Shonen Maid (少年メイド) is a 12 episode slice of life comedy based on the manga of the same name by Ototachibana. The series aired on TV in Japan over the Spring of 2016.
Komiya Chihiro finds himself an orphan following the sudden death of his mother. Before he can figure out what to do a man claiming to be his mothers younger brother, Takatori Madoka, but he is leery at first. His uncle lives by himself is an enormous mansion, a stark contrast to the modest apartment Chihiro shared with his mother. Madoka, who's designs clothing for a living, is a bit of a scatter brained slob. Chihiro's mother raised him to be particular about cleanliness and valuing labor. His habits kick in and he begins to clean the mansion. Madoka, using Chihiro's anti-freeloader hang ups, bargains with him that he can stay in the house and work off the 'debt' by being his new house keeper. Chihiro agrees but is sidelined when Madoka forces him to wear a frilly maid outfit.
Thus Chihiro's life with his estranged uncle begins. His mother had been exiled from her family when she became pregnant, so until her death he knew nothing about any family beyond her. While strikingly different from his mother, Chihiro begins to see Madoka as family and someone to replace the void of his lost mother. Madoka on the other hand grows fond of his nephew as he is alone and distant from his parents. If only Chihiro could convince Madoka to clean up after himself...
What started out as a lame premise for a series turned into a rather touching slice of life story. The idea of Chihiro being a frilly maid makes only a small blip in the over all series, instead it focuses on the two characters learning to live with each other while growing reluctantly close. There are some standard comedy antics and character types but they seem more like add ons than attempts to drive the show or its audience. It could have focused on Chihiro trying to hide his maid outfit secret for the entire thing, setting him up in rote situations where his secret will be revealed, but it chooses not too. Instead it uses plot devices to show the bond growing between the two characters, with a little help from the extra's. The artwork is good but the character designs are mid-grade and well enough for the series. It doesn't detract of enhance the show. Beyond that there is not much to saw. The show was better than I expected and worth the time.
It was simulcast on FUNimation and we should expect a video release in the future. There are no plans known for an American release of the manga though.
Komiya Chihiro finds himself an orphan following the sudden death of his mother. Before he can figure out what to do a man claiming to be his mothers younger brother, Takatori Madoka, but he is leery at first. His uncle lives by himself is an enormous mansion, a stark contrast to the modest apartment Chihiro shared with his mother. Madoka, who's designs clothing for a living, is a bit of a scatter brained slob. Chihiro's mother raised him to be particular about cleanliness and valuing labor. His habits kick in and he begins to clean the mansion. Madoka, using Chihiro's anti-freeloader hang ups, bargains with him that he can stay in the house and work off the 'debt' by being his new house keeper. Chihiro agrees but is sidelined when Madoka forces him to wear a frilly maid outfit.
Thus Chihiro's life with his estranged uncle begins. His mother had been exiled from her family when she became pregnant, so until her death he knew nothing about any family beyond her. While strikingly different from his mother, Chihiro begins to see Madoka as family and someone to replace the void of his lost mother. Madoka on the other hand grows fond of his nephew as he is alone and distant from his parents. If only Chihiro could convince Madoka to clean up after himself...
What started out as a lame premise for a series turned into a rather touching slice of life story. The idea of Chihiro being a frilly maid makes only a small blip in the over all series, instead it focuses on the two characters learning to live with each other while growing reluctantly close. There are some standard comedy antics and character types but they seem more like add ons than attempts to drive the show or its audience. It could have focused on Chihiro trying to hide his maid outfit secret for the entire thing, setting him up in rote situations where his secret will be revealed, but it chooses not too. Instead it uses plot devices to show the bond growing between the two characters, with a little help from the extra's. The artwork is good but the character designs are mid-grade and well enough for the series. It doesn't detract of enhance the show. Beyond that there is not much to saw. The show was better than I expected and worth the time.
It was simulcast on FUNimation and we should expect a video release in the future. There are no plans known for an American release of the manga though.
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