A thorough review of the "Kobato" bonus video, "Kobato's First Time"!

The appeal and reviews of "Kobato. Bonus video: My First Kobato."

"Kobato. Bonus Video: My First Kobato" is a mini flash animation based on CLAMP's popular manga "Kobato.", with a total of five episodes released between January 29th and May 28th, 2010. This work was provided as a bonus video included in the DVD limited edition of "Kobato." volumes 1-5, making it a special content for fans. Below, we will introduce the appeal and reviews of this work, as well as related information, in detail.

Overview

Kobato. Bonus Video: My First Kobato. is released in OVA format and is inspired by CLAMP's Kobato. and Wish. Directed by Masuhara Mitsuyuki, animated by Madhouse, and produced by Kobato. Protection Society. Each episode is short, about 5 minutes long, but still manages to capture the world of the original work.

story

The main character, Kobato, is an unidentified girl who is said to have a place she wants to go. In order to get there, she must collect people's wounded hearts in a "bottle." Kobato collects healed hearts in the form of pieces similar to konpeitō candy, and places them in the bottle. The story unfolds at a nursery school where Kobato happens to help out. Due to some troubles, the nursery school is in danger of being closed down, but together with a young man named Fujimoto whom she meets there, Kobato struggles to save it. The true identity of Ioryogi, the mysterious stuffed animal who guides Kobato, is also an important element of the story.

character

Kobato (voiced by Kana Hanazawa) is a fashionable and cute girl with a mission to collect broken hearts in a bottle while healing them. Her purity and kindness are the central charm of the work. Ioryogi (voiced by Toru Inada) is a talking stuffed dog that guides Kobato. He is a foul-mouthed but humorous character, and his dialogue with Kobato is fun. Kiyokazu Fujimoto (voiced by Tomoaki Maeno) is a young man who works at a nursery school, and his relationship with Kobato has a great influence on the progress of the story. Other characters with unique personalities include the director of the nursery school, Kiyoka Okiura (voiced by Fumiko Orikasa), the manager of the apartment where Kobato is staying, Chitose Mihara (voiced by Houko Kuwashima), the twin sisters Chiho and Chiyo Mihara (voiced by Megumi Nakajima), and Kohaku (voiced by Chiwa Saito), an angel from heaven.

Production Staff

Many talented staff members were involved in the production of this work. Director Masuhara Mitsuyuki is well-known for his work on the screen adaptations of CLAMP's works, and his skills are on full display in this work. The series is composed by Yokote Michiko and Okawa Nanase, animation supervision by Asaka Morio, character design by Kato Hiromi, animation director Tasaki Satoshi, art director Ueno Hideyuki, and color design by Ohno Harue, bringing together professionals from various fields. The music is also by Hatakeshi, adding to the atmosphere of the work.

Evaluation and Appeal

"Kobato. Bonus Video: My First Kobato" is a must-see for fans of the original work. Though it is short, it captures the worldview and characters of the original work, with Kobato's purity and Ioryogi's humor shining through. The story, set in a nursery school, is full of heartwarming episodes, providing healing for viewers. Other points not to be missed are CLAMP's beautiful character designs and Madhouse's high-quality animation.

The charm of this work lies above all in the character of Kobato. Her kindness and purity have the power to touch the hearts of viewers. Other elements to enjoy are her interactions with Ioryogi and the various episodes at the nursery school. Furthermore, each episode is short but self-contained, and each episode is packed with a different theme and message, which is also appreciated.

Related Titles

"Kobatto. Bonus Video: My First Kobatto" has deep connections to other works by CLAMP. It is particularly related to the main story of "Kobatto" and "Wish," so you will enjoy it more if you are familiar with these works. Other popular works by CLAMP, such as "Tsubasa Chronicle," "xxxHOLiC," "Cardcaptor Sakura," and "Chobits," are also listed as related works. By watching these works, you can gain a deeper understanding of the worldview and appeal of CLAMP's characters.

Recommendations and how to watch

"Kobato. Bonus Video: My First Kobato" is highly recommended for fans of CLAMP and viewers looking for healing. In particular, those who have read the original "Kobato." will enjoy the portrayal of Kobato and Ioryogi in the film. In addition, the heartwarming story set in a nursery school is also recommended for those who want to take a break from their busy daily lives and find healing.

To watch it, you will need to purchase the DVD limited edition of "Kobato." Volumes 1-5. In addition to the main story, the DVD also includes bonus footage and a booklet, making it a valuable collection for fans. It is also available in online stores and second-hand markets, so if you're interested, be sure to check it out.

Conclusion

"Kobato. Bonus Video: My First Kobato" is a short but condensed version of CLAMP's fascinating worldview and characters. It is filled with many charms, such as Kobato's purity, Ioryogi's humor, and a heartwarming episode at the nursery school. We highly recommend this to fans of CLAMP and viewers looking for healing. By enjoying it together with related works, you will be able to understand and enjoy CLAMP's worldview more deeply.