Okay, let's talk about Akari Kawamoto from March Comes in Like a Lion. Specifically, let's talk about... my unpopular opinion about her.
Brace yourselves, March Comes in Like a Lion fans. I said what I said.
Is Akari Overrated? Hear Me Out!
I know, I know. Everyone loves Akari. She's the sweet, motherly figure who takes care of Rei and her sisters. She's basically a saint!
But... is she too perfect? Is she just... a little boring?
The "Perfect" Caretaker
Look, I appreciate Akari's kindness. I really do. She's always there to offer food, a shoulder to cry on, and endless support.
It's like, wow, Akari, you're so amazingly selfless and you spend your days taking care of everyone else. How do you do it? Teach me!
But where's the flaw? Where's the edge? Where's the thing that makes her feel like a real, complicated human being?
The Other Sisters Get More... Action
Hinata, the middle sister, is struggling with bullying. Momo, the youngest, is adorable and hilarious, but also throws tantrums. They have stuff going on!
Akari just... exists to make everyone else's lives better. Which is great, but not exactly compelling television, right?
It's like she exists to fix other people and doesn't have her own problems that isn't related to other people. Tell me one of her big struggles without saying Rei or her sisters.
Maybe It's the Expectations
Maybe I'm being unfair. Maybe my expectations are too high.
But in a show filled with such wonderfully flawed and complex characters, Akari's near-perfection stands out. And not in a good way, for me, at least.
Like, I understand the author wants to give us all a big sister figure, but at the very least, maybe give her a funny character trait or two!
I Still Like Her (A Little)
Don't get me wrong. I don't hate Akari. I just think she's a bit... bland.
She's like the vanilla ice cream in a sundae filled with hot fudge, sprinkles, and whipped cream. Necessary? Maybe. Exciting? Not so much.
She serves her purpose, and I respect her for it.
So, What's the Point?
The point is, sometimes the characters we're supposed to love just don't resonate with everyone.
And that's okay! We can still appreciate the show as a whole, even if we have different opinions about individual characters.
This doesn't discredit March Comes in Like a Lion in any way. It's a masterpiece.
Let's Talk About It!
Am I completely off base here? Do you think Akari is a perfectly nuanced and fascinating character?
Let me know in the comments! I'm ready for the backlash.
Maybe I'll even change my mind... eventually. But for now, I stand by my unpopular opinion: Akari is a tad overrated.
