Ikoku Meiro no Croisée must be the cosiest anime of the season. The used of fine art, intricate architecture and detailed clothing add so much flavour to the show. More than anything else, I loved Alice’s yurific thoughts on Yune and the overflowing cuteness galore of the characters. Also, something that we can take away from this series is the fact that in every culture, cuteness is never for free, beauty has always a price to pay—discipline and punish.
It’s a fact recognized throughout history that what you wear determines how people perceived you. As perfectly shown by Yune, the foreignness of the Kimonoinvites exoticness to almost everyone who sees her, particularly Alice. Also as exemplified by her clothing, it’s not the body, but the codifying of the body into composition of appearance, that culturally outlines and forms what it means to be ‘feminine,’ and to embody nation and culture.
Furthermore, it takes a lot of time and discipline to master the skill of wearing a kimono and to wear it comfortably with elegance. For instance, after knowing that a maiko’s kimono weighs as much as forty pounds, I started to feel sorry seeing Yune’s petite figure bearing all of those weight. I also felt bad after learning that her tiny body was encapsulated by an obi, an unwieldy brocade corset with a pair of long wings swing from the back. That’s why poor Yune, even though she’s already cute, just for the sake of epitomizing her culture, she has to look cuter in that heavy-loaded Kimono.
As for Camille and Alice, underneath their lovely dresses were disciplinary tools such as corsets and crinolines. Symbolically, these were used to mechanize female bodies in accordance to the general norms and definition of beauty of an industrial society. Corsets came into fashion to bring a stylized ‘S-curve.’ And while it’s sculpting an idealized female form, it’s also rendering an idle body that’s obviously unfit for work. Hence, I don’t blame Alice for cheating and loosening her corset, because women wearing it could barely sit or stoop, was incapable of moving her feet more than six inches at a time, and had trouble in maintaining herself from usual fainting fits.
Aside from corset, crinoline was another part of the woman’s clothing that was featured in this series. As Yune perfectly described, it’s a birdcage. Someone who uses this has an extremely restricting movement and difficulty in reaching out. Modern women would even deem this as enormous sheathes of textile on hooplas of swaying supports. That’s why it’s quite mindboggling how Camille would wear a corset and a crinoline as if it’s nothing—like seriously how would she even sit down in those things, for heaven’s sake?!
That’s because, Camille, being older of the two, needed to emit more ‘beauty’ than Alice. The price of getting into the high society and cementing nobility was for her to conform to the whole notion of ‘human dressage,’ wherein disciplinary practices, such as wearing these body-shaping devices, were applied to the construction of feminine ‘docile bodies’ in every area of everyday life. As Camille characterized, her ‘beauty’ was the perfect embodiment of a well-disciplined mind and well-regulated feelings.
Truly, Ikoku Meiro no Croisée is a show where all characters are so adorable and lovely. But as illustrated by this series, ‘beauty’ is a concept dictated by the ruling class and carry out task that requires bizarre methods of physical manipulation in order to gain control in investing and maintaining gender/power relations.
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Side Notes:
- This series never fails to deliver. I’m enjoying this anime more than what I initially expected.
- This post is inspired by Michel Foucault and Susan Bordo
- Click here to read my initial impression and expectation.
Lemmas and Submodalities 
The fact that poor Camille and Alice have to wear those birdcages just to create an image of beauty and supremacy kinda creeps me out. I couldn’t possibly imagine my future queen having to wear that when we waltz…yes I plan to learn how to waltz because I dream of waltzing with my future wife.
Anyway, it’s until just recently that I learned Alice is voiced by my current favorite up and coming seiyuu, Aoi Yuuki (The voice of such greats like Noel, Victorique, Mina Tepes and of course Madoka Kaname.) Alice, you go get your tiny, blossoming little girlfriend. HUZZAH!
Yeah, even though Alice and Camille’s dresses look so lovely, it’s sad that during their time they have to suffer wearing those “internal” clothing just to look cuter. I’m glad that the custom isn’t like that any more otherwise I’m going to cheat just like my dear Alice. ^^ Btw, I’m just really loving how excited Alice is when she’s with Yune, so much kyakya moments~
Wow you’re planning to learn waltz? Good luck. That’s really lovely and romantic for lovers. You don’t have to worry with birdcages because dress skirts nowadays don’t require that. ^^
Episode 7:
-Alice strikes again and BOY does she EVER leave an impression on our little heroine!
-I wonder if this is a lesson in showing that Claude may be acting exactly like the people he dislikes, the higher class who treat lower class like trash.
-Baby Yune and nee-sama are too much kyaa for me to handle.
-Ah, he did use his head. Good for you Claude.
-Yes Alice, we know how hard you’re willing to fight for the one you love. Never give up, never surrender.
-That last bit at the end was so predictable that even my niece could have seen that coming.
DARN IT! I WANT TO GIVE HER A BIG HUG!
Oho, next week our question from last week will finally be answered. Should be an interesting episode.
Haha, yeah. That cheek-kiss from Alice really made my heart doki doki. Claude’s kiss is really sweet too, but I still preferred Alice’s. And yeah, I just want to give Yune a hug, poor her she got sick.
Don’t even try! I AM going to give an hug to her! è___é
I don’t follow Ikoku Meiro no Croisée but your post brings back to light the complex inner workings of society those days, not that it isn’t complex now nor can I confirm that it’s vastly different. But the price these women had to pay to achieve the ideal beauty is food for thought.
This reminds me, foot binding was the Chinese custom of binding feet at a young age to prevent it from growing. Small feet were considered beautiful then but those with bound feet eventually ended up suffering from disability.
But really, how do they sit in those clothes?!
Indeed, that foot binding is a very famous example of oppression in beauty. Not only it’s painful and causes disability, lots of Chinese women died during the China-Japan war because of they couldn’t run fast because of their small feet. I believed until now we’re still experiencing cruelty in beauty, however in a more subtle way and in a different form e.g. having a slim figures and the flawless beauty of a hairless skin.
Haha, I’m also as puzzled as you are. ^^
What is beauty? Everything depend on who is watching. In the course of the years the concept of beauty is changed even considering a single country so much and is still changing. (not considering that different countries have different “beauty” genres)
There is no objective beauty, nor a definitive one for each one of us.
It is all just a small illusion… :P
I totally agreed with you. Beauty is nothing but a man-made definition. Sadly though that the powerful ones get the most say in defining it. And since we’re living in a socially constructed world, we’re bounded to obey this illusion because otherwise there’s unfavourable consequences that await e.g. social alienation and production of lower self-esteem.
I think both Alice and Yune (even more so Camille) represent some of their nations idealism of the time pertaining to beauty and the traditional outlook (your last post still leaves an impact one me). However like Feal stated above, I think beauty is something that can not be truly defined or capture, since everyone has different takes on it. For me, beauty does not fall to how aesthetically pleasing someone is, but more on different traits and such. It is really hard to explain it, but for me it is really easy to recognize when I encounter someone. The old cliche “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” or “beauty is only skin deep” describes it best, lol.
Also kudos for pointing out the corsets and crinolines as tools of discipline. One of my favorite shows for the season as well and still keeping up with my expectations if not exceeding them. ^^
Agreed, the female leads represent their nations. I believe in general women are more considered as ambassadors of one’s culture and nation, e.g. Miss Universe.
Similar to you, for me beauty is beyond aesthetics but I’m not going to dismiss the fact that I’m also looking at the physical traits that’s why it’s really hard for me to say that “beauty is only skin deep”. Personally, it’s more right to say that inner qualities take the bigger portion of considering who’s beautiful. It’s true that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” however sometimes our eyes and perception are greatly influenced by what has been normalized. Btw, these are just all based from my opinion, I hope you don’t mind me ranting. ^^
I’m so glad that you’re also enjoying this series the same way I do. Yay for Alice, Yune and cuteness! ^^
You give Ikoku a harsher, more constricting edge to it. Me not sure if me likey. :C
But it is true that beauty is manufactured by those who hold influence. It’s a fleeting trend and comes in different forms…why, fat people were once thought to be beautiful (That’s how those fat aristocrats got lovers!).
Oh did I? Right now I’m really in love with this anime. That’s why when writing this article, I tried so hard to choose my words because I don’t want to give any negative impression about this series. I guess I failed in doing that… Well, what can we do, that’s the harsh side of reality. :(
I absolutely agreed with you. Fat people used to have the supremacy in defining aristocracy and beauty, because they embody fertility or sexual prowess, material possession (food and hassle free-life), strength and space. However, some philosophers like Plato screwed up this ideology by promoting that slim bodies are cooler and more beautiful because they’re free from the shallowness of the material world. Plus, women also started to realized that slimmer bodies are equal to mobility.
Anyway, thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, Tom, even though your love for Yune is starting to die out. ^^
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The character designer for this show has mentioned the tips he got from the original creator regarding character’s clothing. Yune’s was “something that looks heavy”.
Oic, but Yune’s kimono doesn’t seem that heavy. She wears it so cutely and comfortably.
My jaw dropped wide open when I read “a maiko’s kimono weighs as much as forty pounds”. Poor Yune. That’s soooo heavy, especially on her small frame.
I’m amazed by how discipline they are when it comes to keeping the traditions of their culture. I’m particularly impressed with Camille. She looked like she hated her clothes but still wear them nonethess. I suppose wanting “beauty” or “status” comes with a price.
I was surprised too, I don’t understand why she has to wear that much clothing.
Indeed Camille is impressive, you can really see how regulated and controlled her actions and feeling are. Sadly, she’s like a slave of her own beauty.
Besides the crinoline and the corset, one of the accessories that I particularly love about Camille’s character is the fan. I may be reading to much into it, but I feel that not only does it signify her status, she also uses it to hide behind, which is something you see when she’s dealing with Claude. It’s like by talking through it she’s able to be the aristocratic person others want her to be.
Without it she’s seen to be a bit more open, a bit more ditsy, basically just more herself. Alice, on the other hand, is always herself – loosening the strings of the corset, wearing Japanese cloths, etc – I wonder if she’ll ever be like her sister. Even though she’s always singing Camille praises, I don’t ever see her conforming to society’s rules (or at least not as much as her sister does), and I doubt will get that far into the show to see it happen. Not that it would, I doubt this show would get that serious, though I would love to see a time skip.
Anyway, great post. I’m really looking forward to the next episode (more Camille and Claude :D).
That’s really an interesting observation. Now that I thought of it, Camille’s fan functions as her defence mechanism, something that makes her untouchable and at the same time allows her to conceal her feelings. And like what you said, without it she’s more open and perhaps vulnerable. Hence this fan helps her regulate and control her emotions.
Btw, I also don’t think Alice will be ever like her sister, at least for the sake of the comedy of this show. I really like Alice the way she is and enjoy how she pursues Yune, so I hope they won’t turn her into something like Camille.
Anyway, great analysis! Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. ^^
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Yet another interesting post, Snippett. Sadly, I haven’t managed to find the time to watch much anime recently, so I can’t really relate, haha. I really should get to finishing off my backlog sometime soon…
Aww, thank you. Ikoku Meiro no Croisee is one of my favourites this season. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a laid-back and heart-warming anime with sense.
Btw, good luck on finishing your backlog. ^^
This is an excellent post. I’m quite split on the beauty which results from such social practices, because it is aesthetically pleasing, but is it worth the cost? Searching my thoughts on this, I don’t think it’s as simple as being caged by definitions and expectations, but I believe the core issue is choice, or lack there of. Some women may actually enjoy the ‘duty’ of beauty, but there are greater issues when no woman may comfortably choose otherwise.
Thanks for the read. ^ ^
Agreed with your thoughts. Also. I always believed that we’re living in a socially constructed world. Because of that, we’re always bounded to what has been normalized. Surely we have choice and agency to come up with our own definitions of beauty, but the problem is how to fit that in accordance to the definition of the society.
For those who enjoy the ‘duty’ of beauty it’s either it’s benefiting for them or they’re just prisoners of the ideology. People tend to follow to what has been standardized because they’re just afraid to face the regulatory discourses and social death. And because of these normalized ideologies, the feeling of lacking choice and marginalization occur.
Btw, thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. ^^
Society expects more of the rich. Especially in those days, they had to look the part or be ridiculed. While this meant that fashion was clumsy and oftentimes not worth it, it was a necessity for women of status to put up with all that crap. It’s definitely more constrictive when compared to the free flowing kimono, which is as much an allegory for the divide between the two countries.
I guess you’re way too negative and harsh Inu-chan. Don’t get me wrong on this post, I’m just magnifying the societal issues that were being overlooked at, but I never thought that fashion is clumsy and worthless. Beauty and fashion are works of art and self-expression regardless of one’s social status. The only thing is, people of power are using these to set standards and oftentimes they’re overwhelmed by the ideologies that they have constructed up to the point that they’re becoming their own prisoners.
Hey, a sign that you didn’t need to have workable clothing was a sign of status. My point, made through apparent hyperbole, was that society often scrutinizes the rich if they don’t look the part. Especially in France, status was everything to the social elite. I’m somebody who vehemently denounces fashion for fashion’s sake though, so take what I say with a grain of salt.
So bottom line you don’t really care about fashion. Lol, that’s what I liked about your comments, you’re trying to win me using mathematical terms. Because of that, I’ll take what you said not just as salt, but as “iodized salt”. Thanks Inu-chan. ^^
“But as illustrated by this series, ‘beauty’ is a concept dictated by the ruling class and carry out task that requires bizarre methods of physical manipulation in order to gain control in investing and maintaining gender/power relations.”
I can’t really add much to this post, as your point is so well illustrated. That having been said, I’ll just write out my own opinion of the show: I’m still loving its atmosphere. It’s admirable how it can manage to be cutesy and yet so vivid and relevant in its design and intent.
I’m also enjoying the laid-back atmosphere, lovely art and cuteness of the characters. It’s also nice to see that it has very sensible societal concepts that’s why I’m loving this more than what I expected.
Love what you said about corsets and Camille. This is a very restricting time for women indeed at least on the surface. Female sexuality and form are all very strictly controlled, and being able to embrace that is indeed a sign of maturity during the Victorian era.
Anyway, lovely post! So many thoughts about Victorian fashion now popping up. ^ ^
Fashion is always glamorous to look at but at the same time it always has that grey and questionable areas for its existence, and Victorian era is not an exception. We can also say that fashion reflects the situation of a particular time especially of the women.
Btw, I’m happy that you enjoyed this post and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Episode 8: The episode we’ve been waiting for: Camille and Claude’s flashback. Yeah, I know I didn’t make a big deal out of this but the show managed to convince me to show interest.
-Hohoho, old flames are being lit once again. I like where this is going.
-HOW DARE CLAUDE ACCUSE DEAR, SWEET, HAUGHTY ALICE OF BEING MANIPULATIVE?! XD
-Why do the best parts of the show usually involve Yune and Alice alone together? Hmhmhmhmhmhmhm.
-Oooooooh. Alice, you sly dog you. hitting on Yune-chan like that. You go girl! Oh, and apparently she’s a feminist.
-Kyaaaaaaa! Baby ALICE!
-My gosh. The awesomeness shifted from the conversation between Claude and Camille to Baby Alice’s story. Sorry Claude but Alice has stolen the spotlight once again.
-Perhaps you can best explain Camille’s way of thinking. She got the spotlight back from her imouto is seconds. Good stuff. Anyway, I think Camille merely has a lot of build up frustration inside her and she’s slowly trying to let it out. Can you help me understand her, ma belle peche?
Could it also be that she’s envious of Alice’s free spirited personality? I wonder…or perhaps it’s a continuation of how Camille still feels like she’s living inside a prison. Why am I suddenly thinking about Strawberry Panic?
Hoho, next week is part 2 of the Claude X Camille story.
Hmm, so this week’s metaphor is cats. Cool because of how much sense that makes when you think about it…no wait, it’s not hard to understand this one.
This is yet another lovely episode, Alice is definitely my favourite character. I loved her principles and how free-spirited she is. I’m really hoping for a Claude x Camille love story, but we know that that’s not going to happen.
Anyway, I believed Camille has lower self-esteem than Alice. Like what you mentioned cats are metaphors on this series, and pretty much Camille is best described by her white cat. She’s not allowed to go outside because she has to be clean and pure all the time. The other stray cats symbolize Alice’s free-spiritedness, Yune being an outsider, and Claude wondering his feelings.
Also, I don’t think Camille is envious of Alice. She’s a very smart lady, however she doesn’t have the guts to go against with the rules. Remember she said that marriage is only a game. From what I’d seen, she’s treating that game as if she’s trapped to play forever. And Camille, definitely has lots frustration but she’s trying to conceal it, and that’s symbolically represented by her fan—noticed how she always covers her face?
Oh yes. Alice stuck it to the story writers of mostof our childhood classics like snow white and Cinderella and said in modern terms: Figurative arranged marriage endings SUCK!
Hmm, you’re right about the fan. She does always use it to cover her lips, thus concealing her negative emotions, such as frustration. What we’ve learned this week is that Alice is pretty much a prisoner shackled by the house’s rules, who wishes to be freed but can’t. She’s playing a game and is obliged to finish it.
Seriously though, the more I see Alice, the more I realize that she is even more worthy of Yune’s heart than Claude is. Speaking of Claude, I guess we’ll have to wait till this Sunday to find out exactly why he’s conflicted or whatever it is that’s made him freeze in his tracks in the presence of Camille.
Well, I’m really hoping for Claude x Camille ending, not only because I loved Alice x Yune together, but also they look perfect for each other.
Anyway, I saw the trailer, and I think next episode is another interesting one. Let’s hope for more Alice x Yune facetime. ^^
Putting our personal desires aside, there are two reasons why I don’t want a Yune x Cluade ending:
A: It doesn’t work. I just can’t see it working at all. I seriously can’t. What has happened in the show so far that would make ANYONE go for this pairing other than people who jump on “bandwagons”?
B: Like you said, Claude and Camille are made for each other. Just look at them. They’re both grouchy and hiding something, they can’t quite get their feelings across unless a critical event occurs and they both like cats.
Episode 4.5:
-5 very important events take place in this episode:
1: We may have just met Mugi’s great grandmother.
2: Yune sings for Alice, while Alice is wearing a funky hat.
3: More scenes of Yune’s revered onee-san and Baby Yune.
4: The connection between Mugi’s great grandmother and Yune.
5: A preview of what’s to come, further hinting the importance of an upcoming episode.
Episode 9:
-Alice’s surprise for Yune. this girl loves Yune so very much that it’s borderline romantic…AND I’M LOVING IT!.
-Alice’s determination to follow Japanese tradition accordingly.
-More on Camille and Claude’s past…although Baby Camille is cute, she’s not as badass as Baby Alice. Ah, so that’s it. Hmm,
-NOOOOOO! The hat! THE HAT! the hat did it! The hat DID IT!
Anyway, next week it looks like we’ll learn more about Claude’s dad and something else that’s special.
I just loved Alice and I will drink whatever tea she gives me. If I’m going to be an anime, I really wish to join them on their tea party. They’re so adorable.
And in this episode, I just want to give Camille my biggest hug. Poor her, she doesn’t have that much voice and guts to do what she likes, she really needs some empowerment. I wonder how it’s like if she’s the imouto and Alice is the onee-chan…
It’s over…it’s all over…Hold me Snippy for I am about to shed manly tears. I haven’t felt this sad since the season finale of Saki and Bincho-tan.
I know how you feel OG… I was also thinking twice before watching the last episode because that would mean goodbye to the show. Hopefully there’ll be another season. But for what it’s worth, I never regret following this lovely series.
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Yurific??? omg! Poor Yune! :P Sorry, I can’t help finding this ‘couple’ extreme fantasy and quite unfitting, unless we talk about S & M :P Seriously! Alice plays around with Yune like a doll/toy!
About Yune’s clothes… is it maiko’s clothes? I mean, she isn’t a geisha apprentice. They should be more simple and lighter clothes.
Haha, I like that idea. I really enjoy how pushy and possessive Alice is–and potentially can be more… so seeing her in total control and domination over Yune is an absolute joy for me.
I read that Yune is a maiko. Basically, these are the young girls in training or preparation to become a geisha, so yes pretty much she’s a geisha’s apprentice. I believe that a geisha has a much more complicated kimono and make-up than a maiko. So, Yune’s clothes are still okay, I guess. But you’re right, they should wear a much more simple and lighter clothes.
Where did you read that she is a maiko? Can you link me, if you can, pls? In the beginning of both the anime and manga we are said she is a poster girl and we also know she has a sister. If she was a maiko she wouldn’t live with her sister and them taking strolls outside. I am sure they would comment on it. But perhaps the costumes used for Yune’s designs resemble that of maiko’s ( sth like poetic freedom or historic/social inaccuracy).
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A obi doesn’t just and I don’t think I normal kimono weight as much as a maikos
A normal kimono isn’t heavy as a maikos scone a maiko have a lot of layers. The obi doesn’t sit so it just the persons wearing it it just there to hold the kimono up.