As we move into Day 9 of the 12 Days of Anime I have realised just how many amazing characters there are that I never really focus on for my blog. I’ve really enjoyed visiting with these characters each day and am glad they’ve each had a moment to shine. Day 8 turned to Lin from Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens but today we are going to focus on someone who has a smile that can make you melt and will take care of you when you are sick, help you when you are down, and stand back and let you go when you need to move forward. Yes, we are turning our attention to the amazing Akari from March Comes in Like a Lion.
Akari is an amazing character and one I regularly overlook because with Rei and Hina to talk about, and even Shimada who was visited early in the 12 Days, Akari just doesn’t get a look in. But that really isn’t fair as she is the back bone of the family and the one who’s words reach both Rei and Hina at their lowest moments. She sits on the side of so much of the story but without her these other characters would not be the people that they are.
It was Akari who saved Rei in the very beginning when he was taken out and drank. Akari was the one who forcibly invited Rei over for dinner so many times, confronting him and making him face people. She was the one who nursed him when he was sick. When Hina wanted to make a lunch box for a boy, Akari was the one who first gave advice and then stepped back and let Hina take charge of the situation as she needed to, but provided comfort for her when it didn’t go well. And it was Akari who tried to deal with the bullying situation at school as Hina’s guardian.
Akari is a source of endless strength and warmth. Her few moments of weakness, where she doubts and questions herself are understandable, and make her even more endearing. Her masterful cooking and ability to help her grandfather, her aunt, and both her sisters, should certainly be recognised as should her effort and good spirit.
For all that I haven’t given Akari enough attention, I really think that needs to end. Akari is not just an awesome character, she’s the big sister all of us want and at some point in our lives needed.
Thank you Akari for being you.
Thanks for reading
Karandi James
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March Comes in Like a Lion Akari Kawamoto
There’s very few care givers I’ve seen in anime are quite as good as Akari. They typically get overshadowed, or just don’t have much to them. I also overlook her among the sea of great characters in March Comes In Like A Lion.
Actually, I’ve often wondered why Rei didn’t choose to pursue Akari. Likely because he thinks she’s just so far out of his league–I really doubt that the age difference would bother him much. And her character really complements his own, quietly lending him strength even while pushing him into a certain assertiveness. And there have been moments in the show when it seemed that Akari might not be averse to Rei’s having an interest in her, although once Hina expressed interest in Rei, those fleeting moments all but vanished. . .
It’s an interesting question as to why Rei and Akari was never really a thing. That said, I love Rei and Hina moments so as much as I love Akari as a character, I’m glad things have gone the way they have.
A great character getting lost in a storm of other great characters is the curse that March Comes in like a Lion has to bare and that is ok.
Really could have done 12 days of just March characters. They all deserve it.
Yeah, what both of you said.