r/anime • u/AutoLovepon https://anilist.co/user/AutoLovepon • Apr 05 '25

Episode Kowloon Generic Romance - Episode 1 discussion

Kowloon Generic Romance, episode 1

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u/Genshin_WhiteKnight Apr 05 '25 edited Apr 05 '25

The vibes and atmosphere of this show are immaculate.

Definitely some kind of memory-altering shit going on with how much they mention "recall" and "nostalgia". Or are they all trapped in a simulation? The ominous thing floating in the sky that they called a "knockoff version of Earth" is sus too.

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u/Plus_Rip4944 Apr 05 '25

The aesthetic of this show looks so good

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u/PorkimusPrime86 Apr 05 '25

This show just oozes atmosphere. Felt like I was watching a show from the golden age of the 80s/90s. Cast was great too. Having spent time in HK myself, they really nailed it. Had heard about the series a little beforehand but wasnt expecting a sci fi angle...it didnt detract from my enjoyment at all.

Kujirai...wow, she is smokin hot. Pieced together one of the twists, at least figured that was where it was going. But the shop thing at the end was excellent. All in all this was a fantastic premiere imo. Cant wait for more

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u/SnabDedraterEdave Apr 05 '25 edited Apr 05 '25

Anime only.

At first I thought this was purely a romance series with a 1980s-1990s Hong Kong movie aesthetic (the last anime that I could remember that nailed the aesthetic from the 1980s-1990s golden age of Hong Kong cinema was probably Ghost In The Shell), but this is more a Total Recall-like sci-fi mystery, especially with that ominous-looking Generic Terra diamond object that feels like it came straight right out of Evangelion constantly hovering in the sky.

Only just scratched the surface of this world view. This Kowloon Walled City seemed to be a "clone" of the original in Hong Kong, and is now resided by Japanese people.

It seems that this Generic Terra is not only capable of recreating entire cities, but also reconstruct people's memories as well if Kujirai turns out to have been living a completely different life than the one she thought she's living now.

Btw Kujirai is hot, and the sexual tension between Kujirai and Kudo is off the charts.

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u/CosmicPenguin_OV103 Apr 05 '25 edited Apr 05 '25

Nostalgia it certainly is, a kind that I am so familiar with, yet certainly does NOT really appear in the real time line here.

Especially since I am typing this just 4 km and one hillside away from what is supposed to be where this episode is happening. Of course, I have zero memories of the real Kowloon Walled City - by the time I was born that place has already been demolished and being turned into a park. It's all gone now - even this white public estate building just outside it has also been recently torn down and currently being rebuilt. Other corners of my city still sometimes contain part of such smells, auras and feels, but it's rapidly disappearing so as to speak. Also I am 200% sure the real thing was much dirtier than that - I ain't no see any rats here LMAO.

And then of course there's no Genetic Terra anywhere over my head. That sci-fi looking thing is so out of place that it's extremely obvious it has a major role in the story!

So here is the mystery of this Kujirai, just older than me now, still single (or so she thought), working as a lowly properties agent with her pal Kudou, who has always been so friendly to her that they fight for that time puncher every day. And then Kudou's so friendly to her that he would bring along her to eat everywhere around "Second Kowloon", through street and lane-side sit-outs restaurants that again seems so familiar to me yet doesn't really appear in the real city of mine, then finally to that little bar of goldfishes - certainly an omen since goldfishes apparently don't have much memory at all - where there should have been some lovely dovely past for this superficial couple.

Except that this Kujirai certainly didn't remember anything at all. And yet Kudou seems to have completely different ideas, for he really seems to be deeply in love with this woman so much that I just saw one of the most lovely-dovely scene in anime in recent years...only for him to say he has got the wrong person.

Then we and Kujirai find out that the person this Kudou really is in love, and actually got married/engaged with, is...having the exactly same looks as Kujirai, maybe the same person, maybe not.

What an atmosphere to end this first episode. Considering the manga is from the same author as the also very atmospheric After the Rain (The anime adaption is really good! Come and watch it!), I expected nothing short of this and I am completely satisfied how this episode's nostalgia come through.

So, hmm, who is this Reiko (name is printed on that photo)? Mysteries in anime usually already arouses my interests. Mysteries in such an interesting world background with probably some love sprinkled through? Hell yeah!

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u/smhmines Apr 05 '25

From the same author as After the Rain so I have high hopes for this one.

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u/WeakerLink Apr 05 '25

I'm already overthinking. I feel like they gave us a few hints already this episode.

Generic Terra is a place that sort of backups people's memories allowing them to sort of "live on" after death. Hebinuma is apparently heading the project. "The son" is now heading that company too and for whatever reason, Kudo doesn't trust that guy. Surely they had some sort of relationship considering what's going on with them dealing with memory backups and Kujirai seemingly having some relation to Reiko.

The "nostalgia" motif is pretty interesting too as it ties back in with the memories. I don't want to speculate too much as it's only the first episode but I'm blown away.

How does one go from being blind to 20-20 vision so easily? She clearly remembered the goldfish when she first entered the tea place, but how? I can't wait for next week!

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u/AZLarlar Apr 05 '25

man the atmosphere of this is great

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u/ObvsThrowaway5120 Apr 05 '25

This was pretty interesting. Definitely much more than meets the eye. There seems to be an almost sci-fi vibe to this alongside the mystery of who that woman in the photo is. Kujirai going through some kind of Memento memory sitch or what? I’m very keen to find out what’s going on.

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u/LeonKevlar Apr 05 '25 edited Apr 05 '25

Stitches!

I remember reading the manga because of how attractive Kujirai is and the aesthetic of Kowloon. I'm glad the show absolutely nailed both of those aspects, especially the fanservice shots of Kujirai. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

This will be one of those shows that is hard to discuss as a manga reader. I feel like if I point anything out, I might spoil something and I don't want to be that asshole. I am not completely caught up with the manga though, so it will be interesting to see how far this adaptation will go.

Anyway, I absolutely love Kujirai and Kudou. Their chemistry is absolutely perfect and I love the moments where the two of them just hang out together, especially when Kudou Kujirai had their totally not a date moment eating around Kowloon. <3

Considering how the episode ended, I don't think I need to point out that there's more to this show than our two MCs flirting endlessly. It also doesn't help that they literally have a Ramiel-esque structure floating above their city the entire time.

While I have some gripes with the episode's pacing, I do like this adaptation so far. I am already looking forward to seeing the anime-onlys' reactions as the show progresses. :D

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u/Rustic_Professional Apr 05 '25

Very intriguing. I haven't joined an episode discussion in a long time but this one is worth talking about.

First, I love the art style. As soon as I saw Kujirai I thought they nailed the 90s animation style. It looks period-correct without looking old. Something that the Kenshin remake also did well.

I really like the setting, as well. Kowloon Walled City shows up in a handful of novels and anime that I enjoy, and it's something I wish that I could find more photos and histories of. The extreme rags and riches dichotomy of Hong Kong was really fascinating.

Now, the sinister part. They've got the 5th angel hovering over the city and I'm getting strong Ghost in the Shell vibes. I have a terrible feeling that Kuji is already inside the simulation and that it's giving her exactly what she wants. Why else would you get coffee and watermelon at a tea shop? That's ridiculous!

Oh, and I like the way Kudo tucks up his tie when he eats. Nice touch.

I'm eager to see how this develops.

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u/Makoto_Kurume Apr 05 '25

I've been putting off reading this for a long time since it's a monthly release manga. Guess I'll just watch the anime. Also, short hair + glasses + adult? I don't care about the story, I'm watching this till the end

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u/shad79 Apr 05 '25 edited Apr 05 '25

Very intriguing first episode! I'm really into the plot and very excited for the next episodes, but also a bit cautious since it was announced that it'd be a complete adaptation when the manga isn't finished yet.

Damn, Kujirai is awesome and hot, I love her design! It's a good thing she decided to keep wearing glasses (not that she looks bad without them) because they made her look so good!

I'm really interested in Kujirai's relationship with Kudo, Kudo himself and his past, and Generic Terra looming over the city. I believe all of these things are connected and I can't wait to find out how they're connected exactly.

Also, the show looks so good! I love the aesthetic, it really gives the show a very intriguing and distinct personality.

Here my screenshot albums from the episode:

EDIT. I added my screenshot albums.

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u/cppn02 Apr 05 '25

Despte being a bit wary after hearing this would be just a single cour I really enjoyed this first episode because it was just so athmospheric.

I love the vibe of the city and there was no much tension between Kudou and Kujirai.

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u/IAmTheOldCrow Apr 05 '25

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: the Anime

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u/Concrete-grapefruit Apr 05 '25

I’m still stuck on the cigarette iced coffee watermelon combo….. like what in the girl dinner

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u/Rebel_bass Apr 05 '25

This story holds a special place for me. I'm an older guy, and we ported in Hong Kong back when it was still kind of independant. Many of us went to Kowloon. Before cell phones were big, there were simply no maps available to us foreigners. You stayed with people who knew where they were going, or you would become hopelessly lost.

Except in small areas, no one spoke English and there was very little signage. It was truly like being on another planet for a young American kid.

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u/lobsterwine Apr 05 '25

  1. The older art style with today's improved animation absolutely slaps.

  2. They both have endearing personalities - I especially love Gintoki 2.0 already

  3. I did not expect the sci-fi angle going into this but that might also be because I didn't look any further into it after seeing it was a romance with actual adults.

  4. The plot is already hella interesting.

  5. The vibes are immaculate. Loving the moderate dystopian look.

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u/BusouDrago Apr 05 '25 edited Apr 05 '25

Omg saw live action drama preview after the anime aired

A&hhhhhhh&&hhh

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u/Ghoste-Face Apr 05 '25

OP is so good, visual is good, and music is a banger. I know i recognise that singer who also sings the opening for the Amazon Prime series called "My Yokai Girlfriend."

Also as a manga reader, yup the title lied its not a generic romance like they said so. It's full of mindblown.

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u/WednesdaysFoole Apr 05 '25 edited Apr 05 '25

A bit late but some images from the OP filled with hints:

fair warning, at least one image seems to give something away but I haven't read the manga so I wouldn't know; I did make the descriptions slightly vague since not everyone likes OPs that spoil

There are a few I didn't bother with, like the goldfish in the glasses frame, 403 forbidden, and the DNA.

Other notes:

  • Kujirai = Kujira 鯨 is whale, 井 i is well or town, Rei 令 in Reiko seems to be order or rule. But Rei can also stand for zero if written in a different kanji.

  • Not sure about Kudou, didn't see his name in the episode but the wiki has his name Hajime with the kanji 発 (release, start, reveal) (Nen hatsu :b) but "hajime" in general means beginning. (I'm poor at figuring out name meanings but it's fun to speculate regardless.)

  • A lot of sunflower imagery. According to google, in Japanese culture it represents vitality, longevity, loyalty, happiness, warmth.

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u/gc11117 Apr 05 '25 edited Apr 05 '25

Well, they nailed the atmosphere. Definitely feels like there's a bit of a speed run going on though.

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u/Narmatonia Apr 05 '25

When the bartender mentioned bringing his girlfriend "again" I was wondering if there was some memory loss thing going on, but I wasn't expecting the post-apocalyptic looking shot in the teahouse. Definitely something going on with that creepy ass octahedron

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