and how they grew emotionally.
The art in this anime was beautiful, smooth animation with a softer set of colors, nothing too flashy (unless of course, it was Alice.). It was soothing to the eye, and is reminiscent to reading a good book on a rainy afternoon. The music went perfectly with the overall theme, and at the beginning and middle of each episode they'd add French phrases, which added much to the overall atmosphere/immersion effect.
Overall this deserves an 8.4.
From episode one, it was easy to develop a liking to the main character; Yune. A charming little girl from Japan, curiously exploring France. We see the Parisian lifestyle through the eyes of a little girl, and a little foreign girl to boot. Through her eyes, everything is new and wondrous, a magical land in a faraway place. The supporting cast is charming in their ways as well. They're all flawed, very human characters, and one by one you delve into their hearts, their pasts, what drives them. And this is what makes this anime special. The ability to fully humanize its cast, and successfully create a hypothetical cultural clash.
WildNeptune
Ikoku Meiro no Croisée is a touching slice of life anime based in 19th century France. The theme is largely about understanding those different from you and learning to appreciate what makes each person unique. The set up for the show is a young Japanese girl named Yune being sent to a shop in France to work as a "sign girl". Her primary goal is the upkeep of the store and to bring in customers. Both Yune and Claude Claudel (best name ever) start out in complete contrast to each other. One of the huge problems with Yune is that she has no real aspirationsor relateable goals to the viewer. A comparable show, like Aria, the main character had a clearly defined goal and noticeable growth. Yune lacks both of these.
Claude on the other hand has a lot of back story and development. The issue here is that not a lot of it gets resolved and you're basically left wondering how things are going to get resolved. He basically has some sort of ties to everything in the show. Every character adds to Claude's development in some way or the other.
It's worth noting that the primary supporting character, Alice, while not a bad character in any way (she actually has a more clearly defined drive than Yune), completely changes the feel of the show when she's introduced. It goes from a two guys being fatherly like figures to Yune to a type of rivalry between Alice (the rich) and Claude (the working man).
The show does have pacing issues. It seems to introduce one problem and move onto another before something really gets fully resolved. On an individual basis each episode is actually very enjoyable, but as a whole package you're left wanting more.
Ikoku Meiro no Croisée turns out to be a pretty good show that could have used more time to flesh out the cast. While it has strong development and realistic characters, the execution is rather weak.
AeroGunz
“Ikoku Meiro no Croisée The Animation” is what happens when you make a show with an interesting premise but simplify it to the most bare bones, feel good and naive things You can. A young japanese girl named Yune arrives in Paris. Brought in by Oscar, she is to become a live-in maid for a small blacksmith / metal craft shop that is run mainly by his grandson - Claude. From that day she discovers new things in an unknown place and makes Claude’s life a little more “interesting”. Yeah, that’s it.It’s a slice of life show so don’t expect an overarching plot or even a maingoal for the characters. They are just living their lives in a seemingly peaceful way. There is a little bit of drama in all this but it’s resolved pretty fast.
As for the main cast:
Yune - 15 year old Japanese girl who came to France with Oscar. Why? Don’t know, that’s not really revealed even in the later episodes. She’s the main source of fluff and the reason why You should check Your sugar level after each episode. She adapts rather quickly to her new surroundings and even gets something that could almost be called a friend… if You’re naive enough.
Claude Claudel - A young man working at the metal crafting shop and takes care of Yune. He creates signs and other things made from metal. He is the third generation working in this shop. Despite benign 17 he can be pretty cold and dry to Yune and other people. Especially those who he doesn’t trust. At the end of the day he cares about Yune and even when he’s harsh to her he mostly does it out of care and not malice.
Oscar - Caude’s grandfather with a pretty huge wanderlust. It is on one of his travels that he meets Yune and takes her back with him. He’s mostly easy going, has terrible luck with women and seemingly doesn’t like to work.
Alice Blanche - the most annoying character in the show by far. She’s obsessed with Japan and Yune. To be honest I thought the show would make her redeemable but no. From start to finish she’s just an obnoxious cunt that treats Yune more like a fascinating plaything than a person. She’s not malicious in it, she’s written in a way that suggests she doesn't even notice that and thinks she’s just friends with Yune. Unlikable as hell.
Now that we know the cast I want to say something.
Despite being in a foreign land Yune’s culture shock is mostly used in the most generic and lazy way possible. Yes she learns about differences in food, that people in Paris are colder than in japan (according to her anyway) she doesn’t really adapt or fight it. It’s just there. There is only one moment when she actually listens to Caude’s warning and that’s the only moment when she actually doesn’t have to. It’s a bit of a wasted potential to show how someone from a totally different background adapts to her new life but I guess there were more important things for the authors.
What really disappointed me was the fact that the show sets up pretty good dramas between characters and then either totally forgets about them or resolves them in a two minute monologue. Not even a conversation. I would love to see a proper development and resolution to some of the Claude-Yune frictions and even more the Calude-Camille one. I get it, it’s an episodic slice of life / Iyashikei show. But then why set those up?
What the show does rather freely is make Yune act like a little kid. Seriously she’s 15 but mostly acts like a 5 year old. She smiles, laughs, cries and the show uses all those to make her as sweet as possible. She can’t even be afraid without looking like something that should make You take insulin. The show doesn’t hide the fact that most of the things that happen, happen because Yune needs something to do and not because of any kind of logic. It’s not bad per se, but some of the situations are so dumb and naive that I had problems suspending my disbelief.
I think the saddest part of all this is that despite Yune having some pretty interesting interactions and adventures she doesn’t really grow through the show. Apart from maybe benign more forward to people she doesn’t change her attitude or behaviour in any way.
All in all it’s not a bad show. If You’re a fan of Iyashikei You can actually find it entertaining. There are some sombre tones but most of the show is pretty calm and peaceful, even if Alice can turn Yune’s day into a rollercoaster.
tsujiri
I see a kimono, I click. Animax's description said "Japanese culture gains popularity in the West", which was grossly inaccurate of what actually transpired. So let me break it down for you real quick: 8 year old* Japanese child moves to Paris in hopes of 'studying abroad' all things French. Instead, she becomes an au pair (domestic helper who is typically unpaid) to a working-class family on the verge of bankruptcy. Every episode is filled with culture shock, subtle racial discrimination, and abuse from her host family. Whether you choose to watch this series is totally up to you, and there are many parts that are enjoyable- but I feel all viewers should be aware of the above, instead of being completely deceived like I was. Honestly, the initial description led me to expect affection and admiration of Japanese culture. And Japanese products to be in high-demand by all of society. Which already happens today in certain niche social groups as we know - and may even be a part of. But like, I thought it would be fun (if not fascinating) to see it happen in 18th - 19th century, and more importantly, the kind of art and goods being exchanged through foreign trade.
So, on that front, if you were expecting similar things, you're gonna be in for a huge disappointment. Avoid watching this at all costs. This anime is for Francophiles and fans of Les Miserables. It's hardly about Japan.
The rest of my review will contain SPOILERS, so stop reading here if you don't want to know the rest.
Things I enjoyed:
1) Alice.
My favourite character by far, and a girl after my own heart. We both collect very expensive Japanese furniture, accessories, and other traditional art (though I don't think chiyogami paper was available to France back then). It was like watching myself on screen, except Alice is much prettier.
Even if she made several cultural faux pas, you gotta give the girl A+ for effort! There's not many people who are that hardworking at understanding a foreign culture. It provided a lot of hilarious moments that are just cute, rather than feeling like any kind of cultural appropriation - especially because Alice corrects herself once she realizes she's in the wrong. Alice grows. She learns. She changes and begins treating a lot of people better as the anime goes on, and has an excellent character arc.
2) The art style
The anime's art style is undeniably good, and the color palette is slightly more muted (2011 timing, perhaps) to give it a softer, vintage look in many scenes. I would even describe the art as 'faded,' color tones. Though I was expecting a lot more designs on the clothing front (especially for yukatas and kimonos), there were still sufficient designs to keep my gaze satisfied.
3) Alan (side character)
The most underrated supporting character. He has so few lines throughout the series, but the ones he does have are simply priceless.
4) Camille
I wasn't sure how to feel about her in that one episode... but after we learned more about her. Wow, I'm in love. While she could've been better at communicating her external restrictions/rules to Claude, I still think she's awesome and deserves the very best. A lot better than Claude, but, despite that, I ship them hard and still hope they'll be together because I want Camille to be happy.
5) The thief/homeless child
I liked that they showed that. Up until that episode, I had been wondering 'Wow, I guess they're just gonna gloss over the high crime rate and awful people in Paris,' because it's pretty common for people to romanticize Paris. This incident was refreshing, even if still unrealistic with everyone being one skin color... that one's probably a historic anime problem we know about though.
6) Yune explaining the 'customer first' mentality
I thoroughly enjoyed a lot of her explanations on the culture of putting others first, consideration for the public or community good, and being helpful, even to strangers. A lot of her community-driven values can definitely be seen in other cultures across the world. So it was nice to watch her debate with Claude, whose words reflected typically Western concepts such as individualism, freedom, and a self-centric mentality.
Things I did not enjoy:
I loved this anime starting out. I'm a naturally sensitive person, but it shocked even me to cry during the first episode of an anime. I thought this series must be something special, and I couldn't wait to watch more of the heartfelt, warm, feelings that come from Yune trying her best against adversity. I was ready to give this anime a 10/10.
But, solely because of Claude, I'm lowering it to a 7.
At first, his hardworking attitude makes grandpa look bad, but as the episodes go on, it's clear who is the real villian at work here. I don't know what I would do with someone so rude, brutish, insecure, abusive, egotistical, and bitter in real life. Not to mention he's an emotionally disturbed pedophile. And no, I'm not saying that because of the la bise. Everything else.
I would struggle between calling the therapist or the cops, lol.
He behaves like an ultra-possesive boyfriend towards Yune, and then abuses her daily. Her developing Stockholm syndrom doesn't help either. It gets tiring - and loathsome - to watch. His complete cynicism towards the world may be a survival habit, but everything else? His obstinate ignorance and intolerance towards anyone not like him...? Even if he has good moments, it's just difficult to like him when his cons outweigh the pros.
And the worst part is that, unlike Alice or even Camille, he does not change throughout the series. His character development is weak at best, changing from racist intolerance to indifference, if you can call that progress. It's a pity that the anime chooses to portray him as the hero, when really, he's more of a selfish predator who projects all his fears and aggression towards everyone around him. God help him, he won't accept help from anyone.
*I only discovered while writing the review, that Yune is actually 13 years old. Which isn't mentioned in the anime, and with her apperance and overall plot points (ABC book, anyone?), it's not very believable to me. Mentally and physically, I think she is 8 - 10 years old, definitely not past 11. Even if she were older, the dynamic between her and Claude is still extremely disturbing. Not a fan.
chichiriNoDa
OK you've probably read the other reviews and you have a definite opinion whether this series is worth your time. But still I just want to share my two cents, as this is the first anime I've watched in its entirety after a long hiatus on anime. Croisee in a Foreign Labyrinth is a Slice of Life series that revolves around Yune - a japanese girl that was given privilenge to live in Paris, France in the late 19th century. Well this series is definitely right for my cup of tea since I tend to like slow paced series. But Croisee lacks something that the otherslice of series has, and unfortunately it lacks a story. Of course I know that most "slice of life" genre doesn't have a particular story rather a collection of everyday instances in the main characters life.
In Croisee though, instead on focusing on Yune's everyday life in Paris we are given an insight on the cultural clash between Japanese & French customs. It's very informative but most of the time it just felt that the series tried too much too be angsty that sometimes its gets irritating. Almost the entire series focuses on such values that you are better of reading a book on Japanese customs.
The series did a pretty good job developing a Parisian backdrop, but as I said, Croisee's main focus is to show you the different perspective of a two different culture. It's nice that we get to be informed but then again sometimes it presents a rather redundant subject.
While the series tried to give Yune, Claude & Camille a deeper story it was a little to late since it was presented in the last couple of episodes. A would like to see a season 2 of this so that we could've a much better resolution behind these characters pasts. But until then this series is lukewarm.
Unlike Natsume Yuujinchou or Mushishi - slice of life series that can have a single episode to be a stand alone story. Or even Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou that gives you the "mono no aware" or nostalgic/sentiment feelings. Croisee chose to focused on the cultural clashes that it forgot to create an actual story. It took almost the entire series to have Yune get accustomed to her new surroundings that by the time the "cultural problems" were settled it was too late to introduced a deeper stories to its characters.
The animation is nice though. It's still a pretty decent anime if you run out of something to watch as 12 episode is just a breeze to devour. It's relaxing but then again don't expect to have a character driven series instead a cultural lessons.
LONABABERY
I love to known more about Yune and Claude latter on. Like they go out, Yune is to small I wonder how old is she. Overall everything was awsome.
Yui_Haruna
This is pretty different from other animes and mangas when it comes to plot. I enjoyed most of the chapters, which is pretty hard when you know everything almost from the manga. The design of the characters let me a little disapointed, after seeing the job of Hinata-sensei in the manga, but that doesn´t mean they aren´t enjoyable. Also, the relationships are deep and well-built,and the personalities are pretty funny in a way. The music isn´t something that let me in awe, but it´s pretty good (my favorite is the ending) and accomplish it´s purpose very well. The title and the introduction are told in french, what it´sa ¨well-done¨ from the guys of Satelight, as it gives the animation a touch of originality. Each chapter ends with the image frozen, giving you the feeling of a picture book full of tales.
What I liked the most was to see how the relationship betwen Claude and Yune slowly evolves. Seeing how hard was it for Claude to get a hold of Yune´s habits and way of thinking, and how the hig-spirited Yune tries hard to acustom herself to life in Paris, doing her best and wanting to help everyone, while they slowly start to know and understand each other, makes it a rather enjoyable story.
It´s one of those storyes that you usually don´t find and that, if can be seen in a go, also are good in little pieces.
