Fictional characters who can see spirits, ghosts and all manner of monsters are pretty common particularly for people like me who watch a lot of supernatural stories. Despite that Mieruko-Chan still managed to feel not entirely derivative and delivered an interesting enough first episode as viewers are introduced to Miko, a seemingly calm high school student, who we learn throughout the episode is able to see some fairly grotesque creatures.
Actually, Miko kind of reminded me of some of the flash-backs we have of Natsume (from Natsume Yuujinchou) when he’s in middle-school and trying to pretend he doesn’t see anything because he’s kind of grown up enough to realise that people won’t believe him anyway and it just draws attention to himself.
Mieruko-Chan delivered a measured first episode.
Despite the comedy tag attached to Mieruko-Chan, this first episode seemed very grounded as we were slowly drawn into Miko’s current situation. I loved the opening with the girl running in horror and the ghost emerging from the fridge before we get a blood-curdling scream and then realise we’re watching a TV horror special. Though points to whoever provided that scream because that was one nicely delivered shriek.
Much of the rest of the episode has Miko going to school, eating with her friend Hana before walking home. It’s kind of at that point the episode decides to switch things up. Until Miko returns to the school realising she’s lost her key-chain, we had some atmospheric elements like a potential handprint appearing on a mirror and crows cawing loudly but nothing that really indicated a true supernatural presence.
After Miko leaves the school, this changes entirely.
What sells the scene at the bus-stop where the audience becomes very aware that there is in fact a supernatural element at play in Mieruko-Chan is Miko’s reaction. Her initial shock at the phone hijinks is quickly masked by a cool and calm expression but after the apparition apparently gives up asking her if she can see it, we realise Miko’s internal freak-out.
There are three further ghostly encounters before the episode end and Miko remains solid as the protagonist as she becomes increasingly rattled but tries to maintain her calm-exterior.
Its an interesting premise and you have to wonder whether Miko can maintain her pretence of not seeing or what the reaction of the creatures will be if she continues to ignore them. There’s also another girl at school who appears briefly and was in the promotional images who will probably get involved or know something about the ghosts when she does join in with the main group.
However, as much as I liked the premise here and really enjoyed the main character, so far the comedy element is either lacking or is a female supporting character with physics defying breasts supposed to count as comedy? Or is it the fact that we get three separate scenes where the camera angle focuses squarely on Miko’s legs/thighs/butt as she bends over or walks away.
As much as horror and sexualising female characters have kind of gone together forever, in this first episode of Mieruko-Chan the scenes seemed out of place and more like an after-thought. Or perhaps as though they weren’t convinced that an intriguing premise and interesting female protagonist wouldn’t be enough to carry the audience’s interest if we didn’t also see her butt wiggling in the air as she fished her key-chain out from under the teacher’s desk.
That said, there’s a lot to enjoy in this first episode and a lot of potential for Miko and Hana as characters. I’m looking forward to what Mieruko-chan does next.
You can read the full season review here.
Images from: Mieruko-Chan. Dir. Y Ogawa. Passione. 2021
Thank-you for reading 100 Word Anime.
Join the discussion in the comments.
Karandi James
Keen to see how Mieruko deals with things as they escalate over the episodes – I’m definitely interested.
The fan-service feels shoe-horned in pretty clumsily but I’m interested in the overall premise enough to keep watching at least episodes 1-3 for sure.
Honestly, Mieruko-Chan is one of the anime I’m most enjoying this season. Sure the fan-service element isn’t particularly well done, but Miko has been great to get to know and I’m finding they’ve put quite a bit of thought into keeping each situation feeling fresh.
One thing I really liked about the show was how matter-of-fact Miko’s family relations are. Anime tends to either provide an idyll, or over-the-top zaniness. This seems quite normal by comparison. You need that backdrop, for the creepiness to work, I think.
Yeah, the fanservice is distracting, and I sort of wish it wasn’t there. Around 10 years ago, my auto-anime filter would have easily taken care of it, but fanservice has changed in type since then (e.g. fewer panty shots, more panning, etc.). The fanservice feels like a relic, and I’m no longer immune. (I notice that sort of stuff, too, when I watch older shows – around 2010; this gave me similar vibes.)
All in all, I quite like the show. The slice of life is good, the ghosts are creepy, and episode 2 mixes things up enough for me to think the show’s got decent worldbuilding, too. It’s probably going to be one of the better shows this season. (I didn’t reply to the hero-party show, mostly because I’ve already forgotten most of it, by the time I read your post).
I quite liked this as well and I agree with you on ep 2. My review of that is coming. Miko and the way she reacts really does sell this for me and while the fan service is there and noticeable, there’s enough that I really like about this show and the fan service isn’t off putting enough that I would consider not watching.
I literally laughed my ass off at this episode. It started out quite creepy, but then every time a ghost showed up and was like “hellooo! Can you see me?” And she was “oh, I must reply to my friend” or “there’s something in my eye.”
Not sure how long before that gets old though. It was very funny though.
I watched the second ep last night and it worked for me. I am kind of more hopeful about the series not getting stale after that.
I share your concern over the fan servicey close up shots of Meiru’s body, especially the scene when she was on her knees and they made sure her pyjama bottoms were as tight as possible to titillate without actually exposing her. Not needed! 🙁
We have a couple of “I can see ghosts!” anime this year. IMHO, Mieruko-Chan is the better of the two.
I am worried about how long this concept can remain interesting for. It was definitely a solid first episode.
Just watched episode one. This is a classic case where the fan service detracted from the plot.
It makes me wonder. If I were watching this with a person not familiar with anime and its childish obsession with crotch shots and camel toes, what would they think of me? Would I be able to explain to them that the fan service is the worst part of the show that I try to ignore in order to see the better part?