Les Misérables Shoujo Cosette - Ep 01
Nippon Animation’s anime adaptation of Les Miserables currently does look good. It’s definitely targeted towards kids, there’s no denying that. But I’m very sure it’ll be good enjoyment for adults. Even the first episode was well done.
We’re introduced to fantine and her daughter cosette. They’ve moved from Paris after Fantine’s husband died, and are trying to look for a job in a new town. However, each time on the mention of Cosette, Fantine would get rejected. It’s tough for a single mom with a child to find a job.
In the end, they meet a couple who own an inn. The couple offer to take Cosette in and look after her, while Fantine looks for a job. For a small fee of course. Fantine reluctantly agrees, leaving Cosette in their care. Unknown to her though, the couple are mean to treat Cosette as a slave.
Thus Fantine leaves for Montreuil, where she heard from the baker earlier that there’s a factory with lots of jobs. Arriving at the town, Fantine hears of Madeleine, who arrived 3 years ago and set up a very prosperous factory. Madeleine is now the Mayor of the town as well.
Suddenly, a boy appears stealing a loaf of bread. He is chased by the store owner until he bumps into a big sized man, who saves him from being beaten. The man turns out to be Madeleine, who forcibly brings the boy back home. There, the boy is offered bread, as well as bread for his family. Madeleine asks the boy to return the next day, and ends up reflecting about a past, where his name was Jean Valjean.
Fantine does get a job at the factory, however, we see how Cosette is now mistreated.
Thoughts
My heart ached abit actually, thinking about how tough life was in the past, especially for someone of Fantine’s status. The decisions that one had to made are often so cruel as well.
If this is the type of anime the series is going to be, I think I would like it a lot, touching on many different social issues. (sorry, I totally have no idea what the Les Miserables story is about)
The scenery is animated very colorfully. Cosette is incredibly cute as well. Quite lovely really, looks like something that can be recommended based on the first episode alone. The ED was quite touching for me as well, as someone who lost his mom when young too.
“It’s definitely targeted towards kids, there’s no denying that.”
All I can say is: don’t conclude this too easily.
Glad to see that you decided to blog this series. It’s going to be really good in the next couple of episodes. And yes, Cosette is incredibly cute. ^^
I meant in terms of presentation style. E.g. the character design and pace of the story.
I can feel that the themes are incredibly serious already though.
You’re right though, I shall see how it goes
It is so interesting they decided to make a show of Cosette’s part in the story. i have read the novel as well as seen the movie. although i have not seen this show from the summary, it seems to be similar and different. of course there some things that have to be changed in order to make it suitable for children but some of the summary seems right on track with the book. however there seems to be a lot changed (because this part in cosette’s life is not the main feature of the book) also there might be characters added that are not even in the novel? who is that boy supposed to be? does marius feature in this because there was one picture that looked like it could be him
The show is planned to last 52 episodes. It will ceartainly arrive at marius at some stage, if they have any sense at all. whether or not they (misguidedly, in my opinion) introduce marius earlier and try to do that, I don’t know. I really like the story of Les Mis, and I think it’s great that they are doing this. I’ll be a bit miffed if, for the sake of appealing to a slightly broader audience in term of ranges, they tone down the death, prostitution and general poverty of the characters involved. I also hope they don’t underestimate the importance of the bishop, and remove him completely.
From what I can see, they seem to have loosely based the characters appearance on the costumes from the stage show. I may well be wrong, but I adore the musical so that does seem likely to me.
S